Exosomes isolation and characterization in non small cell lung carcinoma patients: Proof of concept study.

2015

11101 Background: The liquid biopsy is a noninvasive tool that could change the vision of diagnostic, prognostic and predictive analysis in oncology. In the liquid biopsy potential blood-based biom...

Trifluridine/tipiracil : an emerging strategy for the management of gastrointestinal cancers

2018

Fluoropyrimidines are currently the backbone of treatment for gastrointestinal (GI) cancers but development of resistance to these agents remains a major problem. Trifluridine/tipiracil is an oral chemotherapeutic agent recently approved for third-line treatment of chemorefractory metastatic colorectal cancer. This article reviews the clinical value of trifluridine/tipiracil as a monotherapy, including recent trials in GI cancers, and the potential benefit of combining it with other agents in patients with GI cancers, including the preclinical rationale for combination therapy and recently completed and ongoing clinical trials. Data gathered so far suggest that trifluridine/tipiracil has t…

Targeting Angiogenesis in Biliary Tract Cancers: An Open Option

2017

Abstract: Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are characterized by a bad prognosis and the armamentarium of drugs for their treatment is very poor. Although the inflammatory status of biliary tract represents the first step in the cancerogenesis, the microenvironment also plays a key role in the pathogenesis of BTCs, promoting tumor angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. Several molecules, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF), are involved in the angiogenesis process and their expression on tumor samples has been explored as prognostic marker in both cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer. Recent studies evaluated the genomic landscape of BTCs and…

Can curcumin induces selective packaging of miRNAs in exosomes? A pilot study in chronic myelogenous leukemia cells.

2015

e13563 Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia is a myeloproliferative disorder that comes from a hematopoietic stem cell or a multipotent progenitor. Exosomes are biological nanovescicles (40-100 nm)...

Liquid Biopsy in Colorectal Cancer

2017

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. Oncological CRC treatment is changing gradually replacing ancient drugs with the newest targeted agents (target therapy) and immunotherapy. The correct use of these molecular agents is based on a series of genetic evaluations able to predict treatment response. The tissue evaluation of these predictors is generally fully of serious limitations among which the invasiveness of the tissue biopsy procedure and its non-informative quality compared to the entire neoplastic mass. For these reasons, liquid biopsy could represent an ideal tool to obtain easily and quickly the necessary information to decide the best therapeutic strat…

The role of targeted therapy for gastrointestinal tumors

2014

Abstract: Many targeted drugs have been studied to target the molecular pathways involved in the development of gastrointestinal cancers. Anti-VEGF, anti-EGFR agents, and recently also multi-kinase inhibitor regorafenib, have already been available for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer patients. To date, Her-2 positive, gastric cancer patients, are also treated with trastuzumab, while the multi-targeted inhibitor, sorafenib, represents the standard treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Finally, sunitinib and everolimus, have been approved for the treatment of the neuroendocrine gastroenteropancreatic tumors. Actually a great number of further drugs are under preclinic…

Final results from a randomized phase 3 study of FOLFIRI \pm$ panitumumab for second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer

2013

Abstract: Background: The study 20050181 demonstrated significant improvements in progression-free survival (PFS), objective response, and a nonsignificant trend toward increased overall survival (OS) with panitumumab-FOLFIRI versus FOLFIRI alone for second-line wild-type (WT) KRAS metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Updated long-term data from a prespecified descriptive analysis are reported. Patients and methods: Patients receiving one prior mCRC treatment were randomly assigned (1:1) to panitumumab (6.0 mg/kg)-FOLFIRI versus FOLFIRI every 2 weeks. Co-primary end points (PFS and OS) were prospectively analyzed by tumor KRAS status. Results: One thousand one hundred and eighty-six patient…

Management of Toxicity Induced by Anti-EGFR Therapy in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

2013

Use of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) agents has yielded significant advances in the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. In fact these drugs, which include the monoclonal antibodies cetuximab and panitumumab, can be delivered both as a single agent and in combination with chemotherapy, achieving better survival and quality of life and in some cases also resectability of metastases. However, these agents can result in the development of toxicities that are usually different from those observed with chemotherapy alone. For the management of these adverse effects, proper knowledge is mandatory. Skin toxicity is the most frequent adverse effect. Other tox…

Targeted Therapies for Colorectal Cancer

2015

In the last decades, the standard chemotherapeutic approach for the metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treatment was represented by a 5-FU-based regimen with the addition of either oxaliplatin or irinotecan. Recent discoveries in the molecular biology field led to the spread of so-called targeted agents whose mechanism of action is based on the binding with specific target molecules (cellular receptors or soluble proteins) responsible for the activation of many transduction pathways required for malignant cell growth and survival. Among these, the most important consist of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and the tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). As a consequence, the different mechanism of a…

Corrigendum to “Liquid biopsies in lung cancer: The new ambrosia of researchers” [Biochem. Biophys. Act. 1846(2014) 539–546]

2015

a Phase I — Early Clinical Trials Unit, Oncology Department, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem 2650, Belgium b Molecular Pathology Unit, Pathology Department, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem 2650, Belgium c Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Section of Medical Oncology, University of Palermo, Via Liborio Giuffre 5, Palermo 90127, Italy d Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Holcombe Blvd 1400, Unit 455, Houston 77030, USA e Department of Biopathology and Medical and Forensic Biotechnologies, Section of Biology and Genetics, University of Palermo, V…

Prognostic and predictive value of primary tumour side in patients with RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer treated with chemotherapy and EGFR…

2017

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is a genetically heterogeneous disease and that tumours arising from different sides of the colon (left versus right) have different clinical outcomes. Furthermore, previous analyses comparing the activity of different classes of targeted agents in patients with KRAS wild-type (wt) or RAS wt mCRC suggest that primary tumour location (side), might be both prognostic and predictive for clinical outcome. METHODS: This retrospective analysis investigated the prognostic and predictive influence of the localization of the primary tumour in patients with unresectable RAS wt mCRC included in six randomized trials (CRY…

Cancer of Exocrine Pancreas

2021

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma represents today a real challenge for oncologists all around the world: it is the 11th most common cancer worldwide, and the 7th deadliest, with a steadily increasing number of new cases every year. Many risk factors, both environmental and genetic, have been identified, the most important of which are excessive body weight, diabetes, and smoking; also, new diagnostic techniques, such as spiral TC, MRCP, and EUS, have improved the ability to diagnose this disease at an early stage. Nevertheless, pancreatic cancer is a silent disease, with few or no symptoms and signs until late stages: the vast majority of patients are inoperable at the time of diagnosis, with eith…

VIPoma and PPoma

2015

Gastrinomas are rare tumors of the neuroendocrine system, occurring within the pancreas and duodenum. The annual incidence is estimated at 0.5 per million of the population [1]. Overproduction of gastrin by these tumors produces a sustained increase in gastric acid secretion, leading to clinical manifestations of complicated peptic ulcer disease known as the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) [2]. Although most gastrinomas grow slowly, over 60 % are malignant and 25 % show rapid aggressive behavior [3-5]. Most commonly gastrinomas metastasize to regional lymph nodes and the liver, and it is this malignant potential which has become increasingly important since the introduction of effective me…

Gastric Cancer: Locoregional Disease

2021

Gastric cancer (GC) is still a worldwide major leading cause of cancer death which shows large geographical differences. Despite an overall decline in incidence and mortality over the last decades, GC remains a poor prognosis disease since patients often present with advanced stage of disease. A large number of risk factors have been associated with GC. Thus, prevention (environment and lifestyle factors) and early diagnosis may be the most promising strategies for cancer control and key strategies to reduce mortality. Surgical resection remains the main form of curative treatment whenever feasible. Endoscopic approaches have been used as valid alternatives to surgery for selected patients.…

How to find the Ariadne's thread in the labyrinth of salvage treatment options for metastatic colorectal cancer?

