The ASCO Post

FDA Approves Crizotinib for Children and Young Adults With Relapsed or Refractory Systemic ALK-Positive ALCL

On January 14, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved crizotinib (Xalkori) for pediatric patients aged 1 year and older and young adults with relapsed or refractory systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) that is ALK-positive. The safety and efficacy of crizotinib have not been established in older adults with relapsed or refractory systemic ALK-positive ALCL.

Italian Study of Electronic Medical Record–Assisted Telephone Follow-up of Breast Cancer Survivors During the COVID-19 Pandemic

In an Italian single-institution study reported in JCO Oncology Practice, Merz et al evaluated the use of electronic medical record–assisted telephone follow-up of breast cancer survivors to minimize hospital exposure over a 3-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategy was viewed as satisfactory by the majority of patients, although less than half reported that they would like to use such follow-up in the future.

Variation in Active Surveillance for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer in the United States

In a cohort study reported in JAMA Network Open, Washington et al found that the use of active surveillance or watchful waiting for patients with low-risk prostate cancer in the United States varied by region, but not according to factors such as Black race or county-level socioeconomic status.

COVID-19 and Integrative Oncology: Meeting the Global Challenges of Health Equity

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Society for Integrative Oncology held its 2020 international conference in a virtual format. It focused on key issues of health disparities in integrative cancer care, innovative integrative oncology service delivery models, and globalization of integrative oncology research and practice.

Study Finds Artificial Intelligence May Help to Identify New Risk Factors for Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer

Electronic health record–based artificial intelligence may help uncover new risk factors in the development of early-onset colorectal cancer, according to study findings presented by Parker et al at the AACR Virtual Special Conference: Artificial Intelligence, Diagnosis, and Imaging. Disorders that cause chronic immunosuppression or inflammation—such as human immunodeficiency virus, obesity, asthma, sinusitis, and dermatitis—were identified as new risk factors for young-onset colorectal cancer by machine-learning models.

FDA Pipeline: Two Fast Track Designations for Cavrotolimod in Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted two Fast Track designations to cavrotolimod (AST-008). The designations include cavrotolimod in combination with anti–PD-1 therapy for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma refractory to prior anti–PD-1 blockade, and cavrotolimod in combination with anti–PD-1/anti–PD-L1 therapy for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma refractory to prior anti–PD1/PD-L1 blockade.

Interference of Clonal Hematopoiesis in DNA Repair Genes With Prostate Cancer Plasma Cell-Free DNA Testing

In a study reported in JAMA Oncology, Jensen et al found that clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential involving DNA repair genes can interfere with prostate cancer plasma cell-free DNA testing used to determine eligibility for PARP inhibitor treatment and produce false-positive results in a sizable proportion of patients.

Does Following a Mediterranean Diet Reduce the Risk of Disease Progression in Men on Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer?

In a study examining the effect of a Mediterranean diet in relation to prostate cancer progression in men on active surveillance, researchers found that men with localized prostate cancer who reported a baseline dietary pattern that more closely follows the key principles of a Mediterranean-style diet fared better over the course of their disease than men whose diet did not follow these principles. These findings were published by Gregg et al in the journal Cancer.

Radiation Facility Volume and Overall Survival in Patients With Node-Positive Prostate Cancer Treated With External-Beam Radiation Therapy and Androgen-Deprivation Therapy

In a National Cancer Database analysis reported in JAMA Network Open, Patel et al found that treatment at facilities with high vs low radiation case volumes was associated with improved overall survival in men with node-positive prostate cancer receiving curative-intent external-beam radiation therapy and androgen-deprivation therapy.

Multiancestry Meta-analysis of Prostate Cancer Genetics

A research team has published findings from a study that brought together data from genomic prostate cancer studies. Including more than 200,000 men of European, African, Asian, and Hispanic ancestry from around the world, the study is reportedly the largest, most diverse genetic analysis ever conducted for prostate cancer. The findings were published by Conti et al in Nature Genetics.