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Medical Oncology / Clinical Oncology


Organisations and Resources (19 links)

    Title
    Link to Website    		Info
    Mouseover    		Country
    Link to Directory
    Paraguayan Society of Medical Oncology Paraguay
    American Society of Clinical Oncology USA
    Association of Cancer Physicians UK
    Clinical Oncological Society of Australia Australia
    European Society for Medical Oncology Europe
    Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology USA
    Italian Association for Medical Oncology Italy
    Lebanese Society of Medical Oncology Lebanon
    Hungarian Society of Medical Oncology Hungary
    Medical Oncology Association of Southern California USA
    Medical Oncology Group of Australia Australia
    Philippine Society of Medical Oncology Philippines
    Romanian Society for Radiotherapy and Medical Oncology   Romania
    Société Luxembourgeoise d'Oncologie   Luxembourg
    South African Society for Clinical and Radiation Oncologists South Africa
    Turkish Society of Medical Oncology Turkey
    Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology Greece
    Japan Society of Clinical Oncology Japan
    Korean Association for Clinical Oncology Republic of Korea

    Specialist Journals (14 links)

    See also: Oncology Journals

    Latest Research Publications

    Bartley AN, Washington MK, Ventura CB, et al.
    HER2 Testing and Clinical Decision Making in Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma: Guideline From the College of American Pathologists, American Society for Clinical Pathology, and American Society of Clinical Oncology.
    Am J Clin Pathol. 2016; 146(6):647-669 [PubMed] Related Publications
    CONTEXT: ERBB2 (erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 or HER2) is currently the only biomarker established for selection of a specific therapy for patients with advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA). However, there are no comprehensive guidelines for the assessment of HER2 in patients with GEA.
    OBJECTIVES: To establish an evidence-based guideline for HER2 testing in patients with GEA, to formalize the algorithms for methods to improve the accuracy of HER2 testing while addressing which patients and tumor specimens are appropriate, and to provide guidance on clinical decision making.
    DESIGN: The College of American Pathologists, American Society for Clinical Pathology, and American Society of Clinical Oncology convened an expert panel to conduct a systematic review of the literature to develop an evidence-based guideline with recommendations for optimal HER2 testing in patients with GEA.
    RESULTS: The panel is proposing 11 recommendations with strong agreement from the open-comment participants.
    RECOMMENDATIONS: The panel recommends that tumor specimen(s) from all patients with advanced GEA, who are candidates for HER2-targeted therapy, should be assessed for HER2 status before the initiation of HER2-targeted therapy. Clinicians should offer combination chemotherapy and a HER2-targeted agent as initial therapy for all patients with HER2-positive advanced GEA. For pathologists, guidance is provided for morphologic selection of neoplastic tissue, testing algorithms, scoring methods, interpretation and reporting of results, and laboratory quality assurance.
    CONCLUSIONS: This guideline provides specific recommendations for assessment of HER2 in patients with advanced GEA while addressing pertinent technical issues and clinical implications of the results.
    Related: Cancer of the Esophagus Esophageal Cancer Stomach Cancer Gastric Cancer USA

    Atkinson V, Long GV, Menzies AM, et al.
    Optimizing combination dabrafenib and trametinib therapy in BRAF mutation-positive advanced melanoma patients: Guidelines from Australian melanoma medical oncologists.
    Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2016; 12 Suppl 7:5-12 [PubMed] Related Publications
    BRAF mutations occur commonly in metastatic melanomas and inhibition of mutant BRAF and the downstream kinase MEK results in rapid tumor regression and prolonged survival in patients. Combined therapy with BRAF and MEK inhibition improves response rate, progression free survival and overall survival compared with single agent BRAF inhibition, and reduces the skin toxicity that is seen with BRAF inhibitor monotherapy. However, this combination is associated with an increase in other toxicities, particularly drug-related pyrexia, which affects approximately 50% of patients treated with dabrafenib and trametinib (CombiDT). We provide guidance on managing adverse events likely to arise during treatment with combination BRAF and MEK inhibition with CombiDT: pyrexia, skin conditions, fatigue; and discuss management of CombiDT during surgery and radiotherapy. By improving tolerability and in particular preventing unnecessary treatment cessations or reduction in drug exposure, best outcomes can be achieved for patients undergoing CombiDT therapy.
    Related: Australia Melanoma BRAF

    Harrison TM, Kitchell BE
    Principles and Applications of Medical Oncology in Exotic Animals.
    Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2017; 20(1):209-234 [PubMed] Related Publications
    Diagnoses of neoplasia in exotic animals have historically been made at death or just before euthanasia. Routine physical examinations are enabling early diagnosis while accessibility and affordability of advanced diagnostics are improving. With increasing expectations for care, treatment options are more frequently explored. Numerous oncologic medications have been adopted from human and small animal medicine and successfully used in exotic animals. Although there is a need for extended research, this article evaluates which medications have been used thus far for treatment protocols in zoologic and exotic animal species.
    Related: Cancer Prevention and Risk Reduction

