Preclinical Study Shows Losartan May Prevent Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor–Induced Cerebral Edema in Glioblastoma
Researchers revealed that the blood pressure drug losartan may prevent immunotherapy-induced edema and allow patients with glioblastoma to continue receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors without developing adverse effects in the brain, according to a new study published by Datta et al in...
Researchers Uncover Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Widely Used Precision Oncology Data Registry
Biorepositories created to support precision cancer research through their vast stores of genomic data may lack sufficient representation of cancer distribution among racial and ethnic minorities, according to a new study published by Cheung et al in npj Precision Oncology.
The investigators also...
Mirvetuximab Soravtansine in Patients With Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer and High FRα Expression
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Ursula A. Matulonis, MD, and colleagues, results from the phase II SORAYA study showed activity of mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx, an antibody-drug conjugate targeting folate receptor alpha (FRα), in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer...
ctDNA as a Prognostic Marker in Intermediate-Risk Rhabdomyosarcoma
In a study from the Children’s Oncology Group reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Abbou et al found that measuring circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in intermediate-risk rhabdomyosarcoma was feasible and that the presence of ctDNA prior to treatment was associated with poorer prognosis.
As...
Association of Radiation and Procarbazine Dose With Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Survivors of Hodgkin Lymphoma
In a Dutch study reported in JAMA Oncology, Geurts et al found a dose-response relationship between radiotherapy and risk of colorectal cancer among survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma, with the risk being increased with increasing procarbazine dose.
Study Details
The nested case-control study included...
WHO Launches New Roadmap on Breast Cancer
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new Global Breast Cancer Initiative Framework, providing a roadmap to attain targets to save 2.5 million lives from breast cancer by 2040. The new framework recommends that countries implement three pillars of health promotion—early detection,...
Ponatinib and Blinatumomab Combination Safe and Effective in Patients With Newly Diagnosed, Ph-Positive ALL
The combination of ponatinib and blinatumomab has led to rapid and durable remissions in patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), according to data presented at the 2022 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and...
FDA Approves Sacituzumab Govitecan-hziy for Pretreated Patients With HR-Positive, HER2-Negative Breast Cancer
On February 3, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved sacituzumab govitecan-hziy (Trodelvy) for patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic, hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative (immunohistochemistry [IHC] 0, IHC 1+, or IHC 2+ with a negative in situ...
Massage Therapy May Improve Symptom Burden for Pediatric Patients With Hematologic and/or Oncologic Conditions
A new study from University Hospitals (UH) Connor Whole Health found children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer or sickle cell disease treated at a pediatric academic medical center reported clinically significant reductions in pain, stress, and anxiety in response to massage therapy....
World Cancer Day: Commercial Interests May Drive Millions of Avoidable Cancer Deaths
The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)—in light of World Cancer Day, taking place on February 4—has called on governments around the world to prioritize policy actions to reduce preventable cancers caused by tobacco use and the consumption of alcohol and ultraprocessed foods, including...
Challenges of Accurately Identifying HER2-Low Breast Cancers
The newly identified category of “HER2-low” breast cancer has raised many new issues in this malignancy now that the DESTINY Breast-041 trial determined that fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (T-DXd) may effectively treat this tumor. Among the issues are challenges in accurately identifying just...
Researchers Develop AI Algorithm to Gain New Insights Into Glioblastoma
Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm, known as SPHINKS, capable of performing advanced computational analyses to identify potential therapeutic targets for patients with glioblastoma multiforme. The platform may also have applicability in other cancers, according to...
OCRA Issues Consensus Statement Calling for Consideration of Fallopian Tube Removal to Prevent Ovarian Cancer
The UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS) has shown that general population screening did not significantly reduce ovarian and tubal cancer deaths, and the researchers concluded that such screening cannot be recommended. The findings from the study prompted the Ovarian Cancer ...
