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Showing 501 - 550I’ve Turned My Pain Into a New Life Purpose
The first half of 2016 was arguably the most exciting of my life. My wife, Jaione, and I had decided to leave the United Kingdom and move with our two children, Andrew, then 14, and Alba, then 10, to Denver, where I was taking on a leadership role in corporate affairs for a brewery company. By the...
Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: 2020
Cervical cancer is a worldwide public health problem. The incidence of the disease is particularly high in low- and middle-income countries, where low coverage of prevention strategies and high risk of infection persist. To reduce morbidity and mortality, improved screening and prevention are...
Belantamab Mafodotin-blmf for Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma
On August 5, 2020, the antibody-drug conjugate belantamab mafodotin-blmf was granted accelerated approval for treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior therapies, including an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, a proteasome inhibitor, ...
Atezolizumab Plus Cobimetinib/Vemurafenib in BRAF V600–Positive Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma
On July 30, 2020, atezolizumab was granted approval for use in combination with cobimetinib and vemurafenib for patients with BRAF V600 mutation–positive unresectable or metastatic melanoma.1,2 Supporting Efficacy Data Approval was based on findings from the phase III, double-blind IMspire150 trial ...
Avelumab in Maintenance Treatment of Urothelial Carcinoma
On June 30, 2020, avelumab was approved for maintenance treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma that has not progressed with first-line platinum-containing chemotherapy.1,2 Supporting Efficacy Data Approval was based on findings in the randomized, multicenter, ...
Leaders in Radiation Oncology Awarded ASTRO Fellow Designation
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has selected 19 distinguished members to receive the ASTRO Fellow (FASTRO) designation. The 2020 class of Fellows will be recognized at a virtual awards ceremony on October 27 during ASTRO’s 62nd Annual Meeting. The ASTRO Fellows program...
Mobilizing to Meet Challenges and Improve Survival for COVID-19–Positive Patients and Health-Care Professionals
Recognizing the COVID-19 crisis “as an opportunity to mobilize the organization to rise in the most difficult challenges” allowed The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, to keep mortality rates low for COVID-19–positive patients with cancer and its employees. So said Peter WT...
At Last: Targeting KRAS-Mutated Tumors ‘Is Now a Reality’
KRAS G12C inhibitors—which at this point include AMG 510 (now labeled sotorasib) and MRTX849—are proving to be active in KRAS G12C–mutated tumors, especially non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). KRAS G12C is a newly “druggable” target, joining what is still a limited list of some 3,000 potential...
How Delays in Screening and Early Cancer Diagnosis Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic May Result in Increased Cancer Mortality
Earlier this year, as the COVID-19 pandemic was spreading across the United States, federal health officials and cancer societies urged Americans to delay routine cancer screenings and other elective procedures to keep them out of clinics to avoid potential exposure to the coronavirus and to...
FDA Pipeline: Priority Reviews in Multiple Myeloma, Metastatic Breast Cancer, and NSCLC
Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Priority Review to agents for the treatment of refractory multiple myeloma, metastatic breast cancer, and metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); gave Fast Track designation to treatments for NTRK mutation–positive solid tumors...
Acupuncture vs Sham Procedure and Usual Care for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a debilitating and enduring adverse effect of many antineoplastic agents, which negatively impacts the quality of life of patients with cancer and survivors. Current pharmacotherapy has limited efficacy and causes undesirable effects. In this...
Ashwagandha
The ASCO Post’s Integrative Oncology series is intended to facilitate the availability of evidence-based information on integrative and complementary therapies sometimes used by patients with cancer. In this installment, Gary Deng, MD, PhD, and Jyothirmai Gubili, MS, present updated information on ...
Managing Cancer in Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is an additional competing risk to factor in when making decisions about anticancer treatment for older adults. It poses a potential barrier to equal and evidence-based management of cancer in this group of patients. Implementing geriatric assessments in routine clinical...
Bert W. O’Malley, Jr, MD, Named President and Chief Executive Officer of the University of Maryland Medical Center
Following an extensive national search, Bert W. O’Malley, Jr, MD, has been appointed as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), the flagship academic hospital for the University of Maryland Medical System and an anchor institution in...
Reevaluating the Delivery of Palliative Care in the Era of COVID-19
Palliative care services are so crucial to the well-being of patients with cancer that, in 2017, ASCO updated its clinical practice guideline on the integration of palliative care into standard oncology care.1 The updated guideline recommends that all patients with advanced cancer receive dedicated ...
Past CMS and FDA Head Discusses Challenges in U.S. Health-Care Policy and Possible Solutions
As evidenced at this year’s ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program, oncology science, technology, and clinical practice are evolving at a rapid pace, bringing new challenges to the efficient and ethical practice of cancer care at all levels. To shed light on some of the large-scale public health and...
