Surveillance evaluations in patients with stage I, II, III, or resectable IV melanoma who were treated with curative intent: A systematic review.

Purpose: Appropriate surveillance of patients with melanoma treated with curative intent is vital to improve patient outcomes. A systematic review was conducted to capture locoregional recurrence and metastatic disease, and to evaluate the effectiveness of various surveillance strategies.

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials Database were searched.

Multisystem Immune-Related Adverse Events from Dual-Agent Immunotherapy Use.

Background: little is known about the incidence and characteristics of multisystem immune-related adverse events (irAEs) associated with dual-agent ipilimumab and nivolumab use.

Methods: A retrospective cohort review was completed that included cancer patients seen at the Juravinski Cancer Centre who received at least one dose of ipilimumab and nivolumab from 2018 to 2022. Patient characteristics, cancer types, and irAEs were recorded.

Pembrolizumab-induced immune-related sclerosing cholangitis.

Immunotherapy is increasingly used to treat various types of cancer; however, it can often result in immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Immune-related sclerosing cholangitis (irSC) is a rare type of hepatic irAE that has been described only in a few cases, and much remains unknown about its optimal treatment. In this report, we describe the case of a man in his 70s who was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma and treated with pembrolizumab.

Chronic immune-related adverse events in patients with cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors: a systematic review.

Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are toxicities resulting from use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). These side effects persist in some patients despite withholding therapy and using immunosuppressive and immune-modulating agents. Little is known about chronic irAEs and they are felt to be rare.

Immune-Checkpoint Induced Skin Toxicity Masked as Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Case Report on Mimickers of Dermatological Toxicity with PD-1 Inhibition.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are increasingly the mainstay of oncology treatment. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) from ICI therapy differ from cytotoxic adverse events. Cutaneous irAEs are one of the most common irAEs and require careful attention to optimize the quality of life for oncology patients.

A phase II trial of GSK2256098 and trametinib in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) is activated by mutated KRAS in >90% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). MEK and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) are frequently co-activated in PDAC providing a rationale for combining trametinib, an oral allosteric MEK1/2 inhibitor, with GSK2256098, an oral FAK inhibitor.

Methods: Advanced PDAC patients whose disease progressed after first line palliative chemotherapy were treated with GSK2256098 250 mg twice daily and trametinib 0.

Systemic adjuvant therapy for adult patients at high risk for recurrent melanoma: A systematic review.

Cutaneous melanoma is typically treated with wide local excision and, when appropriate, a sentinel node biopsy. Many patients are cured with this approach but for patients who have cancers with high risk features there is a significant risk of local and distant relapse and death. Interferon-based adjuvant therapy was recommended in the past but had modest results with significant toxicity.

Is Access to Care Associated With Stage at Presentation and Survival for Melanoma Patients?

Background: Melanoma incidence increases with socioeconomic status but the effect of rurality and access to primary care or dermatology on patient outcomes is unclear.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine whether access to care, rurality, or socioeconomic status are associated with melanoma stage at presentation and prognosis.

Methods: Linked administrative databases from Ontario, Canada, were retrospectively analyzed to identify a population-based cohort of patients diagnosed with melanoma between 2004 and 2012.

Cobimetinib- and vemurafenib-induced granulomatous dermatitis and erythema induratum: A case report.

Metastatic melanoma is an aggressive malignancy. Survival can be increased with the combination of BRAF and MEK inhibition. BRAF inhibitor-induced cutaneous toxicities can be attenuated with MEK inhibition.

Update on Immunotherapeutics in the Management of Metastatic Melanoma.

Today, a number of treatment options are now available for metastatic melanoma. Within the last decade, the development of novel immunotherapies for cancer has significantly altered the course of the disease in patients with melanoma. With more patients receiving these potentially life-saving treatments, not only have we learned more about the interplay between the immune system and melanoma, but more importantly, which treatment options are most appropriate given the clinical picture.

A phase II study of cediranib, an oral VEGF inhibitor, in previously untreated patients with metastatic or recurrent malignant melanoma.

Purpose: A two stage multi-institution Phase II study was undertaken by the Princess Margaret Hospital Consortium to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of oral cediranib, an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 and 2, in patients with previously untreated advanced malignant melanoma.

Patients And Methods: Between May 2006 and April 2008, 24 patients (median age 65 years) with advanced malignant melanoma were treated with oral cediranib. Cediranib was given on a continuous, oral once daily schedule of 45 mg, on a 28 day cycle.

A phase I trial of ANG1/2-Tie2 inhibitor trebaninib (AMG386) and temsirolimus in advanced solid tumors (PJC008/NCI♯9041).

Background: There is crosstalk between the ANG-Tie2 and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways. Combined ANG1/2 and mTOR blockade may have additive anti-cancer activity. The combination of trebananib, an inhibitor of ANG1/2-Tie2 interaction, with temsirolimus was evaluated in patients with advanced solid tumors to determine tolerability, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), and preliminary antitumor activity.

A phase I study of the oral gamma secretase inhibitor R04929097 in combination with gemcitabine in patients with advanced solid tumors (PHL-078/CTEP 8575).

Purpose: To establish the recommended phase II dose of the oral γ-secretase inhibitor RO4929097 (RO) in combination with gemcitabine; secondary objectives include the evaluation of safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, biomarkers of Notch signaling and preliminary anti-tumor activity.

Methods: Patients with advanced solid tumors were enrolled in cohorts of escalating RO dose levels (DLs). Tested RO DLs were 20 mg, 30 mg, 45 mg and 90 mg.

A phase II trial of the Src kinase inhibitor saracatinib (AZD0530) in patients with metastatic or locally advanced gastric or gastro esophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma: a trial of the PMH phase II consortium.

Purpose: The Src family of kinases may play a role in the development and progression of gastric cancer. We evaluated the activity and safety of saracatinib an oral, anilinoquinazolone, non-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting Src kinases, in patients with metastatic or locally advanced gastric carcinoma.

Methods: Eligible patients who had received ≤1 prior line of chemotherapy for metastatic disease received saracatinib 175 mg/day of a 28 day cycle until progression.

A phase II trial of sorafenib in first-line metastatic urothelial cancer: a study of the PMH Phase II Consortium.

Background: Sorafenib is an oral multikinase inhibitor that blocks cell proliferation via the ERK pathway and angiogenesis via the VEGF pathway. This phase II trial was conducted to determine the efficacy and tolerability of sorafenib for the treatment of patients with metastatic urothelial cancer (UC) who had not had prior chemotherapy for advanced disease.

Patients And Methods: Seventeen chemo-naïve UC patients with adequate performance status and organ function were treated with sorafenib 400 mg twice daily on a continuous basis until progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Baseline radiological staging in primary breast cancer: impact of educational interventions on adherence to published guidelines.

Rationale: The purpose of baseline radiological staging in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients is to rule out overt metastatic disease. We have previously compared the use of radiological staging at our institution with the recommendations of the Cancer Care Ontario Practice Guidelines Initiative (CCOPGI). Our results demonstrated that between January 2000 to December 2002, a high proportion of our cohort (n = 135) of patients underwent unnecessary investigations.