In an analysis of 9-year outcomes of a Chinese trial (ESECC) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Liu et al found that endoscopic screening for esophageal cancer was associated with numeric benefit vs no screening in terms of the incidence of esophageal cancer and esophageal cancer–related ...
The composition of the gut microbiome may reveal distinct signatures associated with race, ethnicity, and age of onset in patients with colorectal cancer, according to a recent study published by Hein et al in the Journal of Immunotherapy and Precision Oncology. The findings provide insights into...
A combined positron-emission tomography–magnetic resonance imaging (PET-MRI) scanning technique could improve the treatment of some patients with early-stage breast cancer, according to new findings presented by Di Micco et al at the 2024 European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC) (Abstract 9) and...
About 8 years ago, I was just a few years into menopause when I noticed blood in my urine. It wasn’t accompanied by pain, frequent urination, or any other troubling symptoms, so initially I wasn’t too concerned. But when I started passing pieces of tissue, I became alarmed and made an appointment...
Although more than 85% of childhood cancer survivors will achieve a 5-year survival,1 that does not tell the whole tale for these individuals who move into adulthood. They are at excess risk of late mortality, even 40 years out from a cancer diagnosis, from non–cancer-related causes,1 and related...
In Kathy Giusti’s empowering and deeply personal book Fatal to Fearless: 12 Steps to Beating Cancer in a Broken Medical System (HarperCollins, 2024), she details the shock of being diagnosed with multiple myeloma, in 1996, at the age of 37. Told she had 3 years to live, the book recounts how Ms....
In 1996, at the age of 37, Kathy Giusti was diagnosed with the incurable blood cancer multiple myeloma and told she had about 3 years to live. In the mid-1990s, effective therapies for this second most common blood cancer were nearly nonexistent. Standard of care for myeloma consisted of oral...
In the phase III MORPHO trial reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Mark J. Levis, MD, PhD, and colleagues found that the FLT3 inhibitor gilteritinib showed activity as post–allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) maintenance among patients with FLT3-ITD–mutated acute myeloid...
Taking part in an exercise program may improve pain, fatigue, and quality of life in patients with metastatic breast cancer, according to recent findings presented by Hiensch et al at the 2024 European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC; Abstract 1). Background “Although there’s been quite a lot of...
A novel genetic test may predict how patients with triple-negative early-stage breast cancer will respond to immunotherapy, according to new findings presented by Wolf et al at the 2024 European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC) (Abstract 2LBA). The research may help patients who are unlikely to...
W. Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, took the helm as the 17th Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), on December 18, 2023. A renowned kidney cancer expert and influential leader in cancer research and patient care, Dr. Rathmell was selected by...
In a news release issued by ASCO earlier this month, the society reported that The Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) was calling on President Biden to continue to prioritize access to high-quality, equitable cancer care in his State of the Union address. Specifically, the cancer care...
With a 5-year overall survival of close to 90% in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), there have been large treatment shifts over the past decade in this disease, which now includes “more disciplines than it did before,” commented medical oncologist Danielle Shafer, DO, of Inova Schar Cancer...
Managing patients with lung cancer in the current era of an increasing array of systemic treatments has become a complex balancing act of trying to improve outcomes and survival from a cancer perspective while taking the necessary treatment and monitoring steps for cardioprotection. With few...
Monitoring circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels with liquid biopsies could help physicians accurately assess treatment responses and predict future prognoses in patients with operable esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer receiving an immunotherapy doublet, according to a recent study...
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) announced that its members have elected Lillian L. Siu, MD, FRCPC, FASCO, FAACR, as the 2024–2025 President-Elect of the AACR. Professional and Research Background Dr. Siu currently serves as Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto; as ...
Treatment with a short course of intensified hormonal therapy in combination with metastasis-directed stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) may be safe and effective in patients with oligorecurrent and metastatic prostate cancer, according to a recent study published by Nikitas et al in...
The artificial intelligence (AI)-based chatbot ChatGPT version 3.4 may correctly answer a majority of the common genetic counseling questions related to gynecologic oncology, according to new findings presented by Patel et al at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology’s (SGO) 2024 Annual Meeting on...
Researchers have identified two genetic markers that may illuminate the association between red and/or processed meat consumption and the risk of colorectal cancer, according to a novel study published by Stern et al in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Background Previous studies...
In a phase II study (FASTRACK II) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Shankar Siva, MBBS, PhD, and colleagues found that stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) was effective in patients with primary kidney cancer who did not undergo resection. Study Details Seventy patients were enrolled in...
Philip A. Salem, MD, Director Emeritus of Cancer Research at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, Houston, was born and reared in Bterram, a village that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. “I had the most beautiful and blessed childhood, as I lived in a household dominated by a father who believed in the...
The American Cancer Society (ACS) and Flatiron Health announced the recipients of the 2023 Real-World Data Impact Awards, which will support clinically relevant research regarding the treatment of and outcomes for patients with cancer. 2023 marks the fourth year of the joint grant-making program,...
Targeting two brain tumor–associated proteins with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy may reduce solid tumor growth in patients with recurrent glioblastoma, according to results from a phase I trial published by Bagley et al in Nature Medicine. The findings suggest that the new...
Female patients with ovarian germ cell tumors may have worse prognoses compared with male patients with testicular germ cell tumors, according to a recent study published by Sköld et al in the Journal of Internal Medicine. Background Both ovarian and testicular germ cell tumors predominantly...
In a study reported in The Lancet Oncology, De Angelis et al estimated the numbers of patients alive after a cancer diagnosis in Europe as of 2020. Study Details The study used data from the EUROCARE-6 study to estimate the prevalence of cancer in 29 European countries and the 27 countries in the ...
A novel tool may help predict the risk of complications following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and guide the pretransplant process, according to new Scientific Statement published by Hayek et al in Circulation. The findings may also illuminate the contemporary prevalence of...
Adding specialized mental health support to the treatment plan of patients with cancer may improve their quality of life, lower the risk of cardiovascular disease in family caregivers, and boost cost savings to the health-care system, according to a recent study published by Steel et al in The...
Investigators may have identified a heightened risk of various types of cancers among patients with persistent and worsening metabolic syndrome, according to a recent study published by Deng et al in Cancer. Background Metabolic syndrome encompasses conditions such as high blood pressure, elevated...
Patients with a higher body mass index (BMI) may have a greater risk of overall and specific complications following autologous breast reconstruction, according to a recent study published by Barnes et al in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Background Autologous breast reconstruction—an...
ASCO in partnership with the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) has released a new guideline addressing recommendations in germline testing in patients with breast cancer.1 The guideline provides oncologists with a framework for how to approach germline testing and recommendations for who should be ...
The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) is marking its 50th anniversary with a name change to illustrate the dynamic future of cancer care for its members. The largest advocacy and resource organization for multidisciplinary oncology professionals will now be known as the Association of...
Once again, geriatric oncology will take the forefront at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK). On April 23, 2024, the Division of Advanced Practice Providers and the Geriatric Medicine Service at MSK will host the 3rd annual Geriatric Oncology Symposium for Advanced Practice Providers. The target...
When Pat Garcia-Gonzalez’ stepson, Max, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in 1988 at the age of 14, the Internet was still in its infancy and decades away from the networking resource it has become today. Told that Max would need an allogeneic stem cell transplant to survive, the...
First-line treatment with the PARP inhibitor olaparib plus the androgen biosynthesis inhibitor abiraterone acetate and the steroid prednisone improved progression-free survival and response rates compared with either treatment alone (ie, olaparib or abiraterone plus prednisone) in patients with...
In a French study of more than 7,000 childhood cancer survivors, published in JACC: CardioOncology, Thibaud Charrier, PhD, of the Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France, and colleagues reported that the occurrence of a second malignant neoplasm among these childhood cancer survivors seemed to...
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has become an established biomarker of measurable or molecular residual disease (MRD) after curative-intent surgery in patients with colorectal cancer. The research focus is now on linking ctDNA to long-term outcomes and using it to guide treatment decisions—which was...
Invited discussant of KEYNOTE-564, Pedro Barata, MD, MSc, FACP, of the University Hospital Seidman Cancer Center, Cleveland, said the reasons for the disparate results in these two adjuvant trials of checkpoint inhibitors were likely the result of many factors. “Factors such as histology, different ...
The Cancer Grand Challenges initiative announced it has selected five new global teams that will each receive up to $25 million in funding over the course of 5 years to address four major challenges faced by cancer research. Background In March 2023, the initiative unveiled nine new challenges to...
Newly published study results revealed that use of the Breast Cancer Index (BCI) test led to physicians changing their long-term antiestrogen treatment recommendations for 40% of patients with early-stage hormone receptor–positive breast cancer. The results, which suggest that many women may be...
Medical debt is associated with worse health status, more premature deaths, and higher mortality rates in the United States, according to a recent cross-sectional study published by Han et al in JAMA Network Open. Background“Patients are increasingly burdened by high out-of-pocket costs for health...
Investigators may have uncovered differential associations between smoking and DNA methylation across various racial and ethnic groups, according to a recent study published by Huang et al in the American Journal of Human Genetics. The findings could lead to the development of new strategies to...
Investigators may have uncovered the social determinants of health hindering breast cancer screening in the United States, according to a recent systematic review published by Jhumkhawala et al in Frontiers in Public Health. Background Health disparities have consistently been associated with...
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) is announcing several new updates to the cancer treatment practices listed in the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®). The evidence-based expert consensus recommendations are the most frequently updated guidelines for...
Although liquid biopsies are now helping determine the need for adjuvant therapy in a number of malignancies, they have yet to prove useful in the setting of oropharyngeal carcinoma, according to a prospective pilot study presented at the 2024 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancers Symposium that...
Non-Hispanic Black patients with locally advanced rectal cancer may experience poorer treatment outcomes independent of the sociodemographic, clinical, and pathologic factors that often influence racial and ethnic disparities in this patient population, according to a recent study published by...
Researchers have demonstrated that an online genetic education program may encourage patients with a family history of cancer to undertake genetic testing, according to a recent study published by Rodriguez et al in Gastroenterology. Background Although research has shown that an inherited...
A new report from the President’s Cancer Panel offers recommendations in five priority areas to accelerate progress toward implementing the National Cancer Plan and achieving the Biden-Harris Administration’s Cancer Moonshot goal of ending cancer as we know it. The report, delivered to President...
Researchers have found that exposure to secondhand smoke during treatment with cisplatin may reduce its effectiveness in patients with head and neck cancer, even if they don’t have a history of smoking, according to a recent study published by Sadhasivam et al in the International Journal of...
Investigators have found that U.S. individuals with a history of incarceration may have worse access to and receipt of breast cancer and colorectal cancer screenings compared with those without a history of incarceration, according to a recent study published by Zhao et al in JAMA Health Forum....
In a Dutch study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Neppelenbroek et al found that doxorubicin treatment was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer among adolescent and adult Hodgkin lymphoma survivors. Study Details The study involved a cohort of 1,964 female 5-year Hodgkin...