PRO/CON Chul Soo Ha, MD If systemic treatment is effective enough to reliably control not only microscopic but also bulky disease, there will be little role for radiotherapy. And if systemic treatment cannot even reliably control microscopic disease, let alone macroscopic disease, there will be little role for radiotherapy, either.
PRO/CON Soham Puvvada, MD, Thomas Miller, MD DLBCL of any stage remains a systemic disease with early hematogenous spread. Thus, arguments advocating the role of IFRT do not truly address disease biology, and all future efforts to cure patients will require improved systemic therapy.
RESEARCH REPORT Anna Azvolinsky Researchers have characterized acute myeloid leukemia, providing new genetic driver leads to help classify the disease and even stratify AML patients by risk.
RESEARCH REPORT Michael Kaufman A dose-adjusted regimen of etoposide, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide with vincristine, prednisone, and rituximab (DA-EPOCH-R) obviated the need for radiotherapy in patients with primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma in a single-group, phase II, prospective study.
RESEARCH REPORT Anna Azvolinsky Researchers have identified a novel monoclonal antibody directly targeted against a receptor found in abundance on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells, but not normal B cells. The humanized antibody can directly kill CLL cells.
RESEARCH REPORT Michael Kaufman Targeting the bone marrow–specific extracellular matrix osteopontin may be an effective strategy to increase the efficacy of chemotherapy in patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia, according to the authors of a recent study.
REVIEW ARTICLE Shadi Latta, et al;ONCOLOGY Vol. 27 No. 2 In this review, we critically analyze clinical trials that were specifically designed for the very elderly, and we discuss the challenges encountered by investigators who are conducting studies in this patient population.
Up to 20% of all primary CNS lymphoma (PCNLS) patients are aged 80 years or older, yet data are limited on how best to treat this rapidly growing population. Despite demographic pressures and the proven efficacy of methotrexate (MTX)-based regimens, automatic de-escalation of care based on age is standard practice outside of tertiary care centers. We performed a retrospective review of all PCNSL patients aged 80 years or older treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center from 1993 to 2011. Demogr
The Notch pathway is dysregulated and a potential target in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Currently available Notch inhibitors block -secretase, which is necessary for Notch processing. However, Notch is first cleaved by α-secretase outside the plasma membrane, via a disintegrin and metalloproteinase–10 and –17. In this work, we used a potent α-secretase inhibitor (ASI) to test inhibition of glioblastoma growth and inhibition of Notch and of both novel and known Notch targets.
This study investigated the prevalence and the prognostic relevance of the 2 known telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs), telomerase activity (TA) and alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). In 57 specimens from 49 patients with MPNST (35 sporadic, 14 neurofibromatosis type 1-related), TA was determined using the telomeric repeat amplification protocol, and ALT was detected by assaying ALT-associated promyelocytic leukemia bodies (APB) and term
Treatment-related myelodysplastic syndrome (t-MDS) and treatment-related acute myelogenous leukemia (t-AML) represent rare secondary events in patients with primary tumors of the nervous system and predominantly affect those treated with alkylating agents or topoisomerase II inhibitors. Temozolomide has become the standard chemotherapeutic agent for malignant gliomas. The emergence of this alkylating agent with little acute toxicity or cumulative myelosuppression has led to off-label protracted chemot
The diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) by radiographical examination is often difficult because of its similarity to other brain tumors. To test whether interleukin-10 (IL-10) and IL-6 can be used to distinguish PCNSL from other brain tumors that are radiographically similar, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of IL-10 and IL-6 were measured in 66 patients with intracranial tumors (PCNSLs: 26 cases; other brain tumors: 40 cases). In the patients with PCNSLs, the median CSF leve
DLBCL of any stage remains a systemic disease with early hematogenous spread. Thus, arguments advocating the role of IFRT do not truly address disease... More »
Researchers have identified a novel monoclonal antibody directly targeted against a receptor found in abundance on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)... More »
In this review, we critically analyze clinical trials that were specifically designed for the very elderly, and we discuss the challenges encountered... More »
A genome-wide study, and analysis of genes in Reed-Sternberg cells, suggest molecular subtypes that should lead to better therapies and prognostic... More »
DLBCL of any stage remains a systemic disease with early hematogenous spread. Thus, arguments advocating the role of IFRT do not truly address disease biology, and all future efforts to cure patients will require improved systemic therapy.
