0000000000324197
AUTHOR
Erika Martinelli
Cetuximab administered once every second week to patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: a two-part pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic phase I dose-escalation study
Abstract Background This phase I dose-escalation study was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended dose of cetuximab administered on an every-second-week schedule to patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, on the basis of safety, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation. Patients and methods The study comprised two parts: a 6-week cetuximab monotherapy dose-escalation phase and a subsequent combination therapy phase, during which patients received cetuximab, at the same dose/schedule as in the monotherapy phase, followed by irinotecan plus infusional 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid (FOLFIRI). Patients in the control group received cetuximab as a 400 mg/m…
Phase III study of regorafenib versus placebo as maintenance therapy in RAS wild type metastatic colorectal cancer (RAVELLO trial)
TPS789 Background: Treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has improved due to the introduction of more active chemotherapies (CT) and novel targeted agents that have significantly increased response rate (RR), progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Recently, CORRECT and CONCUR trials have demonstrated both activity and efficacy of regorafenib, a small multi-kinase inhibitor, as monotherapy in pretreated mCRC. The wide range of action of regorafenib makes it an ideal candidate for monotherapy in earlier disease treatment lines in which different pathways could be involved in the acquisition of resistance. To improve long term efficacy of first line therapy seve…
Current perspectives in cell-based approaches towards the definition of the antioxidant activity in food
Abstract Background Foods are natural sources of antioxidant compounds, that are known for their role in preventing many human diseases. Although several methods to assess the antioxidant activity/capacity of foods and their bioactive components have been developed, a simple universal method has not been proposed. Since both in vitro and in vivo assays have limitations, cell-based assays are gaining plenty of attention as a more suitable middle ground between in vitro chemical assays and in vivo studies. Scope and approach This review highlights the need for a transition to more biologically relevant cellular assays, and explores the latest developments and applications in the field. Lastly…
Career opportunities and benefits for young oncologists in the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) is one of the leading societies of oncology professionals in the world. Approximately 30% of the 13 000 ESMO members are below the age of 40 and thus meet the society's definition of young oncologists (YOs). ESMO has identified the training and development of YOs as a priority and has therefore established a comprehensive career development programme. This includes a leadership development programme to help identify and develop the future leaders in oncology. Well-trained and highly motivated future generations of multidisciplinary oncologists are essential to ensure the optimal evolution of the field of oncology with the ultimate goal of pro…
Pan-Asian adapted ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis treatment and follow-up of patients with localised colon cancer
The most recent version of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of localised colon cancer was published in 2020. It was decided by both the ESMO and the Japanese Society of Medical Oncology (JSMO) to convene a special virtual guidelines meeting in March 2021 to adapt the ESMO 2020 guidelines to take into account the ethnic differences associated with the treatment of localised colon cancer in Asian patients. These guidelines represent the consensus opinions reached by experts in the treatment of patients with localised colon cancer representing the oncological societies of Japan (JSMO), China (CSCO), India (…
Exploratory findings from a prematurely closed international, multicentre, academic trial: RAVELLO, a phase III study of regorafenib versus placebo as maintenance therapy after first-line treatment in RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer
Background In patients with RAS wild-type (WT) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), the role of maintenance therapy after first-line treatment with chemotherapy plus antiepidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) is still an object of debate. Methods We assessed the efficacy and safety of regorafenib as a switch maintenance strategy after upfront 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy plus an anti- EGFR MoAb in patients with RAS WT mCRC. RAVELLO was a phase III, international, double-blind, placebocontrolled, academic trial. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival and toxicity. Regorafenib or placebo were a…
Heterogeneity of KRAS, NRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA mutations in metastatic colorectal cancer and potential effects on therapy in the CAPRI GOIM trial
Background: Evidence suggests that metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC) has a high level of intratumor heterogeneity. We carried out a quantitative assessment of tumor heterogeneity for KRAS, NRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA mutations, in order to assess potential clinical implications. Patients and methods: Tumor samples (n = 182) from the CAPRI-GOIM trial of first-line cetuximab + FOLFIRI in KRAS exon-2 wild-type mCRC patients were assessed by next-generation sequencing that allows quantitative assessment of mutant genes. Mutant allelic frequency was normalized for the neoplastic cell content and, assuming that somatic mutations usually affect one allele, the Heterogeneity Score (HS) was calculate…
Hereditary gastrointestinal cancers: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.
Knowledge of genetic susceptibility to gastrointestinal cancers is constantly evolving with identification of new genes. Similarly, a better understanding of the genotype/phenotype relationship in patients with Lynch syndrome (LS) or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is leading to more individualised surveillance recommendations. In addition, molecular profiling of patients with cancer has been shown to guide targeted therapies, such as immunotherapy. Specialists involved in the care of patients with gastrointestinal cancer should be familiar with the main hereditary cancer syndromes and refer patients to specialised cancer genetic units for adequate genetic counselling and to address sp…
PD-0024 Phase I/II Study of Folfiri Plus the MEK1/2 Inhibitor Pimasertib (MSC1936369B) as Second-Line Treatment for KRAS Mutated Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
ABSTRACT Introduction Pimasertib is a highly selective inhibitor of the MEK1/2 kinases of the MAPK pathway. It demonstrates potent antitumor activity in cell lines and xenograft models with activating (mainly BRAF and KRAS) mutations. A two-part study, comprising a safety run-in part followed by a randomized phase II part, was designed to investigate FOLFIRI plus pimasertib as second-line treatment for patients with KRAS mutated (mt) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The results of the safety run-in part, conducted primarily to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the recommended phase II dose (RP2D), are reported here. Methods Patients with KRAS mt mCRC progressing on first-li…
Pan-Asian adapted ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of patients with intermediate and advanced/relapsed hepatocellular carcinoma: a TOS–ESMO initiative endorsed by CSCO, ISMPO, JSMO, KSMO, MOS and SSO
The most recent version of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was published in 2018, and covered the diagnosis, management, treatment and follow-up of early, intermediate and advanced disease. At the ESMO Asia Meeting in November 2018 it was decided by both the ESMO and the Taiwan Oncology Society (TOS) to convene a special guidelines meeting immediately after the Taiwan Joint Cancer Conference (TJCC) in May 2019 in Taipei. The aim was to adapt the ESMO 2018 guidelines to take into account both the ethnic and the geographic differences in practice associated with the treat…
Retrospective Study of Regorafenib Versus TAS-102 Efficacy and Safety in Chemorefractory Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC) Patients: A Multi-institution Real Life Clinical Data
INTRODUCTION: There have been significant developments in colorectal cancer (CRC) research over the last few years, with the introduction of new agents that have been prolonged median overall survival of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). These therapies have improved patient outcomes; however, despite significant progress in strategies for cancer treatment, their use is limited by development of resistant mechanism. Almost 30% of patients with refractory mCRC will remain good candidates for further treatment. Regorafenib and TAS-102 are novel antitumor agents for patients with refractory mCRC. However, it is unclear which patients may derive a survival benefit from these drugs in real-li…