Podcasts

Findings From the 2021 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium

The 2021 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, held in a virtual format this year, is being held this weekend, January 15th to 17th, 2021. We’re discussing findings from the meeting with three study authors.

IDEA Collaboration: 3 vs 6 Months of Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Patients With Advanced Colon Cancer

This week, we’ll review a meta-analysis of several trials studying the efficacy of 3 vs 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with advanced colon cancer. We’ll also discuss a report on the frequency of osteonecrosis of the jaw among patients with metastatic bone disease treated with zoledronic acid, as well as several risk factors for the development of the condition.

News From the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium took place virtually from December 8 to 12th. This week, we’re featuring three important studies from the meeting, focusing on a new prognostic tool; the treatment of depression and related symptoms in young breast cancer survivors; and a chemoimmunotherapy regimen for triple-negative disease.

More News From ASH: Whole-Genome Sequencing of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms and More

This week, we’ll focus further on studies presented at the 2020 ASH Annual Meeting & Exposition, including findings on the use of whole-genome sequencing to trace the origins of a blood cancer; stem cell transplant for older patients with myelodysplastic syndromes; and a triplet therapy for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma.

News From the 2020 ASH Annual Meeting & Exposition

The 2020 ASH Annual Meeting & Exposition, held in a virtual format this year, began this weekend. We’re featuring three studies on the podcast this week from the meeting. 

COVID-19: Infection Rate Among Patients Undergoing Anticancer Therapy and Its Effect on Cancer Clinical Trials

As COVID-19 infection rates again spike around the nation, this week, we’re looking at two recent studies focused on COVID-19 and cancer. The first describes the rate of infection with the virus among asymptomatic patients with cancer undergoing active treatment for their solid tumors. The second explores how the ongoing pandemic is affecting the way patients with cancer choose to participate in clinical trials.

Immune-Related Adverse Events and Survival Outcomes in NSCLC

This week, we’re focusing on lung cancer—first, with a report on how therapy-related adverse events experienced by patients with lung cancer treated with immunotherapy may help to predict survival outcomes; and second, with a video about disparities in certain populations when it comes to lung cancer screening and treatment.

Prostate Cancer Highlights From the 2020 ASTRO Annual Meeting

This week, we're focusing on high-impact research in prostate cancer presented during the virtual 2020 ASTRO Annual Meeting. The studies included a focus on GnRH receptor antagonist therapy; imaging-based guidance for radiotherapy intensification; and methods of radiotherapy boosts.

2020 ASTRO Annual Meeting: High-Impact Research

This week, we’ll be featuring discussions of two late-breaking abstracts presented during the virtual 2020 American Society for Radiation Oncology, or ASTRO, Annual Meeting. The first focuses on the role of imaging in planning treatment with radiotherapy in patients with prostate cancer; the second discusses strategies to manage the pain of spinal metastases.

Recent FDA Approvals in Leukemia and Lymphoma

This week on The ASCO Post Podcast, we'll focus on two recent approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in patients with leukemia and lymphoma.

First-Line Atezolizumab vs Chemotherapy for PD-L1–Positive Metastatic NSCLC

This week, we'll review results of a trial that evaluated first-line anti–PD-L1 therapy vs platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with metastatic lung cancer and high PD-L1 expression. We'll also discuss findings from a study that evaluated whether patients receiving care for advanced cancer based on the recommendations of a molecular tumor board tended to survive longer or experience more time without disease progression.

Breast Cancer News From the ESMO Virtual Congress 2020

This week, we’ll be featuring our last disease-specific roundup from the ESMO Virtual Congress 2020. We’ll hear from three experts on their findings in breast cancer, focusing on results from two IMpassion trials as well as the efficacy of a novel antibody-drug conjugate in triple-negative disease, and a telehealth program for patients receiving chemotherapy.

Lung Cancer Reports From the ESMO Virtual Congress 2020

This week, we’ll be reviewing results from several reports on lung cancer presented during the ESMO Virtual Congress 2020. The findings focus on the use of radiotherapy, biomarkers, targeted treatments, and immunotherapy.

ESMO Virtual Congress 2020: Spotlight on Genitourinary Cancers

This week on The ASCO Post Podcast, we're discussing three reports on genitourinary cancers presented at the ESMO Virtual Congress 2020. We’ll hear directly from the researchers about first-line treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma, as well as the long-term results of a doublet therapy for men with advanced hormone-naive prostate cancer.

