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Lung Cancer: Non-Small Cell - Stages IIIB-IV
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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.
Maintenance Tarceva® Improves Overall Survival of Patients with Advanced NSCLC (9/28/2009)
Researchers affiliated with the SATURN study have reported that maintenance therapy with Tarceva® (erlotinib) improves overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have no evidence of disease progression after four cycles of platinum-based induction therapy. The details of this randomized trial were presented at the Joint ECCO 15 – 34th ESMO Multidisciplinary Congress in Berlin, September 20-24, 2009.
Meta-analysis Confirms Effectiveness of Erbitux® in Advanced NSCLC (9/25/2009)
Researchers from several European medical centers have reported the results of a meta-analysis that demonstrates improvement in overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall response rate (ORR) when Erbitux® (cetuximab) is added to platinum-based chemotherapy for patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study were reported at the Joint ECCO 15-34th ESMO Multidisciplinary Congress in Berlin, September 20-24.
Large-scale Screening for EGFR Mutations Can Improve Outcomes in Lung Cancer (9/4/2009)
Researchers from Spain have reported that large-scale screening for epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in lung cancer is feasible and allows for customization of treatment with Tarceva® (erlotinib), thereby improving outcomes, according to the results of a study published early online in the New England Journal of Medicine on August 18, 2009.
Iressa® Superior to Paraplatin®/Taxol® in Advanced NSCLC (9/1/2009)
Researchers from Asia have reported that first-line treatment with Iressa® (gefitinib) improves progression-free survival over combination treatment with Paraplatin® (carboplatin) and Taxol® (paclitaxel) in advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) among nonsmokers and former light smokers in East Asia, according to the results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Paraplatin®, Taxol®, Erbitux®, and Avastin® Effective for Advanced NSCLC (8/12/2009)
Researchers affiliated with the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) have reported induction therapy with Paraplatin® (carboplatin), Taxol® (paclitaxel), Erbitux® (cetuximab), and Avastin® (bevacizumab) followed by maintenance Erbitux and Avastin is the most active regimen for advanced non–small cell lung (NSCLC) cancer studied by this group. The details of this study were presented at the 2009 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in May/June.
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy Followed by Surgery May Improve Survival of Patients with Stage IIIB NSCLC (8/6/2009)
Researchers from Switzerland have reported that selected patients with Stage IIIB non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed by surgery. The details of this study appeared in the August 1, 2009 issue of Lancet Oncology.
Maintenance Tarceva® Prolongs Progression-free Survival in Patients with Advanced NSCLC (7/31/2009)
Researchers affiliated with the SATURN study have reported that maintenance therapy with Tarceva® (erlotinib) improves progression-free survival in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have no evidence of disease progression after four cycles of platinum-based induction therapy. The details of this randomized trial were presented at the 2009 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in May/June.
Maintenance Alimta® Improves Survival in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer (7/31/2009)
Researchers involved in an international randomized clinical trial have reported that continued treatment with Alimta® (pemetrexed) following initial chemotherapy significantly delays disease progression and improves median survival from 10.6 months to 13.4 months in patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This effect was limited to patients with adenocarcinoma. These results were recently presented at the 2009 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in May/June.
Alimta®, Paraplatin®, and Avastin® with Alimta and Avastin Maintenance Effective for Nonsquamous NSCLC (7/30/2009)
Researchers from Northwestern University have reported that Alimta® (pemetrexed), Paraplatin® (carboplatin), and Avastin® (bevacizumab) with Alimta and Avastin maintenance is an effective regimen for treating patients with nonsquamous non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study appeared in the July 10, 2009 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Alimta® and Platinol® Confirmed Less Toxic than Gemzar® and Platinol for Advanced NSCLC (7/6/2009)
Researchers from Norway have reported that the combination of Alimta® (pemetrexed) and Platinol® (carboplatin) is as effective as the combination of Gemzar® (gemcitabine) and Platinol but is associated with less hematopoetic toxicity and less need for supportive care. The details of this randomized trial were published in the July 1, 2009 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Zactima™ Shows Promise Against Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer (6/8/2009)
Researchers affiliated with the ZODIAC international Phase III clinical trial have reported that the addition of Zactima™ (vandetanib) to Taxotere® (docetaxel) delayed time to progression among patients with previously treated, advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study were presented on May 30 at the 2009 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Orlando, Florida.
Study Assesses Risk of Gastrointestinal Perforation in Patients Treated with Avastin® (6/1/2009)
Researchers from Stony Brook University Medical Center have reported that gastrointestinal perforation is a potentially serious side effect of Avastin® (bevacizumab). The details of this study appeared in the June, 2009 issue of Lancet Oncology.
Zactima™ Active in Advanced Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer (5/21/2009)
Researchers involved in an International randomized Phase II clinical trial have shown that Zactima™ (vandetanib) may be more effective than Iressa® (gefitinib) for second-line therapy of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study appeared in the May 20, 2009 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Erbitux® Improves Survival in Patients with Advanced NSCLC (5/15/2009)
Researchers involved in a multicenter international trial have reported that the addition of Erbitux® (cetuximab) to platinum-based chemotherapy improves median survival by one month in patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study appeared in the May 2, 2009 issue of the Lancet.
First-line Iressa® Benefits EGFR-positive Patients with Advanced NSCLC Who Have Poor Performance Status (5/7/2009)
Researchers from Japan have reported that first-line Iressa® (gefitinib) provides benefit to patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and an extremely poor performance status. The details of this study appeared in the March 20, 2009 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
The Addition of Avastin® to Gemzar® and Platinol® Improves Outcomes of NSCLC (3/10/2009)
Researchers affiliated with the AVAIL trial have reported that the addition of Avastin® (bevacizumab) to Gemzar® (gemcitabine) and Platinol® (cisplatin) improves progression-free survival (PFS) and response rate in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this randomized trial were reported in the March 10, 2009 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Non-platinum Regimen Effective Palliation for Advanced NSCLC (12/5/2008)
Researchers from Japan have reported that a regimen of Navelbine® (vinorelbine) plus Gemzar® (gemcitabine) followed by Taxotere® (docetaxel) is as effective as Paraplatin® (carboplatin) and Taxol® (paclitaxel) for initial treatment of patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study appeared in the December 2008 issue of Lancet Oncology.
