A decade of EGFR inhibition in EGFR-mutated non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Old successes and future perspectives.

The discovery of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutations in Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) launched the era of personalized medicine in advanced NSCLC, leading to a dramatic shift in the therapeutic landscape of this disease. After ten years from the individuation of activating mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of the EGFR in NSCLC patients responding to the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) Gefitinib, several progresses have been done and first line treatment with EGFR TKIs is a firmly established option in advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients. During the last decade, different EGFR TKIs have been developed and three inhibitors have been approved so far in these selected patients.

NSCLC and HER2: between lights and shadows.

The therapeutic landscape of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has dramatically changed in the last few years with the introduction of molecularly targeted agents, leading to unprecedented results in lung tumors with a paradigmatic shift from a "one size fits all" approach to an histologic and molecular-based approach. The discovery of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in NSCLC in 2004 and the marked response to the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib, in a small subset of patients harboring these genetic abnormalities, stimulated the study of other kinase mutants involvement in NSCLC. The incredible story of ALK rearranged tumors, with the rapid Food and Drug Administration approval of Crizotinib after only 4 years from the discovery of EML4-ALK translocation in NSCLC, has profoundly influenced the concept of drug development in NSCLC, paving the way to a novel series of molecularly selected studies with specific inhibitors.

The risk of toxicities from trastuzumab, alone or in combination, in an elderly breast cancer population.

Background: Breast cancer in the elderly is associated with high recurrence and death rates, due mostly to undertreatment. Human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) overexpression is infrequent in older patients. Trastuzumab-based chemotherapy is often withheld from elderly patients because of its cardiotoxicity.

IL-33/IL-31 axis: a new pathological mechanisms for EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors-associated skin toxicity.

The dermatologic side effects are the most common adverse effects associated with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Although the mechanisms underlying the development of the skin toxicity remain unclear, immunological mechanisms are considered to be involved. A possible correlation between plasma levels of certain cytokines and development of skin toxicity has been reported.

Gemcitabine and liposomal doxorubicin in the salvage treatment of ovarian cancer: updated results and long-term survival.

Objective: The combination of GEM/PLD has been tested for its efficacy on survival of recurrent ovarian cancer patients.

Methods: This is a multicenter phase II study of GEM/PLD regimen in recurrent ovarian cancer patients previously treated with at least one platinum/paclitaxel regimen, and with evidence of measurable disease. PLD, 30 mg m(-2), was administered on day 1 followed by GEM, 1000 mg m(-2), on days 1 and 8, every 21 days.