Biology of interactions: antiepidermal growth factor receptor agents.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling inhibition represents a highly promising arena for the application of molecularly targeted cancer therapies. Evolving from several decades of systematic research in cancer cell biology, a series of EGFR inhibitors from both the monoclonal antibody (mAb) and tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) class have been developed and promoted into clinical application. Several EGFR inhibitors have recently gained US Food and Drug Administration approval for cancer therapy in the United States (and many other countries), including the mAbs cetuximab and panitumumab, and the small molecule TKIs gefitinib, erlotinib, and lapatinib.

Management of prostate cancer recurrences after radiation therapy-brachytherapy as a salvage option.

Depending on initial prognostic factors, an estimated 10%-60% of men who undergo definitive radiation therapy for prostate cancer may experience a biochemical recurrence. Even though hormonal therapy is standard for metastatic recurrences, no consensus exists on optimal salvage therapy for those recurrences thought confined to the prostate. Salvage treatment options for these local recurrences have historically been limited to salvage prostatectomy, hormonal therapy, or cryotherapy.

Insulin-like growth factor-I receptor signaling blockade combined with radiation.

Signaling through the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) is implicated in cellular proliferation, apoptosis, carcinogenesis, metastasis, and resistance to cytotoxic cancer therapies. Targeted disruption of IGF-IR signaling combined with cytotoxic therapy may therefore yield improved anticancer efficacy over conventional treatments alone. In this study, a fully human anti-IGF-IR monoclonal antibody A12 (ImClone Systems, Inc.

Radiation and new molecular agents, part II: targeting HDAC, HSP90, IGF-1R, PI3K, and Ras.

Current research efforts in cancer therapeutics include the development of novel inhibitory agents that target molecular pathways involved in tumor growth and progression. Ultimately, many of these agents may prove most efficacious when combined with conventional cytotoxic therapies, including radiation therapy. Elucidation of the biologic pathways underlying radiation response has identified several targets involved in radiation resistance, providing rationale for combining these agents with radiation.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting as a pelvic mass with elevated CA-125.

Background: We report a case of pelvic lymphoma with an elevated serum CA-125 level, initially misdiagnosed as ovarian carcinoma. A review of the literature is presented and a possible mechanism for CA-125 elevation in diseases other than ovarian cancer is discussed.

Case: A 50-year-old woman presented with symptoms of progressive dyspnea, early satiety, fatigue, and weight loss.