July 31st 2025
Oncologists explore the considerations of mirvetuximab soravtansine treatment in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, highlighting its efficacy and the management of ocular AEs.
Haptoglobin-Alpha, Potential Marker for Ovarian Cancer, Identified
June 1st 2002SAN FRANCISCO-Haptoglobin-alpha, a subunit of the hemoglobin-binding protein haptoglobin, may be a useful marker for ovarian cancer, according to results presented at the 93rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (abstract 3687).
At Each Phase, Patients—and Their Oncology Nurses—Face Distinct Challenges
June 1st 2002TORONTO-Beyond its physical effects, ovarian cancer presents women with difficult emotional, social, and spiritual challenges every step of the way. Each of the disease’s phases, from the first suspicions of something seriously wrong, through diagnosis, treatment, survival, possible relapse, and terminal disease, has its own particular psychosocial impact and its own set of needs, said Margaret I. Fitch, RN, PhD, at an industry-sponsored symposium held in conjunction with the Oncology Nursing Society annual meeting.
Docetaxel in the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer
June 1st 2002Docetaxel (Taxotere) has extended the armamentarium of agents with significant activity in the treatment of ovarian cancer. As a single agent in advanced ovarian cancer patients previously treated with a platinum agent, docetaxel at 100 mg/m² every 3 weeks yields a 30% overall response rate and a 6-month duration of response.
The Current Status of Docetaxel in Solid Tumors
June 1st 2002In less than a decade, docetaxel (Taxotere) has progressed from initial studies in anthracycline-refractory metastatic breast cancer to several large, phase III randomized trials evaluating its efficacy as adjuvant, neoadjuvant, and first-line therapy for metastatic breast cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and ovarian cancer. In other tumor types, including prostate, head and neck, gastric, and bladder cancer, ongoing phase III trials are comparing docetaxel-containing regimens to previously established regimens. For the seven tumor types reviewed in this supplement, phase III study information for docetaxel or docetaxel-based combinations are presented. Impressive results have been consistently demonstrated in the trials reported to date.
Patients and Their Caregivers Learn to Live in the Moment
June 1st 2002WASHINGTON, DC-"On the day that changed my life, I heard the words, ‘Congratulations! It’s a girl!’ followed by, ‘Oh, no-this is advanced ovarian cancer," Joan Sommer, RN, recalled. "I kept thinking, Baby? Cancer? Baby? Cancer? How can this be?"
Irinotecan and Other Agents in Upper Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Tumors
May 2nd 2002The 4th Investigators’ Workshop sponsored by The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center was held on July 25-29, 2001, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The purpose of these annual workshops has been to review the latest data on new agents, with a particular focus on the broadly used agent irinotecan (CPT-11, Camptosar).
Irinotecan in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
May 2nd 2002Ovarian cancer, the second most common gynecologic malignancy, accounts for approximately 14,000 deaths annually in the United States. Disease relapse after primary treatment, which consists mainly of surgery followed by platinum-based therapy, occurs in more than 60% of ovarian cancer patients overall, and in more than 80% of those diagnosed initially with advanced-stage disease.
Irinotecan and Gemcitabine in Patients With Solid Tumors: Phase I Trial
Using a day 1 and 8, every-3-week schedule, our purpose was to determine the maximum tolerated dose of irinotecan (CPT-11, Camptosar) that can be administered immediately after gemcitabine (Gemzar) at a dose of 1,000 mg/m² IV. In this phase I trial, the maximum tolerated dose was defined as the dose level immediately below the level in which two of the first three patients in any cohort, or at least two of six patients in any expanded cohort, experienced dose-limiting toxicity. Dose-limiting toxicity pertained only to toxicity during the first cycle of treatment. Escalation of irinotecan was planned in groups of three patients, with three additional patients added at the first indication of dose-limiting toxicity. A total of 19 patients have been enrolled.
Cancer Signatures Promise Better Detection, Staging, Treatment
May 1st 2002BETHESDA, Maryland-As researchers probe the complex nature of individual cancer cells, unique molecular patterns, or signatures, have emerged. Several drugs based on early findings in the field have already earned US Food and Drug Administration approval. A goal set by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is to "catalog distinguishing molecular signatures of cancer cells to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and predict response."
Continue Paclitaxel After Complete Response in Ovarian Cancer
May 1st 2002MIAMI, Florida-In women with advanced ovarian cancer who achieved a complete response (CR) with a platinum/paclitaxel (Taxol)-based chemotherapy regimen, continuing single-agent paclitaxel for 12 cycles prolonged the duration of progression-free survival, compared with a 3-cycle continuation, Maurie Markman, MD, of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, said at the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (abstract 1).
Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Guidelines Outlined
May 1st 2002MIAMI BEACH, Florida-The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Working Group is completing work on its consensus guidelines for stratifying patients into risk categories for breast cancer and managing their care accordingly. The model was outlined at the 19th Annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference.
Role of Genomics in Identifying New Targets for Cancer Therapy
May 1st 2002The detailed map of the human genome can potentially transform future cancer therapy by merging genomics with pharmacology, thereby identifying which patients will benefit from specific therapeutic agents. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) provide a valuable tool for this pharmacogenetic approach to cancer therapy.
