The ASCO Post

Bemarituzumab Plus Chemotherapy Improves Outcomes in Advanced Gastric/Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer

According to results of the randomized phase II FIGHT trial, targeting fibroblast growth factor receptor 2b (FGFR2b) with bemarituzumab plus chemotherapy led to clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvements in progression-free survival, overall survival, and response rates in previously untreated patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer. These findings were presented by Zev Wainberg, MD, and colleagues at the 2021 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.

Anti–PD-1 Therapy Dostarlimab for dMMR Gastrointestinal Cancers: Safety and Efficacy Examined

Dostarlimab, a monoclonal antibody targeting PD-1, showed strong and durable antitumor activity in patients with mismatch repair–deficient (dMMR) gastrointestinal tumors in the phase I GARNET study, reported Thierry André, MD, and colleagues at the 2021 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.

Addition of Sitagliptin to Tacrolimus/Sirolimus Prophylaxis for Acute Graft-vs-Host Disease

In a phase II trial reported in The New England Journal of Medicine, Farag et al found that the addition of the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor sitagliptin to tacrolimus and sirolimus prophylaxis resulted in a low rate of acute graft-vs-host disease among patients with hematologic malignancies or myelodysplastic disorders undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Electronic Patient Self-Reporting of Adverse Events During Cancer Chemotherapy: eRAPID System

In a single-institution phase III trial reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Absolom et al found that use of the electronic patient self-reporting of adverse events: patient information and advice (eRAPID) system was associated with improvements in patient-reported outcomes vs usual care in patients initiating cancer chemotherapy.

Belantamab Mafodotin-bmlf in Multiple Myeloma: Number of Prior Treatments No Hindrance to Efficacy

A post hoc analysis of the phase II DREAMM-2 trial showed single-agent belantamab mafodotin-bmlf to be efficacious and tolerable in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma treated with at least three prior therapies, investigators reported at the 2020 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting & Exposition.

Does Cabozantinib Reduce Tumor Volume and Pain in Patients With NF1?

Results of a phase II trial showed that cabozantinib, a multiple tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitor, reduces tumor volume and pain in patients with the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). These findings were published by Fisher et al in Nature Medicine.

Performing Mammograms for Targeted Populations While Patients Are Hospitalized

Completing cancer screening tests such as mammograms can be challenging for low-income patients who may face such challenges as lack of transportation or inability to take time off work. A team at Massachusetts General Hospital explored the possibility of addressing preventive care needs when patients are admitted to the hospital. The pilot study, published by Andrew S. Hwang, MD, MPH, and colleagues in Annals of Family Medicine, examined the feasibility of performing mammograms for women insured by Medicaid or both Medicaid and Medicare (dual-eligible patients) while they were hospitalized.