The lancet oncology
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The lancet oncology · Jan 2012
ReviewRegulatory T cells in melanoma: the final hurdle towards effective immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy studies in patients with melanoma have reported success in the expansion of tumour-specific effector T cells in vivo, but even in the presence of substantial numbers of functional T cells circulating in the blood, favourable clinical outcomes are scarce. This failure to induce robust clinical responses might be related to tumour-induced immune evasion, rendering the host tolerant to melanoma antigens. Immunosuppression in the tumour microenvironment mediated by regulatory T cells (Treg) is a dominant mechanism of tumour immune escape and is a major hurdle for tumour immunotherapy. ⋯ But despite the success of some strategies in depletion of Treg in patients, overall clinical efficacy has been disappointing. The lack of Treg specificity of the Treg depleting strategies applied so far imply that well-designed studies into dosage, timing, and administration regimens with more specific agents are urgently needed. Depletion of functional Treg from the tumour microenvironment as part of multifaceted immunotherapeutic treatments is a major challenge to induce clinically relevant immune responses against melanomas.
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The lancet oncology · Jan 2012
ReviewEGFR exon 20 insertion mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer: preclinical data and clinical implications.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death. The identification of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) somatic mutations defined a new, molecularly classified subgroup of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Classic EGFR activating mutations, such as inframe deletions in exon 19 or the Leu858Arg (L858R) point mutation in exon 21 are associated with sensitivity to first generation quinazoline reversible EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). ⋯ Growing clinical experience with patients whose tumours harbour EGFR exon 20 insertions corresponds with the preclinical data; very few patients have had responses to EGFR TKIs. Despite the prevalence and biological importance of EEGFR exon 20 insertions, few reports have summarised all preclinical and clinical data on these mutations. Here, we review the literature and provide an update with an emphasis on the structural, molecular, and clinical implications of EGFR exon 20 insertions.
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The lancet oncology · Jan 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialHuman papillomavirus testing for the detection of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cancer: final results of the POBASCAM randomised controlled trial.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is more sensitive for the detection of high-grade cervical lesions than is cytology, but detection of HPV by DNA screening in two screening rounds 5 years apart has not been assessed. The aim of this study was to assess whether HPV DNA testing in the first screen decreases detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 3 or worse, CIN grade 2 or worse, and cervical cancer in the second screening. ⋯ Zorg Onderzoek Nederland (Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development).
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The lancet oncology · Jan 2012
Practice GuidelineRecommendations for liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: an international consensus conference report.
Although liver transplantation is a widely accepted treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), much controversy remains and there is no generally accepted set of guidelines. An international consensus conference was held on Dec 2-4, 2010, in Zurich, Switzerland, with the aim of reviewing current practice regarding liver transplantation in patients with HCC and to develop internationally accepted statements and guidelines. ⋯ An independent jury of nine members was appointed to review these submissions and make final recommendations, after debates with the experts and audience at the conference. This report presents the final 37 statements and recommendations, covering assessment of candidates for liver transplantation, criteria for listing in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients, role of tumour downstaging, management of patients on the waiting list, role of living donation, and post-transplant management.