    Park K
    A Review of Modeling Approaches to Predict Drug Response in Clinical Oncology.
    Yonsei Med J. 2017; 58(1):1-8 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
    Model-based approaches have emerged as important tools for quantitatively understanding temporal relationships between drug dose, concentration, and effect over the course of treatment, and have now become central to optimal drug development and tailored drug treatment. In oncology, the therapeutic index of a chemotherapeutic drug is typically narrow and a full dose-response relationship is not available, often because of treatment failure. Noting the benefits of model-based approaches and the low therapeutic index of oncology drugs, in recent years, modeling approaches have been increasingly used to streamline oncologic drug development through early identification and quantification of dose-response relationships. With this background, this report reviews publications that used model-based approaches to evaluate drug treatment outcome variables in oncology therapeutics, ranging from tumor size dynamics to tumor/biomarker time courses and survival response.
    Related: Cancer Prevention and Risk Reduction

    Bartley AN, Washington MK, Ventura CB, et al.
    HER2 Testing and Clinical Decision Making in Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma: Guideline From the College of American Pathologists, American Society for Clinical Pathology, and American Society of Clinical Oncology.
    Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2016; 140(12):1345-1363 [PubMed] Related Publications
    CONTEXT: - ERBB2 (erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 or HER2) is currently the only biomarker established for selection of a specific therapy for patients with advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA). However, there are no comprehensive guidelines for the assessment of HER2 in patients with GEA.
    OBJECTIVES: - To establish an evidence-based guideline for HER2 testing in patients with GEA, to formalize the algorithms for methods to improve the accuracy of HER2 testing while addressing which patients and tumor specimens are appropriate, and to provide guidance on clinical decision making.
    DESIGN: - The College of American Pathologists, American Society for Clinical Pathology, and American Society of Clinical Oncology convened an expert panel to conduct a systematic review of the literature to develop an evidence-based guideline with recommendations for optimal HER2 testing in patients with GEA.
    RESULTS: - The panel is proposing 11 recommendations with strong agreement from the open-comment participants.
    RECOMMENDATIONS: - The panel recommends that tumor specimen(s) from all patients with advanced GEA, who are candidates for HER2-targeted therapy, should be assessed for HER2 status before the initiation of HER2-targeted therapy. Clinicians should offer combination chemotherapy and a HER2-targeted agent as initial therapy for all patients with HER2-positive advanced GEA. For pathologists, guidance is provided for morphologic selection of neoplastic tissue, testing algorithms, scoring methods, interpretation and reporting of results, and laboratory quality assurance.
    CONCLUSIONS: - This guideline provides specific recommendations for assessment of HER2 in patients with advanced GEA while addressing pertinent technical issues and clinical implications of the results.
    Related: Cancer of the Esophagus Esophageal Cancer Stomach Cancer Gastric Cancer USA

    Hermann B, Lehners N, Brodhun M, et al.
    Influenza virus infections in patients with malignancies -- characteristics and outcome of the season 2014/15. A survey conducted by the Infectious Diseases Working Party (AGIHO) of the German Society of Haematology and Medical Oncology (DGHO).
    Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2017; 36(3):565-573 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
    Influenza virus infections (IVI) may pose a vital threat to immunocompromised patients such as those suffering from malignancies, but specific data on epidemiology and outcome in these patients are scarce. In this study, we collected data on patients with active cancer or with a history of cancer, presenting with documented IVI in eight centres in Germany. Two hundred and three patients were identified, suffering from haematological malignancies or solid tumours; 109 (54 %) patients had active malignant disease. Influenza A was detected in 155 (77 %) and Influenza B in 46 (23 %) of patients (genera not determined in two patients). Clinical symptoms were consistent with upper respiratory tract infection in 55/203 (27 %), influenza-like illness in 82/203 (40 %), and pneumonia in 67/203 (33 %). Anti-viral treatment with oseltamivir was received by 116/195 (59 %). Superinfections occurred in 37/203 (18 %), and admission on an intensive care unit was required in 26/203 (13 %). Seventeen patients (9 %) died. Independent risk factors for death were delayed diagnosis of IVI and bacterial or fungal superinfection, but not underlying malignancy or ongoing immunosuppression. In conclusion, patients with IVI show high rates of pneumonia and mortality. Early and rapid diagnosis is essential. The high rate of pneumonia and superinfections should be taken into account when managing IVI in these patients.
    Related: Cancer Prevention and Risk Reduction

    Ercelep O, Topcu TO, Bayoglu IV, et al.
    Retrospective multicenter evaluation of patients diagnosed with mucosal melanoma: a study of Anatolian Society of Medical Oncology.
    Tumour Biol. 2016; 37(9):12033-12038 [PubMed] Related Publications
    Mucosal melanoma (MM) is a rare type of cancer that differs significantly from cutaneous melanoma. In this study, we aimed to evaluate clinical and demographical characteristics, prognoses and factors influencing survival, treatment alternatives, and features of different subtypes of the patients. The patients were followed up with and treated in different centers due to their diagnoses of MM. We retrospectively analyzed data of 107 patients who were diagnosed with MM in 14 different institutions in Turkey. The mean age of the patients was 64.5 years. Of the patients, 47 % were female and 53 % were male. The median overall survival (OS) was 17 months, and the mean follow-up duration was 27 months. The 2-year survival rate was 42 %, and the 5-year survival rate was 23 %. The best survival rate appeared in those patients with MM in the head-neck region (median survival rate was 27 months, P = 0.034). The most common anatomical site was the head-neck region. In a univariate analysis, variables including age ≥65 years, the anatomical site of the primary lesion other than head and neck region, the metastatic stage of the disease, high levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) of ≥1 were found to be associated with poor survival (P < 0.05). However, in a multivariate analysis, only advanced stage disease (HR = 2.70; 95 % CI, 1.64-4.45; P = 0.000) and high LDH levels (HR = 2.31; 95 % CI, 1.40-3.80; P = 0.001) were determined to be adverse prognostic variables. Primary MM presents a more aggressive behavior and offers a poorer prognosis compared to cutaneous melanoma. Because the disease is rarely seen, is heterogeneous, and lacks randomized studies, issues concerning optimal treatment approaches and management and clinical characteristics of the disease have not been clarified yet.
    Related: Melanoma

