The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a validated target in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). However, despite high expression of EGFR in these cancers, EGFR inhibitor monotherapy has only had modest activity. Potential mechanisms of resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies involve EGFR and Ras mutations, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and activation of alternative and downstream pathways. Strategies to optimize EGFR-targeted therapy in head and neck cancer involve not only the selection for patients most likely to benefit but also the use of combination therapies to target the network of pathways involved in tumor growth, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Clin Cancer Res; 16(9); 2489-95. ©2010 AACR.

BACKGROUND. In this retrospective study, the authors hypothesized that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) would alter partial breast irradiation (PBI) eligibility by identifying cancers outside the PBI volume compared with mammography alone. METHODS. Since 2002, MRI was used nonselectively at the authors' institution for the staging of patients with nonmetastatic breast cancer. Of 450 consecutive patients with invasive breast cancer, 110 patients who were eligible for PBI were identified by using criteria outlined by National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B‐39/Radiation Oncology Group trial 0413 based on mammography, ultrasonography, and initial pathology. In that trial, patients were randomized (stage I/II invasive cancers that measured ≤3 cm and ≤3 positive lymph nodes) to receive either whole‐breast radiotherapy or PBI. MRI reports were reviewed to determine whether MRI identified secondary lesions 1) within the same quadrant (multifocal), 2) in a different quadrant (multicentric), or 3) in the contralateral breast. These lesions were pathologically proven carcinoma and would have rendered the patient ineligible for PBI. RESULTS. MRI identified secondary lesions in 10% of patients (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.4%‐15.6%). Multifocal disease was identified in 3.6% (95% CI, 1.4%‐9%), multicentric disease was identified in 4.5% (95% CI, 2%‐10.2%), and contralateral disease was identified in 1.8% (95% CI, 0.5%‐6.4%). The proportion of patients with false‐positive MRI findings was 4.5% (95% CI, 2%‐10.2%). The positive predictive value of MRI was 72.2% (95% CI, 46.4%‐89.3%). CONCLUSIONS. MRI identified frequent secondary cancers that would not be removed routinely by surgery or targeted in the radiation field if treated with PBI. The current data suggest that MRI should be considered to assess PBI eligibility to minimize potential local failures. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.

Incidence of oropharyngeal tumors has risen in both nH black and white males. However, nH white males have higher incidence of HPV, and nH black males have higher incidence of more aggressive and advanced HNSCCs. Racial differences in clinical characteristics associated with poorer survival exist, and future studies should determine factors associated with these differences.

No abstract

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Approximately 85% of all lung cancers are non-small cell histology [non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)]. Modern treatment strategies for NSCLC target driver oncogenes and immune checkpoints. However, less than 15% of patients survive beyond 5 years. Here, we investigated the effects of SAR302503 (SAR), a selective JAK2 inhibitor, on NSCLC cell lines and tumors. We show that SAR is cytotoxic to NSCLC cells, which exhibit resistance to genotoxic therapies, such as ionizing radiation, cisplatin, and etoposide. We demonstrate that constitutive IFN-stimulated gene expression, including an IFN-related DNA damage resistance signature, predicts for sensitivity to SAR. Importantly, tumor cell-intrinsic expression of PD-L1 is IFN-inducible and abrogated by SAR. Taken together, these findings suggest potential dual roles for JAK2 inhibitors, both as a novel monotherapy in NSCLCs resistant to genotoxic therapies, and in tandem with immune checkpoint inhibition. .

American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, USA, 3-7 June 2016 The American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting took place in Chicago, IL, USA, from 3 to 7 June 2016. Over 30,000 oncologists, researchers, related professionals and advocates participated in the conference, which covered all aspects of oncology. An overview of the key studies in brain metastases presented at the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting is highlighted here. Key data presented on radiotherapy, and systemic therapy for brain metastases are reviewed.

Conventional external beam radiotherapy has been historically employed in the treatment of pituitary adenomas either as a single modality or following suboptimal surgical resection. However, with the widespread adoption of the trans-sphenoidal surgery, the role of radiation therapy has been limited to cases deemed resectable or in those with subtotal resections. Advances in radiotherapy have improved the dose distribution to the pituitary mass while minimizing the volume of normal tissues receiving doses of radiation near or exceeding their inherent tolerances, permitting radiation oncologists to migrate from simple 2D radiation planning to 3D planning. Fractionated radiosurgery, linear-accelerator/gamma source-based radiosurgery, or image-guided/intensity-modulated radiotherapy is now commonly employed. Long-term follow-up data demonstrate excellent progression-free survival and local control along with few complications for all radiation treatment modalities whether employed as monotherapy or following subtotal resection.

American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, USA, 3-7 June 2016 The American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting took place in Chicago, IL, USA from 3 to 7 June 2016. Over 30,000 oncologists, researchers, related professionals and advocates participated in the conference which covered all aspects of oncology. An overview of the key studies in brain metastases presented at the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting is highlighted here. This report highlights biology, epidemiology, prognosis and treatment sequelae of brain metastases.