April 2012, Vol 5, No 2

Researchers have documented diverse genetic changes in different parts of the same primary tumor, suggesting that individual tumors harbor a complexity of genetic changes that has not been well appreciated (Gerlinger M, Rowan AJ, Horswell S, et al. N Engl J Med. 2012;366:883-892). This discovery has implications for personalized medicine directed at genetic changes identified in 1 biopsy of a primary tumor. Read More ›

Primary gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) sited outside the gastrointestinal (GI) tract carries a poorer prognosis than primary GIST within the GI tract, according to a study presented at the recent ASCO GI Symposium in January 2012. Lead investigator of the study, Mary L. Guye, MD, surgical oncologist at the City of Hope Medical Center in Duarte, California, noted that these results suggest that GIST location should be factored into risk stratification. Read More ›

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), commonly referred to as nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), are the most common types of cancers in the United States. These 2 cancers account for approximately 2 million cases of skin cancer annually.¹ BCC is approximately 4 to 5 times more common than SCC.² Although rarely metastatic, BCC and SCC can cause substantial local destruction involving extensive areas of soft tissue, cartilage, and bone, as well as disfigurement. Read More ›

Updated analysis of disease-free survival (DFS) in the NO16968 trial confirms a survival benefit with the addition of oxaliplatin in adjuvant treatment of stage III colorectal cancer. The study compared XELOX (capecitabine plus oxaliplatin) versus bolus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV) in 1886 patients with resected stage III colon cancer, and the updated analysis was based on a median follow-up of 7 years. Read More ›

The multitargeted kinase inhibitor regorafenib improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) and achieved superior disease control in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who progressed on all standard therapy. These results of the international, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter CORRECT trial were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Symposium in San Francisco, California. Read More ›

Patients with gastric or gastroesophageal cancer commonly experience long-term complications from treatment that compromise their quality of life (QOL), according to self-reported answers to an Internet-based survey questionnaire. Difficulty swallowing appears to be universal, and other problems range from dry mouth and taste changes to cardiovascular disease, according to a study presented at the 2012 American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Symposium held in San Francisco, California.

Outpatient management of febrile neutropenia is appropriate for carefully selected low-risk patients, according to Ashley Morris Engemann, PharmD, Duke University Medical Center, who spoke at the 2012 Pharmacy Program held in Hollywood, Florida, during the 17th Annual Conference of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Engemann noted that treating patients at home is clearly the patient’s preference and is cost saving. Risk assessment is the first step, as outpatient management is not appropriate for high-risk patients but can be considered in low-risk patients. Read More ›

Everywhere you turn, you spot someone you know. It’s like homecoming or even a class reunion—you see people you know. The only issue is, after not seeing them for at least a year, how much older everybody looks now. I do admit that oncology pharmacy has come a long way since the early days, and that for as many people as I knew at the meeting, there were many, many more younger folks that I didn’t know. With HOPA membership now over 1500 and HOPA meeting attendance in the high hundreds, not knowing a majority of the attendees is understandable. Read More ›

The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center–Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital (OSUCCC–James), located in Columbus, Ohio, is 1 of only 41 centers in the United States designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. The OSUCCC– James program is part of Ohio State University and is affiliated with the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, one of the largest medical centers in the country. Established in 1973, the OSUCCC–James is the Mid-west’s first and Ohio’s only freestanding cancer hospital. Read More ›