    Chen LF, Patel JD, Lukas RV
    Advances in brain metastases presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2016 Annual Meeting: Part II.
    Future Oncol. 2016; 12(23):2669-2672 [PubMed] Related Publications
    American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, USA, 3-7 June 2016 The American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting took place in Chicago, IL, USA, from 3 to 7 June 2016. Over 30,000 oncologists, researchers, related professionals and advocates participated in the conference, which covered all aspects of oncology. An overview of the key studies in brain metastases presented at the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting is highlighted here. Key data presented on radiotherapy, and systemic therapy for brain metastases are reviewed.

    Chen LF, Patel JD, Lukas RV
    Advances in brain metastases presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2016 Annual Meeting: Part I.
    Future Oncol. 2016; 12(22):2535-2538 [PubMed] Related Publications
    American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, USA, 3-7 June 2016 The American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting took place in Chicago, IL, USA from 3 to 7 June 2016. Over 30,000 oncologists, researchers, related professionals and advocates participated in the conference which covered all aspects of oncology. An overview of the key studies in brain metastases presented at the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting is highlighted here. This report highlights biology, epidemiology, prognosis and treatment sequelae of brain metastases.

    Salvador J, Urtasun JA, Duart FJ, et al.
    Equity, barriers and cancer disparities: study of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology on the access to oncologic drugs in the Spanish Regions.
    Clin Transl Oncol. 2017; 19(3):341-356 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
    PURPOSE: The Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) has conducted a study on the access to oncologic drugs across the 17 Spanish Regions with the aim of identifying potential heterogeneities and making proposals for eliminating the barriers identified at the different levels.
    METHODS: An Expert Panel made up of medical oncologists designed a survey on certain indications approved for 11 drugs in the approach of breast cancer, melanoma, lung cancer, prostate cancer and support treatment. This survey was sent to 144 National Health System (NHS) hospitals.
    RESULTS: 77 hospitals answered the survey. The information modules analysed were: scope of the Commission that establishes binding decisions related to drug access; conditions, stages and periods of drug application, approval and administration processes; barriers to accessing drugs.
    CONCLUSIONS: The study shows variability in drug access. The SEOM makes proposals addressed to reducing the differences identified and homogenizing drug access conditions.
    Related: Cancer Prevention and Risk Reduction

    Lai YL, Wu CY, Chao KS
    Biological imaging in clinical oncology: radiation therapy based on functional imaging.
    Int J Clin Oncol. 2016; 21(4):626-32 [PubMed] Related Publications
    Radiation therapy is one of the most effective tools for cancer treatment. In recent years, intensity-modulated radiation therapy has become increasingly popular in that target dose-escalation can be done while sparing adjacent normal tissues. For this reason, the development of measures to pave the way for accurate target delineation is of great interest. With the integration of functional information obtained by biological imaging with radiotherapy, strategies using advanced biological imaging to visualize metabolic pathways and to improve therapeutic index and predict treatment response are discussed in this article.
    Related: Cancer Prevention and Risk Reduction

    Goldfinch R, Allerton R, Khanduri S, Pettit L
    The impact of the introduction of a palliative Macmillan consultant radiographer at one UK cancer centre.
    Br J Radiol. 2016; 89(1065):20160286 [PubMed] Article available free on PMC after 01/09/2017 Related Publications
    OBJECTIVE: The UK radiotherapy (RT) workforce needs novel strategies to manage increasing demand. The appointment of a palliative RT (PRT) consultant radiographer (CR) offers a potential solution to enhance patient pathways providing timely RT. This article examined the impact of one such appointment.
    METHODS: Two prospective audits were completed 1 year apart. All patients receiving PRT for bone metastases between 01/01/2014-31/03/2014 (Audit 1) and 01/01/2015-31/01/2015 (Audit 2) were included. Data collected included demographics, treatment site, dose, fractionation, treatment indication and professionals who planned the PRT. The patient pathway from decision to treat (DTT) to commencement of PRT was scrutinized.
    RESULTS: 97 patients were identified for Audit 1 and 87 patients for Audit 2. Demographics were similar. Figures relate to Audit 1 and in brackets Audit 2. Indications for treatment: pain 55% (61%), metastatic spinal cord compression 41% (38%) and other neurological symptoms 4% (1%). The CR independently planned 13% (60%), being supervised for 36% (3%). Consultant clinical oncologists planned 43% (31%), with 7% (6%) planned by specialist registrars (SpRs). The pathway was enhanced in Audit 2, with 85% of patients treated within 14 days compared with 73% of patients treated in Audit 1.
    CONCLUSION: A CR has the potential to impact on the patient pathway, enabling quicker times from DTT to treatment. Continued audit of the role is required to ensure that it complements SpR training.
    ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Increasing longevity and improved systemic therapies have led to greater numbers of patients living longer with metastatic disease. The appointment of a CR offers a potential solution to the capacity difficulties faced by UK RT services.

