Critical reviews in oncology/hematology
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Crit. Rev. Oncol. Hematol. · Mar 2016
Review Meta AnalysisCan KRAS and BRAF mutations limit the benefit of liver resection in metastatic colorectal cancer patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Clinical trials investigated the potential role of both KRAS and BRAF mutations, as prognostic biomarkers, in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients who underwent surgical treatment of CRC-related liver metastases (CLM), showing conflicting results. This meta-analysis aims to review all the studies reporting survival outcomes (recurrence free survival (RFS), and/or overall survival (OS)) of patients undergoing resection of CLM, stratified according to KRAS and/or BRAF mutation status. ⋯ This meta-analysis suggests both KRAS and BRAF mutations as poor, prognostic biomarkers, associated with worse survival outcomes, in patients undergoing hepatic resection of CLM.
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Crit. Rev. Oncol. Hematol. · Feb 2016
ReviewGemcitabine-based chemotherapy in sarcomas: A systematic review of published trials.
Gemcitabine is largely used in the management of sarcomas. We have systematically reviewed all of the fully published trials that investigated a gemcitabine-based regimen in the management of sarcomas and then provided a grade of recommendations and a level of evidence for every recommendation. Because of conflicting results from successive non-randomized phase II trials, gemcitabine activity alone in unselected pretreated soft tissue sarcomas could not be properly assessed. ⋯ The level of activity of gemcitabine/docetaxel in bone sarcomas cannot be ascertained with the available data. The level of evidence supporting the use of gemcitabine-based regimens in sarcoma management is limited. Confirmatory phase III trials are warranted when phase II trials suggest some preliminary activity.
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Crit. Rev. Oncol. Hematol. · Feb 2016
ReviewGemcitabine-based chemotherapy in sarcomas: A systematic review of published trials.
Gemcitabine is largely used in the management of sarcomas. We have systematically reviewed all of the fully published trials that investigated a gemcitabine-based regimen in the management of sarcomas and then provided a grade of recommendations and a level of evidence for every recommendation. Because of conflicting results from successive non-randomized phase II trials, gemcitabine activity alone in unselected pretreated soft tissue sarcomas could not be properly assessed. ⋯ The level of activity of gemcitabine/docetaxel in bone sarcomas cannot be ascertained with the available data. The level of evidence supporting the use of gemcitabine-based regimens in sarcoma management is limited. Confirmatory phase III trials are warranted when phase II trials suggest some preliminary activity.
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Crit. Rev. Oncol. Hematol. · Feb 2016
ReviewNatural products and complementary therapies for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A systematic review.
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a serious dose-limiting side-effect without any FDA-approved treatment option. Prior reviews focus mostly on pharmacological interventions, but nonpharmaceutical interventions have also been evaluated. A Web of Science and PubMed database search to identify relevant RCTs from January 2005 to May 2015 included the terms: CIPN, cancer; and supplements, vitamin E, goshajinkigan, kampo, acetyl-L-carnitine, carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid, omega-3, glutamine, or glutamate; or massage, acupuncture, mind-body practice, yoga, meditation, Tai-Chi, physical activity, or exercise. ⋯ Electroacupuncture was not superior to placebo. No RCTs were published regarding other complementary therapies, although some studies mention positive incidental findings. Natural products and complementary therapies deserve further investigation, given the lack of effective CIPN interventions.
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Crit. Rev. Oncol. Hematol. · Feb 2016
ReviewNatural products and complementary therapies for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A systematic review.
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a serious dose-limiting side-effect without any FDA-approved treatment option. Prior reviews focus mostly on pharmacological interventions, but nonpharmaceutical interventions have also been evaluated. A Web of Science and PubMed database search to identify relevant RCTs from January 2005 to May 2015 included the terms: CIPN, cancer; and supplements, vitamin E, goshajinkigan, kampo, acetyl-L-carnitine, carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid, omega-3, glutamine, or glutamate; or massage, acupuncture, mind-body practice, yoga, meditation, Tai-Chi, physical activity, or exercise. ⋯ Electroacupuncture was not superior to placebo. No RCTs were published regarding other complementary therapies, although some studies mention positive incidental findings. Natural products and complementary therapies deserve further investigation, given the lack of effective CIPN interventions.