ESMO Virtual Congress 2020: Findings in Breast and Head and Neck Cancers

We're sharing interviews with two authors of high-impact papers on breast cancer and head and neck cancer presented at the ESMO Virtual Congress 2020.

Veliparib Plus Carboplatin/Paclitaxel in <em>BRCA</em>-Mutated, HER2-Negative Advanced Breast Cancer

We’ll discuss the efficacy of a triplet combination therapy in BRCA-mutated, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer. Then, we’ll move on to a report that detailed multiorgan immunotherapy-related adverse events in patients treated with atezolizumab. Last, we’ll review the FDA’s approval of the RET-targeted therapy pralsetinib in patients with metastatic RET fusion–positive non–small cell lung cancer.

From the Archive: Insights on Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer

Actor Chadwick Boseman, known for his roles in Black Panther, Marshall, and Get on Up, died on August 28 from colorectal cancer. He was 43. The incidence of young-onset colorectal cancer remains a troubling issue in the oncology community. This week, we’ll go back in The ASCO Post Podcast archives to hear from Kimmie Ng, MD, MPH, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Dr. Ng first shared her insights on the rising rates of colorectal cancer in young adults about 1 year ago on the podcast.

Highlights From the IASLC Virtual Presidential Symposium

This week on The ASCO Post Podcast, we'll first hear about a study of the monoclonal antibody sintilimab in combination with pemetrexed and platinum to treat advanced nonsquamous non–small cell lung cancer. Then we'll review the results of the CheckMate 743 trial, which suggest a new standard of care in first-line treatment of unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Decline in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Mortality From 2013 to 2016

This week on The ASCO Post Podcast, we'll first hear about a study that found a steep decline in non–small cell lung cancer mortality from 2013 to 2016. Then, we'll close out with a review of a report on the addition of locoregional radiotherapy to chemotherapy in patients with chemotherapy-sensitive metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Pathologic Complete Response in the I-SPY 2 Trial

This week, we’ll start with a follow-up analysis of pathologic complete response in patients participating in the I-SPY 2 trial. Then, we’ll move on to a study that sought to answer whether a longer time from diagnosis to surgical treatment lowered overall survival in women with early-stage breast cancer. Last, we’ll hear about how the COVID-19 pandemic is worsening disparities in cancer care among racial and ethnic minorities and the medically underserved.

New Guidelines on Cervical Cancer Screening

This week, we'll review recommendations from a new guideline issued by the American Cancer Society on cervical cancer screening. Then, we'll discuss the FDA's approval of a triplet therapy for advanced melanoma. Lastly, we'll hear a summary of a panel discussion on telehealth for patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Comparison of Two Combination Treatments in Localized Pancreatic Cancer

This week, we’ll discuss a study that compared two combination treatments for previously untreated patients with localized pancreatic cancer. Then, we’ll explore whether a longer-established diagnosis of cancer is associated with higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection or death from the virus. Last, we’ll review the FDA’s recent approval of a CAR T-cell immunotherapy for patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma.

Cabozantinib for Patients With Advanced Bladder Cancer

This week, we'll discuss phase II results on cabozantinib in patients with advanced bladder cancer. Then, we'll review a study on behaviors related to COVID-19 prevention among cancer survivors. Lastly, we'll hear a discussion about the keynote lecture presented at the First International Summit on Interventional Pharmacoeconomics.

Lenvatinib Plus Pembrolizumab for Patients With Advanced Gastric Cancer

This week, we’ll discuss the efficacy of the combination of lenvatinib and pembrolizumab for patients with advanced gastric cancer. We’ll also highlight key points from the recent USPSTF draft recommendation on CT screening for lung cancer. Finally, we’ll review a regulatory approval in metastatic bladder cancer and hear from the principal investigator of the confirmatory trial.

Spotlight on Two Breast Cancer Studies From the ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program

This week, we’ll review two influential breast cancer studies presented during the ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program: MINDACT and HER2CLIMB.

Multiple Myeloma Research From the ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program

This week on The ASCO Post Podcast, we’ll be hearing from the presenters of three abstracts focused on multiple myeloma presented during the ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program.

COVID-19 Research From the ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program

With this week bringing record highs of COVID-19 infection across the nation, on The ASCO Post Podcast, we’re revisiting two presentations from the ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program on the effect of the virus on patients with cancer.

