Approved and emerging PI3K inhibitors for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Introduction: PI3K inhibition with idelalisib (at that time CAL-101) was at the forefront of the development of molecularly targeted therapies in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)/Small Lymphocytic Leukemia (SLL) and follicular lymphoma. However, after initial approval, subsequent trials identified specific immune-mediated and infectious toxicity that led to a reduced use and stopped the further development of this agent. PI3K inhibition as a treatment paradigm fell out of favor compared to other developments such as BTK or BCL2 inhibitors.

Cetuximab monotherapy and cetuximab plus capecitabine as first-line treatment in older patients with RAS- and BRAF wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer. Results of the multicenter phase II trial SAKK 41/10.

Introduction: While the anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab was studied repeatedly as part of low-intensity regimens in less fit elderly patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), anti-EGFR antibodies as upfront treatment modality have been scarcely investigated.

Material And Methods: In SAKK 41/10, the benefit of cetuximab, either alone or in combination with capecitabine, was evaluated in vulnerable elderly patients with RAS/BRAF-wild-type mCRC.

Results And Discussion: The trial was stopped prematurely due to slow accrual after the inclusion of 24 patients (11 in the monotherapy arm, 13 in the combination arm).

[The spleen in hematologic malignancies].

The spleen represents a major lymphatic and hematologic organ and, as such, is frequently involved in hematologic malignancies. Splenomegaly may constitute the first clinical sign leading to the diagnosis of a hematologic malignancy. Vice versa, the presence, or suspicion of a hematologic malignancy requires investigation of the spleen.

Hypereosinophilia driven by GM-CSF in large-cell carcinoma of the lung.

In contrast to leukocytosis, paraneoplastic hypereosinophilia is uncommon in lung cancer. We present a patient with large-cell carcinoma of the lung, in which cancer cells generate large amounts of GM-CSF leading to a leukemoid reaction with prominent hypereosinophilia and potentially involved in autocrine tumor stimulation.

Evidence for distinct pathomechanisms in genetic subgroups of chronic lymphocytic leukemia revealed by quantitative expression analysis of cell cycle, activation, and apoptosis-associated genes.

Purpose: In patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the VH mutation status and genomic aberrations (13q-, +12q, 11q-, 17p-) identify distinct prognostic subgroups. The aim was to elucidate biologic mechanisms through which these genetic markers may exert their pathogenic influence.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-four genes involved in apoptosis, cell cycle, B-cell activation, and B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling were analyzed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) in 82 CLL cases constituting prototypic genetic CLL subgroups as defined by the VH mutation status and the genomic aberrations 13q-, +12, 11q-, and 17p-.