Gastrointestinal Cancer | Specialty

FDA Approves Frontline Panitumumab for KRAS Wild-type mCRC

May 23rd 2014

The FDA has expanded the approval of panitumumab to include the frontline treatment of patients with KRAS wild-type mCRC in combination with chemotherapy.

Studies Link Higher Vitamin D Levels With Improved Cancer Prognosis

May 23rd 2014

Two recently published clinical studies demonstrated a strong association between higher levels of vitamin D and improved outcomes among patients with various cancers.

After Colorectal Cancer Spreads, Additional Imaging Adds Little Benefit

May 20th 2014

For patients whose colorectal cancer has spread to the liver, and confirmed by computed tomography (CT), further imaging scans before surgery added little benefit when compared to patients who did not undergo further imaging.

Dr. Bendell on a Study of Onartuzumab Plus Bevacizumab for mCRC

May 13th 2014

Johanna Bendell, MD, discusses the rationale of a phase II trial looking at onartuzumab (MetMAb) and bevacizumab for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

TAS-102 Extends Survival in Heavily Pretreated Colorectal Cancer

May 12th 2014

Treatment with the investigational oral agent TAS-102 significantly improved overall survival in a phase III trial for patients with heavily pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer.

Dr. Abou-Alfa on Embolization Versus Embolization Plus Systemic Therapy in HCC

May 6th 2014

Ghassan K. Abou-Alfa, MD, Gastrointestinal Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses a retrospective analysis that evaluated embolization versus embolization plus systemic therapy in patients with metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

MM-398 Improves OS in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

May 1st 2014

The addition of the investigational agent MM-398 (PEP02) to standard second-line chemotherapy significantly improved overall survival in a phase III trial for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Ramanathan on Gemcitabine and Nab-Paclitaxel in Pancreatic Cancer

April 30th 2014

Ramesh K. Ramanathan, MD, describes a phase II study that analyzed gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel followed by consolidation with mFOLFIRINOX in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Kunz on Identifying Gastric Cancer Subtypes

April 23rd 2014

Pamela L. Kunz, MD, assistant professor of medicine, Oncology, Stanford University Medical Center, discusses the effort to identify molecular subtypes of gastric cancer.

FDA Approves Ramucirumab for Gastric and GEJ Adenocarcinoma

April 21st 2014

The FDA has approved the VEGFR-2 inhibitor ramucirumab as a treatment for patients with patients with unresectable gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, based on a significant extension in OS.

Aduro BioTech Immunotherapy Duo Shows Promise in Pancreatic Cancer

April 3rd 2014

The use of immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer has had limited exposure, but Aduro BioTech, Inc, has had phase II success with an approach in which two vaccines are administered. The vaccines, GVAX Pancreas and CRS-207, are administered to patients sequentially.

Nab-Paclitaxel Therapy in Pancreatic Cancer Deemed Patient Friendly

March 28th 2014

A recently approved indication for nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane) in metastatic pancreatic cancer is thought to have similar efficacy to a standard first-line treatment for the disease, but offers several advantages in the eyes of community oncologists and their patients

FDA Panel Unanimously Recommends New DNA Stool Test

March 27th 2014

The FDA's Molecular and Clinical Genetics advisory committee has unanimously supported the safety, efficacy, and positive risk-benefit profile of the noninvasive stool-based DNA test Cologuard in a 10-0 vote.

FDA Panel Narrowly Supports New CRC Blood Test

March 27th 2014

The blood-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test Epi proColon passed the scrutiny of the FDA's Molecular and Clinical Genetics advisory panel in a close 5-4 vote with 1 abstention in support of the claim that the test's benefits outweigh its risks

G-202 Represents Novel Approach for Attacking Advanced HCC

March 24th 2014

Prodrug chemotherapy is an exciting approach by which higher concentrations of cytotoxic or biologically active agents can be achieved at a tumor site while avoiding the systemic toxicity of a non-cell-specific toxin.

Dr. Bordonaro on the Treatment of Advanced CRC

March 13th 2014

Roberto Bordonaro, MD, chair, medical oncology, Garibaldi Hospital, Catania, Italy, discusses treatment options for patients with colorectal cancer who fail on oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy.

Dr. Peeters on the Future of Colorectal Cancer

March 11th 2014

Marc Peeters, MD, PhD, department of oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerpen, Belgium, discusses the future of the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Dr. Fine on GTX in Inoperable Pancreatic Cancer

March 5th 2014

Robert L. Fine, MD, an associate professor of Medicine at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia University Medical Center, discusses a phase II study that evaluated the efficacy of neoadjuvant gemcitabine, docetaxel, and capecitabine (GTX) in patients with inoperable pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Conclusion: Effective Sequencing of Treatments for pNETs

February 28th 2014

Treatment Sequencing and Combinations in pNETs

February 28th 2014