    Basu S, Alavi A
    PET-Based Personalized Management in Clinical Oncology: An Unavoidable Path for the Foreseeable Future.
    PET Clin. 2016; 11(3):203-7 [PubMed] Related Publications
    It is imperative that the thrust of clinical practice in the ensuing years would be to develop personalized management model for various disorders. PET-computed tomography (PET-CT) based molecular functional imaging has been increasingly utilized for assessment of tumor and other nonmalignant disorders and has the ability to explore disease phenotype on an individual basis and address critical clinical decision making questions related to practice of personalized medicine. Hence, it is essential to make a concerted systematic effort to explore and define the appropriate place of PET-CT in personalized clinical practice in each of malignancies, which would strengthen the concept further. The potential advantages of PET based disease management can be classified into broad categories: (1) Traditional: which includes assessment of disease extent such as initial disease staging and restaging, treatment response evaluation particularly early in the course and thus PET-CT response adaptive decision for continuing the same regimen or switching to salvage schedules; there has been continuous addition of newer application of PET based disease restaging in oncological parlance (eg, Richter transformation); (2) Recent and emerging developments: this includes exploring tumor biology with FDG and non-FDG PET tracers. The potential of multitracer PET imaging (particularly new and novel tracers, eg, 68Ga-DOTA-TOC/NOC/TATE in NET, 68Ga-PSMA and 18F-fluorocholine in prostate carcinoma, 18F-fluoroestradiol in breast carcinoma) has provided a scientific basis to stratify and select appropriate targeted therapies (both radionuclide and nonradionuclide treatment), a major boost for individualized disease management in clinical oncology. Integrating the molecular level information obtained from PET with structural imaging further individualizing treatment plan in radiation oncology, precision of interventions and biopsies of a particular lesion and forecasting disease prognosis.
    Related: Cancer Prevention and Risk Reduction

    Buti S, Ciccarese C, Iacovelli R, et al.
    Inside the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium: part 2 - prostate and bladder cancer.
    Future Oncol. 2016; 12(17):1971-4 [PubMed] Related Publications
    The American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, Moscone West Building, San Francisco, CA, USA, 7-9 January 2016 The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, held in San Francisco (CA, USA), from 7 to 9 January 2016, focused on 'patient-centric care: translating research to results'. Every year, this meeting is a must for anyone studying genitourinary tumors to keep abreast of the most recent innovations in this field, exchange views on behaviors customarily adopted in daily clinical practice and discuss future topics of scientific research. This two-part report highlights the key themes presented at the 2016 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, with part 1 reporting the main novelties of kidney cancer and part 2 discussing the most relevant issues which have emerged for bladder and prostate tumors.
    Related: Transitional Cell Cancer of the Renal Pelvis and Ureter Prostate Cancer Bladder Cancer Bladder Cancer - Molecular Biology

    Buti S, Ciccarese C, Iacovelli R, et al.
    Inside the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium: part 1 - kidney cancer.
    Future Oncol. 2016; 12(17):1967-70 [PubMed] Related Publications
    The American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, Moscone West Building, San Francisco, CA, USA, 7-9 January 2016 The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, held in San Francisco (CA, USA), from 7 to 9 January 2016, focused on 'patient-centric care: translating research to results'. Every year, this meeting is a must for anyone studying genitourinary tumors to keep abreast of the most recent innovations in this field, exchange views on behaviors customarily adopted in daily clinical practice, and discuss future topics of scientific research. This two-part report highlights the key themes presented at the 2016 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, with part 1 reporting the main novelties of kidney cancer and part 2 discussing the most relevant issues which have emerged for bladder and prostate tumors.
    Related: Liver Cancer

    Esbah O, Demirci U, Dane F, et al.
    Multicenter experience of adult medulloblastoma: A study of Anatolian Society of Medical Oncology (ASMO).
    J BUON. 2016 Mar-Apr; 21(2):456-60 [PubMed] Related Publications
    PURPOSE: Medulloblastoma (MB) is rarely seen in adults. For adjuvant therapy in adults the same therapy protocols used in pediatric cases are used. The present study retrospectively evaluated the data of MB patients who were treated in different Oncology Centers in Turkey.
    METHODS: The data of 60 adult patients with MB from 8 Oncology Centers diagnosed between 2005 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.
    RESULTS: The median patient age was 28.8 years (range 16-54). The administered chemotherapy included procarbazine+lomustin+vincristine (group A, N=31) and cyclophosphamide/ifosfamide+vincristine+cisplatin (group B, N=13). Median chemotherapy courses were 4 (range 1-8). Median progression free survival (PFS) was 76 months and median overall survival (OS) has not been reached in both groups. In young female patients and in those who received adjuvant chemotherapy, median PFS and OS were longer but without statistical significance. Mean PFS and OS were 65.9 months and 101.2 months in group A and 113.6 months and 141.6 months in group B, respectively.
    CONCLUSION: Improved survival results were obtained in women, in patients aged below 25 years, in those who underwent gross total excision (GTE) and in those who received adjuvant therapy with cyclophosphamide/ifosphamide.

