Author: Editor

We are happy to present more videos for the GRACE ASCO 2020 Lung Cancer Patient Education, News and Updates series.Dr. Jack West has a virtual discussion with Helena A. Yu, MD, medical oncologist with Memorial Sloan Kettering specializing in Lung Cancer and Targeted Therapies for Lung Cancer, and David Spigel, MD, Chief Scientific Officer, Director, Lung Cancer Research Program and Principal Investigator with Sarah Cannon.Drs. West, Yu and Spigel discuss trial updates in lung cancer. For this video, the topic of discussion is current updates on combinations studies DREAM3R and RAMES, for potential treatments of mesothelioma.For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/.…

We are happy to present more videos for the GRACE ASCO 2020 Lung Cancer Patient Education, News and Updates series. Dr. Jack West has a virtual discussion with Helena A. Yu, MD, medical oncologist with Memorial Sloan Kettering specializing in Lung Cancer and Targeted Therapies for Lung Cancer, and David Spigel, MD, Chief Scientific Officer, Director, Lung Cancer Research Program and Principal Investigator with Sarah Cannon. Drs. West, Yu and Spigel discuss trial updates in small cell lung cancer. For this video, the topic of discussion is SCLC updates – new combinations of chemo-immunotherapy for extensive stage small cell lung…

Presented Live Online, December 5, 2020, GRACE Live Online OncTalk 2020 Connecting Lung Cancer Patients to the Experts Panel discussions featuring Immunotherapy and Combination Treatment Updates, SCLC, and Early and Locally Advanced NSCLC For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

We are happy to present more videos for the GRACE ASCO 2020 Lung Cancer Patient Education, News and Updates series. Dr. Jack West has a virtual discussion with Helena A. Yu, MD, medical oncologist with Memorial Sloan Kettering specializing in Lung Cancer and Targeted Therapies for Lung Cancer, and David Spigel, MD, Chief Scientific Officer, Director, Lung Cancer Research Program and Principal Investigator with Sarah Cannon. Drs. West, Yu and Spigel discuss trial updates in small cell lung cancer. For this video, the topic of discussion is SCLC and results from the Gronberg Study. The Gronberg study looked at lower…

Telemedicina y telesalud: cómo COVID 19 ha transformado la atención del cáncer En este video de discusión, el Dr. Narjust Duma habla con los Dres. Idalid “Ivy” Franco (Programa de Oncología Radioterápica de Harvard), Ana Velázquez Manana (Centro Integral de Cáncer Familiar Helen Diller de UCSF) y Luis Raez (Jefe de Hematología / Oncología y Director Médico – Memorial Cancer Institute). Para este video, los médicos analizan el COVID-19 y los cambios actuales en la telemedicina, y comparten recomendaciones para los pacientes con cáncer durante la pandemia. Para obtener más información, visite http://cancerGRACE.org/. Para unirse a la conversación, visite https://cancergrace.org/forum.…

¿Qué sabemos sobre los efectos del COVID-19 en latinos con cáncer? Actualizaciones y recomendaciones. En este video de discusión, el Dr. Narjust Duma habla con los Dres. Idalid “Ivy” Franco (Programa de Oncología Radioterápica de Harvard), Ana Velázquez Manana (Centro Integral de Cáncer Familiar Helen Diller de UCSF) y Luis Raez (Jefe de Hematología / Oncología y Director Médico – Memorial Cancer Institute). Los médicos discuten la epidemiología y la cantidad actual de casos de COVID-19 en Latinx en los Estados Unidos y América Latina, y Covid y el cáncer en los latinos. Para obtener más información, visite http://cancerGRACE.org/. Para…

(SPANISH) ¿Cómo ha afectado el COVID-19 el diagnóstico de cáncer y qué puede hacer usted al respecto? Es hora de recordar la importancia de la detección temprana. En este video de discusión, el Dr. Narjust Duma habla con los Dres. Idalid “Ivy” Franco (Programa de Radiación Oncológica de Harvard), Ana Velázquez Manana (UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center) y Luis Raez (Jefe de Hematología / Oncología y Director Médico – Memorial Cancer Institute) sobre cómo COVID 19 ha afectado la detección del cáncer en el comunidad latina, y la disminución en el diagnóstico de cáncer que se ha convertido…

We are happy to present more videos for the GRACE ASCO 2020 Lung Cancer Patient Education, News and Updates series. Dr. Jack West has a virtual discussion with Helena A. Yu, MD, medical oncologist with Memorial Sloan Kettering specializing in Lung Cancer and Targeted Therapies for Lung Cancer, and David Spigel, MD, Chief Scientific Officer; Director, Lung Cancer Research Program and Principal Investigator with Sarah Cannon. Drs. West, Yu and Spigel discuss trial updates in non small cell lung cancer. For this video, the topic of discussion is Checkmate 9LA – Opdivo (Nivolumab) and Yervoy (Ipilimumab) with Chemo vs. Chemo…

We are happy to present more videos for the GRACE ASCO 2020 Lung Cancer Patient Education, News and Updates series. Dr. Jack West has a virtual discussion with Helena A. Yu, MD, medical oncologist with Memorial Sloan Kettering specializing in Lung Cancer and Targeted Therapies for Lung Cancer, and David Spigel, MD, Chief Scientific Officer; Director, Lung Cancer Research Program and Principal Investigator with Sarah Cannon. Drs. West, Yu and Spigel discuss trial updates in small cell lung cancer. For this video, the topic of discussion is Checkmate 227 and the Opdivo Yervoy Combination trial update. For more, please visit…

We are happy to present the GRACE ASCO 2020 Lung Cancer Patient Education, News and Updates series. Dr. Jack West has a virtual discussion with Helena A. Yu, MD, medical oncologist with Memorial Sloan Kettering specializing in Lung Cancer and Targeted Therapies for Lung Cancer, and David Spigel, MD, Chief Scientific Officer; Director, Lung Cancer Research Program and Principal Investigator with Sarah Cannon. Drs. West, Yu and Spigel discuss trial updates in non small cell lung cancer. For this video, the topic of discussion is new potential treatments for MET and RET positive non small cell lung cancer. For more,…

Alex F. Herrera, MD of the City of Hope speaks about the ASH 2020 abstract – 472 Consolidation with Nivolumab and Brentuximab Vedotin after Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Patients with High-Risk Hodgkin Lymphoma.Introducing:Salvage therapy (tx) accompanied by autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation is the standard of treatment for patients (pts) with relapsed or refractory (RR) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) (HCT). Most pts with high-risk RR HL can, however, relapse following HCT. The AETHERA study showed that post-HCT consolidation in high-risk HL pts with brentuximab vedotin (BV) improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared with placebo, particularly in pts with 2+ risk factors (Moskowitz,…

We are happy to present the GRACE ASCO 2020 Lung Cancer Patient Education, News and Updates series. Dr. Jack West has a virtual discussion with Helena A. Yu, MD, medical oncologist with Memorial Sloan Kettering specializing in Lung Cancer and Targeted Therapies for Lung Cancer, and David Spigel, MD, Chief Scientific Officer; Director, Lung Cancer Research Program and Principal Investigator with Sarah Cannon. Drs. West, Yu and Spigel discuss trial updates in non small cell lung cancer. For this video, the topic of discussion is Enhertu and the potential for treatment of HER2 positive NSCLC. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/.…

We are happy to present the GRACE ASCO 2020 Lung Cancer Patient Education, News and Updates series. Dr. Jack West has a virtual discussion with Helena A. Yu, MD, medical oncologist with Memorial Sloan Kettering specializing in Lung Cancer and Targeted Therapies for Lung Cancer, and David Spigel, MD, Chief Scientific Officer; Director, Lung Cancer Research Program and Principal Investigator with Sarah Cannon. Drs. West, Yu and Spigel discuss trial updates in non small cell lung cancer. For this video, the topic is Trial Updates – NSCLC and the SINDAS Trial – The Addition of SBRT to a Systemic EGFR…

For this addition to the GRACE Lung Cancer Video Library, Dr. Millie Das, Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology at UCSF in San Francisco joins us to discuss immunotherapy and if it has activity in malignant pleural mesothelioma. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

We are happy to present the GRACE ASCO 2020 Lung Cancer Patient Education, News and Updates series. Dr. Jack West has a virtual discussion with Helena A. Yu, MD, medical oncologist with Memorial Sloan Kettering specializing in Lung Cancer and Targeted Therapies for Lung Cancer, and David Spigel, MD, Chief Scientific Officer; Director, Lung Cancer Research Program and Principal Investigator with Sarah Cannon. Drs. West, Yu and Spigel discuss trial updates in non small cell lung cancer. For this video, the topic is Trial Updates – Anti-TIGIT and NSCLC PDL1, and the CITYSCAPE Trial – Adding Tiragolumab (Anti-TIGIT) to an…

We are happy to present the GRACE ASCO 2020 Lung Cancer Patient Education, News and Updates series. Dr. Jack West has a virtual discussion with Helena A. Yu, MD, medical oncologist with Memorial Sloan Kettering specializing in Lung Cancer and Targeted Therapies for Lung Cancer, and David Spigel, MD, Chief Scientific Officer; Director, Lung Cancer Research Program and Principal Investigator with Sarah Cannon. Drs. West, Yu and Spigel discuss trial updates in non small cell lung cancer. For this video, the topic is the ADAURA Trial and it’s potential clinical impact; a potentially curative setting in adjuvant therapy for patients…

Elizabeth Budde, MD Ph.D. of the City of Hope discusses the ASH 2020 abstract – 1142 Preliminary Results of a Phase 1 Dose Escalation Study of the First-in-Class IgM Based Bispecific Antibody Igm-2323 (anti-CD20 x anti-CD3) in Patients with Advanced B-Cell Malignancies.Introducing:In treating B-cell malignancies, bispecific antibodies that bridge lymphoma cells to T-cells have shown promise. However, toxicity, especially cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which can restrict dose intensity and efficacy, is associated with established T cell engaging antibodies. CRS results from T cell overstimulation, which can also result in subsequent downregulation of the function of T cells. IGM-2323 is a…

For this new addition to the GRACE Lung Cancer Video Library, Dr. Charu Aggarwal joins GRACE to discuss current updates in non small cell lung cancer. In this video, Dr. Aggarwal discusses updated information on the utility of liquid biopsies. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For this new addition to the GRACE Lung Cancer Video Library, Dr. Charu Aggarwal joins GRACE to discuss current updates in non small cell lung cancer. In this video, Dr. Aggarwal discusses updated information on the current status of tumor mutational burden, or TMB. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

Mukta Arora, MD, PI and Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota speaks about the ASH 2020 abstract – 358 Phase 1 Study of Axatilimab (SNDX-6352), a CSF-1R Humanized Antibody, for Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease after 2 or More Lines of Systemic Treatment.Context:A significant cause of morbidity and late non-relapse mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation is chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) and is usually associated with prolonged immune suppression. There are few appropriate treatment options for patients (pts) with insufficient response to steroids and they reflect an unmet medical need. Severe toxicity, immunosuppression, and…

Andreas Hochhaus, MD of the Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Jena, Germany speaks about the ASH 2020 abstract – LBA-4 Efficacy and Safety Results from ASCEMBL, a Multicenter, Open-Label, Phase 3 Study of Asciminib, a First-in-Class STAMP Inhibitor, vs Bosutinib (BOS) in Patients (Pts) with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase (CML-CP) Previously Treated with ≥2 Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs). Introducing: Asciminib is a first-in-class STAMP (Specifically Targeting the ABL Myristoyl Pocket) inhibitor with a new mechanism of action, unlike all licensed TKIs binding to the ATP site of the BCR-ABL1 oncoprotein. In prospective clinical trials, BOS, an ATP-competitive TKI,…

