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Lung Cancer
Issues in Oncology
Global Cancer Care

Investigators Have Uncovered Global Trends in Risk Factors Linked to Lung Cancer Mortality

Although lung cancer and related cancer deaths decreased in the world’s 10 most populous countries from 1990 to 2019, these positive statistics may not address trends in mortality linked to tobacco use, air pollution, and asbestos exposure, according to a recent study published by Jani et al in...

Global Cancer Care
Issues in Oncology
Hematologic Malignancies
Solid Tumors

NCCN Joins International Meeting to Improve Cancer Care in the Middle East North Africa Region

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) announced that the organization participated in a 2-day meeting at the Middle East North Africa (MENA)–NCCN Regional Coordinating Center.

Background

The MENA-NCCN Regional Coordinating Center is supported by the Ministry of National Guard Health...

Cost of Care

Medicare Advantage vs Traditional Medicare: Cost Differences in Cancer Drugs

A new study examining the use of high-cost drugs among patients with colorectal cancer and non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) found those insured through Medicare Advantage received less expensive cancer drugs compared to others on traditional Medicare. The findings were published by Bradley et al...

Lung Cancer

Datopotamab Deruxtecan in Advanced or Metastatic NSCLC With Actionable Genomic Alterations

As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Sands et al, the phase II TROPION-Lung05 trial showed “encouraging activity” of datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) in patients with advanced/metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with actionable genomic alterations whose disease progressed...

Former UNMC Cancer Center Director, Kenneth H. Cowan, MD, PhD, Dies at 77

Kenneth H. Cowan, MD, PhD, served for 24 years as Director of NCI-designated cancer center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), now called the Nebraska Medicine Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha. Dr. Cowan died on December 15, 2024, at the age of 77 years.

A native...

Lung Cancer

Primary Lung Tumor SBRT Followed by Concurrent Mediastinal Chemoradiotherapy and Immunotherapy Consolidation in Locally Advanced NSCLC

In a phase II trial reported in The Lancet Oncology, Heinzerling et al found evidence of efficacy of primary lung tumor stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) followed by concurrent mediastinal chemotherapy and consolidative immunotherapy in patients with locally advanced non–small cell lung cancer...

Breast Cancer

Adjuvant Tamoxifen Reduces 15-Year Risk of Recurrence in ‘Good Risk’ DCIS Without Radiation Therapy

Adjuvant tamoxifen was associated with a reduced risk of 15-year ipsilateral breast cancer recurrence as well as invasive ipsilateral breast cancer recurrence in patients with “good-risk” ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) who omitted radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery, according to a...

Solid Tumors
Issues in Oncology

Novel AI Platform May Help Identify Patients Likely to Benefit Most From Clinical Trials

Researchers have demonstrated that a novel artificial intelligence (AI)-based platform could aid physicians and patients in assessing the benefit from a particular therapy being tested in a clinical trial, according to a recent study published by Orcutt et al in Nature Medicine. The AI platform may ...

Lung Cancer
Issues in Oncology

ORACLE Test May Predict Survival in Early Stages of Lung Cancer

The ORACLE test may be capable of predicting lung cancer survival at the point of diagnosis more effectively than currently used clinical risk factors, according to a recent study published by Biswas et al in Nature Cancer. The findings could help physicians make more informed treatment decisions...

Gynecologic Cancers

Long-Term Follow-up of NRG258 Trial: Adjuvant Chemoradiation vs Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Endometrial Carcinoma

As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Matei et al, the final overall survival analysis in the long-term follow-up of the phase III NRG258 trial has shown no difference between adjuvant chemoradiation (C-RT) vs chemotherapy (CT) in patients with locally advanced endometrial carcinoma....

Lung Cancer

Primary Lung Tumor SBRT Followed by Mediastinal Chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced NSCLC

In a phase II trial reported in The Lancet Oncology, Heinzerling et al found that primary lung tumor stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) followed by concurrent mediastinal chemoradiotherapy (with or without adjuvant immunotherapy) was associated with activity in patients with locally advanced...

Breast Cancer

Adjuvant Dose-Dense vs Conventional Chemotherapy in Node-Positive Breast Cancer

As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Filho et al, 12-year follow-up of the CALBG (Alliance) C9741 trial has shown a sustained advantage of adjuvant dose-dense vs conventional chemotherapy in disease-free and overall survival in patients with node-positive breast cancer.

