Selected articles
KRAS mutations in non‑small cell lung cancer and options of treatment
02/2020 MUDr. Marie Drösslerová; MUDr. Libor Havel
KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog) mutations are the most frequently oncogene aberrations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). KRAS-mutated NSCLC represents a heterogeneous subgroup because there are different KRAS subtypes, mutations and comutations. It results in different biological behavior of the tumor and its response to treatment. A large majority of patients with KRAS mutations have short-term survival. Trials for targeted treatment have failed. Immunotherapy is the most promising treatment for some patients with KRAS-mutated NSCLC. A very hopeful is an experimental cancer drug AMG 510 which is tested in phase 1/2 clinical trial.
ENTIRE ARTICLE
KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog) mutations are the most frequently oncogene aberrations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). KRAS-mutated NSCLC represents a heterogeneous subgroup because there are different KRAS subtypes, mutations and comutations. It results in different biological behavior of the tumor and its response to treatment. A large majority of patients with KRAS mutations have short-term survival. Trials for targeted treatment have failed. Immunotherapy is the most promising treatment for some patients with KRAS-mutated NSCLC. A very hopeful is an experimental cancer drug AMG 510 which is tested in phase 1/2 clinical trial.
Atezolizumab in breast cancer therapy
02/2020 MUDr. Nikol Rušarová; MUDr. Marie Bartoušková
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer of women (except of skin tumors). In addition, up to 30 percent of women with early-stage, non-metastatic breast cancer at diagnosis will develop distant metastatic disease. Currently due to preventive examinations and mammography examination the incidence of breast cancer is increasing, which was 146 women / 100 000 inhabitants in 2017. But mortality decreases due to new possibilities of treatment and enlargement of the treatment armamentarium. In 2017 the mortality rate was 34.7 women / 100 000 inhabitants.
ENTIRE ARTICLE
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer of women (except of skin tumors). In addition, up to 30 percent of women with early-stage, non-metastatic breast cancer at diagnosis will develop distant metastatic disease. Currently due to preventive examinations and mammography examination the incidence of breast cancer is increasing, which was 146 women / 100 000 inhabitants in 2017. But mortality decreases due to new possibilities of treatment and enlargement of the treatment armamentarium. In 2017 the mortality rate was 34.7 women / 100 000 inhabitants.
Combination avelumab‑axitinib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma treatment
02/2020 Doc. MUDr. Tomáš Büchler, Ph.D.
Several recent clinical studies have shown the benefit of combining checkpoint inhibitors with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) directed agents. JAVELIN Renal 101 was a randomised study comparing the combination of avelumab + axitinib versus sunitinib in the first line therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. A total of 886 patients were enrolled. In patients with programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, the median progression-free survival was 13.6 months versus 7.2 months favoring avelumab-axitinib. Based on these results, the combination of avelumab and axitinib is a new standard first-line treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
ENTIRE ARTICLE
Several recent clinical studies have shown the benefit of combining checkpoint inhibitors with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) directed agents. JAVELIN Renal 101 was a randomised study comparing the combination of avelumab + axitinib versus sunitinib in the first line therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. A total of 886 patients were enrolled. In patients with programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, the median progression-free survival was 13.6 months versus 7.2 months favoring avelumab-axitinib. Based on these results, the combination of avelumab and axitinib is a new standard first-line treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
Neratinib in the context of an early breast cancer anti‑HER2 therapy
02/2020 Prof. MUDr. Petra Tesařová, CSc.
Early breast cancer with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2 [EGFR2]) positivity has a better chance of recovery due to the potential of targeted adjuvant and neoadjuvant anti-HER2 treatments. Nevertheless, 25% of patients who still have the disease, despite the treatment, remain mostly in the form of distant metastases. Therefore, it is sensible for patients at risk to enhance anti-HER2 treatment for early HER2 positive cancer. One option is prolonged adjuvant therapy with neratinib.
ENTIRE ARTICLE
Early breast cancer with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2 [EGFR2]) positivity has a better chance of recovery due to the potential of targeted adjuvant and neoadjuvant anti-HER2 treatments. Nevertheless, 25% of patients who still have the disease, despite the treatment, remain mostly in the form of distant metastases. Therefore, it is sensible for patients at risk to enhance anti-HER2 treatment for early HER2 positive cancer. One option is prolonged adjuvant therapy with neratinib.