Expert Point of View: Emily K. Curran, MD
Moderator of the session, Emily K. Curran, MD, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, in Ohio, said that the data presented by Dr. Short and colleagues demonstrated very impressive event-free and overall survival rates, especially for a disease that...
Adjuvant Osimertinib May Significantly Improve Disease-Free Survival for Patients With Resected EGFR-Mutant NSCLC
The EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor osimertinib may improve rates of disease-free survival and reduce the risk of recurrence in patients with resected, EGFR-mutant non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to a new exploratory analysis of the ADAURA trial published by Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD,...
Momelotinib May Effectively Reduce Anemia and Other Symptoms for Patients With Myelofibrosis
The targeted therapy momelotinib may offer clinically significant improvement in disease-related symptoms, including anemia and spleen enlargement, for patients with myelofibrosis, according to a novel study published by Srdan Verstovsek, MD, PhD, and colleagues in The Lancet.
The findings support...
Review Provides Recommendations on Cancer Treatment in the Context of Preexisting Dementia
According to a review published by Ashley et al in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, preexisting dementia may complicate cancer care and increase the risk of worse clinical outcome and inferior patient experience. People living with dementia are more likely to have cancer diagnosed at an...
Neoadjuvant Plus Adjuvant Chemotherapy vs Adjuvant Chemotherapy Alone for Locally Advanced Colon Cancer
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Morton et al, the European phase III FOxTROT trial has shown that neoadjuvant plus adjuvant oxaliplatin/fluoropyrimidine resulted in a reduced risk of residual disease or disease recurrence vs adjuvant oxaliplatin/fluoropyrimidine in patients with...
Surgical Quality Metric Scoring and Survival Among U.S. Veterans With Early-Stage NSCLC
In a study reported in JAMA Surgery, Heiden et al developed a surgical quality metric scoring system—the Veterans Affairs Lung Cancer Operative quality (VALCAN-O) score—that was associated with overall survival in U.S. veterans undergoing curative-intent surgery for early-stage non–small cell lung...
Consuming Ultraprocessed Foods May Be Linked to Increased Cancer Risk and Mortality
Higher consumption of ultraprocessed foods may be linked to increased cancer burden and mortality, according to a new, UK-based study published by Chang et al in eClinicalMedicine.
Ultraprocessed foods are food items which have been heavily processed during their production—such as fizzy drinks,...
Addition of Anti–IGF-1R Antibody Ganitumab to Interval-Compressed Chemotherapy in Newly Diagnosed Patients With Metastatic Ewing Sarcoma
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by DuBois et al, the Children’s Oncology Group phase III AEWS1221 trial showed no event-free survival benefit with the addition of the anti–insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) monoclonal antibody ganitumab to interval-compressed...
Gap Discovered in Breast Cancer Radiotherapy Recommendations for Patients Aged 70 vs 69 Years
Age-based heuristics may lead to large differences in breast cancer treatment based on small differences in chronologic age, according to a new study published by Talcott et al in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, and Physics.
Background
Radiation therapy often is given...
Dexrazoxane and Long-Term Heart Function in Survivors of Childhood Cancer Treated With Doxorubicin
In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Eric J. Chow, MD, MPH, and colleagues found that the use of dexrazoxane was associated with long-term protection of heart function in childhood cancer survivors who received doxorubicin for their cancer. According to the study investigators,...
Canadian Trial Highlights Adverse Outcomes in Survivors of Childhood Medulloblastoma
In a population-based study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Coltin et al found that survivors of childhood medulloblastoma in Ontario were at an increased risk of numerous adverse health outcomes compared with matched noncancer controls.
Study Details
In the study, all 5-year...
Levels of Inflammatory Biomarkers and Survival in Patients Receiving Adjuvant Therapy for Stage III Colon Cancer
In a study reported in JAMA Oncology, Cheng et al found that higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers measured after surgery—but before receipt of chemotherapy—were associated with poorer outcomes in patients with stage III colon cancer enrolled in the CALGB/SWOG 80702 trial of adjuvant...
