With Longer Survival Rates, AIDS Patients Face Elevated Cancer Risk
February 23, 2011
Thanks to the widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), AIDS patients continue to live longer after their initial diagnosis.
Shalmali Pal
Colon Cancer Patients With p.G13D KRAS Mutations See Better Survival With Cetuximab-Based Therapy
December 31, 2010
Despite recommendations against using EGFR inhibitors in the presence of KRAS mutations, cetuximab therapy may be enhanced by the presence of the p.G13D KRAS mutation.
ASA404 fails second late-stage lung cancer trial
December 23, 2010
Novartis and its partner Antisoma announced that an interim analysis of data from a late-stage trial showed that vadimezam (ASA404) was unlikely to provide any benefit as a second-line treatment for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. As a result, Novartis indicated that it would halt development of the compound, which was designed to inhibit angiogenesis.
CYP2D6 testing falls short as predictor of adjuvant tamoxifen efficacy
December 13, 2010
Researchers from the ATAC and BIG 1-98 trials reported that CYP2D6 testing is not ready for prime time for gauging response to tamoxifen. While of the leading researchers in the field of CYP2D6 genotyping posed some key questions that need to be answered before CYP2D6 can be officially ruled out, or embraced, in clinical practice, these study results strongly suggest that CYPD2D6 testing should not be part of the standard of care, said Claudine Isaacs, MD.
Industry update: Taxotere-based regimen leads to better survival rates in node-positive early disease
December 13, 2010
Ten-year follow-up results from the BCIRG 001 trial make a case for TAC therapy over FAC. In another study, researchers suggested a link between aromatase inhibitor therapy and breast density.
Dual HER2 blockade with lapatanib, trastuzumab proves valid in two major trials
December 13, 2010
Jose Baselga, MD, PhD, and Michael Untch, MD, shared results from the NeoALLTO and GeparQuinto trials, respectively. NeoALLTO is a phase III, randomized, open-label, neoadjuvant study of lapatinib (Tykerb), trastuzumab (Herceptin), and their combination plus paclitaxel in women with HER2-positive primary breast cancer. GeparQuinto (GBG 44) is evaluating lapatinib vs trastuzumab in combination with neoadjuvant anthracycline- and taxane-based chemotherapy.
Industry Update: Agents Slow Disease Progression, Improve Daily Function in Metastatic Breast Cancer
December 11, 2010
Results from the GINECO group study demonstrate Afinitor’s ability to buy more time for patients while Xgeva makes everyday life less painful.
Anastrazole, exemestane prove equivalent as initial adjuvant therapy
December 10, 2010
Exemestane provides a new option for upfront, five-year endocrine therapy in postmenopausal women, based on results of the first definitive early breast cancer trial to compare nonsteroidal and steroidal therapy.
Influence of body mass index on outcomes in hormone-sensitive disease remains uncertain
December 10, 2010
An analysis of multiple ECOG trials found that obese women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer experience worse outcomes. But an exploratory analysis of the international TEAM trial indicated that obesity does not exert a negative influence on the efficacy of adjuvant endocrine therapy.
Industry Update: Bosutinib Produces Molecular Response as First-line CML Therapy
December 8, 2010
Nplate sustains platelet counts in patients with adult chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) while single-dose Zevalin offers survival advantage in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
