Author: Editor

Axel Hauschild, MD, PhD of University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany, gives an overview of his talk on vemurafenib and cobimetinib for BRAF-mutated metastatic melanoma held at the 2016 World Congress on Cancers of the Skin (WCCS) and the Congress of the European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO) in Vienna, Austria. According to Prof. Hauschild, this trial (called coBRIM, NCT01689519) was similar to the trial on dabrafenib and trametinib (NCT01584648). The question was if the dual inhibition of crucial molecules of the signal transduction pathway is better than just knocking one of the molecules out. The answer is yes; the response rate…

Petr Arenberger, MD, PhD, DSc, MBA of Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic discusses skin cancer in Central Europe at the 2016 World Congress on Cancers of the Skin (WCCS) and the Congress of the European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO) in Vienna, Austria. It is more common now for people to go on holiday in sunny countries and there is an eight-fold increase in malignant melanoma since 1970. Prof. Arenberger discusses how in the Czech Republic, there is registry for skin cancer driven by the state, which means the data is reliable. He further discusses preventive mesaures such as Euromelanoma Day…

Nikolas Haass, MD, PhD of the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia discusses cell cycle-dependent drug resistance or sensitivity in melanoma. Prof. Haass discusses a recent article published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology (JID), where they showed that there is indeed a cell cycle-dependent drug resistance or sensitivity, which melanoma cells can use as an escape mechanism. Using various drugs, they showed that cells respond less or more to a particular drug at certain phases of the cell cycle and this model may be used for patients to test for drug combinations and sequence of drug combinations. Further, they found…

Marius Erik Mayerhöfer, MD, PhD of the Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria discusses changes in the imaging methods used to assess response for melanoma. The RECIST criteria is the most frequently used method, while the PERCIST criteria are new. Further, new techniques are being developed; Dr Mayerhöfer mentions PET, PET-CT and PET/MR, which offers new possibilities and enables the assessment of different properties of the tumor, such as perfusion and vascularization. Melanoma is a very specific tumor with a specific histological composition. Tracking of melanin is pre-clinical at the moment but a topic that is being investigated according to…

Herbert Hönigsmann, MD of the Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria discusses issues in the use of sun protection by members of the public. According to Prof. Hönigsmann, a epidemiological study in a large human population is required and further, it is important to explain to the public that sun protection alone is not enough. For example, people need to shield themselves from the sun and it is also possible to wash protection factors into clothing and important to avoid the sun at midday. Prof. Hönigsmann also addresses the problem that people do not use sun screen properly, i.e. they…

Isaac Brownell, MD, PhD of the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD gives an overview of his talk on new treatment approaches for Merkel cell carinoma held at the 2016 World Congress on Cancers of the Skin (WCCS) and the Congress of the European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO) in Vienna, Austria. Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare neuroendocrine cancer of the skin and it is more deadly than melanoma on a case by case basis. Patients with advanced disease had very few treatment options according to Dr Bownell; they would respond to conventional chemotherapy but progress rapidly. In order to find…

Herbert Hönigsmann, MD of the Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria outlines his talk sun protection held at the World Congress on Cancers of the Skin (WCCS) and the Congress of the European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO) in Vienna, Austria. Prof. Hönigsmann first talks about the compounds that reflect or absorb ultra violet (UV) radiation and the question of factors, which are based on determing the ericema reaction. He further talks about the importance of UVA protection and UVB protection. Then he discusses the question if sun screen really protects against skin carcinoma development. From animal studies, we know sun…

Gerold Schuler, MD of University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany discusses his talk on vaccines for melanoma held at the 2016 World Congress on Cancers of the Skin (WCCS) and the Congress of the European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO) in Vienna, Austria. First, Prof. Schuler points out that cancer vaccines in general have not been very succesful clinically, except for certain subgroups of patients. This was called the cancer vaccine paradox as the vaccines induced tumor specific T-cells but did not show much clinical efficacy. Melanoma was the model tumor because it is an immunogenic tumor. In retrospect, this was a…

Eva Lehner-Baumgartner, PhD, of the Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, gives an overview of her talk on strategies to support skin cancer patients beyond therapy. First, she discusses emotional distress. Dr Lehner-Baumgartner explains that emotional distress is a mixture of feelings, named by Jimmie Holland, a pioneer in psycho-oncology. This describes the emotions that patients experience when confronted with the diagnosis of cancer. She further explains that in the talk, they will focus on how to assess stress severity, looking for determinants of stress severity, and finally, look at the psycho-oncological care needs for patients with skin cancer. Concerning emotional…

Dirk Schadendorf, MD of University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany gives an overview of his talk on kinase inhibitors in rare mutation subgroups of melanoma at the 2016 World Congress on Cancers of the Skin (WCCS) and the Congress of the European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO) in Vienna, Austria. According to Prof. Schadendorf, treatment possibilities for patients with a BRAF mutation are good; with BRAF inhibitors and the combination of BRAF and MEK inhibition patients have a prolonged overall survival (OS) benefit. Treatment with MEK inhibitor in NRAS mutated patients shows minimal benefit, as shown in the NEMO trial (NCT01763164). He…

