September 25, 2019 (View All Issues)
Tumor Mutational Burden Disappoints as Biomarker for Treatment Response in Exploratory Analyses of Nonsquamous NSCLC
Tumor mutational burden failed to prove effective as a biomarker for response to chemotherapy plus checkpoint inhibitor or chemotherapy alone as first-line treatment for nonsquamous non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in two different exploratory analyses of KEYNOTE trials.1,2 In both analyses,...
Targeting an Important Tumor Vulnerability With Maintenance Olaparib in Germline BRCA-Mutated Pancreatic Cancer
In the POLO trial, which is discussed in this issue of The ASCO Post, Golan and colleagues evaluated the potential benefit of maintenance olaparib after disease stability or response to a minimum of 4 months of platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer and a...
POLO Trial: Maintenance Olaparib in Germline BRCA-Mutated Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
As reported in The New England Journal of Medicine by Talia Golan, MD, of Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, and colleagues, the phase III POLO trial showed that maintenance treatment with the poly (ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor olaparib improved progression-free survival vs...
The Fight Against Breast Cancer Illustrates the Health-Care Challenges of Women in Poverty
"Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and the most inhumane….”
—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
Progress has been made in expanding access to health care for low-income populations, but the quality of care still lags behind and can result in less successful outcomes ...
Suboptimal Insurance Linked to Worse Survival Outcomes in Positive Clinical Trials
Findings from a recent SWOG study could cast doubt on the generalizability of treatment effects observed in positive clinical trials, especially among underinsured patients. According to data presented at the 2019 ASCO Quality Care Symposium,1 patients with Medicaid or no insurance had no observed...
Current Controversies in Lymphoma: From the Role of Liquid Biopsy to Ways to Improve Upon Standard Chemotherapy
Two topics that hematologists are currently grappling with were addressed at the 2019 Debates and Didactics Conference in Sea Island, Georgia, sponsored by Emory University Winship Cancer Institute, by Editor-in-Chief of The ASCO Post, James O. Armitage, MD, FASCO.1 They focus on the emerging...
Conundrums in Managing Cancer-Associated Thrombosis
Although there may be a clear role for prophylactic anticoagulation in hospitalized patients and those undergoing surgery, indication for prophylactic anticoagulation for patients with cancer seen in the ambulatory setting has yet to emerge. Until clinical trial data on prophylactic...
Tailoring Upfront Daratumumab Treatment for Some Patients With Multiple Myeloma
The monoclonal antibody daratumumab has been widely embraced for the treatment of multiple myeloma, but for newly diagnosed patients, its benefit has been proved only in some patients, according to Craig Hofmeister, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory...
Denise R. Aberle, MD, Honored by IASLC for Contributions to the Prevention of Lung Cancers
Denise R. Aberle, MD, of the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), was recognized by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) with the Joseph W. Cullen Prevention/Early Detection Award at the IASLC 2019 World Conference on...
Charles Rudin, MD, PhD, and Andrew Nicholson, MD, Honored for Lifetime Scientific Achievement by IASLC
Both Charles Rudin, MD, PhD, and Andrew Nicholson, MD, were recognized by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) at the IASLC 2019 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC). The 19th WCLC, the world’s largest international gathering of clinicians, researchers and scientists ...
Olaparib Monotherapy Improves Outcomes in BRCA-Mutated, Platinum-Sensitive Relapsed Ovarian Cancer
Compared with treatment with nonplatinum-based chemotherapy, monotherapy with the PARP (poly [ADP ribose] polymerase) inhibitor olaparib led to statistically significant and clinically relevant improvements in overall response rate and progression-free survival in women with germline...
Benefits Reported With Addition of Isatuximab to Pomalidomide and Dexamethasone in Resistant Multiple Myeloma
In patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, isatuximab in combination with pomalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone nearly doubled progression-free survival when compared with pomalidomide and dexamethasone alone, with a manageable safety profile, according to data from a phase III...
How Ultrahigh-Dose Radiation Therapy, Interferon, and CAR T Cells May Boost Immunotherapy Effectiveness
This past June, the University of Pennsylvania established the Mark Foundation Center for Immunotherapy, Immune Signaling, and Radiation to study the role interferon and pattern recognition receptor signaling transduction pathways play in modulating the immune system’s ability to recognize and...
International Collaboration Announces Additional NCCN Harmonized Guidelines for Sub-Saharan Africa
To improve cancer outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa, a collaborative project from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®), the African Cancer Coalition (ACC), the American Cancer Society, and others recently entered a new phase in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Oncologists from 11 African...
Differences By Sex in Lung Cancer Incidence and Mortality: What Is Known, and What Does It Mean?
The finding that women have a higher incidence of lung cancer than men of the same age and with the same smoking history was unexpected when it first emerged from studies in the 1990s. Just as unexpected was a subsequent finding. Even with their higher risk, women have a lower mortality and higher...
