Immunotherapy in breast cancer: An overview of modern checkpoint blockade strategies and vaccines
Immune therapy has recently emerged as a standard-of-care strategy for the treatment of melanoma, lung cancer, bladder cancer, among other malignancies. However, the role of immune therapy in the treatment of breast cancer is still being determined. Two current strategies for harnessing the immune system to treat cancer include drugs that modulate key T cell inhibitory checkpoints and vaccines. Specifically, modern immune therapy strategies can facilitate T-cell mediated tumor regression by priming the immune system against specific tumor associated antigens, by modulating immunoregulatory signals, or both. (Source: Curren...
Source: Current Problems in Cancer - September 25, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Katherine Sanchez, David Page, Heather L. McArthur Tags: Massarweh: Breast Cancer Source Type: research
Evaluation of health-related quality of life and its main influencing factors in a Polish population of patients with bone metastases
Regardless of cancer type, the skeleton is one of the most common sites for cancer spread. Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) can be considered a primary endpoint in clinical trials concerning cancer patients with palliative disease. The proper measurement of this endpoint requires valid and reliable instruments. The aim of this study was to evaluate HRQoL and its main influencing factors using validated EORTC tools - the QLQ-C30 and the QLQ-BM22 in Polish population of patients with skeletal metastases. (Source: Current Problems in Cancer)
Source: Current Problems in Cancer - September 22, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Miros ława Püsküllüoğlu, Aneta L. Zygulska, Iwona M. Tomaszewska, Sebastian Ochenduszko, Kamil Konopka, Krzysztof A. Tomaszewski Source Type: research
Genetics of triple-negative breast cancer: Implications for patient care
Patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), defined as lacking expression of the estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER/PR) and amplification of the HER2 oncogene, often have a more aggressive disease course than do patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, including higher rates of visceral and central nervous system metastases, early cancer recurrences and deaths. Triple-negative breast cancer is associated with a young age at diagnosis and both African and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, the latter due to three common founder mutations in the highly penetrant cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 ...
Source: Current Problems in Cancer - September 22, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Anosheh Afghahi, Melinda L. Telli, Allison W. Kurian Source Type: research
Introduction to special issue on breast cancer
Breast cancer is a major global health problem that has significant ramifications for society and healthcare systems worldwide. Over the past decade, we have witnessed remarkable advances in breast cancer research and treatment, with a measurable impact on the outcome of patients with different subtypes of this disease. In this special issue of Current Problems in Cancer, we will review progress made in key areas of breast cancer and discuss challenges and future directions in each field. (Source: Current Problems in Cancer)
Source: Current Problems in Cancer - September 22, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Suleiman Alfred Massarweh Source Type: research
Targeting the androgen receptor in triple-negative breast cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a relatively new term first published in 2005,1 is used to describe a subset of breast cancers characterized by the absence of expression of the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), and human epidermal growth factor (HER2) protein. TNBC represents approximately 15%-20 % of all newly diagnosed breast cancers, but accounts for a disproportionate number of breast cancer-related deaths each year making up 5% of all cancer deaths annually.2,3 Owing to the lack of receptors, patients with TNBC do not benefit from generally well-tolerated and effective therapies targeting the ...
Source: Current Problems in Cancer - September 19, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Ayca Gucalp, Tiffany A. Traina Source Type: research
Palliative care and symptom management in amyloidosis: A review
The World Health Organization (WHO) definition of Palliative Care (PC) declares that PC may be incorporated into the management of any patient with a life-limiting illness, whether early in the illness trajectory in conjunction with disease-specific therapies, or at the end of life. This concept of simultaneous care is underscored by an integrated model1 of PC in combination with oncological care, a model supported by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and an important element of ASCO ′s vision for achieving comprehensive cancer care. (Source: Current Problems in Cancer)
Source: Current Problems in Cancer - September 19, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Jessica Tsukanov, Egidio Del Fabbro Source Type: research
Targeting the androgen receptor in triple negative breast cancer
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), a relatively new term first published in 2005,1 is used to describe a subset of breast cancers characterized by the absence of expression of the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), and HER2 protein. TNBC represents approximately 15 –20 % of all newly diagnosed breast cancers but accounts for a disproportionate number of breast cancer-related deaths each year making up 5% of all cancer deaths annually.2,3 Due to the lack of receptors, patients with TNBC do not benefit from generally well-tolerated and effective therapies targ eting the ER and HER2 and often experience...
