The cancer journal
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Trastuzumab Emtansine (T-DM1) in Patients With HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer Previously Treated With Chemotherapy and 2 or More HER2-Targeted Agents: Results From the T-PAS Expanded Access Study.
The antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) has improved outcomes in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC), as demonstrated in phase III studies. Few data approximating its use in routine clinical practice are available. ⋯ The safety profile of T-DM1 in this real-world setting of heterogeneous, HER2-positive, pretreated, locally advanced breast cancer or MBC was comparable with that reported in phases II and III studies of similar patient populations. T-DM1 was efficacious with no new safety signals.
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: The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of adding bevacizumab and erlotinib to concurrent chemoradiation therapy for first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced squamous carcinoma of the head and neck. ⋯ : The addition of bevacizumab and erlotinib to first-line combined modality therapy was feasible in a community-based setting, producing toxicity comparable to other effective combined modality regimens for head and neck cancer. The high level of efficacy suggests that incorporation of these targeted agents into first-line therapy should be further explored.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
I-125 versus Pd-103 for low-risk prostate cancer: long-term morbidity outcomes from a prospective randomized multicenter controlled trial.
We tested the hypothesis that the shorter half-life of Pd-103 versus I-125 results in different late radiation-related morbidities following prostate brachytherapy. ⋯ Patients treated with Pd-103 had more intense radiation prostatitis in the first month after implantation, but they recovered from their radiation-related symptoms sooner than I-125 patients, consistent with palladium's shorter half-life. The trend toward more proctitis in the I-125 patient group likely reflects their higher R100 values due to less rapid dose fall-off that can be overcome with judicious treatment planning and implant execution.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Preoperative therapy with concurrent paclitaxel/carboplatin/infusional 5-FU and radiation therapy in locoregional esophageal cancer: final results of a Minnie Pearl Cancer Research Network phase II trial.
This phase II study was designed to determine the feasibility, toxicity, and therapeutic efficacy of a novel outpatient combined-modality preoperative regimen in patients with localized esophageal cancer. ⋯ This novel combined-modality regimen is highly active in the treatment of locoregional esophageal cancer, producing an actuarial 3-year survival of 41%. Although this preoperative regimen produced moderate acute toxicity, there were no treatment-related deaths and the large majority of patients were able to undergo subsequent esophageal resection. These results, obtained in a community-based setting and involving multiple surgeons, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists, compare favorably with those of previous single-center and multicenter results. Further evaluation of novel combined-modality programs is warranted, as is the incorporation of epidermal growth factor receptor antagonists or other targeted agents.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Induction paclitaxel, carboplatin, and infusional 5-FU followed by concurrent radiation therapy and weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin in the treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer: a phase II trial of the Minnie Pearl Cancer Research Network.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, toxicity, and efficacy of a novel combined-modality treatment for patients with locally advanced squamous carcinoma of the head and neck. ⋯ This novel combined-modality treatment program, containing paclitaxel and avoiding the use of cisplatin, is feasible, is highly active, and can be administered with acceptable toxicity in a community-based setting. Aggressive nutritional support should be considered in patients receiving this regimen, to improve acute palliation and to maximize the delivery of combined-modality therapy. Further evaluation of this treatment program is warranted. Incorporation of various novel biologic agents, particularly the epidermal growth factor receptor antagonists, may further improve efficacy.