Radhakrishnan Ramchandren, MD Investigator and Chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology from the University of Tennessee Medical Center discusses the ASH 2020 abstract – 2973 Brentuximab Vedotin with Chemotherapy for Patients with Previously Untreated, Stage III/IV Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma: 5-Year Update of the ECHELON-1 Study.IntroducingHistorically, almost all classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) relapses occur during the first 5 years (Radford et al, BMJ 1997). In phase 3 ECHELON-1 trial (NCT01712490), treatment with brentuximab vedotin, doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A+AVD) significantly improved modified progression-free survival (PFS) compared to doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) in patients (pts) with newly diagnosed Stage III/IV cHL (Connors…

Amrita Krishnan, MD, FACP of the City of Hope speaks about the ASH 2020 abstract – 180 Updated Phase 1 Results of Teclistamab, a B-Cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA) x CD3 Bispecific Antibody, in Relapsed and/or Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM).Context:MM eventually relapses and becomes refractory to therapy, indicating unmet needs in a patient (pt) population. Teclistamab (JNJ-64007957) is a BCMA x CD3 bispecific antibody which induces cytotoxicity mediated by T cells against BCMA-expressing MM cells. Results from the ongoing review of teclistamab in RRMM (NCT03145181) previously mentioned included a 67 percent objective response rate [ORR] for the intravenous 270 μg/kg dose…

Anthony S. Stein, MD of the City of Hope speaks about the ASH 2020 abstract – 192 Total Marrow and Lymphoid Irradiation (TMLI) at a Dose of 2000cGy in Combination with Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide (PTCy)-Based Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD) Prophylaxis Is Safe and Associated with Favorable GvHD-Free/Relapse-Free Survival at 1 Year in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).Context:The method that provides the highest curative rate for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) with moderate or high-risk cytogenetics is Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). Despite advances in prophylaxis and treatment, graft versus host disease (GvHD) has remained the key cause of post-transplantation mortality…

Fredrik Schjesvold, MD, Ph.D. from Oslo Myeloma Center, Oslo University Hospital and KG Jebsen Center for B Cell Malignancies, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway speaks about the ASH 2020 abstract – 1411 Isatuximab Plus Pomalidomide and Dexamethasone in Frail Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Icaria-MM Subgroup Analysis.Introducing:Multiple myeloma (MM) is a neoplastic disorder with a median age at diagnosis of 69 years that usually affects elderly patients (pts). Elderly pts are a heterogeneous group ranging from very delicate to exceptionally balanced with fitness. In many physiological processes, frailty is a condition of gradual deterioration, leading to reduced resistance to stressors,…

Constantine S. Tam, MD from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and St. Vincent’s Hospital and the University of Melbourne discusses the ASH 2020 Abstract – 2938 Ibrutinib Plus Venetoclax in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma: Results From the Safety Run-In Period of the Phase 3 Sympatico Study.Context:Ibrutinib (ibr) is an inhibitor of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) that is approved in the United States once daily for patients (pts) with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have undergone approximately 1 previous therapy. Venetoclax (ven) is approved for pts with CLL or previously untreated AML as a BCL-2 inhibitor. In early-phase trials, Ibr+ven…

Rachel Grisham, MD of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center speaks about Verastem Oncology Initiates Phase 2 Registration-Directed Trial of VS-6766 and Defactinib in Recurrent Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer.BOSTON—(BUSINESS WIRE)— Verastem Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq: VSTM) (also known as Verastem Oncology), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing new medicines for cancer-fighting patients today announced the start of Phase 2 registry-directed clinical trial of its RAF/MEK inhibitor, VS-6766, and its FAK inhibitor, defactinib, in patients with recurrent low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC).The Phase 2 (GOG3052) study is a multicenter, parallel, randomized, open-label, adaptive, two-part multicenter trial assessing the efficacy and safety of VS-6766…

Brian Van Tine, MD, Ph.D. of Washington University of School of Medicine, in St. Louis speaks about Spearhead 1 Study in Subjects With Advanced Synovial Sarcoma or Myxoid/Round Cell Liposarcoma.Sarcoma type:Synovial sarcoma, Liposarcoma, (Myxoid/Round Cell Liposarcoma specifically)Places:London and ManchesterFull Title: A phase 2 open-label single-arm clinical trial of ADP-A2M4 SPEARTM T cells in subjects with advanced synovial sarcoma or liposarcoma of myxoid/round cellsAge: 16-75 to 75Step: Phase 2 Phase: Phase 2This research aims to find out if the drug ADP-A2M4 is safe and how well it works to target cancer cells from synovial sarcoma or Myxoid/Round Cell Liposarcoma.

For this new addition to the GRACE Lung Cancer Video Library, Dr. Taofeek Owonikoko joins GRACE to discuss current updates in small cell lung cancer. In this video, Dr. Owonikoko discusses updated information on treatment options for relapsed sclc. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For this new addition to the GRACE Lung Cancer Video Library, Dr. Stephen Liu joins GRACE to discuss current updates in non small cell lung cancer. In this video, Dr. Liu discusses updated information on the leading treatment options for patients with negative tumor pd l1. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For this new addition to the GRACE Lung Cancer Video Library, Dr. Stephen Liu joins GRACE to discuss current updates in small cell lung cancer. In this video, Dr. Liu discusses updated information on immunotherapy for small cell lung cancer. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

Co-hosts Charu Aggarwal and Jack West are joined by Dr. Jamie Von Roenn and Christopher Merlan to discuss the landscape of virtual meetings, digital engagements and future of oncology meetings beyond the pandemic.

John Pagel, MD from the Swedish Cancer Institute & CLL Society Inc. discusses the ASH 2020 Abstract – 127 Clonal Dynamics after Venetoclax-Obinutuzumab Therapy: Novel Insights from the Randomized, Phase 3 CLL14 Trial.ContextMinimal residual disease (MRD) measurement is a proven and sensitive prognostic method for assessing the depth of response during and after chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treatment and for understanding the post-treatment dynamics of the disease. It is important to retrace these kinetics to understand which group of patients, despite the initial MRD response, is at risk of relapsing. To this end, an overview of the clonal growth trends…

John Mascarenhas, MD of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute speaks about the ASH 2020 Abstract – 55 CPI-0610, a Bromodomain, and Extraterminal Domain Protein (BET) Inhibitor, in Combination with Ruxolitinib, in JAK-Inhibitor-Naïve Myelofibrosis Patients: Update of MANIFEST Phase 2 Study.The protein family of bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) binds to chromatin to guide the transcription of target genes involved in multiple pro-fibrotic pathways and is a novel therapeutic target for myelofibrosis fibrosis reduction (MF). CPI-0610 is a distinctive, first-in-class, oral small-molecule BET (BETi) protein inhibitor designed to promote disease-modifying activity through selective gene regulation…

John Mascarenhas, MD of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute speaks about the ASH 2020 Abstract – 53 Favorable Overall Survival with Imetelstat Treatment Correlates with Other Clinical Benefits in Intermediate 2 or High Risk Myelofibrosis Relapsed/Refractory to Janus Kinase Inhibitor.Context:Myelofibrosis (MF) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm that is extreme and life-threatening. There are currently no accepted treatment options for patients who have relapsed or are refractory to (R/R) Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) therapy, and overall survival (OS) is dismal (range, 13-16 months). Imetelstat, a telomerase inhibitor, has shown clinical benefit in IMbark, a phase 2…

Peter Voorhees, MD – Director of Outreach for Hematologic Malignancies at Atrium Health’s Levine Cancer Institute speaks about ASH 2020 Abstract – 549 Daratumumab (DARA) Plus Lenalidomide, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone (RVd) in Patients with Transplant-Eligible Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM): Updated Analysis of Griffin after 12 Months of Maintenance Therapy.Introducing:DARA, a human IgG Ange monoclonal antibody targeting CD38, is approved for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and NDMM as monotherapy and in conjunction with normal treatment regimens. In the primary review of the phase 2 GRIFFIN (NCT02874742) study, DARA plus RVd (D-RVd) significantly improved rigid complete response (sCR) rates in patients with…

Miles Prince, MD of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre discusses the ASH 2020 abstract – The ECHELON-2 Trial: 5-year Results of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase 3 Study of Brentuximab Vedotin and CHP (A+CHP) Versus CHOP in Frontline Treatment of Patients with CD30-Positive Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma.IntroducingThe phase 3 ECHELON-2 analysis (NCT01777152) showed that frontline therapy with brentuximab vedotin (BV) plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (A+CHP) was superior in patients (pts) with systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) or other CD30-expressing peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) to cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) (Horowitz S, et al. Lancet 2019). The hazard ratio (HR) (0.71…

Anthony Mato, MD of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center discusses ASH 2020 abstract – Oral presentation looking at real-world data from CLL patients on the informCLL registry (Abstract #547).Context:Treatment choices for pts with CLL have progressed and expanded with the advent of novel agents, along with guidance. The informCLLTM registry is the largest prospective observational registry of pts located in the US that received CLL/SLL treatment in the post-novel agent period. In order to analyze the effect of the complex care landscape, treatment practices, and findings in routine clinical settings, this prospective real-world registry is ideally placed. Baseline features, prognostic…

Hope Rugo, MD of the University of California San Francisco speaks about the SABCS abstract – FDA Approves Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in Combination With Chemotherapy for Patients With Locally Recurrent Unresectable or Metastatic Triple‑Negative Breast Cancer Whose Tumors Express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10).KENILWORTH, N.J.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Outside of the United States and Canada, Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD, today reported that the U.S. KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy in conjunction with chemotherapy, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (Combined Positive…

Douglas Blayney, MD, Professor of Medicine (Oncology) of Stanford University Medical Center discusses the SABCS 2020 abstract – The Timing of Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia and Its Clinical and Economic Impact.A major toll on cancer patients is caused by chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) and its complications. Lengthy hospitalizations, early death, and high treatment costs are associated with febrile neutropenia (FN), a symptom of life-threatening infections. Furthermore, neutropenia is the primary cause of dose reduction and dose delay, reducing the delivery of chemotherapy in patients with potentially curable malignancies at maximum dose and on schedule, and thereby undermining long-term survival. Many recent studies in…

Chirag Shah, MD from the Cleveland Clinic discusses the SABCS 2020 abstract – DCIS biosignature reclassified patients who met RTOG 9804 or ECOG-ACRIN E5194 Ê»low-riskʼ clinicopathologic criteria into an elevated invasive risk group who benefited significantly from radiation therapy.ContextThe aim of treatment for DCIS is to prevent recurrences of local invasive breast cancer.Randomized DCIS clinical trials have shown that patients benefit from adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) following breast preservation surgery (BCS). However, the selection of treatment for DCIS patients remains a problem. Studies assessing successful risk and clinical-pathological characteristics have not found aGroup of patients with regard to local regulation,…

Yuan Yuan, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Oncologist at the City of Hope discusses the SABCS 2020 abstract – Phase I study of ipatasertib with chemotherapy and atezolizumab in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.BACKGROUNDOne of the most common cancer drivers of breast cancer is the pathway PI3K3-ATK.In patients(pts) with metastatic triple-negative breast cancers (mTNBCs), the AKT inhibitor ipatasertib (ipat) has shown great efficacy.The preclinical PDX model demonstrated synergy in TNBC2 between carboplatin and ipat.Synergies between atezolizumab and ipatasertib3 were demonstrated in previous clinical trials.The current Phase I trial is intended to assess the protection and effectiveness of the following combinations of…

Nicholas J. Short, MD Assistant Professor in the Department of Leukemia at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center speaks about the ASH 2020 abstract 988 A Randomized Phase 2 Study of Pevonedistat, Venetoclax, and Azacitidine Versus Venetoclax Plus Azacitidine in Adults with Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Who Are Unfit for Intensive Chemotherapy.ContextPevonedistat is the first small-molecule, developmentally downregulated protein 8 (NEDD8)-activating enzyme-activating neural precursor cell inhibitor to be expressed (NAE). Inhibiting NAE inhibits the ubiquitination upstream of the proteasome of select proteins. Pevonedistat therapy disrupts the progression of the cell cycle and cell survival, leading to…

