ABSTRACT
The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) tyrosine kinase (TK) receptor has emerged recently as a potentially relevant biomarker and therapeutic target in solid and hematologic tumors. A variety of alterations in the ALK gene, such as mutations, overexpression, amplification, translocations, or other structural rearrangements, have been implicated in human cancer tumorigenesis. In this article we review the potential role that ALK may have in lung tumor origin, the methodology to detect the different molecular alterations, and the most important clinical aspects of ALK alterations in NSCLC patients.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics , Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy , Lung Neoplasms/genetics , Mutation/genetics , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics , Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase , Crizotinib , Gene Amplification , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Humans , Pyrazoles/therapeutic use , Pyridines/therapeutic use , Translocation, GeneticABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasm-cell neoplasm characterized by a monoclonal protein in the serum or urine. Thalidomide is effective as second line treatment. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We performed a retrospective study of 36 consecutive patients with refractory MM treated with thalidomide and dexamethasone as second line therapy, with the objective of analyzing the rate of response (primary end point), progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicity profiles (second end points). RESULTS: In our study the overall response rate was 55.6%, with a median of PFS of 12.6 months (95% confidence interval: 4-21 months). PFS at 6, 12 and 18 months was 61.11%, 50% and 22.22% respectively. 30.6% of the patients had neuropathy, 11.11% had rash and 5.55% had deep vein thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of thalidomide and dexamethasone is an effective and safe second line treatment for refractory MM, with a manageable toxicity.
Subject(s)
Dexamethasone/therapeutic use , Multiple Myeloma/drug therapy , Thalidomide/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Fundamento y objetivo: El mieloma múltiple (MM) es una neoplasia de células plasmáticas que se caracteriza por la presencia de una proteína monoclonal en suero u orina. La talidomida es un fármaco eficaz en el tratamiento de segunda línea de esta enfermedad. Pacientes y método: Hemos realizado un estudio retrospectivo de una serie de 36 casos consecutivos con MM pertinaz a los que hemos tratado con talidomida y dexametasona en segunda línea, con el objetivo de analizar la tasa de respuesta (objetivo primario), la supervivencia libre de progresión (SLP) y toxicidad (objetivos secundarios). Resultados: En nuestro estudio hemos encontrado una tasa de respuesta total del 55,6%, una mediana de SLP de 12,6 meses (intervalo de confianza del 95%, 4-21 meses). La SLP a los 6, 12 y 18 meses fue del 61,11, el 50 y el 22,22% respectivamente. El 30,6% de los pacientes presentaron neuropatía; el 11,11%, erupción cutánea y el 5,55%, enfermedad tromboembólica. Conclusiones: La combinación de talidomida y dexametasona es un tratamiento efectivo y seguro en segunda línea para pacientes con MM resistente al tratamiento, con una toxicidad manejable
Background and objective: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasm-cell neoplasm characterized by a monoclonal protein in the serum or urine. Thalidomide is effective as second line treatment. Patients and method: We performed a retrospective study of 36 consecutive patients with refractory MM treated with thalidomide and dexamethasone as second line therapy, with the objective of analyzing the rate of response (primary end point), progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicity profiles (second end points). Results: In our study the overall response rate was 55.6%, with a median of PFS of 12.6 months (95% confidence interval: 4-21 months). PFS at 6, 12 and 18 months was 61.11%, 50% and 22.22% respectively. 30.6% of the patients had neuropathy, 11.11% had rash and 5.55% had deep vein thrombosis. Conclusions: The combination of thalidomide and dexamethasone is an effective and safe second line treatment for refractory MM, with a manageable toxicity
