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Lung Cancer: Non-Small Cell - Recurrent
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Continuous Daily Sutent® Palliative in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Advanced NSCLC (11/5/2009)
Researchers from several U.S. and Spanish medical centers have reported that single-agent daily Sutent® (sunitinib) was associated with a 25% disease control rate in patients with previously treated advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study appeared in the November 4, 2009 issue of the British Journal of Cancer.
Combination of Vidaza® and Entinostat Has Significant Activity in Relapsed NSCLC (8/4/2009)
Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Medical Institute and the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute have reported that the combination of Vidaza® (5-azacitidine) and entinostat (SNDX-275) has significant activity in patients with advanced relapsed non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study were presented at the 2009 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Iressa® Confirmed Effective for Elderly with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (10/17/2008)
Researchers from Japan have reported that Iressa® (gefitinib) is effective and well tolerated for initial treatment of elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study were published in the October, 2008 issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.
Normalization of N-telopeptide Associated with Improved Survival from Bone Metastasis Treated with Bisphosphonates (6/25/2008)
Researchers involved in a multicenter international trial have reported that normalization of N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX) levels is associated with skeletal-related events and survival among patients with bone metastases from solid tumors treated with Zometa® (zoledronic acid) or Aredia® (pamidronate). These results were published in the July 1, 2008 issue of Cancer.
Avastin® with Chemotherapy or Tarceva® Superior to Chemotherapy Alone in NSCLC (10/24/2007)
A multi-institution US study has determined the addition of Avastin (bevacizumab) to Tarceva (erlotinib) or to chemotherapy improves survival compared with chemotherapy alone in the treatment of recurrent non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study appeared in an early on-line publication in the Journalof Clinical Oncology on October 1, 2007.
Risk of Arterial Thromboembolic Events Following Avastin® Therapy Defined (9/10/2007)
Researchers involved in 5 randomized trials have reported that treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, breast cancer, or non–small lung cancer with a combination of Avastin (bevacizumab) and chemotherapy results in a higher risk of arterial thromboembolic events than treatment with chemotherapy alone. These results were published in the August 15, 2007 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Intraperitoneal Catumaxomab Palliates Ascites from Ovarian Cancer (8/16/2007)
Researchers from Germany have reported significant activity for the intraperitoneal infusion of the monoclonal antibody, catumaxomab (Removab®), in women with malignant ascites due to refractory ovarian cancer. The details of this Phase I/II study appeared in the July, 2007 issue of Clinical Cancer Research.
Chemotherapy plus Surgery Improves Outcomes in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer (8/10/2007)
According to a combined analysis of previously published studies, pre-operative chemotherapy improves survival among patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These results were published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Test Predicts Response of NSCLC to Iressa® and Tarceva® (7/10/2007)
Researchers from Vanderbilt University have reported that a mass spectrometry test of serum prior to treatment can predict response of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to Tarceva® (erlotinib) and Iressa® (gefitinib).This study was published in the June, 2007 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Addition of Gliadel® Wafer to Surgery and Radiation Effective for Brain Metastasis (6/27/2007)
Researchers involved in a multicenter trial have reported that the addition of Gliadel® Wafer (carmustine polymer wafer) to surgery plus external beam radiotherapy is a safe and effective regimen for patients with single brain metastasis. The details of this study appeared in the June 15, 2007 issue of Clinical Cancer Research.
NDA Accepted for Xcytrin (5/7/2007)
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the new drug application (NDA) submitted for Pharmacyclics’ new agent Xcytrin (motexafin gadolinium). Pharmacyclics is seeking approval for the use of Xcytrin in combination with radiation therapy for the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and brain metastases.
Xyotax Granted Fast-Track Status (5/3/2007)
Cell Therapeutics has been granted fast-track status for their agent Xyotax (paclitaxel poliglumex) for the initial treatment of women with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have a poor performance status.
Response Rate to Chemotherapy for NSCLC not Affected by Ethyol® (5/2/2007)
Researchers from the MD Anderson Cancer Center have reported that response rates for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to chemotherapy are not affected by Ethyol® (amifostine) cytoprotection. The details of this study appeared in an early on-line publication in the International Journal of RadiationOncology* Biology* Physics on February 6, 2007.
