Ezra E.W. Cohen, MD, on Head and Neck Cancer: Avelumab and Chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Disease
ESMO Virtual Congress 2020
Ezra E.W. Cohen, MD, of the University of California, San Diego, discusses primary results of the phase III JAVELIN trial of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, in which the immune checkpoint inhibitor avelumab was combined with chemoradiotherapy followed by avelumab maintenance. Although the study results were negative, Dr. Cohen suggests other regimens that may prove to be effective (Abstract 910O).
The ASCO Post Staff
Cécile Le Pechoux, MD, of the Institut Gustave Roussy, discusses new findings from an international trial on an old controversy: What is the role of postoperative radiotherapy in locally advanced (stage III) non–small cell lung cancer? The researchers enrolled patients with completely resected disease and mediastinal N2 involvement (Abstract LBA3).
The ASCO Post Staff
Erika P. Hamilton, MD, of Sarah Cannon Research Institute, discusses results of the nextMONARCH study, which indicated that combining abemaciclib with tamoxifen improved overall survival. Dr. Hamilton also details adverse events in different arms of the study (Abstract 273O).
The ASCO Post Staff
Alexander M. Eggermont, MD, PhD, of the Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, discusses final results of the phase III EORTC 1325-MG/Keynote 054 trial, which confirmed a sustained recurrence-free survival benefit of pembrolizumab vs placebo in patients with resected high-risk stage III melanoma, as well as a decrease in the incidence of distant and locoregional recurrence (Abstract LBA46).
The ASCO Post Staff
Monika K. Krzyzanowska, MD, MPH, of the Princess Margaret University Health Network, discusses study findings on remote proactive telephone-based toxicity management for patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. Although the telehealth program was associated with fewer grade 3 toxicities and a slight decline in quality of life, it did not lead to fewer emergency department visits and hospitalizations (Abstract LBA87).
The ASCO Post Staff
Benjamin Besse, MD, PhD, of the Gustave Roussy Cancer Centre, discusses results of the phase II PRINCEPS trial, which assessed, for the first time, the effect of just one injection of the immunotherapy atezolizumab before surgery in patients with resectable non–small cell lung cancer (Abstract 1215O).