Foreword – Oncology & Hematology Review (US), 2014;9(2):

This edition of Oncology & Hematology Review (US) covers many important oncologic topics. Specifically, this issue examines the clinical management of several important malignancies, while also providing relevant up-to-date data on the role of different systemic therapeutics. The first part of the edition is devoted to ‘solid’ malignancies, including head and neck, prostate, gallbladder, lung, ovarian, and melanoma. Morris et al. report on combined modality chemoradiation therapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and review the data from clinical trials that have established the role for chemoradiation therapy in the treatment of head and neck cancer. Van Gestel et al. provide an overview of the recent technical advances in external beam radiotherapy for head and neck cancer and highlight the rapid technologic advances in this field. In an article on the management of prostate cancer in geriatric males, Boyle et al. review hormone-deprivation treatment, as well as chemotherapeutic options, new hormonal treatments, and bone-targeting agents. Our own group from Johns Hopkins has contributed an article on the modern multimodality management of gallbladder cancer. In this article, we provide data on the diagnosis, management, and prognosis of patients with gallbladder cancer and emphasize the multidisciplinary approach. Kelleher et al. reviews new molecular targets in lung adenocarcinoma with a focus on how molecular abnormalities can be targeted using drugs with increased receptor binding affinity, altered medication pharmacodynamics profiles, and combinatorial approaches. The use of bevacizumab in the treatment in ovarian cancer is then expertly reviewed by Markman. In this well-written article, Markman details the support for the hypothesis that angiogenesis is a driver of epithelial ovarian progression, which may make bevacizumab an attractive therapy for this malignancy. Finally, Flaherty reviews the advances in adjuvant therapy for high-risk melanoma. In this article, Flaherty discusses the role of interferon-alpha, as well as newer agents such as ipilimumab and vemurafenib, for metastatic melanoma. Molina-Garrido and colleagues provide an article that emphasizes the importance of the comprehensive geriatric assessment of elderly patients with cancer. In the second part of the edition, the focus changes to hematologic malignancies. In this section, Klein et al. provide an important article on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the role of daunoxome for relapsed AML. In particular, the authors review data from three recent randomized controlled trials in which efficacy and toxicity of liposomal daunorubicin (L-DNR) in AML patients was evaluated. Garcia-Regalado et al. examine the emerging role of targeting resistance to the anaplastic lymphoma kinase receptor. The edition concludes with a focus on supportive oncology. Wickman provides an overview of the new therapies for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. In this article, the understanding of the physiology of vomiting and the neurotransmitters involved with chemotherapy-induced vomiting are discussed. Oncology & Hematology Review (US) thanks all the expert authors involved in the production of this edition. Furthermore, the editorial board should be recognized for their continuing support and invaluable guidance. It is my belief that the discussion of the wide variety of topics covered in this edition will be of considerable interest to the readership of Oncology & Hematology Review (US). Perhaps more importantly, I am convinced that the knowledge contained in this edition will help provide caregivers the knowledge needed to deliver outstanding care to all patients who suffer from the different cancers discussed herein.