Neetu Gupta, Ph.D., MSc, BSc from the Cleveland Clinic speaks about the ASH 2020 abstract – 1447 Unbiased Metabolomic Screening Reveals Pre-Existing Plasma Signatures in Large B-Cell Lymphoma Patients Treated with Anti-CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cells: Association with Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) and Neurotoxicity (ICANS).Context:The FDA has approved CAR T-cells that target CD19 for the treatment of relapsed/refractory large B cell lymphoma (r/r LBCL). The advantage of this strategy is also complicated by potentially serious toxicities, such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, despite clinical effectiveness in chemo-refractory patients (ICANS). The physiological basis of…

Kimberly C Jenkins, MSNM from the Cleveland Clinic discusses the ASH 2020 abstract – 3441 Increased Productivity and Efficiency Among Cancer Center Clinical Trials Workforce during the COVID-19 Pandemic.Context:We developed a pilot program that monitors efficiency independently of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, enabling research coordinators (RCs) to work from home. However, all RCs were ordered to operate from home beginning on March 25, 2020, with the start of the pandemic. At the same time, all monitoring visits to in-person clinical trial sites were banned, forcing sponsors to either suspend study monitoring operations (10 percent) or adapt to remote monitoring (90 percent…

Anna Sureda, MD, Ph.D. of the Blood Cell Barcelona speaks about the ASH 2020 abstract – 2973 Brentuximab Vedotin with Chemotherapy for Patients with Previously Untreated, Stage III/IV Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma: 5-Year Update of the ECHELON-1 Study.IntroducingHistorically, almost all classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) relapses occur during the first 5 years (Radford et al, BMJ 1997). In phase 3 ECHELON-1 trial (NCT01712490), treatment with brentuximab vedotin, doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A+AVD) significantly improved modified progression-free survival (PFS) compared to doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) in patients (pts) with newly diagnosed Stage III/IV cHL (Connors et al, NEJM 2018). In the…

Jason Valent, MD of the Cleveland Clinic speaks about the ASH 2020 abstract – 729 Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of Cael-101 in AL Amyloidosis Patients Treated on a Phase 2, Open-Label, Dose Selection Study to Evaluate the Safety and Tolerability of Cael-101 in Patients with AL Amyloidosis.Context:CAEL-101 is an IgG1 monoclonal AL amyloid fibril reactive antibody with the potential for therapeutic immune clearance of AL amyloid deposits in patients with AL amyloidosis (AL). No major toxicity was found in the phase I analysis of CAEL-101 at doses of up to 500 mg/m2 IV administered weekly for 4 weeks as a…

Thierry Facon, MD from the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Lille, Service des Maladies du Sang, University of Lille discusses the ASH 2020 abstract – 551 The Phase 3 TOURMALINE-MM2 Trial: Oral Ixazomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone (IRd) Vs Placebo-Rd for Transplant-Ineligible Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM).ContextIn transplant-ineligible NDMM patients, continuous Rd-based regimens are among the standards of care. These patients are diverse, ranging from fit 70-plus-year-olds to elderly and/or frail patients with poor performance status, requiring individual patient settings to be adapted to treatment. The continuous or higher cumulative dose use of proteasome inhibitors (PIs) leads to improved long-term…

Raymond Comenzo, MD – Director, Transfusion Services, Tufts Medical Center; Director, John C. Davis Myeloma and Amyloid Program, Tufts Medical Center; Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine discusses the ASH 2020 abstract – Full results from the pivotal Phase 3 ANDROMEDA study, illustrating the promise of Darzalex Faspro as the first potential treatment for patients with ​pdf icon AL amyloidosis (Abstract #552).Context:The deposition of insoluble amyloid fibrils produced by light chains synthesized by clonal CD38+ plasma cells is characterized by systemic AL amyloidosis. In patients with AL amyloidosis, the combination of daratumumab (DARA) with bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone (VCd) has…

Mehul Dalal, Ph.D. Takeda Oncology discusses ASH 2020 abstract – 2979 Results from the International, Multi-Center, Retrospective B-Holistic Study: Describing Treatment Pathways and Outcomes for Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma.Context:Just half of the patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) cHL are cured with salvage chemotherapy accompanied by stem cell transplantation, prompting clinical advancements in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) (SCT). Most studies to date have been performed in Europe or North America and there is minimal evidence from other regions on patient trends and clinical outcomes. The findings of the International Multi-center Retrospective Review of Treatment PractIces and OutComes (B-HOLISTIC) B-CD30+ HOdgkin Lymphoma, which examined…

Joshua Zeidner, MD from the University of North Carolina, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center discusses the ASH 2020 abstract – 2191 Randomized Phase 2 Trial of Pevonedistat Plus Azacitidine Versus Azacitidine in Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes/Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia or Low-Blast Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Exploratory Analysis of Patient-Reported Outcomes.IntroducingP-2001, a randomized phase 2 trial (NCT02610777), examined the efficacy and safety of pevonedistat (P), the first small molecule NEDD8-activating enzyme inhibitor, in combination with azacitidine (A) versus A alone in higher-risk patients (pts) with myelodyspla (Revised International Prognostic Scoring System risk >3, including intermediate [approximately 5% blasts], high or very high risk) The P-2001…

John N. Allan, MD – Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital discusses ASH 2020 abstract – Presentation of pooled analyses looking at the durability of responses in patients with high-risk CLL (Abstract #2219)Context:A strong negative predictor of survival in patients (pts) with CLL is the existence of TP53 aberration (defined as del(17p) or TP53 gene mutation). In pts with CLL carrying TP53 aberrations, first-line chemoimmunotherapy is suboptimal, with 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates of just 18 percent and 38 percent, with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide,…

John Kuruvilla, MD of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and the University of Toronto speaks about ASH 2020 abstract – 374 Effect of Pembrolizumab Monotherapy Versus Brentuximab Vedotin (BV) on Symptoms Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL) in the Randomized, Phase 3, Keynote-204 Study.Introducing:There is a lack of patient-reported results (PROs) in cHL, particularly those gathered prospectively in clinical trials. In addition, patients (pts) with cHL may experience B symptoms that can lead to decreased HRQoL, such as fever, night sweats, and weight loss. An open-label, international, randomized, phase 3 trial, KEYNOTE-204…

Michael Wang, MD from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center discusses the ASH 2020 abstract – Acalabrutinib Monotherapy in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory MCL: Long-Term Efficacy and Safety Results from a Phase 2 Study.Context:Acalabrutinib (acala) is a highly selective, covalent, next-generation inhibitor of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) approved for patients (pts) with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have undergone approximately 1 prior therapy. In a single-arm phase 2 analysis (ACE-LY-004; NCT02213926), the efficacy and protection of acala in relapsed/refractory (R/R) MCL pts was demonstrated following a median follow-up of 26 mo (Wang M, et al. Leukemia. 2019;33:2762-6). Here, after…

Christian Buske, MD – Medical Director Comprehensive Cancer Center and Institute of Experimental Cancer Research of the University Hospital of Ulm discusses ASH 2020 abstract – 336 Five-Year Follow-Up of Ibrutinib Plus Rituximab Vs Placebo Plus Rituximab for Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia: Final Analysis From the Randomized Phase 3 iNNOVATETM Study.Context:Ibrutinib is an inhibitor of Bruton tyrosine kinase approved once daily in the US and EU, either as a single agent therapy or in conjunction with rituximab (R) for the treatment of patients (pts) with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) across all treatment lines. In the iNNOVATE (PCYC-1127; NCT02165397) phase 3 trial, ibrutinib demonstrated…

William G. Wierda, MD, Ph.D. – Professor Department of Leukemia, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center speaks about ASH 2020 abstract – The first presentation of disease-free survival results from the CAPTIVATE study evaluating Imbruvica plus venetoclax as a time-limited treatment in first-line CLL (Abstract #123).Context:In a randomized phase 3 trials in first-line CLL studies, Ibr is a proven standard of care in CLL and is the only once-daily Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor with a substantial overall survival benefit (RESONATE-2; ECOG1912). The synergistic combination of Ibr + Ven (oral BCL2 inhibitor) has been shown to mobilize and clear CLL…

Deepu Madduri, MD – Assistant Professor, Hematology and Medical Oncology of the Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Beth Israel discusses ASH 2020 abstract – New data for CAR-T therapy cilta-cel include longer-term data from the Ph1b portion of the CARTITUDE-1 study and the first presentation of results from the Ph2 portion (Abstract #177) – these are the registrational data being submitted to regulatory authorities – plus detailed analyses of CRS and health-related QoL outcomes.Context:Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel; JNJ-68284528; LCAR-B38M CAR-T cells) is a 2 B-cell maturation antigen chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy targeting single-domain antibodies intended to confer avidity.…

Michael Kelly, MD, MPH, MS, Medical Director at Syros Pharmaceuticals discusses ASH 2020 abstract – 112 SY-1425, a Potent and Selective RARα Agonist, in Combination with Azacitidine Demonstrates a High Complete Response Rate and a Rapid Onset of Response in RARA-Positive Newly Diagnosed Unfit Acute Myeloid Leukemia.Presenting:A new genomically specified subset of non-APL AML patients (pts) has been identified with an actionable target characterized by RARA overexpression (McKeown, Cancer Discovery 2017). A new blood-based biomarker test that predicts sensitivity to SY-1425, an orally potent and selective RAR alpha agonist, can detect RARA-positive (RARA+) pts (Vigil, ESH 2017). RARA+ (de Botton,…

Alfred L. Garfall, MD, MS – Assistant Professor of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine discusses ASH 2020 abstract – 180 Updated Phase 1 Results of Teclistamab, a B-Cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA) x CD3 Bispecific Antibody, in Relapsed and/or Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM).Context:MM eventually relapses and becomes refractory to therapy, indicating unmet needs in a patient (pt) population. Teclistamab (JNJ-64007957) is a BCMA x CD3 bispecific antibody which induces cytotoxicity mediated by T cells against BCMA-expressing MM cells. Results from the ongoing review of teclistamab in RRMM (NCT03145181) previously mentioned included a 67 percent objective response rate [ORR] for the intravenous…

Sara Bringhen, MD University of Torino, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino speaks about ASH 2020 abstract – 1381 Progression-Free Survival (PFS) Benefit Demonstrated and Quality of Life (QoL) Maintained across Age and Frailty Subgroups with the Oral Proteasome Inhibitor (PI) Ixazomib Vs Placebo As Post-Induction Maintenance Therapy in Non-Transplant Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM) Patients (Pts): Analysis of the TOURMALINE-MM4 Phase 3 Trial.ContextIn NDMM pts, maintenance care increases PFS. There is a need for additional active, well-tolerated treatment options that are acceptable for long-term administration. The primary endpoint of PFS was achieved by the international,…

Meletios A. Dimopoulos, MD – Professor, and Chairman of the Department of Clinical Therapeutics National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece discusses ASH 2020 Abstract Primary results from the APOLLO study of Darzalex Faspro (subcutaneous daratumumab), in combo with Pd, in patients with at least one prior line of therapy (Abstract #412).IntroducingThe quality of treatment (SOC) for RRMM is immunomodulatory medication (IMiD)-based regimens. Daratumumab (DARA) is a mAb targeting CD38 approved for the treatment of RRMM pts. DARA’s subcutaneous (SC) formulation has a safety profile close to that of intravenous DARA, with a statistically significant decrease…

Ajai Chari, MD, Ph.D. – Professor of Medicine, the Director of Clinical Research in the Multiple Myeloma Program, and the Associate Director of Clinical Research, Mt Sinai Cancer Clinical Trials Office speaks about ASH 2020 abstract 290 A Phase 1, First-in-Human Study of Talquetamab, a G Protein-Coupled Receptor Family C Group 5 Member D (GPRC5D) x CD3 Bispecific Antibody, in Patients with Relapsed and/or Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM)Clinically Relevant Abstract.Most patients (pts) will develop refractory disease despite enhanced results with current MM therapies, emphasizing the need for novel treatments. GPRC5D is an orphan receptor whose transcript is highly expressed but…

Adil Daud, MD Professor of Medicine at The University of California, San Francisco, Director of the Melanoma Clinical Research, and lead author of the study SITCS 2020 abstract: Durable responses and immune activation with intratumoral electroporation of pIL-12 plus pembrolizumab in actively progressing anti-PD-1 refractory advanced melanoma: KEYNOTE 695 interim data.StudyHistory The electroporated plasmid IL-12 (TAVO or telseplasmid tavokinogen) is a novel pro-inflammatory intratumor therapy with significant single-agent activity in melanoma that has been shown to synergize with anti-PD-1 antibodies in patients expected to be non-responsive to anti-PD-1.1 2 Interim results from patients with active progression of stage III/IV melanoma…

Erika J. Crosby, Ph.D. Department of Surgery at Duke University Medical Center and Melinda Telli, MD Medical Oncologist at Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine discuss SITCS 2020 abstract: 789 Intratumoral plasmid IL-12 expands CD8+ T cells and induces a clinically validated CXCR3 signature in triple-negative breast cancer.StudyIn TNBC, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have entered the clinical environment but support only a minority of patients. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is involved in creating the microenvironment of an inflammatory tumor and is essential for effective anti-tumor immune response. Using different delivery routes, it has been studied as…

Co-hosts Charu Aggarwal and Jack West are joined by guest expert Sanjay Popat to discuss how practice should change and open questions on molecular testing and adjuvant EGFR inhibitor osimertinib for resected early stage EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC.

