Targeted and immunotherapy for the management of advanced urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

Purpose: The activity of targeted and immunotherapy for the management of advanced bladder cancer is reviewed.

Summary: Platinum-based chemotherapy is standard first-line treatment for advanced bladder cancer. Pembrolizumab is approved alone as first-line therapy for patients who are ineligible for any platinum-based chemotherapy and with enfortumab for patients ineligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Systemic targeted and immunotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: The activity of targeted agents and immunotherapy in the management of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is reviewed.

Summary: The first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for advanced HCC, sorafenib, was approved in 2007. Regorafenib, the second drug, was approved 10 years later.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors for the management of advanced or metastatic breast cancer in women.

Purpose: The pharmacology, clinical activity, safety, and place in therapy of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib are reviewed.

Summary: CDK 4 and CDK 6 are downstream agents in the estrogen signaling pathway that control entry into the cell cycle. CDK4/6 inhibition may prevent tumor cell progression in the cell cycle.

Management of advanced colorectal cancer, Part 2.

Purpose: Important developments in chemotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer over the past 15 years are reviewed, with an emphasis on the most recently published data from clinical trials of newer multidrug regimens, administration techniques, and dosing schedules.

Summary: Eight agents are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in treating patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Fluorouracil and leucovorin still constitute the foundation of most chemotherapy regimens for this population; combination fluorouracil-leucovorin therapy plus either irinotecan (the FOLFIRI regimen) or oxaliplatin (the FOLFOX regimen) are two firmly established first-line treatments shown to produce similar outcomes.

Management of advanced colorectal cancer, Part 1.

Purpose: Important developments in chemotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer over the past 15 years are reviewed, with an emphasis on the most recently published data from clinical trials of newer multidrug regimens, administration techniques, and dosing schedules.

Summary: Eight agents are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in treating patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Fluorouracil and leucovorin still constitute the foundation of most chemotherapy regimens for this population; combination fluorouracil-leucovorin therapy plus either irinotecan (the FOLFIRI regimen) or oxaliplatin (the FOLFOX regimen) are two firmly established first-line treatments shown to produce similar outcomes.

New agents for the management of castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Objective: To review the activity of 3 new agents approved for the management of advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC): sipuleucel-T, cabazitaxel, and abiraterone acetate.

Data Sources: Literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1977-June 2012) and abstracts from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (2000-2012) using the terms castration-resistant and hormone-refractory prostate cancer, sipuleucel-T, cabazitaxel, abiraterone, Provenge, Jevtana, and Zytiga. Reference citations from publications identified were also reviewed.

Romiplostim in chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Background: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is characterized by platelet deficiency due to platelet destruction and/or inadequate production. Initial therapy consists of corticosteroids or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). Patients with chronic refractory disease might undergo splenectomy.

Renal cell carcinoma with an emphasis on drug therapy of advanced disease, part 2.

Purpose: The diagnosis, staging, and management of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are reviewed. The mechanism, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, clinical activity, and application of molecularly targeted agents in RCC are emphasized.

Summary: RCC is the eighth most commonly diagnosed malignancy in the United States.

Renal cell carcinoma with an emphasis on drug therapy of advanced disease, part 1.

Purpose: The diagnosis, staging, and management of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are reviewed. The mechanism, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, clinical activity, and application of molecularly targeted agents in RCC are emphasized.

Summary: RCC is the eighth most commonly diagnosed malignancy in the United States.

Gefitinib: an adverse effects profile.

Gefitinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, is currently approved for use in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who have failed previous chemotherapy or who are not suitable for chemotherapy in > 30 countries. The approved dose in patients with non-small cell lung cancer is 250 mg/day. The most common adverse effects are rash, diarrhoea, acne, dry skin, nausea and vomiting.

Epoetin alfa versus darbepoetin alfa in chemotherapy-related anemia.

Objective: To review and compare the data concerning the clinical activity of epoetin alfa versus darbepoetin alfa when administered to patients with cancer who are experiencing treatment-related anemia.

Data Sources: English-language publications from the MEDLINE database (1990-June 2005), published articles, and meeting abstracts were reviewed.

Study Selection And Data Extraction: Relevant data were extracted from published reports and abstracts on studies of humans with cancer who developed treatment-related anemia and were treated with epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa.

Oxaliplatin-associated neuropathy: a review.

Objective: To review the incidence, mechanism, signs, symptoms, and management of oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity.

Data Sources: English-language publications from the MEDLINE database (1995-August 2004), published articles, and meeting abstracts were reviewed.

Study Selection And Data Extraction: Relevant data were extracted from published reports and abstracts on studies and case reports of humans with cancer who received oxaliplatin chemotherapy and in vitro studies of oxaliplatin neurotoxicity.

Gefitinib: a new antineoplastic for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

Purpose: The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and safety of gefitinib and its role in the management of non-small-cell lung cancer are reviewed.

Summary: Gefitinib is indicated for patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer who have not responded to chemotherapy with platinum-based regimens or docetaxel. Gefitinib is administered orally at a dosage of 250 mg/day.

Monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of cancer, Part 2.

Monoclonal antibodies used in the treatment of cancer are discussed. Monoclonal antibodies are a new class of agents targeted at specific receptors on cancer cells. In addition to having direct cellular effects, antibodies can carry substances, such as radioactive isotopes, toxins, and antineoplastic agents, to the targeted cells.

Monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of cancer, Part 1.

Monoclonal antibodies used in the treatment of cancer are discussed. Monoclonal antibodies are a new class of agents targeted at specific receptors on cancer cells. In addition to having direct cellular effects, antibodies can carry substances, such as radioactive isotopes, toxins, and antineoplastic agents, to the targeted cells.

Tamoxifen for prevention of breast cancer.

Objective: To review data on the use of tamoxifen for primary prevention of breast cancer.

Data Sources: A literature search was performed through MEDLINE (1992-May 2002) using the key words tamoxifen, breast cancer, and prevention.

Data Synthesis: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy detected in American women.

Lung cancer: a review.

The frequency, risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of lung cancer are reviewed. An estimated 157,400 Americans died of lung cancer in 2001. Lung cancer is the second most frequent cancer in both men and women.