Welcome to the latest edition of European Oncology & Haematology, which features a wide variety of topical articles. This
issue begins with an article by Harbeck et al. on the Prosigna® (PAM50) Gene Signature Assay as a new-generation genomic test
for treatment decision-making in early breast cancer, which is indicated for post-menopausal women with early-stage hormone
receptor-positive breast cancer with or without nodal involvement, and offers clinically relevant information that may help guide
therapeutic strategies.
Lung cancer is an active area of current clinical research, and this issue features three articles covering different aspects of lung
cancer. Ottevaere et al. review clinical data assessing the utility of vaccines in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). They conclude
that existing technologies are not effective and examine potential future developments. Inhibitors of anaplastic lymphoma kinase
(ALK) have become the standard of care in ALK-positive NSCLC, but are associated with a variety of adverse events (AEs). Rolfo et al.
review strategies for managing these AEs. Bronchial carcinoids (BCs) represent a minority (1–2 %) of lung cancers, but can have a
poor prognosis when distant metastases are present. Fazio and Frezza review the therapeutic options for BCs, with a focus on
mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors.
Outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma are improving thanks to the development of several new therapies. An editorial by
Delforge discusses the importance and limitations of assays for assessing clinical response to these agents. In addition, Richardson
et al. review the clinical development and optimal use of the new immunotherapy agent pomalidomide, which has shown significant
activity in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.
This issue features three articles on the subject of lymphoma. Gisselbrecht discusses the challenges of autologous stem cell
transplantation in relapsed/refractory Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL), as well as describing the optimal use of brentuximab vedotin (BV),
an antibody-drug conjugate, and nivolumab, two agents that are improving outcomes in patients with HL. Jager and Hutchings
present a comprehensive review of the clinical development and potential indications for BV in refractory/relapsed HL and systemic
anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL). In addition, Furtado and Rule review new agents and combination therapies in clinical
development for mantle cell lymphoma.
In terms of haematology, Sejpal et al. review the potential of lenalidomide, an immunomodulatory, anti-cytokine and anti-angiogenic
agent, in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome, a disorder of haematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow.
Finally, Rank et al. report a case of hereditary hyperferritinemia-cataract syndrome, a rare autosomal dominant disorder
characterised by high-plasma ferritin concentration and early-onset bilateral cataract.
European Oncology & Haematology would like to thank all expert authors who contributed towards this edition. A special thanks
goes to our Editorial Board for their continuing support and guidance. We would also like to thank the expert authors, who gave
their time and effort to produce an insightful selection of articles. The expert discussions and the variety of topics covered ensure
there is something of interest for every reader and we hope you find this edition useful and thought provoking.