Naveen Pemmaraju, MD of MD Anderson speaks about Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm.ContextNatural killer (NK) cell leukemia/lymphoma was historically identified as blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN). The World Health Organization (WHO) developed the term blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) in 2008 as an understanding of the biology and origin of this malignancy has improved. In the 2016 World Health Organization revision, BPDCN is actually classified as a separate group. Very commonly, BPDCN has both lymphoma and leukemia characteristics. Little data on BPDCN is available and there is no known treatment. At diagnosis, the average age is 60 to…

Scott Howell, DO, MPH & TM, CPE from Echosens discusses Underlying nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a significant factor for breast cancer recurrence after curative surgery.InstractBreast cancer is the world’s most common cancer among women and is a leading cause of death in women. Metabolic components are important risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease growth, as with breast cancer (NAFLD). We aimed to determine the prevalence of NAFLD in breast cancer patients and the influence of NAFLD on the prognosis of breast cancer in this retrospective cohort analysis.From January 2007 to June 2017, patients with breast cancer were enrolled…

Lee Zuckerman, MD Orthopedic Surgeon at the City of Hope, a comprehensive cancer center near Los Angeles discusses Use of Magnetic Growing Intramedullary Nails with Intercalary Allograft Reconstruction after Tumor Resection.IntentionReconstruction of tumors after excision has remained difficult. Reconstruction of the intercalary allograft remains an option but is not without complications. Plate fixation, nail fixation, or combined methods have been used in osteosynthesis techniques. In those fixed with intramedullar nails alone, non-union happens more frequently. In 15 osteotomy sites with an 87 percent union average, we previously published on a novel technique of using magnetic growing intramedullary nails to compact…

Smith Giri, MD, MHS Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, Division of Hematology and Oncology The University of Alabama at Birmingham speaks about the Evaluation of Daratumumab for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma in Patients With High-risk Cytogenetic Factors.Core PointsQuestion Is there a gain in patients with cytogenetically identified high-risk multiple myeloma (HRMM) associated with the addition of daratumumab to backbone myeloma treatment regimens?Findings Six clinical studies affecting 4061 patients were found during this systematic examination and meta-analysis, of which 580 had HRMM. In patients with newly diagnosed HRMM or relapsed or refractory HRMM, the addition of daratumumab to the…

Kenny Chin, BS of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai speaks about the ASTRO 2020 abstract 4021 Clinical and Treatment Characteristics of Secondary Bladder Malignancies following Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer.Link to Poster https://astro.multilearning.com/astro/2020/annualmeeting/300964?evname=u42P5_6f3xRUr5o4erxthw&evsign=h2AUvi780fBPh1s2yimcO5FId_Zu8VzmyhwAu4OCRDYBody Purpose/Objective(s): For patients with localized prostate cancer, brachytherapy is an effective choice. Although secondary malignancies are a well-known late complication of radiation therapy, there is minimal evidence from previous prostate brachytherapy on such malignancies. We tried to describe the clinical course and prognosis of prostate brachytherapy-associated secondary bladder malignancies.Materials/Methods: For patients diagnosed with bladder cancer (1/2005-4/2019) who had previously undergone low dose rate…

Kirollos S. Hanna, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, Oncology Pharmacy Manager, M Health Fairview – Maple Grove; Assistant Professor of Pharmacy, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine discusses Emerging Therapies in Management of Multiple Myeloma and Best Practices for Implementing Care.Link to Webinar -https://courses.accc-cancer.org/products/multiple-myeloma-dispensing-models-webinar-series#tab-product_tab_handoutsThe Webinar Series of ACCC Multiple Myeloma Dispensing Models features one live webinar and five on-demand recordings that explore different dispensing models and effective practices in the care of multiple myeloma patients.Emerging Multiple Myeloma Management Therapies and Best Practices for Implementing Care Wednesday, 4 November 3:00-3:45 PM EDT Wednesday, 4 November 3:00-3:45 PM EDTKirollos S. Hanna, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, Assistant…

Philadelphia, PA (November 11, 2020) – Oncoceutics, Inc. announced that the latest research on imipridones ONC201 and ONC206 for the treatment of brain tumors will be presented at the 2020 Society of Neuro-Oncology Virtual Annual Meeting to be held November 19th-21st.These data will highlight clinical and translational findings over the past year, including: Updated interim efficacy results for the ONC201 registration cohort in recurrent H3 K27M-mutant gliomas Clinical safety, pharmacokinetics, and clinical outcomes for ONC201 in H3 K27M-mutant gliomas Mechanism of action studies of ONC201 revealing new aspects of how it uniquely acts against brain tumors Biodistribution and metabolism studies…

In this edition of The Onco’Zine Brief Peter Hofland talks with Peter Keeling about Personalized Medicine, diagnostic testing, and the effect of Covid-19 on cancer and cancer diagnostics. Hofland and Keeling also talk about the world’s first Diagnostic Network for Precision Medicine.Peter Keeling is the chief executive officer and Founder of Diaceutics. Since its founding, the company has built the world’s largest repository of diagnostic testing data with a growing network of 2,500 laboratories in 51 countries.The company recently launched the world’s first digital diagnostics platform solution. Diaceutics has launched this new platform – called –The Diagnostic Network® —to help…

In this episode of The Onco’Zine Brief Peter Hofland Ph.D., talks with Raj Malik M.D. and Robert Epstein M.D.Malik is Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, R&D, at G1 Therapeutics. He leads the company’s clinical development, medical affairs, regulatory affairs, biometrics, translational medicine and preclinical teams. Epstein is an epidemiologist with extensive expertise in pharmaco-economics and health outcomes research. He served in academia and public health prior to joining the private sector and is currently the Chief Executive Officer and co-Founder of Epstein Health, providing strategic consultancy services to life sciences companies Hofland and his guests talk about the…

In this episode of The Onco’Zine Brief Peter Hofland talks with Peggy Berry, Vice president of Global Regulatory Affairs at Rakuten Medical.*Rakuten Medical is developing a technology platform called Illuminoxâ„¢ which is based on a cancer therapy called Near Infrared Photoimmunotherapy. This technology was originally developed by Hisataka Kobayashi, M.D., Ph.D. and his team at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in the United States. [1]Rakuten Medical’s first investigational drug, based on its Illuminoxâ„¢ platform technology, is called cetuximab saratolacan (previously known as ASP-1929 and RM-1929).Cetuximab saratolacan is an antibody-dye conjugate which includes the antibody, cetuximab (Erbitux®; Eli Lilly and Merck…

In this episode of The Onco’Zine Brief Peter Hofland, Ph.D. talks with Anthony Yanni, M.D., Senior Vice President, patient-centricity at Astellas. In this role, Yanni is responsible for leading the development and execution of Astellas’ global patient-centricity strategy. To understand patient centricity, consider the fact that 10 years ago, patient-centricity wasn’t even a concept – In most cases, drugs were developed if scientists could achieve innovation, without considering if companies should actually develop a medicine based on the real-world unmet medical needs and the perspectives of the patient. And while ‘patient-centricity’ has become an industry’s catchphrase, not everyone has the…

Andrés Cervantes, MD from Pivotal discusses Highlight Therapeutics & Pivotal advance into a Phase IIa trial to examine Gastro-Intestinal cancer therapy.Highlight Therapeutics, (‘Highlight’), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing RNA-based cancer therapies, and Pivotal, a Europe-wide full-service CRO, today reported that the first cohort of patients to test Highlight’s BO-112 lead program in combination with anti-PD1 therapy in patients with colorectal or liver metastasis were recruited in a Phase IIa trial.This open-label, Phase IIa clinical trial is a four-country, non-comparative, two-cohort study. Cohort A will consist of 11 colorectal cancer patients for Part 1 and will extend to an additional 15…

Francesca Vinchi, Ph.D. from the New York Blood Center speaks about “Breaking up” in Sickle Cell Anemia: Impacting Disease Pathophysiology and Transfusion Support.Summary Increasing evidence suggests that intravascular hemolysis, estimated to account for one-third of sickle cell anemia (SCA) hemolysis, plays a key role in the pathophysiology of SCA. The mechanism underlying the pathological impact of hemolysis involves the pro-oxidant and cytotoxic effects of breakdown products, namely hemoglobin, and its oxidized form heme, on the vascular endothelium through the delivery of microparticles of red cells or directly by signaling Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) as well as the effect of heme species…

Pablo Okhuysen, MD, FACP, FIDSA of MD Anderson discusses the Jaguar Health Subsidiary Napo Pharmaceuticals Initiates Pivotal Phase 3 Clinical Trial of Crofelemer (Mytesi) for Prophylaxis of Diarrhea in Adult Cancer Patients Receiving Targeted Cancer TherapySAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 7, 2020, / Jaguar Health, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAGX) today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Napo), has launched its cornerstone crofelemer (Mytesi®) Phase 3 clinical trial for diarrhea prophylaxis in adult cancer patients undergoing targeted therapy (‘cancer treatment-related diarrhea’ (CTD)).The Phase 3 pivotal clinical trial is a 24-week, randomized placebo-controlled, double-blind, 24-week (two 12-week stages) trial assessing…

Sumanta Pal, M.D., co-director of the Kidney Cancer Program at City of Hope ESMO Virtual Congress 2020: COSMIC-021, Cabozantinib in Combination with Atezolizumab as First-Line Therapy for Advanced Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.(UroToday.com) COSMIC-021 is a clinical trial platform investigating the combination of a cabozantinib inhibitor of MET/VEGF/TAM kinase in combination with an atezolizumab anti-PD-L1 drug. The justification for this combination is based on evidence indicating that cabozantinib supports an immune-permissive environment that may boost responses to blockade of immune checkpoints and clinical data showing promising combination activity in multiple types of tumors. In this presentation, Dr. Pal shared data…

Daniel Catenacci, MD of the University of Chicago Medicine discusses Gritstone Oncology Advances into Phase 2 Expansion Cohorts for its Personalized Neoantigen Immunotherapy GRANITE and its Off-the-Shelf Neoantigen Immunotherapy SLATE.EMERYVILLE, Calif., Nov. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gritstone Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq: GRTS), a clinical-stage biotechnology company that develops the next generation of cancer immunotherapy to treat multiple forms of cancer, today reported that in the Phase 2 expansion cohorts of the GRANITE and SLATE Phase 1/2 clinical trials, its neoantigen-based immunotherapies, it has started dosing patients.The Phase 2 section of the GRANITE Phase 1/2 (GO-004) study involves a cohort for…

Brianna Jones, MD, BS from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai discusses ASTRO Abstract 3885 Pathologic Features and Outcomes for Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Young, Non-Smoker, and Non-Drinker Population.Link to Poster – https://astro.multilearning.com/astro/2020/annualmeeting/300829?evname=u42P5_6f3xRUr5o4erxthw&evsign=HzCrFuZTXX2-CO9ykxQZGlTmmfLuT9mCTi1MApAeROcBodyPurpose / Objective(s): The occurrence of young patients with oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) has been disproportionately increased. Young patients with no past history of smoking or alcohol tend to have a more violent phenotype and a poorer prognosis, although this demographic is not well known. The purpose of this study was to equate young patients with older OTSCC patients without a previous…

Jacob Adashek, DO of The University of South Florida and H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute discusses the Poster Presentation Immunotherapy trials lack a biomarker for inclusion: implications for drug development. Poster Presentation #179Immunotherapy research lacks a biomarker for inclusion: drug discovery implications.Co-Authored by Alexey Goloubev; Shumei Kato, MD; Razelle Kurzrock, MD.

