bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Clinical Development of Paclitaxel: A Successful Collaboration of Academia, Industry and the National Cancer Institute
Authors: Donehower Ross C. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
The successful development of paclitaxel as an important new antineoplastic agent with the potential to have an impact on a number of human cancers was possible as a result of significant contributions from individuals and groups with diverse areas of interest and expertise.
The advancement of paclitaxel through the preclinical and clinical evaluation which ultimately led to its approval, as well as surmounting the regulatory hurdles which were faced required the close collaboration of individual investigators at academic institutions, the pharmaceutical industry (Bristol-Myers Squibb) and the National Cancer Institute. The latter stages of this developmental effort can be viewed as a prime example of the potential of the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement mechanism to bring novel therapies to patients with serious illnesses in a timely fashion. It is also tangible evidence of the vision and perseverance of a number of members of the Division of Cancer Treatment under the direction of Dr. Bruce Chabner, in whose honor this symposium is given.
All-Trans-Retinoic Acid Pharmacology and Its Impact on the Treatment of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia
Authors: Adamson Peter C. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
The approach to the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has changed dramatically over the past decade and, as a result, the long-term event-free survival for patients has improved significantly. The addition of the vitamin A derivative, all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), to treatment regimens has been responsible for this improvement in survival. Although ATRA is a potent remission induction agent in APL, continuous administration of ATRA as a single agent does not maintain patients in remission. Although lower plasma concentrations were initially noted at the time of relapse in patients with APL, subsequent studies have demonstrated that the decline in plasma drug concentrations occurs within one to two weeks of initiation of treatment, and possibly as early as three days. The inability to maintain adequate plasma concentrations of ATRA because of rapid upregulation of its catabolism is an attractive hypothesis to explain the inevitable recurrences in patients with initially responsive disease, but more recent data suggest that this mechanism alone is unlikely to be responsible for drug resistance. Cellular retinoic acid binding proteins (CRABPs) play a critical role in regulating the amount of free retinoic acid capable of reaching and activating nuclear receptors. Recent studies using leukemic blasts obtained at the time of relapse have demonstrated a shift in the ATRA dose-response curve in vitro. In addition, there is an upregulation in the expression of CRABP in leukemic blasts obtained at relapse. These observations suggest that ATRA resistance is not simply an inability to maintain therapeutic plasma concentrations of drug, but rather may be linked to the intracellular regulation of drug. The intricate nature of the homeostatic mechanisms that maintain tight control over retinoids, combined with the multiplicity of retinoid receptors and signaling pathways, leave open the possibility of a yet-to-be-defined mechanism of resistance that is independent of the clinical pharmacology of ATRA.
Difficulties with Fungal Infections in Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Patients: Immune Enhancement Strategies
Authors: Safdar Amar 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Invasive fungal infection in severely immunosuppressed patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) remains a serious challenge because (a) of the higher rates of non–drug susceptible fungal sinopulmonary disease; (b) despite advances in diagnostic fungal assays, the correct identification of causative organism(s) is difficult, and antifungal drug susceptibility data are seldom available during clinical decision making; and (c) the increasing frequencies of zygomycosis, scedosporiosis, and highly virulent Candida tropicalis infection have undermined the gains attributed to effective anti-Aspergillus drug therapy. Recombinant cytokines, such as recombinant human (rh)GM-CSF and interferon (IFN)-γ, have been explored to augment host antifungal immune responses. These cytokines promote activation and recruitment of granulocyte and mononuclear phagocytic effector cells. Prophylaxis with rhGM-CSF was associated with significantly fewer life-threatening and serious (grade ≥3) infections, especially in older patients undergoing treatment for AML. The limited experience with rhGM-CSF for the treatment of invasive fungal infections in combination with antifungal drug(s) was associated with a favorable outcome, and in contrast to Escherichia coli–derived rhGM-CSF, the new preparation (sargramostim) was well tolerated and rarely associated with serious systemic toxicities. Similarly, IFN-γ has been successfully used in patients with antimicrobial drug–refractory and/or disseminated fungal infection. Most patients tolerate the T-helper type 1 protagonist cytokine without serious adverse events. In difficult-to-treat fungal infections, the addition of cytokines appears to improve outcome and may be considered early in severely immunosuppressed patients with AML.
The Role of Sargramostim (rhGM-CSF) as Immunotherapy
Authors: Waller Edmund K. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
GM-CSF stimulates the differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors to monocytes and neutrophils, and reduces the risk for febrile neutropenia in cancer patients. GM-CSF also has been shown to induce the differentiation of myeloid dendritic cells (DCs) that promote the development of T-helper type 1 (cellular) immune responses in cognate T cells. This review summarizes some of the immunological effects of GM-CSF relevant to antitumor immunity in cancer patients. GM-CSF has been used to augment the activity of rituximab in patients with follicular lymphoma and to induce autologous antitumor immunity in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer. GM-CSF causes upregulation of costimulatory molecule expression on leukemia blasts in vitro, enhancing their ability to present antigen to allogeneic T cells, and, in combination with interferon-α, can induce antitumor immune responses in patients whose acute leukemia has relapsed following allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cell transplant. Tumor cells engineered to secrete GM-CSF are particularly effective as antitumor vaccines, and the addition of GM-CSF to standard vaccines may increase their effectiveness by recruiting DCs to the site of vaccination. However, a significant limitation in the use of GM-CSF as an immunostimulatory agent is that objective antitumor responses are infrequent, and are often not durable. Effective and durable antitumor immunity will likely require novel methods to eliminate counterregulatory immune responses that limit activation and expansion of cytotoxic T cells with antitumor activity.