Study Details

...

Genomics/Genetics
Breast Cancer
Gynecologic Cancers
Pancreatic Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Issues in Oncology

Improvements in BRCA2 Testing Could Enhance Cancer Risk Assessment, Patient Care

Researchers may have advanced the understanding of genetic alterations in the BRCA2 gene, according to a recent study published by Huang et al in Nature. The findings could improve the accuracy of genetic testing and allow health-care professionals to offer more precise risk assessments and...

Skin Cancer
Immunotherapy

Novel Tool for Predicting Response to Immunotherapy in Melanoma Under Study

A team of scientists from the United Kingdom and the United States has discovered that the activity of macrophages may prove to be useful in predicting whether or not a patient with melanoma will respond to immunotherapy. Their findings, published in JCO Oncology Advances, may help clinicians to...

Issues in Oncology
Global Cancer Care

Mobility Patterns and Survival Disparities in Patients With Cancer

A recent study published in Health Data Science, conducted by Fengyu Wen, PhD, MPH, of the Institute of Medical Technology at Peking University Health Science Center; Luxia Zhang, MD, MPH, of the National Institute of Health Data Science at Peking University; and colleagues, revealed significant...

CNS Cancers
Genomics/Genetics
Issues in Oncology

New Study Identifies Genes That Could Be Implicated in Glioblastoma in Adulthood

Researchers have discovered of a new type of stem cell in the brain that could lead to the development of more effective treatments in adult patients with glioblastoma, according to a recent study published by Wang et al in Nature. The finding could help explain how adult brain cells take advantage ...

Skin Cancer
Lymphoma

Use of Denileukin Diftitox-cxdl in Relapsed or Refractory CTCL

In a registrational trial reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Foss et al found that denileukin diftitox (DD)-cxdl—a fusion protein comprising diphtheria toxin fragments A and B and human interleukin-2—was active in patients with relapsed or refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL)....

Kidney Cancer

Belzutifan Plus Cabozantinib as First-Line Treatment in Advanced Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

In a phase II trial (LITESPARK-003), reported in The Lancet Oncology, Choueiri et al found that the combination of belzutifan—a first-in-class HIF-2α inhibitor—and cabozantinib showed promising activity in the first-line treatment of patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Study...

Hematologic Malignancies

Belinda Avalos, MD, Begins Term as 2025 ASH President

Belinda Avalos, MD, Professor of Medicine and a senior advisor to the President of Atrium Health Levine Cancer, will serve as president of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) for a year-long term through December 2025.

Overview

Dr. Avalos is a physician-scientist with a special clinical...

Breast Cancer

OlympiA Trial: Long-Term Benefits of Olaparib Confirmed in High-Risk Subgroup of Breast Cancer

For women with high-risk, BRCA-positive breast cancer, 1 year of adjuvant treatment with the PARP inhibitor olaparib following primary treatment continued to improve overall survival compared with placebo, according to the third interim analysis of the phase III OlympiA trial presented at the 2024...

Solid Tumors
Issues in Oncology
Breast Cancer
Prostate Cancer

Benefit of Regular Physical Activity Prior to Cancer Diagnosis

Regular physical activity prior to a cancer diagnosis may be linked to a lower risk of disease progression and mortality, according to a recent study published by Mabena et al in British Journal of Sports Medicine. The findings revealed that even relatively low levels of physical activity may be...

Gynecologic Cancers

Final Overall Survival Results From SOLO3 Trial: Olaparib vs Nonplatinum Chemotherapy in Platinum-Sensitive BRCA-Mutated Relapsed Ovarian Cancer

As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Scambia et al, the final overall survival results of the phase III SOLO3 trial showed similar outcomes with olaparib vs non–platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with platinum-sensitive BRCA-mutated relapsed ovarian cancer.

In the initial report...

Breast Cancer

Study Identifies Potential New Target to Overcome Breast Cancer Resistance

A new University of Cincinnati (UC) Cancer Center study has identified a particular strand of microRNA as a promising new target for overcoming breast cancer treatment resistance and improving outcomes. The research was recently published in the journal Cancers.

Study Background

Study author...

Lymphoma

Nivolumab Plus AVD as Front-Line Therapy in Older Adults With Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma

In a phase I/II trial reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Torka et al found that the addition of nivolumab to standard doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (N-AVD) was “highly effective” as front-line treatment for patients aged ≥ 60 with classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

Study Details

In...