Source: Current Problems in Cancer - September 19, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Ayca Gucalp, Tiffany A Traina Source Type: research
Metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer: Management, challenges, and future directions11Disclosure: Soleja: none; Rimawi: Research Grant (GlaxoSmithKline).
Approximately 15%-20% of breast cancers overexpress human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). HER2-positive breast cancers are more aggressive, have a propensity for central nervous system (CNS) metastasis, and, historically, carry a poor prognosis. However, with further understanding of HER signaling and development of targeted HER2 therapies, patient outcomes have improved dramatically. Despite significant improvement in treatment outcomes, treatment resistance remains a major clinical problem in metastatic HER2 breast cancer. (Source: Current Problems in Cancer)
Source: Current Problems in Cancer - September 18, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Mohsin Soleja, Mothaffar F. Rimawi Source Type: research
Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Management, Challenges, and Future Directions
HER2 is over-expressed or amplified in 15 –20% of breast cancer. Significant progress has been made in the treatment of metastatic HER2+ breast cancer. This is largely due to successful targeting of the HER2 pathway. There are several approved agents in the metastatic setting. However, treatment resistance frequently develops and tumors e ventually progress. In recent years, our understanding of mechanisms of resistance has evolved. It is generally accepted now that HER2-positive breast cancer is not one disease. (Source: Current Problems in Cancer)
Source: Current Problems in Cancer - September 18, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Mohsin Soleja, Mothaffar F. Rimawi Tags: Massarweh: Breast Cancer Source Type: research
Special considerations in the evaluation and management of breast cancer in men11This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 2600 men would be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States in 2016,1 which accounts for 1% of all breast cancer cases (in both sexes), and no more than 0.03% of all new cancers in men.1 Approximately 440 men would die from breast cancer in 2016, with a mortality rate of 17%, which is almost identical to the risk of mortality from breast cancer in women, and this accounts for 0.13% of all cancer deaths in men.1 (Source: Current Problems in Cancer)
Source: Current Problems in Cancer - September 16, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Suleiman Alfred Massarweh, Gloria L. Choi Source Type: research
Systemic Therapy for HER2-Positive Early-Stage Breast Cancer
The advent of the targeted monoclonal antbody trastuzumab for treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer marked a revolution in the understanding and management of mammary carcinoma and, in practice, separated this subtype from other kinds of primary breast malignancy. Long term follow-up from the initial large adjuvant trials continue to show remarkably positive results. Currently, at least four additional agents targeting this receptor, using different and complementary mechanisms of action compared with trastuzumab, have been incorporated into clinical trials. (Source: Current Problems in Cancer)
Source: Current Problems in Cancer - September 16, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Aju Mathew, Edward H. Romond Source Type: research
Endocrine therapy and strategies to overcome therapeutic resistance in breast Cancer
Despite the remarkable success of endocrine therapy in the treatment of patients with Estrogen Receptor (ER) positive breast cancer, not all patients derive benefit from such therapy, or may benefit only temporarily before disease progression or relapse occurs. The value of endocrine therapy, which blocks ER signaling by a variety of strategies, lies in its simplicity, lower toxicity, and better alignment with preserved quality of life, particularly when compared to chemotherapy, which is more toxic and has only modest benefits for many patients with ER-positive breast cancer. (Source: Current Problems in Cancer)
Source: Current Problems in Cancer - September 16, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Michael Robert Mancuso, Suleiman Alfred Massarweh Source Type: research
Special considerations in the evaluation and management of breast cancer in men
Breast cancer in men is relatively uncommon but its incidence has been rising. Traditionally, the management of breast cancer in men is based on extrapolation from clinical trials of breast cancer in women, due to the much more extensive data available in women with this disease. There are, however, unique characteristics that distinguish breast cancer in men and these should be taken into consideration when managing this patient population. Breast cancer in men is more frequently estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) positive, and less frequently HER2 amplified. (Source: Current Problems in Cancer)
Source: Current Problems in Cancer - September 16, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Suleiman Alfred Massarweh, Gloria L. Choi Source Type: research
Title page
(Source: Current Problems in Cancer)
Source: Current Problems in Cancer - August 31, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Table of Contents
(Source: Current Problems in Cancer)
Source: Current Problems in Cancer - August 31, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
