Investigating the Efficacy and Safety of a Dose-Dense Paclitaxel, Cyclophosphamide With Trastuzumab in Stage I-II Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) Positive Breast Cancer.

Background: The evolution of systemic therapies has improved outcomes for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2+) breast cancer. Nonetheless, the tolerability and safety profile of systemic therapies represent an area for further improvement. Here we report the results of a phase 2 trial evaluating a nonanthracycline, nonplatinum adjuvant treatment regimen for patients following initial surgical resection.

Early Access to Electronic Health Records May Influence the Patient Experience.

In a recent Hot Topics column, Mehmet Sitki Copur, MD, FACP, et al discussed the pros and cons of patients receiving test results early through electronic medical records.

Phase II Study of Palbociclib (PD-0332991) in CCND1, 2, or 3 Amplification: Results from the NCI-MATCH ECOG-ACRIN Trial (EAY131) Subprotocol Z1B.

Purpose: Cyclin D/CDK4/6 is critical in controlling the G1 to S checkpoint. CCND, the gene encoding cyclin D, is known to be amplified in a variety of solid tumors. Palbociclib is an oral CDK4/6 inhibitor, approved in advanced breast cancer in combination with endocrine therapy.

Complete Pathologic Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy and Oxaliplatin-Induced Fever Associated With IL-6 Release in a Patient With Locally Advanced Colon Cancer.

Neoadjuvant systemic therapy is a preferred treatment approach for a number of tumor types due to many potential advantages over upfront surgery, including tumor downstaging, early treatment of micrometastatic disease, and providing an in vivo test of tumor biology. For colon cancer, current standard of care is upfront surgery followed by adjuvant systemic therapy in high-risk patients. Concerns about inaccurate radiological staging and tumor progression during preoperative treatment, as well the lack of randomized data demonstrating benefit, are among the reasons for the limited use of neoadjuvant therapy in this disease.

A 65-Year-Old Man With Back Pain and Imaging Findings of Spinal Cord Compression.

Spinal cord compression is a potentially devastating consequence of cancer. Early recognition of the signs and symptoms permit diagnosis prior to the development of irreversible neurological damage. This complication occurs in 5% to 10% of patients with malignancy, often at the end stages of the patient's illness; however, it can be the presenting manifestation of malignancy in up to 23% of patients.

Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor With Humoral Hypercalcemia and High Tumor PD-L1 Score.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms. They can be functioning tumors with secretion of a variety of peptide hormones, or nonfunctioning tumors with metastases to the liver at the time of diagnosis. Well-differentiated tumors tend to be slow-growing and characterized by low tumor mutational burden (TMB) and lower propensity to express PD-L1.

Recurrent EGFR-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Discovered by Abnormal Mammogram: Adjuvant/Frontline Metastatic Management Options.

Breast metastasis from extramammary malignancy is rare, with a reported incidence rate of 0.4% to 1.3% in the published literature.

Locally Advanced Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor in a 33-Year-Old Woman Seeking to Conceive.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. They commonly present with nonspecific symptoms and thus are often discovered incidentally. They are best identified by CT scan, and most stain positive for CD117 (C-Kit), CD34, and/or DOG-1.

Gastrointestinal Cancer Presentations Relevant to Clinical Practice.

The 2020 American Society of Clinical Oncology Virtual Scientific Program delivered many practice-influencing presentations. Here are some of the most notable research results in the field of gastrointestinal cancer that may guide oncologists in their day-today work.

Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer, What is the Standard of Care?

Colorectal carcinoma is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with rectal cancer accounting for approximately one-third of newly diagnosed cases. A comprehensive trimodality approach involving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, total mesorectal excision, and systemic chemotherapy has been the standard of care for medically operable patients with nonmetastatic, locally advanced rectal cancer. Despite a marked reduction in local recurrence rates with good local control, systemic recurrence rates of as high as 35% constitute the leading cause of death in this population.

Synchronous Bilateral Lung Cancer With Discordant Histology.

Synchronous multiple primary lung cancer (SMPLC) is a rare occurrence affecting 0.5% to 2% of patients with lung cancer. Synchronous discordant histology with small cell and non-small cell lung carcinoma is an even less common entity.

79-year Old Man on Nivolumab with Itchy Erythematous Patches.

A 79-year-old white man presented with an ulcerated chest wall lesion developing from an existing mole. After definitive surgery, it proved to be a malignant melanoma and staged as T4N1M0. He received 1 year of adjuvant therapy with nivolumab.

76-Year-Old Woman With a Bluish-Purple Lump in her Left Upper Medial Leg.

A woman, aged 76 years, presented with a bluish-purple lump in her mid- to upper medial left thigh. It started initially as a flat rash, and over a 2-month period, it turned into a mass measuring 2.5 cm by 3.

ctDNA applications and integration in colorectal cancer: an NCI Colon and Rectal-Anal Task Forces whitepaper.

An increasing number of studies are describing potential uses of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in the care of patients with colorectal cancer. Owing to this rapidly developing area of research, the Colon and Rectal-Anal Task Forces of the United States National Cancer Institute convened a panel of multidisciplinary experts to summarize current data on the utility of ctDNA in the management of colorectal cancer and to provide guidance in promoting the efficient development and integration of this technology into clinical care. The panel focused on four key areas in which ctDNA has the potential to change clinical practice, including the detection of minimal residual disease, the management of patients with rectal cancer, monitoring responses to therapy, and tracking clonal dynamics in response to targeted therapies and other systemic treatments.

Hereditary vs Familial Pancreatic Cancer: Associated Genetic Syndromes and Clinical Perspective.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a disease marked by high rates of mortality; it is mostly incurable at the time of diagnosis. Only about 7% of patients survive 5 years after diagnosis. Diagnosis at a late stage and rapid progression with minimal response to available treatments are the main reasons for this poor outcome.

Recurrent Small Cell Carcinoma of the Lung With Cutaneous Metastasis in Breast.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths and the second leading cause of new cancer cases in the United States. Although more commonly involving hilar nodes, the liver, adrenal glands, bones, and the brain, lung cancer can metastasize to almost any organ. Metastases, although rare in the skin may be the first sign of a lung cancer or cutaneous metastases may present as a sign of recurrent disease.