ASCO Audio Journal of Oncology – September 15th, 2006

Robert Ozols

William See

Ruth Lupu

Improving on Standard Treatment in Ovarian Cancer: Have We Hit a Wall?

REFERENCE: Abstract 5002, 2006 ASCO Annual Meeting; N Engl J Med 2006, 354:34-43ROBERT OZOLS, Fox Chase Cancer Center, PhiladelphiaThe combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin has become the standard treatment for ovarian cancer, but it is not entirely satisfactory. Is it possible to find an improvement, either by using another chemotherapeutic agent, or by employing intraperitoneal therapy?Robert Ozolsof the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia tells Derek Thorne about the recent evidence and looks ahead to the future.

Bicalutamide Alternative to Castration for Radiation-Treated Patients with Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer?

REFERENCE: J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 132, Supplement 13:7WILLIAM SEE, Medical College of Wisconsin, MilwaukeeCOMMENT: Robert OzolsA new option has emerged for patients with locally advanced prostate cancer that may avoid the need for castration. According to a study just published in the Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology the nonsteroidal antiandrogen bicalutamide may provide a similar benefit to that of castration, but with more acceptable side effects.William Seeof the Medical College of Wisconsin discussed his team’s findings with Derek Thorne.

Breast Tumors with High Heregulin, Low Her-2, Could Benefit from Trastuzumab

REFERENCE: J Clin Oncol, 24:3735-3746RUTH LUPU, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Research InstituteCOMMENT: Robert OzolsDespite promising results for the breast cancer agent trastuzumab, only a minority of breast tumors have the appropriate genetic profile for treatment – which includes overexpressed Her-2. However, a new paper in the Journal of Clinical Oncology might lead to an increase in the number of eligible patients.Ruth Lupudescribed her team’s study, which looked at tumorigenic cells that overexpress heregulin, an activator of Her-2.