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Showing 15101 - 15150Boswellia
The ASCO Post’s Integrative Oncology series is intended to facilitate the availability of evidence-based information on integrative and complementary therapies commonly used by patients with cancer. We chose Boswellia for this issue because of its increasing use by patients with cancer....
Blue Ribbon Panel to Help Guide National Cancer Moonshot Initiative
On April 4, 2016, The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), announced a Blue Ribbon Panel of scientific experts, cancer leaders, and patient advocates that will inform the scientific direction and goals at NCI of Vice President Joe Biden’s National Cancer ...
Updates on Elotuzumab in Multiple Myeloma Show Persistence of Benefit
Studies presented at the 2015 ASH Annual Meeting bolstered support for elotuzumab (Empliciti) given in combination with lenalidomide (Revlimid) for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Elotuzumab is an immunostimulatory monoclonal antibody. It has a dual mechanism of action, directly activating...
Expert Point of View: Thierry Facon, MD
Thierry Facon, MD, of Lille University Hospital in France, spoke to The ASCO Post about the preliminary results of the pembrolizumab studies. Dr. Facon cautioned that a response rate of 76% overall “is not so impressive,” given about 65% of patients respond to lenalidomide/dexamethasone alone....
Pembrolizumab Looks Promising in Multiple Myeloma
Monoclonal antibodies targeting the programmed cell death protein (PD-1) receptor look promising in multiple myeloma, according to early reports presented at the 2015 ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition. Early signs of activity in heavily pretreated patients may indicate that, as in solid tumors,...
Active Surveillance Has Become Standard Care for Men With Low-Risk Localized Prostate Cancer
Active surveillance has been increasingly adopted as a standard approach for men with Gleason score ≤ 6 localized prostate cancer, with major guidelines and consensus statements encouraging this approach,1 including a recently published guideline from Cancer Care Ontario (CCO),2 and endorsement of...
ASCO Endorses Cancer Care Ontario Guideline on Active Surveillance for Management of Localized Prostate Cancer
As reported by Ronald C. Chen, MD, MPH, of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and colleagues in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, ASCO has endorsed, with qualifications, the 2015 Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) guideline on active surveillance for management of localized prostate cancer....
Steven J. Cohen, MD, Fox Chase GI Medical Oncology Chief, Elected as NCI Task Force Vice Chair
Steven J. Cohen, MD, Chief of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center, has been elected by his peers to serve as Vice Chair of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Pancreas Task Force of the Gastrointestinal Steering Committee (GISC). “I am honored to be elected to serve as the ...
CDX2 in Stage II Colon Cancer: Ready for Prime Time?
In a recent issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, Dalerba et al published an impressive article describing a novel bioinformatics approach to identifying new prognostic and predictive biomarkers in patients with stage II and III colon cancer (see summary in this issue of The ASCO Post).1...
City of Hope Awarded NCI Research Grant for Potential Acute Myeloid Leukemia Drug
A City of Hope research team led by Steven T. Rosen, MD, City of Hope’s Provost and Chief Scientific Officer, has been awarded a $2.3 million Research Project Grant (R01) from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to fund studies associated with a phase I/II clinical trial in relapsed/refractory...
Transcription Factor CDX2 May Be a Prognostic Biomarker in Stage II and III Colon Cancer
In a study reported in The New England Journal of Medicine, Piero Dalerba, MD, of Columbia University, and colleagues found that absence of the transcription factor CDX2 was prognostic for poor outcome in patients with stage II and III colon cancer vs cancers with CDX2 expression.1 However,...
Neoadjuvant Endocrine Therapy Vastly Underutilized by U.S. Clinicians
Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy in the management of breast cancer is woefully underutilized by U.S. clinicians, according to advocates of this approach who made their case at the 2016 Miami Breast Cancer Conference.1 In postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor–rich tumors, neoadjuvant endocrine...
