April 10, 2016 (View All Issues)
Atezolizumab Improves Survival vs Docetaxel in Previously Treated NSCLC: Increased Benefit With Increased PD-L1 Expression
In the phase II POPLAR trial reported in The Lancet, Louis Fehrenbacher, MD, of Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, and colleagues found that the investigational anti–programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody atezolizumab improved overall survival vs docetaxel in patients with non–small cell...
The POPLAR Trial: PD-L1 Blockade With Atezolizumab in Second- or Third-Line Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
The randomized phase II POPLAR trial—reported by Fehrenbacher and colleagues and reviewed in this issue of The ASCO Post—is another key piece of information for the medical community regarding the value of immune checkpoint blockers in second/third-line treatment of patients with non–small cell...
Throwing Out the Baby With the Bathwater: A Critical Appraisal of the USPSTF Recommendation Against Screening for Prostate Cancer
In 2012, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued a recommendation against routine screening for prostate cancer.1,2 The grade D recommendation was considered controversial at the time, and remains so now, because many stakeholders have weighed the same body of evidence and come to...
Computer-Assisted Decision Support in Medical Oncology: We Need It Now
Today’s medical oncologist is increasingly challenged to stay current with the latest developments in cancer treatment. I have been fortunate to speak with many oncologists over the past quarter-century on how professional life has evolved since the 1990s. These conversations have left me with a...
Clifford A. Hudis, MD, FACP, Named ASCO’s Next CEO
Clifford A. Hudis, MD, FACP, Chief of the Breast Medicine Service, Vice President for Government Relations, and Chief Advocacy Officer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), and Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, has been named the next Chief Executive Officer...
Trabectedin Improves Progression-Free Survival in Uterine Leiomyosarcoma
In women with uterine leiomyosarcoma, trabectedin (Yondelis), a novel cytotoxic agent, significantly improved progression-free survival, compared with dacarbazine (4.2 vs 1.5 months, hazard ratio [HR] = 0.55, P < .001). According to the study’s authors, a lack of cumulative toxicity allows...
Breast Cancer Vaccines Moving Forward at a Fast Clip
Vaccines for both secondary and primary prevention of breast cancer are showing potential in clinical trials, according to Elizabeth A. Mittendorf, MD, PhD, who is leading much of the vaccine research at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. Vaccine platforms being explored...
Jeffrey Fowler, MD, Begins Presidency of Society of Gynecologic Oncology
Jeffrey Fowler, MD, John G. Boutselis Chair in Gynecologic Oncology and Professor and Vice-Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, started his 1-year term as the 48th President of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) at the conclusion of the...
Metastatic Breast Cancer With Discordant Tumors: Small Study Reports Treatment by Primary Status May Improve Survival
In a small retrospective series, patients with metastatic breast cancer treated according to the receptor status of the primary tumor, not the metastatic one, had significantly longer median overall survival. The study was reported at the 2016 Miami Breast Cancer Conference by T. Allen Pannell, Jr, ...
A Business Professor and Husband Turns Breast Cancer Researcher
In more than 25 years of viewing posters at oncology meetings, I’ve met researchers from virtually all professional walks of life, but it was not until the 2016 Miami Breast Cancer Conference, that the author’s affiliation turned my head: It was a business school.
“Utilizing Metastatic Tumor...
Experts Consider What It Means to Improve Quality of Care in an Era of Increasing Reliance on Targeted Therapies
Precision medicine is judged according to different values across the multiple stakeholders involved in cancer care. At this year’s Quality Care Symposium, presenters from different sectors of oncology addressed a central question: How do we assess quality in the age of precision medicine?1,2
...
Outcome Measures in Quality and Identifying High-Quality Practice
At this year’s ASCO Quality Care Symposium, Craig Earle, MD, MSc, of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, used Donabedian’s Triad—structure, process, and outcome—to set the stage for his presentation on the science of quality. “The theory behind Donabedian’s Triad is that structure...
New Commission on Cancer Standards Clarifies and Emphasizes Process, Quality, Data Reporting, and More
The 2016 edition of the Commission on Cancer’s accreditation standards manual clarifies and provides additional information in many areas and raises the bar for compliance in some, including psychosocial distress screening, survivorship care, data reporting, and activities in prevention and...
Update of ASCEND-1 Trial Shows Ceritinib Highly Active in ALK-Rearranged NSCLC, Including Intracranial Disease
Updated results of the phase I ASCEND-1 trial, reported by Kim et al in The Lancet Oncology, indicate that the ALK inhibitor ceritinib (Zykadia) produced high response rates in advanced ALK-rearranged non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including intracranial disease, in both patients with and...
Conquer Cancer Foundation Honors 74 Oncologists for Contributions to Genitourinary Cancer, Cancer Survivorship, Gastrointestinal Cancer, and Quality Care Research
The Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2016 Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO Merit Awards in Gastrointestinal Cancer, Genitourinary Cancer, Cancer Survivorship, and Quality Care. The following 74 young investigators, recognized for the scientific merit ...