    Hejna M, Wöll E, Tschandl P, Raderer M
    Cutaneous paraneoplastic disorders in stomach cancer: Collaboration between oncologically active dermatologists and clinical oncologists.
    Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2016; 103:78-85 [PubMed] Related Publications
    To our knowledge this is the first systemic review that provides an overview of the cutaneous paraneoplastic syndromes (CPS) (i.e., clinical manifestations, pathomechanisms, and treatment modalities) occurring in stomach cancer. CPS are caused by substances produced by stomach cancer and may precede, coincide with, or follow the diagnosis of this malignancy. More than 20 possible CPS in association with stomach cancer have been identified. CPS mostly compromises the patient's quality of life by skin impairment plus discomfort and are often associated with a dismal prognosis on survival. Studies of these CPS not only in stomach cancer have partially contributed to the understanding of pathomechanism and since CPS may be the presenting sign of an occult cancer, cognizance of their features and clinical implications are of considerable importance. Patients with these syndromes should have an appropriate work-up for a possibly occult malignancy with consecutive successful early treatment.
    Related: Stomach Cancer Gastric Cancer

    Süner A, Aydın D, Hacıoğlu MB, et al.
    Effectiveness and safety of cabazitaxel chemotherapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostatic carcinoma on Turkish patients (The Anatolian Society of Medical Oncology).
    Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2016; 20(7):1238-43 [PubMed] Related Publications
    OBJECTIVE: Prostate cancer is among the most common cancers in males. Prostate cancer is androgen dependent in the beginning, but as time progresses, it becomes refractory to androgen deprivation treatment. At this stage, docetaxel has been used as standard treatment for years. Cabazitaxel has become the first chemotherapeutic agent which has been shown to increase survival for patients with metastatic Castrate Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC) that progresses after docetaxel. Phase 3 TROPIC study demonstrated that cabazitaxel prolongs survival.
    PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, we evaluated a total of 103 patients who took cabazitaxel chemotherapy for mCRPC diagnosis in 21 centers of Turkey, retrospectively. This study included patients who progressed despite docetaxel treatments, had ECOG performance score between 0-2, and used cabazitaxel treatment. Patients received cabazitaxel 25 mg/m2 at every 3 weeks, and prednisolone 5 mg twice a day.
    RESULTS: Median number of cabazitaxel cures was 5.03 (range: 1-17). Cabazitaxel response evaluation detected that 34% of the patients had a partial response, 22.3% had stable disease and 32% had a progressive disease. Grade 3-4 hematological toxicities were neutropenia (28.2%), neutropenic fever (14.5%), anemia (6.7%), and thrombocytopenia (3.8%). In our study, median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.7 months and overall survival (OS) was 10.6 months.
    CONCLUSIONS: This study reflects toxicity profile of Turkish patients as a Caucasian race. We suggest that cabazitaxel is a safe and effective treatment option for mCRPC patients who progress after docetaxel. Moreover, ethnicity may play important roles both in treatment response and in toxicity profile.
    Related: Cabazitaxel

    Tanaka K, Hasegawa T, Nojima T, et al.
    Prospective evaluation of Ki-67 system in histological grading of soft tissue sarcomas in the Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study JCOG0304.
    World J Surg Oncol. 2016; 14:110 [PubMed] Article available free on PMC after 01/09/2017 Related Publications
    BACKGROUND: The correct clinical staging of soft tissue sarcomas (STS) is critical for the selection of treatments. The staging system consists of histological grade of the tumors and French Federation of Cancer Center (FNCLCC) system based on mitotic count is widely used for the grading. In this study, we compared the validity and usefulness of Ki-67 grading system with FNCLCC system in JCOG0304 trial which investigated the efficacy and safety of perioperative chemotherapy with doxorubicin and ifosfamide for STS.
    METHODS: All 70 eligible patients with STS in the extremities treated by perioperative chemotherapy in JCOG0304 were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted to investigate an influence on overall survival.
    RESULTS: The reproducibility of Ki-67 grading system in the histological grading of STS was higher than FNCLCC system (κ = 0.54 [95 % CI 0.39-0.71], and 0.46 [0.32-0.62], respectively). Although FNCLCC grade was not associated with overall survival (OS) in univariate analysis (HR 2.80 [0.74-10.55], p = 0.13), Ki-67 grading system had a tendency to associate with OS in univariate analysis (HR 4.12 [0.89-19.09], p = 0.07) and multivariate analysis with backward elimination (HR 3.51 [0.75-16.36], p = 0.11).
    CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report demonstrating the efficacy of Ki-67 grading system for the patients with STS in the prospective trial. The results indicate that Ki-67 grading system might be useful for the evaluation of histological grade of STS.
    Related: MKI67 Soft Tissue Sarcomas

