Recent results in cancer research. Fortschritte der Krebsforschung. Progrès dans les recherches sur le cancer
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Recent Results Cancer Res. · Jan 2011
ReviewMonoclonal gammopathy and smoldering multiple myeloma: diagnosis, staging, prognosis, management.
Monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) as one of the most common premalignant disorders and smoldering multiple myeloma (sMM) are both caused by a proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells leading to a detectable serum monoclonal protein and/or excess of plasma cells in the bone marrow. Prerequisite for the diagnosis is that plasma cell disease does not cause clinical symptoms. Cytogenetic aberrations are detectable in the majority of patient in the clonally expanded plasma cells. ⋯ Detection of more than 1 focal lesion in whole body MRI, 95% or more of bone marrow plasma cells displaying an aberrant phenotype in flow cytometry and an evolving clinical course in two consecutive follow-up visits are additional prognostic parameters for sMM. Currently there is no accepted secondary prevention strategy available for sMM and MGUS progression. Future studies are required to combine increasing knowledge on risk factors and molecular pathogenesis with targeted agents to prevent progression.
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Recent Results Cancer Res. · Jan 2009
ReviewDo we make optimal use of the potential of cancer prevention?
Three decades of intensive experimental and clinical research on cancer prevention have yielded an impressive body of scientific knowledge about cancer epidemiology, causation, and preventative measures. Despite our increased understanding in these critical areas, this knowledge is not being translated adequately into initiatives that will impact public health. The recent release of the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research report on diet and lifestyle strategies for cancer prevention--grounded in an evidence-based, systematic review of the published literature--is a strong acknowledgment of the benefits of a lifestyle approach to reduce cancer risk. ⋯ This will demand the creation of multidisciplinary teams of researchers from biological sciences, informatics and engineering scientists, and researchers from many fields not generally focused on disease prevention. To facilitate this and other new approaches, and to make effective use of information and strategies for cancer prevention, intensive training efforts must be implemented to develop the next generation of basic and clinical scientists--and physician researchers--capable of working in a cross- and multidisciplinary research environment. Training current researchers in new approaches will add efficiency to their combined research experiences.
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Recent Results Cancer Res. · Jan 2007
ReviewAntibody therapy in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: the role of rituximab, 90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan, and alemtuzumab.
Targeting cancer cells with monoclonal antibodies has become an indispensable part of modern treatment against hematologic malignancies. The excitement of the first successful experimental results could be confirmed by large multicenter trials, thus paving the way for new approaches in first-line, relapse, and maintenance therapy. Three antibodies--rituximab, 90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan, and alemtuzumab--are in clinical use worldwide and are reviewed in this chapter with a focus on practical information and fundamental principles of antibody-based therapy.
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Recent Results Cancer Res. · Jan 2007
ReviewCetuximab: appraisal of a novel drug against colorectal cancer.
Cetuximab (C225, Erbitux, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) is a human-mouse chimeric therapeutic monoclonal antibody (mAb) that competitively binds to the extracellular domain of the human epidermal growth-factor receptor (EGFR). It has been developed out of the murine antibody M225 "from bench to bedside" in less than two decades, and is the anti-EGFR mAb furthest ahead in clinical evaluation. In Europe, cetuximab is approved for the treatment of patients with EGFR-expressing, metastatic colorectal cancer after failure of treatment with irinotecan since 2004, and for the treatment of patients with locally advanced squamous cell cancer of the head and neck concomitant to radiotherapy since 2006. We here summarize the current role of cetuximab in the treatment of colorectal cancer, give an overview on the ongoing studies, address the most important controversies, and point out the chances and challenges for the future use of cetuximab in colorectal cancer and other human malignancies.