Findings in Prostate Cancer From the ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program

This week, we're hearing from the authors of three high-impact papers on research in prostate cancer presented during the ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program.

Plenary Research From the ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program: Part 2

This week, we’ll review two late-breaking abstracts from the ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program that reported negative results. Both were presented during the plenary program.

Plenary Research From the ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program: Part 1

This week, we’ll be hearing from the authors of three late-breaking abstracts presented in the Plenary program at the ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program. Their findings highlight significant advances in lung cancer, bladder cancer, and colorectal cancer.

Coagulation Issues in Patients With COVID-19: Part 2

In part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Syed Abutalib, Associate Director of the Hematology and Cellular Therapy Program and Director of the Clinical Apheresis Program at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Zion, Illinois; Associate Professor at the Roseland Franklin University of Medicine and Science; and Founder and Co-Editor of Advances in Cell and Gene Therapy, Dr. Abutalib outlines methods of treatment and prevention for coagulation issues in patients with COVID-19, and summarizes the hematologic consequences of the virus.

Coagulation Issues in Patients With COVID-19: Part 1

This week, we spoke with Dr. Syed Abutalib, Associate Director of the Hematology and Cellular Therapy Program and Director of the Clinical Apheresis Program at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Zion, Illinois; Associate Professor at the Roseland Franklin University of Medicine and Science; and Founder and Co-Editor of Advances in Cell and Gene Therapy. Dr. Abutalib outlines recent data on coagulation issues seen in patients with COVID-19.

Highlights From the AACR Virtual Annual Meeting

This week, we’ll be featuring some research highlights from the AACR Virtual Annual Meeting, including data on a triplet regimen for women with high-risk, HER2-negative breast cancer; findings on immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy for patients with BRAF V600-mutated melanoma; and a paper on trends in the locations of tobacco and vape shops.

Does Ibrutinib Offer a Protective Effect Against Pulmonary Injury in Patients With COVID-19?

This week, we’ll start off with a report that showed that ibrutinib may help to protect patients infected with COVID-19 from pulmonary injury due to the disease. Next, we’ll move onto a report from the AACR Virtual Annual Meeting on talazoparib in patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-negative germline BRCA­-mutated breast cancer. Lastly, we’ll review the FDA’s approval of niraparib for patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

Recent FDA Oncology/Hematology Approvals

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had a very busy 10 or so days, so this week, we’ll go over five recent oncology and hematology approvals the Agency issued, in bladder cancer, breast cancer, bile duct cancer, and leukemia.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients With Both COVID-19 and Cancer

To begin this week, we’ll discuss a report that focused on the characteristics and outcomes of patients with both COVID-19 and cancer in Wuhan, China. Next, we’ll turn to a paper on the efficacy of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy in men with oligometastatic prostate cancer. Lastly, we’ll talk about the FDA’s approval of encorafenib plus cetuximab in patients with BRAF V600E–mutated colorectal cancer.

Report on the ASH COVID-19 Registry for Malignant Hematology

We begin with an interview with William A. Wood, MD, MPH, of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Dr. Wood is current Chair of the ASH Research Collaborative’s Data Hub Oversight Group, and he spoke with us about the new COVID-19 Registry for Malignant Hematology. Next, we’ll move onto a report on the relationship between breastfeeding and reduced risk of invasive ovarian cancer. And to round out this week’s episode, we’ll go over the FDA’s approval of lustpatercept-aamt for anemia in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.

End-of-Trial Findings From CLEOPATRA

This week, we’ll start with a report on end-of-trial findings with a triplet combination treatment for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Then, we’ll hear from the director of a comprehensive cancer center on how her institution is handling the coronavirus outbreak. Lastly, we’ll discuss the FDA’s approval of durvalumab in small cell lung cancer.

Cancer Care Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

To start off this week, we’ll discuss a report from physicians in Washington state about how they’re handling cancer care currently in their institutions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll then hear from Dr. Giuseppe Curigliano, who spoke with The ASCO Post from his office in Milan about how Italy is addressing the needs of patients with cancer. Lastly, we’ll go over a paper about the reintroduction of a combination regimen when disease progresses after upfront treatment in patients with colorectal cancer.