    Barginear MF, Kozikowski A, Pekmezaris R, et al.
    Perceptions of Older Adults, Hematologists, and Medical Oncologists in Cancer Care.
    South Med J. 2016; 109(4):258-64 [PubMed] Related Publications
    OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the perceptions of hematologists, medical oncologists, cancer patients aged 65 years and older, and family members/caregivers regarding the value of a geriatric assessment (GA) in the management of older adults with cancer.
    METHODS: Participants included adults with cancer aged 65 years and older (n = 66), patient family members/caregivers (n = 32), and physicians (n = 42). A patient survey, a caregiver/family survey, and an online physician survey targeted to hematologists and medical oncologists were distributed at a large cancer center in a major academic health system in the New York metropolitan area. The χ(2) test or the Fisher exact test was used to compare the cohorts for responses to geriatric domains in a GA.
    RESULTS: Comparisons for each of the 17 GA domains between patient and family member and caregiver responses showed concordance, except for the perception of comorbidities; 16.7% of patients indicated that comorbidities were an issue, compared with 29.0% of family/caregivers (P = 0.047). Physicians indicated that a GA would be most helpful in addressing cognitive impairment (91.4%), falls (91.4%), and functional status (88.6%).
    CONCLUSIONS: A GA would be useful for physicians and older adults with cancer. Hematologists and medical oncologists recognize the utility of a GA and are receptive to a multidisciplinary geriatrics-oncology collaboration.
    Related: Cancer Prevention and Risk Reduction

    Mizusawa J, Morizane C, Okusaka T, et al.
    Randomized Phase III study of gemcitabine plus S-1 versus gemcitabine plus cisplatin in advanced biliary tract cancer: Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study (JCOG1113, FUGA-BT).
    Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2016; 46(4):385-8 [PubMed] Article available free on PMC after 01/04/2017 Related Publications
    A Phase II selection design trial was conducted to identify the most promising regimen for comparison with standard therapy in chemo-naive patients with unresectable or recurrent biliary tract cancer (JCOG0805). Gemcitabine plus S-1 therapy showed better efficacy than S-1 monotherapy with acceptable safety in JCOG0805 study. Based on this result, a randomized Phase III trial was started in May 2013 to confirm the non-inferiority of gemcitabine plus S-1 therapy relative to gemcitabine plus cisplatin therapy, which is the current standard treatment for chemo-naive patients with unresectable or recurrent biliary tract cancer. A total of 350 patients will be accrued from 32 Japanese institutions within 4 years. The primary endpoint is overall survival, while the secondary endpoints are progression-free survival, adverse events, serious adverse events, clinically significant adverse events, response rate and %planned dose. This trial has been registered with the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm) and the registration number is UMIN000010667.
    Related: Cisplatin Tegafur-uracil Gemcitabine

    Sag AA, Selcukbiricik F, Mandel NM
    Evidence-based medical oncology and interventional radiology paradigms for liver-dominant colorectal cancer metastases.
    World J Gastroenterol. 2016; 22(11):3127-49 [PubMed] Article available free on PMC after 01/04/2017 Related Publications
    Colorectal cancer metastasizes predictably, with liver predominance in most cases. Because liver involvement has been shown to be a major determinant of survival in this population, liver-directed therapies are increasingly considered even in cases where there is (limited) extrahepatic disease. Unfortunately, these patients carry a known risk of recurrence in the liver regardless of initial therapy choice. Therefore, there is a demand for minimally invasive, non-surgical, personalized cancer treatments to preserve quality of life in the induction, consolidation, and maintenance phases of cancer therapy. This report aims to review evidence-based conceptual, pharmacological, and technological paradigm shifts in parenteral and percutaneous treatment strategies as well as forthcoming evidence regarding next-generation systemic, locoregional, and local treatment approaches for this patient population.
    Related: Colorectal (Bowel) Cancer

    Bernicker E
    Next-Generation Sequencing and Immunotherapy Biomarkers: A Medical Oncology Perspective.
    Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2016; 140(3):245-8 [PubMed] Related Publications
    The two most important scientific developments of the past decade regarding therapies for patients with non-small cell lung cancer are the ability to exploit particular genetic mutations with targeted therapies and the discovery of drugs that can help the patient's own immune system attack the cancer. Despite these advances, many patients do not yet benefit from either approach. To maximize patient benefit, clinicians and pathologists will need to rationally apply the growing scientific knowledge to best characterize a patient's tumor and possible driver mutations. A growing understanding of host-tumor immune interactions will hopefully help expand our therapeutic options. Lastly, the still elusive identification of immunotherapy biomarkers will hopefully help identify patients most likely to derive a therapeutic response to immune checkpoint inhibitors, and promises to be an important field of study for years to come.
    Related: Monoclonal Antibodies Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Lung Cancer

    Lim TH, Lim AS, Thike AA, et al.
    Implications of the Updated 2013 American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists Guideline Recommendations on Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Gene Testing Using Immunohistochemistry and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization for Breast Cancer.
    Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2016; 140(2):140-7 [PubMed] Related Publications
    CONTEXT: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) amplification is used as a predictive marker for trastuzumab treatment in breast cancer. Both immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing algorithms have been based on the 2007 American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) guidelines. In late 2013, the guidelines were updated with new scoring criteria.
    OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of the revised ASCO/CAP recommendations on both IHC and FISH results by using the dual-color HER2/neu and centromeric FISH probes.
    DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of 590 invasive carcinomas with concurrent IHC and dual-color HER2/neu and centromeric 17 (CEP17) FISH results, based on 2007 ASCO/CAP guidelines, was conducted from July 2011 to June 2013. With the revised guidelines, patients were recategorized and concordance rates between the 2 assays were recalculated.
    RESULTS: Overall concordance rates for FISH and IHC decreased from 94.9% to 93.8% with reclassification. Negative FISH cases decreased from 79.1% to 69.3%. However, equivocal FISH cases were significantly increased from 0.7% to 9.5%, leading to more retesting. Both positive IHC and FISH cases were also noted to be increased, leading to more patients being eligible for trastuzumab treatment, especially those patients with concurrent HER2/neu and CEP17 polysomy. Approximately 1% of patients with initial FISH negative results were reclassified as having positive results when both the ratios and average copy number of HER2/neu were considered under the revised guidelines.
    CONCLUSIONS: The revised 2013 ASCO/CAP guidelines can potentially lead to more patients being eligible for trastuzumab therapy but additional retesting is to be expected owing to an increased number of equivocal FISH cases.
    Related: Breast Cancer FISH

