The Oncologist recent issues

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

Preserving the Sacred Bond: An Audit Must Be Performed

Chabner, B. A. — 2008-09-26

In light of additional questions raised in the Letters to the Editor section of this issue regarding results of the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program clinical trial on computed tomography screening for lung cancer, Editor-in-Chief of The Oncologist, Bruce A. Chabner, M.D., in this editorial calls for a thorough, complete, and impartial audit of this trial.

One in Five Cancer Clinical Trials Is Published: A Terrible Symptom--What's the Diagnosis?

Curt, G. A., Chabner, B. A. — 2008-09-26

This editorial invites readers to weigh in on whether The Oncologist should expend the considerable effort and expense to produce a peer-reviewed, searchable venue for publishing the results of all well-executed cancer trials that fail to meet positive endpoints.

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

Ramsey, S., Scoggins, J. — 2008-09-26

The authors evaluated the proportion of ClinicalTrials.gov registered trials that are published in the peer-reviewed literature. Only a minority of clinical studies in cancer registered with ClinicalTrials.gov were published in peer-reviewed and other widely accessible journals, raising concern about the completeness of the available information on present and future cancer treatments.

Commentary: Publishing Cancer Clinical Trial Results: A Scientific and Ethical Imperative

Doroshow, J. H. — 2008-09-26

This editorial further discusses the low number of oncologic clinical trials published in the peer-reviewed literature and reports on the development by the National Cancer Institute of its own clinical trials database to capture all administrative and outcomes data for all clinical studies performed at National Cancer Institute–supported institutions.

Gefitinib in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Does It Deserve a Second Chance?

Stinchcombe, T. E., Socinski, M. A. — 2008-09-26

The use of gefitinib was restricted in the U.S. after the results of a trial showed no significant benefit in overall survival with this treatment. However, results of recent gefitinib trials have been provocative, and suggest a role for gefitinib in the treatment of advanced NSCLC.

Consensus Conference: Multimodality Management of Early- and Intermediate-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Bordoni, R. — 2008-09-26

Presented are the conclusions of a consensus conference of leading experts in the non-small cell lung cancer field, held at the 5th Annual Atlanta Lung Cancer Symposium on October 25–27, 2007, to provide the oncology community with direction on how overall outcomes can be improved.

The Role of Complement in the Mechanism of Action of Rituximab for B-Cell Lymphoma: Implications for Therapy

Zhou, X., Hu, W., Qin, X. — 2008-09-26

The mechanism of action of and resistance to rituximab therapy in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, in particular, the involvement of the complement system, are extensively reviewed.

Neoplastic Meningitis

Chamberlain, M. C. — 2008-09-26

This review summarizes the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of neoplastic meningitis.

Therapeutic Application of Noncytotoxic Molecular Targeted Therapy in Gliomas: Growth Factor Receptors and Angiogenesis Inhibitors

Idbaih, A., Ducray, F., Sierra Del Rio, M., Hoang-Xuan, K., Delattre, J.-Y. — 2008-09-26

This paper reviews the main studies evaluating targeted therapies in the clinical setting. Anti–growth factor receptor molecules and antiangiogenic drugs are considered.

FDA Report: Eculizumab (Soliris(R)) for the Treatment of Patients with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria

Dmytrijuk, A., Robie-Suh, K., Cohen, M. H., Rieves, D., Weiss, K., Pazdur, R. — 2008-09-26

Reported are the results of two studies of eculizumab in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Eculizumab appears to be generally safe and effective for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria patients with transfusion-dependent hemolysis.

Evolving Strategies for the Management of Hand-Foot Skin Reaction Associated with the Multitargeted Kinase Inhibitors Sorafenib and Sunitinib

2008-09-26

Recommendations for the management of hand–foot skin reaction are provided to offer patients the best possible quality of life while taking these drugs and to optimize the patient benefit associated with multikinase inhibitor therapy. These recommendations were developed by an international, interdisciplinary panel of experts who gathered in January 2008 to discuss and evaluate the best-practice management of these reactions.

Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training in Anemic Cancer Patients Receiving Darbepoetin Alfa: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2008-09-26

The study reports results from the Exercise Training and Anemia trial comparing the effects of darbepoetin alfa alone with those of darbepoetin alfa plus aerobic exercise training on quality of life, fatigue, cardiorespiratory fitness, hemoglobin response, and drug dosing requirement in mild-to-moderately anemic cancer patients.

Health-Related Quality of Life Impact of Bevacizumab When Combined with Irinotecan, 5-Fluorouracil, and Leucovorin or 5-Fluorouracil and Leucovorin for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

2008-09-26

This manuscript reports the results of the evaluation of changes in health-related quality of life associated with multiple administrations of bevacizumab combined with 5-fluorouracil–based chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The addition of bevacizumab to 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy improved time to disease progression and prolonged overall survival, without compromising patients' health-related quality of life.

Untreated Patients in "CT Screening for Lung Cancer: Update 2007"

Bach, P. B. — 2008-09-26

The author expresses concerns regarding possible errors in a recent article published in The Oncologist by the International Early Lung Cancer Action Project group.

In Reply

Henschke, C. I. — 2008-09-26

Aromatase Inhibitors: Are There Differences Between Steroidal and Nonsteroidal Aromatase Inhibitors and Do They Matter?

2008-08-28

This review summarizes the available evidence regarding the known differences between the steroidal and nonsteroidal classes of aromatase inhibitor and evaluates their potential clinical impact.

Comparison of HER-2 and Hormone Receptor Expression in Primary Breast Cancers and Asynchronous Paired Metastases: Impact on Patient Management

2008-08-28

This study evaluated the HER-2 and hormone receptor status of 75 breast cancer patients in samples from primary tumors and paired metastases. A change in status was found in a substantial proportion of patients, which could affect the treatment options for these patients.

Selected Combination Therapy with Sorafenib: A Review of Clinical Data and Perspectives in Advanced Solid Tumors

Dal Lago, L., D'Hondt, V., Awada, A. — 2008-08-28

This review summarizes the early clinical studies of sorafenib with cytotoxic agents and discusses future perspectives of these combinations in different tumor types.

The Use of TLR7 and TLR8 Ligands for the Enhancement of Cancer Immunotherapy

Smits, E. L. J. M., Ponsaerts, P., Berneman, Z. N., Van Tendeloo, V. F. I. — 2008-08-28

This review describes the agonists of Toll-like receptors 7 and 8 that are known so far, as well as their contribution to antitumor responses by affecting immune cells, tumor cells, and the tumor microenvironment.

Disparities in the Use of Chemotherapy and Monoclonal Antibody Therapy for Elderly Advanced Colorectal Cancer Patients in the Community Oncology Setting

McKibbin, T., Frei, C. R., Greene, R. E., Kwan, P., Simon, J., Koeller, J. M. — 2008-08-28

This study evaluates the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer in community oncology practices, focusing on age-related differences in treatment and outcome.

Radiation Treatment Breaks and Ulcerative Mucositis in Head and Neck Cancer

Russo, G., Haddad, R., Posner, M., Machtay, M. — 2008-08-28

This article reviews data on the clinical consequences of radiation treatment breaks, the association between ulcerative mucositis and radiation treatment breaks, and possible strategies to prevent radiation treatment breaks by reducing ulcerative mucositis in the management of head and neck cancer.

Multidisciplinary Management of Locally Advanced SCCHN: Optimizing Treatment Outcomes

Ang, K. K. — 2008-08-28

This article reviews the recent data that have shaped the current approach to treatment for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and addresses some of the practical challenges of implementing multimodality treatment.

Osteonecrosis of the Maxilla and Mandible in Patients with Advanced Cancer Treated with Bisphosphonate Therapy

2008-08-28

The manuscript presents a retrospective study of the association between patient, tumor, and dental characteristics and the development of osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients evaluated in the dental clinic at a tertiary cancer center following i.v. bisphosphonate therapy.

Commercialized Multigene Predictors of Clinical Outcome for Breast Cancer

Ross, J. S., Hatzis, C., Symmans, W. F., Pusztai, L., Hortobagyi, G. N — 2008-08-28

Reflections

Murphy, C. J. — 2008-08-28