Frontiers in oncology
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Frontiers in oncology · Jan 2020
Efficacy and Safety of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Inhibitors Plus Antiangiogenic Agents as First-Line Treatments for Patients With Advanced EGFR-Mutated Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.
Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are standard treatment options for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. Increasing clinical investigations have explored the value of EGFR-TKIs plus antiangiogenic drugs as the first-line treatment for EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating EGFR-TKIs administered with or without antiangiogenic agents for advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC. ⋯ Patients with brain metastases at baseline in the combination group had a trend toward better PFS (HR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.30-1.01, P = 0.001). Conclusions: Erlotinib plus bevacizumab or ramucirumab in EFGR-mutated NSCLC first-line setting yielded remarkable PFS benefits; however, this was accompanied by higher AEs. Epidermal growth factor receptor-TKI plus antiangiogenic agent therapy may be considered a new option for advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients.
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Frontiers in oncology · Jan 2020
Predictive Values of Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 Expression for Prognosis, Clinicopathological Factors, and Response to Programmed Cell Death-1/Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 Inhibitors in Patients With Gynecological Cancers: A Meta-Analysis.
The prognostic value of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in gynecological cancers has been explored previously, but the conclusion remains controversial due to limited evidence. This study aimed to conduct an updated meta-analysis to re-investigate the predictive significance of PD-L1 expression. ⋯ Our findings suggest high PD-L1 expression may be a suitable biomarker for predicting the clinical outcomes in patients with gynecological cancers.
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Frontiers in oncology · Jan 2020
Coronavirus: Older Persons With Cancer in Italy in the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Italy is the European country that was hit first and hardest by the COVID-19 epidemic. Since February 2020, the outbreak of the epidemic disease in Italy, with fatal outcomes in up to 10% of cases, made it urgent to implement extraordinary measures to avoid a breakdown of the universal Italian national health system. The update for April 1, 2020, in Italy recorded 102,669 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with a median patient age of 63 years. ⋯ These people face a health- and economics-related emergency that also carries cultural and ethical implications. In accordance with the measures adopted by the Italian government to limit viral transmission, several associations of Italian oncologists have taken action to update Elderly Cancer Care programs. In view of the newly emerging needs, we herein outline practical suggestions aimed at guaranteeing the best continuity to elderly cancer patients.
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Frontiers in oncology · Jan 2020
ReviewCaring for AML Patients During the COVID-19 Crisis: An American and Italian Experience.
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the subsequent pandemic have impacted every aspect of oncology care worldwide. Healthcare systems have been forced to rapidly change practices in order to maximize the safety of patients and healthcare providers and preserve scare resources. ⋯ These issues have created unique challenges during this difficult time. In this article, we present the approaches taken by two groups of hematologist/oncologists, one in the United States and one in Italy, who have been caring for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients in the face of the pandemic.
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Frontiers in oncology · Jan 2020
ReviewOral Realgar-Indigo Naturalis Formula Plus Retinoic Acid for Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia.
Treatment paradigm of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is by no mean the most remarkable story of cancer therapy. Recently, the advent of oral arsenic formulations (oral-arsenic trioxide and Realgar-Indigo Naturalis formula (RIF)) based regimens may provide a therapeutic advance by curing APL with two oral agents. Indeed, the oral RIF plus all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) without chemotherapy display highly efficacy in patients with APL. ⋯ The RIF plus ATRA regimens are becoming a preferred frontline care for APL in China. In this review, we will discuss the history, current evidences and challengers of RIF-based strategies in APL. More and more APL patients may enjoy a cure with a normal quality-of-life after induction in the near future.