Iressa® Improves Survival of EGFR-positive Lung Adenocarcinoma (12/3/2008)
Researchers from Japan have reported that Iressa® (gefitinib) improves survival in patients who have epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-positive lung adenocarcinoma. The details of this study were reported in the December 1, 2008 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Erbitux® and Paraplatin® plus a Taxane are Tolerable and Active for NSCLC (11/21/2008)
There have been two recent publications indicating that adding Erbitux® (cetuximab) to a taxane—Taxol® (paclitaxel) or Taxotere® (docetaxel)—is feasible and effective initial therapy for patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Addition of Avastin® to Paraplatin®, Taxol®, and Erbitux® Promising for Advanced NSCLC (11/20/2008)
Researchers affiliated with the Southwest Oncology Group have reported that the four-drug combination of chemotherapy agents Paraplatin® (carboplatin) and Taxol® (paclitaxel) plus targeted therapies Avastin® (bevacizumab) and Erbitux® (cetuximab) is safe and may improve survival in patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study were presented at the 2008 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology November 13-15.
Platinol®-Alimta® Less Toxic than Platinol®-Gemzar® for Advanced NSCLC (7/23/2008)
Researchers from Italy have reported that the combination of Platinol® (cisplatin) and Alimta® (pemetrexed) is less toxic and equally or more effective for initial therapy of patients with non–small cell carcinoma (NSCLC) than Platinol-Gemzar® (gemcitabine). The details of this study were published in the July 20, 2008 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Radiofrequency Ablation Effective for Lung Tumors (7/22/2008)
Researchers involved in a multicenter international trial have reported that the use of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of lung cancer or pulmonary metastases provides an effective and safe therapeutic option for selected patients. These results were recently published in the July 7, 2008 issue of Lancet Oncology.
Mutations of EGFR in Circulating Cancer Cells May Help Monitoring of Patients with NSCLC (7/9/2008)
Researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center have reported that molecular analysis of circulating tumor cells in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may provide a way to monitor treatment effectiveness. These results were published in an early online publication in the New England Journal of Medicine on July 2, 2008.
Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy Does Not Improve Survival of Stage III NSCLC (7/3/2008)
Researchers from Germany have reported that preoperative chemoradiotherapy does not improve survival of patients with Stage III non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) compared with preoperative chemotherapy alone. The details of this randomized trial were published in the July, 2008 issue of Lancet 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.
Nexavar® Delays Progression of Heavily Pre-treated NSCLC (6/6/2008)
Nexavar® (sorafenib) appears to significantly delay disease progression and provide a trend toward improved overall survival among patients with heavily pre-treated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These results were from a Phase II intergroup study with a randomized discontinuation design. Results were reported at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Maintenance Alimta® Delays Progression of Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer (5/30/2008)
Researchers from Romania have reported that continued treatment with Alimta® (pemetrexed) following initial chemotherapy significantly delays disease progression in patients with advanced or metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These results were recently reported by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and will be presented at their upcoming 2008 annual meeting in Chicago May 30-June 3.
Sutent® Has Activity in Patients with Advanced Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer (3/6/2008)
Researchers involved in an international multicenter trial have reported that Sutent® (sunitinib) has significant single-agent activity in previously-treated, advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this Phase II study were published in the February 1, 2008 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Avastin® Associated Bowel Perforation Defined (12/4/2007)
Researchers from the MD Anderson Cancer Center have reported that the incidence of bowel perforation among patients receiving Avastin (bevacizumab) for a variety of malignancies was 1.7%. The details of this study appeared in an early on-line publication in the Annals of Oncology on November 16, 2007.
Vandetanib Plus Taxotere® Effective for Previously Treated NSCLC (11/2/2007)
Researchers involved in an international study have reported that the addition of vandetanib to Taxotere® improves progression-free survival in patients with previously treated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study appeared in the September 20, 2007 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Avastin® Plus Chemotherapy for Non-Squamous NSCLC Poorly Tolerated in the Elderly (10/31/2007)
Researchers affiliated with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 4599 study reported that the addition of Avastin (bevacizumab) to chemotherapy in patients 70 years or older with advanced NSCLC did not improve survival due to increased toxicities. The details of this study were presented at the 12th World Conference on Lung Cancer in September, 2007.
Alimta®/Platinol Less Toxic than Gemzar/Platinol for Advanced NSCLC (10/16/2007)
An international study has concluded that Alimta (pemetrexed) plus Platinol (cisplatin) is less toxic and equally effective as the standard combination of Gemzar® plus Platinol for treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study were presented at the 12th World Conference on Lung Cancer in Vancouver, British Columbia, September 2-6, 2007 and at ECCO 14 – the European Cancer Conference in Barcelona, Spain, September 23-27, 2007.
Alimta® and Platinum Equally Effective and Less Toxic than Gemzar®-Platinum for Advanced NSCLC (9/21/2007)
According to results presented at the 2007 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), initial therapy with Alimta® (pemetrexed) combined with a platinum agent (Platinol® [cisplatin] or Paraplatin® [carboplatin]) provides the same survival as Gemzar® (gemcitabine), but with less side effects, for patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Addition of Avastin® to Gemzar®/Platinol® Combination Improves Progression-free Survival in NSCLC (6/22/2007)
Researchers affiliated with an international trial (BO 17704) have reported that the addition of Avastin® (bevacizumab) to the chemotherapy combination including Gemzar® (gemcitabine) plus Platinol® (cisplatin) improves progression-free survival among patients with non-squamous, non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study were presented as a late-breaking abstract at the 2007 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in June.
Axitinib, an Oral Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, has Activity in NSCLC (6/15/2007)
Researchers involved in a multicenter trial have reported that Axitinib (AG-01376) has significant single agent activity in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). The details of this Phase II trial were presented at the 2007 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
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.
Radiotherapy May be Best Choice for Selected Patients with Stage IIIA NSCLC (3/26/2007)
Researchers affiliated with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)-Lung Cancer Group have reported that patients with stage IIIA-N2 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who respond to chemotherapy have equivalent survivals following radiotherapy or surgery. The details of this study appeared in the March 21, 2007 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Abraxane®/Avastin® Promising as Initial Therapy for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (1/24/2007)
The combination of Abraxane (albumin bound paclitaxel) and Paraplatin® (carboplatin) and Avastin (bevacizumab) provides responses or disease stabilization in over 75% of patients with chemotherapy-naïve, advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These results were presented at the 2006 annual Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium.
Avastin® Improves Survival in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (1/12/2007)
Researchers affiliated with the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) have reported that the addition of Avastin (bevacizumab) to Taxol® (paclitaxel) and Paraplatin® (carboplatin) improves survival in patients with advanced, non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
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).
Role of Nexavar® in NSCLC Reviewed (11/30/2006)
Dr. Corey Langer from the Fox Chase Cancer Center reviewed the status of Nexavar (sorafenib) for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at the Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium XXIV in New York in November 2006.
Low Hematologic Toxicity Rate for Gemzar® and Ellence® in Advanced NSCLC (11/28/2006)
Researchers from Italy have reported that the combination of Gemzar (gemcitabine) and Ellence (oxaliplatin) (GEMOX) has a good toxicity profile and equivalent effectiveness to other non-Platinol® (cisplatin)-based regimens for initial therapy of patients with stage IIIB or IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Further Evidence for Activity of Gemzar® and Ellence® in Advanced NSCLC (11/21/2006)
Researchers from Greece have reported palliative benefit in over 40% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have failed platinum and taxane therapies with a regimen of Gemzar (gemcitabine) and Ellence (oxaliplatin) (GEMOX).
Split Dose Paraplatin® Decreases Severe Thrombocytopenia in Patients with NSCLC (11/1/2006)
German researchers have reported that split-dose Paraplatin (carboplatin) decreases the incidence of severe thrombocytopenia from 51% to 35% compared to a single dose regimen when combined with Gemzar® (gemcitabine) for treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Iressa® Active and Well Tolerated in Advanced NSCLC Patients With EGFR Mutations (10/30/2006)
Researchers from Hokkaido, Japan have reported that 75% of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations responded to Iressa (gefitinib).
Taxotere® Consolidation May Improve Outcomes for Stage IIIB NSCLC (10/24/2006)
Researchers affiliated with the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) have reported that the Taxotere® (docetaxel) consolidation following concurrent Platinol® (cisplatin/VePesid® (etoposide) and thoracic radiation therapy may improve outcomes in patients with Stage IIIB non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Gene Modified Allogeneic Tumor Cell Vaccine Active in NSCLC (10/12/2006)
Researchers from the Medical Research Center/Texas Oncology Professional Associates and Baylor University have reported that belagenpumatucel-L, a nonviral allogeneic tumor cell vaccine is well tolerated, produced clinical responses and may improve survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
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.
Chemotherapy Plus Radiation Superior to Radiation Alone Following Initial Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer (9/26/2006)
Researchers from Germany have reported that chemoradiotherapy provides superior progression-free and overall survival compared to radiation therapy alone following initial chemotherapy for the treatment of inoperable Stage IIIA or IIIB non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Eloxatin® and Taxotere® Safe and Effective Palliation for Metastatic NSCLC (8/22/2006)
Researchers from the University of Miami have reported that the combination of Eloxatin (oxaliplatin) and Taxotere (docetaxel) is a well tolerated and active combination for the treatment of advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
Surgical Removal May Improve Survival for All Stages of Lung Cancer (8/10/2006)
Researchers from Norway have reported that surgical removal of lung cancer may improve outcomes of patients with lung cancer, including those with locally advanced or metastatic disease.
Taxotere® (Docetaxel)-Platinum Combinations Improve Quality of Life in Patients with Advanced NSCLC. (8/4/2006)
Researchers have reported that the chemotherapy combinations of Taxotere and Platinol® (cisplatin) or Taxotere and Paraplatin® (carboplatin) results in better quality of life (QOL) assessments in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer than the combination of Navelbine® (vinorelbine) and Platinol.
Taxotere® (Docetaxel) May Be Superior to Navelbine® (Vinolrelbine) for Elderly with Advanced NSCLC (8/2/2006)
Researchers from Japan have reported that treatment with single-agent Taxotere provides superior progression-free survival and improves symptoms caused by cancer better than treatment with single-agent Navelbine for elderly patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Abraxane® Active for Initial Therapy of Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (7/17/2006)
Researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina have reported that single agent Abraxane (albumin bound paclitaxel, ABI-007) is well tolerated and produces significant responses in patients with previously un-treated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Iressa® Effective in Initial Treatment of Subset of Lung Cancer Patients (7/16/2006)
Japanese researchers have reported a 75% response rate following initial therapy with Iressa (gefitinib) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that have EGFR gene mutations.
Velcade® Plus Gemzar®/Paraplatin® Highly Active in Advanced NSCLC (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 Velcade (bortezomib) plus Gemzar (gemcitabine) plus Paraplatin (carboplatin) provides impressive survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Sutent® Shows Promise in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (6/13/2006)
According to preliminary phase II results presented at the 2006 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Sutent® (sunitinib) resulted in a partial response in 9.5% of patients with previously-treated, advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and stable disease in 41% of patients.
Additional Evidence of Abraxane™ Activity in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (6/8/2006)
According to the results of a phase II clinical trial presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Abraxane™ (albumin-bound paclitaxel) followed by Paraplatin® (carboplatin) resulted in a 29% response rate among previously untreated patients with stage IIIB or stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Abraxane™ Shows Single-Agent Activity in Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (6/8/2006)
According to the results of a phase I/II trial presented at the 2006 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Abraxane™ (albumin-bound paclitaxel) produces a response rate of 30% in chemotherapy-naïve patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Combination of Abraxane™ and Paraplatin® Active in the Treatment of Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (6/5/2006)
According to the results of a phase II clinical trial presented at the 2006 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the combination of Abraxane™ (albumin-bound paclitaxel) and Paraplatin® (carboplatin) is tolerable and active in the treatment of newly-diagnosed advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Immediate Taxotere® After Gemzar® and Paraplatin® Induction Therapy Does Not Significantly Increase Toxicity in NSCLC (6/5/2006)
According to the interim results of a phase III clinical trial presented at the 2006 American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting, patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received Taxotere® (docetaxel) immediately after induction therapy with Gemzar® (gemcitabine) and Paraplatin® (carboplatin) experienced a similar rate of grade 3 or 4 adverse events as patients who received Taxotere only at cancer progression.