Breast Cancer

Active Monitoring May Be a Viable Option for Some Patients With Low-Risk DCIS

Among patients with hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative, low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), those who underwent active monitoring had similar 2-year invasive ipsilateral breast cancer recurrence rates as those who underwent guideline-concordant treatment, according to results from the...

Breast Cancer

Quality of Life Similar Among Patients With Low-Risk DCIS Whether They Received Active Monitoring or Surgery

Patients with low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) who underwent active monitoring and those who received upfront treatment reported comparable physical, emotional, and psychological outcomes, according to results from the COMET trial presented at the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (

Breast Cancer

Adjuvant Tamoxifen May Reduce Recurrence Risk for Patients With ‘Good-Risk’ DCIS Who Forgo Radiation

For patients with “good-risk” ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) who underwent breast-conserving surgery and did not receive radiotherapy, tamoxifen significantly decreased the risk of recurrence in the same breast, according to results presented at the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (

Breast Cancer
Issues in Oncology

Trastuzumab Deruxtecan vs Chemotherapy in Advanced Breast Cancer

Researchers have examined whether the antibody-drug conjugate fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (T-DXd) may improve progression-free survival in patients with advanced breast cancer who have undergone prior hormone-based therapies, according to recent findings presented by Bardia et al at the 2024...

Breast Cancer

Effectiveness of Multimodal Machine-Learning Model in Predicting Response to Treatment in Breast Cancer Subtype

A machine-learning model incorporating both clinical and genomic factors outperformed models based solely on either clinical or genomic data alone in predicting which patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer would have better outcomes from adding CDK4/6...

Breast Cancer

Addition of Palbociclib to Standard Therapy in Metastatic Hormone Receptor–Positive, HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Addition of the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib to the current standard of care for first-line maintenance therapy after induction chemotherapy achieved statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in progression-free survival in patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive,...

Issues in Oncology

Oncology Society Urges Americans to Heed Surgeon General’s Advisory on Alcohol and Cancer

On January 3, 2025, the U.S. Surgeon General’s office released a new advisory on the link between alcohol consumption and increased risk for cancer. The advisory reports alcohol use as the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States—after tobacco and obesity—responsible for...

Prostate Cancer

Effect on Ki67 Index of High Omega-3, Low Omega-6 Diet With Fish Oil in Prostate Cancer During Active Surveillance

In a single-institution phase II trial (CAPFISH-3) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Aronson et al found that men with prostate cancer on active surveillance had a significantly reduced Ki67 index on a high omega-3, low omega-6 fatty acid diet with fish oil capsules vs no dietary...

Bladder Cancer

Risk-Adapted Active Surveillance After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

In a phase II trial (RETAIN 1) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Geynisman et al found that risk-adapted active surveillance following neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with a high rate of metastasis-free survival in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.  

Study Details

...

Gastroesophageal Cancer
Genomics/Genetics

Role of Cancer Gene in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma May Support Paradigm Shift in Predicting Disease

A genetic mutation long believed to drive the development of esophageal cancer may play a protective role early in the disease, according to a recent study published by Ganguli et al in Nature Cancer. The findings could help physicians identify which patients are at greater risk of developing...

Solid Tumors
Issues in Oncology
Supportive Care

Glucarpidase May Improve Recovery Following Methotrexate-Induced Kidney Toxicity

The drug glucarpidase could serve as an antidote to kidney toxicity in patients receiving the chemotherapy agent methotrexate, according to a recent study published by Gupta et al in Blood.

Background

As a result of its ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, methotrexate is one of the most ...

Breast Cancer

Risk-Reducing Surgeries Improve Survival for Younger Patients With Breast Cancer Who Are BRCA Carriers, Study Finds

Patients with early-onset breast cancer (aged 40 or younger at diagnosis) who have BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants had improved overall survival by undergoing risk-reducing surgeries, including bilateral mastectomy and/or salpingo-oophorectomy, according to data...

Breast Cancer

HRQOL With Endocrine Therapy vs Radiotherapy After Breast-Conserving Surgery in Older Women With Luminal A–Like Early Breast Cancer

As reported in The Lancet Oncology by Meattini et al, interim analysis of the phase III EUROPA trial indicated that endocrine therapy was associated with poorer health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes vs radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery in women aged ≥ 70 years with luminal...

