Archive for March, 2007
Integrase Inhibitor Raltegravir Doubles Antiviral Response Rate in Treatment Experienced HIV-Infected Patients Compared to Optimised Background Therapy Alone
ROY STEIGBIGEL, State University of New York at Stony Brook
JOHN W. MELLORS, University of Pittsburgh
Raltegravir doubled the antiviral response rate and the increase in CD4 cells among treatment-experienced HIV-infected patients who were resistant to at least one drug in each of the nucleoside, non-nucleoside, and protease inhibitor classes. Two placebo controlled trials (BENCHMRK-1 and BENCHMRK-2) randomized a total of almost 700 subjects to either raltegravir 400 mg twice daily or to placebo, each on a background of optimized antiviral background therapy. Raltegravir is an integrase inhibitor and acts to block the enzyme that allows HIV’s nuclei acid to integrate into the DNA of host cells. At the Los Angeles conference Dan Keller heard about the studies from Roy Steigbigel and John Mellors.
Entecavir Shows Activity Against HIV But Also Selects for an Antiretroviral Drug Resistance Mutation
CHLOE THIO, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Entecavir, used to treat hepatitis B virus infections, can lower levels of HIV in co-infected patients but also selects for a mutation that makes HIV resistant to entecavir as well as the antiretroviral drugs lamivudine and emtricitabine. These findings, derived from three case reports and associated laboratory studies, have important implications for the treatment of HBV in HIV-infected patients. Current guidelines, issued in October 2006 and which recommend entecavir as a first-line treatment of HBV in co-infected individuals who do not require anti-HIV therapy, need to be reconsidered. Chloe Thio discussed her study results and their implications with Dan Keller at the 14th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Los Angeles.
Audio Journal of Oncology in Advance - March 1st, 2007
 Lorie Hughes |
 Rachel Ellsworth |
 Rowan Chlebowski |
 Victor Vogel |
Local Excision Alone for Selected Patients with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ?
REFERENCE: Abstract: 29
LORIE HUGHES, The Hope Center, Cartersville GA
The intergroup study E-5194 has found that local excision without radiation in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ is sufficient therapy for a selected group of patients. But Lorie Hughes told Karen Regester that it is not satisfactory for patients with high-grade malignancies.
Metastatic Cancer Molecules Can Differ from Primary Tumors: Implications for Therapy
REFERENCE: Abstract: Poster 4004
RACHEL ELLSWORTH, Windber Research Institute, Pennsylvania
Inappropriate breast cancer therapy may be given if the pathology of distant disease is not tested, according to the findings of a study announced at the Breast Cancer Symposium. Molecules of lymph node metastases were markedly different from those in primary tumors, so to avoid inappropriate treatment decisions, distant disease pathology should be assessed. Rachel Ellsworth discussed her group’s findings with Peter Goodwin.
A Low-Fat Diet Reduces Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk, and Extends Life
REFERENCE: Abstract: 32
ROWAN CHLEBOWSKI, LABioMed, Los Angeles
Women who ate less fat had fewer recurrences of breast cancer, and lived longer, the San Antonio conference heard. Mature results from the Women’s Intervention Nutrition Study (WINS) were presented by Rowan Chlebowski showing a reduction of recurrences and also longer survival among women on a low-fat diet as compared with women eating their usual diet. He discussed the results with Peter Goodwin.
STAR Trial Latest: Raloxifene and Tamoxifen Not Quite Equal for Breast Cancer Prevention
REFERENCE: Abstract: 33
VICTOR VOGEL, University of Pittsburgh
The selective estrogen receptor modulators tamoxifen and raloxifene are both recommended for preventing breast cancer in women judged to be at high risk. But mature data following unblinding of the NSABP Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR) trial show that although these agents are equal in prophylactic power, they have some differences in terms of their effect on in situ disease. Victor Vogel gave the latest news to Peter Goodwin during the Breast Cancer Symposium.
To listen this episode please go to ASCO Audio Journal of Oncology in Advance Presentations.
AliaIbrahim Zai, Egbert Sondorp, Gill Walt, Lucy Gilson, Ravi Narayan, Richard Horton, Vikram Patel, Willem Van De Put
Astrid Fletcher, Jo Lines, Sari Kovats, Colin Sutherland, Michel Coleman
