25 research outputs found
EML4-ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in a Patient Treated with Azathioprine for Ulcerative Colitis
No full text EML4-ALK-positive lung cancer is a novel cancer entity associated with light or never smoking, younger age, and adenocarcinoma with acinar or signet-ring cell type histology. Another mutation of ALK with NPM, resulting in NPM-ALK fusion mutation, was described in patients with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). It was subsequently reported in organ transplant recipients and patiens undergoing immunosuppressive therapy. We describe a case of lung cancer in a 36-year-old nonsmoking woman with ulcerative colitis treated with azathioprine, who was diagnosed with EML4-ALK-positive, metastatic lung cancer two months postpartum. Crizotinib 300 mg/day has been effective in maintaining response after chemotherapy failed. The resemblance of this case to ALK-positive ALCL in organ transplant recipients suggests that similar mechanisms may be responsible for the development of both ALK-positive lung cancer and ALCL in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. </jats:p
Key Issues in the Clinical Management of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: An Expert Discussion
No full text: After the revelation of kinase targeting with orally available small molecules, the use of imatinib in chronic myelogenous leukemia and in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) has now become commonplace and just two of many examples of the use of kinase inhibitors in cancer. In this article, we discuss important practice points that may impact upon questions of therapy of primary and metastatic GIST, with the hope that the questions addressed in this rare solid tumor can serve as examples of what can be achieved with kinase-directed therapies in other cancers. We present cases that highlight some of the key issues in GIST management and afterward discuss both points of consensus and controversial issues in what is now recognized as one of the most common forms of sarcoma.sponsorship: Robert G. Maki: Bayer (C/A, H), Eisai (C/A, H, RF), Tracon (C/A, RF), Lilly (H, RF), Sarcoma Alliance for Research through Collaboration (participation/leadership); Jean-Yves Blay: Novartis, Pfizer, Bayer (C/A, RF); George D. Demetri: Blueprint Medicines Board of Directors (C/A, E, OI), Dana-Farber (IP), Novartis (C/A, IP, RF), Pfizer, Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline (C/A, RF), Ariad, AstraZeneca (C/A), Kolltan (C/A, OI); Jonathan A. Fletcher: Bayer, Ariad (C/A); Heikki Joensuu: Blueprint Medicines (RF); Javier Martin-Broto: PharmaMar, GlaxoSmithKline, Bayer, Amgen (C/A); Toshirou Nishida: Bayer, Pfizer (H); Peter Reichardt: Pfizer, Bayer (C/A, H), Ariad (C/A), Novartis (RF); Patrick Schoffski: Novartis (C/A, RF), Bayer (C/A). The other author indicated no financial relationships. (Eisai, Tracon, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline, Blueprint Medicines, National Cancer Institute|P50CA127003, Cancer Foundation Finland sr|150084, Cancer Foundation Finland sr|110071, Cancer Foundation Finland sr|130093, Cancer Foundation Finland sr|120084)status: Publishe
Two paraneoplastic autoimmune syndromes: limbic encephalitis and palmar fasciitis in a patient with small cell lung cancer
No full textSmall cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterized by a relatively high rate of autoimmune phenomena. Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE) is an autoimmune syndrome in which a non-neural tumor containing an antigen normally present in the nervous system precipitates an antibody attack on neural tissues. Patients with PLE usually present with rapidly progressive short-term memory deficits, confusion or even dementia. Palmar fasciitis and polyarthritis syndrome (PFPAS) is another autoimmune syndrome characterized by rheumatologic manifestations, especially involving the palms of the hands. We report a case of a 59-year old woman who presented with worsening neurological symptoms of two-week duration, and later coma. The combined clinical, serological, and imaging studies suggested a diagnosis of PLE. A chest computed tomographic scan showed a 1.2 cm-diameter mass in the upper lobe of the left lung that was surgically removed and showed SCLC. Following surgery, neurological symptoms rapidly improved, allowing the patient to receive adjuvant chemotherapy. While in remission for both SCLC and PLE, the patient developed pain, soft-tissue swelling, and stiffness in both palms, suggesting the diagnosis of PFPAS. Five months following the diagnosis of palmar fasciitis, SCLC relapsed with mediastinal and cervical lymphadenopathy. This case report underlines the continuous interaction of SCLC with the immune system, expressed by coexistence of two rare paraneoplastic diseases, PLE, and PFPAS, in a patient with SCLC. While symptoms related to PLE preceded the initial diagnosis of SCLC, other symptoms related to PFPAS preceded relapse
Telling Their Stories, Telling Our Stories: Physicians' Experiences With Patients Who Decide to Forgo or Stop Treatment for Cancer
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Oncology health care professionals' perspectives on the causes of mental health distress in cancer patients
No full textPost renal transplantation human herpesvirus 8‐associated lymphoproliferative disorder and Kaposi's sarcoma
No full textSemi-automatic volumetric measurement of response to chemotherapy in lung cancer patients: How wrong are we using RECIST?
No full textMeasurement of Circulating Cell-Free DNA Levels by a New Simple Fluorescent Test in Patients With Primary Colorectal Cancer
No full textOncologists', nurses', and social workers' strategies and barriers to identifying suicide risk in cancer patients
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