Coronavirus, Patients With Cancer, and the Preparedness of the Institutions That Care for Them

We're covering the topic on everyone’s minds—coronavirus. We’ll start with the state of the epidemic as it relates to patients with cancer and the preparedness of the institutions that care for them. Next, we’ll look at a study from China that examined the impact of COVID-19 on patients with cancer. Then, we’ll finish up by discussing an FDA approval of a combination therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Pulmonary Pathology of the Novel Coronavirus in Two Patients With Lung Cancer

We’ll begin this week by discussing an article that described the pulmonary pathology of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, which was found coincidentally in two patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer. We’ll also update you as to upcoming oncology meetings that have been canceled due to concerns about the virus.
We’ll then turn to a report that found adjuvant gemcitabine/platinum chemotherapy was associated with improved disease-free survival vs surveillance in patients with locally advanced urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract.
Finally, we’ll hear a summary of an important talk given at the recent ASCO-SITC Immuno-Oncology Symposium.

News From the 2020 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancers Symposium

This week, we’ll hear from two researchers on findings presented at the 2020 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancers Symposium. We’ll also review the FDA’s approval of isatuximab-irfc as part of a triplet regimen for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

News From the Genitourinary Cancers Symposium

This week, we’ll be reviewing data from three influential abstracts presented at the recent 2020 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium in San Francisco—one on a novel, first-in-class, small molecule, hypoxia-inducible factor 2 alpha inhibitor for heavily pretreated patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma; the second, on whether pembrolizumab in combination with the antibody-drug conjugate enfortumab vedotin may be an alternative option for platinum-ineligible patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma; and the third, on treatment with pembrolizumab plus enzalutamide after disease progression on enzalutamide in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Pembrolizumab Plus Chemotherapy in HER2-Negative Breast Cancer

We’ll start off by discussing results from the I-SPY 2 trial on the efficacy of pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in HER2-negative breast cancer. Then, we’ll move on to a report covering racial disparities in diagnostic and treatment technology as related to outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. Lastly, we’ll review a long list of treatments for which the FDA recently granted Priority Review.

H pylori Infection and Gastric Cancer Risk

First, we’ll discuss a Korean trial that looked at the role of H pylori infection and gastric cancer risk. Next, we’ll turn to a modeling study that examined HPV vaccination and cervical cancer incidence in low-income and lower–middle-income countries. Last this week, we’ll look at data presented at the ASCO-SITC Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium on reducing the risk for immune checkpoint inhibitor–associated colitis.

BEACON CRC: Patient-Reported Quality of Life Results

This week, we’ll be featuring three researchers discussing findings presented at the 2020 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium: Dr. Scott Kopetz, of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses quality-of-life results from the BEACON CRC trial in BRAF V600E–mutated colorectal cancer; Dr. Brian Wolpin, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, talks about the efficacy of a blood-based screening test using cell-free DNA to identify methylation signals of hard-to-detect gastrointestinal cancers; and Dr. Zev Wainberg, of UCLA Medical Center, discusses a subset analysis of how a combined positive score in gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers related to the efficacy of pembrolizumab in patients with PD-L1–positive disease.

News From the Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium

The 2020 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium took place last weekend, and this week, we’ll take a deeper dive into findings in pancreatic cancer and colorectal cancer. We’ll also review the FDA approval of tazemetostat in epithelioid sarcoma.

Elevations in Cancer Incidence Among Responders to the WTC Site After the September 11 Attacks

We’ll begin with a study that focused on elevations in cancer incidence among responders to the World Trade Center site after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. We’ll then turn to an analysis evaluating the effect of proton pump inhibitor use on decreased cognitive functioning among breast cancer survivors. Lastly, we’ll look at a trial that compared detection and grading of prostate cancer with a novel artificial intelligence system vs seasoned experts.

Luspatercept in Transfusion-Dependent Lower-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes

We’ll start off this week by discussing results from the MEDALIST trial of luspatercept in transfusion-dependent lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes. Then, we’ll move to a study that’s been covered a lot in the news: does the use of powder in the genital area increase a woman’s chance of ovarian cancer? Finally, we’ll cover two recent approvals from the FDA, for patients with bladder cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumors, respectively.

Recent Approvals From the FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certainly had a busy December, and this week, we’ll be reviewing some recent approvals: olaparib for germline BRCA-mutated metastatic pancreatic cancer; fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki for patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer; enfortumab vedotin-ejfv for previously treated advanced urothelial cancer; enzalutamide for metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer; and atezolizumab in combination with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of adults with metastatic nonsquamous non–small cell lung cancer.

