Effective long-term treatment with bevacizumab for relapsed glioblastoma: case report and review of the literature.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults. Despite the use of optimized first-line therapy, GBM is still associated with a poor prognosis and an effective second-line therapy remains an important challenge in this patient population. In 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the monoclonal anti-VEGF-antibody bevacizumab for the treatment of relapsed GBM after two phase-II studies showed its efficacy and safety, alone or in combination with irinotecan, in relapsed GBM. In contrast, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) concluded from the same published data that a clear benefit in terms of overall survival was not shown and subsequently did not grant approval for bevacizumab in this setting. Here, we report on a 53-year old patient with relapsed GBM who was treated with bevacizumab as single agent. After three months, the tumor volume was reduced and the Karnofsky performance status was substantially improved compared to the baseline at the time of relapse. After continued long-term treatment for 26 months, the patient remains in an excellent general condition. Moreover, the measurement of the tumor volume using multiple imaging modalities shows a sustained treatment response. In conclusion, this case supports the notion that individual patients respond exceptionally well to treatment with anti-VEGF therapy and suggests that future trials are needed to better identify the patient population that responds to bevacizumab.

European consensus conference on diagnosis and treatment of germ cell cancer: a report of the second meeting of the European Germ Cell Cancer Consensus Group (EGCCCG): part II.

OBJECTIVES: The first consensus report that had been presented by the European Germ Cell Cancer Consensus Group (EGCCCG) in 2004 has found widespread approval by many colleagues throughout the world. In November 2006, the group met a second time under the auspices of the Department of Urology of the Amsterdam Medical Center, The Netherlands. METHODS: Medical oncologists, urologic surgeons, radiation oncologists as well as pathologists from several European countries reviewed and discussed the data that had emerged since the 2002 conference and incorporated the new data into updated and revised guidelines. As for the first meeting the methodology of evidence-based medicine (EBM) was applied. The results of the discussion were compiled by the writing committee. All participants have agreed to this final update. RESULTS: The second part of the consensus paper includes the treatment of metastasised disease, residual tumour resection, salvage therapy, follow-up, and late toxicities. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas the vast majority of the recommendations made in 2004 remain valid 3 yr later, refinements in the treatment of early-stage as well as of advanced-stage testicular cancer have emerged from clinical trials. Despite technical improvements, expert clinical skills will continue to be one of the major determinants for the prognosis of patients with germ cell cancer. In addition, the particular needs of testicular cancer survivors have been acknowledged.

European consensus conference on diagnosis and treatment of germ cell cancer: a report of the second meeting of the European Germ Cell Cancer Consensus group (EGCCCG): part I.

OBJECTIVES: The first consensus report presented by the European Germ Cell Cancer Consensus Group (EGCCCG) in the year 2004 has found widespread approval by many colleagues throughout the world. In November 2006, the group met a second time under the auspices of the Department of Urology of the Amsterdam Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. METHODS: Medical oncologists, urological surgeons, radiation oncologists as well as pathologists from several European countries reviewed and discussed the data that had emerged since the 2002 conference, and incorporated the new data into updated and revised guidelines. As for the first meeting, the methodology of evidence-based medicine (EBM) was applied. The results of the discussion were compiled by the writing committee. All participants have agreed to this final update. RESULTS: The first part of the consensus paper describes the clinical presentation of the primary tumor, its treatment, the importance and treatment of testicular intraepithelial neoplasia (TIN), histological classification, staging and prognostic factors, and treatment of stage I seminoma and non-seminoma. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas the vast majority of the recommendations made in 2004 remain valid 3 yr later, refinements in the treatment of early- and advanced-stage testicular cancer have emerged from clinical trials. Despite technical improvements, expert clinical skills will continue to be one of the major determinants for the prognosis of patients with germ cell cancer. In addition, the particular needs of testicular cancer survivors have been acknowledged.