Clemens Krepler, MD of the Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, discusses his work on BRAF inhibition in melanoma. 50% of melanomas have mutations in BRAF, which is a great biomarker. He highlights that most of patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma initially do respond to therapy, where their tumors shrink. However, after a few months, patients relapse. This is due to several resistance mechanisms; if it was as a result of just one resistance mechanism, it would be relatively easy to design a drug for second-line therapy. However, this is not the case as there are a lot of mechanisms which are often…

Beate Lichtenberger, PhD of the Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria, discusses the role of fibroblasts in cutaneous carcionogenesis. Dr Lichtenberger explains the recent discovery that skin fibroblasts are not a homogenous population but that there are in fact two lineages that develop during embryogenesis, which have distinct functions during homeostasis and during regeneration. For example, the upper lineage, found in the upper dermis, is important for hair follicle development. The second lineage comprises mainly of reticular fibroblasts, producing the bulk of collagen and extracellular matrix; these are very important in the first phase of wound healing, and because the…

Axel Hauschild, MD, PhD of University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany, gives an overview of his talk on dabrafenib and trametinib for melanoma therapy held at the 2016 World Congress on Cancers of the Skin (WCCS) and the Congress of the European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO) in Vienna, Austria. According to Prof. Hauschild, it was great to see that a BRAF and a MEK inhibitor (dabrafenib and trametinib respectively) were better than the BRAF inhibitor (dabrafenib) alone (NCT01584648). This set a new standard of care for BRAF-mutated melanomas according to Prof. Hauschild; the response rate was a high as 70%, which…

In this presentation from the ESMO 18th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Dr. Marcello Deraco discusses the treatment of surgically-resectable colorectal peritoneal metastases.

In this presentation from the ESMO 18th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Dr. Harpreet Wasan argues that radio- or chemoembolization are the preferred treatments for liver-directed therapy in incurable metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

In this presentation from the ESMO 18th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Dr. Phillipe Rouanet discusses whether or not robotic surgery is becoming a reality in the treatment of GI cancer.

In this presentation from the ESMO 18th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz discusses whether tumor location is relevant in the treatment decision in metastatic disease.

In this presentation from the ESMO 18th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Dr. Aimery de Gramont discusses how to improve the adjuvant treatment of colon cancer.

In this presentation from the ESMO 18th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Dr. Takayuki Yoshino presents Asian guidelines for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

In this presentation from the ESMO 18th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Dr. Axel Grothey presents the NCCN guidelines for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

In this presentation from the ESMO 18th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Dr. Eric Van Cutsem discusses the ESMO guidelines for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

In this Keynote Lecture, Dr. Paul Cornes discusses health economics and cost from both the physician’s and payer’s perspective, with a focus on the issue of the availability of drugs.

In this presentation from the ESMO 18th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Dr. Roberto Labianca presents highlights of the poster and poster discusses presented during the meeting.

In this presentation from the ESMO 18th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Dr. Ramon Salazar examines whether gene signatures are ready for use in the selection of patients for adjuvant treatment.

How to improve the diagnosis of stage III colon cancer?

This video is the study background of a collaborative Cleveland Clinic-Mayo Clinic team of researchers has shown for the first time that patients with advanced prostate cancer are more likely to die earlier from their disease if they carry a specific testosterone-related genetic abnormality.

What does MPN (myeloproliferative neoplasm) mean? How has the MPN field changed in recent years? Patient Power Host and MPN patient, Andrew Schorr, gathered a panel of experts and advocates virtually to raise awareness and understanding of MPNs. Dr. Srdan Verstovsek of MD Anderson Cancer Center defines MPNs, giving a short history of the disease. Lindsey Lyle, a Physician Assistant at the University of Colorado; Michelle Woehrle, Executive Director of the MPN Research Foundation; and David Wallace, Founder of PV Reporter and MPN Cancer Connection; all discuss the spectrum of MPNs, how to self-advocate, and the ongoing progress of MPN…

Are stem cell transplants an effective treatment for patients with multiple myeloma (MM)? Myeloma expert Dr. Gareth Morgan of UAMS Myeloma Institute shares his opinion, based on strong evidence, about the efficacy of stem cell transplant (SCT). Dr. Morgan gives specific information on why SCT should remain in the treatment toolbox, with potential exceptions for a select group of patients. And he urges all patients to have an open discussion with their specialists on this myeloma treatment option. Get email alerts | http://www.patientpower.info/alerts Subscribe on YouTube | http://www.youtube.com/patientpower Like on Facebook | http://www.fb.com/patientpower.info Follow on Twitter | http://www.twitter.com/patientpower Follow on…

According to a new study, African-American women who participate in vigorous exercise had a 12% lower risk of receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. Christine Ambrosone, PhD, shares the study’s findings and emphasizes the importance of exercise when it comes to overall cancer prevention. The study was conducted by Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Boston University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Read more: http://goo.gl/bpyIlT

Dr. Andrei Gudkov, Senior Vice President for Basic Science at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY shares findings from a study that may play a role in delaying age-related diseases. Dr. Gudkov’s study has identified macrophage cells as being an associated with cellular senescence. This subtype may hold potential for anti-aging treatment. Read more: http://goo.gl/jbn4MP These findings have been reported by a team from Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Everon Biosciences in the journal Aging.

