Current oncology reports
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Current oncology reports · Apr 2013
ReviewTargeting the adrenal gland in castration-resistant prostate cancer: a case for orteronel, a selective CYP-17 17,20-lyase inhibitor.
Androgen and the androgen receptor (AR) pathway remain the key targets for emerging new therapies against castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Adrenal androgens and intratumoral testosterone production appear to be sufficient to activate AR in the castration-resistant setting. This process re-engages AR and allows it to continue to be the primary target responsible for prostate cancer progression. ⋯ A new CYP17 inhibitor, with more selective inhibition of 17,20-lyase over 17α-hydroxylase, orteronel (TAK-700), is currently undergoing phase III clinical trials in pre- and postchemotherapy CRPC. In a completed phase II trial in CRPC patients, orteronel demonstrated its efficacy by lowering the levels of circulating androgens, reducing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and decreasing the levels of circulating tumor cells. Ongoing studies evaluating orteronel in CRPC will further define its safety and role in the management of this disease.
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Current oncology reports · Apr 2013
ReviewTransoral microsurgery for treatment of laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers.
Minimally invasive surgery has evolved over the last two decades to encompass all fields of surgery, including curative intent cancer surgery of the head and neck. Much evidence is in favor of routine use of transoral laser resection, which can be considered the method of choice for treatment of early laryngeal carcinomas (T1-T2) of the glottis and the supraglottis on the basis of oncologic, functional, and cost considerations. The results of transoral laser microsurgery in patients with moderately advanced (T3) supraglottic cancer are comparable to those of open supraglottic laryngectomy with regard to local control and survival rates, and they are superior to those of primary radiotherapy with respect to organ preservation. Transoral laser microsurgery as a unique treatment should also be considered as an alternative to other organ preservation protocols in the early stages (I-II) of hypopharyngeal and oropharyngeal carcinomas.