If systemic treatment is effective enough to reliably control not only microscopic but also bulky disease, there will be little role for radiotherapy. And if systemic treatment cannot even reliably control microscopic disease, let alone macroscopic disease, there will be little role for radiotherapy, either. However, there are patients who fall into neither of these categories, and in them radiotherapy may well have a role.
In this interview we discuss the latest chronic myeloid leukemia treatment and research with Dr. Michael Deininger, chief of the division of hematology at the University of Utah School of Medicine.
A 53-year-old woman presented with abominal pain. Physical examination and radiographic imaging shows the presence of an abdominal mass. Biopsy of the mass was performed. What is your diagnosis?
Key Differences between FQHCs and RHCs Chastity Werner, RHIT, June 13, 2013 FQHCs and RHCs take up a unique niche among physician practices. And that affects compensation and billing.
Improving Care Coordination in Your Practice Susanne Madden, June 12, 2013 Practices are feverishly working to control the rising costs of healthcare - effective care coordination can help.
Refunding Overpayments: Two Options for Medical Practices Ericka L. Adler, June 12, 2013 Medicare and Medicaid providers must return overpayments once identified. Here are two different refund approaches for practices to consider when necessary.
iPad Alternatives for Mobile Physicians Marisa Torrieri, June 11, 2013 As more physicians are seeing the merits of media tablets, the market is expanding, too.
In this review, we critically analyze clinical trials that were specifically designed for the very elderly, and we discuss the challenges encountered by investigators who are conducting studies in this patient population. We conclude by proposing an algorithm to help clinicians determine the optimal therapeutic strategy for treatment of DLBCL in very elderly patients.
In Hodgkin lymphoma, as with many other malignancies, a combined-modality approach has proven successful. This tactic capitalizes on the relative advantages of both modalities, yet minimizes risk by avoiding intense exposure to either. This article will summarize the data supporting this approach in early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma.
This review will discuss the pathophysiology associated with the del(17p13.1) interphase cytogenetic abnormality, the current generally poor outcomes in affected patients, currently approved therapeutic agents, and new agents now undergoing investigation.
Is it reasonable to start all new CML patients on treatment with imatinib alone and continue the drug indefinitely in those who fare well, or should one start treatment with one of the newer agents or possibly with imatinib in combination with another anti-CML agent in order to secure the best possible outcome for an individual patient?
In this review, we will discuss the management of ALL in the adult population, in the context of the recently published guidelines from the NCCN. We will focus in particular on the strides being made in salvage and targeted approaches.
Although the overall prognosis for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) associated with unfavorable, complex, or monosomal karyotypes is poor, some patients can be cured.
The treatment of APL in the modern era is a success of modern hematology. In this review we have attempted to plant the seeds of understanding regarding how diagnosis and treatment of APL will be pursued over the next decade.
This article examines clinical and biological features of DLBCL patients with poor outcomes, and reviews recent studies addressing alternatives to standard front-line management strategies together with unresolved questions.
This review addresses the rationale and evidence for—and the challenges, cost implications, and future development of—proton therapy as an important part of the treatment strategy in Hodgkin lymphoma.
In this interview we discuss the latest chronic myeloid leukemia treatment and research with Dr. Michael Deininger, chief of the division of hematology at the University of Utah School of Medicine.
Hematology Letters is a new blog for Cancer Network written by Mojtaba Akhtari, MD of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.
A 53-year-old woman presented with abominal pain. Physical examination and radiographic imaging shows the presence of an abdominal mass. Biopsy of the mass was performed. What is your diagnosis?