Sequential Two Drug Combinations for Advanced NSCLC Promising (4/19/2006)
Researchers from Greece have reported that the sequential administration of Navelbine® (vinorelbine) and Platinol® (cisplatin) followed by Taxotere® (docetaxel) and Gemzar® (gemcitabine) is a promising approach to palliative therapy for patients with stage IIIB and IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Maintenance Therapy May Be of Benefit in Advanced NSCLC (4/13/2006)
Researchers from Europe have concluded that maintenance Gemzar® (gemcitabine) prolongs time to progression (TTP) in patients with stage IIIB and IV non-small cell lung cancer receiving induction therapy with Platinol® (cisplatin) and Gemzar.
Small Primary or Metastatic Lung Cancers Treated Successfully with Single-Fraction Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (3/15/2006)
Researchers from Japan have reported that small peripheral primary or metastatic lung cancers can be treated successfully with a single dose of radiation therapy delivered by stereotactic techniques and a novel technique of irradiation only during the expiratory phase of respiration.
Gemzar® May Improve Results of Taxol®/Paraplatin® Regimen for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (2/9/2006)
Researchers from Italy have reported that the addition Gemzar® (gemcitabine) to Taxol (paclitaxel)/Paraplatin (carboplatin) improves survival of patients with advanced (stage IIIB and IV) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Nitroglycerin May Enhance Chemotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (2/6/2006)
Researchers from Japan have reported that the use of nitroglycerin combined with Navelbine® (vinorelbine) and Platinol® (cisplatin) may improve response rates and time to tumor progression in patients with stage IIIB/IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Induction Chemotherapy and Concomitant Chemoradiotherapy Promising in Stage III NSCLC (12/6/2005)
Researchers from Korea have reported that the addition of induction chemotherapy prior to a standard chemoradiotherpy regimen may improve outcomes of patients with inoperable stage IIIA or IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Abraxane™ Effective for Initial Treatment of Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (11/11/2005)
Researchers from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have reported that Abraxane (albumin-bound paclitaxel) appears to be effective and well tolerated as initial treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Premenopausal Women Have Improved Survival with Xyotax® for Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (11/11/2005)
Retrospective subgroup analysis of two large randomized trials, STELLAR 3 and STELLAR 4, have demonstrated an improved survival with Xyotax compared to other standard chemotherapy regimens in premenopausal women with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Iressa® Offers Survival Advantage in Select Patients with Refractory Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (11/4/2005)
Researchers involved in the international multicenter Iressa Survival Evaluation in Lung Cancer (ISEL) trial have reported Iressa (gefitinib) produces a survival advantage in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) of Asian ethnicity and never smokers, but still does not result in an improvement in survival for the overall group.
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Promising for Stage III Unresectable NSCLC (10/12/2005)
Researchers from the University of Alabama have reported a 3-year survival rate of 45% in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with induction Gemzar® (gemcitabine) and Platinol® (cisplatin) followed by concurrent radiation and chemotherapy with Gemzar and Taxol® (paclitaxel).
Survival of Stage IIIB Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer May Be Improved With L-BLP25 Vaccine (9/21/2005)
Researchers from Canada and the United Kingdom have reported an improved survival of patients with stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with vaccination to MUC1 protein with L-BLP25 vaccine.
Anemia Prior to Chemotherapy Associated with Poorer Prognosis in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (7/20/2005)
Researchers from France have reported that anemia prior to chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with a poor prognosis compared to patients without anemia.
Radiofrequency Ablation Reported as Local Therapy for NSCLC (7/8/2005)
Researchers from Italy have reported that radiofrequency ablation appears to be a feasible and safe local therapy for patients with NSCLC who are not candidates for surgery.
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]
Oral Hycamtin® Active in Relapsed Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (7/5/2005)
A large multicenter international trial has shown that oral Hycamtin ( topotecan) has activity in the treatment of relapsed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Velcade® Moderately Active in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (6/16/2005)
A multi-center phase II randomized trial has determined that Velcade (bortezomib) has significant activity as a single agent or in combination with Taxotere® (docetaxel) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have failed at least one prior regimen.[1] A SWOG trial concluded that Velcade alone had insufficient activity as a single agent in platinum treated patients and suggested other drugs be added.[2]
ProMune™ Immunotherapy Promising for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (6/16/2005)
Researchers from Germany have reported that adding ProMune (CPG 7909) to a taxane and platinum regimen improves the response rate of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Genetic Testing Helps Predict Response of NSCLC to Iressa® (6/9/2005)
Researchers from the United States and Europe have reported that a high epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene copy number, identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), can predict responses to Iressa (gefitinib) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
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.
Targretin® Improves Survival in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Patients with Hyperlipidemia (5/16/2005)
Results recently presented at the 2005 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) indicate that Targretin (bexarotene) in addition to carboplatin/paclitaxel improves survival compared to chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with hyperlipidemia. Conversely, the addition of Targretin to chemotherapy does not improve survival compared to chemotherapy alone in patients with advanced NSCLC who do not have hyperlipidemia.
AvastinTM Improves Survival in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (5/15/2005)
Researchers affiliated with the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) recently reported that the addition of Avastin (bevacizumab) to the chemotherapy regimen paclitaxel and carboplatin improves survival compared to the chemotherapy regimen alone in advanced, non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These results were reported at a plenary session at the 2005 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Taxotere® and Gemzar®: A Well Tolerated First Line Therapy for NSCLC (5/9/2005)
Researchers from Greece have reported that a regimen of Taxotere® (docetaxel) and Gemzar® (gemcitabine) treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is equally effective to a regimen of vinorelbine plus cisplatin with fewer side effects.
