In a phase I clinical trial (SURF301) investigating the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) oral inhibitor TYRA-300 in patients with advanced bladder cancer, the drug showed early antitumor activity and produced lower rates of significant adverse events compared with pan-FGFR inhibitors....
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may help patients with rectal cancer avoid invasive surgery and its potentially lifelong side effects, according to a recent study published by Williams et al in Radiology. Background “After undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for rectal cancer, patients are...
In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that “no level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health.”1 The warning came decades after the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen, which is the highest risk group, and also includes...
Younger adults with colon cancer tend to be diagnosed at a later stage and have more aggressive types of tumors. Additionally, young patients living with colorectal cancer have long-term, adverse consequences on their lives, which are different from the impact the disease has on older adults,...
Updated results of a Swedish screening study (GOTEBORG-2), reported in The New England Journal of Medicine by Hugosson et al, indicate that omitting biopsy among individuals with negative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results eliminated a high proportion of diagnoses of clinically insignificant...
Researchers have identified genetic risk factors that may contribute to prostate cancer in a diverse group of African men, according to a recent study published by Janivara et al in Nature Genetics. The findings could uncover new treatment options in this patient population. Background Certain...
A recent study found that measuring circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is a reliable way to predict later treatment response and survival prospects in men when metastatic prostate cancer is first diagnosed. The test may help providers to decide which patients should receive standard treatment vs who...
Spiritual beliefs and a historically based distrust of clinical research may influence Black patients’ decisions about whether to participate in cancer trials, according to new findings presented by Gomez et al at the 2024 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting (Abstract...
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently released Breast Cancer Statistics, 2024, the organization’s biennial update on breast cancer occurrence and trends in the United States. The new report finds breast cancer mortality rates overall have dropped by 44% since 1989, averting approximately...
Deintensified treatment involving a lower radiation dose and immunotherapy in place of chemotherapy may not perform as well as a more rigorous chemoradiation treatment approach in patients with early-stage human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer, according to new findings...
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has always prided itself on its commitment to evidence-based, expert consensus–driven recommendations for cancer care, with a special focus on breaking down the barriers that contribute to disparities in outcomes across all patients with cancer. With ...
West African genetic ancestry may be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer among men residing in disadvantaged neighborhoods but not among those residing in more affluent neighborhoods, according to a recent study published by Pichardo et al in JAMA Network Open. The findings...
A preliminary report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) revealed that, in 2020, 5.5 million men worldwide died from cancer, leading to 1.41 million new paternal orphans. The average age of the children at paternal death was 12 years old. The study by Guida et al is being...
In a study reported in JAMA Network Open, Paragomi et al found that higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with increased risk of incident colorectal cancer and colorectal cancer–related mortality in Asian countries. Study Details The study included data pooled from 17 prospective cohorts...
Investigators have uncovered misconceptions and gaps in awareness regarding prostate cancer and screening guidelines in light of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September, according to a recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll. Background In 2024, an estimated 299,010 men will be diagnosed...
In a Canadian study reported in JAMA Network Open, Hamilton et al found that use of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) prior to the diagnosis of prostate cancer was not associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer–specific or overall mortality. Study Details The study involved data from...
Olaparib may be effective in treating men with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer without accompanying hormone therapy, according to a novel study published by Marshall et al in JAMA Oncology. Background Although most men with localized prostate cancer can be cured with surgery or primary...
At the 2024 Debates and Didactics in Hematology and Oncology Conference, sponsored by Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute, cardiologist-by-training Anant Mandawat, MD, FACC, briefly reviewed how the emerging field of cardio-oncology is blazing a path toward “bigger and bolder cancer care” and offered...
A subgroup analysis of data from the LIBRETTO-431 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04194944) showed that the selective RET inhibitor selpercatinib safely improved progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy plus pembrolizumab in East Asian patients diagnosed with RET fusion–positive...
It was a hot and humid Tuesday in July, and I distinctly remember being grateful for the air conditioning in the pastel-shaded waiting room of the oncology outpatient clinic. My father sat silently beside me. We knew this room well, as we did the doctor we had arrived to see. He had been my...
Investigators have found that adults with learning disabilities may be more likely to die from cancer compared with those in the general population, according to a recent study published by Ward et al in BMJ Open. Background Many cancers are considered either preventable or treatable. However,...
Investigators have uncovered disparities in the projected rates of future cancer incidence and mortality among men based on age and country’s socioeconomic status, according to a recent study published by Bizuayehu et al in Cancer. Background Prior research has shown that men may face higher rates...
In a study reported in JAMA Oncology, Sikavi et al found that regular aspirin use was associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer overall and among individuals with less healthy vs more healthy lifestyles. Study Details The prospective cohort study focused on data from 107,655 participants...
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, accounting for the highest mortality rates among both men and women. Most lung cancers—between 80% and 85%—are non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and between 1% and 2% of patients are diagnosed with RET-altered NSCLC. The results...
Based on the results of a retrospective cohort study published by Demissei et al in JACC: CardioOncology, Black patients with prostate cancer who received systemic androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) seemed to have a significantly greater likelihood of experiencing adverse cardiovascular disease...
DNA/RNA material contained in circulating extracellular vesicles secreted into the blood stream by tumor cells may capture cancer genomics and transcriptomic evolution in patients with metastatic prostate cancer, according to a recent study published by Casanova et al in Cancer Cell. Background...
Researchers have introduced the first screening and treatment recommendations to prevent anal cancer in patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), according to new guidelines based on the results of a 2022 study published by Palefsky et al in The New England Journal of Medicine....
Those living in disadvantaged neighborhoods have significantly higher activity of stress-related genes, new research suggests, which in turn may contribute to higher rates of aggressive prostate cancer in African American men. These findings were published by Boyle et al in JAMA Network Open....
Research has consistently shown that Native American and Alaska Native individuals are among the most underserved minority populations in the United States and are disproportionately affected by cancer. The results from a 50-year report by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium’s Alaska Native...
Gender-affirming testosterone therapy may have a potential protective benefit in transmasculine patients at risk of breast cancer, according to a recent study published by Heng et al in Breast Cancer Research. Background To treat their gender dysphoria, some transmasculine patients undergo...
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening aims to identify patients who may harbor potentially lethal prostate cancer, and those with high PSA results often require more extensive—and expensive—diagnostic testing to establish a diagnosis. New research reveals that the out-of-pocket costs for such...
A recent study led by researchers at the American Cancer Society has found that 4 in 10 cancer cases and about half of all cancer deaths in adults aged 30 and older in the United States (or 713,340 cancer cases and 262,120 cancer deaths in 2019) may be attributed to modifiable risk factors,...
In a study reported in JAMA Network Open, Plym et al found that men at a higher genetic risk for prostate cancer were more likely to experience early death from prostate cancer compared to men with a lower genetic risk for the disease. Study Details The cohort study used a combined analysis of...
For patients with cancer and cancer survivors, sexual dysfunction and reproductive health concerns are often the elephant in the exam room—a significant quality-of-life issue that both patients and clinicians struggle to discuss openly and effectively. At the recent NCCN Policy Summit on Sexual and ...
Patients with mantle cell lymphoma may be susceptible to certain diseases and may benefit from evaluation for the risk of infection, according to a recent study published by Abalo in HemaSphere. Background “Patients [with mantle cell lymphoma] live with an increased risk of infections for many...
The hypoglycemic agent metformin failed to slow disease progression in men with low-risk localized prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance, according to the results of the randomized, controlled MAST trial reported at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting.1 In addition, the use of metformin was...
Transgender women receiving hormone therapy may skew artificially low on prostate cancer screening tests, thereby providing false reassurance and potentially delaying diagnosis and treatment, according to a recent study published by Nik-Ahd et al in JAMA. The findings indicated that transgender...
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Javier Cortés, MD, PhD, and colleagues, the phase III AMEERA-5 trial of first-line treatment with the selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) amcenestrant plus palbociclib vs letrozole plus palbociclib in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive,...
Early palliative care can be integrated into the course of treatment for patients with advanced lung cancer via delivery by telehealth with outcomes similar to when palliative care is delivered via in-person visits, according to results of the REACH PC trial presented by Joseph Greer, PhD, of...
As reported in The New England Journal of Medicine by Dennis Slamon, MD, PhD, of the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, and colleagues, interim analysis of the phase III NATALEE trial has shown improved invasive disease–free survival with the addition of...
Several years ago, a visit to the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, so fascinated and inspired Mace L. Rothenberg, MD, FASCO, about the history of flight, he wondered why there was not a similar museum showcasing the past and present achievements in science and medicine. The result...
Exposure to increased neighborhood violence may change the glucocorticoid receptor for the stress hormone cortisol and influence the aggressiveness of lung cancer, according to new findings presented by Heath et al at the Endocrine Society’s Annual Meeting & Exposition 2024. Study Methods and...
Neoadjuvant immunotherapy given for stage III melanoma—followed by adjuvant therapy only if there is not a deep response to treatment—may produce better outcomes for patients than the current standard of care, which is adjuvant immunotherapy alone. These results from the NADINA trial were presented ...
For patients with locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma that can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy administered before and after surgery improved survival compared to chemoradiotherapy before surgery. The research was presented by Hoeppner et al at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting (Abstract...
According to results from the phase III DREAMM-8 trial, adding belantamab mafodotin-blmf to pomalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma was more effective at slowing disease progression or death compared to the current standard-of-care triplet,...
Anthony M. Joshua, MBBS, PhD, of Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, discusses results from the MAST study, which explored the question of whether metformin could reduce disease progression in men with low-risk prostate cancer who are undergoing active surveillance (LBA5002).
Although advancements in the treatment of classical Hodgkin lymphoma have increased the 5-year relative survival rate of patients with the disease to nearly 90%, dose-intensified treatment strategies may increase the risk for acute and long-term toxicities. The German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG)...
Researchers have uncovered differences in the genomic makeup of metastatic prostate cancer cells among U.S. veterans that may be associated with race and ethnicity. These findings will be presented by Valle et al at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting (Abstract 5017). The research could translate into...
In a study reported in The Lancet Oncology, Lüchtenborg et al found that the incidence of cancer increased in the prison population in England between 1998 and 2017; those with cancer were less likely to receive curative treatment and had poorer overall survival vs patients with cancer in the...
The profound progress in cancer care since President Richard Nixon signed the National Cancer Act of 1971 into law is evidenced by the soaring number of cancer survivors since the law went into effect. In the 1970s, there were 3 million cancer survivors1; today, there are more than 18 million, and...