Study Finds Breast MRI Superior vs Other Supplementary Screening Tests for Detecting Breast Cancer in Patients With Dense Breasts
Compared to other common supplemental screening methods, breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was superior at detecting breast cancer in patients with dense breasts, according to a new study published by Hussein et al in Radiology.
Background
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer...
MDM2 Inhibitor Milademetan in Advanced Liposarcoma, Solid Tumors, or Lymphomas
In a first-in-human, phase I, dose-escalation and dose-expansion study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Mrinal M. Gounder, MD, and colleagues identified the dose and schedule for further evaluation of the oral MDM2 inhibitor milademetan in a population of patients with advanced...
NAPOLI-3: First-Line NALIRIFOX Regimen Improves Overall Survival in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
In the phase III NAPOLI-3 trial in previously untreated patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, the NALIRIFOX regimen significantly improved overall survival and progression-free survival over nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine. NALIRIFOX contains liposomal irinotecan, fluorouracil, leucovorin,...
Subset of Patients With Advanced Gastric/GEJ Cancer May Benefit From CLDN18.2-Targeted Drug Zolbetuximab: SPOTLIGHT Study
Initial data from the global phase III SPOTLIGHT trial could herald the use of a new targeted agent for a subset of patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. First-line treatment with zolbetuximab, which targets the transmembrane protein claudin 18.2...
Subcutaneous Epcoritamab for Relapsed or Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Catherine Thieblemont, MD, PhD, and colleagues, findings in a dose-expansion cohort of the phase I/II EPCORE NHL-1 study indicated high activity of the subcutaneous CD3 x CD20 T-cell–engaging bispecific antibody epcoritamab in patients with...
FDA Approves Mosunetuzumab-axgb, a First-in-Class Bispecific Antibody, in Relapsed or Refractory Follicular Lymphoma
On December 22, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved mosunetuzumab-axgb (Lunsumio) for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy. Mosunetuzumab-axgb is a CD20/CD3 T-cell–engaging bispecific antibody and...
Association of PRS313 Polygenic Risk Score With Tumor Characteristics and Survival in Patients With Invasive Breast Cancer
In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Josephine M.N. Lopes Cardozo, MD, PhD, and colleagues found that a higher score on a polygenic risk score consisting of 313 common genetic variants (the PRS313) was generally associated with more favorable tumor characteristics in patients...
FDA Grants Accelerated Approval to Pirtobrutinib for Relapsed or Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma
On January 27, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval to pirtobrutinib (Jaypirca) for patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma after at least two lines of systemic therapy, including a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor.
BRUIN
Efficacy was...
Uptake of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Survival Among Younger and Older Patients With Advanced NSCLC
In a U.S. cohort study reported in JAMA Oncology, Voruganti et al found that the uptake of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been associated with “modest” improvements in overall survival, particularly among older patients.
As...
Genomic Screening May Help Detect Medullary Thyroid Cancer, Study Finds
Population-based genomic screening may facilitate early detection of medullary thyroid cancer in patients with variants in the RET gene, according to a new study published by Pichardo et al in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery.
Background
Medullary thyroid cancer accounts for 2% to 5% of...
Sex Disparities in Childhood Cancer Diagnoses in India
In a study reported in The Lancet Oncology, Bhatia et al found that boys were significantly more likely than girls to be diagnosed with childhood cancers in India.
Study Details
The retrospective multicohort study involved individual data from patients aged 0 to 19 years from hospital-based records ...
Association of Immune-Related Gene Expression Signatures and TILs With Outcomes in Early-Stage HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
In a study reported in JAMA Oncology, Aranzazu Fernandez-Martinez, MD, PhD, and colleagues found that several B-cell–related gene signatures provided better prediction of pathologic complete response and event-free survival than tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) levels among patients with...
