Ovarian Cancer

Combination chemotherapy with carboplatin (Paraplatin) and docetaxel (Taxotere) is a highly active and generally well-tolerated regimen when used as initial therapy for gynecologic cancers, including cancers of the ovary, fallopian tubes, and the

The Clinical Trials Referral Resource that appeared in the April issue of ONCOLOGY began a series on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Part I of this series, which concludes this month, focuses on HRQOL questions in cancer treatment trials. Part II (on investigator-initiated HRQOL research) and part III (on HRQOL research as part of cancer prevention trials) will appear in upcoming issues. Information about these studies can be obtained from the contacts listed for each trial or from Edward L. Trimble, MD, MPH, at the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP), trimble@ctep.nci.nih.gov or (301) 496-1196

NEW YORK-In a phase I/II study combining gemcitabine (Gemzar) and oxaliplatin, French investigators saw a 47% objective response rate among evaluable patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

HOUSTON-New studies of irinotecan-based regimens for gynecologic cancers were reviewed by Andrzej P. Kudelka, MD, and Claire Verschaegen, MD. He is associate professor and she is an assistant professor in the Division of Cancer Medicine at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

NASHVILLE-Long-term aspirin use may decrease the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer, Arslan Akhmedkhanov, MD, reported at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO). The study involved 748 patients from a prospective cohort followed for an average of 12 years.

WASHINGTON-Cigarette smoking has inflicted an enormous toll on American women during the last two decades, according to the latest Surgeon General’s report. "The single overarching theme emerging from this report is that smoking is a women’s issue," said Surgeon General David Satcher, MD.

NEW YORK-Irofulven, the first of the acylfulvenes, a new class of cytotoxic agents, is being studied in a number of solid tumors, including a phase III trial in advanced pancreatic cancer, said Raymond Taetle, MD, clinical professor of medicine and pathology, University of Arizona, Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson.

The diagnosis and management of cancer in older women is becoming an increasingly common and challenging issue. Women who reach age 65 can expect to live an additional 17 years.[1] Age is an important risk factor for developing cancer. Epidemiologic data from 1992 to 1994 reveal that invasive cancer develops in 1 of 5 women aged 60 to 79 years.[2]

The aging population poses new challenges to all fields of medicine and to gynecologic oncology in particular. In gynecologic oncology, issues that are germane to general medicine, cancer chemotherapy, radical surgery, and routine gynecology are all encountered on a regular basis. In clinical practice, the "very old" are often thought to tolerate standard treatments poorly. While comorbid conditions may be more prevalent, management decisions should be based on an assessment of individual function and not solely on numerical age. In the article by Mirhashemi and colleagues, this theme is conveyed throughout, as they describe the current management of gynecologic malignancies in older women.

The demographics of the US population continue to change dramatically, as the absolute number and proportion of older people relative to the remainder of the population increases. Last year, the number of persons older than 65 years was estimated to be 35 million, representing almost 13% of the overall population; by 2030, the older population is expected to double. Along with the general aging of the population, the percentage of persons older than 85 years is also growing rapidly, as is the ethnic and racial diversity within the older population.

The aging of the population is a social phenomenon that will present a challenge to clinical practice in the 21st century. Women constitute a majority of the elderly population as they outlive males by 5 to 7 years. Ovarian,

About 50,000 hematopoietic stem cell transplantations are performed yearly, primarily for malignancies. Use of this therapy increased dramatically over the past 30 years due to its proven and potential efficacy in diverse

Liposome encapsulation of antineoplastic drugs entered clinical testing in the late 1980s. As carriers for a variety of agents, liposomes can allow successful delivery of agents that may be subject to rapid degradation in

In a recently completed phase II study of the monoclonal antibody OvaRex, nearly half of the OvaRex-treated patients with advanced ovarian cancer survived 50 weeks or longer. The results of the trial were presented at the 32nd Annual Meeting of

NASHVILLE-In a phase II study of an investigational monoclonal antibody, OvaRex MAb, in advanced recurrent ovarian cancer, 6 of 13 patients survived 50 weeks or longer from entry into the trial, Thomas G. Ehlen, MD, said at a poster session of the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO).

A wealth of data indicates that certain genetic abnormalities can target specific cytotoxic drugs and intervene at an early step as a mechanism of resistance in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer. Therefore prescribing

NEW YORK-With new tests, it is easy to identify certain gene mutations associated with a predisposition to cancer. But it is more difficult to deal with the social and legal consequences of those tests, a panel of experts said at a briefing organized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and entitled "The Human Genome and its Implications for Cancer." Kenneth Offit, MD, MPH, discussed a case that he faced at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, where he is chief of the Clinical Genetics Service, Department of Human Genetics.

A study headed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) human genome scientists on the genetic patterns of inherited breast cancer has uncovered unexpected findings regarding nonhereditary breast and ovarian cancers. These unanticipated findings,

Despite advances in surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, survival of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck has not significantly improved over the past 30 years. Locally recurrent or refractory disease is particularly difficult to treat. Repeat surgical resection and/or radiotherapy are often not possible, and long-term results for salvage chemotherapy are poor. Recent advances in gene therapy have been applied to recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Many of these techniques are now in clinical trials and have shown some efficacy. This article discusses the techniques employed in gene therapy and summarizes the ongoing protocols that are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. [ONCOLOGY 15(3):303-314, 2001]

SAN ANTONIO-ZD1839 (or Iressa), an orally active, selective epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, slows proliferation of cancer cells that overexpress EGFR and erbB2 (also known as HER-2/neu), according to a study reported by Neil G. Anderson, PhD, of the University of Manchester.

Many active cytotoxic agents exist for breast cancer therapy, and numerous combination chemotherapy regimens are derived from them. Creating these combinations is sometimes empirically motivated by non-overlapping

In recent years, the clinical application of paclitaxel (Taxol), docetaxel (Taxotere), vinorelbine (Navelbine), and trastuzumab (Herceptin) has improved the management of advanced breast cancer. With the introduction of

Despite the fact that there are only a few controlled trials demonstrating the benefits associated with the use of corticosteroids in specific situations, these agents are administered frequently to patients with advanced cancer. Corticosteroids may be used alone or as adjuvants in combination with other palliative or antineoplastic treatments. For example, corticosteroids may help prevent nausea, vomiting, and hypersensitivity reactions to treatment with chemotherapy or radiation. They are also commonly used as appetite stimulants in patients with advanced cancer. In the adjuvant setting, corticosteroids help to alleviate pain in advanced cancer patients, including specific situations such as back pain related to epidural compression. This article reviews the evidence supporting the use of corticosteroids in a broad range of situations seen in patients with advanced cancer. [ONCOLOGY 15(2):225-236, 2001]

WASHINGTON-A scientific advisory panel has recommended that steroid estrogens be listed as "known" to cause human cancers. However, the group made no recommendation or suggestion that the commonly used drugs be restricted or eliminated.

Oral chemotherapy has evolved with several new agents such as capecitabine, UFT, eniluracil, etc. in active clinical trials or already approved for use in the western world. Several distinct issues, apart from the usual criteria