New oral multitargeted antiangiogenics in non-small-cell lung cancer treatment.

Future Oncol. 2012 May;8(5):559-73

Authors: Gori B, Ricciardi S, Fulvi A, Del Signore E, de Marinis F

Abstract
Non-small-cell lung cancer is a particularly aggressive cancer. Combination chemotherapy remains the standard therapy for patients with advanced or metastatic disease. However, despite the available treatment options for patients who progress beyond first-line therapy, prognosis remains poor. Angiogenesis is a tightly regulated process controlled by a delicate balance between pro- and antiangiogenic factors and their receptors; tumors induce angiogenesis by disrupting this balance and secreting various growth factors. Inhibition of tumor-related angiogenesis has become an attractive target for anticancer therapy. Antiangiogenic strategy includes monoclonal antibodies against VEGF and VEGF receptor and small molecule inhibitors of VEGF tyrosine kinase activity (tyrosine kinase inhibitors). Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are orally active, small molecules that represent a new class of drugs with a relatively high safety profile. They are targeted therapies that play their anticancer role interfering with specific cell signaling. This review focuses on such oral antiangiogenic agents that have been approved and are in advanced clinical development for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

PMID: 22646771 [PubMed - in process]

Stereotactic Conformal Radiotherapy in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer - An Overview.

Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 2012 May 28;

Authors: Munshi A, Krishnatry R, Banerjee S, Agarwal JP

Abstract
Stereotactic conformal radiotherapy is an established technique in treating cranial lesions and has made significant inroads in the treatment of extracranial sites as well. Early stage non-small cell lung cancer is one such site. This overview assesses the results that have been achieved with stereotactic conformal radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer so far and compares its efficacy with surgical and other non-surgical modalities.

PMID: 22647347 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Role of MicroRNAs in Lung Cancer: MicroRNA Signatures in Cancer Prognosis.

Cancer J. 2012 May;18(3):268-74

Authors: Boeri M, Pastorino U, Sozzi G

Abstract
ABSTRACT: Lung cancer-related mortality is the most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Detecting lung cancer at an earlier stage and, ideally, predicting who will develop the disease and particularly the most aggressive forms of cancer are the biggest challenge. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, noncoding RNA molecules with regulatory function on protein-coding genes. Because of their fundamental role in development and differentiation, their involvement in the biological mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis, as well as their low complexity, stability, and easy detection, they represent a promising class of tissue- and blood-based biomarkers of cancer. We summarize the current literature on the use of microRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic tools in lung cancer and discuss the relevant clinical implications of these findings.

PMID: 22647364 [PubMed - in process]

Discordance Between Conclusions Stated in the Abstract and Conclusions in the Article: Analysis of Published Randomized Controlled Trials of Systemic Therapy in Lung Cancer.

J Clin Oncol. 2012 May 29;

Authors: Altwairgi AK, Booth CM, Hopman WM, Baetz TD

Abstract
PURPOSEClinicians may read only the abstract of an article to keep abreast of newly published randomized controlled trials (RCTs). However, discordances have been noticed in summary conclusions in the abstracts and the main body of some articles. This article evaluated such discordances in detail. METHODSRCTs of systemic therapy for lung cancer published between 2004 and 2009 were considered. CONCLUSIONS in the body of the articles and those in the abstracts were graded by using a 7-point Likert scale; 1 for strong endorsement of the control arm, 4 for a neutral statement, and 7 for strong endorsement of the experimental arm. CONCLUSIONs were classified as discordant if the difference in scores was ≥ 2. χ(2) tests and logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with discordance.ResultsFrom among 114 eligible RCTs identified (90 for non-small-cell and 24 for small-cell lung cancer), 11 (10%) articles presented discordant conclusions in the abstract and in the body of the articles. Discordance was most common when the experimental arm was strongly supported in the abstract but not in the body of the article (nine of 11; 82%); however, the converse was much less common (two of 11; 18%; P < .001). Intraclass correlations for the two reviewers were ≥ 0.9. The discordances were found to be independent of trial-related factors.ConclusionConclusive statements in the abstract can differ from those in the full text. Clinicians should use caution when they consider making changes in their practice on the basis of reading only the abstract of a published RCT.

PMID: 22649130 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]