REFERENCES: J Clin Oncol 34:3904, 3927, 3939
GEORGE CANELLOS, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston
In adult acute myeloid leukemia the detection of KIT mutations was associated with higher relapse risk, according to a study from Columbus, Ohio, reviewed by George Canellos. Dr Canellos also discussed findings from Paris that complete dissection of liver metastasis is not curative for colorectal cancer, and results from Boston that patients with large breast cancers removed by mastectomy may expect low locoregional recurrence rates if they are lymph-node negative, and therefore do not need postmastectomy radiotherapy.

REFERENCE: J Clin Oncol 24:3880
SANDRA STRAUSS, Royal Free Hospital, London
COMMENT: George Canellos
A new combination of immunotherapy agents – the anti-CD22 antibody epratuzumab and the anti CD20 rituximab - has shown promise for the treatment of patients whose non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is recurrent or has become refractory to standard therapy. Sandra Strauss of London’s Royal Free Hospital told Peter Goodwin about the findings from her study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

REFERENCE: J Clin Oncol 24:3570
NANCY BAXTER, St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto
COMMENT: George Canellos
In Stage III colon cancer having fewer negative lymph nodes leads to shorter survival, according to the findings of a study from St Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. Having more negative nodes is associated with longer survival. Nancy Baxter discussed the investigation with Derek Thorne.