Epoetin Alfa May Decrease Survival in Anemic Patients with NSCLC (3/26/2007)
Researchers affiliated with the Ontario Oncology Group have reported that anemic patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) randomly allocated to receive epoetin alfa (Eprex®, Procrit®) for disease-related anemia had a shorter median survival than patients receiving a placebo. The details of this study appeared in the March 20, 2007 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Abraxane®/Paraplatin® Effective for Recurrent NSCLC (1/24/2007)
The combination of Abraxane (albumin bound paclitaxel) and Paraplatin (carboplatin) appears effective for the treatment of recurrent NSCLC among patients with stage IIIB/IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These results were presented at the 2006 annual meeting of the Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium.
Calypso® 4D Localization System May Improve Efficacy of External Beam Radiotherapy (12/1/2006)
At the 2006 meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) in November there were 10 abstracts presented that describe a new system for measuring and monitoring organ motion in real time during external beam radiotherapy (EBRT).
NCI Announces New Phase I/II Study of Vaccine for NSCLC (10/9/2006)
The Metabolism Branch of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Bethesda, Md., has announced that it is conducting a Phase I/II clinical trial to test the efficacy of using α (1,3) galactosyltransferase expressing allogeneic tumor cells in patients with refractory or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Monoclonal Antibody Linked to Doxorubicin Safe and Possibly Effective for NSCLC (9/29/2006)
Researchers involved in a multicenter trial have reported that an immunoconjugate, SGN-15, plus Taxotere® may be superior to Taxotere® alone for treatment of refractory NSCLC.
Avastin®/Tarceva® Effective Alternative to Chemotherapy in Recurrent Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (7/10/2006)
According to results presented at the 42nd annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the treatment combination consisting of the targeted agents Avastin (bevacizumab) and Tarceva (erlotinib) may provide an effective and better tolerated treatment option compared to chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who have received prior therapies.
Oral Hycamtin® May Offer Oral Therapy for Recurrent Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer (6/30/2006)
Researchers from Europe, South Africa and Canada have reported that oral Hycamtin (topotecan) and intravenous Taxotere® (docetaxel) are of equal benefit for the treatment recurrent non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this phase III randomized trial appeared in the June 20, 2006, issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Advexin® is a Promising Vaccine for NSCLC and Esophageal Cancer (4/27/2006)
Researchers from Japan have reported that repeated intra-tumor injections of the vaccine Advexin (Ad5CMV-p53) produces clinical responses in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Iressa® Produces Survival Advantage in Select Patients with Refractory NSCLC (7/8/2005)
Updated results of the phase III Iressa Survival Evaluation in Lung cancer (ISEL) indicate that Iressa (gefitinib) produces a survival advantage in patients with Asian ethnicity and never smokers, but still does not show an improvement in survival for the overall group.[1]
Tarceva® Improves Quality of Life in Refractory NSCLC (6/16/2005)
Researchers affiliated with the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group (NCIC CTG) have reported that Tarceva (erlotinib) improves the quality of life (QOL) of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have failed 2-3 chemotherapy regimens.
Addition of Telcyta™ Improves Outcomes in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (5/23/2005)
Results from two early clinical trials indicate that the addition of Telcyta (TLK286) to chemotherapy provides high activity as initial therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Specific Mutations Associated with Improved Survival with Iressa® in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (5/8/2005)
Researchers from Korea have reported that specific mutations within the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway are associated with improved survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with Iressa® (gefinitib).
Surgical Resection of Brain Metastasis in Primary Motor Cortex Feasible (3/1/2005)
Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic, Vanderbilt University and the National Institutes of Health recently reported that complete surgical resection of brain metastasis within the motor cortex of the brain is an effective and feasible practice in patients with cancer. These results were reported in the February 20, 2005 edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
FDA Releases Statement on Failure of Iressa® to Improve Survival in NSCLC (12/21/2004)
On December 17, 2004 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement warning patients that they had been notified by AstraZeneca that a large clinical trial comparing Iressa® (gefitinib) with placebo in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had failed other therapies failed to show a survival benefit.
Tarceva® Approved for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (11/24/2004)
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved the oral agent Tarceva® (erlotinib) for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer in patients who have received at least one prior therapeutic regimen.
Alimta® Approved for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (8/23/2004)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the chemotherapy agent Alimta® (pemetrexed) for second-line therapy of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Tarceva™ Better Than Placebo in NSCLC Patients Failing Two or More Regimens (6/10/2004)
According to results presented at a late-breaking session at the 40th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the biologic agent Tarceva™ (erlotinib) improves survival as a single agent in patients with recurrent non-small cell lung cancer.