Early Breast and Ovarian Cancers Detected in Women at High Risk
May 1st 2002When the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes for breast and ovarian cancers were first identified and a screening blood test became available, a debate ensued as to whether there was an advantage to learning one’s risk. Recently, the value of such testing was demonstrated in a study in women who were followed after being identified as carriers of a BRCA genetic mutation. Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have provided strong evidence that breast and ovarian cancers can be detected at an early stage in women at highest hereditary risk. Results of the study were published in a recent issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology (20:1260-1268, 2002).
A Clinician’s Perspective on ASCO 2001: Going After the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor
Among the most exciting new anticancer products presented at the 2001 ASCO meeting were new drugs that block the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). About 30% to 90% of carcinomas express high levels of EGFR. These include, among others, head and neck cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and bladder cancer.
Online Breast Cancer Support Groups Beneficial
April 1st 2002WASHINGTON-In recent years online chat rooms and list servers devoted to a vast array of special interests have become a staple of American life. Now a pilot project has shown that an internet support group significantly benefits women coping with breast cancer, said Mitch Golant, PhD, vice president of research and development for The Wellness Community (TWC) National, Santa Monica, California.
New Blood Test for Early Ovarian Cancer in Clinical Trials
April 1st 2002BETHESDA, Maryland-A new proteomics blood test for ovarian cancer (developed by researchers at the joint Food and Drug Administration/National Institutes of Health Clinical Proteomics Program) detected all 50 ovarian cancers in a proof-of-principal trial and is now being validated in a major study of recurrence in stage III/IV ovarian cancer.
‘Awareness Is Not Enough’ to Eliminate Racial Cancer Disparities
April 1st 2002WASHINGTON-Knowledge, research, and education alone will not end the cancer disparities among American populations, said numerous speakers at the opening session of the 8th Biennial Symposium on Minorities, the Medically Underserved, and Cancer, presented by the Intercultural Cancer Council (ICC) and jointly sponsored by Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.
DX-8951f/Gemcitabine Safe, Active in Advanced Solid Tumors
March 1st 2002NEW YORK-The combination of gemcitabine (Gemzar) and a potent, novel topoisomerase-1 inhibitor similar to irinotecan (Camptosar) is safe, has predictable toxicities, and has demonstrated significant antitumor activity in a variety of solid malignancies, according to results of a 70-patient phase I/pharmacokinetic study.
Topotecan/Doxil Studied as Second-Line Ovarian Cancer Therapy
March 1st 2002NEW YORK-Liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil) may be essentially equivalent to topotecan (Hycamtin) as second-line therapy for ovarian cancer, but the combination of the two may have more promise than either agent alone, according to preliminary results of a phase I study.
Low-Dose Amifostine May Prevent Platinum Neurotoxicity
March 1st 2002NEW YORK-Repeated low-dose administration of amifostine (Ethyol) is being studied in a randomized, multi-center, community-based trial in an attempt to prevent neurotoxicity caused by platinum-based chemotherapy.David Alberts, MD, and Martee Hensley, MD, discussed the new study at the Ethyol Emerging Neuropathy Trial Investigator Meeting.
Preop CT Identifies Unresectable Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
March 1st 2002CHICAGO-Preoperative helical computed tomography (CT) can improve the management of women with recurrent ovarian cancer by identifying disease that cannot be resected in secondary cytoreductive surgery, said Stacey A. Funt, MD, assistant attending radiologist, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Assessing the Total Cost of Chemotherapy-Induced Toxicities
March 1st 2002Chemotherapy-induced toxicities often adversely affect patients’ health and treatment plans, and can result in large costs for treatment and care. In addition to the costs associated with direct medical care, a large amount of indirect and out-of-pocket costs can be incurred.
Textbook of Medical Oncology, 2nd Edition
March 1st 2002In this day of encyclopedic oncology texts, frequently updated online reference sites, and literature searches at the click of a button, is there a place for a basic medical oncology textbook? The second edition of the Textbook of Medical Oncology, edited by Drs. Cavalli, Hansen, and Kaye, is approximately 50% longer than the first edition, due in large part to the inclusion of newer therapeutic approaches.
Oregovomab Is Promising as Ovarian Cancer Treatment
February 1st 2002NEW YORK-A monoclonal antibody with high affinity for an ovarian tumor-associated antigen has shown promising activity in preliminary results from a large phase III study, said Jonathan S. Berek, MD, chief of the Division of Gynecology
Adjuvant Chemotherapy Ups Survival in High-Risk Early Ovarian Cancer
February 1st 2002LISBON, Portugal-Adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy significantly improves the outlook for women with high-risk early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer, according to the findings of two parallel, randomized phase III trials presented at the 11th European Cancer Conference (ECCO abstract 1019).
Current Status of Genetic Testing for Colorectal Cancer Susceptibility
February 1st 2002Solomon et al have written a valuable primer to guide clinicians in identifying, diagnosing, and treating familial colon cancer syndromes. The authors succinctly describe the essential features of each of the well-defined hereditary colon cancer syndromes, including those associated with colonic adenomas (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer [HNPCC] and familial adenomatous polyposis [FAP]) and colonic hamartomas (Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, juvenile polyposis, and Cowden syndrome). In addition to the specific features that might trigger recognition of one of these syndromes, we advise health-care providers to consider the possibility of hereditary cancer in cases with the following features:
Management of Patients at High Risk for Breast Cancer
January 1st 2002Management of Patients at High Risk for Breast Cancer, edited by Victor G. Vogel, MD, is designed for all physicians involved in breast cancer risk assessment and prevention. It does not assume a baseline familiarity with cancer risk