The Oncologist current issue

Dr. Joseph R. Bertino: A Reflection

Chabner, B. A. — 2008-10-23

This editorial honors Dr. Joseph R. Bertino on his award of the Pinedo Prize.

Transfer of Drug Resistance Genes into Hematopoietic Stem Cells for Marrow Protection

Bertino, J. R. — 2008-10-23

The study investigates the use of gene transfer with genes that confer drug resistance for the purpose of bone marrow protection from chemotherapy.

Commentary: Tumor Growth, Patient Survival, and the Search for the Optimal Phase II Efficacy Endpoint

Takimoto, C. H. — 2008-10-23

This commentary considers the Stein et al. manuscript published in this issue of The Oncologist.

Tumor Growth Rates Derived from Data for Patients in a Clinical Trial Correlate Strongly with Patient Survival: A Novel Strategy for Evaluation of Clinical Trial Data

2008-10-23

The study presents a new method to predict survival using tumor measurement data gathered while a patient with cancer is receiving therapy in a clinical trial. The method is described using prostate cancer as a model.

Bevacizumab Reduces the Growth Rate Constants of Renal Carcinomas: A Novel Algorithm Suggests Early Discontinuation of Bevacizumab Resulted in a Lack of Survival Advantage

Stein, W. D., Yang, J., Bates, S. E., Fojo, T. — 2008-10-23

The study uses data gathered while a patient is enrolled in a clinical trial to calculate a growth rate constant that provides an independent, unbiased assessment of treatment efficacy that may allow a rapid evaluation of drug activity.

Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases

Alberts, S. R., Wagman, L. D. — 2008-10-23

The manuscript reviews treatment options for resectable and unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer. Advances in chemotherapy, regional treatment, imaging, and surgical techniques are radically changing the management of colorectal cancer liver metastases from palliative to survival prolonging.

Innovations in Chemotherapy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: An Update of Recent Clinical Trials

O'Neil, B. H., Goldberg, R. M. — 2008-10-23

Recent innovations in chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer are reviewed, with a focus on emerging data that may significantly improve both survival and quality of life for patients with colorectal cancer in the future.

Targeted Therapies for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: An Overview of Toxicity and Dosing Strategies

Hutson, T. E., Figlin, R. A., Kuhn, J. G., Motzer, R. J. — 2008-10-23

This paper describes the clinical rationale for the recommended dosing and reviews the safety data at clinical doses for each of the novel targeted therapies approved for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma: sunitinib, sorafenib, and temsirolimus.

Current and Emerging Strategies for the Management of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in the Elderly

Laubach, J., Rao, A. V. — 2008-10-23

This review highlights important host and disease characteristics of elderly acute myeloid leukemia patients and summarizes the current and emerging classes of drugs for the treatment of this disease.

Informed Consent Revisited: A Doctrine in the Service of Cancer Care

Schachter, M., Fins, J. J. — 2008-10-23

The authors propose a reinvigoration of the doctrine of informed consent in which the physician engages in meaningful and ongoing dialogue with the patient in order to avoid the unilateral burdens of paternalism and enhance the collaborative therapeutic enterprise.

FDA Drug Approval Summary: Lapatinib in Combination with Capecitabine for Previously Treated Metastatic Breast Cancer That Overexpresses HER-2

2008-10-23

This paper reports the results of the study that led to U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of lapatanib in combination with capecitabine for the treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer whose tumors overexpress human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and who have received prior therapy including an anthracycline, a taxane, and trastuzumab.

Lenalidomide in Combination with Dexamethasone for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma After One Prior Therapy

2008-10-23

This report describes the key data and analyses for approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone in patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy.

Commentary: Practicing on the Tip of an Information Iceberg? Evidence of Underpublication of Registered Clinical Trials in Oncology

Ramsey, S., Scoggins, J. — 2008-10-23