2014

Abstract: Since a chance for cure was found out in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients undergoing a resection of liver and lung metastases, high tumor shrinkage by chemotherapy regimens and their combination with targeted agents have been addressed in potentially resectable mCRC. However, most mCRC patients cannot reach this opportunity because of tumor burden or metastatic sites. For these patients a salvage systemic therapy could be offered to prolong survival. To date, a huge number of clinical trials provided some evidences for the achievement of this goal. A lot of chemotherapeutic regimens in combination with biological therapies are now available. We tried to propose a simpl…

Analysis of KRAS/NRAS mutations in a phase III study of panitumumab with FOLFIRI compared with FOLFIRI alone as second-line treatment for metastatic …

2015

Abstract Purpose: We evaluated the influence of RAS mutation status on the treatment effect of panitumumab in a prospective–retrospective analysis of a randomized, multicenter phase III study of panitumumab plus fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) versus FOLFIRI alone as second-line therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC; ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT0039183). Experimental Design: Outcomes were from the study's primary analysis. RAS mutations beyond KRAS exon 2 (KRAS exons 3, 4; NRAS exons 2, 3, 4; BRAF exon 15) were detected by bidirectional Sanger sequencing in wild-type KRAS exon 2 tumor specimens. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) we…

Follow up analysis by exosomal miRNAs in EGFR mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients during osimertinib (AZD9291) treatment: A potential…

2016

e23035Background: NSCLC patients harboring EGFR mutations are able to receive approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) but to better assess the treatment responses new tools are needed. Liquid bi...

Cancer and the microbiome : potential applications as new tumor biomarker

2015

Abstract: Microbial communities that colonize in humans are collectively described as microbiome. According to conservative estimates, about 15% of all types of neoplasms are related to different infective agents. However, current knowledge is not sufficient to explain how the microbiome contributes to the growth and development of cancers. Large and thorough studies involving colonized, diverse and complex microbiome entities are required to identify microbiome as a potential cancer marker and to understand how the immune system is involved in response to pathogens. This article reviews the existing evidence supporting the enigmatic association of transformed microbiome with the developmen…

Use of the word "cured" for cancer patients-implications for patients and physicians: the Siracusa charter

2015

Long-term survival for adult patients with solid tumours continues to increase. For some cancers, the possibility of recurrence after a number of years is extremely low, and the risk of death becomes similar to that of the general population of the same sex and age. During the Fifth European Conference on Survivors and Chronic Cancer Patients held in Siracusa, Italy, June 2014, oncologists, general practitioners, epidemiologists, cancer patients and survivors, and patient advocates joined to discuss the possible use of the term “cured” in reference to some adult patients with solid tumours. The specific focus was the appropriateness of using the term in communicating with cancer patients, s…

Adjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy in Gastric Cancer: Critically Reviewing the Past and Visualizing the Next Step Forward

2015

Gastric cancer remains one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Despite the significant advances in surgical treatment and multimodality strategies, prognosis has modestly improved over the last two decades. Locoregional relapse remains one of the main issues and the combined chemoradiation treatment seems to be one of the preferred approaches. However, more than ten years after the hallmark INT-0116 trial, minimal progress has been made both in terms of effectiveness and toxicity. Moreover, new regimens added to combined therapy failed to prove favourable results. Herein, we attempt a thorough literature review comparing pros and cons of all relative studies and potential bias, targe…

Indications for Locoregional Tumor Therapies: CRC Liver Metastases

2018

The liver represents the most affected site in patients affected by colorectal carcinoma (mCRC) [1]. More than half cases develop colorectal liver metastases (CLMs) during the evolution of the disease, and about one-quarter occur at the disease onset [1, 2]. To date, the standard treatment of CLM is represented by liver surgery, which has allowed to achieve interesting long-term survival rates (40-60%) [3] in reported series, while it is less than 25% for patients who do not undergo surgery [4]. Unfortunately, most patients (80%), however, are not immediately eligible for surgery [5, 6]. For these patients, surgical treatment may be administered in combination with chemotherapy regimens (+/…

