– April 1, 2004
April 1, 2004
View Issues
-
Predictors of Response to Gefitinib (Iressa®)
Gefitinib, an inhibitor of EGFR tyrosine kinase, has been demonstrated to produce clinical responses in a small number of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Prior reviews had indicated that women and patients with adenocarcinoma histology had a somewhat higher response rate. In this review of 3 consecutive phase II trials, other clinical features were sought that might predict treatment response. Multivariable analysis revealed the presence of bronchioalveolar features and being a never smoker were additional, independent predictors of response. -
Results of Interval Debulking Surgery Compared with Primary Debulking Surgery in Advanced-Stage Ovarian Cancer
Survival rates were similar in patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer who underwent IDS or PDS. The rates of surgical resection and morbidity were reduced after IDS. IDS can be safely used in unresectable advanced-stage ovarian cancer. -
Adjuvant Vaccine for Renal Carcinoma: Finally!
In this phase III, randomized, multicenter trial, renal carcinoma patients with organ-confined tumors were randomized after radical nephrectomy to receive autologous renal tumor cell vaccine or observation. The primary clinical outcome was the time to tumor recurrence. Patients who received the vaccine had greater 5-year and 70-month progression-free survival rates and lower tumor progression hazard rates than those in the control group. -
Prophylactic Mastectomy and the Prevention of Breast Cancer in BRCA1/2 Carriers
In a multi-institutional cooperative effort, Rebbeck and colleagues followed the course of 105 women with either BRCA1 or BRCA2 germline mutations who had elected bilateral mastectomy as a breast cancer preventive measure. Only 2 cases of breast cancer developed in this group of operated patients compared with 184 cases in the control group, demonstrating a remarkable risk reduction of > 90%. -
Cervical Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Incidence Trends Among White Women and Black Women in the United States
Changes in screening, endocervical sampling, nomenclature, and improvements in treatment likely explain the increased in situ cervical SCC incidence in white women and black women. Increasing AIS incidence over the past 20 years in white women has not yet translated into a decrease in invasive AC incidence. -
Pharmacology Watch: Estrogen Found to Not Affect Heart Disease, Breast Cancer
Antibiotics Associated With Cancer Risk; Topiramate Effective Against Migraine; Statin Therapy For Heart Failure; FDA Actions; Drug Approved to Target Angiogenesis. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement