HALO 202: Randomized Phase II Study of PEGPH20 Plus Nab-Paclitaxel/Gemcitabine Versus Nab-Paclitaxel/Gemcitabine in Patients With Untreated, Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Purpose Metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is characterized by excessive hyaluronan (HA) accumulation in the tumor microenvironment, elevating interstitial pressure and impairing perfusion. Preclinical studies demonstrated pegvorhyaluronidase alfa (PEGPH20) degrades HA, thereby increasing drug delivery. Patients and Methods Patients with previously untreated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were randomly assigned to treatment with PEGPH20 plus nab-paclitaxel/gemcitabine (PAG) or nab-paclitaxel/gemcitabine (AG).

Effect of Selumetinib and MK-2206 vs Oxaliplatin and Fluorouracil in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer After Prior Therapy: SWOG S1115 Study Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: KRAS mutations are common in pancreatic cancer, but directly targeting the KRAS protein has thus far been unsuccessful. The aim of this trial was to block the MEK and PI3K/AKT pathways downstream of the KRAS protein as an alternate treatment strategy to slow cancer growth and prolong survival. This was the first cooperative group trial to evaluate this strategy using molecularly targeted oral combination therapy for the treatment of chemotherapy-refractory pancreatic cancer.

Current Options for Third-Line Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

Until recently, treatment options for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) were limited to chemotherapy, vascular endothelial growth factor–targeted therapy, and, for patients with RAS-wild type tumors, epidermal growth factor receptor–targeted therapy. For patients with disease progression after treatment, newer agents are now available: the multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor regorafenib and the cytotoxic combination of trifluridine and tipiracil (TAS-102). Both regorafenib and trifluridine/tipiracil have demonstrated significant improvements in overall survival in patients with refractory metastatic CRC.

Phase 2 study of MK-2206, an allosteric inhibitor of AKT, as second-line therapy for advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer: A SWOG cooperative group trial (S1005).

Background: The AKT inhibitor MK-2206 at a dose of 60 mg every other day was evaluated in gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancers.

Methods: Patients who had progressed after first-line treatment were eligible. Pertinent eligibility criteria included adequate organ function, a fasting serum glucose level ≤ 150 mg/dL, and less than grade 2 malabsorption or chronic diarrhea.

Magnetic resonance imaging following treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with sorafenib.

Hepatocellular carcinomas are highly vascular tumors, showing progressive hypervascularity by the process of neoangiogenesis. Tumor angiogenesis is critical for tumor growth as well as metastatic spread therefore, imaging and quantification of tumor neo-angiogenesis is essential for monitoring response to targeted therapies and predicting disease progression. Sorafenib is a molecular targeting agent used for treating hypervascular tumors.

Role of primary tumor resection among chemotherapy-treated patients with synchronous stage IV colorectal cancer: a survival analysis.

Introduction: The benefit of an operation to remove the primary tumor among patients with synchronous stage IV colorectal cancer is controversial. This study analyzed the survival benefits associated with primary tumor resection among chemotherapy-treated stage IV colorectal cancer patients.

Methods: The study analyzed 11,716 chemotherapy-treated stage IV colorectal cancer patients in the California Cancer Registry between 1996 and 2007, with follow-up through 2009.

Mortality risk after preoperative versus postoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy in lymph node-positive rectal cancer.

Introduction: Persistent lymph node-positive disease after preoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer is associated with adverse outcomes. We quantified mortality risks of persistent pathologic lymph nodes in lymph node-positive rectal cancer patients treated with preoperative versus postoperative chemoradiation.

Methods: This was a retrospective population-based analysis of 2,038 patients with stage III rectal cancer diagnosed 1994-2005 with follow-up through 2007 using data from the California Cancer Registry.

Temozolomide in malignant gliomas: current use and future targets.

Temozolomide (TMZ) is an oral alkylating agent that is regarded as a tolerable and effective drug. When combined with radiotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, survival is significantly prolonged. This finding has led to widespread use of TMZ for patients with this disease.