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Biotech / Medical : Indications -- Cancer -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Icebrg who wrote (382)	5/26/2003 1:39:00 AM
From: Miljenko Zuanic	Respond to of 1840

Circulating basic fibroblast growth factor (B-FGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in cancer patients: implications for anti-angiogenic therapy Year: 2002 Printable Version Abstract No: 3031 Category: Tumor and Cell Biology Author(s): Ronald S Go, Andrew L Horstman, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, WI. Abstract: BACKGROUND:Over-expression of angiogenic factors, most importantly VEGF and B-FGF, are implicated in the growth and metastasis of cancers. Several indirect angiogenic inhibitors are now available. These agents inhibit the production (interferon-alfa), neutralize (bevacizumab), or block the receptor (SU5416) of angiogenic factors. Elevated circulating angiogenic factors have been shown to predict treatment response and prognosis in some malignancies. PURPOSE:To review the expression of circulating VEGF and B-FGF in various cancers and describe its potential implications when using indirect anti-angiogenic therapy. METHODS:We searched the MEDLINE database from 1996-2001 for studies reporting plasma or serum VEGF and B-FGF levels in hematologic and solid malignancies. VEGF or B-FGF level is defined as high when the reported mean or median level is greater than or equal to twice the level of that in the healthy control group. It is considered indeterminate when results are conflicting. Only malignancies in which there are at least 2 reported studies are included. RESULTS: A total of 35 studies were reviewed. VEGF level is high in soft tissue sarcoma, colorectal, non-small cell lung and ovarian carcinomas. It is low in breast, prostate, renal, and small cell lung carcinomas and indeterminate in melanoma and head/neck carcinoma. B-FGF level is high in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma and renal carcinoma. It is low in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, colorectal and prostate carcinomas, and indeterminate in small cell and non-small cell lung carcinomas. VEGF and B-FGF are highest in ovarian carcinoma and CLL, respectively. CONCLUSION: The expression of VEGF and B-FGF varies in patients with different types of cancers and within patients with similar cancers. In cancers in which either VEGF or B-FGF are grossly over-expressed, indirect anti-angiogenic therapy maybe useful as a group. In cancers in which VEGF or B-FGF are low or indeterminate, screening patients for over-expression of these angiogenic factors maybe useful to identify patients more likely to respond to therapy.

To: Icebrg who wrote (382)	5/29/2003 5:40:31 AM
From: Icebrg	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 1840

Iressa Approved for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: An Expert Interview With Alan B. Sandler, MD Laurie Barclay, MD May 27, 2003 — Editor's Note: On May 5, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved AstraZeneca's gefitinib (Iressa) for non-small cell lung cancer that has progressed despite treatment with platinum-based and docetaxel chemotherapy. Although epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors like gefitinib are supposed to be more selective for the tumor and hence less toxic, postmarketing surveillance data found about a 2% incidence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients who took it in Japan, where it was first marketed in July 2002, and the Japanese health ministry reported 246 deaths. The ILD rate was much lower in a larger group of US patients who took the drug under an expanded access program. US experts say the specific nature of the ILD link, especially in Japan, remains unclear and will be better defined in further studies. Meantime, they say, gefitinib is an important new tool in refractory lung cancer treatment..... medscape.com