Bevacizumab (Avastin™) Improves Chemotherapy Response in NSCLC (6/4/2004)
A multicenter randomized trial has shown that the addition of Avastin™ to carboplatin and paclitaxel improves response rate and time to disease progression in patients with newly diagnosed advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have not received prior chemotherapy.
Alimta® Compares Favorably to Taxotere® in the Second-Line Treatment of NSCLC (5/3/2004)
Results of a global, phase III trial indicate that Alimta® (pemetrexed) produces a similar patient survival rate as Taxotere®, but with an improved safety profile in the second-line treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Taxotere® is currently the standard of care for second-line treatment of NSCLC. This study constituted the largest head-to-head phase III trial in second-line treatment of NSCLC. The results were published in the May 1, 2004 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Pathology and Smoking History Predict Response to Iressa® (3/24/2004)
Researchers from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have reported that bronchioloalveolar pathologic subtype and absence of a smoking history predicts a favorable response to gefitinib (Iressa®). This study was published in the March 15, 2004 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Gefitinib (Iressa®) Well Tolerated in Elderly Patients with NSCLC (1/15/2004)
Researchers from Italy have reported that Iressa® is well tolerated in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are 70 years of age or older. The details of this report appeared in the January 2004 issue of the
British Journal of Cancer.
Lower Dose of Iressa® as Effective as Higher Dose for Patients with NSCLC (10/30/2003)
Researchers from 30 US academic and community cancer centers have reported that oral Iressa® at 250 mg per day results in equivalent responses to 500 mg per day in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
1 The results of this randomized trial were published in the October 22, 2003 issue of the
Journal of the American Medical Association.
Benefits of Surgery in Stage IIIa NSCLC Cancelled Out by Treatment Deaths (10/24/2003)
Researchers affiliated with RTOG have reported that surgery following chemotherapy and radiation for stage IIIa non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) improves disease control but this benefit is cancelled out by an increase in treatment related deaths. The results of this randomized trial were reported on October 20, 2003 at the 45th annual meeting of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Adjuvant Therapy for Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Remains Controversial (10/2/2003)
Italian researchers have reported that there was no benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy with Mutamycin®, vindesine and Platinol® (MVP) for completely resected stage I-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The results of this randomized trial appeared in the October 1, 2003 issue of the
Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
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Correction of Anemia with Aranesp® Decreases Cancer Related Fatigue, Anxiety and Depression (7/24/2003)
Analysis of a large multinational randomized trial of darbepoetin alfa (erythropoietin, Aranesp®) for treatment of cancer-induced anemia demonstrated significant improvement in cancer-related fatigue, which was associated with less anxiety and depression. These result appeared in the July 2003 issue of
Cancer.
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Genetically Engineered Vaccine Produces Immune Responses in Patients with Lung Cancer (2/24/2003)
The immune destruction of cancer remains an elusive goal. However, recent studies of genetically engineered vaccines suggest that this may be a more promising approach to the development of effective vaccines. Researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have developed a vaccine consisting of irradiated autologous cancer cells engineered to secrete human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). They tested this vaccine first in patients with metastatic melanoma.
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Vaccination of patients with melanoma showed immune responses as detected by immunization site infiltration with T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, macrophages and eosinophils. They were also able to show that metastatic tumors resected before immunization showed no infiltration of immune cells while similar tumors resected after immunization were densely infiltrated with T-lymphocytes and plasma cells and showed tumor necrosis in some patients.
Paclitaxel and Cyclosporine (CsA) is an Active Oral Palliative Regimen for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (12/5/2002)
The taxanes, Taxotere® (docetaxel) and paclitaxel (Taxol®), are active drugs for the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Until recently, both Taxotere® and paclitaxel had to be given intravenously as adequate blood levels could not be maintained with oral preparations. Researchers in the Netherlands and Germany have been investigating the administration of oral paclitaxel for the treatment of NSCLC and have reported their findings in the December 1, 2002 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology.
US Food and Drug Administration Approves Taxotere® for Initial Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (12/5/2002)
Aventis has announced the approval of
Taxotere® with a platinum compound for initial treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Before this, Taxotere® was approved in the U.S. to treat patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy, and patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC after failure of prior platinum-based chemotherapy.