Apurna Jegannathen, MD from University Hospital Of North Midlands discusses the abstract A Sustained Response of Maintenance Therapy in Pancreatic Acinar Cell Carcinoma (PACC): A Case Report and Literature Review.The Study:Maintenance Therapy; Pancreatic Acinar Cell Carcinoma (PACC); Gemcitabine; Oxaliplatin; CapecitabineWe recognize 50-year-old male patients who have been histologically diagnosed with acinar cell tumor of the pancreas. He originally had localized pancreatic cancer. He underwent distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy for pT3pNxpMxR1 condition, con-anaphylaxis. Upon disease recurrence, oxaliplatin + capecitabine was initiated but stopped after 5 cycles due to disease progression. Oddly, however, later CT scans after 3 months showed a disease…

Drs. Charu Aggarwal and Jack West chat with Dr. Gil Morgan, Medical Oncologist at Skåne University Hospital in Lund, Sweden and founder of Cancer News Service OncoAlert, to discuss the genesis of OncoAlert and how it has helped to cultivate a greater sense of an international oncology community through digital education.

Professor Benjamin Besse from the Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus Grand Paris and University Paris-Saclay discusses the ESMO 2020 Abstract Neoadjuvant atezolizumab (A) for resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): results from the phase II PRINCEPS trial.Abstract 1215OContextIn 17-45% of NSCLCs, neoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors induce major pathologic response (MPR) rates. We are announcing the findings of a neoadjuvant A phase 2 trial for NSCLC.MethodologyPatients (pts) with clinical stage IA (⁇ 2 cm)-IIIA non N2 NSCLC eligible for surgery, PS 0-1, obtained 1 A (1200 mg IV D1) injection accompanied by D21-D28 surgery. The primary endpoint was the rate of pts…

Filip Janku, MD of MD Anderson discusses Next generation BRAF inhibitor cancer drug shows promise in early patient trial.In an early patient trial presented at the 32nd EORTC-NCI-AACR[1] Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics taking place online, a new drug intended to act on cancers with an altered BRAF gene has shown promise.The BRAF gene is involved in telling healthy cells when to develop and shape new cells, but in many types of cancer, including types of bowel, brain, and skin cancer, it is also known to go wrong or mutate. In the treatment of patients, a few BRAF…

Shahid Gilani, MD from University Hospital Of North Midlands speaks about the Impact of haemoglobin level and blood transfusion on survival outcome of gastric cancer patients – A single institute experience.ContextIn several solid tumours, anaemia is a common complication that often occurs in gastric cancer. Hemoglobin ( Hb) was less than 100g / L in about 41 percent of patients with advanced gastric cancer. Multi-factorial factors. Studies have shown this to be an independent factor in the outcome of survival for different cancers, but few have focused on gastric cancer. RBC transfusion is always recommended, but whether it has a…

Shahid Gilani, MD from University Hospital Of North Midlands discusses the abstract Palbociclib in real world practice before and during COVID-19 pandemic at University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) in the United Kingdom. ContextThe use of palbociclib in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) was studied during the COVID-19 pandemic era, outlining the course and impact of the disease. Extreme acute respiratory syndrome associated with coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease (COVID-19) developed this year globally causing an overload of the hospital system1 in patients with significant influx2 leading to disruption of routine care3. The difficulty posed for patients by travel restrictions4. Oral therapy was…

Philadelphia, PA (November 5, 2020) – Oncoceutics, a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company, announced today that it has received grants from Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG Foundation, Dragon Master Foundation and The ChadTough Foundation to fund an Expanded Access program for ONC201 in the United States.The program will allow Oncoceutics to work with physicians practicing in the United States to provide ONC201 to patients with H3 K27M-mutant glioma, including DIPG, who meet certain eligibility criteria and who cannot otherwise access ONC201 by participating in an ongoing clinical trial. The Expanded Access program has been made available to select hospitals across…

Ruben Mesa, MD, Director Mays Cancer Center, UT Health San Antonio, MD Anderson Cancer Center discusses The Future Directions in MPN: Novel Approaches and New Agents.Presentation Ruxolitinib has been well-established as the standard of care for patients with moderate or high-risk myelofibrosis (MF), however, survival results are low for patients who discontinue ruxolitinib.1 While emerging data continue to support the role of JAK inhibitors in the treatment of MF, there is a need for novel agents and treatment strategies to broaden treatment options for these patients. “This paper summarizes key data from studies examining novel agents discussed during a recent MediCom…

Udai Banerji, MD, MBBS, DNB, Ph.D., FRCP from The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden and Jon Pachter, Chief Scientific Officer at Verastem Oncology speak on Lancet Oncology on Verastem’s VS-6766 (formerly CH5126766), a unique inhibitor of the RAF/MEK signaling pathway for patients with KRAS mutant tumors including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and separately, low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC)BOSTON—(COMPANY WIRE)—Sep. 16, 2020–Verastem, Inc. (Nasdaq: VSTM) (also known as Verastem Oncology), a biopharmaceutical company committed to advancing new medicines for cancer-fighting patients, today announced updated results from the ongoing Phase 1/2 FRAME investigator-initiated study evaluating its RAF /…

Prof. ByoungChul Cho, MD, Ph.D. from the Yonsie University College of Medicine discusses NACLC for Quavonlimab (MK-1308), a Novel Investigational Anti-CTLA-4 Antibody, in Combination With KEYTRUDA Were Presented; Phase 3 Study for the Combination Planned in First-Line Advanced NSCLC.KENILWORTH, N.J.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada, today declared positive results from two of the company’s leading lung cancer clinical development studies evaluating KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 treatment: KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy (KEYNOTE-021 [Cohort G]) and KEYTRUDA in combination with quavonlimab (MK-1308), Merck’s anti-PD-1 treatment, KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy (KEYNOTE-021 [Cohort G])First-line treatment with KEYTRUDA…

Shahid Gilani, MD Certified Oncologist and Radiation oncologists from the University Hospital Of North Midlands discusses the study A Sustained Response of Maintenance Therapy in Pancreatic Acinar Cell Carcinoma (PACC): A Case Report and Literature Review is written with co-author Dr. Apurna Jegannathen.Study: Maintenance Therapy; Pancreatic Acinar Cell Carcinoma (PACC); Gemcitabine; Oxaliplatin; CapecitabineWe identify a male patient 50 years of age who has been histologically diagnosed with a pancreatic acinar cell tumor. Initially, he had localized cancer of the pancreas. He underwent distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy, con-anaphylaxis, for pT3pNxpMxR1 disorder. Oxaliplatin + capecitabine was initiated upon disease recurrence but stopped after…

Professor Arthur D. Lander, M.D., Ph.D. of UCI University of California, Irvine speaks about Dynamics of nevus development implicate cell cooperation in the growth arrest of transformed melanocytes; in collaboration with Rolando Ruiz-Vega, Ph.D.AbstractStudy A cell-autonomous mechanism of ‘oncogene-induced senescence’ is commonly attributed to why nevi stop growing and do not progress to melanoma. We find no evidence that nevus cells are senescent, either compared with other skin cells or other melanocytes, using a mouse model of Braf-driven nevus formation, examining both proliferative dynamics and single-cell gene expression. We also found that distributions of nevus size could not be matched…

Charles Limoli, Ph.D. of the University of California Irvine explains Cancer treatment without side effects? UCI, Swiss researchers eliminate brain tumors without damaging cognition.Irvine, Calif., Oct. 27, 2020-The holy grail of oncologists has long been the treatment of cancer without crippling side effects, and researchers at the Lausanne University Hospital / University of Lausanne (CHUV / UNIL) of the University of California, Irvine and Switzerland may have discovered it.In order to remove brain tumors in mice, Charles Limoli, UCI professor of radiation oncology, and Marie-Catherine Vozenin, associate professor of radiation oncology at CHUV / UNIL, used an ultra-high dose intensity…

John Kuruvilla, MD of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and the University of Toronto discusses KEYTRUDA Is the First Anti-PD-1 Therapy Approved for Adult Patients With Relapsed or Refractory cHL After Frontline Therapy.KENILWORTH, N.J.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Outside of the United States and Canada, Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD, today reported that the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA ) has approved an extended label for the care of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) with KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, as monotherapy. The approval is based on findings from the KEYNOTE-204 Phase 3 study in which KEYTRUDA…

Eunice Wang, MD of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Genetic speaks about Testing + AML: New Resource to Bridge the Gap.Link to Be AML Ready -https://www.beamlready.com/hcpIn patients with AMLL with relapsed or refractory (R/R)Results of genetic testing help guide treatment decisionsFor patients and their caregivers, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can be devastating, especially for those who have relapsed or are refractory to treatment. A critical component of having these patients ready for the journey ahead is genetic testing, as it can detect newly acquired mutations and finally inform a suitable and possibly tailored treatment plan.We hope that you’ll share this…

Elly Lugtenburg, MD, Ph.D. from the Erasmus MC Cancer Institute discusses Rituximab-CHOP With Early Rituximab Intensification for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Randomized Phase III Trial of the HOVON and the Nordic Lymphoma Group (HOVON-84).Intent —For patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), immunochemotherapy with rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) has become the standard of treatment. This randomized trial tested whether the intensification of rituximab during the first 4 cycles of R-CHOP relative to regular R-CHOP could improve the outcome of these patients.METHODS AND PATIENTSA total of 574 DLBCL patients aged 18 to 80 years were…

Eric J. Lehrer MD, MS from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai speaks about the ASTRO Abstract 3419 The Development of Rib Fractures after Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy to the Liver.Link to the Poster -https://astro.multilearning.com/astro/2020/annualmeeting/300363?evname=u42P5_6f3xRUr5o4erxthw&evsign=vlsxx9VM993-Uk5OhMekodzBeO0KlsCs8gN0Zh2nM5UBodyPurpose / Objective(s): The well-described complication of thoracic stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is chest wall toxicity-pain and/or fracture. There is insufficient evidence on the occurrence and predictors of chest wall toxicity with SBRT to the liver for primary or metastatic lesions, although well defined for lung SBRT. In these patients, we tried to characterize the occurrence and predictors of rib fractures.Methods/Materials: We retrospectively checked…

Klaus Hoeflich, Ph.D. Senior Vice President, Biology at Blueprint Medicines Blueprint Medicines Presents Foundational Preclinical Data for BLU-945 Showing Robust Anti-Tumor Activity in Treatment-Resistant EGFR-Mutated Lung Cancer at ESMO Virtual Congress 2020.Link to Poster -https://www.blueprintmedicines.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Blueprint-Medicines-ESMO-2020-BLU-945-Lung-Cancer-Poster.pdfCAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 17, 2020,/PRNewswire/ — Blueprint Medicines Corporation ( NASDAQ: BPMC), a genomically identified cancer, rare diseases, and cancer immunotherapy precision therapy business, today announced preclinical proof-of-concept data for BLU-945, an investigational precision therapy for non-small cell lung cancer patients with epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated (EGFRm) New preclinical data showed that BLU-945 inhibited triple-mutant EGFR strongly and selectively, harboring the most common on-target resistance mutations…