Atypical immune response in melanoma treated with anti‑PD‑1 antibody – case report
02/2020 MUDr. Simona Michalčová
Case report describe atypical immune response in patient with high-risk melanoma, stadium III, adjuvantly treated with anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab, noticed in the first 3 months of therapy. PET/CT (positrom emision tomography) showed the presence of pathological lymph-nodes in mediastinum, suspicion to interstitial lung disease and extensive densifications of the subcutaneous fat of extremities with pathological metabolic activity. In cooperation with pneumo-oncologist the adverse event of immunotherapy (autoimmune pneumonitis) was excluded.
ENTIRE ARTICLE
Case report describe atypical immune response in patient with high-risk melanoma, stadium III, adjuvantly treated with anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab, noticed in the first 3 months of therapy. PET/CT (positrom emision tomography) showed the presence of pathological lymph-nodes in mediastinum, suspicion to interstitial lung disease and extensive densifications of the subcutaneous fat of extremities with pathological metabolic activity. In cooperation with pneumo-oncologist the adverse event of immunotherapy (autoimmune pneumonitis) was excluded.
Healing of solar keratoses on the head after application of ingenol mebutate gel – case report
02/2020 MUDr. Ilona Procházková
Solar keratosis is a frequently occurring epithelial dysplasia where atypical keratinocytes proliferate. It is located in places often exposed to UV radiation, more often in people of phototype I and II. Solar keratosis can develop into squamous cell carcinoma. The treatment is surgical, physical and topical. Ingenol-mebutate gel therapy is new topical treatment now.
ENTIRE ARTICLE
Solar keratosis is a frequently occurring epithelial dysplasia where atypical keratinocytes proliferate. It is located in places often exposed to UV radiation, more often in people of phototype I and II. Solar keratosis can develop into squamous cell carcinoma. The treatment is surgical, physical and topical. Ingenol-mebutate gel therapy is new topical treatment now.
Skin toxicity of immunotherapy
02/2020 MUDr. Miroslav Důra
Cancer immunotherapy has become a therapeutic routine in increasing number of diagnoses. Beside the established antitumoral efficacy, a range of specific adverse events is now well-known including the immunological basis of the evolution. The article summarizes the most frequent types of skin toxicity in immunotherapy. Severity assessment is presented according to the new version of CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events). Current recommendations of ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology) and NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) are taken into account in the treatment management.
ENTIRE ARTICLE
Cancer immunotherapy has become a therapeutic routine in increasing number of diagnoses. Beside the established antitumoral efficacy, a range of specific adverse events is now well-known including the immunological basis of the evolution. The article summarizes the most frequent types of skin toxicity in immunotherapy. Severity assessment is presented according to the new version of CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events). Current recommendations of ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology) and NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) are taken into account in the treatment management.
Mechanisms of resistance in malignant melanoma treated by targeted therapy
02/2020 MUDr. Ondřej Kodet, Ph.D.
The emergence of tumor resistance to targeted therapy represents a significant public health problem. Overcoming these mechanisms would lead to a prolonged effect of this form of treatment, which excels at a significantly higher percentage of therapeutic responses than immunotherapy. The key to the development of new drugs that potentiate the effect of BRAF and MEK inhibitors is a detailed mapping of resistance mechanisms. This work points to some mechanisms of epigenetic, genetic and influence of tumor microenvironment. It also points to the influence of the immune system, which offers one way to potentiate the effect of targeted therapy.
ENTIRE ARTICLE
The emergence of tumor resistance to targeted therapy represents a significant public health problem. Overcoming these mechanisms would lead to a prolonged effect of this form of treatment, which excels at a significantly higher percentage of therapeutic responses than immunotherapy. The key to the development of new drugs that potentiate the effect of BRAF and MEK inhibitors is a detailed mapping of resistance mechanisms. This work points to some mechanisms of epigenetic, genetic and influence of tumor microenvironment. It also points to the influence of the immune system, which offers one way to potentiate the effect of targeted therapy.
New approaches in the treatment of stage II and III melanoma in the context of current research results
02/2020 MUDr. Eugen Kubala
The successful journey continues. After success in advanced and metastatic melanoma, melanoma treatment has been transferred to adjuvant therapy. It is essential to determine early stages of melanoma suitable for adjuvant treatment. According to the new classification, the prognosis for stages IIB and IIC is worse than for stage IIIA. This group of patients is currently denied adjuvant therapy and we are awaiting the results of ongoing trials. Because the risk of disease relapse is high, between 40 and 60%, the aims of current research to move adjuvant therapy to the stage II. The Keynote 716 study (MK 3475-716 - NCT03553836) sought to determine whether adjuvant therapy with pembrolizumab at risk stages IIB and IIC would delay the relapse of the disease. The focus of the main studies of targeted treatment of COMBI AD and immunotherapy EORTC 18071, CheckMate-238, Keynote 054 was the stage III. The question is not whether to treat, but what treatment to start especially for melanoma with BRAF V600 mutation. Adjuvant treatment at this stage has shown a clear benefit and its use is undoubted. Unfortunately, we are not clear about subsequent treatment at relapse during or after adjuvant treatment.
