Age and Gender Affect Survival in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

More News from ASCO 2008

Although men and women with metastatic colon or rectal cancer have similar overall survival after their diagnosis, age has an impact.  Women in premenopausal years, 18 to 44, live longer than younger men.  However, after the age of 75, women have significant worse survival than men.

Across all age groups, Hispanics survive the longest, followed by whites, Asians, African Americans, and, finally, Native Americans according to a study from the University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and reported at ASCO. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 25th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: ASCO, colorectal cancer prognosis

Provigil Helps Cancer Fatigue

Update from 2008 ASCO Meeting in Chicago

Provigil® (modafinil) reduced fatigue in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy according to a study reported by Gary Morrow PhD at the 2008 ASCO meeting.

Patients who were severely fatigued after their first chemotherapy treatment had less fatigue after they received Provigil than those who got a placebo. They were also less sleepy during the day.

Severe fatigue was considered more than 6 on a 10 point scale. Patients with mild or moderate fatigue did not have a similar improvement.

Despite improvement in severe fatigue, there was no effect on depression. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 10th, 2008
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Tags: ASCO, fatigue

Patricia Ganz M.D. Receives American Cancer Society Award at ASCO

Update from 2008 ASCO Meeting in Chicago

Patricia Ganz, MD received the American Cancer Society Award at ASCO this year.  Professor of Medicine at the University of California at Los Angeles and Director of Cancer Prevention and Research at Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. Ganz has a long history of concern for cancer patients and their quality of life.

In the lecture that accompanied the ACS Award, Dr. Ganz discussed the importance of research that looks at quality of life and the effects of cancer treatment, both during treatment and after it.  In particular she encouraged the development of survivorship care plans that improve communication among patients, their oncology care providers, and other health professionals who care for them after their cancer treatment ends. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 9th, 2008
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Tags: ASCO, Patricia Ganz MD

KRAS Mutations Make a Difference In Response to Erbitux

Update from 2008 ASCO Meeting in Chicago

Three studies reported during the 2008 American Society of Clinical Oncology found that colorectal cancer patients whose tumors have mutated KRAS genes do not benefit from treatment with the EGFR-inhibitor Erbitux® (cetuximab).

At the same time, patients with tumors that aren’t aren’t mutated (wild-type) have significantly better results when Erbitux is added to either FOLFIRI or FOLFOX chemotherapy.

Two randomized trials of initial treatment of chemotherapy with or without Erbitux found responses and improved progression-free survival only in patients with wild-type KRAS. The CRYSTAL Phase III study compared FOLFIRI to FOLFIRI with the addition of cetuximab. The Phase II OPUS trial used FOLFOX as chemotherapy and compared FOLFOX to FOLFOX plus cetuximab. Neither found benefit for patients whose tumor had mutated KRAS.

However, both trials found that adding cetuximab to chemotherapy improved both tumor shrinkage (response rates) and the time until the cancer got worse (progression free survival) for people with wild-type KRAS.

Tumors can be tested for mutated KRAS before beginning treatment providing information that can help patients and doctors make better decisions about the right therapy for each individual.

Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 6th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 1 Comment »
Tags: ASCO, K-ras, KRAS

Calcium and Magnesium Infusions Reduce Neurotoxicity with Oxaliplatin

Update from 2008 ASCO Meeting in Chicago

A study presented during the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting showed that adding IV infusions of calcium and magnesium to oxaliplatin treatment reduced peripheral neuropathy.

Eloxatin® (oxaliplatin) is part of the FOLFOX treatments for colorectal cancer.  As doses accumulate, patients begin to experience tingling and numbness in their hands and feet.  Some patients will find it difficult to use their hands for small tasks like buttoning or will have problems with pain, balance or walking.  Often patients have to stop treatment before the full benefit is reached because of this difficult side effect. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 5th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 1 Comment »
Tags: ASCO, neuropathy