BACKGROUND Inflammatory markers are used to predict prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Previous reports of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and NPC mortality are inconsistent. This study aimed to quantify the prognostic impact of NLR on NPC. METHODS The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), and the secondary outcomes were disease-specific survival (DSS), progression-free su...

Background. In metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), continuing antiangiogenic drugs beyond progression might provide clinical benefit. We synthesized the available evidence in a meta-analysis. Patients and Methods. We conducted a meta-analysis of studies investigating the use of antiangiogenic drugs beyond progression. Eligible studies were randomized phase II/III trials. Primary endpoints were...

BACKGROUND The oncology community usually perceives phase I oncology trials as associated with poor or limited benefits and substantial risks. There is scarce data concerning outcome and survival of patients enrolled in current phase I oncology trials. PATIENTS AND METHODS We reviewed all phase I oncology trials conducted by investigators from the Adult Phase I Unit at Institut Gustave Roussy...

OBJECT Medical and surgical management of low-grade gliomas (LGGs) is complicated by a highly variable clinical course. The authors recently developed a preoperative scoring system to prognosticate outcomes of progression and survival in a cohort of patients treated at a single institution (University of California, San Francisco [UCSF]). The objective of this study was to validate the scoring ...

The standard phase II trial design has changed dramatically over the past decade. Randomized phase II studies have essentially become the standard phase II design in oncology for a variety of reasons. The use of these designs is motivated by concerns about the use of historical data to determine if a new agent or regimen shows promise of activity. However, randomized phase II designs come with ...

• The English Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) was introduced in 2010 to provide access to cancer drugs not routinely available on the National Health Service (NHS).1 • In its first year (2010/11), the Department of Health allocated £50million to the interim CDF. This has increased to £340million for 2015/16, and its future from April 2016 is uncertain.1 • The criteria for CDF reimbursement relies on th...

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death around the world; the addition of chemotherapy to treatment of this disease has been shown to significantly increase progression-free survival and overall survival. Despite newer chemotherapies, it is important to personalize the care (treatment and dose) upon each single patient's susceptibility for controlling and reducing adverse side-...

FOLFIRINOX, a standard of care in metastatic pancreatic cancer, has demonstrated superiority over gemcitabine for overall survival, progression-free survival, and objective response rates in the ACCORD 11/ PRODIGE 4 trial. The favourable outcomes associated with FOLFIRINOX have led to its wide availability and the establishment of several registries worldwide that investigate its use in clinica...

Background: Non Hodgkin’s lymphoma is an extremely chemo sensitive with a five year event free survival of greater than 90% in developed countries and a one year survival rate of 40-50% in developing countries. There have been no documented studies done at Kenyatta National Hospital on the various challenges faced by patients and their guardians that may hinder its optimal management.

Treatment of myeloma relapse needs to be individualized to reflect the effectiveness and toxicities of prior therapies, with consideration given to pragmatic issues such as the tempo of relapse, age of the patient, access to drugs and patient preference. In general, combination therapies have been associated with higher response rates and improved progression-free survival and may be preferable...