Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 1, 2026

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo
09:19

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo

Published on: February 6, 2015

Structural changes induced by antineoplastic therapies: keys to evaluate tumor response to treatment

F Ferrozzi1, G Tognini, P Pavone

  • 1Institute of Radiological Sciences, University of Parma, via Gramsci 14, 43100 Parma, Italy. ferrozzi@unipr.it

European Radiology
|April 18, 2002
PubMed

Insights

This review examines structural changes beyond standard criteria to predict cancer treatment effectiveness. Understanding these variations offers deeper insights into tumor response to antineoplastic therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Radiology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Therapeutic response in oncology traditionally relies on morphological criteria like Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST).
  • These criteria assess tumor size and presence/absence of lesions based on measurable and non-measurable parameters.
  • However, a comprehensive understanding of treatment impact requires evaluating beyond simple size changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the predictive value of structural changes in evaluating response to antineoplastic therapies.
  • To detail specific structural variations induced by therapy, including calcification, fibrosis, differentiation, necrosis, cavitation, vascularization, edema, and pseudocapsule formation.
  • To ascertain the significance of these structural variations in the biological evolution of neoplastic processes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on therapeutic response assessment in solid tumors.
  • Analysis of structural changes observed post-antineoplastic therapy.
  • Correlation of structural variations with treatment outcomes and tumor biology.

Main Results:

  • Structural changes such as calcification, fibrosis, and differentiation can indicate treatment efficacy.
  • Necrosis and cavitation may signify tumor cell death and breakdown.
  • Vascularization, edema, and pseudocapsule formation provide insights into the tumor microenvironment's response to therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Structural variations offer valuable prognostic information beyond classical RECIST criteria.
  • Integrating the assessment of these structural changes can enhance the evaluation of therapeutic response in oncology.
  • Further research is warranted to standardize the interpretation of these structural markers for improved clinical decision-making.

More Related Videos

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts10:27

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts

Published on: July 25, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...