 |
|
Extra copies of EGFR gene signal poor prognosis for vulvar cancer
October 01, 2008Targeted treatment of gene-amplified tumors may improve outcomes
A genetic fingerprint identified in patients with a gynecologic cancer may reveal candidates for targeted therapy. In a study in the journal Gynecologic Oncology, investigators from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Obstetrics and Gynecology Service report that women with vulvar carcinoma whose tumors have extra copies of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene are at increased risk of dying from their cancer. The EGFR pathway is known to be critical in several types of cancer, but this is the first association of an EGFR gene alteration with this tumor.
Although cancer of the vulva -- women's exernal genital structures -- is rare, it frequently recurs after standard treatment, and little has been known about factors leading to its development. Changes in the expression or activity of EGFR have been associated with many solid tumors, and patients whose cancers have EGFR mutations often can be successfully treated with drugs targeting the molecular pathway controlled by that receptor. The current study, which has been released online, was designed to investigate whether EGFR activity is also altered in vulvar tumors.
Using samples from the hospital's Tumor and Pathology Banks, the team analyzed data from 51 patients treated for vulvar carcinoma at the MGH Cancer Center from 1994 to 2007. Tumor samples were first evaluated for presence of the EGFR molecule, which revealed that the highest levels were found in more advanced tumors from patients with poorer survival.
Chromosomal analysis of the tumors showed that additional copies of the EGFR gene in tumor cells -- seen in 6 of the 51 samples analyzed -- likely contributed to overproduction of the protein in those patients. No mutations in the EGFR gene itself were seen; and although infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV) is a known risk factor for vulvar cancer, there was no evidence of HPV infection in the EGFR-amplified tumors. Overall, patients with EGFR-amplified tumors were twice as likely to die from their cancer as were those without gene amplification.
"The increased risk of death associated with EGFR amplification was independent of other known factors -- such as age, stage of disease and spread to lymph nodes," says Whitfield Growdon, MD, the study's lead author and an MGH Gynecologic Oncology fellow. "EGFR amplification is now being used to identify patients eligible for clinical trials of novel EGFR-targeted therapies for several types of tumors."
Daniel Haber, MD, PhD, director of the MGH Cancer Center, adds, "This analysis shows that high levels of EGFR amplification are present in a variety of different cancers that have not been analyzed to date, raising the possibility of more therapeutic opportunities for the emerging array of EGFR-directed agents"
Massachusetts General Hospital
2 reproductive factors are important predictors of death from ovarian cancer
Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that survival among women with ovarian cancer is influenced by age of menarche and total number of lifetime ovulatory cycles.
International study supports new standard of treatment for women with advanced ovarian cancer
Results of a phase III, international randomized clinical trial demonstrate a new standard of care for treating advanced ovarian cancer that significantly reduces side-effects and post-operative deaths compared to the previously established treatment course.
Yale test detects early stage ovarian cancer with 99 percent accuracy
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have developed a blood test with enough sensitivity and specificity to detect early stage ovarian cancer with 99 percent accuracy.
Benefit of cancer prevention surgery differs between women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations
The surgical removal of the ovaries has been widely adopted as a cancer-risk-reducing strategy for women with either BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.
Chemotherapy after surgery extends survival for patients with advanced endometrial cancer
A new study has shown for the first time that giving two chemotherapy drugs to women with advanced endometrial cancer after surgery reduced the risk of recurrence by 29% and extended survival by 32% compared with women who received whole abdominal irradiation.
More Gynecologic Cancer Current Events and Gynecologic Cancer News Articles
 |
Gynecologic Cancer (M.D. Anderson Cancer Care Series) by Patricia J. Eifel (Editor), David M. Gershenson (Editor), John J. Kavanagh (Editor), Elvio G. Silva (Editor) Gynecologic cancer includes cancer of the female lower genital tract: vagina, vulva, cervix, endometrium, uterus, and ovaries. Gynecologic Cancer is the fourth volume in the M.D. Anderson Cancer Care Series, featuring the current standard approach to gynecologic cancer care from the experts at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Designed for the practicing oncologist, this clinical guidebook allows for quick, authoritative access to the latest and best multimodality therapies. Topics covered in this volume include primary prevention and early detection, preinvasive diseases of female lower genital tract, pathology and imaging of gynecologica malignancies, treatment of vaginal, cervical, endometrial, uterine cancers. Discussions also address fertility-sparing options for... |
 |
Cancer Schmancer by Fran Drescher (Author) From Fran Drescher, here's the funny and empowering New York Times bestseller about taking charge of health problems and finding humor in the face of adversity. Part inspirational cancer-survival story, part memoir-as-a-laugh-riot, CANCER SCHMANCER picks up where Fran's last book, Enter Whining, left off. After the publication of that book, Fran's life launched into a downward spiral. She separated from a long and complicated relationship, her TV series started to slip in the ratings, and the health of her beloved dog Chester was failing fast. Then came the mysterious symptoms no doctor could explain. With her trademark sense of humor, Fran tells of her long search for answers and the cancer diagnosis that she ultimately beat. But not before a gold mine of insights were revealed to her... |
 |