News From the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

In this episode, we’ll cover three important presentations from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The first reports results from the HER2CLIMB trial on tucatinib, capecitabine, and trastuzumab for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer; the second discusses phase II findings on the activity of a novel HER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer; and the third focuses on a postoperative treatment regimen for hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative primary breast cancer.

Plenary Presentations From the 2019 ASH Annual Meeting & Exposition

On this episode, we hear from the authors of three high-impact abstracts presented at the 2019 ASH Annual Meeting & Exposition. The first paper investigated immunotherapy vs standard chemotherapy for pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia; the second focused on the efficacy of oral azacitidine for acute myeloid leukemia; and the third looked at a triplet regimen for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Sequence of Therapies for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

We’ll start with a trial focused on the sequence of therapies for metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer. Then, we’ll move on to an abstract presented at a recent American Heart Association meeting about the link between increased cardiovascular disease risk and increased cancer risk. Lastly, we’ll give you an update about the latest step in the confirmation process for Dr. Stephen Hahn, the oncologist nominated to be the next FDA Commissioner.

Reports From the ESMO Asia Congress 2019

This week, we summarize two studies presented at the recent ESMO Asia Congress—one on a novel combination therapy for unresectable liver cancer, and the second on the activity of a Chinese-manufactured trastuzumab biosimilar. We’ll also discuss last week’s FDA approval of acalabrutinib for chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma.

Nivolumab Plus Bevacizumab for Relapsed Ovarian Cancer

According to findings from a phase II trial, the combination of nivolumab and bevacizumab has shown activity in relapsed ovarian cancer—we discuss those findings reported in JAMA Oncology. Next, we’ll move on to a session from CHEST 2019 which outlined palliation techniques that may be of use to oncologists and pulmonologists in treating patients with end-stage lung cancer. Finally, we’ll discuss two recent FDA drug approvals for patients with hematologic disorders.

ADMIRAL Trial of Gilteritinib vs Salvage Chemotherapy in FLT3-Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia

The ADMIRAL trial evaluated gilteritinib vs salvage chemotherapy in FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia—we'll discuss recently reported overall survival results from The New England Journal of Medicine. Then, we’ll move onto findings from a pooled analysis of the relationship between lung cancer risk and high fiber and yogurt consumption. Last, we’ll talk about a recent restructuring of a key office within the FDA.

Addition of Durvalumab to Etoposide Plus Platinum Chemotherapy for Extensive-Stage SCLC

This week, we’ll review an interim analysis of the CASPIAN trial, which evaluated the addition of durvalumab to etoposide plus platinum chemotherapy for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. Then, we’ll talk about two recently issued guidelines on screening for colorectal cancer. Lastly, we’ll summarize some recent FDA approvals and announcements.

Gastrointestinal Cancer Research From ESMO 2019

This week, we discuss two studies in gastrointestinal cancers presented at this year’s European Society for Medical Oncology Congress. First up, the NEOLAP trial assessed induction chemotherapy with nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine or sequential FOLFIRINOX followed by surgical exploration in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Next, we’ll discuss the ClarIDHy study, which examined treatment with ivosidenib in patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma and an IDH1 mutation. We’ll hear from the lead authors of each of these studies, and we’ll also hear a discussion about the use of cabozantinib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, with Dr. Tim Meyer and Dr. Lorenza Rimassa, co-investigators for the CELESTIAL trial.

News in Genitourinary Cancers From ESMO 2019

This week, we discuss two studies in genitourinary cancers presented at the ESMO Congress 2019. The CARD trial investigated treatment with cabazitaxel vs an androgen signaling–targeted inhibitor among patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who had disease progression on docetaxel and the alternative androgen signaling–targeted inhibitor. The IMvigor130 trial focused on the efficacy and safety of atezolizumab as monotherapy or combined with platinum-based chemotherapy vs placebo plus platinum-based chemotherapy in previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

Selected Breast Cancer Abstracts From ESMO 2019

This week, we’ll be discussing selected breast cancer abstracts presented at the ESMO Congress 2019, including the MONALEESA-3 and MONARCH 2 studies of CDK4/6 inhibitors for advanced breast cancer; the BROCADE 3 trial of veliparib plus carboplatin and paclitaxel in some advanced BRCA-mutated breast cancers; and the KATE-2 study of atezolizumab and trastuzumab emtansine in HER2-positive breast cancer.

