Value of [18F]FDG-PET/CT and CA125, serum levels and kinetic parameters, in early detection of ovarian cancer recurrence: Influence of histological subtypes and tumor stages.

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of CA125, its kinetic values and positron emission tomography/computed tomography with 2-deoxy-2-[F]fluoro-D-glucose ([F]FDG-PET/CT), in relation with tumor characteristics for suspected recurrence of ovarian cancer. To evaluate the performance of CA125-related parameters as a selection criteria to perform a [F]FDG-PET/CT.A retrospective analysis of 69 [F]FDG-PET/CT for suspected recurrence of ovarian cancer was performed.

Usefulness of CA125 and its kinetic parameters and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with fluorodeoxyglucose ([F] FDG) in the detection of recurrent ovarian cancer.

Background And Objective: To assess the usefulness of cancer antigen 125 (CA125) serum levels and kinetic values, velocity (CA125vel) and doubling time (CA125dt), as well as fluorodeoxyglucose ([F]FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), in the detection of ovarian cancer recurrence. To assess the optimal cut-off for CA125, CA125vel and CA125dt to detect relapse with [F]FDG-PET/CT.

Material And Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of 59 [F]FDG-PET/CT (48 patients) for suspected recurrence of ovarian cancer.

KIR Genes and Their Ligands Predict the Response to Anti-EGFR Monoclonal Antibodies in Solid Tumors.

Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) regulate the killing function of natural killer cells, which play an important role in the antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity response exerted by therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). However, it is unknown whether the extensive genetic variability of KIR genes and/or their human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligands might influence the response to these treatments. This study aimed to explore whether the variability in KIR/HLA genes may be associated with the variable response observed to mAbs based anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapies.

Epidemiology and characteristics of febrile neutropenia in oncology patients from Spanish tertiary care hospitals: PINNACLE study.

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is one of the most common adverse events associated with myelosuppressive chemotherapy for cancer treatment. The objective of this study was to describe the incidence of hospitalization due to FN in Spanish tertiary care hospitals (PINNACLE study). This epidemiological, retrospective, multicenter, nationwide study involved 119 patients from oncology units of 10 Spanish tertiary care hospitals who were admitted for FN.

Role of anti-EGFR target therapy in colorectal carcinoma.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has become an important target in cancer treatment. In consequence, drugs directed at this and other molecular targets are an increasingly important part of the treatment of numerous tumours. Cetuximab and panitumumab, two monoclonal antibodies that target EGFR, have proved to be effective in metastatic colorectal cancer treatment.

Exemestane and chemotherapy as first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer: results of a phase II study.

Background: Metastatic breast cancer remains largely incurable. Strategies involving the combination of the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen and chemotherapy have been abandoned in view of unacceptable toxicity because of thromboembolic events. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of the third-generation steroidal aromatase inhibitor exemestane plus chemotherapy.

Reduced incidence of infusion-related reactions in metastatic colorectal cancer during treatment with cetuximab plus irinotecan with combined corticosteroid and antihistamine premedication.

Background: : The multinational MABEL study of 1147 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who had recently failed an irinotecan-containing regimen confirmed in a community practice setting the efficacy and safety of cetuximab combined with irinotecan.

Methods: : This report describes a post hoc analysis of the influence of prophylactic premedication on the incidence of infusion-related reactions (IRRs) in the MABEL study. The analysis was focused on the subpopulation of patients premedicated with antihistamines either with (n = 700) or without (n = 422) corticosteroids.

Cetuximab plus irinotecan in heavily pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer progressing on irinotecan: MABEL Study.

Purpose: This large, multinational study aimed to confirm in a community practice setting the efficacy and safety of cetuximab plus irinotecan in patients with epidermal growth factor-expressing metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who had recently failed an irinotecan-containing regimen.