Study Finds Treatment Delays for Patients With Breast Cancer Early in the COVID-19 Pandemic
The results of an online questionnaire of 609 breast cancer survivors in the United States suggest that nearly half of patients experienced delays in care during the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was published by Papautsky et al in the journal Breast Cancer Research and ...
Activity of Olaparib and Durvalumab in Germline BRCA-Mutated Metastatic Breast Cancer
As reported in The Lancet Oncology by Susan M. Domchek, MD, and colleagues, the combination of olaparib and durvalumab showed activity in a cohort of patients with germline BRCA-mutated, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer enrolled in a phase I/II basket study (MEDIOLA). Study Details In the...
Novel Indications and New Drugs for the Treament of Patients With Renal Cell Carcinoma
Pembrolizumab Plus Axitinib: On April 19, 2019, pembrolizumab (Keytruda) was approved for use in combination with the small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor axitinib (Inlyta) for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. Approval was based on findings in the phase...
Addition of Locoregional Radiotherapy to Chemotherapy for Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
In a Chinese phase III trial reported in JAMA Oncology, You et al found that the addition of locoregional radiotherapy to chemotherapy improved overall survival in patients with chemotherapy-sensitive metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Study Details The open-label trial included 126 previously...
Pembrolizumab for Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
On June 24, 2020, pembrolizumab was approved for treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma that is not curable by surgery or radiation.1,2 Supporting Efficacy Data Approval was based on findings in the multicenter, multicohort, open-label KEYNOTE-629 trial ...
Pembrolizumab for First-Line Treatment of Unresectable or Metastatic MSI-H or dMMR Colorectal Cancer
On June 29, 2020, pembrolizumab was approved for the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability–high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair–deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer.1 Supporting Efficacy Data Approval was based on findings in the randomized,...
Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin in Pediatric Patients With Newly Diagnosed CD33-Positive AML
On June 16, 2020, the indication of gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg) for newly diagnosed CD33-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was extended to include pediatric patients aged 1 month and older.1,2 Supporting Efficacy Data Approval was supported by findings from the phase III AAML0531 trial...
Fox Chase Cancer Center Welcomes New Staff Members
Fox Chase Cancer Center has announced the hiring of three new staff members who will begin their work with the cancer center this month. Brandon Bachert, MD, joins the Department of Diagnostic Imaging as Assistant Professor. He comes to Fox Chase from Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, where he...
National Comprehensive Cancer Network Celebrates Its 25th Year
It was February 1996, and the first annual meeting of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) was drawing to a close, when Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bruce R. Ross, MD, invited comments from the floor. An oncologist who had attended at the urging of a friend—somewhat reluctantly—stood ...
Improving Communication Skills for Oncology Clinicians During the COVID Pandemic
Living in the era of COVID-19 has heightened fear and anxiety among patients with cancer. On the one hand, they are at higher risk of serious COVID-related illness. On the other hand, delaying cancer-focused treatment raises concerns of disease progression. This pandemic has led to dramatic...
Expert Point of View: David Sallman, MD
David Sallman, MD, an assistant member of the Malignant Hematology Department of Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, commented on the IMerge and QUAZAR studies for The ASCO Post. As background, he noted the “predominant struggle” of patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic ...
FDA Pipeline: Designations in Kidney and Lung Cancers, Myelodysplastic Syndromes, and More
Over the past few weeks, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued designations and accepted applications for novel agents, as well as approved companion diagnostics. We summarize these regulatory movements below. Breakthrough Therapy Designation for MK-6482 in von Hippel-Lindau...
Second-Look Surgery Plus HIPEC vs Surveillance for Patients at High Risk for Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases
In a French phase III trial (PROPHYLOCHIP–PRODIGE 15) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Goéré et al found that second-look surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) did not improve disease-free survival vs standard surveillance in patients at high risk of developing colorectal...
Does Periodontal Disease Increase the Risk of Colorectal Cancer?
Periodontal disease was associated with an increased risk of two precursors of colorectal cancer, according to results of a study published by Lo et al in Cancer Prevention Research. “Periodontal disease is prevalent among adults, with periodontitis affecting more than 40% of the U.S. population,”...
Weathering the Storm: Personal Steps Toward Racial Equity in Oncology
“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and the most inhumane because it often results in physical death. I see no alternative to direct action and creative nonviolence to raise the conscience of the nation.” —Martin Luther King, Jr, speaking before the Medical...
Lurbinectedin in Previously Treated Metastatic Small Cell Lung Cancer
On June 15, 2020, the alkylating drug lurbinectedin was granted accelerated approval for treatment of adult patients with metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC) with disease progression during or after platinum-based chemotherapy.1,2 Supporting Efficacy Data Accelerated approval was based on...