Updated analysis of KRAS/NRAS and BRAF mutations in study 20050181 of panitumumab (pmab) plus FOLFIRI for second-line treatment (tx) of metastatic co…

2014

3568 Background: Previously, extended RAS analysis from this study showed a trend toward improvements in HR on OS and PFS with pmab + FOLFIRI vs FOLFIRI in WT RAS group vs WT KRAS exon 2 group. Her...

71P Exosomes isolated in plasma of non-small cell lung cancer patients contain microRNA related to the EGFR pathway: Proof of concept

2016

Final results of study 20050181: A randomized phase III study of FOLFIRI with our without panitumumab (pmab) for the second‑line treatment (tx) of me…

2012

3535 Background: The primary analysis of study 20050181 showed that in patients (pts) with wild-type (WT) KRAS mCRC, pmab plus FOLFIRI given as second-line therapy significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) vs FOLFIRI alone. Here, we report on a prespecified descriptive analysis planned for 30 months (mos) after the last pt was enrolled. Methods: Pts with mCRC, ECOG 0-2, who had one prior fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy regimen were randomized 1:1 to pmab 6.0 mg/kg Q2W+FOLFIRI (Arm 1) vs FOLFIRI (Arm 2). Co-primary endpoints were OS and PFS (central assessment). Secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR) and safety. Tumor KRAS status was determined by a blin…

Entrectinib: a potent new TRK, ROS1, and ALK inhibitor

2015

Abstract: Introduction: Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and their signaling pathways, control normal cellular processes; however, their deregulation play important roles in malignant transformation. In advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the recognition of oncogenic activation of specific RTKs, has led to the development of molecularly targeted agents that only benefit roughly 20% of patients. Entrectinib is a pan-TRK, ROS1 and ALK inhibitor that has shown potent anti-neoplastic activity and tolerability in various neoplastic conditions, particularly NSCLC. Areas covered: This review outlines the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, mechanism of action, safety, tolerability, pre-cl…

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, multinational, phase II trial immunotherapy with L-BLP25 (tecemotide) in patients with c…

2013

TPS3124^ Background: 15-20% of all patients (pts) diagnosed with colorectal cancer (crc) develop metastases (mets) surgical resection remains the only potentially curative treatment available. Current 5-year survival rate following R0 resection of liver mets lies between 28-39%, recurrence occurs in up to 70% of pts. To date, adjuvant chemotherapy has not significantly improved clinical outcomes. The primary objective of the ongoing LICC trial (L-BLP25 In Colorectal Cancer) is to determine whether L-BLP25, an active MUC1-specific cancer immunotherapy, extends recurrence-free survival (RFS) time over placebo in crc pts following R0/R1 resection of liver mets known to highly express MUC1 gly…

Exosomes isolation and characterization in serum is feasible in non-small cell lung cancer patients: critical analysis of evidence and potential role…

2016

// Simona Taverna 1,2,* , Marco Giallombardo 1,3,* , Ignacio Gil-Bazo 4 , Anna Paola Carreca 3 , Marta Castiglia 3 , Jorge Chacartegui 3 , Antonio Araujo 5 , Riccardo Alessandro 1,2 , Patrick Pauwels 6 , Marc Peeters 7 and Christian Rolfo 3 1 Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnology, Section of Biology and Genetics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy 2 Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology (IBIM), National Research Council, Palermo, Italy 3 Phase I-Early Clinical Trials Unit, Oncology Department, Antwerp University Hospital (UZA) and Center for Oncological Research (CORE) Antwerp University, Wilrijkstraat, Edegem, Antwerp, Belgium 4 Department of Oncology, Clinica…