Natasha Leighl, MD Princess Margaret Cancer Centre speaks on the press release Liquid biopsies timely and effective testing method for NSCLC patients in Canada.Denver — October 2, 2020–According to research presented today at the IASLC 2020 Lung Cancer Hot Topic: Liquid Biopsy Virtual Conference, next-generation sequencing (NGS) of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) obtained from blood samples may enhance diagnostic testing in patients with advanced NSCLC, and may also be faster and less costly compared to standard tissue profiling.Since its introduction in 2018, there have been several developments in liquid biopsy, and the idea of a “blood-first” approach — superseding or replacing…

Barbara Burtness, MD of the Yale Cancer Center discusses the ASCO 2020 Abstract Correlation of tumor mutational burden (TMB) with CDKN2A and TP53 mutation in HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).Context:In HNSCC, the TP53 and CDKN2A tumor suppressors are usually mutated or lost, impairing G1 checkpoints. This decreases the ability to repair hypoxia-related DNA damage, replication stress, and mutagen exposure, thereby increasing TMB, a possible predictor of immunotherapy profit. TP53 mutations, with or without dominant-negative (DNE) involvement, gain-of-function (GOF), and benign, can be categorized as loss-of-function (LOF). We investigated whether unique TP53 mutation groups were correlated with increased…

Michael Wang, MD, ZUMA-2 Lead Investigator, and Professor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center speaks to us about Management of a patient with mantle cell lymphoma who developed severe neurotoxicity after chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy in ZUMA-2.Abstract Cerebral edema following T-cell therapy with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) can be fatal. In relapsed / refractory mantle cell lymphoma, ZUMA-2 is a pivotal phase 2, multicenter trial testing KTE-X19, an autologous anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy. A 65-year-old ZUMA-2 patient who developed cerebral edema following CAR T-cell therapy and had complete recovery after clinical multimodality intervention including rabbit antithymocyte globulin…

Vishruta A. Dumane, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Radiation Oncology of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai speaks about the ASTRO 2020 Abstract 2180 Low Dose Exposure to the Ipsilateral Lung while Sparing the Heart in Deep Inspiration Breath Hold.Link to Poster:https://astro.multilearning.com/astro/2020/annualmeeting/299127?evname=u42P5_6f3xRUr5o4erxthw&evsign=tvkpsK_jh_daBql92kFsXea8MAY3qPAzwLiuDyUMpMIBody Purpose / Goal(s):For patients with left-sided breast cancer, deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) has been studied, often with the objective of reducing the dose to the heart. The heart is forced away from the treatment fields with inspiration and widening of the chest wall; this, however, causes a rise in the amount of lungs exposed to a dose of radiation.…

Erin Murphy, MD of the Cleveland Clinic discusses the ASTRO 2020 Abstract 2546 Safety of Metastasis-Directed SBRT and Concurrent Pazopanib in Pediatric Sarcoma.Link to Poster -https://astro.multilearning.com/astro/2020/annualmeeting/299492?evname=u42P5_6f3xRUr5o4erxthw&evsign=PvBx7VaWVAU_EHc1ti738kRy9ysDuqUotd6UZDvnA18Body Purpose / Goal(s):In the definitive treatment or palliation of metastases in pediatric sarcoma, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is increasingly being used. In addition, multi-site tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as pazopanib are gradually suggested following the progression of metastatic disease to systemic therapy. Although the safety profiles of TKIs are well studied and it is possible to deliver high doses of radiation safely using SBRT, the safety of their simultaneous administration remains unknown. We…

Gregory M. Videtic MD, CM, FRCPC, FACR, FASTRO Section Head for Thoracic Malignancies and Residency Program Director in the Department of Radiation Oncology from the Cleveland Clinic explains the ASTRO 2020 Abstract 2192 Ten-Year Experience in Implementing Single-Fraction Lung SBRT for Medically Inoperable Early Stage Lung Cancer.Link to the Poster -https://astro.multilearning.com/astro/2020/annualmeeting/299139?evname=u42P5_6f3xRUr5o4erxthw&evsign=qHSlYUSOTWdeKOP7_nrA0o8Ly2HKhzA2gN9W3g-RXrkBody Purpose / Goal(s):To study single-institution outcomes for medically inoperable peripheral early-stage lung cancer after ten years of single-fraction lung SBRT (SF-SBRT), prompted by the recent publication of randomized phase II trials in which this fractionation was evaluated.Methods/Materials:In 12/2009, our first SF-SBRT pt was treated (on RPCI124407). Therefore, for the 12/2009-12/2019…

Kunal Sindhu, MD from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai speaks about the ASTRO 2020 Abstract 3009 Identifying Existing Knowledge Gaps in Palliative Radiation Oncology.Link to Poster -https://astro.multilearning.com/astro/2020/annualmeeting/299954?evname=u42P5_6f3xRUr5o4erxthw&evsign=xxA2-A3l2isLpbxsuiedLFC6WvM7vwTnWMLbgy_jeDcBodyPurpose / Objective(s): In patients with cancer, palliative radiation therapy can greatly improve symptoms and function. Previous research, however, has reported major differences with respect to palliative care in radiation oncology residency curricula. The Mednet, an online group of doctors whose aim is to “improve the exchange of information between doctors so that patients receive high-quality treatment wherever they are treated,” has become an increasingly used resource for radiation oncologists with…

Philadelphia, PA (October 28, 2020) – Oncoceutics, Inc. announced today that the first patient has been treated in a first-in-human clinical trial of the company’s next-generation imipridone ONC206 at the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”). The Phase I trial, for adults with recurrent primary central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms, is led by Mark Gilbert, MD, Chief of the Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), and Brett Theeler, MD, Clinical Collaborator at the Neuro-Oncology Branch, CCR, NCI (NCT04541082).ONC206 is the second agent in the Oncoceutics pipeline to enter clinical trials.  ONC206 is part of the family…

Rahul Tendulkar, MD from the Cleveland Clinic explains the ASTRO 2020 abstract Impact of Post-Mastectomy Radiation Therapy (PMRT) in Women with T1-2N1M0 Breast Cancer: A Multi-Institutional Analysis.Link to Poster -https://astro.multilearning.com/astro/2020/annualmeeting/299020?evname=u42P5_6f3xRUr5o4erxthw&evsign=BB6is3P9G4uw30MZ7jlyksrkAKFeZEeBxQIXbHeHTQYBodyPurpose/Objective(s): To explore the impact of PMRT on women in the modern age with pT1-2N1M0 breast cancer.Materials / Methods: In order to include women who underwent mastectomy without neoadjuvant therapy with pT1-2N1M0 disease from 1995-2015, data from 5 North American institutions were pooled. Patients were divided into cohorts for discovery and confirmation. Using several imputations with chain equations, missing covariate values were imputed and combined using Rubin’s law. Regression of competing…

Samuel Chao, MD from the Cleveland Clinic, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center speaks about the ASTRO 2020 abstract 18F-Fluciclovine PET to Distinguish Tumor Progression From Radiation Necrosis.Link to Poster -https://astro.multilearning.com/astro/2020/annualmeeting/300531?evname=u42P5_6f3xRUr5o4erxthw&evsign=kydhbsVx1w4S1oU-pZ2_Z9SOEjvJQvyZiwIujHnE0tUBodyPurpose / Objective(s): To determine whether 18F Fluciclovine PET CT, a widely available FDA approved amino acid radiotracer for a suspected recurrence of prostate cancer, is useful in separating radiation necrosis (RN) from tumor progression (TP) from stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)-treated brain metastases. Descriptive updates of an ongoing pilot clinical trial are being published.Materials / Methods: The primary objective is to estimate the precision of 18F Fluciclovine PET CT in the separation between…

Visit https://BeaconMedIC.com for more media and information.Subscribe to audio podcast at http://BTJBeacon.libsyn.com/rss/audioDrs. Charu Aggarwal and Jack West host Dr. Mark Lewis of Intermountain Healthcare to explore different styles of how physicians use social media for education, connection in building community, and determining boundaries in what to share with #MedTwitter.

Andrew Lachlan Schmidt, M.B., B.S. of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute speaks about Novel Therapeutic Approaches and the Evolution of Drug Development in Advanced Kidney Cancer.Abstract  Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) therapies currently approved include tyrosine kinase inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and mTOR signaling inhibitors. Increased understanding of clear cell and non-clear cell RCC biology has led to the development of agents targeting hypoxia-inducible factor 2 and MET, while ongoing exploration of targeting immune pathways other than the programmed death-ligand 1 or protein 4 control points associated with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4. The development of drugs in RCC is moving towards the study of…

Prof. Byoung Chul Cho, MD, Ph.D. Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine discusses the ESMO 2020 Abstract – Amivantamab (JNJ-61186372), an EGFR-MET bispecific antibody, in combination with lazertinib, a 3rd-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), in advanced EGFR NSCLC.Abstract 1258OContextThe combination of amivantamab (EGFR-MET bispecific antibody) with lazertinib indicates synergistic inhibition of tumor growth in preclinical studies. In phase 1 CHRYSALIS research (NCT02609776), we present the safety and early efficacy findings of patients receiving amivantamab in combination with lazertinib.MethodologyPatients with non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC) with EGFR Exon 19 deletion or L858R mutation were enrolled in this 2-part…

Saad Usmani, M.D., MBA, FACP, Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders of Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute discusses Daratumumab‐lenalidomide‐dexamethasone vs standard‐of‐care regimens: Efficacy in transplant‐ineligible untreated myeloma. AbstractDaratumumab has recently obtained FDA clearance for the treatment of transplant-negligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) in conjunction with lenalidomide-dexamethasone (D-Rd). The current PEGASUS study compared progression-free survival (PFS) in patients treated with D-Rd in the MAIA study and patients treated with common standard-of-care regimens from the de-identified database derived from the Flatiron Health electronic health record, which has data from patients treated predominantly in U.S. community-based oncology practices. In…

Petros Grivas, MD, Ph.D. of the University of Washington; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center speaks about the ESMO 2020 abstract Avelumab first-line (1L) maintenance + best supportive care (BSC) vs BSC alone for advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC): Association between clinical outcomes and exploratory biomarkers.Abstract 699OContextAvelumab (anti-PD-L1 IgG1 antibody) 1L maintenance + BSC substantially extended overall survival ( OS) in the phase 3 JAVELIN Bladder 100 (NCT02603432) study vs BSC alone in patients (pts) with advanced disease-free UC progression with 1L induction chemotherapy in both randomized pts and pts with PD-L1 + tumors. We publish studies of exploratory biomarkers.MethodologyPrior to randomization,…

Ramaprasad Srinivasan, M.D., Ph.D. of the NIH National Cancer Institute speaks about the ESMO 2020 abstract Phase II study of the oral HIF-2α inhibitor MK-6482 for Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease-associated clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC): Update on RCC and non-RCC disease.Abstract LBA26ContextVHL autosomal dominant genetic disorder is characterized by germline inactivating VHL gene mutations and constitutive activation of the transcription factor HIF-2 alpha that stimulates tumor development. In this open-label phase II study (NCT03401788), MK-6482, a potent, selective, small-molecule HIF-2 alpha inhibitor, was evaluated for efficacy for the treatment of VHL-associated tumors.MethodologyQualified patients (pts) were ⁇ 18 years of…

Marcia S. Brose, MD, Ph.D. of the Pearlman School of Medicine at The University of Pennsylvania speaks on the ESMO 2020 abstract Larotrectinib treatment of advanced TRK fusion thyroid cancer.Abstract 1916PContextLarotrectinib is an EMA and FDA approved first-in-class, central nervous system active, highly selective tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitor for the treatment of adult and pediatric TRK fusion cancer patients (pts). In pts with TRK fusion cancer across different tumor types (Hong et al. Lancet Oncol. 2020), Larotrectinib provided an objective response rate (ORR) of 79 percent and a median period of response (DoR) of 35.2 months. We report the…