Iressa® May Improve Symptoms and Quality of Life of Patients with NSCLC (4/29/2005)
A multi-center phase II trial of oral Iressa® (gefitinib) is reported to show improvement in symptoms and quality of life in patients with refractory non-small cell lung cancer. The details of this report appeared as an early on line publication of February 7, 2005 of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Radiofrequency Ablation Effective for Inoperable Lung Cancer and Lung Metastasis (4/11/2005)
According to results presented at the 30th annual meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiology, radiofrequency ablation appears to be an effective treatment strategy for patients with inoperable early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), or cancer metastatic to the lung.
The NCI Announces That Avastin™ with Chemotherapy Prolongs Survival in Non-Squamous NSCLC (3/15/2005)
A National Cancer Institute (NCI) press release on March 14, 2005 announced that a randomized trial performed by the Eastern Cooperative Group (ECOG) showed that the combination of paclitaxel, carboplatin and Avastin™ (bevacizumab) prolonged survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) when compared to chemotherapy alone.
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.
First-Line Treatment with Taxotere® and Platinol® in NSCLC Shows Activity with Good Safety Profile (2/16/2005)
A recent French study in the January 2005 issue of Annals of Oncology reports that first-line treatment with Taxotere® (docetaxel) and Platinol® (cisplatin) was marginally superior to the combination of Navelbine® (vinorelbine) and Platinol® for the initial treatment of patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NCSLC).
More Evidence that Chemotherapy Improves Survival in Elderly with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (2/11/2005)
Researchers from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center recently reported that the addition of chemotherapy in the treatment regimen of the elderly with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) improved survival.
Weekly Taxotere® a Reasonable Palliative Second-Line Option for NSCLC (2/10/2005)
Researchers from France have compared a weekly schedule of Taxotere® (docetaxel) to an every-three-week schedule of Taxotere® for second-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSLC) and concluded that the weekly schedule had a better safety profile, especially for neutropenia.
Radiofrequency Ablation Shows Promise for Patients with Unresectable Lung Cancer (11/30/2004)
A recent article in the American Journal of Roentgenology reports that for patients with unresectable lung cancer, radiofrequency ablation may be a successful alternative or complementary treatment to chemotherapy and radiation.
The Radiosentizer Efaproxiral Improves Survival in Patients with Brain Metastases (11/18/2004)
Researchers from the U.S. have reported that efaproxiral (Efaproxyn™) improves survival of patients receiving radiation therapy for brain metastases. These results were reported at the 29th European Society of Medical Oncology Congress held in Vienna, Austria, October 29 – November 2, 2004.
Survival of Stage IIIB NSCLC Improved with L-BLP25 Vaccine (11/17/2004)
Researchers from Canada and England have reported an improved survival of patients with stage IIIB and IV non-small cell lung cancer with vaccination to MUC1 protein with L-BLP25 vaccine. The results of this randomized trial were reported at the 2004 meeting of the European Society of Clinical Oncology, October 29-Novermer 2 in Vienna, Austria.
Taxotere® and Fractionated Cisplatin is An Active and Well-Tolerated Regimen for NSCLC (9/13/2004)
Researchers from Spain have reported the results of a phase II trial of Taxotere® (docetaxel) and cisplatin in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, Taxotere® was given on day 1 at an increased dose and the dose of cisplatin was split and given on days 1 and 2, rather than on day 1. They conclude that “this new schedule shows promise in its excellent hematological and non-hematological toxicity profile.” The details of this report appeared in the November 2004 issue of Investigational New Drugs.
Enzyme May Help Predict Overall Survival in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (9/7/2004)
Results of a study published in the August 2004 issue of Clinical Cancer Research indicate that researchers have identified an enzyme that may predict overall survival outcomes in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Alimta® and Gemzar®: A Promising Non-Platinum Regimen for NSCLC (9/1/2004)
An international multi-center phase II trial of pemetrexed (Alimta®) and gemcitabine (Gemzar®) has shown good tolerance and promising overall survival with extended 1- and 2-year survival rates in the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Two Drugs are Better than One for Elderly and Unfit Patients with NSCLC (8/10/2004)
Researchers from Italy have reported that doublet drug combinations are more effective than single drugs for initial treatment of elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer and recommended that gemcitabine (Gemzar®) and paclitaxel (Taxol®) be the reference regimen. The details of this report appeared in the August 2, 2004 issue of The British Journal of Cancer.
Meta-analysis Confirms Benefit of Doublet Chemotherapy for NSCLC (8/2/2004)
Researchers from France performed a meta-analysis of 65 clinical trials evaluating chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and concluded that adding a second drug improved tumor response and survival rate, but that the addition of a third drug did not produce an added survival benefit. The details of this report appeared in the July 28, 2004 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Alimta® Receives Positive Endorsement for Lung Cancer Approval from FDA Advisory Committee (7/27/2004)
The Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration positively endorsed Alimta® (pemetrexed), an antifolate, for accelerated approval in the second-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
Progress in Development of Vaccines for NSCLC (7/19/2004)
Two studies in the July 15, 2004 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology suggest that there may be progress in the development of vaccines for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Researchers from the University of Miami have reported that vaccination with a B7.1 HLA-A gene modified adenocarcinoma cell line had “minimal toxicity and good survival in this small population suggests clinical benefit from vaccination.” The second study, from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, reported that a dendritic cell vaccine “had biologic activity in a variety of NSCLC patients.”
Taxotere® Alone Effective for Palliation of Advanced NSCLC (7/6/2004)
Researchers from Greece have reported that patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving docetaxel (Taxotere®) and cisplatin (Platinol®) have a better response rate than patients receiving Taxotere® alone. However, this was not associated with an improvement in one- and two-year survivals, and the combination regimen was more toxic. The details of this report appeared in the July 1, 2004 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Iressa® Produces Activity against Brain Metastases from NSCLC (6/25/2004)
Researchers from Italy have reported that treatment with Iressa® appears to produce a partial remission rate of 10% in patients with brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) of the adenocarcinoma type. They also reported that an additional 17% of patients had disease stabilization. The details of this report appeared in the July 2004 issue of The Annals of Oncology.
