Maurie Markman, MD

Two recent reports have challenged certain assumptions in the drug development process that raise ethical concerns, individually and collectively, which the clinical cancer research community must address.

A clinical commentary by Maurie Markman, MD, addressing whether overall survival can still be considered the sole acceptable primary endpoint in studies of novel anticancer therapeutic strategies.

Recently reported data demonstrate that the presence of a specific mutation in PDGFRA predicts for the lack of activity for the imatinib in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Despite all we have learned about the importance of sensitizing EGFR mutations in defining the management of advanced NSCLC, our education regarding the relevance of this molecular target in optimizing clinical outcomes continues.

Maurie Markman, MD, asks who should decide whether it is ethically valid to consider off-label treatment in a patient with a very serious medical illness.

In the absence of a phase III randomized trial, what constitutes sufficient evidence to justify use of a treatment, particularly a nontraditional treatment or one that challenges common practice?

Ipilimumab provides a striking example of the way in which some patients derive long-term benefits from therapy while others do not. The reasons for such differences should be a priority for translational research.

Targeted antineoplastic therapy based on the presence of a well-defined molecular target should be recognized as a standard-of-care approach in an increasing number of clinical settings.

As an increasing number of cancers are considered chronic diseases treatable with continuous drug delivery, it is essential that our vocabulary describing the side effects experienced by our patients more appropriately reflects this new paradigm.

Maurie Markman, MD, from Cancer Treatment Centers of America, discusses the AURELIA trial that examined the addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy for women with platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer.

As more individual cancers undergo molecular profiling, we can anticipate that the scenario in which a targeted drug demonstrates rather remarkable clinical activity against a rare tumor type will become increasingly common.

Trastuzumab has demonstrated activity in patients with B-cell adult acute lymphocytic leukemia who exhibit evidence of upregulation of the HER2 receptor.

The presence of specific molecular biomarkers may assist in determining the correct morphologic diagnosis of the particular cancer being examined.

It is difficult to overstate the excitement surrounding the development of two new effective therapeutic strategies in the management of metastatic melanoma.

A summary of findings from the 43rd Annual Meeting on Women's Cancer with the potential to impact routine management of women with pelvic malignancies.

A recent study suggests patients may be selected for therapy based on the number of EGFR gene copies, and evaluated for clinical benefit based on the severity of the rash that often develops.

Dr. Maurie Markman, from Cancer Treatment Centers of America, on Awareness of Long-Term Chemotherapy Side Effects

The demonstrated impact of imatinib mesylate on outcomes for patients with CML shifted the oncology paradigm to an intensive search for relevant molecular target.

Dr. Maurie Markman, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, on Primary Care Physician Awareness of Long-Term Chemotherapy Side Effects

The long-sought aim of treating malignant disease by targeting particular molecular abnormalities is becoming a reality in an increasing number of clinical settings.

It is always difficult to distinguish what may legitimately be considered disease flare from the more likely scenario of the events simply representing the natural history of the malignancy.

A review of interesting presentations from ASH that will stimulate highly clinically relevant discussion regarding disease management within the realm of the hematologic malignancies.

Patients who initially exhibit a response to a particular strategy may achieve substantial clinical benefit if the same or very similar agents are delivered after variably defined treatment-free intervals.

This commentary will highlight 2 phase III randomized trials and a retrospective review of a large national database that has been strongly criticized based on its overall conclusions.

It is increasingly recognized that the realm of molecular diagnostic testing in oncology is undergoing as much change, if not more, as the world of cancer therapeutics.

Recently reported and truly impressive clinical trial data have revealed the relevance of administering antineoplastic agents specifically and prospectively targeted to molecular abnormalities.

The presence or absence of lymph node involvement has long been recognized as a critically relevant prognostic factor in solid tumor oncology.

Dr. Maurie Markman from Cancer Treatment Centers of America Discusses Diagnostic Molecular Testing

Dr. Maurie Markman from Cancer Treatment Centers of America Discusses the Importance of Diagnostic Testing

One of the more unique aspects of cancer chemotherapy is the relatively frequent development of serious, even severe, adverse effects.