Expert Point of View: Patrick Borgen, MD
Patrick Borgen, MD, Chair of the Department of Surgery at Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, called these findings important and clinically relevant. “This study was an enormous undertaking, to review the detailed clinical records on 3,000 consecutive patients. It’s an amazing and...
In Ductal Carcinoma in Situ, Benefit of Wider Margins Tied to Radiation Use
The relationship between margin width and risk of recurrence after breast-conserving surgery for ductal carcinoma in situ depends on the use of radiation, according to a surgical oncologist who sought to determine the optimal margin width in these patients.1 “Positive margins are associated with an ...
Expert Point of View: Douglas A. Levine, MD
In the discussion session, Douglas A. Levine, MD, Head of Gynecology Research Laboratory at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, said that while advanced genomics can help to predict outcomes, stratify treatment, and understand biology, one of the problems of precision medicine is that...
Liquid Biopsies Predict Treatment Response and Survival in Gynecologic Cancers
A new study has demonstrated for the first time that personalized circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) biomarkers in gynecologic cancers can detect the presence of residual tumor earlier than currently used serum and imaging studies.1,2 According to the data, undetectable levels of ctDNA at the completion ...
Expert Point of View: Kian Behbakht, MD
Kian Behbakht, MD, Professor of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, said that the study underscored the surgical importance of getting to no visible residual disease in ovarian cancer. “Based on today’s data,” said Dr. Behbakht, “it seems as though it’s...
AACR 2016: Comparison of Three Different PD-L1 NSCLC Diagnostic Tests Shows a High Degree of Concordance
Three commercially available diagnostic tests were similarly effective in measuring programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) protein expression on non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumor samples, indicating that health-care providers may someday be able to use these tests interchangeably when...
AACR 2016: Certain Oral Bacteria May Be Associated With Increased Pancreatic Cancer Risk
The presence of two species of bacteria linked to periodontal disease in the mouths of healthy individuals was associated with an increased risk of subsequently developing pancreatic cancer, according to research presented by Fan et al at the 2016 AACR Annual Meeting (Abstract 4350). ...
ASCO Statement on Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for Cancer Prevention
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Bailey et al, ASCO has released a statement on increasing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to prevent HPV-related cancers in the United States. In the United States, HPV is estimated to cause approximately 99.7% of cervical cancers, 60% of...
Dabrafenib Active in BRAF-Mutant Metastatic NSCLC
Planchard et al found that the BRAF kinase inhibitor dabrafenib (Tafinlar) produced responses in previously treated and untreated patients with BRAF-mutant metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to a phase II trial reported in The Lancet Oncology. Activating BRAF V600E...
Study Supports Initial Attempt at Debulking Surgery in Stage IIIC Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, and Peritoneal Carcinoma
In a study exploring the effect of primary debulking surgery in women with bulky stage IIIC ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancers, cytoreduction to no gross residual disease was associated with the best survival outcomes.1 Cytoreduction to 1 to 10 mm of residual disease was also...
Expert Point of View: Kristin Zorn, MD
Kristin Zorn, MD, Associate Professor and Director of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, said that the study’s data confirm the importance of other homologous recombination genes in these defects, not just BRCA1 and BRCA2. “I think this really...
Genetic Testing in Women With Ovarian Cancer Helps to Determine Prognosis
A new study suggests that homologous recombination deficiency may have significant prognostic implications for patients with ovarian cancer, highlighting the importance of genetic testing in this population.1 According to the data, patients with ovarian cancer who have mutations in genes affecting...
Physicians as Champions for Quality Improvement
Interest in quality measurement and improvement was once primarily a concern of regulators, insurers, and consumer advocates. Today, quality improvement is front and center in health care—a continuous mission requiring the efforts of everyone on the health-care team. At the recent ASCO Quality Care ...
Benefits and Risks of Transplantation: The Changing Therapeutic Paradigm for Multiple Myeloma
Although high-dose chemotherapy plus autologous transplantation has been a standard of care in the treatment of younger patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, the advent of effective novel agents for the cancer over the past 15 years has raised the question of whether transplantation, with ...