Lung Cancer Research Highlights From ESMO 2019

This week, we’ll be discussing research highlights in lung cancer presented at the ESMO Congress 2019, including the FLAURA trial of osimertinib in EGFR-mutated non–small cell lung cancer; the CheckMate 227 of nivolumab plus ipilimumab vs chemotherapy in non–small cell lung cancer with a PD-L1 expression of 1% or more; and the ASCEND-7 trial of ceritinib for ALK-positive non–small cell lung cancer that has spread to the brain.

News in Ovarian Cancer From ESMO 2019

This week, we review two studies from a Presidential Symposium at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2019 focusing on the efficacy of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors in patients with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer.

Benefit of Daratumumab Across Populations With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

This week, we review a presentation on the benefit of daratumumab across populations with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. We also talk about a study on racial disparities in colorectal cancer mortality. Lastly, we discuss the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recent approval of apalutamide in metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer.

News From the ASTRO Annual Meeting

This week, we’ll be going over news from the 2019 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting, including an analysis of the effect of long-term hormonal therapy on men with low prostate-specific antigen levels treated with early salvage radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy and an update on the landmark PACIFIC trial in non–small cell lung cancer. We also discuss the launch of Project Orbis, which led to a joint approval from the FDA, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration, and Health Canada for lenvatinib in combination with pembrolizumab in the treatment of some patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma.

News From the IASLC World Conference on Lung Cancer and the ASCO Quality Care Symposium

This week, we’ll be discussing findings presented at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) World Conference on Lung Cancer and the ASCO Quality Care Symposium, including a pooled analysis on 5-year overall survival rates in patients with previously treated non-small cell lung cancer receiving nivolumab vs docetaxel; the effect of out-of-pocket costs of tyrosine kinase inhibitors on survival in patients with lung cancer; and the relationship between participation in a clinical trial and overall survival in patients with advanced lung cancer.

First-Line Nivolumab and Ipilimumab vs Sunitinib in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma

This week, we’ll be talking about an extended follow-up of a phase III trial that investigated first-line nivolumab and ipilimumab vs sunitinib in advanced renal cell carcinoma. Then we’ll go over a research letter that identified strong predictors of response to immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. Lastly, we’ll review a report on e-cigarette secondhand smoke exposure experienced by middle and high school students.

Pooled Survival Analysis of Patients With NSCLC Treated With Nivolumab

This week, we review a pooled analysis of long-term survival rates in patients with previously treated non–small cell lung cancer treated with nivolumab. We then turn to the recently reported USPSTF recommendation on risk assessment, genetic counseling, and genetic testing for BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. Lastly, we discuss the recent FDA approval of entrectinib for NTRK-fusion cancers and ROS1-positive NSCLC.

USPSTF Recommendation Against Pancreatic Cancer Screening in Asymptomatic Adults

This week, we review the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation against screening for pancreatic cancer in adults with no symptoms. We also talk about the discovery of a germline mutation that has been newly associated with pancreatic cancer. Lastly, we discuss a U.S. Food and Drug Administration review which concluded a common Parkinson’s disease drug does not contribute to the development of prostate cancer.

Ibrutinib and Rituximab vs Standard Chemoimmunotherapy in CLL

This week, we review a report on the combination of ibrutinib and rituximab vs standard chemoimmunotherapy in some patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL); a study on cancer statistics in adults aged 85 and older; and a decision from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on coverage of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for Medicare beneficiaries.

Overall Survival in MONALEESA-7

This week, we discuss an interim analysis of the MONALEESA-7 trial of the addition of ribociclib to endocrine therapy in pre- or perimenopausal women with advanced hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. We also talk about a study that examined the relationship between the duration of chemotherapy and body mass index and the development of lymphedema in some patients with breast cancer. Lastly, we present three recent approvals and regulatory communications from the FDA.

Rates of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer

This week, we discuss a study that found a disconnect between rates of colonoscopy and recent increases in colorectal cancer incidence in younger adults. In addition, Kimmie Ng, MD, MPH, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, offers her insights on the rising rates of colorectal cancer in young adults. Then, we turn to a report on the relationship between androgen-deprivation therapy and rates of Alzheimer disease and dementia in elderly patients with prostate cancer.