Investigating the Inflammatory Mechanisms That May Be Causing Prostate Cancer in World Trade Center First Responders
The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001*, on the World Trade Center in New York City resulted in the deaths of more than 2,700 people.1 Nearly 2 decades later, that number may soon be exceeded by the more than 2,000 deaths—and climbing—of first responders to the attack, including firefighters,...
Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Awards $136 Million in New Grants
The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) recently awarded 71 new grants, totaling close to $136 million, to advance cancer research. This total includes 58 academic research grant awards, 10 prevention awards, and 3 product development research awards. CPRIT has now brought 181 ...
Update on Treatments Under Study for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
The ASCO Post has offered comprehensive coverage of the 2019 ASCO Annual Meeting. To complement this news coverage, here are featured clinical trials of several treatments in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). They focus on the monoclonal antibody obinutuzumab in combination therapy in the CLL14...
The Role of Primary Care Physicians in Cancer Care
As our aging population increases, so does the demand for oncology services; however, as ASCO and other organizations have pointed out, a workforce shortage of oncology care specialists looms in the not-so-distant future. Given the growing need for care models that meet this demand, a better...
Canadian Cancer Organizations Team Up to Focus on New Approach to Metastatic Breast Cancer
At a press conference at McGill University, Stand Up To Cancer Canada (SU2C Canada), the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) announced the launch of the SU2C Canada Metastatic Breast Cancer Dream Team to pursue the development of a new drug...
Adjuvant Treatment With Ado-trastuzumab Emtansine in HER2-Positive Early Breast Cancer
In the Clinic provides overviews of novel oncology agents, addressing indications, mechanisms of action, administration recommendations, safety profiles, and other essential information needed for the appropriate clinical use of these drugs.
Earlier this year, ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) was ...
Patient-Centered Initiatives at the FDA
OCE Insights is a periodic 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 first installment, Vishal Bhatnagar, MD, Acting Associate Director of Patient Outcomes; Bellinda King-Kallimanis, PhD, Senior...
The Lasker Foundation Names Recipients of the 2019 Awards for Medical Research and Public Service
Earlier this month, The Lasker Foundation announced the recipients of its 2019 Lasker Awards for clinical and basic research and public service.
Lasker~DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award
H. Michael Shepard, PhD,formerly of Genentech, Dennis J. Slamon, MD, PhD, of the University of...
Two Fred Hutch Scientists Receive Fellowships for Prostate Cancer Research
Two early-career scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center—Alexandra Corella and Sander Frank, PhD—have received grants to further their prostate cancer research.
Ms. Corella, a graduate research assistant, won a $25,000, 1-year fellowship from the Ford Foundation Fellowship...
USPSTF Recommendation on Medication Use to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk
In a statement published in JAMA, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended that clinicians offer to prescribe risk-reducing medications to women who are at an increased risk of breast cancer and at low risk of adverse events related to medications. However, the Task Force...
ASTRO Names Class of 2019 Fellows Designation
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has selected 26 members to receive the ASTRO Fellow (FASTRO) designation. The 2019 class of Fellows were recognized during ASTRO’s 61st Annual Meeting in Chicago.
The ASTRO Fellows program recognizes individuals who have made significant...
Flu Vaccine Effectiveness in Patients With Cancer
In a Canadian study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Blanchette et al found the influenza vaccine was effective among patient with cancer, with greater effectiveness in patients with solid tumors vs those with hematologic malignancies.
Study Details
The population-based study...
Oncology Communications Online: Pause and Think Before Hitting ‘Send’
The emergence of online technologies over the past few decades has fundamentally changed the way society communicates and shares information. This sea change has also had profound influence on the practice of medicine, from real-time information-sharing among colleagues, to having instant access...
Chef Uses Flavor to Fuel Her Mother’s Appetite During Cancer Treatment
The battle against cancer is typically waged by the surgeon and oncologist, but a Lexington, Kentucky–based, award-winning restaurateur and chef discovered her role as a foot soldier when she applied her culinary skills to deal with the debilitating side effects of her mother’s lung cancer...
ESMO 2019 Award Winners Announced
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has revealed the 2019 winners of its annual awards. The four distinguished clinicians and scientists will be presented during the ESMO 2019 Congress in Barcelona: Eric Van Cutsem, MD, PhD; Angelo Di Leo, MD, PhD; Cristiana Sessa, MD; and Charles...
AACR Honors Steven R. Patierno, PhD, With Distinguished Lectureship on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) named Steven R. Patierno, PhD, as the recipient of the 2019 AACR Distinguished Lectureship on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities. Dr. Patierno presented his award lecture at the 12th AACR Conference on The Science of Cancer Health...
UPMC East Cancer Program Earns National Accreditation
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) East was granted a full 3-year accreditation by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. The accreditation follows an extensive onsite survey and is awarded to institutions that demonstrate a...
Flaxseed
The ASCO Post’s Integrative Oncology series is intended to facilitate the availability of evidence-based information on integrative and complementary therapies sometimes used by patients with cancer. In this installment, Ting Bao, MD, DABMA, MS, and Jyothirmai Gubili, MS, focus on flaxseed because...