FDA Approves Taxotere® for First-Line Treatment of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (12/3/2002)
First Therapy Approved for Initial Treatment of Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in More Than Four Years
Motexafin Gadolinium (Xcytrin®) Improves Results of Whole Brain Radiation Therapy in Patients with Cancer Metastatic to Brain (10/14/2002)
Cancers often consist of areas of low oxygen concentration which complicates treatment. Hypoxic cells are more resistant to the effects of radiation than well-oxygenated tissues and there have been many candidate drugs for increasing oxygenation of cancers (radiosensitizers), none of which have been very successful. Xcytrin® (motexafin gadolinium) is a new type of radiation sensitizer that sensitizes both oxygenated and hypoxic cells to the effects of radiation. Xcytrin® also localizes selectively in tumors and this can be detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Laboratory and preclinical studies suggested that Xcytrin® could potentiate the effects of radiation for the treatment of cancers. In 1999, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania determined the optimal dose of Xcytrin® that could be given to patients with a variety of cancers receiving radiation therapy in a phase I trial.
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Temodol® Improves the Response Rate to Radiation Therapy for Cancer Metastatic to Brain (10/11/2002)
Temozolomide (Temodol®) is an analog of the alkylating agent procarbazine which has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of recurrent brain tumors. Current research with this drug primarily involves treatment of newly diagnosed brain tumors. However, researchers in Greece have evaluated the effectiveness of Temodol® for the treatment of cancer metastatic to brain. At the 2002 meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, the researchers reported that the addition of Temodol® to whole-brain radiation therapy resulted in significantly higher response rates of brain metastases compared to whole brain radiation alone.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery Following Whole Brain Radiation Therapy Improves Palliation of Patients with Cancer Metastatic to Brain (10/8/2002)
Whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) is the most frequent palliative modality for patients with cancer metastatic to the brain. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), also called gamma knife therapy or 3-dimensional radiation therapy, can deliver precise doses of radiation to tumor sites while sparing normal tissue. Stereotactic techniques are used to treat a variety of cancers and are widely accepted as superior to non-precise radiation techniques. Since 1996, researchers from 34 medical institutions affiliated with the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group have been carrying out a study to document the benefits of SRS in individuals with cancers that are metastatic to the brain. They have concluded from this study that SRS adds significantly to the palliation achieved with WBRT alone. They reported these results at a plenary session of the annual meeting of the
American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology in October of 2002.
Intraspinal Implantable Drug System Effective in Controlling Pain Due to Metastatic Cancer (10/1/2002)
The management of pain is an important component for the treatment of most patients with metastatic cancer. It is estimated that 5-15% of patients with metastatic cancer have pain that is refractory to oral and i.v. narcotics. Intraspinal implantable drug delivery systems (IDDSs) deliver small doses of morphine directly to the spinal fluid, theoretically requiring smaller doses of narcotics. Although this system is known to be effective, there have been no randomized controlled trials. Researchers in the U.S. and Europe affiliated with the Implantable Drug Delivery Systems Study Group have determined that IDDSs are better than conventional pain management techniques. They reported these results in the October 2002 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology.
FDA Panel Backs FDA Approval of Iressa® for Third-Line Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (9/26/2002)
AstraZeneca obtained accelerated approval for use of Iressa® as third-line therapy for recurrent or refractory non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This drug has been approved in Japan, but not by any European country. Iressa® is a novel anticancer agent which selectively blocks epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). A significant proportion of lung cancer expresses epithelial growth factor receptors (EGFR). EGFR is a protein that is involved in the growth and replication of a cell. In some cancers, the EGFR may not be working properly, leading to excessive replication of the cancer cell. Novel compounds still in clinical trials, called EGFR inhibitors, are targeted against the receptor. Iressa® is a small, oral agent that binds to a portion of EGFR and blocks part of the biochemical pathway initiated by EGFR that induces cancer cells to grow.