Patients And Methods: The primary objective was to determine the progression-free survival (PFS) rate at 12 weeks. The initial cetuximab dose was 400 mg/m(2) and was followed weekly by 250 mg/m(2); irinotecan (according to prestudy regimen) was given weekly (125 mg/m(2) weekly for 4 of 6 weeks), every 2 weeks (180 mg/m(2) each), or every 3 weeks (350 mg/m(2) each).

A phase II trial of gemcitabine and weekly high-dose 5-fluorouracil in a 48-hour continuous-infusion schedule in patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma. A study of the Spanish Cooperative Group for Gastrointestinal Tumour Therapy (TTD).

Aim: A multi-centred, open-labelled, phase 11 study containing 46 patients was conducted to evaluate the clinical benefit of gemcitabine (1,400 mg/m(2)) combined with 5-FU (3 g/m(2)) in a 48 h continuous infusion (CI).

Methods: Both drugs were administered on days 1, 8 and 15 of every 4 week cycle in chemotherapy-naïve patients with locally advanced unresectable metastatic pancreatic carcinoma. The minimum follow-up was 6 months.

Clinical practice guidelines on antiemetics in oncology.

The tolerability of chemotherapy has been significantly improved by the advent of effective drugs and protocols for the amelioration of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Variables such as the timing of nausea and vomiting (acute, delayed or anticipatory) and the emetogenicity of the chemotherapy must be taken into account in developing guidelines for antiemetic prophylaxis and treatment. Although there are a number of 5-hydroxytryptamine antagonists available, the clinical differences between them are small.

Pseudomembranous colitis associated with chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil.

Pseudomembranous colitis is frequently associated with antibiotics and more rarely with chemotherapeutic agents such as 5-fluorouracil. The objective of this study is to show that it is possible to confuse this infection with chemotherapy associated toxicity. We present a 54 year old woman who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer and in the first cycle of chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil developed pseudomembranous colitis.

A study of the effect of salicylic acetic acid on a lymphocyte cell model of cellular activation and proliferation.

Salicylic acetic acid (SAA) is a drug that has formed part of the treatment of many diseases for many years. Its anti-inflammatory activity is well known, but recently its possible role in the interference in the oncogenesis mechanisms has become apparent. With the aim of supporting these yet preliminary observations, we studied the effect of salicylic acetic acid on a cellular activation and proliferation model.

A panel discussion of controversies and challenges in the adjuvant treatment of colon cancer.

Current issues of adjuvant therapy for colon cancer concern the introduction of drugs other than fluorouracil-5/leucovorin (5-FU/LV), the benefits for stage II patients, the use of new primary endpoints and the influence of age on treatment benefits. These issues were addressed in a panel discussion and the conclusions were the following: FOLFOX4 is the first regimen that shows superiority over 5-FU/LV. The use of 3-year disease-free survival as primary endpoint could encourage the quicker adoption of improved therapeutic strategies into clinical practice.

Comparative study of the immunohistochemical phenotype in breast cancer and its lymph node metastatic location.

At present, an important part of prognostic information, together with particular treatment strategies in breast cancer, take into account the immunohistochemical phenotype of the primary tumor location. However, the changing heterogeneity intrinsic to neoplastic cells in general leads us to consider the possibility that the expression of these proteins is modified during tumoral development and dissemination. With this hypothesis as a starting point, 60 patients with breast cancer were studied with immunohistochemistry, the expression of estrogen and progestagenic receptors, proliferation through the Ki-67 expression, and the overexpression of HER-2 and p53 in both the primary location and the lymph node metastases.

Adjuvant treatment in elderly patients with breast cancer: critical review of clinical practice.

Today the use of adjuvant treatment of breast cancer is unquestionable in the management of this disease. Both chemotherapy and hormonal therapy have proved to be beneficial, not only with respect to the reduction of the risk of recurrence, but also with respect to mortality. However, in elderly patients, this therapeutic approach is occasionally the subject of controversy, due to the undervaluing of the tumoral disease with respect to the multiple pathology frequently present in these patients.