Cancer Treatment Today

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is over-expressed in amany esophageal and gastric carcinomas. Pteintiall it can be targer for Erbitux*cetiximab) and there has been significant interest in targeting it. Unfortunately, it has not yet shown much progress. A phase II study showed minimal clinical activity of cetuximab.  A recent phase III trial, EXPAND (Erbitux in Combination With Xeloda and Cisplatin in Advanced Esophagogastric Cancer), involved

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is over-expressed in a significant proportion of esophageal and gastric carcinomas and there has been significant interest in targeting it. Unfortunately, it has not yet shown much progress. A phase II study by Chan et al showed minimal clinical activity of cetuximab.  A recent phase III trial, EXPAND (Erbitux in Combination With Xeloda and Cisplatin in Advanced Esophagogastric Cancer), involved 904 patients

It ahs gradually become recognized that keeping blood sugars low over extended periods of time is beneficial. It lowers the risk of developing heart and vessel disease and eye disease. O the other hands, lower sugars can proceed into hypoglycemia, which is also not desirable. It is difficult to avoid hypoglycemia  without continued monitoring of bllood sugars on insulin. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems use a sensor under the skin to

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems use a sensor under the skin to check glucose levels in tissue fluid. The sensor stays in place for several days to a week and then must be replaced. A transmitter sends information about glucose levels via radio waves from the sensor to a pager like wireless monitor. The user must check blood samples with a glucose meter to program the devices and is recommended to do so occasionally to ensure the senor

Chronic non-cancer pain has become a significant public health problem in the the USA. It is being more and more recognized that well meaning physicians and medical groups and the state worker compensation systems have brought about serious untoward and unexpected consequences by providing opioids for chronic pain. Chronic opioid use usually does not effectively control such pain and has brought with it a host of problems; including hyperalgesia,

With the advent of biologic therapies, many new avenues to approach recalcitrant and difficult diseases have emerged. Once such cancer is the brain cancer glioblastoma(GBM). It is tempting to use Zolinza(vorinostate) for maintenance after attaining a remission of glioblastoma, because this is a disease that almost always comes back. Unfortunately, there is as of yet no literature supporting the use of Zolnza for maintenance for gliolastoma. A recent

Vitamin D is involved in a number of vital processes in the body, and the association between low Vit. D levels and various cancers, including prostate cancer, has been extensively studied. Some studies suggest an association but that does not mean that treating with Vitamid D supplementation helps. The first results came from epidemiologic studies known as geographic correlation studies, studies of sunlight exposure( that produces Vit. D) and cancer,