Bone Marrow Stroma and Vascular Contributions to Myeloma Bone Homing.

Purpose Of The Review: Herein we dissect mechanisms behind the dissemination of cancer cells from primary tumor site to the bone marrow, which are necessary for metastasis development, with a specific focus on multiple myeloma.

Recent Findings: The ability of tumor cells to invade vessels and reach the systemic circulation is a fundamental process for metastasis development; however, the interaction between clonal cells and the surrounding microenvironment is equally important for supporting colonization, survival, and growth in the secondary sites of dissemination. The intrinsic propensity of tumor cells to recognize a favorable milieu where to establish secondary growth is the basis of the "seed and soil" theory.

A First-Time-in-Human Study of GSK2636771, a Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase Beta-Selective Inhibitor, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors.

The PI3K/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway is commonly activated in several tumor types. Selective targeting of p110β could result in successful pathway inhibition while avoiding the on- and off-target effects of pan-PI3K inhibitors. GSK2636771 is a potent, orally bioavailable, adenosine triphosphate-competitive, selective inhibitor of PI3Kβ.

Phase Ib study of the mitochondrial inhibitor ME-344 plus topotecan in patients with previously treated, locally advanced or metastatic small cell lung, ovarian and cervical cancers.

Background This multicenter, open-label, phase Ib study was designed to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy of ME-344, a mitochondrial inhibitor, administered in combination with the topoisomerase I inhibitor, topotecan, in patients with previously treated, locally advanced or metastatic small cell lung (SCLC), ovarian and cervical cancers. Patients and methods In Part 1, patients received ME-344 10 mg/kg intravenously weekly on days 1, 8, 15 and 22 in combination with topotecan 4 mg/m on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28 day cycle. Cycles were repeated until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Phase 1 study of cardiac safety of TAS-102 in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Purpose: TAS-102 is a novel oral agent combining the antineoplastic thymidine-based nucleoside analogue, trifluridine, and the thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor, tipiracil (molar ratio 1:0.5). TAS-102 has shown good activity in refractory metastatic colorectal cancer with acceptable safety.

Systematic evaluation of pembrolizumab dosing in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

Background: In the phase I KEYNOTE-001 study, pembrolizumab demonstrated durable antitumor activity in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We sought to characterize the relationship between pembrolizumab dose, exposure, and response to define an effective dose for these patients.

Patients And Methods: Patients received pembrolizumab 2 mg/kg every 3 weeks (Q3W) (n = 55), 10 mg/kg Q3W (n = 238), or 10 mg/kg Q2W (n = 156).

Complexity of FGFR signalling in metastatic urothelial cancer.

Background: Urothelial cancers (UC) are the fourth most common tumours worldwide after prostate (or breast), lung and colorectal cancer. Despite recent improvements in their management, UC remain an aggressive disease associated with a poor outcome. Following disease progression on first-line platinum-based chemotherapy, very few effective treatment options are available and none of them have shown significant improvement in overall survival.

Evaluation of CYP3A-mediated drug-drug interactions with romidepsin in patients with advanced cancer.

Two multicenter, single-arm, single-infusion, open-label studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of ketoconazole (a strong CYP3A inhibitor) or rifampin (a strong CYP3A inducer) daily for 5 days on the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of romidepsin (8 mg/m(2) intravenous 4-hour infusion for the ketoconazole study or a 14 mg/m(2) intravenous 4-hour infusion for the rifampin study) in patients with advanced cancer. Romidepsin coadministered with ketoconazole (400 mg) or rifampin (600 mg) was not bioequivalent to romidepsin alone. With ketoconazole, the mean romidepsin AUC and Cmax were increased by approximately 25% and 10%, respectively.

Combination therapies for the treatment of advanced melanoma: a review of current evidence.

The treatment of advanced melanoma has been revolutionised in recent years with the advent of a range of new therapies. BRAF inhibitors, such as vemurafenib, have demonstrated improvements in the overall survival of patients with advanced melanoma that harbour a BRAF V600 mutation. Alongside these targeted therapies, novel immune-checkpoint inhibitors, such as ipilimumab, have also been developed and have produced similarly improved outcomes for patients.