Further Evidence That Non-Platinum Containing Two-Drug Regimens Are Effective Palliation for Advanced and Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (9/24/2002)
Cisplatin or carboplatin-based chemotherapy has been the standard approach for the palliative treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Studies have demonstrated that two-drug regimens are in general, as effective and better tolerated than three-drug platinum-based regimens. More recently, two-drug combinations, not including cisplatin or Paraplatin®, have been shown to provide equivalent palliation with less side effects. Researchers in Greece have compared, in a randomized trial, paclitaxel and
Gemzar® with Paraplatin® and paclitaxel. The results of this study were published in the September 1, 2002 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) May Improve Outcomes of Patients with Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (9/23/2002)
Surgery is the primary treatment for patients with stage I NSCLC. However, many patients are too elderly or too debilitated to undergo surgical treatment, or many patients refuse surgery. Radiation therapy alone can cure approximately one-third of patients with stage I NSCLC. Many patients, however, will have complications of radiation therapy including pneumonitis which can further compromise lung function. Some of the newer radiation techniques such as 3D conformal radiation therapy and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) offer more precise delivery of high-dose radiation and may improve cure rates. Another technique, IGRT, has been reported by Japanese researchers. This technique uses a CT scanner and computer modeling to determine field size and takes into account inspiration and expiration as these patients are unable to hold their breath for the treatment. As in IMRT, multiple layered columnators are used to modulate dose to different areas. The total dose of radiation was 48 or 60 Gy delivered in 8 fractions. The results of this trial were published in the September 18, 2002 issue of
Cancer.
Systematic Follow-up of Patients with Stage IA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Detects Surgically Treatable Second Cancers (9/11/2002)
Although patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be cured with surgery alone they are at significant risk for the development of a second primary lung cancer or a potentially treatable local recurrence. However, the frequency and nature of followup required to detect early curable second cancers is unknown. Researchers at the City of Hope National Medical Center evaluated the effectiveness of close follow-up of 124 patients with Stage IA NSCLC treated initially with surgery alone. Follow-up included an annual computed tomographic (CT) examination of the chest with interval chest radiography every 4 months for 2 years and every 6 months for 3 additional years. Fourteen patients were found to have a second primary NSCLC. The median diameter of resected second primary cancers detected by CT was 14 mm compared to 26.5 mm for those detected by chest X-ray. Nine of the 14 patients with second cancers were alive and free of disease at the time of this report which was a median of 20 months from surgery. Two patients were still alive but had disease, 2 died of unrelated causes and one died during surgery. These authors concluded that annual CT scans and three times per year chest X-rays detected early second NSCLC, which was often curable.
Radiation Therapy Alone Can Be Effective Treatment for Patients with Stage I-II Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Who Cannot Undergo Surgery (9/6/2002)
Patients with early-stage I–II NSCLC are preferentially treated with surgery and the value of adjuvant and neoadjuvant radiation and/ or chemotherapy is controversial. Surgery is the only method that allows for precise staging for NSCLC. However, clinical staging can be relatively precise using newer scanning techniques. For clinically staged patients, the 5-year survival rates following surgery for stage I-II NSCLC range from 20% to 60% depending on size of the primary and nodal involvement. However, many patients with NSCLC are elderly or too debilitated, usually from cardiopulmonary disease, to undergo surgery. There is also a group of patients who refuse surgery due to the anticipated high risks of morbidity and mortality, especially form pneumonectomy. Such patients are offered definitive radiation therapy (RT) for treatment. In order to gain a better understanding of the outcomes of RT alone for the treatment of stage I-II NSCLC, researchers in Germany performed an extensive review of the literature. They published their results of this review in the September 2002 issue of the International
Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics.
Aranesp™ Reduces Blood Transfusions in Patients with Lung Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy (8/21/2002)
Patients with lung and other cancers receiving chemotherapy may develop anemia, which is corrected by blood transfusions. The main symptomatic side effect of anemia is fatigue. Some patients receiving chemotherapy have low levels of endogenous erythropoietin, although the cause of anemia is multifactorial and significantly includes chemotherapy suppression of blood production. Human recombinant erythropoietin (rHuEPO) can enhance red blood cell production in patients receiving chemotherapy and theoretically avoid blood transfusions despite continued myelosuppression. Darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp") is a new erythropoiesis-stimulating protein that has a longer half-life than rHuEPO and can be administered less frequently.
Paraplatin and Paclitaxel is Better Treatment for Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) than Paclitaxel Alone (5/28/2002)
According to results recently presented at the 38th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the combination of paclitaxel and Paraplatin® is superior to paclitaxel alone for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC.
A New Drug Which Inhibits Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor May Be Effective in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and Other Cancers (5/8/2002)
According to results recently published in the
Journal of Clinical Oncology, the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, ZD 1839 (Iressa®) may be effective in NSCLC.
Mortality from Major Cancer Surgery and Morbidity From Prostate Surgery Lower in High Volume Hospitals Than in Low Volume Hospitals (4/16/2002)
There were two reports in the April 11 issue of the
New England Journal of Medicine which strongly support the concept that patients facing major cancer surgery should select a high volume hospital near where they live.
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