Peripheral Blood Stem Cells: A Novel Source for Allogeneic Transplantation
Authors: Körbling Martin 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Cytokine-mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) are increasingly viewed as a promising alternative to bone marrow (BM)-derived stem cells for allografting in patients with hematologic malignancies. Preliminary results seem to indicate several potential advantages of this approach, such as: A) a more “donor-friendly” and possibly safer stem cell collection procedure; B) the procurement of a significantly larger number of progenitor cells (allowing for graft engineering opportunities); C) a faster hematopoietic engraftment including immunologic reconstitution, and D) comparable rates of acute graft-versus-host disease. Although the superiority of this approach over the traditional BM allografting has not been clearly demonstrated thus far in a randomized trial and many open issues remain, experience is accumulating rapidly, and major transplant centers worldwide seem to have endorsed this procedure. The acceptance of the peripheral blood as the primary source of stem cells for hematopoietic reconstitution in the allogeneic setting is likely to have a profound impact in areas such as graft-versus-leukemia/tumor effect, unrelated donor registries, and transplants. In the following, currently available information on blood stem cell harvesting and allografting is reviewed with the particular focus on donor safety.
Indications and Role of Liver Transplantation for Malignant Tumors
Authors: Pichlmayr Rudolf , Weimann Arved , Tusch Günter , Schlitt Hans J. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Purpose. The indication for liver transplantation in malignant liver tumors has been controversial due to disappointing results and shortage of donor organs. The authors evaluated the experience and results of a single center in order to define present indications and selection criteria in hepatobiliary malignancy.
Patients and Methods. Retrospective analysis of 212 patients who underwent liver transplantation for malignant tumors between 1972 and 1995: Primary hepatobiliary tumors: hepatocellular carcinoma, n = 124 (with underlying cirrhosis, n = 86; fibrolamellar subtype, n = 8); intrahepatic bile duct (cholangiocellular) carcinoma, n = 24; proximal bile duct carcinoma, n = 29; other uncommon entities (n = 15); secondary liver tumors: neuroendocrine, n = 11, and nonendocrine, n = 9.
Results. Survival rates in primary liver cancer were correlated to International Union Against Cancer (UICC) tumor stage. For hepatocellular and proximal bile duct carcinoma significantly better outcome was found in UICC-tumor stage I and II versus III and IV. No long-term survival was found after transplantation for intrahepatic bile duct carcinoma, hemangiosarcoma and nonendocrine liver metastases. Comparison of transplant and resected patients with hepatocellular carcinoma stage I and II with underlying cirrhosis showed better survival after transplantation: 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rate of 83.3% versus 76.9%, 75.8% versus 44.0%, 60.6% versus 44.0%, and median survival 96.5 versus 23.2 months. Although this difference was not significant, no patient died from tumor recurrence in the transplant group versus three in the resection group.
Discussion and Conclusions. Patients with malignant tumors can be selected for transplantation with predictable likelihood for long-term survival. According to the present data, liver transplantation can be considered in unresectable UICC-stage II hepatocellular and proximal bile duct carcinoma, the uncommon entities fibrolamellar carcinoma, epithelioid hemangioendothelioma and hepatoblastoma as well as liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumors. UICC-stage III and IV hepatocellular carcinoma as well as intrahepatic bile duct carcinoma, hemangiosarcoma and metastases from nonendocrine tumors should be excluded from transplantation alone. For hepatocellular carcinoma, multimodality treatment protocols have had a proven impact on the prevention of early recurrence and prolongation of survival. There is evidence that liver transplantation in still resectable hepatocellular carcinoma with underlying cirrhosis might be more appropriate in order to cure the cancer-bearing disease.
Fertility and Pregnancy Outcome after Treatment for Cancer in Childhood or Adolescence
Authors: Green Daniel M. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Successful therapy for children and adolescents with cancer includes the use of ionizing irradiation and/or chemotherapeutic agents. These may produce DNA damage, resulting in cell death, or the damage may be sublethal. These effects may be expressed in the gonads as sterilization or germ cell DNA damage. Sterilization may be acute, or identified by the occurrence of premature menopause. DNA damage may be identified by an increased risk for chromosomal syndromes, single gene defects or major congenital malformations in the offspring. Management of pediatric and adolescent cancer patients must include recognition of the potential for germ cell injury, counseling of patients regarding strategies for germ cell preservation, and long-term follow-up of the offspring of pediatric and adolescent cancer survivors to determine their increased risk, if any, for adverse pregnancy outcome, genetic disease and cancer.
Screening Childhood Cancer Survivors for Breast Cancer