Abstract 448: Molecular analysis of BRAF gene and PTEN gene expression in metastatic colorectal cancer patients: Feasibility study

2014

Abstract Introduction There are numerous causes triggering CRC. 25-80% of CRC shown a deregulation in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) pathway. Two signaling pathways downstream of the EGFR are dysregulated in CRC the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. Activating mutations in KRAS and BRAF (MAPK pathway) and PIK3CA affect prognosis and/or response to anti-EGFR MoAb. PTEN is a downstream effector of EGFR pathway and is involved in PI3K pathway. Loss of PTEN protein expression can occur through epigenetic silencing and mutation or allelic loss. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is the most effective way to assay for loss of PTEN expressio…

Multisciplinary management of patients with liver metastasis from colorectal cancer

2016

Abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy have been till now the main therapeutic strategies for disease control and improvement of the overall survival. Twenty-five per cent (25%) of CRC patients have clinically detectable liver metastases at the initial diagnosis and approximately 50% develop liver metastases during their disease course. Twenty-thirty per cent (20%-30%) are CRC patients with metastases confined to the liver. Some years ago various studies showed a curative potential for liver metastases resection. For this reason some authors proposed the conversion of unresectable liver metastases to res…

Abstract 3382: Exosomes analysis in non-small cell lung cancer: looking for a clinical application

2015

Abstract BACKGROUND Cancer cells produce a heterogeneous mixture of vesicular, organelle-like structures (microvesicles or MVs) into their surroundings including blood and body fluid. In particular exosomes are biological nanovescicles (40-100 nm) that are formed by the inward budding of multivescicular bodies (MVB), as a component of the endocytic pathway. They are released from different cell types under both normal and pathological conditions. Exosomal content is composed by proteins, DNA, mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) that are transferred to distant site and mediate inter-cellular communication. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The aim of this pilot study is to investigate whether exosomes isolation fr…

Dilemma in metastatic colorectal cancer: VEGF versus EGRF targeting

2013

Abstract: The modern approach for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients is based on the identification of oncogenic pathways, which could be targeted by specific molecules. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)- and epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR)-related pathways represent the most important biological mechanisms for cancer development and progression. However, the most significant results by VEGF and EGFR targeting could be achieved through the combination of these drugs with standard chemotherapeutic regimens. These strategies aim to improve the resectability of liver and lung metastases. For those patients who cannot be eligible for metastases resection, a 'continuum…

TNF-alpha gene promoter polymorphisms and risk of venous thromboembolism in gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

2013

Abstract Background TNF-α has been proposed as a predictive factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Genetic polymorphisms could regulate TNF-α production. However, the relationship between TNFA gene variants and VTE is not clarified. This study aims to investigate the predictive role of five different TNFA gene promoter SNPs, or their haplotype combination(s), for a first VTE episode in gastrointestinal cancer out-patients treated with chemotherapy. Patients and methods Serum TNF-α levels and TNFA -863C/A, -857C/T, -376G/A, -308G/A and -238G/A gene promoter polymorphisms were retrospectively evaluated in 314 subjects, including 157 controls and 157 Caucasian patients with histologically di…

New findings on primary and acquired resistance to anti-EGFR therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer: Do all roads lead to RAS?

2015

Abstract: Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy with the monoclonal antibodies cetuximab and panitumumab is the main targeted treatment to combine with standard chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. Many clinical studies have shown the benefit of the addition of these agents for patients without mutations in the EGFR pathway. Many biomarkers, including KRAS and NRAS mutations, BRAF mutations, PIK3CA mutations, PTEN loss, AREG and EREG expression, and HER-2 amplification have already been identified to select responders to anti-EGFR agents. Among these alterations KRAS and NRAS mutations are currently recognized as the best predictive factors for primary resistance. Liquid b…

Molecular profiling of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETS) and the clinical potential

