Precision Medicine in Oncology®

In spite of the setbacks, researchers remain hopeful that a better understanding of the mechanism of action for PARP inhibitors will lead to effective treatment of a wide variety of cancers.

As the molecular understanding of breast cancer continues to evolve, the search for treatment targets based upon tumor subtypes and gene expression patterns is intensifying.

Research presented at ASCO 2012 examined the expanded use of sipuleucel-T, as well as methods to determine which patients might benefit the most from the therapy.

Dr. Michael Rotkowitz, from Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Defines Personalized Medicine

Dr. Lowell Anthony from the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center on Targeted Therapy Associated Diarrhea.

The FDA has approved cetuximab in combination with the FOLFIRI regimen as a first-line treatment for patients with mCRC who express EGFR and wild-type KRAS mutations.

Hans-Peter Gerber has been building a program to develop novel biotherapeutics for oncology, including antibody-drug conjugates, at the Pfizer Oncology Research Unit in Pearl River, New York.

Dr. Mark Kris, from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, on the Combination of Molecularly Targeted Therapies.

For nearly 40 years, the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center has enjoyed a reputation for excellence and innovation.

Antibodies directed against tumor cell antigens or overexpressed proteins are currently the fastest-growing class of targeted cancer therapeutics.

Case-based discussion on sequencing prostate cancer therapies for a 72-year-old man with a metastatic adenocarcinoma with small-cell components, a PSA score of 80, and a Gleason score of 10.

Recent evidence shows that some of the newer molecularly targeted therapies can cause diarrhea, which can lead to dose reductions and alterations.

Although molecularly targeted agents can cause cardiac damage, it appears to be reversible and related to cellular dysfunction, as distinct from agents such as anthracyclines that cause cellular death and irreversible cardiac dysfunction.

Dr. Robert Kirkman, the CEO of Oncothyreon, on the Combination of PX-866 and Docetaxel

Dr. Axel Hauschild, from University Hospital, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, Discusses the BREAK-3 Trial That Investigated the BRAF Inhibitor Dabrafenib.

Most recurrent endometrial tumors have the same PI3K/Akt mutation profile as found in the primary tumor.

Unexpected target mutations likely doomed a proven therapeutic approach to lung cancer in a test against glioblastoma.

Dr. Alan Sandler, from the Oregon Health & Science University, Discusses the Tivantinib Mechanism of Action

A recent study suggests patients may be selected for therapy based on the number of EGFR gene copies, and evaluated for clinical benefit based on the severity of the rash that often develops.

Dr. David Gandara, from UC Davis Cancer Center, on Thymidylate Synthase Expression in ALK-Positive Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Dr. Mark Kris, from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Discusses Lung Cancer Information Presented at the 2012 ASCO Annual Meeting.

With careful attention to detail and conscientious efforts, clinical skills are likely to be transferable from clinical education to meeting research goals.

Increased understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of hematologic cancers has led to the development of several promising new classes of targeted therapies.

JAK plays an important role in the formation and development of blood cells, and defects in the gene have been identified in myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Dr. Alex Adjei, from Roswell Park Cancer Institute, on the Need for Targeted Therapy Education