Author: Editor

At the European Cancer Congress (ECC) 2015, Grant McArthur, MBBS, BMedSc, PhD, FRACP, of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Victoria, Australia, discusses the impact of baseline genetic heterogeneities on progression-free survival in patients with advanced BRAF V600-mutated melanoma treated with cobimetinib plus vemurafenib in the phase 3 coBRIM clinical trial. European Medical Journal Website: http://emjreviews.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EMJReviews Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emjreviews

At the European Cancer Congress (ECC) 2015, Eric Pujade-Lauraine, MD, PhD, of Université Paris Descartes, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France, discusses AURELIA, an open-label, randomised, phase 3 clinical trial that was designed to evaluate bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy (pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, weekly paclitaxel or topotecan) for patients with platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer. European Medical Journal Website: http://emjreviews.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EMJReviews Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emjreviews

At the European Cancer Congress (ECC) 2015, Dirk Schadendorf, MD, PhD, of Universitätsklinikum Essen, Essen, Germany, discusses the advances in the understanding of BRAF-mutant melanoma biology, which involves the constitutive activation of the MAPK pathway, that have led to the development of new targeted therapies for patients with metastatic disease. European Medical Journal Website: http://emjreviews.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EMJReviews Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emjreviews

Multigene assays may provide clinically complementary information to classic clinicopathological tumour features, such as tumour size and grade, in breast cancer. At the 2015 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Giampaolo Bianchini, MD, of the San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy, reviews the predictive and prognostic value of currently available multigene assays for the management of patients with early stage breast cancer. This content is supported by Genomic Health, Inc. European Medical Journal Website: http://emjreviews.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EMJReviews Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emjreviews

The Oncotype DX® Breast Cancer Assay, a multigene assay, stratifies breast cancer patients into groups that are at low, intermediate or high risk for distant recurrence and guides decision making for adjuvant chemotherapy. At the European Cancer Congress (ECC) 2015, André Robidoux, MD, FRCSC, of Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada, explains the factors that were associated with the implementation of the Oncotype DX assay in different healthcare systems. This content is supported by Genomic Health, Inc. European Medical Journal Website: http://emjreviews.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EMJReviews Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emjreviews

At the European Cancer Congress (ECC) 2015, Benjamin Besse, MD, PhD, of Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France, discusses BIRCH, a phase 2, single-arm clinical trial of atezolizumab, an anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody, as first-line or subsequent therapy for patients with locally advanced or metastatic PD-L1-selected non-small cell lung cancer. European Medical Journal Website: http://emjreviews.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EMJReviews Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emjreviews

At the European Cancer Congress (ECC) 2015, Bartomeu Massuti, MD, of Hospital General de Alicante, Alicante, Spain, discusses the Spanish Lung Cancer Group (SLCG) and the European Thoracic Oncology Platform (ETOP) phase 2 BELIEF clinical trial, which evaluated erlotinib and bevacizumab in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations with and without the T790M mutation. European Medical Journal Website: http://emjreviews.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EMJReviews Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emjreviews

At the European Cancer Congress (ECC) 2015, Georgina Long, BSc, PhD, MBBS, FRACP, of The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia, discusses the safety data from the phase 1b part of MASTERKEY-265 , a phase 1b/3 clinical trial that was designed to evaluate the treatment of talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC), a herpes simplex virus-1, and pembrolizumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, for the treatment of patients with unresectable stage IIIB-IV melanoma. European Medical Journal Website: http://emjreviews.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EMJReviews Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emjreviews

@OncEd Presents Dr. Enriqueta Felip – Targeted therapies in ALK-positive NSCLC

@OncEd Presents Dr. Simon Raphael – Actionable biomarkers in NSCLC: EGFR and ALK

@OncEd Presents Dr. Keith Flaherty – Integrating new treatment options for melanoma

@OncEd Presents Dr. Keith Flaherty – An expert’s perspective on frequently asked questions on BRAF V600-mutated advanced melanoma

@OncEd Presents – Dr. Natasha Leighl & Dr. David Hogg – Immune Response Vs. RECIST Criteria

@OncEd Presents Dr. Lori Wood – Optimizing Outcomes in Advanced Prostate Cancer

Chris Carrigan of the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN), discusses the uses of the enormous amount of data collected by NHS on a daily basis, to improve the outcomes of cancer patients.

Karen Kennedy, PhD, Director of the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI), gives an overview of the 2015 NCRI Cancer Conference. The conference covers the whole range of cancer research from prevention and early diagnosis through basic science, translational science, clinical research, survivorship and palliative care research. Karen Kennedy also discusses recent NCRI initiatives on pathology research, and long-standing initiatives on radiotherapy and survivorship.

