Because of its limited statistical power, the results of the DANTE (Detection And screening of early lung cancer with Novel imaging TEchnology) trial do not allow us to make a definitive statement about the efficacy of LDCT screening. However, they underline the importance of obtaining additional data from randomized trials with intervention-free reference arms before the implementation of population screening.

Treatment with pemetrexed and carboplatin was active and well tolerated in patients with MPM. Disease control rate, time to disease progression, and overall survival were similar to the results achieved with the standard regimen of pemetrexed and cisplatin, suggesting that the carboplatin combination could be an alternative option for these patients.

No abstract

Gefitinib ('Iressa', ZD1839) is an orally active epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has demonstrated antitumour activity and favourable tolerability in Phase II studies. We investigated whether EGFR expression levels could predict for response to gefitinib in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), who received gefitinib (250 mg day À1 ) as part of a worldwide compassionate-use programme. Tissue samples were analysed by immunohistochemistry to assess membrane EGFR immunoreactivity. Of 147 patients enrolled in our institution, 50 patients were evaluable for assessment of both clinical response and EGFR expression. The objective tumour response rate was 10% and disease control was achieved in 50% of patients. Although high EGFR expression was more common in squamous-cell carcinomas than adenocarcinomas, all objective responses were observed in patients with adenocarcinoma. Response and disease control with gefitinib were not associated with high EGFR expression. Overall, median survival was 4 months, and the 1-year survival rate was 18%. Strong EGFR staining correlated with shorter survival time for all patients. Gefitinib demonstrated promising clinical activity in this group of patients with NSCLC. These results have also shown that EGFR expression is not a significant predictive factor for response to gefitinib.

In this investigation, on 22 consecutive patients, CAP combination provided an overall response rate of 27%. This study confirms that, at present, available drugs yield poor results, either as single agents or as combination therapy.

No abstract

We performed a phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the modified fludarabine, cytarabine, and attenuated‐dose idarubicin (m‐FLAI) regimen in elderly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Elderly (≥60 years) AML patients who had not previously received chemotherapy were enrolled in the study. Patients received two consecutive cycles of m‐FLAI chemotherapy as an induction. The m‐FLAI regimen comprised fludarabine (25 mg/m2, days 1–4), cytarabine (1,000 mg/m2, days 1–4), and attenuated‐dose idarubicin (5 mg/m2, days 1–3). The primary end point was complete remission (CR) rate. Secondary end points were overall survival (OS), event‐free survival (EFS), and treatment‐related mortality (TRM). There were 108 patients (median age 68.4 years, M:F = 64:44) enrolled in the study. CR was achieved in 56.5% of patients, and the TRM rate was 21.3%. Median OS and median EFS were 10.2 and 6.6 months, respectively. The mortality at 30 and 60 days was 15 and 21%, respectively. Performance status and comorbidity did not have prognostic value in this patient cohort. Bone marrow expression of CD117 was associated with increased EFS and OS. m‐FLAI is an effective induction regimen for previously untreated AML in elderly patients. In addition, bone‐marrow CD117 expression is an independent favorable prognostic factor in elderly AML patients. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01247493). Am. J. Hematol. 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PFL is active in paranasal cancer. Patients who attain a pathological complete remission have a favorable prognosis. Cardiovascular complications represent the limiting toxicity. Primary chemotherapy combined with surgery-sparing treatment approaches deserves further investigation.