S-1: a new oral fluoropyrimidine in the treatment of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

Clin Lung Cancer. 2009 Jul;10(4):290-4

Authors: Okamoto I, Fukuoka M

S-1 (also known as TS-1; Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Tokyo, Japan) is a new oral fluoropyrimidine formulation that combines tegafur, 5-chloro-2,4-dihydroxypyridine (CDHP), and potassium oxonate in a molar ratio of 1:0.4:1. Single-agent S-1 has demonstrated marked activity against non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as well as a broad array of other solid tumors, including gastric, colorectal, breast, cervical, and pancreatic cancers. This comprehensive review summarizes the results of previous clinical studies and describes ongoing clinical trials of S-1 in advanced NSCLC. S-1 combined with platinum compounds, irinotecan, and gemcitabine has produced promising results in terms of feasibility, safety, and effectiveness. Available data have stimulated further research, including phase III trials for the first-line treatment of advanced NSCLC.

Potential role of UGT pharmacogenetics in cancer treatment and prevention: focus on tamoxifen.

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009 Feb;1155:99-111

Authors: Lazarus P, Blevins-Primeau AS, Zheng Y, Sun D

Tamoxifen (TAM) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that is widely used in the prevention and treatment of estrogen receptor-positive (ER(+)) breast cancer. Its use has significantly contributed to a decline in breast cancer mortality, since breast cancer patients treated with Tamoxifen (TAM) for 5 years exhibit a 30-50% reduction in both the rate of disease recurrence after 10 years of patient follow-up and occurrence of contralateral breast cancer. However, in patients treated with TAM there is substantial interindividual variability in the development of resistance to TAM therapy, and in the incidence of Tamoxifen (TAM)-induced adverse events, including deep vein thrombosis, hot flashes, and the development of endometrial cancer. This article will focus on the UDP glucuronosyltransferases, a family of metabolizing enzymes that are responsible for the deactivation and clearance of TAM and TAM metabolites, and how interindividual differences in these enzymes may play a role in patient response to Tamoxifen (TAM).

PMID: 19250197 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Read Full Article pubmed: cancer endometrial

Related Articles The relation between smokeless tobacco and cancer in Northern Europe and North America. A commentary on differences between the conclusions reached by two recent reviews.

BMC Cancer. 2009 Jul 29;9(1):256

Authors: Lee PN, Hamling J

ABSTRACT:BACKGROUND: Smokeless tobacco is an alternative for smokers who want to quit but require nicotine. Reliable evidence on its effects is needed. Boffetta et al. and ourselves recently reviewed the evidence on cancer, based on Scandinavian and US studies. Boffetta et al. claimed a significant 60-80% increase for oropharyngeal, oesophageal and pancreatic cancer, and a non-significant 20% increase for lung cancer, data for other cancers being "too sparse". We found increases less than 15% for oesophageal, pancreatic and lung cancer, and a significant 36% increase for oropharyngeal cancer, which disappeared in recent studies. We found no association with stomach, bladder and all cancers combined, using data as extensive as that for oesophageal, pancreatic and lung cancer. We explain these differences.