Immunotherapy Combined With Targeted Therapy in Patients With BRAF V600E–Mutated Colorectal Cancer
In one of the first clinical trials combining immunotherapy and targeted therapy for patients with BRAF V600E–mutated colorectal cancer, researchers discovered that a combination regimen of dabrafenib, trametinib, and spartalizumab resulted in long-lasting responses. The study findings published by ...
Two Methods Studied in Defining Prognosis for Patients With ER-Positive, Node-Positive Breast Cancer
In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Corey W. Speers, MD, PhD, and colleagues found that the sensitivity to endocrine therapy (SET2,3) index and the 21-gene breast recurrence score (RS) were not correlated in defining prognosis among postmenopausal patients with estrogen...
Adjuvant S-1 vs Observation for Resected Biliary Tract Cancer
In a Japanese phase III trial (JCOG1202, ASCOT) reported in The Lancet, Nakachi et al found that adjuvant S-1 was associated with significantly improved overall survival vs observation in patients with resected biliary tract cancer.
Study Details
The multicenter, open-label trial included 440...
Adjuvant FOLFOX Hepatic Arterial Infusion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Microvascular Invasion
In a Chinese phase III trial reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Li et al found that adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with FOLFOX (fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin) significantly improved disease-free survival vs routine follow-up in patients with hepatocellular...
FDA Approves Elacestrant for ER-Positive, HER2-Negative, ESR1-Mutated Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer
On January 27, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved elacestrant (Orserdu) for postmenopausal women or adult men with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, HER2-negative, ESR1-mutated advanced or metastatic breast cancer with disease progression following at least one line of endocrine...
New Study Shows Increased Cancer Mortality Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in England
New research shows that patients with type 2 diabetes may experience a substantially higher rate of cancer mortality than the general population—by 18% for all cancers combined, 9% for breast cancer, and as much as 2.4-fold for colorectal cancer—according to a new study published by Ling et al in...
Trends in Use of Next-Generation Sequencing in U.S. Patients According to Genetic Ancestry
In a study reported in a letter to the editor in The New England Journal of Medicine, Mata et al found that U.S. individuals of African ancestry and Hispanic patients made up an increasing proportion of patients undergoing next-generation sequencing of tumor samples over a 9-year period ending in...
Risk of Subsequent Gastrointestinal Tract Malignancies After Blood or Marrow Transplantation
In a study reported in JAMA Oncology, McDonald et al found that receipt of blood or marrow transplantation (BMT) was associated with an increased risk of subsequent malignant neoplasms of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
As stated by the investigators, “Survivors of BMT are at increased risk of...
Addition of Pazopanib to Concurrent Radiotherapy and Paclitaxel in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
In a phase II trial (NRG/RTOG 0912) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Sherman et al found that the addition of pazopanib to concurrent radiotherapy and paclitaxel did not improve overall survival in patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer.
Study Details
In the U.S. multicenter, double-blind trial,...
New Analysis Sheds Light on Potential Link Between Ovulation and Ovarian Cancer
Individuals who ovulate for longer over their lifetimes may have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer, suggesting that suppressing ovulation can lower this risk, according to a new study published by Fu et al in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The researchers also offered clues...
FDA Approves Pembrolizumab as Adjuvant Treatment for NSCLC
On January 26, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pembrolizumab (Keytruda) for adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with stage IB (T2a, ≥ 4 cm), II, or IIIA non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
KEYNOTE-091
Efficacy was evaluated in...
Analysis of Mutations Associated With High Tumor Mutation Burden in Microsatellite-Stable Gastrointestinal Cancers
In a study reported in The Lancet Oncology, Wang et al identified mutations linked to high tumor mutation burden in microsatellite-stable (MSS) gastrointestinal cancers that may be associated with efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
Study Details
Molecular alterations in 48,606...
ctDNA Analysis May Predict Optimal Treatment for Patients With GIST
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis of KIT exon mutations may help predict which second-line therapy is best for patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), according to data presented by Bauer et al during the January ASCO Plenary Series session (Abstract 397784).
An...
Updated Results of DESTINY-Breast03: T-DXd vs T-DM1 for Previously Treated Patients With HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer
As reported in The Lancet by Sara A. Hurvitz, MD, and colleagues, updated results of the phase III DESTINY-Breast03 trial showed significantly improved overall survival with fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (T-DXd) vs ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) in patients with HER2-positive unresectable or...
Risk of Major Psychiatric Disorders Among Survivors of Childhood and Adolescent Cancers
In a Taiwanese study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Hsu et al found that survivors of childhood and adolescent cancers were at a significantly increased risk of multiple major psychiatric disorders compared to those without cancer.
Study Details
The study used data from a...
Receiving Chemotherapy in the Afternoon May Improve Treatment Outcomes in Some Patients With DLBCL
Utilizing chronochemotherapy—a method aimed at delivering chemotherapy at a time when the body is least vulnerable to its harmful effects and when the cancer cells are at their most vulnerable—may improve the outcomes of some patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), according to a novel ...
Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone vs Lenalidomide in Maintenance Therapy After ASCT in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma
As reported in The Lancet Oncology by Dominik Dytfeld, MD, PhD, and colleagues, an unplanned interim analysis of the phase III ATLAS trial has shown improved progression-free survival with carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (KRd) vs lenalidomide alone as maintenance after autologous stem...
FDA Oncology Center of Excellence Seeks Applications for New Research Funding Opportunities
OCE Insights is an occasional column developed for The ASCO Post by members of the Oncology Center of Excellence (OCE) at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In this installment, Julie A. Schneider, PhD, Associate Director for Research Strategy and Partnerships, OCE; Jennifer J. Gao, MD,...
New Study Evaluates Online Colorectal Cancer Risk Calculators
Many individuals considering screening for colorectal cancer may want information on their personal risk when making decisions about screening—such as whether to select an at-home stool-based test or colonoscopy. Investigators evaluated five online colorectal cancer risk calculators to determine...
Real-World Use of Idecabtagene Vicleucel for Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma
In a retrospective study of the real-world use of idecabtagene vicleucel reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Hansen et al found that response rates and toxicity in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma were comparable to those in the pivotal phase II KarMMa trial; the...
Interventions to Improve Skin Cancer Surveillance in Childhood Cancer Survivors Who Received Radiotherapy
In a study (Advancing Survivors Knowledge; ASK) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Geller et al found that three patient- and patient/physician-based interventions to improve skin cancer surveillance among childhood cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy resulted in increased rates...
Trends in Stage, Treatment, and Outcomes in Rectal Adenocarcinoma in the United States: 2004 to 2019
In a retrospective, observational case series study reported in JAMA Oncology, Emile et al identified changes in the stage at diagnosis, treatments, and outcomes in U.S. patients with rectal adenocarcinoma diagnosed between 2004 and 2019.
Study Details
The study used National Cancer Database data...
Addition of Ultrasound to DBT for Breast Cancer Screening in Patients With Dense Breasts
In the DBTUST study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Berg et al found that the addition of screening ultrasound to digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) improved detection of cancer in patients with dense breasts—but also increased the rate of false-positive findings.
Study Details
In the ...
Combination of Botensilimab and Balstilimab Shows Activity in Patients With Metastatic Microsatellite-Stable Colorectal Cancer
A combination of the next-generation immunotherapies botensilimab and balstilimab showed clinical activity in treating patients with refractory metastatic microsatellite-stable (MSS) colorectal cancer, according to new findings presented by El-Khoueiry et al at the 2023 ASCO Gastrointestinal...
Addition of Veliparib to Cisplatin in Advanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer With BRCA-Like and Non–BRCA-Like Phenotype
In a phase II trial (S1416) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Rodler et al found that the addition of the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor veliparib to cisplatin significantly improved progression-free survival in patients with germline BRCA1/2 wild-type advanced triple-negative breast...
