December 2012, Vol 5, No 8

The use of proton beam radiation therapy (PBRT) for the treatment of prostate cancer is increasing across the United States, but there is no evidence from randomized controlled trials to suggest that PBRT is more effective than intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), which is the current standard of care. Read More ›

The FDA expanded the labeling of pemetrexed (Alimta, Eli Lilly and Company) to include the results of an additional trial evaluating its safety and efficacy for the initial treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic, nonsquamous, non‒small cell lung cancer followed by pemetrexed maintenance in patients with disease that has not progressed after 4 cycles of platinum and pemetrexed as first-line chemotherapy. The approval for expanded labeling was granted on October 17, 2012. Read More ›

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved omacetaxine mepesuccinate subcutaneous injection (Synribo, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries) for the treatment of adult patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with resistance and/or intolerance to 2 or more tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Approval for omacetaxine mepesuccinate was granted on October 26, 2012. Read More ›

In this month’s issue of The Oncology Pharmacist (TOP), we wrap up the year with highlights of the news from the 2012 American Society for Radiation Oncology Annual Meeting and the European Society for Medical Oncology 2012 Congress. Read More ›

Billions of dollars are spent each year to fund research as scientists continue to identify the causes of cancer and to develop strategies for prevention, detection, treatments, and cures. The following statistics allow a glimpse into the immense field of cancer research funding. Read More ›

The 2012 American Society for Rad­iation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting, held in Boston, Massachusetts, coincided with Super­storm Sandy. Despite the havoc wreaked by the storm, Boston was largely spared, although ASTRO canceled Monday afternoon’s Plenary Session when public transportation was shut down. Below are some highlights from the meeting, including some news stories from the Plenary Session, which was available online. Read More ›

In a phase 3 head-to-head comparison trial, the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor crizotinib proved more effective than standard chemo­therapy with pemetrexed or doce­taxel as a second-line treatment for non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with the ALK genetic abnormality. Read More ›

Anticoagulation prophylaxis is effective in preventing both symptomatic and asymptomatic catheter-related deep vein thrombosis in ambulatory cancer patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors, French investigators reported at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2012 Congress, held in Vienna, Austria.¹ Read More ›