Nivolumab in Previously Treated Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
On June 10, 2020, nivolumab was approved for treatment of patients with unresectable, advanced, recurrent, or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.1,2 Supporting Efficacy Data Approval was based on findings from the open-label,...
Pembrolizumab for Adult and Pediatric Patients With Tumor Mutational Burden–High Solid Tumors
In the Clinic provides overviews of novel oncology agents, addressing indications, mechanisms of action, administration recommendations, safety profiles, and other essential information needed for the appropriate clinical use of these drugs. On June 16, 2020, pembrolizumab was granted accelerated...
Expert Point of View: Alexander Drilon, MD
Discussant of the TATTON study presentation, Alexander Drilon, MD, Chief of Early Drug Development at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, finds the idea of combination therapy with a MET inhibitor and an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor attractive for the treatment of EGFR...
ASTRO to Host Virtual Annual Meeting, October 25–28, 2020
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has announced it will hold its 62nd Annual Meeting October 25–28, 2020, via an interactive virtual platform. The meeting, “Global Oncology: Radiation Therapy in a Changing World,” will feature reports from the latest clinical trials; panels on...
EAU Virtual: EUPROMS Study Investigates Effect of Prostate Cancer Treatment on Quality of Life
Findings from the first international prostate cancer quality-of-life study showed that significant numbers of men treated for the disease are struggling with continence and sexual problems after treatment. Results suggest that any treatment apart from active surveillance may negatively affect...
Elderberry
The ASCO Post’s Integrative Oncology series is intended to facilitate the availability of evidence-based information on integrative and complementary therapies sometimes used by patients with cancer. In this installment, Yen Nien Hou, PharmD, DiplOM, LAc, and Jyothirmai Gubili, MS, focus on...
Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab for Unresectable or Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma
On May 29, 2020, atezolizumab in combination with bevacizumab was approved for treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma who have not received prior systemic therapy.1-3 Supporting Efficacy Data Approval was based on findings in the international, open-label,...
Responses Achieved With Belantamab Mafodotin in Relapsed or Refractory Myeloma
The antibody-drug conjugate belantamab mafodotin yielded responses as a single agent and in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone in the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, according to two reports from the DREAMM team at the ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program.1,2 In the...
Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab in Two New Lung Cancer Indications
The combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in two different regimens: On May 15, 2020, the two-drug combination was approved for first-line treatment in...
A Visiting Resident Oncologist’s Training During the COVID-19 Pandemic
A visiting away elective is a resident’s designated time to visit another academic program to foster the growth of medical knowledge through patient care from the perspective of another health-care system and educational experience. The time dedicated to make this dream happen is grueling. First...
New NCCN Guidelines Offer Patients Help in Recognizing Side Effects From Immunotherapy
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recently announced the publication of “NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Immunotherapy Side Effects—Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.” These new guidelines are designed to educate patients and to help them recognize immune side effects so effective...
Belantamab Mafodotin Shows Activity in Relapsed or Refractory Myeloma
Treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma yielded responses with the antibody-drug conjugate belantamab mafodotin, both as a single agent and in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone. Two reports from the DREAMM team expanded on these findings at the ASCO20 Virtual Scientific...
Expert Point of View: Lecia V. Sequist, MD
Lecia V. Sequist, MD, who was not involved in the ADAURA study, said this could be a practice-changing study. Dr. Sequist is the Landry Family Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Center for Innovation in Early Cancer Detection at Massachusetts General Hospital....
Conference Highlights From the ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program
The global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic forced many cancer societies, including ASCO, to cancel their in-person meetings this year and instead present the latest advancements and new approaches in oncology care via a virtual platform. For the first time in its 56-year history, the ASCO Annual...
A Visiting Resident Oncologist’s Training During the COVID-19 Pandemic
A visiting away elective is a resident’s designated time to visit another academic program to foster the growth of medical knowledge through patient care from the perspective of another health-care system and educational experience. The time dedicated to make this dream happen is grueling. First is ...
Ursodeoxycholic Acid for Preventing Gallstones After Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer
In a Korean trial reported in JAMA Surgery, Lee et al found that treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid was successful in preventing gallstone formation in patients who had undergone gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Study Details In the multicenter double-blind trial, 465 evaluable patients undergoing...
New Information From NCCN on Overcoming Challenges for People With Head and Neck Cancer
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) has now published a third book to complete the NCCN Guidelines for Patients®: Head and Neck Cancers series. Each book contains detailed, expert guidance on what to expect and management options for various cancers that impact the mouth and throat....
COVID-19 and Patients With Cancer: A Call to Action for Trainees
As oncology trainees, we develop skills to synthesize complex data and communicate this information with empathy as we accompany our patients through the trenches of a cancer diagnosis. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented layer of challenges has surfaced, as our patients who are...