New research, co-authored by James Mohler, MD, Chair of the Department of Urology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, reveals that genetic information — specifically regarding prostate tumors — can differ from person to person. Learn more about this study: http://goo.gl/0bJkjd

David Hui, MD, MSc of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX discusses end-of-life decisions, which should be based on patients prognosis. As patients get weaker it is important to re-evaluate decisions. A good communication with the patient and their family is important in order to come up with a personalised decision. Guidelines recommend to minimise aggressive interventions at the end of life, with subcutaneous hydration being considered in some patients. In the last months of life many patients start to experience a decrease in appetite, some degree of weight loss, and a difficulty eating or swallowing food. Existing studies show…

David Hui, MD, MSc of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX discusses hydration and nutrition in end-of-life patients. Hydration is associated with limited side effects, even though there is some potential for swelling and fluid build-up in the body. It should be considered as a part of the treatment to reassure patients family. However, artificial nutrition would not be advised in this population as the risks significantly outweigh the benefits. Moreover, Dr Hui mentions physical signs of death in end-of-life patients, which may include respiration with mandibular movement, and drooping of nasolabial fold. However, the absence of these signs cannot…

In this Keynote Lecture, Dr. Scott Kopetz discusses the BRAF pathway in colorectal cancer (CRC).

In this Keynote Lecture, Dr. Aurélien Marabelle discusses the relevant immune mechanisms in GI cancer.

In this presentation from the ESMO 18th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Drs. Andrés Cervantes and Karin Haustermans examine two challenging rectal cancer cases.

In this presentation from the ESMO 18th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Dr. Julio Garcia-Aguilar discusses the advances and challenges in the surgical treatment of locally-advanced rectal cancer.

In this presentation from the ESMO 18th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Dr. Andre D’Hoore discusses how to best to preserve organs in the treatment of rectal cancer, and for whom organs should be preserved instead of resected.

In this presentation from the ESMO 18th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Dr. Gina Brown argues that MRI is mandatory for the successful staging of rectal cancer.

In this presentation from the ESMO 18th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Dr. Monique Van Leerdam discusses the image of population screening for colorectal cancer (CRC).

In this presentation from the ESMO 18th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Dr. Nadir Arber discusses whether or not advanced imaging helps in the detection of colorectal cancer (CRC).

In this presentation from the ESMO 18th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Dr. Judith Balmaña discusses hereditary colon and gastric cancers.

In this presentation from the ESMO 18th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Dr. Eric Raymond discusses new targets and agents for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

In this presentation from the ESMO 18th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Dr. Chris Verslype arguest for the locoregional treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Developing a therapeutic algorithm in small bowel NETs

Charles Loprinzi, MD of Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN discusses the use of olanzapine for nausea control in chemotherapy-treated patients. Data show that olanzapine, an antipsychotic medication, can reduce nausea and vomiting when combined with standard antiemetic chemotherapy, like 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, NK1 receptor antagonist, and dexamethasone. There are different guidelines for antiemetics, when used with chemotherapy. The NCCN guidelines recommend the use of olanzapine for the last couple of years. It is worth noting that olanzapine can cause drowsiness in patients, which should be considered when treatment decisions are made. Recorded at the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer…

How do you choose the best treatment options for YOUR multiple myeloma (MM)? With more multiple myeloma treatments being approved and personalized for myeloma patients, Drs. Gareth Morgan, Faith Davies and Frits van Rhee, from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Myeloma Institute, discuss the expanding armamentarium. Dr. Morgan reviews immunomodulatory therapies (IMIDs), checkpoint inhibitors and the continued role of chemotherapy. Dr. Davies focuses on proteasome inhibitors, while Dr. van Rhee explains monoclonal antibodies and antibody conjugates. Get email alerts | http://www.patientpower.info/alerts Subscribe on YouTube | http://www.youtube.com/patientpower Like on Facebook | http://www.fb.com/patientpower.info Follow on Twitter | http://www.twitter.com/patientpower Follow…

Charles Loprinzi, MD of Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN discusses treatment options for patients with established neuropathy. If a chemotherapy treatment is completed it is possible to wait and see if the symptoms get better with time, as each treatment has potential side effects. A standard approach, duloxetine is a reasonable option, as recommended by the ASCO guidelines. Other options mentioned by ASCO include gabapentinoids, however efficacy data for chemotherapy-induced neuropathy are limited. Tricyclic antidepressants may be considered but they may cause additional side effects. Dr Loprinzi highlights a scrambler therapy as a way to treat established neuropathy. The scrambler therapy…

Merran Findlay, AdvAPD of The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia, discusses her view on patient nutrition during early stages of radiation treatment. As a patient initially undergoes radiation treatment, often they feel the minimal side effects. Further into the treatment however, patients may experience side effects that impact their nutrition. Typically, once treatment finishes, the side effects may increase, increasing the need for patients to be in contact and seek advice from their dietitians, medical treating staff and speech pathologists. Recorded at the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and International Society of Ocular Oncology (ISOO) 2016 Annual…