March 10, 2024 (View All Issues)
Two Adjuvant Therapy Studies Show Divergent Outcomes With PD-1 Inhibitors in Renal Cell Carcinoma
In the third prespecified interim analysis of the phase III KEYNOTE-564 trial,1 adjuvant treatment with the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab significantly improved overall survival compared with placebo in patients with intermediate- or high-risk clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, a...
Reframing DCIS as an Opportunity for Cancer Prevention
We have been taught that early cancer detection and treatment save lives. The way to cure cancer is to find it early and treat it aggressively. The public has subscribed to this approach in our struggle to “eradicate cancer.” In certain disease types, there is merit to this philosophy. The ability...
Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab Improves Progression-Free Survival in First-Line Setting of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
In the phase III CheckMate 8HW trial, previously untreated patients with microsatellite instability–high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair–deficient (dMMR) nonresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer derived significant benefit from an immunotherapy doublet, with nivolumab plus ipilimumab reducing the...
Studies Show Progress in Using ctDNA to Guide Colorectal Cancer Treatment
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has become an established biomarker of measurable or molecular residual disease (MRD) after curative-intent surgery in patients with colorectal cancer. The research focus is now on linking ctDNA to long-term outcomes and using it to guide treatment decisions—which was...
Should You Reconsider Transplant for Relapsed Large B-Cell Lymphoma in Complete Remission?
For patients with relapsed large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) in complete remission, outcomes were better after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) than with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in a retrospective analysis of a large database presented at the 2023 American Society of...
Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma
“Ask yourself at every moment, ‘Is this necessary?’”
—Marcus Aurelius
To complement The ASCO Post’s extensive coverage of the 2023 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition, here are two important abstracts selected from the meeting proceedings focusing on induction...
Relationship Between Second Malignant Neoplasm and Heart Disease Studied in Childhood Cancer Survivors
In a French study of more than 7,000 childhood cancer survivors, published in JACC: CardioOncology, Thibaud Charrier, PhD, of the Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France, and colleagues reported that the occurrence of a second malignant neoplasm among these childhood cancer survivors seemed to...
Olaparib Plus Abiraterone and Prednisone Improves Outcomes Over Single Agents in BRCA-Mutated Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
First-line treatment with the PARP inhibitor olaparib plus the androgen biosynthesis inhibitor abiraterone acetate and the steroid prednisone improved progression-free survival and response rates compared with either treatment alone (ie, olaparib or abiraterone plus prednisone) in patients with...
Celebrating Advances in Cancer Care and a Look at How AI Is Revolutionizing Oncology
For the third year in a row, more than 250 leaders in cancer care, including cancer center directors, physicians, scientists, ethicists, journalists, public officials, and patient advocates, gathered at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, California, to attend the...
How The Max Foundation Is Accelerating Equitable Cancer Care Globally
When Pat Garcia-Gonzalez’ stepson, Max, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in 1988 at the age of 14, the Internet was still in its infancy and decades away from the networking resource it has become today. Told that Max would need an allogeneic stem cell transplant to survive, the...
Fruquintinib in Refractory Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
On November 8, 2023, fruquintinib (Fruzaqla) was approved for adults with metastatic colorectal cancer who received prior fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin-, and irinotecan-based chemotherapy; an anti-VEGF therapy; and—if RAS wild-type and medically appropriate—an anti-EGFR therapy.1
Supporting...
FDA Approves Irinotecan Liposome as First-Line Treatment of Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
On February 13, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved irinotecan liposome (Onivyde) with oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin for the first-line treatment of metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
NAPOLI-3
Efficacy was evaluated in NAPOLI-3 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier
Benefit of Belantamab Mafodotin–Based Regimen Supported in Multiple Myeloma
Positive results with the use of belantamab mafodotin-blmf in the phase III DREAMM-7 study were presented during the ASCO Plenary Series: February 2024.1 In relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, DREAMM-7 evaluated the use of the regimen belantamab mafodotin, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (BVd)...
I Am Young and Fit—and Have Stage IV Alveolar Soft-Part Sarcoma
Except for my right thigh being bigger than my left thigh, there was no hint that I was harboring advanced alveolar soft-part sarcoma when I was diagnosed with the cancer in 2019. I initially chocked up the discrepancy in my legs to the vigorous workouts I had received during my cheerleading days,...
Geriatric Oncology Educational Opportunity at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Once again, geriatric oncology will take the forefront at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK). On April 23, 2024, the Division of Advanced Practice Providers and the Geriatric Medicine Service at MSK will host the 3rd annual Geriatric Oncology Symposium for Advanced Practice Providers. The target...
ACCC Changes Name to Association of Cancer Care Centers
The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) is marking its 50th anniversary with a name change to illustrate the dynamic future of cancer care for its members. The largest advocacy and resource organization for multidisciplinary oncology professionals will now be known as the Association of...
Patricia LoRusso, DO, PhD (hc), Named the Amy and Joseph Perella Professor of Medicine at Yale School of Medicine
Patricia LoRusso, DO, PhD (hc), an internationally recognized expert in drug development and early-phase clinical investigation of novel cancer therapies, was recently appointed the Amy and Joseph Perella Professor of Medicine (medical oncology). The appointment is for a term of 10 years,...
ASCO and SSO Publish New Guideline on Germline Testing in Breast Cancer
ASCO in partnership with the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) has released a new guideline addressing recommendations in germline testing in patients with breast cancer.1 The guideline provides oncologists with a framework for how to approach germline testing and recommendations for who should be ...
ASCO Chief Medical Officer Testifies to Congress About Ongoing Cancer Drug Shortage Crisis
On February 6, 2024, Julie R. Gralow, MD, FACP, FASCO, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), testified before the full House Committee on Ways and Means on the crisis of ongoing cancer drug shortages. More than 15 cancer drugs continue...
Long-Term Follow-up Affirms Benefit of Pembrolizumab Plus Chemotherapy in Advanced Esophageal Cancer
Long-term follow-up of the phase III KEYNOTE-590 trial confirms the benefit of the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in advanced esophageal cancer. As compared with chemotherapy alone, after a median of follow-up of almost 59 months, patients treated with the chemoimmunotherapy...