Authors: Joseph Emmanuella , Clark Robert , Berman Claudia , Miller Marcia , Cox Charles , Greenberg Harvey , Reintgen Douglas S. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe development of second primary solid tumors, especially breast neoplasms, is increased among patients who have survived childhood or adolescent malignancies. With the increased long-term survival of patients with pediatric cancer, questions regarding breast cancer screening in this group have been raised. At this time, there are no established guidelines for breast cancer surveillance in this high-risk population. The objective of this review is to summarize the incidence, list additional risk factors for the development of breast cancer, and discuss the benefits of early detection of second primary breast cancers in pediatric cancer survivors. We have devised an algorithm for breast cancer screening in survivors of childhood malignancy. Implications of treatment with radiation and chemotherapy and the influence on prognosis of genetic abnormalities such as p53 mutations are debated.
High-Dose Therapy for Ovarian Carcinoma
Authors: Makatsoris Thomas , Seiden Michael V. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Epithelial ovarian carcinomas are successfully treated but seldom cured with standard platinum-based chemotherapy regimens. Investigation continues on the role of high-dose chemotherapy as part of salvage, consolidation and primary induction treatment strategies. Currently, the majority of available clinical studies suggest that modest increases in the dose of platinum in primary induction therapy does not translate into increased survival and comes at the cost of increased toxicity. Interest continues in the use of very high-dose chemotherapy regimens typically with peripheral blood stem cell or bone marrow transplantation. Several series have demonstrated that this approach can provide prolonged disease-free survival in a subset of carefully selected patients with low-volume chemotherapy-sensitive disease. The appropriate application of this expensive and potentially toxic treatment to women with ovarian cancer requires further clinical investigation.
Topoisomerase I Inhibitors
Authors: Ewesuedo Reginald B. , Ratain Mark J. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Topoisomerase I inhibitors are a new class of anticancer agents with a mechanism of action aimed at interrupting DNA replication in cancer cells, the result of which is cell death. Most if not all Topoisomerase I inhibitors are derivatives of the plant extract camptothecin. Irinotecan (CPT-11), a semi-synthetic derivative of camptothecin, is approved in the United States for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Ongoing clinical trials with CPT-11 show a 13% to 32% response rate when it is used singly or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents such as 5-fluorouracil. The major dose-limiting toxicities of CPT-11 are myelosuppression and a dual phase diarrhea. Topotecan is another semi-synthetic analogue of camptothecin. It is approved for use in the United States for the treatment of cisplatin refractory ovarian carcinoma. Current clinical trials suggest antitumor activity against a variety of human tumor types. There is significant interindividual variability in the plasma disposition of this drug. The main dose-limiting toxicity is myelosuppression. There are other derivatives of camptothecin, as well as new formulations of the parent plant extract, that are in various stages of clinical trials. Some of these clinical trials are aimed at increasing the therapeutic benefits of the agents when used singly or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agent(s) or treatment modalities. The dose-limiting toxicity observed in most of these clinical trials is myelosuppression.
Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Rubnitz Jeffrey E. , Pui Ching-Hon 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
The cure rate for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) now exceeds 70%. This success has been achieved in part by improvements in the biologic characterization of newly diagnosed patients. Modern treatment protocols rely on this information to tailor therapy to a patient's risk of relapse. Patients with favorable genetic features, such as hyperdiploidy or the TEL-AML1 fusion, can be treated with conventional antimetabolite-based therapy to minimize long-term side effects. By contrast, extremely high-risk patients, such as infants with MLL gene rearrangements and cases with BCR-ABL fusion and poor early response, are candidates for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in first remission. Future areas of research include the identification of new genetic subgroups of ALL and the development of novel therapies.
Intracranial Germ Cell Tumors
Authors: Packer Roger J. , Cohen Bruce H. , Cooney Kathleen 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Intracranial germ cell tumors are a heterogeneous group of lesions which occur in children and adults. Within the classification of intracranial germ cell tumors, there are a variety of different tumor types which carry different prognoses. The diagnosis of an intracranial germ cell tumor usually requires histological information, but a subgroup of tumors will secrete specific tumor markers, including α-fetoprotein and β-human chorionic gonadotropin, which may obviate the need for surgical intervention.
The management of intracranial germ cell tumors in both children and adults remains unsettled. Germinomas have a good prognosis, as over 90% of patients can be effectively treated with radiation therapy. The dose and volume of radiation therapy needed for disease control is not well established, and controversy exists concerning the need for whole brain or craniospinal radiation therapy for localized tumors. Germinomas are also chemosensitive and recent reports suggest that the dose and volume of radiation therapy required for disease control can be lessened with the addition of adjuvant chemotherapy.
The outcome for patients with nongerminomatous germ cell tumors is less favorable. Radiation therapy alone will result in disease control in 40%-60% of patients. The addition of chemotherapy to radiation therapy may improve the rate of survival.
Best Practices in the Management of Nonmedical Opioid Use in Patients with Cancer-Related Pain
Authors: Ulker Esad , Del Fabbro Egidio 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Introduction
Nonmedical opioid use (NMOU) in patients with cancer is a term covering a spectrum of nonprescribed opioid use. The extent to which an individual uses opioids in a nonprescribed manner will influence propensity for adverse effects such as neurotoxicity, substance use disorder, overdose, and death.

