Gastrointestinal Cancer | Specialty

The OncLive Gastrointestinal Cancer condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and expert insights on various types of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, esophageal cancer, and more. This page features news articles, interviews in written and video format, and podcasts that focus on unmet needs, treatment advances, and ongoing research in GI cancers.

Hedgehog Inhibitor Regimen Active in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

January 20th 2014

Add-on treatment with the hedgehog pathway inhibitor vismodegib demonstrated encouraging activity in patients with untreated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Dr. Ramanathan on Biomarkers in Appendix Cancer

January 20th 2014

Ramesh K. Ramanathan, MD, discusses the potential of identifying actionable targets in appendiceal cancers.

Dr. John Marshall Provides Colorectal Cancer Updates

January 17th 2014

John L. Marshall, MD, from Georgetown University Hospital, on the recent advancements in colorectal cancer.

Dr. Fine on Capecitabine Plus Temozolomide for NETs

January 17th 2014

Robert L. Fine, MD, from the Columbia University Medical Center, discusses the prospective phase II study of CAPTEM for patients with neuroendocrine tumors.

Dr. Smitha Krishnamurthi on the Phase III RAINBOW Trial

January 17th 2014

Smitha Krishnamurthi, MD, discusses the results of the RAINBOW TRIAL

Neoadjuvant Capecitabine Considered a New Standard of Care in Rectal Cancer

January 14th 2014

Single-agent neoadjuvant capecitabine combined with radiation therapy demonstrated similar outcomes as previously established standards of care for patients with stage II or stage III rectal cancer.

Ramucirumab Combination Improves Survival in Metastatic Gastric Cancer

January 14th 2014

The combination of ramucirumab and paclitaxel resulted in a significant prolongation in survival and gains in quality of life when compared to paclitaxel alone for the second-line treatment of patients with metastatic gastric cancer.

Combined Vaccines Improve Survival in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

January 14th 2014

Combining two specific anti-cancer vaccines, rather than administering one as monotherapy, doubles the 1-year survival probability in patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), according to the results of a phase II study presented January 14.

Second-Line mCRC Data Further Support RAS Testing Before Panitumumab Use

January 14th 2014

An analysis of phase III, second-line data has shown that RAS mutations beyond KRAS exon 2 are negative predictive biomarkers for the EGFR-inhibitor panitumumab in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Dr. Tempero on New Therapies for Pancreatic Cancer

January 13th 2014

Margaret A. Tempero, MD, director, Pancreas Center, University of California, San Francisco, gives an overview of new therapies for pancreatic cancer.

Treatment Advances Bring New Hope in Gastric Cancer

January 7th 2014

Several new drugs have recently shown promise for the treatment of gastric cancer, including rilotumumab, ramucirumab, and anti-HER2 agents, according to a presentation at the 2013 Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium.

Nab-Paclitaxel Boosts Survival in Pancreatic Cancer

December 4th 2013

The addition of albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel; Abraxane) to standard treatment with gemcitabine significantly lengthens survival in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, researchers report.

Dr. Fuchs on Aspirin for the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer

December 3rd 2013

Charles S. Fuchs, MD, MPH, director, Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, discusses the use of aspirin for the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.

Ramucirumab Improves Survival in Advanced Gastric Cancer

December 2nd 2013

Ramucirumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets VEGFR-2, significantly prolonged survival in patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma following progression on first-line therapy, according to results from the phase III REGARD study published in The Lancet.

Dr. Tempero on Pancreatic Cancer Immunotherapies

November 25th 2013

Margaret A. Tempero, MD, director, Pancreas Center, University of California, San Francisco, discusses the outlook for immunotherapies in pancreatic cancer.

Improving Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates Among African Americans

November 13th 2013

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death among African Americans. The CRC mortality rate among African Americans is 29.8% compared with 19.5% among Caucasians.

Dr. Fuchs on Targeting c-MET to Treat Gastric Cancers

November 11th 2013

Charles S. Fuchs, MD, MPH, director, Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, discusses the potential of targeting the c-MET receptor to treat gastrointestinal cancers.

Colonoscopy Screening at 10-Year Intervals May Prevent 40% of Colorectal Cancers

October 30th 2013

Forty percent of cases of colorectal cancer may be prevented if patients at average risk for the disease undergo a screening colonoscopy every 10 years

New Indication Solidifies Nab-Paclitaxel Pancreatic Regimen

October 28th 2013

The ability of clinicians to improve treatment outcomes that gemcitabine offers for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer is expected to move forward now that the FDA has approved a new indication for nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane) as part of a combination regimen, according to researchers.

Dr. Ruff on the Timing of CRC Treatment With Aflibercept

October 28th 2013

Paul Ruff, MD, director of Medical Oncology at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, discusses the decision regarding the timing of treatment with aflibercept for patients with colorectal cancer.