Oncology Flashcards
(126 cards)
What stage of melanoma does a patient have if biochemistry suggests elevated LDH?
Stage IV (patient has M1c) with the elevation of LDH alone.
What are 3 prognostics factors of stage III melanoma?
3 prognostic factors of stage III melanoma:
- Number of met LNs
- Size of LNs – micro vs. macro
- Ulcerations – upstages the disease
What are the ABCDE clinical features of melanoma?
Clinical features of melanoma (ABCDE):
A. asymmetry B. border is irregular C. colour: blue, black, brown, pink D. diameter >6mm with change E. evolution/enlargement
Describe the 4 stages of melanoma?
Stages of melanoma:
I Less than 1mm +/- ulceration (upstages)
II More than 1mm +/- ulcerations (upstages)
III LN mets
IV Distal mets / elevated LDH levels (automatically stage IV)
For stages II-IV, what 3 imaging modalities are employed? What is their purpose?
Imaging modalities for stage II-IV melanoma:
- Brain-MRI: for brain mets
- CT-CAP: for distal mets
- PET-scan: for resectable distal mets and monitor effect of biologics
Describe the differences in treatment of Stage I and II melanoma.
Rx of melanoma according to stages:
I – full thickness resection with wide margins (both Dx/Rx)
II – LN resection +/- radiotherapy (if >4cm or 4#) +/- clinical trial
What are the 2 most common chemotherapy options in melanoma? What are the indications? What are the MOA of these drugs?
2 most common chemotherapy option in melanoma:
- Darcarbazine (if NO brain mets) – alkylating agent
- Fotemustine (monoRx if brain mets) – alkylating agent
What are 3 common mutations in melanoma? What types of populations do they occur in?
3 common mutations in melanoma:
- BRAF (45%) - intermittent sun exposure
e. g. doctors - KIT/NRAS (15%) - Acral (unrelated to sun exposure)
e. g. mole - KIT (<5%) - chronic sun exposure / Acral
e. g. surfer
What cancers are BRAF mutations implicated in?
BRAF mutation implicated in:
- Common: Melanoma (sporadic) / Prostate
- CRC with no KRAS mutation
- Others (COT): cholangiocarcinoma, ovary, thyroid
What are the biologics used in RCC (renal cell carcinoma) treatment?
RCC Rx (VMP):
VEGF-A inhibition only = bevacizumab
mTOR inhibition = temsitolimus
VEGF and PDGFR inihibition = sunitinib and sorafenib
What is PD-L1 and how is it implicated in cancers?
PD-L1 is found on many tumours, it bind to PD-1 receptors on T-cells and prevent cytokine release and tumour cell destruction via CD4 + and CD8+ cells.
What is Nivolumab?
Nivolumab is a PD-1 inhibitor that is used in advanced melanoma
What are the AEs of ipulimumab?
AEs of ipulimumab include ‘autoimmune reaction’ of a variety of organs:
Skin – rash Colon – colitis Pituitary – hypopituitarism Thyroid – hyper or hypo CNS – GBS, MG, neuropathy
What is the most common SE of vemurafenib (BRAF inhibitor)?
Rash.
What is the MOA of alkylating agents in chemotherapy?
Alkylating agent insert alkyl group into DNA of tumour cells.
What is the clinical significance of EGFR expression in tumour cells?
High EGFR expression in tumour cells suggests:
- End-stage disease / poor outcome
- Poor response to chemotherapy/hormone therapy
- Likely invasive and metastatic disease
Which 2 types of cancer is EGFR found highly expressed?
NSCLC and prostate cancer (>40%)
What is the semantic difference between prognostic and predictive markers?
Prognostic markers give information about outcome independent of treatment
Predictive markers give information about outcome dependant upon a specific treatment
What are 2 biologic therapies used in advanced melanoma?
Treatment for advanced melanoma:
Ipulimumab (CTLA-4 inhibition)
Nivolumab (PD-1 inhibition)
How does one treat the AEs of ipulimumab? What is a consideration of one of these treatments? Are these AEs reversible?
Ipulimumab AEs are essentially autoimmune reactions that generally respond well to steroids, mycophenolate mofetil and TNF-inhibition.
Upon response to treatment, steroid should be weaned slowly as rebound is possible.
With treatment these autoimmune reactions are reversible.
Which interleukin is implicated in T-cell proliferation after activation?
Upon activation of T-cells IL-2 secretion by T-cells mediates further proliferation.
What are CTLA-4 receptors, what role do they play in the normal immune system?
CTLA-4 receptors are co-inhibitory receptors found on T-cell bind preferentially to B7 on APC instead of CD28 and prevent T-cell activation and proliferation. It plays a role in preventing autoimmunity.
In the treatment of advanced melanoma, describe 3 therapeutical options that target specific genetic mutations.
Targeted treatment of advanced melanoma depending on genetic mutations:
- Vemurafenib – BRAF (V600E mutation) inhibition
- Trametinib – MEK inihibition
- Imatinib – cKIT inhibition
What is the clinical significance of ‘ulcerations’ in a melanoma?
In melanoma the presence of ulcerations ‘upstages’ the prognostic stage i.e. confers worse prognosis.