    Harris LN, Ismaila N, McShane LM, et al.
    Use of Biomarkers to Guide Decisions on Adjuvant Systemic Therapy for Women With Early-Stage Invasive Breast Cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline.
    J Clin Oncol. 2016; 34(10):1134-50 [PubMed] Article available free on PMC after 01/04/2017 Related Publications
    PURPOSE: To provide recommendations on appropriate use of breast tumor biomarker assay results to guide decisions on adjuvant systemic therapy for women with early-stage invasive breast cancer.
    METHODS: A literature search and prospectively defined study selection sought systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, prospective-retrospective studies, and prospective comparative observational studies published from 2006 through 2014. Outcomes of interest included overall survival and disease-free or recurrence-free survival. Expert panel members used informal consensus to develop evidence-based guideline recommendations.
    RESULTS: The literature search identified 50 relevant studies. One randomized clinical trial and 18 prospective-retrospective studies were found to have evaluated the clinical utility, as defined by the guideline, of specific biomarkers for guiding decisions on the need for adjuvant systemic therapy. No studies that met guideline criteria for clinical utility were found to guide choice of specific treatments or regimens.
    RECOMMENDATIONS: In addition to estrogen and progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, the panel found sufficient evidence of clinical utility for the biomarker assays Oncotype DX, EndoPredict, PAM50, Breast Cancer Index, and urokinase plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 in specific subgroups of breast cancer. No biomarker except for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 was found to guide choices of specific treatment regimens. Treatment decisions should also consider disease stage, comorbidities, and patient preferences.
    Related: Breast Cancer

    Nayir E, Ata A, Arican A
    Do medical oncologists and cancer patients care about treatment costs of systemic anticancer therapy?
    J BUON. 2015 Nov-Dec; 20(6):1606-11 [PubMed] Related Publications
    PURPOSE: The incidence, and thus the economic burden of cancer are increasing rapidly with prolongation of lifespan thanks to newly-developed anticancer drugs. Globally the number of newly diagnosed cases is expected to rise to 21.4 million by the year 2030. In this survey, our purpose was to investigate the level of awareness of oncologists and cancer patients concerning the treatment costs of systemic anticancer therapy.
    METHODS: To this end questionnaire forms were sent via e-mails to 123 medical oncologists which were responded by 119 (96.7%) of them.
    RESULTS: The responders (21%) stated that they had been attentive about the treatment costs or informed (9.5%) their patients about treatment costs. Half of the informed patients were desperately surprised when they heard the treatment costs. Half of the physicians thought that informing the patients had positive effects on patients compliance to the treatment. Most (83.5%) of the physicians prescribed drugs not paid back by reimbursement, and 79.3% of them indicated that overall survival was more important in the selection of expensive drugs. Still 30.2% of them indicated that they hadn't known to perform cost-effectiveness analyses.
    CONCLUSION: Creating awareness about costs of different anticancer treatment modalities in the minds of oncologists and their patients will be beneficial regarding rational use of such treatment modalities. Countries with rapidly growing health expenditures, like ours, should possess and implement country-specific criteria of cost-effectiveness in daily practice which hopefull will lead to more proper use of our medical recources.
    Related: Cancer Prevention and Risk Reduction

    Joosten SE, Retèl VP, Coupé VM, et al.
    Scenario drafting for early technology assessment of next generation sequencing in clinical oncology.
    BMC Cancer. 2016; 16:66 [PubMed] Article available free on PMC after 01/04/2017 Related Publications
    BACKGROUND: Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) is expected to lift molecular diagnostics in clinical oncology to the next level. It enables simultaneous identification of mutations in a patient tumor, after which targeted therapy may be assigned. This approach could improve patient survival and/or assist in controlling healthcare costs by offering expensive treatment to only those likely to benefit. However, NGS has yet to make its way into the clinic. Health Technology Assessment can support the adoption and implementation of a novel technology, but at this early stage many of the required variables are still unknown.
    METHODS: Scenario drafting and expert elicitation via a questionnaire were used to identify factors that may act as a barrier or facilitate adoption of NGS-based molecular diagnostics. Attention was paid to predominantly elicit quantitative answers, allowing their use in future modelling of cost-effectiveness.
    RESULTS: Adequately informing patients and physicians, the latters' opinion on clinical utility and underlying evidence as well as presenting sequencing results within a relevant timeframe may act as pivotal facilitators. Reimbursement for NGS-based testing and accompanying therapies (both general and in case of off-label prescription) was found to be a potential barrier. Competition on the market and demonstrating clinical utility may also be challenging. Importantly, numerous quantitative values for variables related to each of these potential barriers/facilitators, such as such as desired panel characteristics, willingness to pay or the expected number of targets identified per person, were also elicited.
    CONCLUSIONS: We have identified several factors that may either pose a barrier or facilitate the adoption of NGS in the clinic. We believe acting upon these findings, for instance by organizing educational events, advocating new ways of evidence generation and steering towards the most cost-effective solution, will accelerate the route from bench-to-bedside. Moreover, due to the methodology of expert elicitation, this study provides parameters that can be incorporated in future cost-effectiveness modeling to steer the development of NGS gene panels towards the most optimal direction.
    Related: Cancer Prevention and Risk Reduction