Marcia S. Brose, MD, Ph.D. of the Pearlman School of Medicine at The University of Pennsylvania discusses the ESMO 2020 abstract Final analysis of RIFTOS MKI, a global, non-interventional study assessing the use of multikinase inhibitors (MKIs) for the treatment of patients with asymptomatic radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAI-R DTC).Abstract 1918PBackgroundIn patients with RAI-R DTC, MKIs effectively extend progression-free survival but are associated with notable toxicity. There is currently no consensus about when systemic therapy should be initiated by patients with asymptomatic RAI-R DTC.MethodologyA global non-interventional research, enrolling patients with asymptomatic RAI-R DTC, RIFTOS MKI is designed to assess…

Ian Chau, MD from Royal Marsden Hospital speaks about the ESMO 2020 abstract Initial safety and efficacy findings with bavituximab plus pembrolizumab in patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal cancer.1446P Abstract BackgroundIn patients with advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer, bavituximab, an investigational, chimeric monoclonal antibody engineered to inhibit the immunosuppressive effects of phosphatidylserine, is being tested in combination with pembrolizumab. Post-hoc findings from the phase III Sunrise second-line lung cancer trial found that overall survival was substantially improved in patients who advanced on bavituximab plus docetaxel study treatment and proceeded with a checkpoint inhibitor as the next line of…

Ian Chau, MD from Royal Marsden Hospital discusses the ASCO abstract Initial safety run-in findings with bavituximab plus pembrolizumab in patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal cancer.Context:In patients with advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer, bavituximab, an investigational, chimeric monoclonal antibody engineered to inhibit the immunosuppressive effects of phosphatidylserine (PS), is being tested in combination with pembrolizumab. To reverse immunological non-responsiveness and stimulate multiple immune cell receptors, bavituximab binds to β2-glycoprotein and PS in a high-affinity complex. Post-hoc results from the Phase III Sunrise second-line lung cancer trial showed that overall survival was substantially improved in patients who advanced…

Matthew Tucker, Clinical Fellow at Vanderbilt University Medical Center discusses Predicting Response to Immunotherapy in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.Quick SummaryImmunotherapy-based treatment methods for metastatic renal cell carcinoma have become the standard of care. The tumors in several patients will gradually progress, despite considerable improvement in overall survival with these therapies. This analysis highlights ongoing attempts to establish biomarkers to assist in determining which patients are most likely to benefit from immunotherapy care.AbstractThe treatment environment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has been altered by immunotherapy-based combinations powered by PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 inhibitors. Many patients do not achieve deep or…

Edward S. Kim, MD, FACP of the Levine Cancer Institute/Carolinas HealthCare System speaks about IASLC NACLC 2020: Boehringer Ingelheim presents new data for Gilotrif® in metastatic, squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, and in EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC.Ridgefield, Conn., October 13, 2020-Boehringer Ingelheim today announced new Gilotrif ® (afatinib) results, further confirming its activity in lung squamous cell carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC) epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive (EGFR M+) in a separate review. At the IASLC 2020 North America Conference on Lung Cancer organized by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (NACLC 2020), the…

Arun Azad, Ph.D., MBBS, FRACP from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, discusses mHSPC Management, ESMO, Ongoing and Upcoming Clinical Trials in patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.

Amrita Krishnan, MD, FACP of City of Hope S1803, Lenalidomide +/- Daratumumab/rHuPh20 as Post-ASCT Maintenance for MM w/MRD to Direct Therapy Duration (DRAMMATIC)Summary Brief:Patients are registered before or after ASCT for screening (Reg Step 1), but before Reg Step 2. Patients are monitored before they begin maintenance and are then registered (first randomization) for Reg Step 2. Between Lenalidomide for 2 years and Lenalidomide + Daratumumab/rHuPH20, patients are randomized. MRD is measured after 2 years of maintenance to guide further therapy. The assigned care will be continued by MRD-positive patients. In order to either proceed or discontinue the care assigned,…

For this new addition to the GRACE Lung Cancer Video Library, Dr. Sandip Patel joins GRACE to discuss current updates in non small cell lung cancer.In this video, Dr. Patel discusses updated information on emerging molecular targets in nsclc – EGFR Exon 20.For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For this new addition to the GRACE Lung Cancer Video Library, Dr. Patel joins GRACE to discuss current updates in non small cell lung cancer.In this video, Dr. Patel discusses updated information on emerging molecular targets in nsclc – KRAS.For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For this new addition to the GRACE Lung Cancer Video Library, Dr. Josh Bauml joins GRACE to discuss current updates in non small cell lung cancer.In this video, Dr. Bauml discusses updated information on emerging molecular targets in nsclc – MET.For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For this new addition to the GRACE Lung Cancer Video Library, Dr. Josh Bauml joins GRACE to discuss current updates in treatments for non small cell lung cancer.In this video, Dr. Bauml discusses updated information on emerging molecular targets in nsclc – RET fusions. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For this new addition to the GRACE Lung Cancer Video Library, Dr. Ben Levy joins GRACE to discuss current updates in treatments for non small cell lung cancer. In this video, Dr. Levy discusses updated information on immunotherapy in patients with driver mutations. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For this new addition to the GRACE Lung Cancer Video Library, Dr. Ben Levy joins GRACE to discuss current updates in treatments for non small cell lung cancer. In this video, Dr. Levy discusses updated information on immunotherapy combinations for advanced nsclc. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

We are excited to bring you more new information on our Bladder Cancer Program, hosted by Ramy Sedhom, MD.For this video, Dr. Ramy Sedhom speaks with with Dr. Petros Grivas from the University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. In this video, Drs Sedhom and Grivas discuss Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer.For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

We are excited to bring you new information on our Bladder Cancer Program, hosted by Ramy Sedhom, MD. For this video, Dr. Ramy Sedhom introduces us to Dr. Elizabeth Kessler, from the University of Colorado Cancer Center. In the second part of this two part conversation, Drs. Sedhom and Kessler continue the discussion on muscle invasive bladder cancer in the elderly. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to join the conversation at https://cancergrace.org/forums/bladder-cancer.

We are excited to bring you new information in our Bladder Cancer Program, hosted by Ramy Sedhom, MD.For this video, Dr. Ramy Sedhom introduces us to Dr. Elizabeth Kessler, from the University of Coloradeo Cancer Center. In part one of this two part conversation, Drs. Sedhom and Kessler discuss muscle invasive bladder cancer in the elderly. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/.If you have questions or comments, please feel free to join the conversation at https://cancergrace.org/forums/bladder-cancer.

We are pleased to offer more additions to our Lung Cancer Video Library for our Spanish speaking community.Para conocer las adiciones más recientes a nuestra Biblioteca de videos sobre cáncer de pulmón, producida en español para nuestra comunidad latina, el Dr. Luis E. Raez nos brinda la información más reciente sobre el cuidado del cáncer de pulmón.En este video, el Dr. Raez analiza la inmunoterapia en pacientes con mutaciones conductoras.Para unirse a la conversación, visite https://cancergrace.org/forum.*****For the newest additions to our Lung Cancer Video Library, produced in Spanish for our Latino Community, Dr. Luis E. Raez provides us with the…

We are pleased to offer more additions to our Lung Cancer Video Library for our Spanish speaking community.Para conocer las adiciones más recientes a nuestra Biblioteca de videos sobre cáncer de pulmón, producida en español para nuestra comunidad latina, el Dr. Luis E. Raez nos brinda la información más reciente sobre el cuidado del cáncer de pulmón.En este video, el Dr. Raez analiza las principales opciones de tratamiento para pacientes con tumor negativo PD-L1 en 2020.Para unirse a la conversación, visite https://cancergrace.org/forum.*****For the newest additions to our Lung Cancer Video Library, produced in Spanish for our Latino Community, Dr. Luis…

Nos complace ofrecer más adiciones a nuestra Biblioteca de videos sobre cáncer de pulmón para nuestra comunidad de habla hispana.Para conocer las adiciones más recientes a nuestra Biblioteca de videos sobre cáncer de pulmón, producida en español para nuestra comunidad latina, el Dr. Luis E. Raez nos brinda la información más reciente sobre el cuidado del cáncer de pulmón.En este video, el Dr. Raez analiza la utilidad de las biopsias líquidas en 2020.Para obtener más información, visite http://cancerGRACE.org/. Para unirse a la conversación, visite https://cancergrace.org/forum.*****We are pleased to offer more additions to our Lung Cancer Video Library for our Spanish…

We are pleased to offer more additions to our Lung Cancer Video Library for our Spanish speaking community.Translating Molecular Oncology Results into Targeted Therapy TreatmentFor the newest additions to our Lung Cancer Video Library, produced in Spanish for our Latino Community, Dr. Luis E. Raez provides us with the latest information in lung cancer care. In this video, Dr. Raez discusses translating molecular oncology results into targeted therapy treatments in precision medicine. *****Avances en Biologia Molecular Convirtiendose en Sucessos de Terapia Blanco Medicina de PrecisPara conocer las adiciones más recientes a nuestra Biblioteca de videos sobre cáncer de pulmón, producida…

We are pleased to offer more additions to our Lung Cancer Video Library for our Spanish speaking community.Para conocer las adiciones más recientes a nuestra Biblioteca de videos sobre cáncer de pulmón, producida en español para nuestra comunidad latina, el Dr. Luis E. Raez nos brinda la información más reciente sobre el cuidado del cáncer de pulmón. En este video, el Dr. Raez analiza las opciones de tratamiento actuales para el SCLC recidivante en 2020.Para obtener más información, visite http://cancerGRACE.org/. Para unirse a la conversación, visite https://cancergrace.org/forum.*****For the newest additions to our Lung Cancer Video Library, produced in Spanish for…

We are pleased to offer more additions to our Lung Cancer Video Library for our Spanish speaking community.Para conocer las adiciones más recientes a nuestra Biblioteca de videos sobre cáncer de pulmón, producida en español para nuestra comunidad latina, la Dra. Estelamari Rodríguez nos brinda la información más reciente sobre el cuidado del cáncer de pulmón. En este video, el Dr. Rodríguez nos actualiza sobre objetivos moleculares emergentes en NSCLC: fusiones RET, MET, KRAS, inserciones del exón 20 de EFGR.Para más información, visite http://cancerGRACE.org/. Para unirse a la conversación, visite https://cancergrace.org/forum.*****For the newest additions to our Lung Cancer Video Library,…

We are pleased to offer more additions to our Lung Cancer Video Library for our Spanish speaking community.Para las adiciones más recientes a nuestra Videoteca sobre el cáncer de pulmón, producidas en español para nuestra comunidad latina, la Dra. Estelamari Rodríguez nos brinda la información más reciente en el cuidado del cáncer de pulmón. En este video, el Dr. Rodríguez nos actualiza sobre la terapia de protones para el NSCLC localmente avanzado.Para más información, visite http://cancerGRACE.org/. Para unirse a la conversación, visite https://cancergrace.org/forum.*****For the newest additions to our Lung Cancer Video Library, produced in Spanish for our Latino Community, Dr.…

We are pleased to offer more additions to our Lung Cancer Video Library for our Spanish speaking community.Para las adiciones más recientes a nuestra Videoteca sobre el cáncer de pulmón, producidas en español para nuestra comunidad latina, la Dra. Estelamari Rodríguez nos brinda la información más reciente en el cuidado del cáncer de pulmón. En este video, el Dr. Rodríguez nos actualiza sobre las combinaciones de inmunoterapia para el NSCLC avanzado en 2020.Para más información, visite http://cancerGRACE.org/. Para unirse a la conversación, visite https://cancergrace.org/forum.*****For the newest additions to our Lung Cancer Video Library, produced in Spanish for our Latino Community,…

