Search

Aim: In this prospective multicenter real-life observational cohort study, we investigated the acceptance, adherence and safety of regorafenib, in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer patients.Patients& Methods: A total of 136 patients were recruited at six oncological hospital sites in southern Italy. The adherence to the treatment was measured with patient-completed medication diaries, physician interviews and pill counts.Results: We found a statistically significant improvement of therapy adhesion by the acceptance questionnaire. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, the level of acceptance, the educational level and the concomitant usage of oral medications influenced the adherence to the treatment.Conclusion: Patients' level of education, concomitant other oral medications and patients' general clinical condition may influence the adherence to regorafenib. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To gain consensus on the role of bevacizumab plus paclitaxel as first-line treatment for HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer, a panel of expert oncologists experienced in treating patients with metastatic breast cancer in Italy participated in a Delphi consensus study. The panel reached a full consensus on the efficacy of bevacizumab plus paclitaxel and the clinical meaningfulness of the progression-free survival benefit compared with paclitaxel alone, despite the lack of an overall survival effect in clinical trials. The participants agreed that real-world data support the effectiveness and well-defined safety profile of the regimen. Views on the use of bevacizumab plus paclitaxel in specific patient populations were not unanimous and clinical judgment remains important. Nevertheless, a high level of agreement was reached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Temozolomide (TMZ), an oral methylating imidazotetrazinone, has antitumor activity against gliomas, malignant melanomas, and brain metastasis and is presently administered as a 5-day oral schedule every 4 weeks.Methods: A single-institution phase 2 clinical trial was conducted to determine the efficacy and the safety profile of a new regimen based on a dose-intensified, protracted course of TMZ after whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). Patients were eligible if they had at least 1 bidimensionally measurable brain metastasis from breast cancer and nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Twenty-seven patients were treated with 30 grays (Gy) of WBRT with concomitant TMZ (75 mg/m(2)/day) for 10 days, and subsequent TMZ at a dose of 75 mg/m(2) per day for 21 days every 4 weeks, for up to 12 cycles.Results: Two complete responses (7.4%) and 11 partial responses (40.7%) were achieved. The schedule appeared to be well tolerated, with grade 3 toxicity (graded according to National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria) observed in only 2 patients. The overall median survival was 8.8 months and the median progression-free survival was 6 months.Conclusions: The concomitant use of WBRT and protracted low-dose TMZ appears to be an active, well-tolerated regimen. The observed antitumor activity suggests the need for further investigation of this schedule in combination with other anticancer agents for the concomitant treatment of brain metastases and primary cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]