Alternative chemoradiotherapy in anal carcinoma patients with mutations in thymidylate synthase and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase genes.

Background: 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and mitomycin-C (MMC) with radiotherapy (RT) remain an established treatment for patients with anal cancer (AC). Genetic mutations in two major metabolizing enzymes for 5-FU; dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase ( and thymidylate synthetase (), have been associated with clinical response and toxicity. However, their place in the treatment of AC remains undetermined.

Is there an Ethnic Predisposition to Developing Brain Metastases (BM) in Asian Patients with Colorectal Cancer?

Background: Most common sites of metastases in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) include liver and lung. Brain metastases are very rare but their presence is associated with a poor prognosis and shorter survival. We report our investigation into the impact of race/ethnicity on the incidence of BM in CRC patients.

Does "OPTINAB" strategy ("stop-and-go") work in treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer (APC) with nab-paclitaxel-gemcitabine?

Background: MPACT demonstrated a survival benefit of nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine versus gemcitabine in advanced pancreatic cancer (APC). However, sensory peripheral neuropathy is a dose-limiting toxicity and neuromodulators have shown limited, if any activity in ameliorating neuropathy. In colorectal cancer, the OPTIMOX ("stop-and-go") approach offered a strategy to reduce neuropathy.

Imatinib-induced hyperbilirubinemia with UGT1A1 (*28) promoter polymorphism: first case series in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

Imatinib, an orally administered protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) is indicated for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Severe hepatotoxicity associated with imatinib is rare, and relationship to polymorphism of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) expression and related frequency of hyperbilirubinemia or toxicity are not well known. We present a case series patients who developed hyperbilirubinemia while on oral administration imatinib for treatment of GIST.