Phase II study of nab-paclitaxel with gemcitabine for relapsed/refractory small cell lung cancer.

Background: Patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) often respond to first-line chemoimmunotherapy. However, relapse is inevitable and is associated with a poor prognosis. Treatments for relapsed SCLC, such as lurbinectedin and topotecan, are limited by modest efficacy and significant hematologic adverse events, leaving a need for newer therapeutic agents or regimens.

Inflammation as a Therapeutic Target in Cancer Cachexia.

Cachexia is a common complication of cancer and is associated with poor quality of life and a decrease in survival. Many patients with cancer cachexia suffer from inflammation associated with elevated cytokines, such as interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Single-agent trials to treat cancer cachexia have not led to substantial benefit as the type of cytokine which is elevated has rarely been specified and targeted.

A Phase I Study of Apolizumab, an Anti-HLA-DR ß-chain Monoclonal Antibody, in Patients With Solid Tumor Malignancies.

Background: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR, a member of the major histocompatibility complex class II antigen family, is a target for antibody-based therapeutics. Apolizumab (Hu1D10, Remitogen), a humanized IgG1 monoclonal anti-HLA-DR ß-chain antibody targets the antigen, 1D10, expressed on a wide variety of hematologic and solid tumor malignancies. In this Phase 1 trial, the maximum tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicity of weekly apolizumab in patients with advanced solid tumor malignancies were determined.

Transformational Changes Between Non-Small Cell and Small Cell Lung Cancer-Biological and Clinical Relevance-A Review.

During the course of therapy, patients with small cell lung cancer have been noted to develop transformation to non-small cell lung cancer and conversely, patients with non-small cell lung cancer have had transformation to small cell lung cancer or other non-small cell histologies. Transformation may occur after prior tyrosine kinase inhibitors, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiation therapy. These changes reflect on the overlapping biology of these cell types and the clinical need for re-biopsy at times of disease progression.

The clinical significance of soluble PD-1 and PD-L1 in lung cancer.

Soluble PD-1 and PD-L1 are detected in the serum and plasma of lung cancer patients. The significance of these soluble proteins as prognostic or predictive markers in lung cancer is uncertain. The testing methods used to detect soluble PD1/PD-L1 are variable with no agreement on a common definition of a positive test.