Skin Cancer

RELATIVITY-047: Extended Analysis of Overall Survival With Nivolumab/Relatlimab vs Nivolumab in Previously Untreated Advanced Melanoma

In an extended analysis of the phase II/III RELATIVITY-047 trial reported in the Journal of Oncology, Tawbi et al found a significant overall survival benefit with nivolumab/relatlimab vs nivolumab in previously untreated patients with unresectable advanced stage III or IV melanoma.

The initial...

Supportive Care
Symptom Management
Solid Tumors
Issues in Oncology

Psilocybin-Based Therapy May Address Mental Health Issues in Patients With Cancer, Addiction

Treatment with psilocybin may improve mental health issues among patients with cancer when accompanied by psychotherapy and could result in lasting, positive personality changes in patients with alcohol use disorder, according to two recent studies published by Petridis et al in Nature Mental...

Prostate Cancer
Issues in Oncology

Advanced Imaging May Uncover Hidden Metastases in High-Risk Prostate Cancer Cases

Researchers have found that many cases of high-risk nonmetastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer may be more advanced than previously thought, according to a recent study published by Holzgreve et al in JAMA Network Open.

Background

Prostate-specific membrane antigen–positron-emission...

Colorectal Cancer

Trends in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer

As reported in The Lancet Oncology by Sung et al, analysis of international population-based cancer registry data indicate an increase in incidence of colorectal cancer among younger persons (age < 50 years) in a majority of countries and territories examined.

Study Details

Colorectal cancer...

Breast Cancer

Most Patients With Intermediate-Risk Breast Cancer May Safely Avoid Chest Wall Irradiation After Mastectomy

Patients with intermediate-risk breast cancer had similar rates of 10-year overall survival whether or not they underwent chest wall irradiation after mastectomy, according to results from the BIG 2-04 MRC SUPREMO clinical trial, presented by Ian Kunkler, MA, MB BChir, of the University of...

Breast Cancer

De-escalated Neoadjuvant Treatment Adding Nab-Paclitaxel or Docetaxel/Carboplatin to Trastuzumab/Pertuzumab in HER2-Positive Early Breast Cancer

In a Chinese phase III trial (HELEN-006) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Chen et al found that the de-escalated neoadjuvant treatment with the addition of nab-paclitaxel to trastuzumab/pertuzumab produced a higher pathologic complete response rate (pCR) vs docetaxel/carboplatin plus...

Breast Cancer

Learning From the ZEST Trial in Using ctDNA to Predict Breast Cancer Recurrence

The phase III ZEST clinical trial, designed to evaluate the PARP inhibitor niraparib for the prevention of breast cancer recurrence in patients with circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), failed to accrue enough patients positive for ctDNA, according to results presented at the 2024 San Antonio Breast...

Breast Cancer

Anthracyclines Plus Taxane-Based Chemotherapy for Certain Patients at High Risk for Breast Cancer Recurrence

Patients with early-stage, node-negative, hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer who have a high risk of recurrence based on the OncotypeDX genomic test had better outcomes when treated with adjuvant anthracycline plus taxane-based chemotherapy regimens compared with those...

Breast Cancer

BRCA-Mutation Carriers With Prior Diagnosis of Early-Onset Breast Cancer May Benefit From Risk-Reducing Surgery

Patients with germline BRCA gene mutations and a history of early-onset breast cancer who underwent a bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy and/or a risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy had lower rates of recurrence, secondary breast and/or ovarian malignancies, and death than those who did not...

Breast Cancer

Imlunestrant, Alone and Combined With Abemaciclib, Effective in ESR1-Mutated Breast Cancer

Imlunestrant, an investigational next-generation oral selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD), significantly improved progression-free survival vs standard of care in patients with ESR1-mutated breast cancer, according to data from the phase III EMBER-3 trial, presented by Komal Jhaveri, MD,...

Breast Cancer

Novel Prognostic Tool in Hormone Receptor–Positive, HER2-Negative, Node-Positive Breast Cancer

As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Pusztai et al developed the RSClinN+ tool—an integration of the 21-gene Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score (RS) test and clinicopathologic factors (tumor grade, tumor size, age)—that improved prognosis for invasive disease–free survival vs RS alone...

Issues in Oncology

Surgeon General’s Report Calls for Cancer Warning Labels on Alcoholic Beverages

Today, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory citing scientific studies linking alcoholic beverages and an increased risk of at least seven cancers, including breast and colorectal cancers, and called for alcoholic beverages to carry cancer warning labels.

Health warning labels on...

Breast Cancer

New Research Approaches to Metastatic Breast Cancer

Tumor cells circulating in the blood are the germ cells of breast cancer metastases. They are rare and could not be propagated in the culture dish until now. A team from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the Heidelberg Stem Cell Institute HI-STEM, and the NCT Heidelberg has now succeeded...

Skin Cancer
Immunotherapy

Novel Combination Regimen May Prevent Squamous Cell Carcinoma

A recent study by Demehri et al of Mass General Brigham investigates whether calcipotriol—a vitamin D analog—plus fluorouracil may prevent squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), with benefits lasting 5 years after treatment. This combination therapy is the first to activate specific components of the...

Hepatobiliary Cancer

Addition of Nab-Paclitaxel to Gemcitabine/Cisplatin in Advanced Biliary Tract Cancers

As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Shroff et al, the phase III SWOG S1815 trial showed that nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine/cisplatin (GAP regimen) did not significantly improve overall survival vs gemcitabine/cisplatin alone in newly diagnosed patients with advanced biliary tract...

Kidney Cancer

Nuclear Speckle Signatures in Clear Cell RCC

Researchers have found a possible source of the variability in patterns of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common kidney cancer diagnosed in adults. Katherine Alexander, PhD, Assistant Professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and Shelley Berger, PhD, Professor at the University...

Maintenance Therapy After Induction With RVd With or Without Isatuximab in Transplant-Eligible Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Mai et al, the German phase III GMMG-HD7 trial (Part 1) showed that the addition of isatuximab (Isa) to standard-of-care lenalidomide/bortezomib/dexamethasone (RVd) improved progression-free survival irrespective of maintenance therapy strategy in...

FDA Approves Nivolumab and Hyaluronidase-nvhy for Subcutaneous Injection

On December 27, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved nivolumab and hyaluronidase-nvhy (Opdivo Qvantig) for subcutaneous injection across approved adult, solid tumor nivolumab indications as monotherapy, monotherapy maintenance following completion of nivolumab plus ipilimumab...

Leukemia

NPM1 Genotypes and Outcomes in AML

In an AIEOP-BFM and COG-SWOG intergroup collaborative study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Tregnago et al found that patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with NPM1 type D variants had significantly poorer event-free and overall survival vs those with non-D variants.

Study...

Hematologic Malignancies

Studies Point to the Role of Diet in Hematologic Malignancies

According to research reported at the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition, a link seems to exist between hematologic malignancies and dietary components. The speakers said their studies may ultimately lead to dietary interventions that could alter the course of ...

Gynecologic Cancers

AI May Improve Ovarian Cancer Diagnoses

A new international study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden shows that AI-based models can outperform human experts at identifying ovarian cancer in ultrasound images. The study is published in Nature Medicine.

“Ovarian tumors are common and are often detected by chance,” said...

Leukemia
Issues in Oncology

Combination of Two Oral Agents May Improve Progression-Free Survival in Patients With Previously Untreated CLL

A combination of the oral drugs acalabrutinib and venetoclax may be more effective at improving progression-free survival and minimizing serious adverse events in patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) compared with one of two standard multidrug treatment regimens,...

Primary Analysis of ZUMA-2: Treatment of BTK Inhibitor–Naive Relapsed/Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma

A primary analysis of ZUMA-2, reported at the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition, demonstrated durable responses to brexucabtagene autoleucel in patients with Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor–naive mantle cell lymphoma. The findings from cohort 3 of...

Lymphoma

Primary Analysis of ZUMA-2: Treatment of BTK Inhibitor–Naive Relapsed/Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma

A primary analysis of ZUMA-2, reported at the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition, demonstrated durable responses to brexucabtagene autoleucel in patients with Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor–naive mantle cell lymphoma. The findings from cohort 3 of...

Colorectal Cancer

FDA Grants Accelerated Approval to Encorafenib Combination for BRAF V600E–Mutant Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

On December 20, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to encorafenib (Braftovi) in combination with cetuximab and modified fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer with a BRAF V600E mutation, as detected...

Lymphoma
Hematologic Malignancies

SEQUOIA 5-Year Follow-up: Zanubrutinib vs Bendamustine/Rituximab in Treatment-Naive CLL/SLL

As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Shadman et al, 5-year follow-up of the phase III SEQUOIA trial demonstrated that zanubrutinib continued to show a progression-free survival benefit over bendamustine plus rituximab in previously untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic...

