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A phase III study by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma showed that induction therapy with low-dose dexamethasone plus lenalidomide (Revlimid) improved survival, compared with high-dose dexamethasone plus lenalidomide. Look for updates on treatment regimens that include dexamethasone in multiple myeloma at ASH 2010 from Sagar Lonial, MD, and S. Vincent Rajkumar, MD.

The EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib (Iressa) should be considered a first-line treatment option for nonsmoking Asian patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung, according to results from the large Iressa Pan-Asia Study (IPASS) conducted at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Despite dismal economic times, there are significant opportunities for growth for cancer centers, according to a presenter at the 2009 Association of Community Cancer Centers meeting.

SAN FRANCISCO-A number of viable treatments are available for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, so a multidisciplinary approach is a must. The panelists at the ASCO GI Cancer Symposium were:

A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association on the increased risk of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients taking bevacizumab (Avastin) resulted in a flurry of letters to the editor decrying the link between the two.

The HealthWell Foundation has launched a program to assist patients diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme and anaplastic astrocytoma.

Banner Health and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center will jointly build the M.D. Anderson Banner Cancer Center in Phoenix. The 120,000 square-foot outpatient center will be adjacent to the Banner Gateway Medical Center campus.

According to a recent study, the elderly are at enhanced risk for complications associated with screening colonoscopy.

The President pitches his health-reform proposal at AMA's national meeting in Chicago. Medicare cuts will be on the table, again

APF530 is undergoing regulatory review for a new drug approval for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, according to manufacturer A.P. Pharma. PF530 is a formulation of granisetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist.

The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group has begun the last leg of a trial assessing temozolomide (Temodar) and radiotherapy plus bevacizumab (Avastin) for newly diagnosed glioblastoma tumors.

ORLANDO-The ancillary treatment costs of managing side effects can be burdensome to patients, so Harvard Medical School investigators were somewhat surprised when clinical trial patients reported little anxiety about paying for these drugs. But as more people become uninsured or underinsured, and the costs of drugs rise, patient anxiety could increase and adherence to treatment diminish, the lead author predicted.

ORLANDO-Ginger has been used for years to treat gastrointestinal upset, but for the first time, a large double-blind multicenter randomized study has shown ginger supplements can successfully stem chemotherapy-related nausea, University of Rochester in New York investigators reported at ASCO 2009 (abstract 9511). Some 70% of patients experience nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy. While vomiting can largely be prevented with anti-emetics, nausea is typically more difficult to prevent and treat.

Amgen and CDC have partnered on a 3-year initiative to help improve rising incidence of infection among cancer patients.

ORLANDO-Preliminary data suggested that Novartis’ RAD001 is moderately active in stabilizing the progression of HCC, according to a poster presentation at ASCO 2009 (abstract 4587). In this phase I trial, researchers in Taiwan enrolled 36 advanced HCC patients whose disease was not suitable for local therapy or had progressed after local therapy.

A protocol involving contrast-enhanced ultrasound could better target tumors and reduce the number of unnecessary prostate biopsies, according to international researchers. In studies from China and Austria, investigators imaged patients with contrast ultrasound and used the information to target biopsies.

Oncology News International readers expressed doubts about the future role of bevacizumab (Avastin) in the treatment of patients with early-stage colorectal cancer. Last month, it was announced that bevacizumab

My organization, the National LGBT Cancer Network, estimates that there are one million lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) cancer survivors in the U.S. today. While you may not know it, you likely have LGBT cancer survivors in your community.

A bill hit the Senate floor today to give FDA regulatory control over tobacco. Critics argue that money spent enacting the new law would be better spent on smoking cessation.

How will Obama foot the bill for his proposed health-care reform initiative, which is projected to cost at least $1 trillion? Cancer care could suffer more cuts.

Music is a powerful tool that can evoke latent emotions, induce a range of emotional states, and enhance communication. It also offers a creative, lyrical, and symbolic means of addressing spiritual needs, and is increasingly used in end-of-life care.

A phase III trial comparing R–CHOP14 and R–CHOP21 for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B–cell non–Hodgkin's lymphoma D. Cunningham, P. Smith, P. Mouncey, et al Methods: Patients were randomized to either 8 cycles of standard R–CHOP21 or 6 cycles of R–CHOP14 (+ G–CSF) with 2 additional cycles of single–agent rituximab (Rituxan). Patients were stratified by age (≤ 60 vs > 60), World Health Organization performance status (0–1 vs 2), and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) level (normal vs raised). The primary endpoint was overall survival. Among 1,080 patients (median age 61 years), IPI (International Prognostic Index) scores of ≥ 4 were found in 17% of R–CHOP21 patients and in 15% of the R–CHOP14 arm. Stage 3/4 disease was reported in 63%/62% of patients in the R–CHOP21/R–CHOP14 arms, B symptoms in 44%/47%, and bulky disease in 51%/48%, respectively. Results: Reported grade 3/4 toxicities in the R–CHOP21 and R–CHOP14 arms were neutropenia 57%/31%, thrombocytopenia 5%/9%, infection 22%/17%, cardiac symptoms 1%/2%, nausea and vomiting 8%/8%, and mucositis 2%/3%. The radiologic complete response rates (CR/CRu [unconfirmed]) were 63% in the R–CHOP21 arm (49%/14%) and 58% (40%/18%) in the R–CHOP14 arm (P = .183). With a median follow–up of 17 months, there have been 150 deaths (14%). Conclusions: Response rates with 6 x R–CHOP14 (+2xR) are no better than with 8 x R–CHOP21. There are no differences among prognostic subgroups (including IPI). Acute toxicity levels are comparable. Final analysis will be performed when 330 deaths have occurred.

Methods: Among 63 chemotherapy-naive and 138 pretreated FL patients receiving 4 weekly rituximab (Rituxan) doses, those responding or with stable disease were randomized to observation (n = 78) or to consolidation with 4 additional rituximab doses at 2-month intervals (n = 73).

Benefit of rituximab combined to ACVBP (R-ACVBP) over ACVBP in 209 poor- risk DLBCL patients treated with up-front consolidative autotransplantation: A GELA phase II trial (LNH 2003-3)

A phase III study of VMPT versus VMP in newly diagnosed elderly myeloma patients

R-ICE versus R-DHAP in relapsed patients with CD20 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma followed by autologous stem cell transplantation: CORAL study

Idiotype vaccine therapy (BiovaxID) in follicular lymphoma in first complete remission: Phase III clinical trial results

Complete remissions with weekly dosing of SGN-35, a novel antibody-drug conjugate targeting CD30, in a phase I dose-escalation study in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma or systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Activity of ofatumumab, a novel CD20 mAb, and prior rituximab exposure in patients with fludarabine- and alemtuzumab-refractory or bulky fludarabine-refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Pooled analyses of two international, multicenter clinical studies of romidepsin in 167 patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL)