– October 1, 2012
October 1, 2012
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Sunitinib Disappoints in First-line Phase 3 Trial in Advanced Breast Cancer
Preclinical studies provide a rationale for examining a role for sunitinib in the treatment of breast cancer. However, in this large, multicenter trial, the combination of sunitinib with docetaxel did not prolong progression-free or overall survival when compared to docetaxel alone, and it appeared to be less well tolerated. The role for sunitinib remains to be established for the treatment of breast cancer. -
Moderate Alcohol Consumption: Protective Effect on Renal Cell Cancer Development
There has been much written about the salutary effects of moderate alcohol consumption in reference to a number of non-malignant chronic diseases. The effects on cancer in general are less compelling. However, in the current meta-analysis examining alcohol consumption and the development of renal cell carcinoma, a protective effect for light and moderate drinkers is clearly demonstrated. This protective effect is in the 10-20% range. -
Outcomes of Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy
Potentially operable patients with Stage I non-small cell lung cancer who were treated with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) between 1993-2010 were retrospectively identified in a prospectively collected database. Despite the median age of 76 years and the median comorbidity score of 2 in these 177 potentially operable patients, the 3-year survival was 85%. Post-SABR 30-day mortality was 0%, while predicted 30-day mortality for a lobectomy, derived using the Thoracoscore predictive model, would have been 2.6%. Local control at 3 years was 93%. -
Management of Smoldering Myeloma
An 84-year-old community-dwelling retired physician who maintains an active lifestyle and regularly attends community hospital meetings and lectures is seen for advice regarding management. He has a longstanding history of mild hypertension currently controlled by diet and hydrochlorothiazide. -
Endometriosis Is Implicated Again in Histological Variants of Ovarian Cancer
Self-reported personal history of endometriosis was associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Further, it was differentially associated with clear cell, endometrioid, and low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma in this pooled analysis. No relationship appeared between endometriosis and high-grade serous or mucinous ovarian cancer, or borderline variants of these two histologies. The results suggest further work is necessary to understand whether endometriosis plays a strategic precursor role in certain ovarian cancer histological subtypes. -
Pharmacology Watch: Statins and Cognition — More to the Story?
Side effects of statins; effects of cannabis use; antihypertensives and lip cancer; and FDA actions. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement