Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology RSS feed: Current Issue. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology publishes scholarly, critical reviews in all fields of oncology and hematology, and reviews and original research articles in the field of geriatric oncology. Most of the reviews are written on invitation. All reviews and original research articles are subject to peer review before final acceptance. Authors who wish to submit reviews to the journal are requested to submit a short synopsis of their chosen subject to the Editor, and to indicate the deadline by which they expect to submit their final manuscript. Authors of original research articles are requested to submit their manuscripts directly to the Editor. Further information regarding the submission of manuscripts and guidelines for the preparation of the manuscripts can be found in the Guidelines for Authors. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology is the official journal of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG). All members of SIOG receive a subscription to the journal. To find out more about SIOG – or to join – please visit www.cancerworld.org/siog.http://www.croh-online.com/?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology1040-8428741April 2010 © 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.croh-online.com/article/PIIS1040842810000399/abstract?rss=yesEditorial Board10.1016/S1040-8428(10)00039-9Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology 74, 1 (2010)2010-04-01Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology2010-04-01741S1040-8428(10)X0003-8CO2CO2http://www.croh-online.com/article/PIIS1040842809000833/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Understanding cellular systems requires identification and analysis of their multiple components and determination of how they act together and are regulated. Microarray technology is one of the few tools that is able to solve such problems. It is based on high-throughput recognition of a target to the probe and has the potential to simultaneously measure the presence of numerous molecules in multiplexed tests, all contained in a small drop of test fluid. Microarrays allow the parallel analysis of genomic or proteomic content in healthy versus disease-affected or altered tissues or cells. The signal read-out from the microarrays is done with organic dyes which often suffer of photobleaching, low brightness and background fluorescence. Recent data show that the use of fluorescent nanocrystals named “quantum dots” (QDs) allows to push these limits away. QDs are sufficiently bright to be detected as individual particles, extremely resistant against photobleaching and provide unique possibilities for multiplexing, thus supplying the microarray technology with a novel read-out option enabling the sensitivity of detection to reach the single-molecule level.This paper reviews QDs applications to microarray-based detection and demonstrates how the combination of microarray and QDs technologies may increase sensitivity and highly parallel capacities of multiplexed microarrays. Such a combination should provide the breakthrough results in drug discovery, cancer diagnosis and establish new therapeutic approaches through the identification of binding target molecules and better understanding of cell signalling pathways.Semiconductor quantum dots for multiplexed bio-detection on solid-state microarraysGilles Rousserie, Alyona Sukhanova, Klervi Even-Desrumeaux, Fabrice Fleury, Patrick Chames, Daniel Baty, Vladimir Oleinikov, Michel Pluot, Jacques H.M. Cohen, Igor Nabiev10.1016/j.critrevonc.2009.04.006Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology 74, 1 (2010)2009-05-21Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology2009-05-21741S1040-8428(10)X0003-8115http://www.croh-online.com/article/PIIS1040842809001255/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Conventional chemotherapy increases progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients versus best supportive care (BSC). However, the efficacy of chemotherapy is limited. Recently approved monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) have a different mechanism of action, targeting growth factors or their receptors.Panitumumab is a fully human IgG2 MoAb directed against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In phase II trials, panitumumab showed preliminary activity in chemorefractory mCRC. This efficacy was confirmed in a randomized pivotal phase III trial, which compared single-agent panitumumab plus BSC versus BSC alone. Several ongoing clinical trials are evaluating panitumumab in combination with different chemotherapy regimens in first- and second-line settings. Skin toxicities, hypomagnesemia, and diarrhea are the most common adverse events associated with anti-EGFR therapy. KRAS status and skin rash have been correlated with panitumumab efficacy.This article reviews the preclinical and pharmacokinetics data, activity and tolerance of panitumumab in mCRC patients. Potential predictive factors of response are also discussed.Integration of panitumumab into the treatment of colorectal cancerCristina Gravalos, Javier Cassinello, Pilar García-Alfonso, Antonio Jimeno10.1016/j.critrevonc.2009.06.005Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology 74, 1 (2010)2009-07-21Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology2009-07-21741S1040-8428(10)X0003-81626http://www.croh-online.com/article/PIIS1040842809001772/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: The number of melanoma cases worldwide is increasing faster than any other cancer and remains one of the most treatment-refractory malignancies. Despite decades of clinical trials testing chemotherapy and immunotherapy, a standard first-line treatment for metastatic melanoma has not yet been established; tough single agent dacarbazine represents the most common option. This review will focus on metastatic malignant melanoma treatment from single agent until new therapies. An overview of established chemotherapies and immunotherapies, followed by a summary of trials testing the potential combination and new agent are explored.Treatment for metastatic malignant melanoma: Old drugs and new strategiesRoger Mouawad, Marie Sebert, Judith Michels, Joel Bloch, Jean-Philippe Spano, David Khayat10.1016/j.critrevonc.2009.08.005Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology 74, 1 (2010)2009-09-25Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology2009-09-25741S1040-8428(10)X0003-82739http://www.croh-online.com/article/PIIS104084280900122X/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: The increased incidence of malignancies in elderly patients living in industrialized countries has led to both identify the causes that alter the normal homeostatic balance in elderly and designate the specific treatments. The progressive decline of the immune system (immunosenescence) involving cellular and molecular alterations impact both innate and adaptive immunity. The immunosenescence leads to increased incidence of infectious diseases morbidity and mortality as well as heightened rates of other immune disorders such as autoimmunity, cancer, and inflammatory conditions. Here, we summarize the knowledge on the major changes in the immune system associated with aging in primary lymphoid organs as well as a description of molecular mechanisms, and the impact on cancer development.The role of immunity in elderly cancerLucia Malaguarnera, Erika Cristaldi, Mariano Malaguarnera10.1016/j.critrevonc.2009.06.002Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology 74, 1 (2010)2009-07-06Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology2009-07-06741S1040-8428(10)X0003-8Geriatric Oncology (under the auspices of SIOG)4060http://www.croh-online.com/article/PIIS1040842809000845/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Efforts to improve the quality of end-of-life decision-making have emphasized the principle of individual autonomy to better ensure that patients receive care consistent with their preferences. Advance directives (ADs) can be vehicles for in-depth and ongoing discussions among health care professionals, patients, and families. The aim of our study was to identify preferences and values expressed in ADs of 50 elderly patients with cancer. Main concerns of the patients were resuscitation and introduction of artificial nutrition. Very few patients had unrealistic expectation. Preferences about patient's symptom management were quite different from one to another. Content of ADs not only involved life-sustaining technology, but also psychosocial items and religious beliefs and values. All patients designated at least one surrogate. In conclusion, ADs should not be considered simply as another questionnaire, but more as a process to improve communication.Preferences of elderly cancer patients in their advance directivesSophie Pautex, Grigorios Notaridis, Laurence Déramé, Gilbert B. Zulian10.1016/j.critrevonc.2009.04.007Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology 74, 1 (2010)2009-05-15Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology2009-05-15741S1040-8428(10)X0003-8Geriatric Oncology (under the auspices of SIOG)6165http://www.croh-online.com/article/PIIS104084280900081X/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Purpose: To analyse tolerance and outcome of patients over 80 years of age who choose external beam radiation therapy to the prostate as a curative treatment.Methods and material: We evaluated acute and late side effects, biological DFS (bDFS) and actuarial survival as well as causes of death in relation to the clinical status including co-morbidity, PSA value, Gleason score and modalities of external radiotherapy in patients with localised prostate cancer >80 years of age.Results: From January 1990 to December 2000, 65 eligible cases (median age: 81) were treated by 12 different participating institutions in the Rare Cancer Network. Tumour stage was T1N0M0, T2N0M0 and T3N0M0 for 10, 40, and 15 patients, respectively. Median follow-up was 65 months (range 22–177). Five-year overall survival rate was 77% with a 5-year bDFS rate of 73%. The incidence of grade 3 early toxicity was 12% and 9% for urinary and digestive tract, respectively.Conclusions: Radiation therapy given with curative intent is well tolerated in this selected group of patients aged over 80 years with localised prostate cancer. Results in terms of survival do not suggest a deleterious impact of this treatment. Therefore the authors recommend that radiation therapy with curative intent should not be withheld in selected elderly patients with localised prostate cancer.Curative external beam radiotherapy in patients over 80 years of age with localized prostate cancer: A retrospective rare cancer network studyTan Dat Nguyen, David Azria, Daniele Brochon, Philip Poortmans, Robert C. Miller, Luciano Scandolaro, Wojciech Majewski, Marco Krengli, Ufuk Abacioglu, Luigi Moretti, Salvador Villa, Fadil Akyol, Nicolas Jovenin10.1016/j.critrevonc.2009.04.004Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology 74, 1 (2010)2009-05-06Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology2009-05-06741S1040-8428(10)X0003-8Geriatric Oncology (under the auspices of SIOG)6671