Diversity Training Key to Increasing Cultural Competence Among Oncology Surgeons
A study in the Journal of Oncology Practice (JOP)1 measured the level of cultural competence among surgeons from six hospitals in the Puget Sound region of Washington State, home to a large population of American Indians and Alaskan Natives. According to the study, “Assessing Cultural Competence...
Donate Now to Access the Conquer Cancer Foundation Donor Lounge at ASCO Annual Meeting
The Foundation’s Donor Lounge is the perfect space to recharge or meet with friends and colleagues during ASCO’s Annual Meeting. It’s where industry leaders network and enjoy access to complimentary light refreshments and where busy attendees escape for a quiet place to relax. Make accessing this ...
Understanding and Preparing for MACRA
The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) was passed in April 2015, introducing comprehensive changes to how Medicare pays physicians for services. As the policies passed in MACRA are rolled out over the coming years, they will profoundly impact reimbursement and care...
ASCO Pledges to Advance Interoperability Among Health Information Systems
ASCO has joined members of the health-care community in pledging to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to commit to principles that will advance interoperability among health information systems.
A formal announcement of the initiative was delivered by HHS Secretary
Sylvia M....
Highlights From the 2016 Quality Care Symposium and Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium
Direct your patients to the Cancer.Net Blog, www.cancer.net/blog, to listen to a podcast from the 2016 Quality Care Symposium on research highlighting efforts to make sure patients are getting the most appropriate care while also addressing the costs of cancer care.
Also on the blog, learn more...
Providing Perspective on Pressing Economic Issues Facing Cancer Care—Now and in the Future
CANCERSCAPE, the 2016 Annual Meeting of the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), provided a forum for about 300 attendees to gain insight into the complexities of oncology treatment, where “clinical advances, policy mandates, and value-based payment reform intersect.” Of particular...
Jennie R. Crews, MD, FACP, Named President of the Association of Community Cancer Centers
Jennie R. Crews, MD, FACP, became the new President of the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) during the recent ACCC 42nd Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. Dr. Crews brings more than 18 years of experience in advancing quality oncology care, currently as the Medical Director for...
Patrick Moore, MD, MPH, Named NCI Outstanding Investigator, Awarded $6.4 Million for Discovering Cancer Viruses
Patrick Moore, MD, MPH, has received the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Outstanding Investigator Award, and was awarded $6.4 million to further his work into the link between viruses and cancer. This NCI grant provides 7 years of secured support, giving the investigator freedom from the pressure...
FDA Approves Defibrotide for Complication of Stem Cell Transplant
On March 30, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved defibrotide sodium (Defitelio) for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with hepatic veno-occlusive disease, also known as sinusoidal obstructive syndrome, with renal or pulmonary dysfunction following hematopoietic...
Selected Abstracts From 2015 ASH Annual Meeting: Part 4
Here is the final installment of selected abstracts from the proceedings of the 2015 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, focusing on Hodgkin lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. For other selected abstracts ...
Survival Period for Esophageal Cancer Is Tied to Race and Income
African American patients with esophageal cancer survive fewer months after diagnosis than white patients, but only if they also have low incomes, according to a study presented by Loretta Erhunmwunsee, MD, at the Annual Meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Dr. Erhunmwunsee led the study...
Peter Paul Yu, MD, FASCO, Named Physician-in-Chief of Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute
Hartford HealthCare has named Past ASCO President Peter Paul Yu, MD, FASCO, the first Physician-in-Chief of Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute.
As Physician-in-Chief, Dr. Yu will be responsible for working closely and collaboratively with physicians and nurses who practice within the Hartford...
Decreased PSA Screening and Decreased Diagnosis of Early-Stage Prostate Cancer
Recent data indicate that the rate of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening and the rate of diagnosis of early-stage prostate cancer have decreased since a 2012 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) statement (released in October 2011) gave a grade D recommendation against PSA...
Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation Appoints Robert Hromas, MD, to Its Scientific Advisory Board
The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF) announced the addition of cancer researcher Robert Hromas, MD, Chair of Medicine at University of Florida Health, to its scientific advisory board (SAB). Dr. Hromas, who continues his position at the University of Florida Health, will join his...
Everolimus Improves Progression-Free Survival in Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Lung or Gastrointestinal Tract
In a phase III trial (RADIANT-4) reported in The Lancet, James C. Yao, MD, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and colleagues found that everolimus (Afinitor) and supportive care significantly prolonged progression-free survival vs placebo and supportive care in patients with...
Susan Block, MD, Honored With AAHPM Palliative Care Lifetime Achievement Award
Susan Block, MD, an institute physician in the Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a Harvard Medical School Professor, and Director of the Serious Illness Care Program at Ariadne Labs, received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the American...
Itai Yanai, PhD, to Lead Institute for Computational Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center
Itai Yanai, PhD, whose in-depth study of how embryos develop has led to breakthroughs in the analysis of gene composition and expression, has been named the inaugural Director of the newly created Institute for Computational Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center. He officially takes his new...