Addition of Cetuximab (Erbitux®) to Platinol®/Navelbine® Chemotherapy Produces a Higher Response Rate than Chemotherapy Alone in the Treatment of Patients with Advanced NSCLC (6/15/2004)
A randomized, phase II study showed evidence for enhanced activity when Erbitux® (cetuximab) is added to Platinol® (cisplatin) and Navelbine® (vinorelbine) chemotherapy regimen. These findings were reported in an oral session at the 40th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology held in New Orleans LA, June 4-8, 2004.
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.
EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Mutations Predict Response to Iressa® in Patients with NSCLC (5/5/2004)
Researchers from Harvard have identified an association between mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of EGFR and response to Iressa® (gefitinib) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this report will appear in the May 20, 2004 issue of the
New England Journal of Medicine and were published online on April 29, 2004.
1
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.
More Evidence that PET Scans are Better than CT Scans for Staging Lung Cancer (4/29/2004)
Two separate studies show that PET scans lead to stage changes and alter therapy compared to conventional assessment in both NSCLC and SCLC. The NSCLC study was published in the May 2004 issue of
The International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics,
1 and the SCLC study was published in the April 2004 issue of
The American Journal of Clinical Oncology.
4
U.S. and European Research Reveals an "Epidemic" of Lung Cancer among Women (4/21/2004)
A special report in the April 14, 2004 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association calls attention to the increase in lung cancer in women.
1 A similar phenomena has been reported from Europe in the June 10, 2004 issue of the International Journal of Cancer.
2
Ethyol® Decreases Toxicities Associated with Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (3/31/2004)
Researchers from the MD Anderson Cancer Center have reported that amifostine (Ethyol®) reduces “the severity and incidence of acute esophageal, pulmonary, and hematologic toxicity resulting from concurrent cisplatin-based chemotherapy and radiation therapy” in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This report was published in the April 1, 2004 issue of the
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, and Physics.
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.
Gemzar®/Taxotere® Superior to Gemzar®/Camptosar® for NSCLC (3/9/2004)
Researchers affiliated with CALGB have performed a randomized comparison of gemcitabine (
Gemzar®) plus irinotecan (Camptosar®) versus Gemzar® and docetaxel (
Taxotere®) for the treatment of patients with stage IIIB or IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
1 This report was published in the March 3, 2004 issue of the
Annals of Oncology.
Two Studies Show Lack of Effect of Iressa® Combined with Chemotherapy for Advanced NSCLC (3/5/2004)
Two reports in the March 1, 2004 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology confirm the lack of effectiveness of Iressa® (gefitinib) when combined with a regimen of Gemzar® (gemcitabine) and Platinol® (cisplatin)
1 or Taxol® (paclitaxel) and Paraplatin® (carboplatin)
2 for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Autologus GM-CSF Secreting Vaccine Has Activity in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (2/23/2004)
Researchers from US Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, University of California in San Francisco, the Earl A. Chiles Research Institute, and Providence Medical Center in Portland Oregon have reported that a granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene-modified autologous tumor vaccine produces immune and clinical responses in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The report of this phase I-II trial appeared in the February 18, 2004 issue of the
Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
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Taxotere®/Platinol® More Effective Than Navelbine®/Platinol® in Stage IV NSCLC (2/3/2004)
Researchers from Japan have reported that a regimen of docetaxel (Taxotere®) and cisplatin (Platinol®) was more effective than vinorelbine (Navelbine®) and cisplatin Platinol® for the treatment of patients with stage IV lung cancer. The details of this report appeared in the January 15, 2004 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Pentoxifylline May Prevent Radiation-Induced Lung Damage (1/16/2004)
Researchers from Turkey have reported that oral pentoxifylline (Trentel®) may reduce radiation-induced lung toxicity. The results of this randomized trial appeared in the January 2004 issue of the
International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics.
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.
PET Scanning More Accurate Than CT for Staging of Mediastinum in Patients with NSCLC (12/4/2003)
Researchers from Stanford University have performed a meta-analysis of published reports concerning the relative accuracy of positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) in mediastinal staging of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). They concluded that PET was more accurate than CT but was less specific when enlarged nodes were present by CT. The results of this study and an editorial questioning the wide spread acceptance of PET for this purpose were published in the December 2, 2003 issue of the
Annals of Internal Medicine.
8 Gy in One Fraction Equivalent to 30 Gy in 10 Fractions for Palliation of Bone Metastasis (10/23/2003)
Researchers affiliated with the Radiation Treatment Oncology Group (RTOG) have reported preliminary data suggesting equivalency of palliation of painful bone metastasis with 8 Gy of radiation in a single fraction compared to the standard approach of 30 Gy in 10 fractions. If confirmed with longer follow-up this could represent significant cost savings as well as being more convenient for patients. The results of this randomized trial were presented at the 45th annual meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology on October 20, 2003 in Salt Lake City.
Surgical Decompression Plus Radiation Superior to Radiation Alone for Spinal Cord Metastasis (10/23/2003)
Researchers from the University of Maryland, University of Kentucky, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Neurosurgery Associates of Providence RI and the University of Kentucky have reported outcomes of a randomized trial of immediate surgical decompression followed by radiation therapy to that of radiation therapy alone. This trial showed clear benefits for the group receiving immediate surgical decompression. These results were presented at the 45th annual meeting of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) on October 20, 2003 in Salt Lake City.
Patients on Clinical Trials of Lung Cancer Treatment have Improved Survival at Reasonable Cost (9/30/2003)
Researchers from the Karmanos Cancer Institute have reported that “enrollment in lung cancer clinical trials was found to be associated with improved survival at a moderate incremental cost.” The results of this study were published in the October 1, 2003 issue of
Cancer.
Non-Platinum Combination Including Gemzar® is Suitable for First-Line Therapy of Advanced NSCLC (9/25/2003)
A study presented at the 12th European Conference on Clinical Oncology (ECCO) indicates that the non-platinum combination consisting of
Gemzar® and Navelbine® shows a favorable tolerability profile and median survival in the first-line therapy of advanced NSCLC.
