-
The tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib was added to docetaxel in the treatment of advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer in a Phase 1-2 trial. The combination was shown to be generally well-tolerated and to result in markers of reduced bone turnover in the great majority of patients and in durable PSA responses in approximately 50%. The findings justify proceeding to Phase 3 clinical trial.
-
For patients who have synchronous bilateral breast cancer, overall survival has been shown to be less favorable than for patients presenting with unilateral disease. In the current matched case-control series, overall survival was comparable. Clinicians are advised to prescribe systemic therapy based upon the more aggressive of the two lesions.
-
A full panel of prognostic indicators was examined in 449 treatment-naïve CLL patients and it was found that serum light chain ratio was useful in confirming clonality. However, the sum of both k and l serum light chains proved of greater prognositc value in determining an early need to offer CLL treatment. A total (k + l) level of > 60.6 mg/mL was an independent predictor of limited treatment-free survival.
-
A 57-year-old postmenopausal librarian, who is 1-year post diagnosis of a stage II invasive cancer of the right breast, is found to be estrogen- and progesterone-receptor positive, and Her2neu negative with one positive axillary node.
-
-
New treatment for TB; safety of dabigatran; quality of antidepressants; systolic hypertension treatment; and FDA actions.
-
In a muti-institutional prospective trial conducted from 2003-2005, 74 patients with unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma were randomly assigned to receive GEM alone (at 1,000 mg/m /wk for weeks 1-6, followed by 1 week rest, then for 3 of 4 weeks) or GEM (600 mg/m /wk for weeks 1-5, then 4 weeks later 1,000 mg/m /wk for 3 of 4 weeks) plus radiotherapy for a total of 50.4 Gy. Measurement of quality of life also was performed. Patients enrolled in Arm B (GEM plus radiation) had a higher incidence of grades 4 and 5 toxicities (41% vs 9%), but grades 3 and 4 toxicities combined were similar in both arms. No statistical difference was noted in quality of life. The primary endpoint of survival was improved with the addition of radiotherapy with 11.1 months for Arm B and 9.2 months for Arm A.
-
New indication for rivaroxaban; new study on warfarin testing; medications causing adverse drug events; niacin as an add-on therapy; and FDA actions.
-
This prospective multicenter study presents an 11-item model for predicting chemotherapy toxicity in older adults with cancer. Its stratification schema identified older adults at low (30%), intermediate (52%), or high (83%) risk for chemotherapy toxicity.
-
