ASCO 2006 update of recommendations for the use of tumor markers in gastrointestinal cancer.

Purpose: To update the recommendations for the use of tumor marker tests in the prevention, screening, treatment, and surveillance of gastrointestinal cancers.

Methods: For the 2006 update, an update committee composed of members from the full Panel was formed to complete the review and analysis of data published since 1999. Computerized literature searches of Medline and the Cochrane Collaboration Library were performed.

Phase II study of mitomycin-C, adriamycin, cisplatin (MAP) and Bleomycin-CCNU in patients with advanced cancer of the anal canal: An eastern cooperative oncology group study E7282.

Metastatic anal cancer is a rare disease in the Western hemisphere and current treatment modalities are not effective. In this study, patients with advanced epithelial cancer of the anal canal received MAP followed by Bleomycin and CCNU upon progression of disease. Twelve out of twenty eligible patients had a partial response 60%, (95% CI {36% -81%}).

Elevated serum heparanase-1 levels in patients with pancreatic carcinoma are associated with poor survival.

Background: It has previously been shown that heparanase-1 (HPR1), an endoglycosidase, is up-regulated in pancreatic carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to test whether serum HPR1 levels in pancreatic carcinoma patients are elevated, and whether higher serum HPR1 levels are associated with a shortened survival.

Methods: Serum HPR1 levels in 40 healthy donors, 31 pancreatic carcinoma patients, and 11 patients treated with gemcitabine were measured by a novel enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay.

Phase II trial of oral rubitecan in previously treated pancreatic cancer patients.

Background: Additional systemic treatments for locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer are needed, as current treatment options produce only modest survival benefits. Rubitecan (Orathecin; Supergen Inc., Dublin, CA, http://www.

Effect of gemcitabine on immune cells in subjects with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.

Effects of gemcitabine (Gemzar) on immune cells were examined in pancreas cancer patients to determine whether it was immunosuppressive, or potentially could be combined with vaccines or other immunotherapy to enhance patient's responses to their tumors. Blood was obtained at five time-points, before therapy, 3-4 days after initial gemcitabine infusion and immediately preceding three additional weekly infusions. Effects on T-cell subsets, B-cells, myeloid dendritic cell precursors, antigen presenting cells (APC), activated/memory, and naive cells were examined.

Immunobiotherapy directed against mutated and aberrantly expressed gene products in pancreas cancer.

Genetic alterations are responsible for the development of cancer in ductal cells of the pancreas. These genetic changes result in abnormal molecular expression of proteins that are involved in cell proliferation, cell cycle control and adhesion. Some of the genetic mutations result in aberrant proteins that can be recognized as novel or foreign by cells of innate and adaptive immune systems.

Phase II study of gemcitabine in combination with docetaxel in patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma (E1298). A trial of the eastern cooperative oncology group.

Background: Responses have been observed in several studies of docetaxel as treatment for advanced pancreatic carcinoma. This trial was designed to determine if the addition of docetaxel to gemcitabine therapy produced responses in >/=25% of patients with chemonaive advanced pancreatic cancer.

Patients And Methods: This trial involved patients with biopsy-proven, advanced carcinoma of the pancreas not amenable to surgical resection.

Phase II study of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (PF) and mitomycin C, vincristine, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (MVPF) in patients with metastatic large bowel cancer: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group study (EST 1285).

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and the toxicity of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (PF) and mitomycin C, vincristine, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (MVPF) in patients with metastatic large bowel cancer.

Patients And Methods: A total of 94 patients with no prior chemotherapy and measurable metastatic large bowel cancer were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment regimens. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) criteria were used to evaluate response and toxicity.

Phase III study of combined chemohormonal therapy in metastatic prostate cancer (ECOG 3882): an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group study.

This study, a phase III multicenter randomized trial opened by ECOG in April 1983 and closed in June 1986 was designed to evaluate whether a combination of doxorubicin and an intravenous formulation of diethylstilbestrol diphosphate (DES) was superior to doxorubicin alone in men with hormone refractory prostate cancer. All patients received doxorubicin at a dose of 50 mg/m2 iv every 3 wk either alone or with 1 g DES iv daily for 5 d followed by 1 g iv twice weekly for four cycles (12 wk). The 51 evaluable patients with visceral metastases displayed a significantly increased response rate (27% vs 63%) on the combined therapy arm (p = 0.

Adjuvant and Neoadjuvant Therapies of Pancreatic Cancer: A Review.

The survival of patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer is dismal. Few patients on initial presentation aresuitable for surgical resection. This has prompted clinical studies with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapydesigned either to increase the number of patients eligible for surgery (neoadjuvant therapy) or to prolong thesurvival of patients who had undergone surgery (adjuvant therapy).