Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
-
This review provides an update on the current understanding of the clinical cardiac tolerability of trastuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody effective in the treatment of patients with advanced breast cancer overexpressing or amplifying HER2. ⋯ Trastuzumab is associated with an increased risk of asymptomatic decreases in ejection fraction, and, in a small number of patients, CHF that is almost always responsive to medical management. This risk is greatest in patients receiving concurrent anthracyclines. More data are needed to help elucidate the pathophysiology of this syndrome.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
FOLFIRI followed by FOLFOX6 or the reverse sequence in advanced colorectal cancer: a randomized GERCOR study.
In metastatic colorectal cancer, phase III studies have demonstrated the superiority of fluorouracil (FU) with leucovorin (LV) in combination with irinotecan or oxaliplatin over FU + LV alone. This phase III study investigated two sequences: folinic acid, FU, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) followed by folinic acid, FU, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX6; arm A), and FOLFOX6 followed by FOLFIRI (arm B). ⋯ Both sequences achieved a prolonged survival and similar efficacy. The toxicity profiles were different.
-
To characterize the aggressiveness of end-of-life cancer treatment for older adults on Medicare, and its relationship to the availability of healthcare resources. ⋯ The treatment of cancer patients near death is becoming increasingly aggressive over time.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Neurocognitive function and progression in patients with brain metastases treated with whole-brain radiation and motexafin gadolinium: results of a randomized phase III trial.
To report the neurocognitive findings in a phase III randomized trial evaluating survival and neurologic and neurocognitive function in patients with brain metastases from solid tumors receiving whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) with or without motexafin gadolinium (MGd). ⋯ Neurocognitive tests are a relatively sensitive measure of brain functioning; a combination of tumor prognostic variables and brain function assessments seems to predict survival better than tumor variables alone. Although the addition of MGd to WBRT did not produce a significant overall improvement between treatment arms, MGd may improve memory and executive function and prolong time to neurocognitive and neurologic progression in patients with brain metastases from lung cancer.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Final results of the 94-01 French Head and Neck Oncology and Radiotherapy Group randomized trial comparing radiotherapy alone with concomitant radiochemotherapy in advanced-stage oropharynx carcinoma.
We report the 5-year survival and late toxicity results of a randomized clinical trial, which showed a 3-year improvement in overall survival and locoregional control of stage III or IV oropharynx carcinoma, using concomitant radiochemotherapy (arm B), compared with standard radiotherapy (arm A). ⋯ Concomitant radiochemotherapy improved overall survival and locoregional control rates and does not statistically increase severe late morbidity. Anemia was the most important prognostic factor for survival in both arms.