Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN
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The past decade has seen a significant survival improvement for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, fueled in large part by the arrival of active novel chemotherapeutic drugs and their incorporation into combination regimens. Several randomized trials have successfully integrated oxaliplatin and irinotecan into previously existing 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based regimens for advanced colorectal cancer, resulting in median survivals that have risen from 9 months to almost 2 years. ⋯ We review the evolution of primary chemotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer, focusing on the trials that have led to the new standard first-line treatments. We also review the data on newer targeted therapies, especially in combination with cytotoxic therapy.
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J Natl Compr Canc Netw · May 2005
ReviewGenomics-based prognosis and therapeutic prediction in breast cancer.
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease. DNA microarray technology is being applied to breast cancer to identify new prognostic biomarkers, to predict response to therapy, and to discover targets for the development of novel therapies. ⋯ We note that factors that predict metastatic disease are not necessarily the same factors that predict therapeutic response. We believe that the characterization and discernment of different systems among breast cancers is crucial for understanding drug sensitivity and resistance mechanisms and for guiding therapy.
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J Natl Compr Canc Netw · Sep 2004
ReviewEarly-stage NSCLC: the role of radiotherapy and systemic therapy.
Although surgical resection offers the best opportunity for cure in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, long-term survival remains less than 50% for all but clinical stage IA disease. Nearly 80% of relapses occur in distant sites. Thus, investigators have turned to chemotherapy or radiotherapy to prevent relapse and extend survival. ⋯ Retrospective series, as well as randomized trials, show consistent benefit, but these trials suffer from small numbers of patients. More recently, phase II trials have confirmed the feasibility of this strategy in patients with stage IB-IIIA disease, with nearly all patients completing induction chemotherapy and no apparent increase in operative mortality. Ongoing trials continue to assess the role of preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy in early stage non-small cell lung cancer.