Anticancer research
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Anticancer research · Jan 2020
Review Meta AnalysisCurrent Treatment of Colorectal Liver Metastasis as a Chronic Disease.
The treatment of colorectal liver metastases is challenging and requires multidisciplinary strategies. Unfortunately, only 25% of patients with colorectal liver metastases are eligible for liver resection. Due to the variety of therapeutic approaches, this percentage has increased; however, at the same time, the definition of resectability has become complex. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of current surgical therapies for colorectal liver metastases. ⋯ Currently, liver metastases from colorectal cancer are considered a chronic disease. In cases of advanced colorectal liver metastases, the definition of resectability and the indications for surgical treatment should be exclusively determined by experienced hepatobiliary surgeons.
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Anticancer research · Jun 2019
ReviewThe Past, Present and Future of Immunotherapy for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.
The treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has evolved tremendously over the past decades. Localized disease is often curative with surgical resection of the malignancy. However, in cases where the primary tumor has metastasized, immunotherapy is becoming a more prevalent means to combat metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). ⋯ These drugs have been used as a monotherapy, combination therapy, or as successive treatments to systemic therapies. This review summarizes the success of previous and current therapeutic targets, while also leading to the direction of future therapies. This review might be helpful in improving the management of mRCC.
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Anticancer research · Sep 2018
ReviewDirected Therapies in Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase-rearranged Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements were first implicated as driving mutations in non-small cell lung cancer in 2007. Since then, a number of novel, small-molecule inhibitors directed against the ALK receptor have demonstrated superiority over standard chemotherapies in the treatment of ALK rearrangement-positive lung cancer. Of considerable importance when considering such therapies is the ability of each to overcome mutations conferring acquired resistance, as well as penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), the most common site of metastasis and traditionally the most difficult to breach. Herein is a review of the efficacy, indications, and degree of CNS penetration for the ALK-targeting agents crizotinib, ceretinib, alectinib, brigatinib, and lorlatinib, as well as a summary of ongoing clinical trials comparing these drugs.
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The role of CD40/CD40L in carcinogenesis is widely examined. The mechanisms linking the CD40/CD40L system and the soluble form of CD40 ligand (sCD40L) with neoplasia are nowadays a topic of intensive research. CD40L and sCD40L belong to the TNF superfamily and are molecules with a proinflammatory role. A variety of cells express CD40L such as the immune system cells, the endothelial cells and activated platelets. Although many medications such as statins have been shown to reduce sCD40L, it is still debated whether specific treatments targeting the CD40/CD40L system will prove to be effective against carcinogenesis in the near future. ⋯ Patients with neoplasia had higher circulating sCD40L levels and it is likely that sCD40L may have a predictive role. It is still unclear whether sCD40L can be used as a therapeutic target.
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Anticancer research · Feb 2018
ReviewAnalytical Methods for Quantification of Vitamin D and Implications for Research and Clinical Practice.
A plethora of contradictory research surrounds vitamin D and its influence on health and disease. This may, in part, result from analytical difficulties with regard to measuring vitamin D metabolites in serum. Indeed, variation exists between analytical techniques and assays used for the determination of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D. ⋯ Likewise, healthcare professionals are increasingly incorporating vitamin D testing and supplementation regimens into their practice, and measurement errors may be also confounding the clinical decisions. Importantly, the Vitamin D Standardisation Programme is an initiative that aims to standardise the measurement of vitamin D metabolites. Such a programme is anticipated to eliminate the inaccuracies surrounding vitamin D quantification.