Drug therapies for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Management of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer has changed markedly over the last decade with major shifts in the treatment paradigm, although ultimately still will progress despite currently available therapies. The sequencing or combination of these agents is an area of active investigation, since definitive prospective randomized trials to define the optimal choice of drug sequence have yet to be done or resulted. This article will highlight pivotal trials for currently approved therapies for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and a suggestion for sequencing of these agents, as well as highlighting investigations using novel therapies for advanced prostate cancer.

Peritoneal metastases from malignant degeneration of ectopic gastric epithelium in Meckel's diverticulum: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, resulting from incomplete obliteration of the omphalomesenteric duct in early fetal development. The diverticulum frequently contains ectopic gastrointestinal epithelial tissue, most commonly gastric or pancreatic. Adenocarcinoma can arise from either of these epithelia but is extremely rare, with less than 50 cases reported in the world literature. METHODS: In a patient with peritoneal metastases from ectopic gastric mucosae in a Meckel's diverticulum a multidisciplinary treatment plan was initiated. RESULTS: Diagnosis was evident from study of the resected specimen of small bowel in a patient with acute abdominal pain. A multiagent chemotherapy regimen using oxaliplatin, mitomycin C, doxorubicin, and capecitabine (O-Max) resulted in a clinical and radiologic response. A second surgery with extensive sampling of tissues from the abdomen and pelvis confirmed a complete response to systemic chemotherapy. At four years from onset of disease the patient has no evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Peritoneal metastases from malignant degeneration of ectopic gastric epithelium in a Meckel's diverticulum was reported. Multidisciplinary treatments were beneficial.

Immune-based Therapies for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Treatment of non-small cell lung cancer has evolved tremendously over the past decade. Specifically, immune checkpoint inhibitors have become an increasingly interesting target of pharmacological blockade. These immune inhibitors have shown promising results in front-line therapy and after failure of multiple lines, as well as in monotherapy and combination with other therapies. Vaccination in non-small cell lung cancer is also an emerging field of research that holds promising results for the future of immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer. This review presents a concise update on the most recent data regarding the role of checkpoint inhibitors as well as vaccination in non-small cell lung cancer.

Plasmablastic Lymphoma: Case Report of Prolonged Survival of an Advanced Human Immunodeficiency Patient and Literature Review.

Clinical Practice Points. Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare and highly aggressive variant of diffuse large B cell lymphoma with median survival of advanced stage patients varying between 6 and 15 months in previous reports. We report here a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient surviving over 12 years following treatment for advanced PBL with EPOCH chemotherapy and intrathecal therapy. This case highlights the potential for improved survival in PBL with intensive chemotherapy. Further, literature review suggests promising prospects utilizing novel targeted therapies to increase the rate of prolonged responses.

The Utility of Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Metastatic Prostate Cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men and the second most common cause of cancer deaths among men. Treatment of prostate cancer remains a challenge. Despite decades of research, few cytotoxic chemotherapy agents have shown promise against prostate cancer. In this paper, we will discuss the history of chemotherapy in prostate cancer, the pivotal trials with docetaxel that advanced the field, the cytotoxic chemotherapy agents, including cabazitaxel, as well as combination therapy with docetaxel or cabazitaxel and the potential implications of biomarkers such as AR-V7 in chemotherapy use.