Ibrutinib in the First-Line Treatment of Chronic GVHD
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Miklos et al, the phase III iNTEGRATE trial showed no benefit of the addition of ibrutinib to prednisone in the first-line treatment of moderate or severe chronic graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.
...
Accelerated Partial-Breast Irradiation vs Whole-Breast Irradiation: Long-Term Cosmetic Results and Toxicity
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Meduri et al, a 5-year analysis from the phase III IRMA trial has shown higher rates of adverse cosmesis and some late toxicities with external-beam accelerated partial-breast irradiation (APBI) vs whole-breast irradiation (WBI) in women with stage ...
Lenvatinib and Pembrolizumab in Previously Treated Patients With Advanced Endometrial Carcinoma: Update of Study 111/KEYNOTE-146
In an analysis reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vicky Makker, MD, and colleagues provided updated findings from the phase Ib/II Study 111/KEYNOTE-146 trial of lenvatinib and pembrolizumab in previously treated patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma.
First-Line Zanidatamab Plus Chemotherapy for HER2-Expressing Metastatic Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma
Tolerability and efficacy results—including the first overall survival data—from a phase II trial examining first-line zanidatamab, an investigational HER2-targeted bispecific antibody, in combination with chemotherapy for patients with HER2-expressing metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma...
Is the Risk of Suicide Higher Among Individuals With Cancer?
According to a large new study led by researchers at the American Cancer Society, the risk of suicide for individuals diagnosed with cancer in the United States is 26% higher compared with the general population. Geographic, racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics contributed to...
Futibatinib in Previously Treated Patients With Advanced FGFR2-Rearranged Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
In a phase II study (FOENIX-CCA2) published in The New England Journal of Medicine, Lipika Goyal, MD, and colleagues found that the next-generation, covalently binding FGFR1-4 inhibitor futibatinib showed activity in previously treated patients with unresectable or metastatic FGFR2-altered...
FDA Approves Zanubrutinib for CLL or SLL
On January 19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the kinase inhibitor zanubrutinib (Brukinsa) for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).
SEQUOIA Trial: Treatment-Naive Patients
Efficacy in treatment-naive patients...
FDA Grants Accelerated Approval to Tucatinib Plus Trastuzumab for Advanced HER2-Positive Colorectal Cancer
On January 19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval to the kinase inhibitor tucatinib (Tukysa) in combination with the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab for RAS wild-type, HER2-positive, unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed following...
New Study Shows Impact of Low Adherence to Guideline-Based Imaging Before Radiotherapy on Outcomes in Medicare Patients With NSCLC
Investigators revealed that approximately one out of every two patients on Medicare who have non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may not receive the appropriate imaging prior to receiving radiation therapy, according to a new study published by Sterbis et al in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine....
Risk of Contralateral Breast Cancer Among Patients With Invasive Breast Cancer and Various Germline Pathogenic Variants
In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Yadav et al estimated the risk of contralateral breast cancer among patients with invasive breast cancer and germline pathogenic variants in ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, and PALB2.
Study Details
The study population consisted of 15,104...
Appendectomy With or Without Hemicolectomy for 1- to 2-cm Appendiceal Neuroendocrine Tumors
In a European retrospective cohort study reported in The Lancet Oncology, Nesti et al found evidence that right-sided hemicolectomy is not indicated in patients who had complete resection, via appendectomy, of appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) measuring 1 to 2 cm.
As stated by the...
Uterine Cancer Now Covered by WTC Health Program
Researchers at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and caregivers have helped secure medical coverage and financial compensation for individuals who were exposed to Ground Zero and consequently developed uterine cancer, including endometrial cancer—according to a new, final rule added to...