Hematologic Malignancies
Lymphoma

CTX130 CAR T-Cell Therapy for Relapsed or Refractory T-Cell Lymphoma

In a phase I dose-escalation study (COBALT-LYM) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Iyer et al found that CTX130 (volamcabtagene durzigedleucel)—a CD70-directed, allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) immunotherapy manufactured from healthy donor T cells—had a manageable safety profile and showed...

Pancreatic Cancer

Long-Term Overall Survival With Adjuvant Gemcitabine/Capecitabine vs Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

In a long-term analysis of the phase III ESPAC4 trial reported in Journal of Clinical Oncology, Palmer et al found adjuvant gemcitabine/capecitabine (Gem/Cap) was associated with prolonged overall survival vs gemcitabine monotherapy in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Study Details   

In...

Multiple Myeloma

Study Finds Daratumumab Monotherapy Prevented or Delayed Progression From Smoldering to Active Multiple Myeloma

An analysis of the results from the ongoing randomized phase III AQUILA study found that daratumumab monotherapy was well tolerated and demonstrated a clinically meaningful and significant benefit in preventing or delaying progression to active multiple myeloma compared with active monitoring in...

Hematologic Malignancies
Leukemia
Genomics/Genetics

Study Finds Genetic Changes, Elevated Leukemia Risk in Ground Zero First Responders

First responders who worked at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City were three times more likely to have genetic changes associated with an increased risk of leukemia compared with other first responders or members of the public who were not...

Prostate Cancer
Issues in Oncology

MRI-First Strategy May Be Safe for Prostate Cancer Detection

Researchers have examined whether a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-first approach is safe for prostate cancer detection over the long term, according to a recent study published by Hamm et al in JAMA Oncology.

Background

Several strategies may be deployed for the early detection of prostate...

Hepatobiliary Cancer
Issues in Oncology

Addition of SBRT to Systemic Therapy May Improve Outcomes in Select Patients With Locally Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The addition of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) to systemic therapy with sorafenib may improve progression-free survival and time-to-progression in patients with locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma compared with sorafenib alone, according to a novel study published by Dawson et al in...

Hematologic Malignancies
Leukemia

Epcoritamab Monotherapy for Pretreated Relapsed or Refractory CLL

At the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition (Abstract 883), Alexey Danilov, MD, PhD, of the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation at City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, reported that single-agent epcoritamab led...

Leukemia
Hematologic Malignancies

Use of Ibrutinib in Early-Stage Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

In a German phase III trial (CLL12), reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Langerbeins et al found that ibrutinib prolonged the time to symptomatic disease in patients with early-stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) vs placebo. However, no differences in overall survival were observed.

...

Gastroesophageal Cancer

Ramucirumab/Paclitaxel as Switch Maintenance in Advanced HER2-Negative Gastric/Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer

In an Italian phase III study (ARMANI) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Randon et al found that switch maintenance with ramucirumab/paclitaxel was associated with significantly improved progression-free survival vs continuation of first-line oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with advanced...

Geriatric Oncology
Issues in Oncology
Solid Tumors

Influence of Social Networks Among Older Patients With Cancer

Researchers have received a $3.5 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to examine the impact of social networks on the decision-making process among older patients with cancer.

Background

Many individuals have social networks, which includes those who offer a connection and have...

Immunotherapy

Mesenchymal Cell Therapy Approved for Steroid-Refractory Acute GVHD

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved remestemcel-L-rknd (Ryoncil), an allogeneic bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stromal cell therapy for steroid-refractory acute graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) in pediatric patients 2 months of age and older. The application received Orphan...

Issues in Oncology

ASCO Elects 2026–2027 President, Six New Members of Board of Directors, Nominating Committee

ASCO announced the election of Elizabeth A. Mittendorf, MD, PhD, MHCM, FASCO, to lead as its President beginning in June 2026, as well as an additional six ASCO members to serve on its Board of Directors and Nominating Committee.

2026–2027 ASCO President-Elect

Dr. Mittendorf, a long-time ASCO...

Hematologic Malignancies
Genomics/Genetics

Detection of Occult Maternal Cancer Through Prenatal Cell-Free DNA Sequencing

In the IDENTIFY study, reported in The New England Journal of Medicine, Turriff et al found a high incidence of maternal occult cancer associated with unusual or nonreportable prenatal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) findings in fetal aneuploidy screening.

