All GLG News Analyses Filed Under: Oncology

Drugs are relatively ineffective for NSCLC due to the following. Firstly, stage III is the main target of chemotherapy, while being very heterogenous combination of T and N criteria. Outcome results, therefore, are controversial. Next, lung cancer is more than many other malignancies is caused by an...

Transgene's TG4010 vaccine has a fairy elegant two-gene design.  It appears to add benefit to a standard chemo regimen in this good-sized, randomized Phase II study for advanced lung cancer.  More mature survival data will be ready by year's end.  Phase III study is being planned.  ...

The efficacy of the immunotherapeutic" vaccine" Trovax in 3 separate small phase II trials in combination with interferon alpha or IL-2 was modest at best. With availability of 3 targeted agents for this disease ( Nexavar, Sutent, and Torisel) , the chances of such as an agent are very limited.

This immunotherapeutic agent in association with interleukin 2 or interferon may be effective in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). To be tested in a phase III trial (against what??)

That appears to be a well contructed phase III trial adds ASA404 or a placebo to Taxol/Carboplatin. Nothing exotic, endpoints are overall survival (OS) as well as OS in Squams and non Squams.

Laparoscopic prostatectomy has become increasingly common. Previously published data supports the advantages of this approach cited here, such as shorter hospital stay and decreased blood loss. However, there are concerns long term raised here, including questions regarding oncologic efficacy. ...

Adding novel biologic agents (such as ASA404) to traditional chemotherapy is a very hot trend in cancer research.  The data from Antisoma's lung cancer study are certainly intriguing, but again, phase II, and retrospective. 

While chemo plus Avastin is the standard of care for first treatment of advanced colon cancer, chemotherapy alone is used for most early colon cancer. This large study demonstrates the relative safety of adding Avastin to chemo in the early - adjuvant – setting.

Many of us oncologists have been in the practice of continuing  Herceptin (Trastuzumab) even when the breast cancer we were treating was growing while on the drug.  Now, this randomized study gives data to back up that practice.

Genetic profiling will tell us who should or should not receive particular anti neoplastic agents. This is "personalized" therapy that has been predicted x years.