Neoadjuvant Gemcitabine/Cisplatin in High-Risk Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma
In a phase II trial reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Coleman et al found that neoadjuvant split-dose gemcitabine and cisplatin produced a high rate of pathologic response in patients with high-risk localized upper tract urothelial carcinoma. The investigators also showed that...
Study Suggests Ibrutinib May Obviate Need for ASCT in Some Younger Patients With Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Although longer follow-up is needed, the results of the three-arm randomized TRIANGLE study suggest that the tyrosine kinase inhibitor ibrutinib may replace autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) after chemoimmunotherapy in younger patients with previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). ...
Report Outlines Advance in Retreatment With CAR T-Cell Therapy in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma or CLL
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania’s Abramson Cancer Center presented preliminary results of an ongoing phase I clinical trial demonstrating successful retreatment with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for patients whose cancers relapsed after previous CAR T-cell therapy. ...
Global Study Uncovers Regional Differences in the Use of Curative Transplants for Patients With AML
The use of stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia increased by about 55% worldwide from 2009 to 2016, according to new findings presented by Niederweiser et al at the 64th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition (Abstract 3638). Although the largest...
Scientists Map Genetic Evolution of CLL to Richter Syndrome
Richter syndrome is an aggressive lymphoma that develops in up to 1% of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and it serves as an example of histologic transformation. While recent advances have transformed the treatment landscape of CLL, Richter syndrome remains associated with poor...
Ovarian Cancer May Be Linked to Pathogenic Microbe Colonization in Reproductive Tract
A specific colonization of pathogenic microbes in the reproductive tract may be commonly found in patients with ovarian cancer, according to a new study published by Asangba et al in Scientific Reports. The discovery strengthens evidence that the bacterial component of the microbiome may be an...
Acupuncture and Acupressure May Help Alleviate Pain and Anxiety for Patients Undergoing Surgery for Gynecologic Cancer
According to a new study published by Ben-Arye et al in Cancer, preoperative acupressure may help patients undergoing surgery for ovarian and endometrial cancers reduce anxiety. In addition, the researchers found that following up acupressure with perioperative acupuncture may reduce severe pain.
...
MRI-Guided vs CT-Guided SBRT for Localized Prostate Cancer
In the single-center phase III MIRAGE trial reported in JAMA Oncology, Amar U. Kishan, MD, and colleagues found that use of margin reduction with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) resulted in significantly reduced acute genitourinary (GU) and...
Expert Point of View: Jeremy S. Abramson, MD
Jeremy S. Abramson, MD, Director of Lymphoma, Mass General Cancer Center, Boston, commented on the clinical implications of the TRIANGLE study.
“The TRIANGLE trial is a large, three-arm randomized trial addressing two critically important questions in the management of younger patients with mantle...
Frequency and Dosage of Radiotherapy in Chemoradiotherapy for Limited-Stage SCLC
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Jeffrey Bogart, MD, and colleagues, the phase III CALGB 30610/RTOG 0538 trial has shown no significant difference in overall survival with 70-Gy once-daily vs 45-Gy twice-daily radiotherapy in a chemoradiotherapy regimen for limited-stage small...
Reminders Based on Machine-Learning Algorithms May Improve End-of-Life Care for Patients With Cancer
Electronic nudges delivered to health-care clinicians based on a machine-learning algorithm capable of predicting mortality risk quadrupled rates of conversations with patients about their end-of-life care preferences, according to a new study published by Manz et al in JAMA Oncology. The study...
Molecular Tumor Board Offers Assistance That May Boost Effectiveness of Precision Oncology
The field of precision oncology has become so complex that even experienced oncologists can find it challenging to decipher the molecular test results of tumor tissue and navigate treatment options for patients. Investigators revealed that a new program may aid gastrointestinal cancer physicians in ...
ROBO2 as a Novel Susceptibility Gene for Risk of Anthracycline-Related Cardiomyopathy in Childhood Cancer Survivors
In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Wang et al found that a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in ROBO2 was associated with an increased risk of cardiomyopathy among childhood cancer survivors receiving higher cumulative anthracycline doses.