ENTIRE ARTICLE
The successful journey continues. After success in advanced and metastatic melanoma, melanoma treatment has been transferred to adjuvant therapy. It is essential to determine early stages of melanoma suitable for adjuvant treatment. According to the new classification, the prognosis for stages IIB and IIC is worse than for stage IIIA. This group of patients is currently denied adjuvant therapy and we are awaiting the results of ongoing trials. Because the risk of disease relapse is high, between 40 and 60%, the aims of current research to move adjuvant therapy to the stage II. The Keynote 716 study (MK 3475-716 - NCT03553836) sought to determine whether adjuvant therapy with pembrolizumab at risk stages IIB and IIC would delay the relapse of the disease. The focus of the main studies of targeted treatment of COMBI AD and immunotherapy EORTC 18071, CheckMate-238, Keynote 054 was the stage III. The question is not whether to treat, but what treatment to start especially for melanoma with BRAF V600 mutation. Adjuvant treatment at this stage has shown a clear benefit and its use is undoubted. Unfortunately, we are not clear about subsequent treatment at relapse during or after adjuvant treatment.
Treatment of metastatic hormone dependent breast cancer with combination palbociclib and letrozol – case report
01/2020 Special Edition - MUDr. Věra Benešová
Anti-tumor effect of CDK4/6 inhibitors in combination with hormone therapy significantly prolong progression free survival with prolongation time of lifetime. The use of this combination therapy in routine clinical practice fundamentally changes the treatment options of our patients.
ENTIRE ARTICLE
Anti-tumor effect of CDK4/6 inhibitors in combination with hormone therapy significantly prolong progression free survival with prolongation time of lifetime. The use of this combination therapy in routine clinical practice fundamentally changes the treatment options of our patients.
Durvalumab in the treatment of non‑small cell lung cancer
01/2020 Special Edition - MUDr. Ondřej Bílek
Lung cancer represents the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Most of the patients are diagnosed with advanced disease. Targeting immune-checkpoint inhibitors represents a standard option for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The aim of this review is to summarize and discuss the clinical evidence for the use of durvalumab in advanced NSCLC.
ENTIRE ARTICLE
Lung cancer represents the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Most of the patients are diagnosed with advanced disease. Targeting immune-checkpoint inhibitors represents a standard option for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The aim of this review is to summarize and discuss the clinical evidence for the use of durvalumab in advanced NSCLC.
Inclusion of chemoradiotherapy to primary tumor in patient with synchronous liver metastases – case report
01/2020 Special Edition - MUDr. Marián Liberko; doc. MUDr. Renata Soumarová, Ph.D.
Case report describes a case of patient with stenosing rectal cancer and multiple liver metastases. Systemic chemobiotherapy (mFOLFOX6 + Vectibix) led to significant response of liver metastases enabling curative surgical resection of liver metastases - liver first approach. Subsequent chemoradiotherapy of primary rectal cancer led to significant regression based on imaging methods and patient was indicated to curative surgery of rectal cancer. Combination of modalities of oncological treatment may represent in selected group of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer potentially curative approach with chance of long-term survival.
ENTIRE ARTICLE
Case report describes a case of patient with stenosing rectal cancer and multiple liver metastases. Systemic chemobiotherapy (mFOLFOX6 + Vectibix) led to significant response of liver metastases enabling curative surgical resection of liver metastases - liver first approach. Subsequent chemoradiotherapy of primary rectal cancer led to significant regression based on imaging methods and patient was indicated to curative surgery of rectal cancer. Combination of modalities of oncological treatment may represent in selected group of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer potentially curative approach with chance of long-term survival.
Immunotherapy and radiotherapy in locally advanced (metastatic) non‑small cell lung cancer
01/2020 Special Edition - MUDr. Gabriela Krákorová, Ph.D.; MUDr. Hana Steinbergerová; prof. MUDr. Miloš Pešek, CSc.; prof. MUDr. Jindřich Fínek, Ph.D., MHA; MUDr. Tomáš Svoboda, Ph.D.
Non-small cell lung cancer even today is a big socioeconomic problem for beeing diagnosed in an advanced or metastatic stage in majority of tumors when our treatment methods available at that time unfortunately are not associated with satisfactory results except few patients with tumors carrying specific mutations. Radiochemotherapy remains the basic standard regimen while adding induction or maintenance cytotoxic treatment did not count for any other benefit. However, modern immunotherapy by PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors brings a huge hope today. Mainly it's combination with radiation therapy sensibilizing to a better immunotherapy effect could become a standard part in majority of treatment guidelines. In this context, hypofractionated radiation regimens with limited target volumes seem to be preferred to normofractionation and larger fields. The role of abscopal effect remains still uncertain.
ENTIRE ARTICLE
Non-small cell lung cancer even today is a big socioeconomic problem for beeing diagnosed in an advanced or metastatic stage in majority of tumors when our treatment methods available at that time unfortunately are not associated with satisfactory results except few patients with tumors carrying specific mutations. Radiochemotherapy remains the basic standard regimen while adding induction or maintenance cytotoxic treatment did not count for any other benefit. However, modern immunotherapy by PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors brings a huge hope today. Mainly it's combination with radiation therapy sensibilizing to a better immunotherapy effect could become a standard part in majority of treatment guidelines. In this context, hypofractionated radiation regimens with limited target volumes seem to be preferred to normofractionation and larger fields. The role of abscopal effect remains still uncertain.
Radiotherapy for brain metastases in the era of targeted therapies and immunotherapies
01/2020 Special Edition - MUDr. Tomáš Blažek
Therapy of brain metastases is a very attractive topic in the era of the new systemic palliative treatment approaches and improved local treatment techniques. The new radiotherapy techniques, targeted therapy and immunotherapy substantially changed the prognosis of the patients and their overall survival. The most important factors are the number of metastases, their localization, histological type and presence or absence of key structures such as receptors or ligands in order to be the therapy targeted. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of current treatment options and discuss the challenges and future visions of the treatment.
ENTIRE ARTICLE
Therapy of brain metastases is a very attractive topic in the era of the new systemic palliative treatment approaches and improved local treatment techniques. The new radiotherapy techniques, targeted therapy and immunotherapy substantially changed the prognosis of the patients and their overall survival. The most important factors are the number of metastases, their localization, histological type and presence or absence of key structures such as receptors or ligands in order to be the therapy targeted. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of current treatment options and discuss the challenges and future visions of the treatment.
Radiotherapy, immunotherapy, abscopal effect. A new way?
01/2020 Special Edition - MUDr. Lukáš Chlachula
Radiotherapy is one of the methods of therapeutic armamentarium used in all stages of cancer. In the vast majority of cases, the indication of radiotherapy is local treatment of the tumor. The use of modern techniques can increase the effect while reducing the side effects. Numerous literature sources also describe the so-called abscopal effect - an immune-mediated response of non-irradiated tumor cells. The combination with immunotherapy, the so-called checkpoint inhibitors (anti-CTL, anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-LI), brings new possibilities in enhancing the complex tumor effect while using the abscopal effect.
ENTIRE ARTICLE
Radiotherapy is one of the methods of therapeutic armamentarium used in all stages of cancer. In the vast majority of cases, the indication of radiotherapy is local treatment of the tumor. The use of modern techniques can increase the effect while reducing the side effects. Numerous literature sources also describe the so-called abscopal effect - an immune-mediated response of non-irradiated tumor cells. The combination with immunotherapy, the so-called checkpoint inhibitors (anti-CTL, anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-LI), brings new possibilities in enhancing the complex tumor effect while using the abscopal effect.
Mechanism of synergy of radiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy
01/2020 Special Edition - MUDr. Milan Vošmik, Ph.D.
Modern immunotherapy using immune check-point inhibitors has experienced a huge boom in routine clinical practice. In preclinical and clinical practice, synergy of immunotherapy and radiotherapy is observed. The reason is the ability of radiotherapy to activate anti-tumor immunity, even outside the irradiated tumor (abscopal effect). Activated anti-tumor immunity is one of the important conditions for the therapeutic effect of immune check-point inhibitors.
ENTIRE ARTICLE
Modern immunotherapy using immune check-point inhibitors has experienced a huge boom in routine clinical practice. In preclinical and clinical practice, synergy of immunotherapy and radiotherapy is observed. The reason is the ability of radiotherapy to activate anti-tumor immunity, even outside the irradiated tumor (abscopal effect). Activated anti-tumor immunity is one of the important conditions for the therapeutic effect of immune check-point inhibitors.
The importance of radiotherapy of primary tumor in synchronous metastatic disease
01/2020 Special Edition - Doc. MUDr. Renata Soumarová, Ph.D.; MUDr. Tomáš Blažek; MUDr. Marián Liberko
Radiotherapy has an important role in treatment of malignant tumors. It is usually used in treatment of localized disease in combination with surgery or as a curative treatment with or without chemotherapy. In metastatic setting, radiotherapy has palliative intent with the aim to relief from suffering. Nevertheless, with improvements in radiotherapy techniques there are also new indications for radiotherapy. Curative radiotherapy doses and techniques are used in metastatic setting with the aim to improve not only local control but also overall survival. Preclinical and experimental studies prove systemic treatment effect of radiotherapy, which leads to immune reactions also outside of irradiated target volume. Combination of radiotherapy with immunotherapy represents new treatment option. The aim of this review is to provide summary of studies, which studies added effect of radiotherapy of primary tumor in synchronous metastatic disease.
ENTIRE ARTICLE
Radiotherapy has an important role in treatment of malignant tumors. It is usually used in treatment of localized disease in combination with surgery or as a curative treatment with or without chemotherapy. In metastatic setting, radiotherapy has palliative intent with the aim to relief from suffering. Nevertheless, with improvements in radiotherapy techniques there are also new indications for radiotherapy. Curative radiotherapy doses and techniques are used in metastatic setting with the aim to improve not only local control but also overall survival. Preclinical and experimental studies prove systemic treatment effect of radiotherapy, which leads to immune reactions also outside of irradiated target volume. Combination of radiotherapy with immunotherapy represents new treatment option. The aim of this review is to provide summary of studies, which studies added effect of radiotherapy of primary tumor in synchronous metastatic disease.
A patient with metastatic colorectal cancer who prefers outpatient treatment - case report
01/2020 MUDr. Jiří Tomášek, Ph.D.
We present a case report of a 75-year-old woman who has been treated for 4.5 years for metastatic colorectal cancer and emphasizes out-patient treatment, which should not significantly affect her life.
ENTIRE ARTICLE
We present a case report of a 75-year-old woman who has been treated for 4.5 years for metastatic colorectal cancer and emphasizes out-patient treatment, which should not significantly affect her life.
Rechallenge of EGFR inhibitors in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer - case report
01/2020 MUDr. Hana Korunková
A case of a patient who has been treated for metastatic colorectal cancer for six years will be presented. Patient was treated with six lines of systemic treatment and two local liver treatments. All available cytostatics indicated for the diagnosis except for capecitabine, targeted therapies except bevacizumab were used in systemic treatment, and the rechallenge of the EGFR inhibitor was used.
ENTIRE ARTICLE
A case of a patient who has been treated for metastatic colorectal cancer for six years will be presented. Patient was treated with six lines of systemic treatment and two local liver treatments. All available cytostatics indicated for the diagnosis except for capecitabine, targeted therapies except bevacizumab were used in systemic treatment, and the rechallenge of the EGFR inhibitor was used.
Patient with NSCLC and brain metastases and positive reassortment ALK treated with alectinib - case report
01/2020 MUDr. Leona Koubková
A better understanding of the molecular biology of tumors and the expanding possibilities of their genotyping lead to the enhancement of precise medicine, which is based on the pursuit of individualized treatment. It is primarily the genetic changes of the tumor that help us to predict the response to molecularly targeted treatment. These also include rearrangement of the ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) gene in NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer), which predicts the efficacy of ALK inhibitors, which significantly improve treatment outcomes in patients with this severe disease. Alectinib, the current standard for the first line ALK-positive NSCLC treatment, is a highly selective and potent inhibitor of ALK and RET (rearranged during transfection) tyrosine kinase and has been set to be reimbursed in the 1st line of treatment in the Czech Republic from 1st November 2019.
ENTIRE ARTICLE
A better understanding of the molecular biology of tumors and the expanding possibilities of their genotyping lead to the enhancement of precise medicine, which is based on the pursuit of individualized treatment. It is primarily the genetic changes of the tumor that help us to predict the response to molecularly targeted treatment. These also include rearrangement of the ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) gene in NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer), which predicts the efficacy of ALK inhibitors, which significantly improve treatment outcomes in patients with this severe disease. Alectinib, the current standard for the first line ALK-positive NSCLC treatment, is a highly selective and potent inhibitor of ALK and RET (rearranged during transfection) tyrosine kinase and has been set to be reimbursed in the 1st line of treatment in the Czech Republic from 1st November 2019.