Alimta® (pemetrexed) Associated with Less Toxicity than Taxotere® in the Treatment of Patients with Advanced NSCLC (9/25/2003)
In a study presented at the 12th European Conference on Clinical Oncology (ECCO), Alimta® showed less toxicity, including significantly lower incidence of neutropenia and neutropenic fever than Taxotere® in the second-line treatment of advanced NSCLC.
Amifostine (Ethyol®) Decreases Toxicities Associated with Radiochemotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (9/11/2003)
Researchers from Greece have reported that Ethyol® reduces “the incidence of both acute and late toxicities associated with radiochemotherapy (RCT) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without compromising efficacy.”
Older Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer Benefit from Aggressive Chemotherapy (9/4/2003)
Researchers from the University of North Carolina reported in the August 15, 2003 issue of Cancer that patients aged 70 years or older with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) benefit as much from Paraplatin® (carboplatin)/Platinol® (paclitaxel) chemotherapy as younger patients.
1
Taxotere®/Platinol® Superior to Navelbine®/Platinol® for NSCLC (8/19/2003)
Researchers affiliated with the TAX 326 Study Group have reported better outcomes of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with either Taxotere® and Platinol® or Taxotere® and Paraplatin® than with the combination of Navelbine® and Platinol®. These results were published in the August 15, 2003 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology.
CEA Levels and Vascular Invasion Predict Outcomes of Patients with Small NSCLC (8/12/2003)
Researchers from Japan reported in the August 1, 2003 issue of
Cancer that pre-surgical CEA levels and vascular invasion predict outcomes of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing surgery.
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.
1
Neoadjuvant Gemzar® and Platinol® Every 3 Weeks for Advanced Inoperable NSCLC (6/24/2003)
Researchers from Italy have reported that the combination of
Gemzar® and Platinol® given every 3 weeks is a relatively effective regimen that is well tolerated for the neoadjuvant treatment of stage IIIA and IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These results were published in the June 15, 2003 issue of
Cancer.
Aggressive Treatment, Including Surgery, Improves Outcome of Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (6/13/2003)
According to the results of a large inter-group trial recently presented at the 39th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, radiation and chemotherapy followed by surgery improves survival compared to radiation and chemotherapy alone in patients with stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with mediastinal nodal involvement.
FDA Approves Iressa®(gefitinib) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (5/5/2003)
Today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of oral Iressa® (gefitinib) as a single agent treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have failed platinum and taxane based treatment. Until now, Iressa® had been approved only in Japan, but not by any European country. It has been reported that Australia approved Iressa® for the same indications last week.
Gemzar® and Carboplatin, A Well Tolerated Regimen for Lung Cancer (4/9/2003)
Combination chemotherapy prolongs survival and improves the quality of life of younger patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There are several drug combinations which appear to produce similar palliative results. The most active drugs are the taxanes, (paclitaxel and
Taxotere®), platinum compounds (cisplatin and carboploatin),
Gemzar®, and venrelbine. Various two drug combinations produce roughly equivalent results but with somewhat differing side effects. One drug combination that appears to be well tolerated is Gemzar® and carboplatin. In the April 2003 issue of the journal Lung Cancer German researchers report the results of a phase II clinical trial of Gemzar® amd carboplatin for treatment of patients with stage IIIb and IV NSCLC.
Australian Study Confirms Activity of Taxotere®-Carboplatin Regimen for Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (3/25/2003)
There have been many trials suggesting that
Taxotere®-containing regimens are very active for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and may be associated with an improved quality of life with less toxicity than other regimens. Approval by the FDA in 2002 for first-line use of Taxotere®-containing regimens was based primarily on data presented at the 2002 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. (1) This study included 1,218 patients with NSCLC from 28 countries and 140 institutions. The median age of the study population was 60 years, and approximately 75 percent of the subjects were men. Approximately two-thirds of the patients had stage IV disease.
Australian Study Confirms Activity of Taxotere®-Carboplatin Regimen for Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (3/25/2003)
There have been many trials suggesting that
Taxotere®-containing regimens are very active for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and may be associated with an improved quality of life with less toxicity than other regimens. Approval by the FDA in 2002 for first-line use of Taxotere®-containing regimens was based primarily on data presented at the 2002 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. (1) This study included 1,218 patients with NSCLC from 28 countries and 140 institutions. The median age of the study population was 60 years, and approximately 75 percent of the subjects were men. Approximately two-thirds of the patients had stage IV disease.
Single Agent Gemzar® or Navelbine® Equally Effective and Less Toxic Than Combination for Treatment of Elderly with NSCLC (3/19/2003)
Until recently, many elderly patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCL) were treated only with supportive care. It is estimated that only 20% of elderly patients with advanced lung cancer ever receive chemotherapy. Previous studies, however, have suggested that palliative chemotherapy in this group of patients increased the average survival by approximately one month and the one year survival by 9%. These results are comparable with those achieved in younger patients with this disease treated with chemotherapy. As a generality, combination chemotherapy offers better palliation for patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC than do single agents. However, the situation is less clear for patients older than age 70 years because of existing co-morbidities. In the March 2003 issue of the
Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Italian researchers reported the results of a randomized trial which suggests that single agent chemotherapy is as effective as combination chemotherapy for elderly patients with NSCLC.
Single Agent Gemzar® or Navelbine® Equally Effective and Less Toxic Than Combination for Treatment of Elderly with NSCLC (3/19/2003)
Until recently, many elderly patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCL) were treated only with supportive care. It is estimated that only 20% of elderly patients with advanced lung cancer ever receive chemotherapy. Previous studies, however, have suggested that palliative chemotherapy in this group of patients increased the average survival by approximately one month and the one year survival by 9%. These results are comparable with those achieved in younger patients with this disease treated with chemotherapy. As a generality, combination chemotherapy offers better palliation for patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC than do single agents. However, the situation is less clear for patients older than age 70 years because of existing co-morbidities. In the March 2003 issue of the
Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Italian researchers reported the results of a randomized trial which suggests that single agent chemotherapy is as effective as combination chemotherapy for elderly patients with NSCLC.
