Research Advocacy Network News on Cancer Research and Therapy Colon Cancer: Issue 2 Communication and Connection Is the Key To Maintaining Control In Colon Cancer Colon cancer is an insidious disease. New Combination Therapy Improves
a great surprise.There was no historyof the malignancy in her family, and
Survival as Second-Line Treatment for Metastatic Colon Cancer
herself in great shape. But when hersister developed pancreatic cancer,Imig’s physician thought she should
The combination of the novel biological drug bevacizumab (Avastin)
and FOLFOX (5-fluorouracil [Adrucil]/leucovorin [Wellcovorin]/
oxaliplatin [Eloxatin]) were paired in a key clinical trial (E3200) conducted
by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Final results, which were pre-
sented in January at a gastrointestinal cancers symposium, show that the com-
bination improved survival in colorectal cancer patients whose disease hadprogressed following first-line (initial) chemotherapy.Adding bevacizumab to
Table of Contents
combination chemotherapy significantly increased the length of survival,
What the Studies Mean:
compared with those who receive only chemotherapy. More good news was
3 New Findings Show
that the combination was well-tolerated, according to researcher Bruce J. Biologics Offer Added
Giantonio, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania Medical School.While
Treatment Options
some patients experienced high blood pressure, bleeding, and numbness andpain in their extremities, these side effects were expected by the researchersand were treatable. Thus, in addition to its role as a valuable supplement to
High-Risk Stage II Colon
initial chemotherapy combinations using 5-fluorouracil, bevacizumab appears
Cancer Patients Might Want to Consider
to be effective as part of a second-line (chemotherapy given after first-line or
Adjuvant Chemotherapy:
initial chemotherapy is no longer working) combination with FOLFOX. Panel
As a biological drug, bevacizumab works by interrupting the action of a
protein that is critical to the process of building new blood vessels.Without
Patients Should Recognize
a source of blood, cancer cells cannot survive. Bevacizumab also alters the
6 and Report Diarrhea
structure of blood vessels, allowing chemotherapy to be more effective. Early While on
For these reasons, physicians have great hope for the drug in a number of
Chemotherapy
The contents of this newsletter are offered for your information only and should not be
considered medical advice. Please discuss any of this information with your health care teamin making treatment decisions. Advancing Patient-Focused ResearchOptions is published through an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Inc. Research Advocacy Network News on Cancer Research and Ther News on Cancer Research and apy Ther Communication and Connection Is the Key To Maintaining Control In Colon Cancer c o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e 1 Ask The Right Questions
side effects, as well as the availability
even as an inspirational role model.
sive as possible,” Imig pointed out. It is
the physician is truly certain it is can-
for aggressive surgery beforehand,” she
cer, and if so, is it localized or has it
should learn about treatment options.
tals, find the best advice you can,” Imig
given a death sentence,” she said.
their families,and caregivers,” page 7).
patients should ask for their own “navi-
healthy life. Help is available; you’ve
“Don’t be afraid to get a second opin-
ion,” she added.“Not all doctors agree. Research Advocacy Network News on Cancer Research and Therapy What the Studies Mean: New Findings Show Biologics Offer Added Treatment Options The recent introduction of 2 bio- vessels within tumors,and this action difficulty with wound healing.
specific target in the cell.) At present,
The Role of Bevacizumab
the study. “These results indicate that
combination of choice - at that time,it was the standard treatment formetastatic disease. However, the FDAhas approved bevacizumab in any
Avastin (Bevacizumab) Improves Survival When Added to FOLFOX as Second-Line Treatment
5FU. This includes FOLFOX (5FU,leucovorin, oxaliplatin) and FOLFIRI
for Metastatic Colon Cancer Research Advocacy Network News on Cancer Research and Ther News on Cancer Research and apy Ther What the Studies Mean: New Findings Show Biologics Offer Added Treatment Options c o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e 3
side effects. The early results also sug-
adding bevacizumab is a good choice. Cetuximab a Potential First-Line Therapy? Current Chemotherapy Options for Colorectal Cancer High-Risk Stage II Colon Cancer Patients Might Want to Consider Adjuvant Chemotherapy: Panel If you are a patient with stage II
whether adjuvant therapy is helpful. Research Advocacy Network News on Cancer Research and Therapy Routine Use Unnecessary
• For stage II patients at high risk, with
The Clinical Trials Option.And You Ever wonder how your doctor knows a particular drug will work for you? Clinical trials are the answer.Before
any new drug or drug combination, imaging system, surgical technique, or vaccine is available in your doctor’s
office or cancer center, it must undergo a rigorous process of testing to meet the highest scientific standards ofeffectiveness and safety. Both the government and the pharmaceutical companies developing the new product over-see the process, which typically requires 3 stages of testing in humans, known as “phases,” before a panel of expertsmeets to analyze the data and make a recommendation to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Only after allof this work is done — and the entire process can last a decade or more and cost upwards of $800 million — will theFDA make its final decision to grant or deny approval.
While all clinical trials are valuable, they are particularly important in cancer. In Phase III trials new drugs and
new combinations are compared with a standard therapy — f or example IFL plus bevacizumab versus IFL alone. Comparing treatments in well-controlled research settings enables doctors and patients to know which drugs orregimens work better for the average patient. Unfortunately, clinical trials for cancer are difficult to completebecause many patients are unaware of this option for care.
Of course, no clinical trial is free of risk. But participants receive many benefits as well. Participants may receive
new treatments that are otherwise unavailable. Patients who volunteer for clinical trial also contribute to findingnew treatments that may help future patients.
Before you begin treatment, talk to your physician to see if any current clinical trials are right for you. A few
current adjuvant trials for early stages of colon cancer include:
• Fluorouracil, Leucovorin, and Oxaliplatin With or Without Bevacizumab in Treating Patients Who Have
Undergone Surgery for Stage II or Stage III Colon Cancer
• Comparison of Adjuvant Combination Chemotherapy Regimens With or Without Cetuximab in Treating
Patients With Resected Stage III Colon Cancer
• Adjuvant Oxaliplatin and Capecitabine Compared With Fluorouracil and Leucovorin in Treating
Chemotherapy-Naïve (Not Previously Treated) Patients Who Have Undergone Resection for Stage IIIColon Cancer
You can find information about the above trials at http://cancer.gov.You will also find information about many
other trials, including studies for metastatic disease, prevention and symptom control. If you do not have access to acomputer, you can call 1-800-4-CANCER to discuss possible trials that meet your needs. Research Advocacy Network News on Cancer Research and Ther News on Cancer Research and apy Ther High-Risk Stage II Colon Cancer Patients Might Want to Consider Adjuvant Chemotherapy: Panel c o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e 5
rectly. (The stage – I, II, III, and IV – of
Patients Should Recognize and Report Diarrhea Early While on Chemotherapy Diarrhea is one of the most seri- should be monitored vigilantly and
cians immediately at the first signs of a
form of diarrhea, especially whenthey are taking irinotecan (Camp-
About the Research Advocacy Network
tosar), alone or in combination. Asmany as 33% of patients may have
The patient advocacy movement has changed the face of research. Patient
advocates have provided invaluable input into medical research.The mission of
the Research Advocacy Network (RAN) is to develop a network of advocatesand researchers who can influence medical research from concept to patient care
through education, support, and collaborations. One of the most important
aspects of the research process is moving research results into clinical practice.
RAN works to accomplish this goal in several ways: Fact Sheets were created to
explain the results of clinical research to patients making treatment decisions,
Network News, an e-newsletter, is published monthly and covers a variety of
topics, including describing research results and tools for advocates; and thisnewsletter and its companion for health care providers, UpDate.
ern University Feinberg School ofMedicine and The Robert H. Lurie
For more information, visit the RAN Web site at www.researchadvocacy.org
Chicago, IL, updated the current stan-dards to include all of latest develop-
Advancing Patient-Focused ResearchResearch Advocacy Network News on Cancer Research and Therapy
week, particularly in older patients.
• The best dose of octreotide.
• The risk of death associated with IFL. Several patients in 2 Drug Names Drugs for treating colon cancer Generic Name Brand Name
confusion. The generic name is thename given the drug before it has
Combinations of drugs to treat colon cancer Regimen Name Drugs in Regimen
by a type of shorthand (eg,fluorouracil–5FU). Once the drug is
Xeloda, Irinotecan/Capecitabine, Irinotecan
Xeloda, Oxaliplatin/Capecitabine, Oxaliplatin
a combination (or cocktail) of drugs,has better results than using only one
Drugs for treating diarrhea
*Bolus – a dose of the drug given all at once in the vein (shot)
**Infusion – drug given over a period of time in the vein (or IV)
Organizations that offer information and resources for colon cancer patients, their families and caregivers:
Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation
National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance
Research Advocacy Network News on Cancer Research and Ther News on Cancer Research and apy Ther Chemotherapy Patients Should Recognize and Report Diarrhea Early
• The role of preventive therapy in patients receiving irinotecan. To date, the results of studies to find an effective medicine
• Physicians, with input from patients,
• Diarrhea induced by radiation therapy. Some patients develop News on Cancer Research and Therapy Editorial Advisory Board Michael O'Connell, MD (Chair) Al B. Benson, III, MD Pamela K. McAllister, PhD Kate Murphy Mitchell C. Posner, MD, FACS Nancy Roach Colorectal Cancer Coalition
Research Advocacy Network309 East Rand Road
Co-founders Research Advocacy Network Judy Perotti Mary Lou Smith Elda Railey
The Ninth wave Continues after October 28, 2011 The Ninth wave Continues after October 28, 2011! In earlier articles I have promised to get back to the issue of how the energies wil continueand what Mayan calendar, if any, to use after its “end”. What the October 28, 2011 “end”means here is that the thirteen baktun Long Count and the other eighth sequences of thirteenheavens have now a
Osteoporosis Medications and Oral Health Overview Because some medications can affect your oral health or your dental treatment plan, your dentist should know about al the medications that you take. For example, antiresorptive agents (which include bisphosphonates), can influence dental treatment decisions. These types of medications may be used to prevent or treat osteoporosis (a thinning of
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