Study Details

In the ongoing study, performed at...

Breast Cancer

Alpelisib Plus Fulvestrant in PIK3CA-Mutated, Hormone Receptor–Positive, HER2-Negative Advanced Breast Cancer After Previous Therapy

In a cohort of a phase II study (BYLieve) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Rugo et al found that the PI3Kα inhibitor alpelisib plus the hormone therapy fulvestrant showed activity in patients with PIK3CA-mutated, hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer after disease...

Lung Cancer

FDA Approves Ensartinib for ALK- Positive Locally Advanced or Metastatic NSCLC

On December 18, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor ensartinib (Ensacove) for adults with ALK-positive locally advanced or metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have not previously received an ALK inhibitor. For full...

CAR T-Cell Therapy for Relapsed/Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma: ZUMA-2

Long-term follow-up of patients in ZUMA-2 cohorts 1 and 2 showed that 39% of patients with relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma were alive after 5 years; patients in these cohorts received brexucabtagene autoleucel, the only chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to have 5-year...

Leukemia
Lymphoma
Issues in Oncology

Pirtobrutinib May Improve Survival Outcomes in Pretreated Patients With CLL or SLL

Researchers have found that the noncovalent Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTK) pirtobrutinib may offer superior progression-free survival in adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), according to recent findings presented by Sharman et al at the 2024...

Global Cancer Care
Issues in Oncology
Solid Tumors

UICC, ICCP: Landmark Review of National Cancer Strategies Illuminates Progress, Persistent Challenges

The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) has examined the National Cancer Control Plans and reported their findings in a new comprehensive global review published by Romero et al in The Lancet Oncology. The findings will be presented at the Cancer Planners Forum in May 2025 in Geneva,...

Hematologic Malignancies
Leukemia
Lymphoma
Immunotherapy
Issues in Oncology

Researchers May Have Uncovered Protein That Helps Cancer Cells Dodge CAR T-Cell Therapy

Researchers may have discovered a factor contributing to cancer cell evasion of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, according to a recent study published by Chen et al in Cell. The findings could lead to more personalized therapies that improve survival among patients with cancer.

...

Sarcoma

Larotrectinib in Newly Diagnosed Infantile Fibrosarcoma and Other Pediatric NTRK Fusion–Positive Solid Tumors

In a Children’s Oncology Group study (ADVL1823) reported in Journal of Clinical Oncology, Laetsch et al found that larotrectinib was highly active in patients with newly diagnosed infantile fibrosarcoma and other pediatric NTRK fusion–positive solid tumors.

Study Details

The U.S. multicenter...

Supportive Care
Symptom Management

Novel Formulation Used in Preventing Cisplatin-Based Highly Emetogenic Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

In a Chinese phase III trial (PROFIT) reported in Journal of Clinical Oncology, Zhou et al found that mixed-formulation fosrolapitant/palonosetron (HR20013) plus dexamethasone was noninferior to individually dosed fosrolapitant plus palonosetron plus dexamethasone in preventing chemotherapy-induced ...

Breast Cancer
Supportive Care
Issues in Oncology

CBD May Not Reduce Scan-Related Anxiety in Patients With Advanced Breast Cancer

Cannabidiol (CBD) may not significantly change scan-related anxiety compared with placebo in patients with advanced breast cancer but may result in lower overall anxiety levels, according to a recent study published by Nayak et al in JAMA Network Open.

Background

Anxiety is common among adult...

Solid Tumors
Issues in Oncology

Generic Platinum Chemotherapy Shortages May Not Have Increased Mortality

During a shortage of the generic platinum chemotherapy drugs cisplatin and carboplatin that began in early 2023, investigators found no difference in mortality rates among patients with advanced cancer compared with the previous year, according to a recent study published by Reibel et al in the...

Gynecologic Cancers

HIPEC in Platinum-Sensitive Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

In an Italian phase III trial (HORSE; MITO-18) reported in Journal of Clinical Oncology, Fagotti et al found that the addition of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to secondary cytoreductive surgery without neoadjuvant chemotherapy did not improve progression-free survival vs no...

Supportive Care

Managing Comorbidities in Oncology: Practical Strategies for Optimized Patient Care

Cancer care is increasingly complicated by the presence of comorbidities, which affect nearly two-thirds of patients at the time of diagnosis and can influence treatment decisions, participation in clinical trials, and overall outcomes. During 2024 JADPRO Live, M. Edie Brucker, DNP,...