Phase Ib/II Study Reports High Response Rates Seen With Addition of Cisplatin to Regimen for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
The oncology research team at HonorHealth Research Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona, is spearheading a phase Ib/II trial that is demonstrating promising results with a novel regimen in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. “The patients we are treating have advanced adenocarcinoma of the...
Cancer on the Global Stage: Incidence and Cancer-Related Mortality in Israel
The ASCO Post is pleased to continue this special feature on the worldwide cancer burden. In this issue, we feature a close look at the cancer incidence and mortality rates in Israel. The aim of this special feature is to highlight the global cancer burden for various countries of the world. For...
Joan Massagué, PhD, to Receive 2016 Pezcoller Foundation–AACR International Award for Cancer Research
The 2016 Pezcoller Foundation-American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) International Award for Cancer Research will be presented to Joan Massagué, PhD, Director of the Sloan Kettering Institute and Alfred P. Sloan Chair at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, at the AACR...
Lili Yang, PhD, Receives CIRM Funding to Investigate iNKT Modification and Transplantation
With new funding awarded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), Lili Yang, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics and the Eli & Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research (BSCRC) at the...
Crizotinib in ROS1-Positive Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
On March 11, 2016, crizotinib (Xalkori) was approved for treatment of patients with metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with ROS1 rearrangement–positive tumors.1,2 A U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved test for the detection of ROS1 rearrangements in NSCLC is not currently...
Michael J. Birrer, MD, PhD, Named Recipient of the 2016 Claudia Cohen Research Foundation Prize for Outstanding Gynecologic Cancer Researcher
The Claudia Cohen Research Foundation and the Foundation for Women’s Cancer announced Michael J. Birrer, MD, PhD, as the 2016 recipient of the Claudia Cohen Research Foundation Prize for Outstanding Gynecologic Cancer Researcher. The $50,000 prize was presented at the Society of Gynecologic...
2016 Oncology Meetings
APRIL
European Lung Cancer Conference
April 13-16 • Geneva, Switzerland
For more information:
www.esmo.org/Conferences/ELCC-2016-Lung-Cancer
American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) Annual Meeting
April 13-16 • New Orleans, Louisiana
For more information:
Things May Not Be What They Seem: Are Old Cancer Treatment Theories New Again?
The adage “you can’t judge a book by its cover,” is true, but authors still need to be aware of the importance of first impressions. The title of science writer Travis Christofferson’s book Tripping Over the Truth: The Return of the Metabolic Theory of Cancer Illuminates a New and Hopeful Path...
A Political Activist Challenges the Drug Approval Process and the U.S. Government
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) primary concern in the drug approval process is to ensure that the drug is safe and effective. For the past several decades, the advocacy groups have vociferously painted the agency as a stodgy bureaucracy that prevents desperate patients access...
Sadik Esener, PhD, Selected to Lead OHSU’s Large-Scale Early Cancer Detection Initiative
Sadik Esener, PhD, has been recruited to the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Knight Cancer Institute to lead the first large-scale early cancer detection program of its kind.
Dr. Esener will be the Director of the Institute’s Center for Early Detection Research and has been awarded ...
AACR CEO Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), Honored With James Ewing Layperson’s Award From SSO
Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), CEO of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), was recognized during the plenary session at the 69th Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) Annual Cancer Symposium with the James Ewing Layperson’s Award for her dedication to the prevention and cure of cancer; ...
David B. Roth, MD, PhD, Named Director of New Penn Center for Precision Medicine
David B. Roth, MD, PhD, has been appointed Director of the new Penn Center for Precision Medicine. In his new role, he will lead efforts to accelerate the implementation of precision medicine into clinical care. Dr. Roth is an expert in DNA repair and mechanisms of programmed gene rearrangements...
10 Bladder Cancer Projects Awarded Research Grants by Johns Hopkins Greenberg Bladder Cancer Institute
The Johns Hopkins Greenberg Bladder Cancer Institute is a collaborative initiative of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, the Brady Urological Institute, the Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the School of Medicine. It aims to develop new clinical strategies for combating bladder cancer...
Most Patients With Melanoma Had Few Nevi, None Atypical
Although nevi are considered among the strongest risk factors for melanoma, most patients with melanoma had few total nevi and no atypical nevi, according to an analysis of 566 patients with invasive cutaneous melanoma. “Three notable findings emerged from this case study,” Alan C. Geller, MPH, RN, ...
Geriatric Assessment Is Key to Treatment Decisions for Patients 80 Years and Older
A review of major studies and the current literature underscored the role of geriatric assessment in making treatment recommendations for patients aged 80 years and older with early and metastatic breast cancer. The review was published in the Journal of Oncology Practice. The corresponding author...
Compartmentalizing Cancer
I was the last one on the oncology team to meet Mel. He was 36 years old, and by then Mel had been living with metastatic colon cancer for several years. During that time, his clinicians had never referred him to our psycho-oncology team because of his strong attitude and outlook. Mel’s outward...