2018

Abstract: Introduction: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) represent a small part of pancreatic neoplasms, and the knowledge about their indolent clinical course remains a subject of investigation. They occur sporadically or as part of familial cancer syndromes and are classified by WHO in 3 categories. There is ongoing research to understand their molecular profiling and leading mutations.Areas covered: The aim of this review is to clarify the overall aspects of tumorigenesis, to expose the latest developments in understanding the course of the disease and the possible therapeutic implications of these. The review also discusses functional and non-functional pNETs and associated inhe…

Novel therapeutic strategies for patients with NSCLC that do not respond to treatment with EGFR inhibitors

2014

Abstract: Introduction: Treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) yields tumour responses in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harbouring activating EGFR mutations. However, even in long-lasting responses, resistance to EGFR TKIs invariably occurs. Areas covered: This review examines resistance mechanisms to EGFR TKI treatment, which mainly arise from secondary EGFR mutations. Other resistance-inducing processes include mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) amplification, epithelial-mesenchymal transformation, phenotypic change from NSCLC to small-cell lung carcinoma, and modifications in parallel signalling pathways. Current…

Prospective validation of a lymphocyte infiltration prognostic test in stage III colon cancer patients treated with adjuvant FOLFOX.

2017

IF 6.029; International audience; BackgroundThe prognostic value of lymphocyte infiltration (LI) of colorectal carcinoma (CC) has been demonstrated by several groups. However, no validated test is currently available for clinical practice. We previously described an automated and reproducible method for testing LI and aimed to validate it for clinical use.Patients and methodsAccording to National Institutes of Health criteria, we designed a prospective validation of this biomarker in patients included in the PETACC8 phase III study. Primary objective was to compare percentage of patients alive and without recurrence at 2 years in patients with high versus low LI (#NCT02364024). Associations…

Exosomal miRNA analysis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients' plasma through qPCR : a feasible liquid biopsy tool

2016

Abstract: The discovery of alterations in the EGFR and ALK genes, amongst others, in NSCLC has driven the development of targeted-drug therapy using selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). To optimize the use of these TKIs, the discovery of new biomarkers for early detection and disease progression is mandatory. These plasma-isolated exosomes can be used as a non-invasive and repeatable way for the detection and followup of these biomarkers. One ml of plasma from 12 NSCLC patients, with different mutations and treatments (and 6 healthy donors as controls), were used as exosome sources. After RNAse treatment, in order to degrade circulating miRNAs, the exosomes were isolated with a comm…

Exosomes in lung cancer liquid biopsies: Two sides of the same coin?

2017

LETTER TO EDITOR

Regulatory Functions of MicroRNAs in Cancer Pathogenesis

2021

Abstract- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a large family of evolutionary conserved small non-coding RNA molecules that firstly discovered in 1993. They regulate gene expression of about 50% of protein-coding genes at the post-transcriptional level. MiRNAs can target numerous messenger RNAs and subsequent misexpression of them can affect many different signaling pathways. They are playing a pivotal role in cancer development by regulation of the genes expression which involved in the proliferation, survival, differentiation, apoptosis or metastasis of the cancer cells. Several treatment approaches such as inhibition of oncomiRs and restoration of tumor suppressor miRNAs have been established in certa…

Adjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy in Gastric Cancer: Critically Reviewing the Past and Visualizing the Next Step Forward

2015

Gastric cancer remains one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Despite the significant advances in surgical treatment and multimodality strategies, prognosis has modestly improved over the last two decades. Locoregional relapse remains one of the main issues and the combined chemoradiation treatment seems to be one of the preferred approaches. However, more than ten years after the hallmark INT-0116 trial, minimal progress has been made both in terms of effectiveness and toxicity. Moreover, new regimens added to combined therapy failed to prove favourable results. Herein, we attempt a thorough literature review comparing pros and cons of all relative studies and potential bias, targe…