Erdafitinib for FGFR-Altered Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma

This week, we review a phase II trial of erdafitinib in urothelial carcinoma with an FGFR alteration. We also talk about a report from the World Health Organization on tobacco use worldwide. Then, we discuss two recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration approvals in prostate cancer and a rare joint tumor.

Long-Term Results From the National Lung Screening Trial

This week, we discuss long-term results from an extended analysis of the National Lung Screening Trial, and Dr. James Mulshine of Rush University offers his thoughts on these findings. We also review a report on radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism and long-term risk of death from solid cancers.

ESMO World GI: Findings From the BEACON CRC Trial and More

We discuss two studies on colorectal cancer that were presented at the ESMO World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer. We also talk about a recently published study on the prevalence of pain among cancer survivors in the U.S.

ICML 2019: Role of Liquid Biopsy in Lymphoma

In this episode, The ASCO Post's Editor-in-Chief Dr. James Armitage talks about the International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (ICML), which he attended recently in Lugano, Switzerland; in particular, Dr. Armitage shares insight from a workshop on bridging liquid biopsy into the management of patients with lymphoma. He also discusses two studies from the plenary session looking at the impact of adding lenalidomide to R-CHOP in the management of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. 

Later in the podcast, we discuss findings from the PHARE trial on adjuvant trastuzumab dosing in HER2-positive breast cancer and we report two recent approvals by the FDA.

CASSIOPEIA Trial in Multiple Myeloma

In this episode, we discuss news from the Annual Congress of the European Hematology Association in multiple myeloma, catch up on a study presented at ASCO on gastric cancer, and review a recently published paper on prostate cancer development in World Trade Center first responders.

2019 ASCO: Resection of Liver Metastases

In this episode, we discuss more news from the ASCO Annual Meeting, including findings from a study with relevance to surgical oncology, a summary of a study in HER2-positive breast cancer, and a third study on discrimination among hematology/oncology fellows. We also discuss two FDA approvals that took place in the past week.

2019 ASCO: Pancreatic, Urothelial, and Cervical Cancers

In this episode, we discuss more news from the ASCO Annual Meeting, sharing interviews with experts on studies in pancreatic, urothelial, and cervical cancers. We’ll also tell you about a couple of new drug approvals announced this week by the FDA. 

Selected Studies From the 2019 ASCO Annual Meeting

In this debut episode of The ASCO Post Podcast, experts in breast, prostate, and lung cancers and multiple myeloma provide clinical insights about selected studies presented at the recent ASCO Annual Meeting, plus news from the FDA.

Coming Soon: The ASCO Post Podcast

For nearly a decade, The ASCO Post has been bringing you news about clinical advancements in oncology and hematology. Now, this award-winning coverage comes to you in a new format.

PD-L1 Expression Testing

Vamsi Velcheti, MD, and David Rimm, MD, PhD, discuss the high number of recent programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor approvals and the need to harmonize the various diagnostic assay developments across the supporting clinical trials. Dr. Rimm notes the important difference between companion diagnostics, which must be used to test PD-L1 levels before prescribing a drug, and complementary diagnostics, which the FDA recommends using prior to prescribing the PD-L1 inhibitor.

The Evolving Role of Biomarkers in Oncology

Vamsi Velcheti, MD, and Hossein Borghaei, DO, MS, discuss challenges in using programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and tumor mutation burden (TMB) as biomarkers to determine which patients will or won’t respond to immunotherapy with a checkpoint inhibitor as well as whether biomarkers exist to identify which patients will experience adverse events from immunotherapies.

Tumor Mutation Burden Testing

Vamsi Velcheti, MD, and David Rimm, MD, PhD, discuss the recent clinical trials that studied tumor mutation burden (TMB) as a biomarker and the mechanisms behind why tumors with high TMB respond to immunotherapy.

Testing for Microsatellite Instability and Deficient DNA Mismatch Repair

Citing the landmark tumor-agnostic approval of pembrolizumab for patients with microsatellite instability–high (MSI-H)/deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) tumors and the approval of nivolumab/ipilimumab in MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer, Vamsi Velcheti, MD, and Hossein Borghaei, DO, MS, discuss the role of MSI-H and dMMR testing in immunotherapy treatment selection.