May 10, 2016 (View All Issues)
One-Third of Patients With Advanced Melanoma Survive at Least 5 Years After Nivolumab Treatment
The news is good from the longest follow-up survival study of patients with advanced melanoma who were treated with the anti–programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) agent nivolumab (Opdivo).1 Thirty-four percent of patients who received the drug in a phase I trial (CA909-003) were alive 5 years...
Making the Moonshot Initiative a Reality
Excitement was high on the last day of the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in anticipation of Vice President Joseph R. Biden’s remarks related to the Moonshot Initiative to accelerate progress in cancer research. The Secret Service made elaborate...
Using Telemedicine to Reduce Wait Times for Veterans
John Farrow, a 67-year-old Vietnam veteran, had not been able to sleep for days. A week ago, his primary care doctor at his local outpatient Veterans Administration (VA) clinic told him that his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood level was rapidly increasing, and his prostate was abnormal on...
Dethroning the Emperor of All Maladies
Deep knowledge of immunology, cancer biology, and disruptive technology in computational science and molecular profiling has positioned us to dethrone the emperor of all maladies. The cancer research community is prepared to fulfill President Barack Obama’s call for a national cancer moonshot aimed ...
Nivolumab: New Standard of Care for Progressive Head and Neck Cancer After Platinum Therapy
Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck that progresses after platinum-based therapy has a dismal prognosis, and there is no effective standard of care. No treatment has improved survival for this patient population, but that may be about to change.
Nivolumab (Opdivo), an anti–PD-1...
Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine Plus Pertuzumab: Promising Neoadjuvant Results for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer From the I-SPY 2 Trial
The combination of ado-trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla) plus pertuzumab (Perjeta) is a worthy combination to pursue in phase III studies as neoadjuvant therapy for HER2-positive invasive breast cancer, according to findings in the I-SPY 2 trial presented at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American...
First Results From MINDACT Confirm the Benefit of Genomic Profiling
The primary analysis of the MINDACT trial confirms the value of genomic profiling for patients with early breast cancer with zero to three positive lymph nodes, according to MINDACT investigators and breast cancer specialists who heard the results at the 2016 American Association of Cancer Research ...
CancerCare Issues Report on Nationwide Surveys of 3,000 People Diagnosed With Cancer
The national nonprofit organization CancerCare has announced the publication of a comprehensive report on experiences, perceptions, and needs of people who are living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis. The 2016 CancerCare Patient Access and Engagement Report is a compilation of results from six...
Selected Abstracts From the 2016 BMT Tandem Meetings
The BMT Tandem Meetings are the combined annual meetings of the Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research and the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Held recently in Honolulu, Hawaii, this year’s BMT Tandem Meetings drew 3,000 attendees from 35 countries,...
Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in Question in Ovarian Cancers
A phase III trial of bevacizumab (Avastin) with intravenous vs intraperitoneal chemotherapy showed no improvement in progression-free survival for first-line treatment of patients with optimally surgically resected stage II and III ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer.1 When compared with...
Roundup of Ovarian Cancer Abstracts From 2016 SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer
At the 2016 Society of Gynecologic Oncology’s (SOG’s) Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer, Thomas J. Herzog, MD, Clinical Director, University of Cincinnati (UC) Cancer Institute and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UC College of Medicine, provided commentary on several noteworthy ovarian...
FDA Approves Cabozantinib in Patients With Renal Cell Carcinoma Who Have Received Prior Antiangiogenic Therapy
On April 25, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved cabozantinib (Cabometyx) tablets for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma in patients who have received prior antiangiogenic therapy. Cabozantinib is a dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor of MET and VEGFR2. The capsule...
Waun Ki Hong, MD, Receives 10th AACR Margaret Foti Award for Leadership and Extraordinary Achievements in Cancer Research
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) honored Waun Ki Hong, MD, with the 10th annual Margaret Foti Award for Leadership and Extraordinary Achievements in Cancer Research at the 2016 AACR Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, April 16–20.
The Margaret Foti Award for Leadership and...
Robert Weinberg, PhD, Receives AACR Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cancer Research
Robert Weinberg, PhD, was honored for his seminal contributions to cancer research and cancer biology with the 13th annual American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cancer Research at the 2016 AACR Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, April 16–20.
The AACR ...
Breaking Down Dogma With the Outgoing President of SGO
At the 2016 Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer, The ASCO Post sat down with the SGO’s outgoing President, Robert L. Coleman, MD, and discussed the revolutionary potential of blood biomarkers, why enhanced recovery after surgery protocols is a significant...
Enzalutamide Produces Large Progression-Free Survival Benefit vs Bicalutamide in Two Trials in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
In the randomized phase II TERRAIN trial reported in The Lancet Oncology, Neal D. Shore, MD, of Carolina Urologic Research Center, Myrtle Beach, and colleagues found that use of the androgen receptor inhibitor enzalutamide (Xtandi) more than doubled median progression-free survival vs bicalutamide...
Moving Forward in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: The TERRAIN and STRIVE Studies
It was over 2 decades ago that my colleagues and I reported in The New England Journal of Medicine that a first-generation oral antiandrogen, flutamide, when added to a luteinizing hormone–releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist, improved survival by nearly 6 months compared to an LHRH agonist alone in...
ASCO Guideline on Use of Biomarkers to Guide Decisions on Adjuvant Systemic Therapy in Early-Stage Invasive Breast Cancer
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Lyndsay N. Harris, MD, and colleagues,1 ASCO has released a clinical practice guideline on the use of biomarkers in addition to estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor and HER2 status to guide decisions on adjuvant systemic therapy in women with...
Shedding Light on a Cornucopia of Breast Tumor Biomarker Assays
As our understanding of the complexities of breast cancer expands, so does our treatment armamentarium—and along with it the range of factors that must be included in our treatment decisions. Gone is the simple algorithm of adjuvant chemotherapy for almost every patient with a ≥ 2-cm tumor, except...
Defibrotide Sodium for Hepatic Veno-occlusive Disease After HSCT
In the Clinic provides overviews of novel oncology agents, addressing indications, mechanisms, administration recommendations, safety profiles, and other essential information needed for the appropriate clinical use of these drugs.
Donor Spotlight: Gateway for Cancer Research
The Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO is collaborating with Gateway for Cancer Research (Gateway) to fund a 2016 and 2017 Young Investigator Award through the Conquer Cancer Foundation Grants and Awards program.
“Conquer Cancer Foundation is grateful for the generous support from Gateway and...
New JOP Articles Highlight the Impact of NCI Programs on Clinical Trial Enrollment
Two new original contributions in the Journal of Oncology Practice (JOP) highlight how National Cancer Institute (NCI) programs have impacted clinical trial enrollment.
The first1 looked at the pilot phase of the NCI’s Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP) and found that trial availability and...
Interactive, Focused Learning at the ASCO Annual Meeting
The ASCO Annual Meeting, which will be held June 3–7, 2016, in Chicago, brings together more than 30,000 oncology professionals from around the world to learn about and discuss the latest therapies, treatment modalities, research, and controversies in the field. Attendees are able to personalize...
Redesigned ASCO.org Launches With Improved Usability
ASCO launched a new and improved website in early April, with a focus on improving the user experience. The Society’s redesigned online home makes it easier than ever for members and visitors to find the oncology-related information and resources they trust and value.
The site’s redesign is the...
Shop to Conquer Cancer!
ASCO Annual Meeting attendees have a special opportunity to support the Conquer Cancer Foundation (CCF) when you shop with any CCF retail partner during your stay in Chicago. When presented with the Conquer Cancer Card, participating retailers will donate a portion of sales from purchases made...
Tell Your Patients About PRE-ACT
Preparatory Education About Clinical Trials (PRE-ACT), a free video-based program, helps patients and their caregivers learn about clinical trials and address barriers to participation. Direct your patients to cancer.net/preact to learn more about this online resource. Also, visit cancer.net/blog...
ASH Meets With Officials, Provides Recommendations for the National Cancer Moonshot Initiative
On April 26, 2016, American Society of Hematology (ASH) President Charles S. Abrams, MD, shared the following statement:
“Today ASH met with the White House to share scientific recommendations for the National Cancer Moonshot, an initiative spearheaded by Vice President Joe Biden that aims to make ...
Recurrences Observed in More Than 50% of Inadequately Treated Patients With Ductal Carcinoma in Situ
A mid much debate about the potential for overly aggressive treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ comes a study that gives one pause. According to research presented at the 17th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, more than half of all women with ductal carcinoma in situ that ...
Sheldon M. Feldman, MD, Named President of ASBrS
Sheldon M. Feldman, MD, was named President of the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) at the organization’s 2016 Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas.
Dr. Feldman is the Chief of Breast Surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center and the Vivian L. Milstein Associate...
Chief Research Officer Named at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has announced Lynn Matrisian, PhD, MBA, as inaugural Chief Research Officer for the organization. Dr. Matrisian was promoted from Vice President of Scientific and Medical Affairs, where she has served since 2011.
“To meet our aggressive goal to double...
Sixteen Leaders in Breast Cancer Research Join Susan G. Komen as Advisors
Susan G. Komen recently welcomed 16 leaders in breast cancer research and advocacy who will serve as Komen Scholars—an international advisory group that helps to guide Komen’s research and scientific programs, education and advocacy work, and public health efforts in the United States and abroad.
...
Clinical Trials Actively Recruiting Patients With Ewing Sarcoma
Phase I
Study Title: A Phase I Study to Examine the Toxicity of Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation for Relapsed or Therapy-Refractory Ewing Sarcoma
Study Type: Interventional/nonrandomized/single-group assignment
Study Sponsor and Collaborators: University of Louisville
Purpose: To examine...
2016 Oncology Meetings
MAY
Lymphoma: State-of-the-Art in Biology Therapy, and Patient Care
May 13-14 • New York, New York
For more information:
msklymphoma2016.com
NCI “Sandpit” on Individual and Contextual Factors of Population-Level Cancer Control
May 16-18 • Montgomery County, Maryland
For more information:
Breakthrough Therapy Efforts Result in Unprecedented Success
Friends of Cancer Research (Friends) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been working together for many years on an idea known as breakthrough therapy, and it has produced results beyond anyone’s hopes. Said Ellen Sigal, PhD, Friends Chair and Founder, “When we were first talking ...
FDA Launches First Campaign Focused on Dangers of Smokeless Tobacco Among Rural Teens
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced it is expanding its award-winning “The Real Cost” campaign to educate rural white male teenagers about the negative health consequences associated with smokeless tobacco use. For the first time, messages on the dangers of smokeless tobacco...
Inspirational Stories for Cancer Survivors
Surveys indicate that cancer survivors have varying desires regarding the kind of support they want. Some patients find support groups very helpful as they deal with the host of issues in survivorship. Others want to distance themselves from the “world of cancer.” Studies also show that...
A History of Medical Care for the Dying
In 2006, palliative care became a board-certified subspecialty of internal medicine, with specialized fellowships for physicians interested in the field. Despite its formal integration into best practices medical care, about 70% of Americans describe themselves as “not at all knowledgeable”...
‘So How Long Do I Have?’
Imagine accidentally falling off an abyss. One simply cannot fully understand the gravity of the situation! You might skip a beat thinking about it while sitting in a chair in your living room, if you have tons of empathy, as you try to get into the shoes that are flailing for survival.
But there...
The Parker Foundation Launches the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy With a $250 Million Grant
On April 13, The Parker Foundation announced a $250 million grant to launch the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, a collaboration between scientists, clinicians, and industry partners to lead an unprecedented cancer immunotherapy research effort. The gift is the largest single contribution ...
Cancer Stole My Identity
In 1997, just 6 weeks after giving birth to my second child, I started having fevers and night sweats and my lymph nodes were swollen. I’m a physician, so I knew something was wrong and that my symptoms were unrelated to having just given birth. I had a blood test, and a biopsy was performed on one ...
Overcoming Radiosensitization in Head and Neck Cancer
In a study reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Eke and colleagues found that simultaneous β1 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition resulted in increased cytotoxicity, radiosensitization, and tumor control in human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.
...
Induced Phenotype Targeted Therapy to Overcome Tumor Heterogeneity
In a study reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Lee and colleagues designed a caspase-3–specific activated prodrug containing doxorubicin linked to a peptide moiety (DEVD-S-DOX), which is cleaved by caspase-3 at apoptosis. Apoptosis was induced in C3H/HeN mammary tumor-bearing...
Corporate Angel Network’s 50,000th Patient Flight Benefits Young Retinoblastoma Patient
On April 14, 2016, an 18-month-old patient with cancer named Baron Yerby flew home to Atlanta after receiving treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. However, instead of flying on a crowded commercial plane with the potential for immune deficiency issues, he and his parents flew on a...
AACR Welcomes New Board of Directors, Nominating Committee Members
The members of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) have elected five members to serve on the AACR Board of Directors for the 2016–2019 term and four members to serve on the Nominating Committee for the 2016–2018 term. They began their terms at the 2016 AACR Annual Meeting, held...
Improved Survival With Shorter Delays Between Diagnosis and Surgery and Before Initiating Adjuvant Chemotherapy
The survival benefits of reducing the time to surgery following a diagnosis of breast cancer and the time to initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy following surgery were outlined in two articles and an accompanying editorial in JAMA Oncology.
Analyzing two independent population-based studies with a ...
Some Diagnostic Variability in Interpreting Breast Biopsy Slides
Pathologists disagree about 8% of the time when interpreting a single breast biopsy slide, with more overinterpretation than underinterpretation in discordant cases, according to an analysis combining results from the B-Path (Breast Pathology) study with data on the prevalence of breast cancer...
Hormone Combination Therapy May Increase Risk of Breast Cancer in African American Women
The use of combination therapy with estrogen plus progestin, previously shown to be associated with an increased incidence of estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women in studies based largely on white women, has been shown to increase estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer ...
