Gefitinib and EGFR Gene Copy Number Aberrations in Esophageal Cancer.

Purpose The Cancer Esophagus Gefitinib trial demonstrated improved progression-free survival with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib relative to placebo in patients with advanced esophageal cancer who had disease progression after chemotherapy. Rapid and durable responses were observed in a minority of patients. We hypothesized that genetic aberration of the EGFR pathway would identify patients benefitting from gefitinib.

Obesity is not associated with increased myelosuppression in patients receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Audits of adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer have revealed that obese patients receive a lower relative dose intensity (RDI). However, interpretation of these studies is complicated by the variable use of cytokine growth factors, empiric dose capping and first cycle dose reductions. We have analysed the impact of obesity on RDI in a cohort of 662 patients that is not confounded by these factors.

Radiation pneumonitis following treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer with continuous hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy (CHART).

Purpose: To determine whether partial volume lung irradiation influences the risk of developing acute radiation pneumonitis after the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer with continuous hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy (CHART).

Methods And Materials: We conducted an analysis of 32 patients treated with CHART at the Gloucestershire Oncology Center. Twelve patients were treated using conventional two-dimensional treatment techniques and received elective nodal irradiation (ENI).