Kristian Helin, PhD gives an overview of his talk on epigenetic targets in cancer presented at the 2015 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference, where he explains what is epigenetics, it’s role in cancer cells and the importance of developing novel cancer treatments that inhibit the regulation of this mechanism.

Robert Coleman, MBBS, MD, FRCP, a trustee of Breast Cancer Now, discusses the goals of the newly formed charity that resulted from the combination of Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Campaign. The charity has set the goal to prevent breast cancer death by 2050, which will be achieved by continuing to provide funding to breast cancer treatment, but also focusing on prevention, policies and economics in breast cancer.

Kevin Brindle, PhD gives an overview of his talk at the 2015 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference, where he described a new technique called nuclear spin hyperpolarization, that can increase the sensitivity of the magnetic resonance by 10,000 fold. This technique can have several uses, including detection of treatment response and investigation of tumour microenvironment. In his talk Kevin Brindle focuses on the use of this technique in brain tumours.

Harpal Kumar, MA MEng MBA DSc gives an overview of his session at the 2015 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference, where he discusses the efforts of the National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative (NAEDI) to develop a better understanding of the contribution of late diagnosis to the UK’s relatively poor cancer survival rates and develop strategies to address this.

Miriam Johnson, MD gives an overview of a session at at the 2015 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference, that focuses on the importance of providing GPs and oncologists with a tool that can help them systematically assess the patient and carer needs. These needs can range from physical and psychological symptoms to legal, financial and work related matters that could directly affect the quality of life and cancer patients and their carers. The session hosted talk by Irene Higginson, Wei Gao and Christina Remsenthaler.

With the advent of unlocking genetic code, the cancer community has now been introduced to the concept of immunotherapy. What does this mean specifically for MPN patients? For MPN expert Dr. Srdan Verstovsek of MD Anderson Cancer Center, genetics hold many answers but add a level of complexity related to prognosis and treatment. Dr. Mark Heaney of Columbia University Cancer Center views genetics in terms of interpreting how aggressive the disease may be, while Bob Rosen, patient advocate and Chairman of MPN Research Foundation, suggests that patients put the role of genetics into perspective by connecting with a specialist. Get…

In this segment of The Conversation, MPN Edition, Dr. Srdan Verstovsek of MD Anderson Cancer Center, MPN expert Dr. Mark Heaney of Columbia University Cancer Center, and Bob Rosen, Chair of MPN Research Foundation share their insight and views on clinical trial participation. Listen closely as the guests discuss the differences between the REVEAL study and the PEGASYS trial, highlighting the outcomes, reasons, and options for both participation and non-participation in clinical trials and observational studies. As Bob Rosen says, it’s a “balancing act for patients and their doctors to decide.” Get email alerts | http://www.patientpower.info/alerts Subscribe on YouTube |…

CLL patients with certain genetic markers are considered to be high risk and their options for treatment have historically been limited. CLL expert Dr. Jeff Sharman joins Patient Power to discuss emerging approaches to treating high-risk CLL currently being studied in clinical trials. Sponsored through an educational grant from TG Therapeutics. 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 Google+ | http://www.google.com/+patientpowerinfo

MPN experts Dr. Mark Heaney of Columbia University Cancer Center and Dr. Srdan Verstovek of MD Anderson Cancer Center examine the expanding polycythemia vera (PV) armamentarium, answering the question, “Where are we now?” Dr. Heaney discusses second generation inhibitors and customization of treatment, while Dr. Verstovek focuses on combination therapies and expanded options coming from interferon trials in Europe. 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 Google+ | http://www.google.com/+patientpowerinfo

Dr. Michael Keating, a leading researcher from MD Anderson Cancer Center, has had a career that spans decades and has witnessed the evolution of CLL research. Andrew Schorr, the founder of Patient Power, sat down with Dr. Keating to discuss promising developments in CLL research and Dr. Keatings ongoing commitment: to stay alive until CLL is cured. 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 Google+ | http://www.google.com/+patientpowerinfo

Paolo Boffetta, MD, MPH gives an overview of his talk at the 2015 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference. In his talk he discusses how the burden of cancer can be reduced by dietary modifications. Prof. Boffetta also highlights the importance of having a healthy and balanced diet, which includes fruit, vegetables and protein, and to try and avoid focusing on one specific food item or chemical element.

Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD, FAAD gives an overview of a session presented at the 2015 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference, focusing on molecular testing for early cancer diagnosis. The session included talks by Marc Tischkowitz and Peter Sasieni. Marc Tischkowitz focused on tests for genetic predisposition of ovarian cancer and results of the Genetic Testing in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (GTEOC) study, whilst Peter Sasieni addressed the bigger question about biomarkers and how they are useful at different stages of early detection. Rebecca Fitzgerald also introduces Cytosponge, a non-endoscopic cell collection tool that in combination with oesophageal biomarkers can aid…

Chad Creighton of the Baylor College of Medicine: “How does the Papillary RCC: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) impact Physicians?”

Chad Creighton of Baylor College of Medicine discusses the next steps for Papillary RCC: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)

Chad Creighton of Baylor College of Medicine discusses a short overview of the Papillary RCC: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)

Tim Hunt, FRS, FMedSci describes the path that led him to identify cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK), along with colleagues Paul Nurse and Leland Hartwell, that would eventually lead to the award of a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2001.

Jack Cuzick, PhD, FMedSci, FRCP(hon), of the Queen Mary University of London, UK gives an overview of the session ‘Prevention is better than cure’ cancer chemoprevention in 2015, presented at the 2015 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference. The session included speakers such as Andrew Chan, Sam Behjati, Dario Alessi and Henry Kitchener.

In the session ” Tumour: stroma interactions” presented at the 2015 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference, the importance of stromal interaction in the tumour environment is discussed by Kairbaan Hodivala-Dilke, Ilirjana Bajrami, Helmut G. Augustin, Jason Fleming and host Erik Sahai. Whilst it has been realised for many years that cancer is a process driven by mutations within the cells, it is also clear now that those cells also have complicated interactions with neighbouring cells and the local environment. The focus of this session was to try to understand how the complex interactions between tumour cells and stroma…

Clare Turnbull, MD, PhD, gives an overview of her talk at the 2015 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference, where the Genomics England clinical interpretation partnership (GeCIP) was presented. In her talk, Dr Turnbull described how the programme plans to sequence the whole genome of thousands of cancer patients recruited within the NHS. This will generate enormous data and sample resources that will be made searchable through GeCIP.

Neeraj Agarwal, MD of the Huntsman Cancer Institute presents “Molecular predictors of response and survival outcomes in patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC) treated with VEGF-TKIs” at the 14th International Kidney Cancer Symposium.

Michael A. Gorin, M.D. of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine presents “Development of an Antibody-free Method for Detecting Renal Cell Carcinoma Circulating Tumor Cells” at the 14th International Kidney Cancer Symposium.

David Gill, MD of the Huntsman Cancer Institute presents “Correlation of tumor programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression and response to treatment with high-dose interleukin-2 (HD IL-2) in metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC).” at the 14th International Kidney Cancer Symposium.

Peter F. Thall, PhD of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center presents “Bayesian Designs for Early Phase Clinical Trials” at the 14th International Kidney Cancer Symposium.

Meredith M. Regan, ScD of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute presents “Statistical Considerations in RCC: Biomarker-Based Studies” at the 14th International Kidney Cancer Symposium.

Wayne A. Marasco, MD, Ph.D.of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute presents “Carbonic Anhydrdase IX: Opportunities for Immune-Based Approaches” at the 14th International Kidney Cancer Symposium

Daniel Lindner, MD, PhD of the Cleveland Clinic presents “Patient derived xenograft models and ? potential therapeutic applications” at the 14th International Kidney Cancer Symposium.

Thai Ho, M.D., Ph.D. from the Mayo Clinic Arizona presents “The Evolving Role of Chromatin and Epigenetics in RCC” at the 14th International Kidney Cancer Symposium.

Sumanta Kumar Pal, M.D. of the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center presents “Applying Advanced Genomics to Therapy Selection” at the 14th International Kidney Cancer Symposium.

Brian Rini, MD of the Cleveland Clinic presents “2015 Eugene P. Schonfeld Award” at the 14th International Kidney Cancer Symposium.

Eliezer (Eli) Van Allen, MD of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute presents “Expanding the clinically actionable kidney cancer genome” at the 14th International Kidney Cancer Symposium.

Brian R. Lane, M.D., Ph.D., FACS of Spectrum Health Medical Group? presents “Molecular Prediction of Kidney Cancer Recurrence”

Thai Ho, M.D., Ph.D. from the Mayo Clinic Arizona presents “KCA Role in Developing a Research Program in Kidney Cancer Epigenetics” at the 14th International Kidney Cancer Symposium.

André P. Fay, MD of Dana-Farbe presents “Treatment of Kidney Cancer in Developing Countries ” at the 14th International Kidney Cancer Symposium

Thomas E Hutson, DO, PharmD, FACP of the Baylor-Sammons Cancer Center presents “Emerging Targeted Therapies” at the 14th International Kidney Cancer Symposium.