Supportive Care
Pain Management

Balancing Pain Management and Addiction Risks in Oncology

Managing cancer pain in patients with substance use disorder presents a unique challenge for oncologists, requiring a balance between effective symptom management and mitigation of the risks of substance misuse. During the 2024 JADPRO Live, Antonia Corrigan, MSN, ANP-C, ACHPN,...

Hepatobiliary Cancer
Immunotherapy
Issues in Oncology

Improving Hepatocellular Carcinoma Outcomes Through Enhanced Immunotherapy

A novel strategy may increase the activity of dendritic cells and improve immunotherapy outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, according to a recent study published by Morita et al in Cancer Immunology Research.

Background

Hepatic cancer is a disease with a poor prognosis. Despite...

Prostate Cancer
Integrative Oncology
Supportive Care

Low Omega-6/High Omega-3 Diet and Fish Oil Supplementation May Help Slow Prostate Cancer Growth

Researchers have found that dietary changes may help reduce cancer cell growth in patients with prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance, according to a recent study published by Aronson et al in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The findings demonstrated that a diet low in omega-6 and high...

Skin Cancer

Cosibelimab-ipdl Approved by FDA for Treatment of Metastatic or Locally Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved cosibelimab-ipdl (Unloxcyt), a PD-L1–blocking antibody, for adults with metastatic or locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation therapy. The approval was granted on December 13,...

Colorectal Cancer

Negative Colonoscopy Screening Results and Risk for Colorectal Cancer and Mortality

In a study reported in JAMA Oncology, Knudsen et al found evidence supporting the consideration of extending the rescreening intervals after a negative colonoscopy screening result beyond the currently recommended 10 years, particularly among individuals with a low-risk profile.

Study Details

The ...

Issues in Oncology

My Cancer Diagnosis and Renewed Commitment to Fight for Patients

Over 40 years ago, I lost my dear sister, Gale, to cancer. She left behind a beautiful 4-year-old daughter and a grieving family. Driven by this profound loss, I was determined to ensure that no other family would face that same heartbreak. That resoluteness led to the founding of Friends of...

Geriatric Oncology
Solid Tumors
Supportive Care

Geriatric Surgery Verification Program May Improve Outcomes in Older Patients With Cancer in Community Hospitals

Implementing the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Geriatric Surgery Verification program may help to improve postoperative outcomes and preserve independence in older patients with cancer undergoing major abdominal procedures, according to a recent study published by Jimenez et al in the Journal...

Colorectal Cancer

Intermittent or Continuous Panitumumab Plus FOLFIRI in First-Line Treatment of RAS and BRAF Wild-Type Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

In an Italian phase II trial (IMPROVE) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Avallone et al found that intermittent panitumumab and FOLFIRI (fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan) was associated with promising progression-free survival as first-line treatment in patients with RAS/BRAF...

Lymphoma
Issues in Oncology

Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation May Not Improve Survival in Patients With MCL and Undetectable Minimal Residual Disease

Researchers have revealed that high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation may not benefit patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who are in remission following initial treatment, according to new findings presented by Fenske et al at the 2024 American Society of...

Leukemia
Immunotherapy
Issues in Oncology

Blinatumomab in Combination With Chemotherapy May Improve Survival in Pediatric Patients Newly Diagnosed With B-Cell Precursor ALL

The addition of blinatumomab to chemotherapy may improve disease-free survival in pediatric patients newly diagnosed with National Cancer Institute (NCI) standard-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at average or high risk of relapse, according to new findings presented by Rau et al at...

Leukemia

Bicistronic CAR T-Cell Therapy Achieved Durable Remissions in Children With Relapsed/Refractory B-Cell ALL

A follow-up study investigating the coadministration of CD19- and CD22-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in children with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) found the therapy is safe and effective and achieved durable remissions in these patients, ...

Colorectal Cancer

Nivolumab/Ipilimumab vs Chemotherapy With or Without Targeted Agents in MSI-H or dMMR Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

As reported in The New England Journal of Medicine by Andre et al, interim analysis of the phase III CheckMate 8HW trial has shown that nivolumab plus ipilimumab prolonged progression-free survival vs chemotherapy with or without targeted agents in patients with  microsatellite instability–high...

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