ONCOLOGY Vol 11 No 2

Dr. Fowble's well-written review concludes that, in certain subgroups of patients with breast cancer (ie, patients with primary tumors larger than 5 cm, four or more positive axillary lymph nodes, or tumor involvement of the pectoralis fascia),

A major gene essential for controlling the synthesis of hereditary material and cell proliferation is also critically involved in determining the extent of malignant growth of cancer cells, reports a study published in a recent issue of the Proceedings of

Researchers at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center have identified a gene that may control the metastatic spread of prostate cancer and tumor growth. If confirmed, the preliminary findings may eventually help doctors identify patients whose

Steven T. Rosen, MD, FACP, director of the Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center of Northwestern University, announced that the Center has been awarded a 4-year competitive renewal of its Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) from the National

A new gene, designated KiSS-1, has been isolated from cells of malignant melanoma, in which metastatic potential was suppressed by the introduction of normal human chromosome 6. According to the research report in the December 4th

For years, doctors have looked at tissue biopsies and spotted unusual cells that seem to have early signs of cancer. The problem is that, until recently, doctors have never had the right tools to extract the cells from the tissue, leaving them with no

In an effort to resolve one of the ongoing controversies in cancer care, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has launched the first large national study of high-dose chemotherapy for ovarian cancer with transplantation of bone marrow blood stem cells.

Raising the normal retirement age in the United States to age 70 could save the federal government billions of dollars each year and help shore up the ailing Social Security trust fund over the long term, according to two university researchers.

Scientists are discovering the proteins that control the way human DNA copies itself, a breakthrough that may lead to new treatments for cancer or heart disease.

Improved diagnostic techniques for prostate cancer, the most common cancer among American men, have led to a threefold increase in the rate of diagnosis since 1988. But that presents physicians with a dilemma: Many of these early cancers are

Within the last 25 years, laboratory research on estrogen receptors and the development of the antiestrogen tamoxifen has dramatically refined and expanded the role of hormonal therapy in the treatment of breast cancer. An assessment of antiestrogens and their role in breast cancer therapy clinical practice was the focus of a roundtable symposium entitled "Antiestrogens: Past, Present, and Future," held in July 1996. The articles compiled in this supplement detail the discussions at the meeting of significant issues related to antiestrogen therapy, including patient selection, duration of treatment, secondary effects, and development of new antiestrogenic compounds.

Recombinant human interleukin-11 (IL-11 [Neumega]) stimulates platelet production and inhibits inflammation in clinical studies in cancer patients, according to research presented at a symposium held last summer in New York City. The potential

A group of French scientists concluded that oral vinorelbine (Navelbine) administered at a weekly dose of 80 mg/m² is well tolerated by patients with advanced breast cancer. While intravenous vinorelbine has previously proven to be highly effective

In November 1992, residents of Massachusetts approved a ballot petition (Question 1) that increased the tax on each pack of cigarettes from 26¢ to 51¢ beginning January 1, 1993, and requested that the legislature spend the proceeds on tobacco

Physicians can expect to see more requests for medical records by companies offering viatical settlements to terminally ill or chronically ill patients who meet certain criteria as certified by their physicians. The viatical industry, which has been marketing its services primarily to AIDS patients through gay publications and networks, is maturing as a result of new federal legislation granting tax-free status to the proceeds and as viatical companies expand their marketing efforts to the population at large.

Drs. Blanchard, Albrecht, and Ruckdeschel provide a whirlwind tour of research on families and cancer. The article has an ambitious mission. It attempts to establish how cancer affects families, through a review of studies that assess the psychological

Postmastectomy radiotherapy has been used since the early part of the 20th century in an effort to decrease local recurrences and potentially improve survival. It clearly reduces the rate of local chest-wall failure following mastectomy, increases relapse-

Blanchard et al provide an excellent review of the literature on the psychosocial adjustment of caregivers of the cancer patient. The importance of caregiver function and adaptation to the clinical status of the cancer patient is generally conceded, but the

The National Cancer Act of 1971 was established when then President Nixon declared the "war on cancer." Since that time, no magic bullet has been discovered, and it is apparent that we have not been victors in the war against the nation's second leading killer. Overall cancer rates have continued to rise, with only a slight decrease in mortality from breast and other cancers. Nevertheless, remarkable progress has been made in the cure of childhood cancers, Hodgkin's disease, and testicular cancer.[1,2]

Tamoxifen is currently the endocrine therapy of choice for early and advanced breast cancer. Attempts to improve the therapeutic efficacy have included altering the triphenylethylene ring structure of tamoxifen, forming

Breast cancer treatment has evolved greatly within the last 25 years. Tamoxifen was first introduced for the

In 1977, tamoxifen, a nonsteroidal antiestrogen, was approved in the United States for the management of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Since that time, tamoxifen's therapeutic role has grown to

Tamoxifen has well-documented activity in reducing breast cancer mortality. In addition, it has several secondary

With the increased use of doxorubicin-based chemotherapy, chemoendocrine therapy, and high-dose chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow transplantation or peripheral blood progenitor-cell reinfusion, the role

The ultimate goal of breast cancer prevention strategies is to reduce the incidence of this disease in populations. Greater understanding of recently identified associations of lactation, alcohol, exercise, and diet with breast

Tamoxifen is being evaluated in clinical trials as a preventive agent in women at high risk for breast cancer. This new, potentially long-term therapeutic role has generated some concerns regarding safety, based on the results of

A total of 18 studies have been published concerning the possible relationship of tamoxifen to endometrial

For nearly 20 years, tamoxifen has been successfully used in the management of breast cancer. Tamoxifen is a mixed estrogen agonist/antagonist that has a proliferative effect on the endometrium. The drug has been

Tamoxifen is currently the endocrine treatment of choice for all stages of breast cancer and is the gold standard for antiestrogen treatment. Over the last 25 years, the drug has revolutionized breast cancer therapy. The extension of the use of this agent has occurred because of open dialogue between the laboratory and the clinic, in which laboratory findings led to extension of clinical use. Tamoxifen was originally discovered as part of a contraceptive research program at ICI Pharmaceuticals (now Zeneca). On the basis of the estrogen dependence of many breast cancers, tamoxifen, a potent antiestrogen, was predicted to have anticancer activity. Laboratory and animal studies demonstrated efficacy in breast cancer and an ability to block binding of estradiol to the estrogen receptor of human breast cancer. Preclinical studies showed the benefit of long-term vs short-term tamoxifen treatment, a finding duplicated in the clinic. [ONCOLOGY 11(Suppl 1):7-13, 1997]

Tamoxifen is the most widely prescribed endocrine therapy for breast cancer, with more than 7.5 million woman-years of clinical experience. Tamoxifen has both antiestrogenic and estrogenic activity. The antiestrogenic activity