 |
| Editors' Choice: Story of the Week | |
 |
Commentary
2009 Oct 7, Lee Schwartzberg, MD, PhD, Editor-in-Chief
V600E, an activating mutation in the protein kinase BRAF, is present in about 60% of malignant melanoma cases and drives downstream activation of the ERK pathway. Once activated, the ERK pathway leads to cell proliferation and metastases, making it an ideal target for small-molecule inhibitors. This phase I extension trial of PLX4032, an oral agent that is highly specific for this BRAF mutation, yielded an unprecedented 70% response rate in melanoma patients with the mutation and had modest adverse effects. For a notoriously difficult disease with few options, these early data are extremely encouraging and underscore the benefit of developing specific inhibitors of critical cancer-cell pathway signaling.
|
Targeted Therapy PLX4032 Takes Center Stage in Metastatic Melanoma
Elsevier Global Medical News, 2009 Oct 1, P Wendling
EXPERT COMMENTARY
An investigational agent that targets the BRAF mutation has shown impressive results in a second phase I melanoma trial.
|
| Journal Scans | More » |
|
Robotic Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Stage I Peripheral NSCLC
Clin Oncol, 2009 Oct 1, WT Brown, et al
Robotic stereotactic radiotherapy appeared to be safe and was clearly superior to conventionally fractionated radiotherapy for stage I peripheral NSCLC.
|
Dasatinib in Imatinib-Resistant, BCR-ABL–Mutated CML
Blood, 2009 Sept 24, MC Muller, et al
Dasatinib elicited durable responses after prior imatinib failure in patients with CML-CP, regardless of BCR-ABL mutation status.
|
Low p27 Expression Is Prognostic in Tamoxifen-Treated Postmenopausal HR+ Breast Cancer
Clin Cancer Res, 2009 Sept 15, M Filipits, et al
Low p27 expression predicted relapse and death in postmenopausal women with early HR+ breast cancer treated with long-term tamoxifen.
|
| What Patients Are Reading | More » |
|
Numerous Genes Linked to Head and Neck Cancer Are Discovered
As Reported by HealthDay News, 2009 Oct 5
Researchers identified 231 additional genes linked to head and neck cancer that could aid in its diagnosis and treatment.
|
Memory Loss With WBRT Precludes Its Use as Initial Therapy for Brain Tumors
As Reported by HealthDay News, 2009 Oct 5
Researchers stopped a trial early when a 4-month analysis showed more loss of brain function with WBRT than with SRS.
|
Major Tumor-Suppressor Gene Found on Chromosome 8
As reported by BBC News, 2009 Oct 5
Defects in regulation of the NRG1 gene may account for the development and spread of breast and other cancers.
|
Prophylactic Mastectomy Is on the Increase, Despite Dubious Survival Advantage
As Reported by HealthDay News, 2009 Sept 28
From 1995 to 2005, the rate of prophylactic mastectomy increased from 5.6% to 14.1%.
|
|
| | |
| EDITORIAL BOARD
Our physician editors collaborate weekly to choose the website's top story.
VISIT SITE
| |
|
|
| | |
| ECCO/ESMO 2009
Conference news plus interviews with ECCO/ESMO officers.
| |
|
|
| | |
| CANCER POLICY FORUM
Get behind-the-headline perspectives on the politics of cancer.
VISIT SITE
| |
|
|
| | |
| WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS
Experts discuss the true clinical implications of watershed developments in oncology research.
VISIT SITE
| |
|
|
| | |
| COMMENTARY
Patients and practicing clinicians should have prominent seats at the decision-making table as CER projects are determined.
VISIT SITE
| |
|
|
|
The Latest Oncology Intelligence