Chemotherapy Of Gynecologic Cancers Society Of Gynecologic Oncologists Handbook by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Chemotherapy of Gynecologic Cancers Society of Gynecologic Oncologists Handbook : Chemotherapy of Gynecologic Cancers Society of Gynecologic Oncologists Handbook Pub Date: November 2003 Product Type: Print Author/s: Stephen C Rubin MD Prepared under the aegis of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, this handbook contains all the information clinicians need to care for patients undergoing chemotherapy for gynecologic cancers. Organized to provide quick access to critical information, the book outlines specific treatment regimens for gynecologic cancers by site and stage and offers detailed guidelines on choosing the best regimen for each patient, preparing patients for chemotherapy, and ameliorating side effects and complications. This edition includes all new drugs... |
 |
Molecular Pathology of Gynecologic Cancer (Current Clinical Oncology) by Antonio Giordano (Editor), Alessandro Bovicelli (Editor), Robert J. Kurman (Editor) Molecular Pathology of Gynecologic Cancer focuses on putting successful molecular strategies into practice for the treatment of gynecologic cancer. The volume begins with an explication of the editors’ hypothesis that cancer is mainly a disease of the cell cycle, based on the deregulation of the physiological process of cell reproduction. The following eleven chapters focus on specific issues in gynecologic cancers, including: a proposed model of ovarian serous carcinogenesis, molecular markers for ovarian epithelial cancer, an overview of the pathology of endometrial cancer, molecular genetic aspects of endometrial carcinoma and cervical cancer, a natural history of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) as it relates to cervical cancer, and hereditary issues in gynecologic cancers. The... |
 |
100 Questions & Answers Abourt Cervical Cancer (100 Questions & Answers about . . .) by Don S. Dizon (Author) The only text to provide both the patient and doctor views, 100 Questions & Answers About Cervical Cancer aims to provide a much needed primer for patients and their families and aims to address the questions most relevant to a woman following a diagnosis of pre-invasive changes or invasive cervical cancer. This text gives up-to-date, authoritative, practical answers to your questions about cervical cancer; not only the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, but also female survivorship. This is an invaluable resource for anyone coping with the physical and emotional turmoil of this disease. |
 |
Love, Kristen: One young woman's courageous battle against cancer (2009 Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist) by Kirk Forbes (Author) Kristen Forbes had just opened a new, exciting chapter in her life... fresh out of college, a promising career and then advanced cancer. Her father and author of her story documents his daughter's uncommon bravery. She never lost her faith, her sense of humor or the will to fight. Both of them have become activists to share her story to help the world eradicate cancer. Kristen's own journal entries provided the framework to tell her story. Walk along with Kristen now and experience her final year and marvel at all the miracles that happened along the way. A portion of the proceeds for this book will go to cancer research. |
 |
Ovarian Cancer: State of the Art and Future Directions in Translational Research (Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology) by George Coukos (Author), George Coukos (Editor), Andrew Berchuck (Editor), Robert Ozols (Editor) Aegean Conferences is an independent, nonprofit, educational organization directed and managed by the scientific community. The board is made up of nine researchers/scientists in various disciplines from Harvard, Brown, University of Pennsylvania, UCSD, Princeton, Biovista and the Foundation for Biomedical Research Academy of Athens. The board both invites and approves unsolicited proposals for Conferences in all fields of Science, Engineering, Arts, and Humanities. The purpose of the Conferences is to bring together individuals with common interests to examine the emerging and most advanced aspects of their particular field. The Symposium on Ovarian Cancer: State of the Art and Future Directions intends to bring together international experts interested in the development of... |
 |
Mayo Clinic Guide to Woman's Cancers (Breast and Gynecologic Cancers Prevention, Treatment & Coping) by Lynn C Hartmann M.D. & Charles L Loprinzi M.D. (Author), Bobbie S Gostout M.D. (Editor) This book on breast and gynecologic cancers contains the best information available on cancers unique to woman, from one of the most respected names in medicine. Mayo Clinic Guide to Womens Cancers address multiple aspects of breast and gynecologic cancers, including risk factors, prevention strategies, early detection, the latest advances in treatment, and tools for coping with treatment and recovery. |
 |
Gynecologic Cancers (Site-Specific Cancer Series) by L. Almadrones-cassidy (Author), L. Almadrones-cassidy (Editor) Nurses who care for women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers are faced with a complex and unique set of challenges. Knowledge is needed not only in the management of a single cancer but in the many cancers that may affect the reproductive tract. This volume gives oncology nurses the tools they need to provide effective care to this challenging patient population. Gynecologic Cancers provides an overview of the current evidence-based information on the major tract of gynecologic cancers, causes, screening and preventive strategies, as well as the current surgical, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments used to treat all stages of the cancers. If you are involved in the complex treatment of women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers, you'll want to add this book to your nursing library! |
 |
Gynecologic Cancer: Controversies in Management by David Gershenson (Author), William McGuire (Author), Martin Gore (Author) This brand-new reference provides an excellent resource for specialists who deal with cancers of the female reproductive tract. An international group of authors focus on management controversies and present sections on complications of cancer treatment, surgical techniques, and symptom management. Additional coverage addresses the psychological impact of cancer diagnosis, fertility and gynecologic cancer, and quality of life issues. Presents a balanced, global perspective of practice through an international team of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and gynecologic oncologists. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |