September 2015

The identification of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 tumor suppressor genes and the recognition that inherited loss of function (deleterious) mutations in one of these important genes places women at high risk for the development of breast, ovarian, and other cancers are major advances in women’s health research.

Controversy over optimal surveillance methods for hepatocellular carcinoma continues to drive ongoing investigation into improved biomarkers and imaging techniques.

As new targeted and immunologic agents are introduced for patients with lung cancer, clinicians have more factors to consider than ever before when developing treatment plans for their patients.

John R. Seffrin, PhD, who was honored with a 2014 Giants of Cancer Care® award, has spent his career helping to advance cancer prevention through education and public policy initiatives as a volunteer and as a longtime leader at the American Cancer Society.

How can any analysis of the quality of cancer care being delivered by providers that focuses on a survival outcome as the ultimate measure of that quality-rather than on an evaluation of the optimization of the care process-be considered objectively valid and clinically meaningful?

Although the progress made in the treatment of patients with lung cancer has by now become a familiar story, it certainly bears repeating.

Preclinical mouse models and cell lines link colorectal cancer subtypes subtypes with potential therapies.

Mismatch repair deficiency may serve as an immuno-oncology biomarker and may illustrate the clinical utility of analyzing the number of mutations per tumor.

A Giant of Cancer Care anticipates that CAR therapy will be beneficial not only in hematologic cancers, where it has proved effective, but also in solid tumors.

Outcomes for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer are improving as a result of blockade strategies, and more novel agents are in the pipeline.