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| Editors' Choice: Story of the Week | |
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Commentary
2009 Oct 14, Axel Grothey, MD, Associate Editor
The goals of palliative therapy, in general, are both to extend the patient's life and to maintain its quality for as long as possible. In metastatic colorectal cancer, the sequential use of active treatment regimens has significantly improved patient outcome with moderate overall toxicity. A long-standing clinical question is whether treatment plans for such patients should routinely incorporate complete chemotherapy-free intervals (CFI). The prospective, randomized OPTIMOX2 trial tried to answer this question. Although the study was somewhat underpowered, the results strongly suggest that routine CFIs can have an adverse effect on patient outcome and should not be considered standard of care for all patients. CFIs can, however, be considered in selected patients as part of an individualized treatment approach that includes close tumor monitoring.
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Maintenance With Simplified LV5FU2 vs Chemotherapy Discontinuation in Unresectable Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
J Clin Oncol, 2009 Sept 28, B Chibaudel, et al
EXPERT COMMENTARY
Maintenance CT between induction therapy with and reintroduction of mFOLFOX7 reduces risk of oxaliplatin failure vs a CT-free interval.
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| Cancer Policy Forum | More » |
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Is There a War on Oncologists?
Community Oncology Alliance, 2009 Oct 12, Patrick Cobb, MD; Ted Okon
Regardless of whether government has actually “declared war” on oncologists, it feels like community oncology practices are under siege.
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| News | More » |
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GSK's RCC Agent Votrient Clears ODAC Despite Outdated Trial, FDA Safety Concerns
The Pink Sheet Daily, 2009 Oct 12, J Hammon
Comparison of a new oncologic agent with the current standard of care may not be required if the trial predated establishment of that standard.
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A Call for Better Technologies for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
The Gray Sheet, 2009 Oct 12, R Miller
Campaigns for public education on prostate cancer and increased research funding may copy the model used by the breast cancer awareness movement.
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Increase in Stage III Melanomas Anticipated
Elsevier Global Medical News, 2009 Oct 9, B Jancin
A big jump in stage III melanoma diagnoses is expected early next year, when the new AJCC classification system takes effect.
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US Government Issues Rules for Use of Genetic Information by Insurers
Elsevier Global Medical News, 2009 Oct 8, ME Schneider
The federal government has issued new rules spelling out how it intends to police the use of genetic information by health plans.
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| Journal Scans | More » |
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NPM1 Mutation Is a Defining Molecular Feature in AML
Blood, 2009 Oct 1, C Haferlach, et al
New data strongly suggest NPM1 mutation is the founder genetic lesion in AML; chromosomal aberrations appear to be secondary events.
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Meta-analysis of Bleeding Risk With Sunitinib and Sorafenib 
Lancet Oncol, 2009 Oct 1, Y Je , et al
Large meta-analysis showing that sunitinib and sorafenib significantly increase bleeding risk suggests careful surveillance for this potential risk is warranted.
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RT After Radical Prostatectomy Raises Risk of Second Primary Cancer
Urology, 2009 Oct 1, M Abdel-Wahab, et al
Second primary cancer incidence was 8.4% overall among patients receiving RT, with a higher incidence of late pelvic tumors noted.
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| What Patients Are Reading | More » |
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Breast Tenderness During Hormone Therapy Should Prompt Reassessment of Need
As Reported by HealthDay News, 2009 Oct 12
Breast cancer diagnosis was more common in women whose breast tenderness was related to hormone therapy taken during menopause.
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HPV Replaces EBV as the Most Common Cause of Nasopharyngeal Cancer
As reported by China View, 2009 Oct 8
Tonsil and nasopharyngeal cancers are both linked to HPV infection as the most common infectious cause.
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Analyzing Estrogen Levels in the Breast Will Be Easier With Microfluidics
As reported by Canwest News Service, 2009 Oct 7
Analyzing estrogen levels in the breast using digital microfluidics techniques requires a tiny amount of fluid, not a segment of breast tissue.
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Stem Cells Show Promise as a Universal Vaccine Against Colon Cancer
As Reported by Medical News Today, 2009 Oct 7
Colon cancer tumors shrank dramatically in mice injected with human embryonic stem cells.
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