Summary of Key Points Allogeneic or autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a potentially curative treatment for many patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies, as well as a variety of other hematopoietic, immune, metabolic, and malignant diseases. Hematopoiesis and immune function…
Summary of Key Points Introduction and Historical Perspective X-rays were discovered emanating from an energized Crookes tube by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895. That some naturally occurring elements emitted ionizing radiation was discovered by Henri Becquerel 1896. The radioactive elements radium…
Summary of Key Points Molecularly targeted anticancer agents (MTAs) are designed to target specific molecular features that are either uniquely or differentially expressed in cancer cells compared with normal host cells. Molecular targets include the following: products of activating mutations…
Summary of Key Points Cancer pharmacology encompasses the spectrum of therapeutic issues from everyday clinical treatment to the earliest stages of new drug discovery. Translational research has led to more sophisticated identification of targets that are relevant for therapy, and…
Summary of Key Points Prevalence of Tobacco Use and Nicotine Dependence in Patients With Cancer Approximately one in six American adults is a current smoker. Smoking accounts for one-third of all cancer deaths. In general, patients with cancer have a…
Summary of Key Points Cancer incidence is on the rise in the United States and worldwide. Beyond therapeutics, substantial reduction in cancer mortality necessitates improved understanding of cancer risk, implementation of effective preventive intervention strategies, and early detection of cancers…
Summary of Key Points Approximately one-third to one-half of cancers can be prevented through adoption of healthy lifestyles and avoidance of known risk factors. The findings of several large observational studies from the United States and Europe strongly suggest that…
Summary of Key Points The discovery of cancer susceptibility regions across the genome provides opportunities to understand defining events in tumor development, specifically identifying cellular pathways that contribute to the complex development of cancer. Regions of the genome harboring susceptibility…
Summary of Key Points Policies promulgated by government at the federal, state, and local levels have profound effects on virtually every aspect of the day-to-day practice of oncology. In the face of growing financial pressures, policy makers will continue to…
Summary of Key Points Cancer clinical trials provide the evidence on which sound oncology practice is based. Providing greater efficiency in implementing clinical trials and achieving enrollment rapidly have been major goals of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), cancer centers,…