As stated by the investigators,...
Long-Term Follow-up of Combined TEXT and SOFT Trials
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Olivia Pagani, MD, and colleagues, 13-year follow-up in a combined analysis of the phase III TEXT and SOFT trials has shown continued disease-free survival and distant recurrence–free interval benefit—but no overall survival benefit—with exemestane ...
Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab in Localized MSI-H/dMMR Solid Tumors
In a single-center phase II trial reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Ludford et al found that neoadjuvant pembrolizumab produced a high pathologic complete response rate and radiographic objective response rate in patients with localized microsatellite instability–high/mismatch...
Study Reports Activity With Oncolytic Vaccine Plus Pembrolizumab in BCG-Unresponsive Bladder Cancer
An oncolytic therapy delivered within the urinary bladder in combination with pembrolizumab has yielded the “best results seen in the field” in patients with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive bladder cancer, according to data presented during the 2022 Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer...
American Cancer Society’s Cancer Statistics 2023 Report Released
The American Cancer Society has released its Cancer Statistics 2023 report, which showed that overall cancer mortality has dropped by 33% since 1991, averting an estimated 3.8 million cancer deaths. Data in the report, which was published by Siegel et al in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, also ...
Novel Artificial Intelligence Tool May Predict Risk of Lung Cancer Using Low-Dose CT Scan Data
Researchers have developed and tested an artificial intelligence (AI) tool known as Sybil, which may accurately predict the risk of lung cancer for individuals with or without a significant smoking history using data from low-dose chest computed tomography (CT) scans, according to a new study...
Nonablative Fractional Laser Therapy May Help Prevent Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers
Researchers discovered that simple laser treatments to the skin may help prevent the development of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, according to a new study published by Benson et al in Dermatologic Surgery.
Background
Collectively known as keratinocyte carcinomas, basal cell...
Circulating Tumor DNA Profiling and Outcomes in CNS Lymphoma
In a German study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Mutter et al found that circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) identified prior to and during treatment was associated with poorer outcomes in patients with central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma.
Study Details
The study included 92 patients...
Effect of Medicaid Expansion on Survival for Young Adults With Cancer
In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Ji et al found that Medicaid expansion through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been associated with improved 2-year survival among young adults with cancer, with greater benefits observed in patients with breast cancer, those with stage IV...
Experts Publish Consensus Statement on Classification System for Pathology and Diagnosis of Melanocytic Lesions
In recognition of continuing issues with the process of melanocytic pathology assessments, an expert panel of three dermatopathologists—with assistance from an expert team of researchers—has developed and now revised the Melanocytic Pathology Assessment Tool and Hierarchy for Diagnosis schema...
Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy in Patients With Localized dMMR Colorectal Cancer
Investigators discovered that PD-1 inhibition prior to surgery may be effective for patients with localized mismatch repair–deficient or microsatellite instability–high (dMMR/MSI-H) colorectal cancer, according to a study published by Xiao et al in JNCCN–Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer ...
Trends in U.S. E-Cigarette Sales, Price, and Nicotine Strength
In a study reported in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, Ali et al found that U.S. sales of e-cigarettes have increased, marked by sales of products with higher nicotine strength, and that prices have increased for products with lower nicotine strength while decreasing or not significantly changing...
New Scoring System Measures Inflammation Levels, May Improve Risk Stratification in AML
Researchers have discovered that severe inflammation may weaken the body’s ability to kill cancerous blood cells in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), according to a new study published by Lasry et al in Nature Cancer. With bone marrow samples from 20 adults and 22 children with AML, the...
New AI-Based Biomarker May Help Predict Immunotherapy Response for Patients With NSCLC
Researchers have discovered a new artificial intelligence (AI)-derived biomarker that uses routine imaging scans to help predict which patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) will respond to immunotherapy, according to a novel study published by Alilou et al in Science Advances. The...