Dose-Dense Chemotherapy with Growth Factor and Stem Cell Support Shows Promise for Stage III-IV Ovarian Cancer (12/26/2002)
The best current treatment for women with stage III-IV ovarian cancer is probably the combination of paclitaxel and Platinol®. This regimen results in a 34% survival at 6.5 years. Thus, the majority of women with stage III-IV ovarian cancer will ultimately die of their disease. There have been attempts to utilize high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell support with promising results. However, this approach to treatment has never gained prominence as initial treatment of advanced ovarian cancer, possibly due to the fact that most gynecologic oncologists, who are the main treating physicians for this disease, do not feel comfortable with this technique. In addition, the extended controversy over the effectiveness of high-dose chemotherapy for breast cancer undoubtedly affected physicians’ opinions of this approach in women with ovarian cancer. However, autologous stem cell support is an effective way of preventing irreversible bone marrow damage and should be used when appropriate. The concept of dose-dense chemotherapy administration is now well established for the treatment of breast cancer in both the metastatic and adjuvant settings. This concept dictates that sequential cycles of chemotherapy should be given every 2 weeks rather than the more standard interval of 3-4 weeks. This is usually accomplished with growth factor support. However, growth factor support is limited by the lack of effect on platelet recovery and on the pool of stem cells remaining after each cycle of therapy. It has been well documented that stem cell support can be given following multiple cycles of chemotherapy.
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
ZD1839 (Iressa®) Fails to Improve Outcomes of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy (11/1/2002)
Iressa® is a novel anticancer agent which selectively blocks epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR). It has obtained accelerated approval for use as third-line therapy for recurrent or refractory non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the U.S. This drug has been approved in Japan, but not by any European country. 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.
European Study Finds Platinol® Superior to Paraplatin® for Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (10/30/2002)
A study performed by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) and reported in
The New England Journal of Medicine in January of 2002 established Paraplatin® and paclitaxel as a reference regimen for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the United States.
1
This study compared outcomes following Paraplatin® and paclitaxel, versus Platinol® and paclitaxel, versus Platinol® and Gemzar®, versus Platinol® and Taxotere®. The researchers concluded that combination Paraplatin® and paclitaxel was the best tolerated regimen without compromising survival, when compared to the other three regimens. However, a recent randomized trial performed in several centers in Europe suggests that Platinol® and paclitaxel is superior to Paraplatin® and paclitaxel for treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC.
2
The results of this study were published in the October 2002 issue of the
Annals of Oncology.
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.
1
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.
Taxotere® and Gemzar® Combination is an Effective Palliative Regimen for Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (10/8/2002)
Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is the usual initial treatment for patients with advanced (stage IIIB) or metastatic (stage IV) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Cisplatin-based regimens have been documented to improve survival compared to supportive care in patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC. However, recent studies have suggested that equivalent results can be achieved with non-cisplatin based regimens with less toxicity. The most worrisome toxicities are renal and neurological. When cisplatin is added to paclitaxel or the vinca alkyloids, there is an increase in neurotoxicity. The most recent report, from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, has concluded that the combination of
Taxotere® and
Gemzar® was an effective drug combination for treatment of NSCLC without significant neurotoxicity. These results were published in the October 2002 issue of
Cancer.
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.
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.
Gemzar® and Navelbine® Found Least Toxic of 4 Regimens for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (9/9/2002)
Many drug regimens are being compared for the palliative treatment of patients with Stage IIIB and IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Until recently, platinum-based regimens were thought to be superior to other regimens. However, more recent comparisons have emphasized equivalent palliative effects with less toxicity and ease of administration. This is a tacit understanding that all regimens are palliative and quality of life is an important endpoint. Researchers affiliated with The Minnie Pearl Cancer Research Network have recently reported that the combination of
Gemzar® and Navelbine® was probably the best of three regimens tested, based on a trend for better effectiveness and less associated toxicities. They reported their results in the September 5, 2002 issue of the journal
Cancer.
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.
Combination Taxotere® and platinum provides quality of life advantage over Navelbine®/Platinol® as first-line treatment of advanced lung cancer (5/31/2002)
-Researchers Report on Largest Prospective Evaluation of Quality of Life in Chemotherapy Patients -
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.
Adenosine Triphosphate Improves Nutritional Status of Advanced NSCLC Patients (3/14/2002)
According to a study recently published in the
Journal of Clinical Oncology, adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP) appears to improve energy intake and reduce muscle wasting associated with advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.
The Eastern Cooperative Group (ECOG) Chooses Paraplatin and Paclitaxel as its Reference Regimen for Future Studies of Treatment of Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (2/12/2002)
Researchers affiliated with the ECOG performed a large randomized trial comparing 4 different chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC. The purpose of the trial was to determine if any of three experimental chemotherapy regimens was superior to the reference regimen of Platinol® and paclitaxel. A total of 1207 patients with advanced NSCLC were randomly assigned to receive Platinol® and paclitaxel or one of three other regimens: Platinol® and Gemzar®, Platinol® and Taxotere®, or Paraplatin® and paclitaxel. The response rate for all 1155 eligible patients was 19 percent, with a median survival of 7.9 months, a 1-year survival rate of 33 percent, and a 2-year survival rate of 11 percent. The response rate and survival did not differ significantly between patients assigned to receive Platinol® and paclitaxel and those assigned to receive any of the three experimental regimens. Treatment with Platinol® and Gemzar® was associated with a significantly longer time to the progression of disease than was treatment with the other regimens but was more likely to cause grade 3, 4, or 5 renal toxicity (in 9 percent of patients, vs. 3 percent of those treated with Platinol® and paclitaxel). Patients with a performance status of 2 had a significantly lower rate of survival than did those with a performance status of 0 or 1. The regimen of Paraplatin® and paclitaxel had a lower rate of toxic effects than the other regimens. They concluded that none of four chemotherapy regimens offered a significant advantage over the others in the treatment of advanced NSCLC. They also concluded that third-generation chemotherapy regimens in patients with NSCLC who have a good performance status can moderately improve survival at one and two years.
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