Cancer Treatment Today

Colorectal small cell carcinoma (RESCC) is a rare tumor with an aggressive course. Only case reports exist to guide surveillance approach.Most cases of small cell cancers of organs other than ung are trated as if they were metastatic small cell lung cancer. A recent stuedy showed that of 120 patients with ESCC, in which the most frequent site of origin was the female genital tract (26 percent), followed by gastrointestinal tract (23 percent), genitourinary

Motexafin gadolinium is a member of a class of rationally designed porphyrin-like molecules called texaphyrins. The rationale for its use in cancer therapy is that, like naturally occurring porphyrins, it tends to concentrate selectively in cancer cells and it has a novel mechanism of action as it induces redox stress, triggering apoptosis in a broad range of cancers. RECENT FINDINGS: In vitro studies have shown that motexafin gadolinium is synergistic

Gliadel®, followed by standard radiotherapy, is an option for selected patients with newly diagnosed malignant glioma where a near-gross total excision is possible; however, the majority of patients with malignant glioma will not be eligible for various reasons (i.e. non-resectable tumours or contact with the ventricular system). Gliadel® is also an option in patients with surgically resectable recurrent malignant gliomas. Several studies have

Lay Summary: RTA-477 is a promising but experimental treatment at this time. RTA 744 is a novel anthracycline that is completing Phase 1 testing. This agent has been well tolerated and has demonstrated excellent activity against brain tumors. Advanced clinical trials of RTA 744 in both primary and secondary (metastatic) brain cancers will be initiated during the second half of 2007. The FDA has granted Orphan Drug designation to RTA 744 for the treatment

Lay search: Decitabine is being studies for "epigenetic" therapy of solid cancers. Genes involved in all aspects of tumor development and growth can become aberrantly methylated in tumor cells, including genes involved in apoptosis and cell cycle regulation. Decitabine, 2´-deoxy-5-azacytidine, can inhibit DNA methyltransferases and reverse epigenetic silencing of aberrantly methylated genes. Nucleoside DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, such as decitabine,

Adrenocortical cancer is a rare condition and chemotherapy is relatively unexplored. Studies involve small case series, single-patient trials and anecdotal unpublished communications. Compounds that have been used include established chemotherapeutic agents for treatment of other solid tumors, as well as more recent compounds, used in single cases. These agents include streptozotocin, gemcitabine, navelbine, docetaxel and taxol. The best evidence

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) of the liver is a proposed alternative to conventional systemic or intra-arterial chemotherapy, and to various nonsurgical ablative techniques, to treat resectable and nonresectable tumors. The rationale for TACE is that infusions of viscous material containing one or more antineoplastic agents may exert synergistic effects: cytotoxicity from the chemotherapy, potentiated by anoxia in the infarcted