Objectives
The objectives of this study were to (A) evaluate current literature regarding management of NMOU in patients with cancer-related pain; (B) provide best practice recommendations based on evidence; and (C) integrate practices derived from the management of noncancer pain, where clinically appropriate or when the oncology literature is limited.

Methods
This study is a narrative review.

Implications
Although harm from NMOU was thought to be rare among oncology patients, about one in five patients with cancer is at risk of adverse outcomes including prolonged opioid use, high opioid doses, and increased health care utilization. The management of NMOU can be challenging because pain is a multidimensional experience encompassing physical, psychological, and spiritual domains. An interdisciplinary team approach is most effective, and management strategies may include (A) education of patients and families; (B) harm reduction, including opioid switching, decreasing the overall daily dose, avoiding concurrent sedative use, and using adjuvant medications for their opioid-sparing potential; (C) managing psychological and spiritual distress with an interdisciplinary team and techniques such as brief motivational interviewing; and (D) risk mitigation by pill counts, frequent clinic visits, and accessing statewide prescription drug monitoring plans.

Conclusion
Although many of the management strategies for NMOU in patients with cancer-related pain are modeled on those for chronic non–cancer-related pain, there is emerging evidence that education and harm-reduction initiatives specifically for cancer-related pain are effective.
A Phase II Study of Pazopanib in Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: NCCTG N0623 (Alliance)
Authors: Parikh Kaushal , Mandrekar Sumithra J. , Allen-Ziegler Katie , Esplin Brandt , Tan Angelina D. , Marchello Benjamin , Adjei Alex A. , Molina Julian R. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Purpose
Preclinical and clinical data have shown promise in using antiangiogenic agents to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). We conducted this phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of single-agent pazopanib in patients with MPM.

Materials and Methods
Patients with MPM who had received 0–1 prior chemotherapy regimens were eligible to receive pazopanib at a dose of 800 mg daily. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival rate at 6 months (PFS6), with a preplanned interim analysis for futility. Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), PFS, adverse events assessment and clinical benefit (complete response, partial response [PR], and stable disease [SD]).

Results
Thirty-four evaluable patients were enrolled, with a median age of 73 years (49–84). The trial was closed early because of lack of efficacy at the preplanned interim analysis. Only 8 patients (28.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 13.2–48.7%) in the first 28 evaluable were progression-free at 6 months. PFS6 was 32.4% (95% CI, 17.4–50.5). There were 2 PR (5.9%) and 16 SD (47.1%). The overall median PFS and OS were 4.2 months (95% CI, 2.0–6.0) and 11.5 months (95% CI: 5.3–18.2), respectively. The median PFS and OS for the previously untreated patients was 5.4 months (95% CI, 2.7–8.5) and 16.6 months (95% CI, 6.6–30.6), respectively; and 2.0 months (95% CI, 1.3–4.2) and 5.0 months (95% CI: 3.0–11.9), respectively, for the previously treated patients. Grade 3 or higher adverse events were observed in 23 patients (67.6%).

Conclusion
Single-agent pazopanib was poorly tolerated in patients with MPM. The primary endpoint of PFS6 was not achieved in the current study. ClinicalTrials.gov identification number. NCT00459862.

Implications for Practice
Single-agent pazopanib did not meet its endpoint in this phase II trial in malignant mesothelioma. Pazopanib is well tolerated in mesothelioma patients with a manageable toxicity profile. There is a need to better identify signals of angiogenesis that can be targeted in mesothelioma. Encouraging findings in frontline treatment warrant further investigations in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy.