Small Cell Lung Cancer

Irinotecan for brain metastases of breast and lung cancer -pro

Because irinotecan penetrates the brain-blood barrier and has an effect in primary brain cancer, there is some interest in using it for brain metastasis, especially for lung cancer and breast cancer. Most studies of irinotecan had been for brain mets of small(SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer(NSMCLC) and not breast cancer and have had mixed results. One study reported complete responses with irinotecan-based chemotherapy for brain metastases in

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Amrubicin for small cell lung cancer – pro

Amrubicin, previously known as SM-5887, is an anthracycline used in the treatment of lung cancer. It is marketed in Japan since 2002 by Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals under the brand name Calsed. Two phase 2 studies of amrubicin in Japanese populations with previously treated SCLC have shown impressive results. Amrubicin has been granted Fast Track product designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of small cell lung cancer

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Etoposide and carboplatin for small cell lung cancer – pro

Standard treatment for patients with extensive SCLC include VePesid® (etoposide) plus Platinol, VePesid plus Paraplatin or Camptosar® (irinotecan) plus Platinol. Etoposide and carboplatin is standard chemotherapy, which is supported by the NCCN guideline. VePesid (etoposide) Capsules in combination with other approved chemotherapeutic agents is FDA approved as first line treatment in patients with small cell lung cancer. The IV equivalent, Vepesid

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PET scan in small cell lung cancer – pro

PET with 2-[fluorine 18]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) has recently received attention, and growing evidence suggests its superiority in the staging of lung cancer. However, PET is more frequently used in evaluating patients with NSCLC to identify surgical candidates. It is less commonly used in patients with SCLC because most of these patients are not candidates for surgery. PET may be useful for evaluating cases in which recurrent disease but

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Delay in diagnosis of lung cancer – pro

Lung cancer is symptomatic in over 90% of patients. However, studies find that delays between reporting of symptoms and diagnosis are universal. In a recent Swedish study, 134 lung cancer patients were investigated prospectively. The median delay for the patients, i.e. from the first symptom(s) until the family doctor was contacted, was 21 days. From the first contact with the doctor until referral to the specialist the median time was 33 days. From

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Samsa for hyponatremia – pro

SAMSCA is indicated for the treatment of clinically significant hypervolemic and euvolemic hyponatremia (serum sodium <125 mEq/L or less marked hyponatremia that is symptomatic and has resisted correction with fluid restriction), including patients with heart failure, cirrhosis, and Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH). Thiis condtion occurrs with lung cancer and less commonly other cancer or in associaitons with certain chemotherapy

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Carboplatin with etoposide and Taxol and platin for small cell lung cancer – pro

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is different and distinct from other lung cancers, called non–small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), because SCLC exhibits aggressive behavior, with rapid growth, early spread to distant sites, exquisite sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiation, and frequent association with distinct paraneoplastic syndromes. Patients with disease confined to one hemithorax, with or without mediastinal, contralateral hilar, or ipsilateral

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Abraxane and Avastin for lung cancer – pro

Lay Summary: One phase II study suggests high response rates for Abraxane and Avastin in nonsmall lung cancer. The combination of Abraxane (albumin bound paclitaxel) and Paraplatin® (carboplatin) and Avastin (bevacizumab) provides responses or disease stabilization in over 75% of patients with chemotherapy-naïve, advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These results were presented at the 2006 annual Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium. Abraxane

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Erbitux for lung cancer – pro

Lay Summary: Erbitux is proving to be an active and important agent for lung cancer. Erbitux binds specifically to epidermal growth factor receptors on both normal and tumor cells, and competitively inhibits the binding of epidermal growth factor and other ligands. It is approved for use in combination with irinotecan to treat patients with EGFR-expressing metastatic colorectal cancer who are refractory to irinotecan-based chemotherapy and as a

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Single agent Taxol for relapsed small cell lung cancer – pro

Small cell lung cancer that progresses after first line chemotherapy has a poor prognosis. A variety of treatments are available, among them single agent Taxol.The literature contains studies in various schedules, including weekly and dose-dense, as well as various combination therapies. Single agent Taxol is also listed for sequential use by NCCN. However, combination regimesn with Taxol have some phase II data, but are not supported by guidelines,

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