Hot flashes: a review of pathophysiology and treatment modalities.

Many therapies are being studied for the treatment of hot flashes for individuals with cancer, yet few studies have demonstrated safe and effective clinical benefit for those who suffer from this distressing symptom. The purpose of this paper is to assess the current options for the management of hot flashes, examining key endpoints from recent clinical trials and reviewing future directions. Hot flashes are a common stressful symptom for individuals with cancer, particularly women with a history of breast cancer and men with prostate cancer.

Targeted molecular therapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor vandetanib in a mouse model.

Background: We investigated the effects of vandetanib, an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), alone and in combination with paclitaxel in an orthotopic mouse model of human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods: The in vitro effects of vandetanib (ZACTIMA) were assessed in 2 HNSCC cell lines on cell growth, apoptosis, receptor and downstream signaling molecule expression, and phosphorylation levels. We assessed in vivo effects of vandetanib and/or paclitaxel by measuring tumor cell apoptosis, endothelial cell apoptosis, microvessel density, tumor size, and animal survival.

Recent advances in systemic therapy: Advances in systemic therapy for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)2 over-expression is associated with a shortened disease-free interval and poor survival. Although the addition of trastuzumab to chemotherapy in the first-line setting has improved response rates, progression-free survival, and overall survival, response rates declined when trastuzumab was used beyond the first-line setting because of multiple mechanisms of resistance. Studies have demonstrated the clinical utility of continuing trastuzumab beyond progression, and further trials to explore this concept are ongoing.

Management of breast cancer in the genome era.

The genomic era has been characterized by an exponential increase in the number of targets in the management of breast cancer. Prognostic profiling has helped to determine which tumors are more likely to be associated with poor disease-free survival. Gene expression profiles are being studied in order to improve predictions of response and toxicity.

New biological agents in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Molecularly targeted therapies that are more tumor specific in their efficacy, with associated fewer toxicities, are currently being developed. Specific biomarkers that may predict response or resistance to a particular agent are being sought. Several classes of compounds now target specific steps in cellular proliferation and apoptosis.