    Azawi NH, Joergensen SM, Jensen NV, et al.
    Trends in kidney cancer among the elderly in Denmark, 1980-2012.
    Acta Oncol. 2016; 55 Suppl 1:79-84 [PubMed] Related Publications
    BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to elucidate incidence, mortality, survival, and prevalence of kidney cancer in elderly persons compared with younger persons in Denmark.
    MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cancer of the kidney was defined as ICD-10 code DC 64. Data derived from the NORDCAN database with comparable data on cancer incidence, mortality, prevalence and relative survival in the Nordic countries, where the Danish data were delivered from the Danish Cancer Registry and the Danish Cause of Death Registry with follow-up for death or emigration until the end of 2013.
    RESULTS: The proportion of patients diagnosed with kidney cancer over the age of 70 years has decreased from 43% in 1980 to 32% in 2012 in men and remained almost constant in women, around 50%. Incidence rates were at least five times higher in men aged 70 years more but there was no particular trend with time. In men aged less than 70 years, the incidence rates started increasing around 2000. The incidence rates were lower in women but with a similar pattern as in men. Mortality rates remained stable over time in persons aged 70 years or more while they decreased with time in younger women. Both the one- and the five-year relative survival increased steadily over time for all age groups but the survival was lower for patients aged 70 years or more than for younger patients. The prevalence increased three times from 1559 patients being alive after kidney cancer in 1980 to 4713 in 2012.
    CONCLUSION: A challenge in managing kidney cancer in the elderly is to establish interdisciplinary collaborations between different specialties, such as surgeons, clinical oncologists, and geriatricians to be able to deliver the best possible care in the future.
    Related: Kidney Cancer

    Hamada T, Yasunaga H, Nakai Y, et al.
    Interstitial lung disease associated with gemcitabine: A Japanese retrospective cohort study.
    Respirology. 2016; 21(2):338-43 [PubMed] Related Publications
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a widely recognized adverse consequence of gemcitabine administration, but data on gemcitabine-associated ILD are limited. This study aimed to elucidate the incidence and risk factors for this adverse event.
    METHODS: Patients who underwent gemcitabine-based chemotherapy between July 2010 and March 2013 were retrospectively identified using a Japanese nationwide administrative database. ILD was defined according to the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision, codes: J70.2-70.4, J84.1 and J84.9. The cumulative incidence and risk factors for ILD were evaluated using a competing risk analysis.
    RESULTS: In total, 25 924 patients who underwent gemcitabine-based chemotherapy were identified from 331 hospitals (primary cancer; pancreatic, urothelial, biliary tract, lung, ovarian and breast, in 9070, 5578, 4803, 4388, 1339 and746 patients, respectively). ILD was observed in 428 patients (1.7%), and the cumulative incidence was estimated at 1.1% (95% CI: 1.0-1.2%), 1.5% (95% CI: 1.4-1.7%) and 1.9% (95% CI: 1.7-2.1%) at 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. In the multivariable regression model, age >80 years and lung cancer were the strongest predictors for ILD (subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR), 2.61; 95% CI: 1.69-4.02 and SHR, 2.81; 95% CI: 2.16-3.65, respectively). Other significant risk factors included heavy smoking, prior chemotherapy and advanced cancer stage.
    CONCLUSION: This study successfully demonstrated the clinical course of gemcitabine-associated ILD. Clinical oncologists should stratify individual patients for risk of ILD based on identified risk factors and fully consider the indication for gemcitabine-based chemotherapy.
    Related: Lung Cancer Cancer Prevention and Risk Reduction Gemcitabine

    Kataoka K, Takeuchi H, Mizusawa J, et al.
    A randomized Phase III trial of thoracoscopic versus open esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer: Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study JCOG1409.
    Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2016; 46(2):174-7 [PubMed] Related Publications
    A randomized Phase III study was commenced in May 2015 to confirm the non-inferiority of thoracoscopic esophagectomy to open esophagectomy in terms of overall survival for clinical Stage I-III esophageal cancer. A total of 300 patients will be accrued from Japanese institutions over 6 years. The primary endpoint is overall survival. The secondary endpoints are relapse-free survival, proportion of patients with R0 resection, proportion of patients who underwent re-operation, adverse events, postoperative respiratory function change, postoperative quality-of-life score (EORTC QLQ-C30), and proportion of patients who need conversion from thoracoscopic surgery to open surgery. This trial has been registered in the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry as UMIN000017628.
    Related: Cancer of the Esophagus Esophageal Cancer

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