Novel Strategies Emerging for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Compelling hypotheses are emerging about the mechanisms driving triple-negative breast cancer, and they are driving drug development in this area, according to Joyce O’Shaughnessy, MD, Celebrating Women Chair of Breast Cancer Research at Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center. She is also Medical...
AACR 2016: Palbociclib Shows Antiproliferative Activity in Early-Stage Breast Cancer
The molecularly targeted therapeutic palbociclib (Ibrance) was effective in slowing the multiplication of cancer cells in patients diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer who received no prior therapy, according to data from a phase II clinical trial presented by Arnedos et al at the 2016 AACR...
AACR 2016: 5-Year Survival Rates for Patients With Metastatic Melanoma Treated With Nivolumab Much Higher Than Historical Rates
More than a third of metastatic melanoma patients (34%) who received the anti–programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) immunotherapeutic nivolumab (Opdivo) in a phase I clinical trial are still alive 5 years after starting treatment, according to research presented by Hodi et al at the 2016...
AACR 2016: Report Identifies Considerations for Alternative Payment Models for Cancer Care
A roundtable convened by the Turning the Tide Against Cancer initiative, composed of a multidisciplinary group of stakeholders, put forth five policy considerations that are critical to ensuring the delivery of high-quality oncology care while supporting innovation. The report was published by...
French Study Suggests No Apparent Benefit of Bevacizumab in Nonmetastatic HER2-Negative Inflammatory Breast Cancer
In a French single-arm phase II study reported in The Lancet Oncology, Bertucci et al found little evidence of benefit from the addition of bevacizumab (Avastin) to neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies in women with nonmetastatic HER2-negative inflammatory breast cancer. Study Details In the study, ...
AACR 2016: LOXO-101 Shows Continued Promise in Patients Whose Tumors Had NTRK Gene Fusions
The investigational drug LOXO-101, which selectively targets a family of proteins called neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptors (NTRKs), produced significant tumor regression in patients whose tumors had NTRK gene fusions, according to data from a phase I clinical trial presented by Hong et al at...
AACR 2016: RAF-Targeted Therapeutic BGB-283 Shows Early Promise Against Tumors With BRAF and RAS Mutations
The new investigational anticancer therapeutic BGB-283, which targets the RAF family of proteins, was safe, tolerable, and showed signs of clinical activity in patients who had a range of types of cancer with mutations in BRAF, KRAS, and NRAS, according to results from a phase I clinical trial...
ELCC 2016: Studies Confirm Benefit of Plasma Genotyping to Predict Treatment Benefit in Patients With Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
The benefit of plasma genotyping to predict treatment benefit in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was confirmed in three studies presented April 15 at the European Lung Cancer Conference (ELCC) 2016 in Geneva. However, researchers warned that plasma tests are unlikely to fully ...
ELCC 2016: Patients With EGFR-Expressing Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Benefit Most From Necitumumab Added to Chemotherapy
Patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-expressing advanced squamous non–small cell lung cancer benefit most from necitumumab (Portrazza) added to gemcitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy, according to a subgroup analysis from the SQUIRE trial presented by Paz-Ares et al (Abstract ...
ASBS 2016: Fertility Counseling in Women of Childbearing Age After Breast Cancer
Despite recent advances in assisted reproductive technology for women with breast cancer, documented fertility counseling at diagnosis remains low, while 89% of those made aware of their options sought specialized consultation for reproductive preservation. Almost 50% of these women chose one of...
Higher EZH2 and Ki67 Expression May Be Associated With Aggressive Basal Cell Carcinoma
In a study reported in a research letter in JAMA Oncology, Rao et al found that high expression of EZH2 and Ki67 was associated with more-aggressive basal cell carcinoma.EZH2 is a histone methyltransferase of the polycomb repressive complex 2. EZH2 overexpression or gain of function mutations has...
Nomograms for Predicting Survival and Distant Metastasis After Resection of Localized Soft-Tissue Sarcoma of the Extremities
As reported in The Lancet Oncology, Callegaro et al have developed nomograms to predict overall survival and risk of distant metastases in patients undergoing resection of soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremities. Study Details The study involved data from a development cohort of 1,452 consecutive ...
ELCC 2016: Osimertinib Given as First-Line Treatment May Alter Biology of EGFR-Mutated Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
The third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor osimertinib (Tagrisso) is effective in the first-line treatment of EGFR-mutated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to a late-breaking abstract presented by Ramalingam et al (Abstract...
ELCC 2016: Immunotherapy With Live Bacterium Improves Response Rate in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Immunotherapy with a live bacterium combined with chemotherapy demonstrated more than 90% disease control and a 59% response rate in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, according to the results of a phase Ib trial presented by Jahan et al April 14 (Abstract 208O_PR) at the European Lung...
FDA Accepts Supplemental Biologics License Application for Nivolumab in Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma, Grants Priority Review
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA), which seeks to expand the use of nivolumab (Opdivo) to patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma after prior therapies. The application...
The Parker Foundation Launches the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy With a $250 Million Grant
On April 13, The Parker Foundation announced a $250 million grant to launch the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, a collaboration between scientists, clinicians, and industry partners to lead an unprecedented cancer immunotherapy research effort. The gift is the largest single contribution ...
ILC 2016: High Rate of Cancer Recurrence Found in Patients With Hepatitis C Taking Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatments
Data from a new study show that patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) taking direct-acting antiviral treatments who have previously been diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma had a high rate of redeveloping their illness. The large retrospective cohort study (Abstract LBP506), presented by...
Use of 21-Gene Recurrence Score Assay in Early-Stage Breast Cancer
The 21-gene recurrence score (RS) assay score was strongly associated with recommendation for adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with early-stage breast cancer, reported Jasem et al in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Black women and patients treated in community facilities were more likely to...
FDA Accepts Supplemental Biologics License Application for Pembrolizumab in Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer, Grants Priority Review
Merck today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for pembrolizumab (Keytruda), a monoclonal antibody and anti–programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) therapy, for the treatment of...
More Guidelines, Uniformity in Radiation Therapy Needed Following Chemotherapy, Surgery in Breast Cancer
Wide variability exists in radiation treatment decisions following neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery for breast cancer, according to a review of the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z1071 trial. These findings were published by Haffty et al in the International Journal of...
Preclinical Studies Show Many Androgen-Deprivation Therapies May Suppress Adaptive Immune Responses
Prostate cancer patients and their doctors may want to think twice about the best timing for chemotherapy or radiation therapy in conjunction with a common nonsurgical treatment, based on international research findings led by UT Southwestern Medical Center investigators. Researchers using mouse...
ASCO Urges Aggressive Efforts to Increase HPV Vaccination and Prevent Cancer
Use of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines should be rapidly expanded to protect thousands of young people in the United States—and millions worldwide—from life-threatening cancers, ASCO said April 11 in a policy statement. Published by Bailey et al in the Journal of Clinical Oncology,...
Increased Rate of Nonoperative Management of Rectal Adenocarcinoma
A National Cancer Database analysis reported by Ellis et al in the Journal of Clinical Oncology indicates a doubling in the use of chemoradiation only in patients with nonmetastatic rectal cancer over recent years. However, current evidence is insufficient to support such nonoperative management....
Shorter Delays Between Diagnosis, Surgery, and Chemotherapy Initiation May Improve Survival in Breast Cancer
The survival benefits of reducing the time to surgery following a diagnosis of breast cancer, and time to initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy following surgery were outlined in two articles and an accompanying editorial in JAMA Oncology. Analyzing two independent population-based studies with a...