Personalizing Medicine
The ASCO Post is pleased to reproduce installments of the Art of Oncology as published previously in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. These articles focus on the experience of suffering from cancer or of caring for people diagnosed with cancer, and they include narratives, topical essays,...
Prevent Cancer Foundation Awards $250,000 in Community Grants
Through its community grants program, the Prevent Cancer Foundation is supporting 10 projects that are focused on increasing cancer prevention and early detection in communities across the United States, from Honolulu to Baltimore. The projects were selected through a competitive grants process,...
Lung Disease Associated With E-Cigarette Use
On September 12, 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the updated number of confirmed and probable cases of lung disease associated with e-cigarette product use, or vaping. The new case count is the first national aggregate based on the new CDC case definition...
Ramucirumab in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Earlier this year, ramucirumab was approved as a single agent for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who have an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level ≥ 400 ng/mL and have been previously treated with sorafenib.1,2
Supporting Efficacy Data
Approval was based on findings in the double-blind phase III...
Selinexor/Dexamethasone in Triple-Class Refractory Multiple Myeloma
In the phase IIb STORM Part 2 study reported in The New England Journal of Medicine, Chari et al found that the combination of oral selinexor and dexamethasone produced responses in patients with multiple myeloma refractory to prior treatment with an alkylating agent, immunomodulatory agent, and...
Key Predictors of Response Rates to PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitor Therapy Across Cancer Types
In a study reported in JAMA Oncology, Lee and Ruppin found that CD8-positive T-cell abundance, tumor mutational burden, and high PD1 gene expression were the strongest predictors of response to anti–programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) treatment across cancer...
Risks of Cardiovascular Diseases in Survivors of Adult Cancers
In a study reported in The Lancet, Strongman et al found that survivors of most site-specific cancers had an increased risk for one or more cardiovascular diseases during follow-up compared with a matched control group of patients without cancer.
This population-based cohort study employed...
Finding a New Focus After Cancer
In the early fall of 2015, my daughter and I were on our way to our favorite nail salon to get picture-perfect ready for a gala later that evening at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York, when I got a call from my gynecologist saying I had “flunked my Pap test.” The Pap smear showed...
Avelumab Plus Axitinib in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma
Earlier this year, avelumab was approved for use in combination with axitinib for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.1,2
Supporting Efficacy Data
Approval was based on findings in the open-label phase III -JAVELIN Renal 101 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier ...
Special Events at the 2019 ASCO Annual Meeting
1. (Left to right) Sandra Swain, MD, FASCO, Lynn M. Schuchter, MD, FASCO, and Linda Bosserman, MD, FACP, FASCO, among the speakers and guests at the Women Leaders in Oncology Event, held in conjunction with the ASCO Annual Meeting, June 3, 2019. Photo by © ASCO/Matt Herp 2019. 2. Attendees at the...
International Innovation Grants Expand Global Reach of Training and Care
Physicians and nurses in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have fewer training opportunities, limited medical and educational resources, and insufficient palliative care options for their patients,1 all while these regions are leading the world in new cases of cancer diagnosis.2 An emerging...
CMS Expands Coverage of CAR T-Cell Therapy for Medicare Beneficiaries
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new national coverage determination (NCD) announcing that Medicare will now cover U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T-cell) therapy for certain patients with cancer.
As outlined...
Conquer Cancer Council Unites for Patients Everywhere
The Conquer Cancer Council (CCC) unites stakeholders from for- and nonprofit organizations to discuss challenges, explore potential solutions, and exchange ideas to improve the quality of care for patients with cancer.
Created by Conquer Cancer®, the ASCO Foundation, the CCC is a platform for...
ASCO Print Resource for Those Facing an Advanced Cancer Diagnosis
Serious illness can be difficult for both providers and patients to discuss and navigate. With the ASCO Answers Advanced Cancer Care Planning booklet, patients can learn more about their diagnosis and available treatment options at their own pace and have a list of useful resources at their...
ASCO Commentary in the Journal of Geriatric Oncology Reflects on the Legacy of Arti Hurria, MD, FASCO
A new ASCO paper in the Journal of Geriatric Oncology1 fondly reflects on the impact of Arti Hurria, MD, FASCO, in improving the treatment of older adults with cancer. The article is part of a special issue honoring her work in this area.
Dr. Hurria was killed in a traffic accident on November...
Raising the Quality of Cancer Care Globally
ASCO’s global vision is, “A world where cancer is prevented or cured, and every survivor is healthy.” In its work toward achieving this vision, the Society offers a robust portfolio of programs that are continually expanding around the world that improve access to quality cancer care, support...
ASCO Announces CancerLinQ Discovery® Research Support Grant Recipients
ASCO has announced the three recipients of its CancerLinQ Discovery® Research Support Grant. The awardees will undertake research projects using data from CancerLinQ Discovery®, an offering of ASCO’s CancerLinQ® initiative that provides deidentified data from patients to academic researchers,...