We are pleased to offer more additions to our Lung Cancer Video Library for our Spanish speaking community.Para las adiciones más recientes a nuestra Videoteca sobre el cáncer de pulmón, producidas en español para nuestra comunidad latina, la Dra. Estelamari Rodríguez nos brinda la información más reciente en el cuidado del cáncer de pulmón. En este video, el Dr. Rodríguez analiza la inmunoterapia para el cáncer de pulmón de células pequeñas.Para más información, visite http://cancerGRACE.org/. Para unirse a la conversación, visite https://cancergrace.org/forum.*****For the newest additions to our Lung Cancer Video Library, produced in Spanish for our Latino Community, Dr. Estelamari…

We are pleased to offer more additions to our Lung Cancer Video Library for our Spanish speaking community.Para las nuevas incorporaciones a nuestra videoteca de cáncer de pulmón, producida en español para nuestra comunidad latina, la Dra. Estelamari Rodríguez nos brinda la información más reciente sobre la atención del cáncer de pulmón. En este video, el Dr. Rodríguez analiza el estado actual de la carga mutacional tumoral en 2020 como un factor de respuesta predictivo.Para más información, visite http://cancerGRACE.org/. Para unirse a la conversación, visite https://cancergrace.org/forum.*****For the newest additions to our Lung Cancer Video Library, produced in Spanish for our…

In part three of this three part video series update, presented in July of 2020, GRACE Faculty and Members of the Board of Directors continue their candid discussions regarding cancer and Covid-19. GRACE Board Members Drs. H. Jack West, Jared Weiss and Ben Levy have another candid discussion regarding cancer and Covid-19, and the challenges and future outlook for in-person patient care. Part 1 – How Has the Coronavirus Pandemic Changed Cancer Management in Patient Care Part 2 – Update on the Use of Telemedicine in Patient Care During the Pandemic Part 3 – Challenges and the Future Outlook for…

In part two of this three part video series update, presented in July of 2020, GRACE Faculty and Members of the Board of Directors continue their candid discussions regarding cancer and Covid-19.GRACE Board Members Drs. H. Jack West, Jared Weiss and Ben Levy have another candid discussion regarding cancer and Covid-19 and how the ongoing pandemic is effecting patient care. In this series update, we discuss an update on the use of telemedicine in patient care during the pandemic.Part 1 – How Has the Coronavirus Pandemic Changed Cancer Management in Patient CarePart 2 – Update on the Use of Telemedicine…

In part one of this three part video series update, presented in July of 2020, GRACE Board Members Drs. H. Jack West, Jared Weiss and Ben Levy have another candid discussion regarding cancer and Covid-19 and how the ongoing pandemic is effecting patient care. In this series update, we discuss changes to management in patient care, the use of telemedicine and future challenges, as well as other issues relating to a cancer diagnosis in the middle of a pandemic. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

Dr. Mojun Zhu joins GRACE as guest faculty to provide updated information to our Mandarin Lung Cancer Video Library, for our mandarin speaking community. In this video, Dr. Zhu discusses whether preoperative immunotherapy could improve outcomes in early stage non small cell lung cancer. ***** Zhu Mojun Zhu博士加入GRACE任客座教授，为普通话社区提供最新信息，以向我们的普通话肺癌视频库提供信息。 在此视频中，朱博士讨论了术前免疫疗法是否可以改善早期非小细胞肺癌的预后。 For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum. 有关更多信息，请访问http://cancerGRACE.org/。要加入对话，请访问https://cancergrace.org/forum。

Dr. Mojun Zhu joins GRACE as guest faculty to provide updated information to our Mandarin Lung Cancer Video Library, for our mandarin speaking community. In this video, Dr. Zhu discusses if immunotherapy can help patients with small cell lung cancer. ***** Zhu Mojun Zhu博士加入GRACE任客座教授，为普通话社区提供最新信息，以向我们的普通话肺癌视频库提供信息。 在此视频中，朱博士讨论了免疫疗法是否可以帮助小细胞肺癌患者。 For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum. 有关更多信息，请访问http://cancerGRACE.org/。要加入对话，请访问https://cancergrace.org/forum。

Dr. Mojun Zhu joins GRACE as guest faculty to provide updated information to our Mandarin Lung Cancer Video Library, for our mandarin speaking community. In this video, Dr. Zhu discusses if immunotherapy can help frail patients with advanced NSCLC. ***** Zhu Mojun Zhu博士加入GRACE任客座教授，为普通话社区提供最新信息，以向我们的普通话肺癌视频库提供信息。 朱医生在这段视频中讨论了免疫疗法是否可以帮助弱势的晚期非小细胞肺癌患者。 For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum. 有关更多信息，请访问http://cancerGRACE.org/。要加入对话，请访问https://cancergrace.org/forum。

李仁妮博士加入GRACE，担任客座教授，为普通话社区提供最新信息给我们的普通话肺癌视频库。 在此视频中，李医生讨论了哪些晚期NSCLC患者今天仅是一线免疫治疗的好人选。 ***** Dr. Jenni Li joins GRACE as guest faculty to provide updated information to our Mandarin Lung Cancer Video Library, for our mandarin speaking community. In this video, Dr. Li discusses which patients with advanced NSCLC are good candidates for first line immunotherapy alone today. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum. 要加入对话，请访问https://cancergrace.org/forum。

李仁妮博士加入GRACE，担任客座教授，为普通话社区提供最新信息给我们的普通话肺癌视频库。 在此视频中，李医生讨论了当今低PD-L1肿瘤表达低或阴性和晚期鳞状NSCLC患者的主要治疗选择。 有关更多信息，请访问http://cancerGRACE.org/。要加入对话，请访问https://cancergrace.org/forum。 ******* Dr. Jenni Li joins GRACE as guest faculty to provide updated information to our Mandarin Lung Cancer Video Library, for our mandarin speaking community. In this video, Dr. Li discusses the leading treatment options for patients with low or negative tumor PD-L1 expression and advanced squamous NSCLC today. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For this addition to the GRACE Lung Cancer Video Library, Dr. Millie Das, Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology at UCSF in San Francisco joins us to discuss the current leading treatment options for patients with low or negative tumor PDL1 expression and advanced non-squamous non small cell lung cancer. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For this addition to the GRACE Lung Cancer Video Library, Dr. Millie Das, Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology at UCSF in San Francisco joins us to give updated information on the current role of immunotherapy for unresectable stage 3 non small cell lung cancer. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

Dr. Jenni Li joins GRACE as guest faculty to provide updated information to our Mandarin Lung Cancer Video Library, for our mandarin speaking community. In this video, Dr. Li shares information on the leading treatment options for patients with low or negative tumor PD-L1 expression and advanced non-squamous NSCLC today. 李仁妮博士加入GRACE，担任客座教授，为普通话社区提供最新信息给我们的普通话肺癌视频库。 在此视频中，李博士分享了有关低PD-L1肿瘤表达或低水平NSCLC晚期患者的主要治疗选择的信息。 For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

李仁妮博士加入GRACE，担任客座教授，为普通话社区提供最新信息给我们的普通话肺癌视频库。 在此视频中，李医生分享了晚期NSCLC和高肿瘤PD-L1表达患者的主要治疗选择的信息。 Dr. Jenni Li joins GRACE as guest faculty to provide updated information to our Mandarin Lung Cancer Video Library, for our mandarin speaking community. In this video, Dr. Li shares information on the leading treatment options for patients with advanced NSCLC and high tumor PD-L1 expression. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

普通话肺癌视频库-NSCLC 3期放化疗后的巩固免疫治疗 Dr. Jenni Li joins GRACE as guest faculty to provide updated information to our Mandarin Lung Cancer Video Library, for our mandarin speaking community. In this video, Dr. Li shares information on which stage 3 non small cell lung cancer patients should receive consolidation immunotherapy after chemoradiation. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

Dr. Jenni Li joins GRACE as guest faculty to provide updated information to our Mandarin Lung Cancer Video Library, for our mandarin speaking community. In this video, Dr. Li shares information on the role of immunotherapy for unresectable stage 3 non small cell lung cancer. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

Professor Alessandro Zerbi of the Humanitas Research Hospital Para-aortic Lymphnodes Removal During Upfront Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PALN). Summary Brief: The only curative alternative for patients affected by pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) combined with lymphadenectomy. In 2014, “normal lymphadenectomy” was established by the International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS), which is mandatory for PDAC during PD. Lymphadenectomy may include the elimination of the nodes of the hepatoduodenal ligament (stations 5, 6, 12b1, 12b2, 12c, Japanese Pancreas Society classification), the nodes of the hepatic artery (station 8a), the posterior surface of the pancreatic head (stations 13a and 13b), the upper…

Maxime Meylan, PhD of the Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers explains the ESMO Virtual Congress 2020: Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Immune Classification Enhances the Predictive Value of T Effector and Angiogenesis Signatures in Response to Nivolumab abstract.A real-world phase 2 multicenter analysis of nivolumab in metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) was the NIVOREN GETUG-AFU26 clinical trial. Compared with the randomized phase 3 CheckMate 025 trial comparing nivolumab to everolimus, published in 2015, the patient results of this study were favorable. A translational program was launched in the NIVOREN trial to analyze molecular features associated with the response…

Philadelphia, PA (October 12, 2020) – Oncoceutics, Inc. announced that the European Patent Office has issued a Decision to Grant for a Composition of Matter patent for ONC212, one of the company’s next-generation oncology drug candidates. The company also announced that a pending ONC201 patent has been granted for Mexico and that it received a Certificate of Grant for a Composition of Matter patent for ONC201 in Japan.These new patents, combined with a number of patents issued since the beginning of 2020, including, among others, patents for Composition of Matter for ONC201 in China and for ONC206 in Australia and…

Andrzej Jakubowiak, MD, Ph.D. of the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center speaks on the ASCO 2020 abstract Orvacabtagene autoleucel (orva-cel), a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed CAR T cell therapy for patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM): update of the phase 1/2 EVOLVE study (NCT03430011) Context: Orva-cel is a BCMA-directed, investigational CAR T cell product with a completely human binder. In the EVOLVE phase 1 analysis, more than 100 pts were treated. There were previously registered pts treated at 50 and 150 x 106 CAR+ T cells (Mailankody ASH 2018 # 957). Results of higher dose levels (DLs) in…

Robert Coleman, MD, FACOG, FACS, Chief Scientific Officer U.S. Oncology Research discusses Elevation Oncology and US Oncology Research Announce Collaboration to Expand Genomic Testing of Solid Tumors and Local Site Activation in Support of the Phase 2 CRESTONE Study.US Oncology Research serves approximately 60 research sites and more than 165 locations, managing about 400 active trials at any given time.NEW YORK and THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Sept. 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Elevation Oncology, a biopharmaceutical clinical-stage company focusing on the production of precise medicines for genomically identified cancer patients, and US Oncology Research, one of the largest community-based oncology site management…

Paul G. Richardson, MD of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute explains the abstract entitled First-in-human phase I study of the novel CELMoD agent CC-92480 combined with dexamethasone (DEX) in patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).Explanation:The novel Cereblon E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD) agent CC-92480 is designed for the rapid, maximum degradation of Ikaros and Aiolos. In vitro, MM cell lines, including those resistant to lenalidomide (LEN) and pomalidomide (POM), have increased antiproliferative and tumoricidal activity, with high immune stimulatory activity.Methodology:Maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended phase 2 dose, protection, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of CC-92480 + DEX in heavily pretreated RRMM pts were evaluated…

Alexander Stratigos, M.D., Professor of Dermatology/Or Investigator of the University of Athens Medical School at Andreas Sygros Hospital explains the ESMO 2020 Abstract on Primary analysis of phase II results for cemiplimab in patients (pts) with locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (laBCC) who progress on or are intolerant to hedgehog inhibitors (HHIs). Abstract LBA47  Context There is no approved post-HHI therapeutic option for LaBCC pts. Cemiplimab, a PD-1 antibody, is a proven drug approved for the treatment of advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) in patients who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation therapy. Both BCC and CSCC,…

Para este año, además de nuestra videoteca de cáncer de pulmón producida en español para nuestra comunidad latina, el Dr. Luis Raez nos brinda información actualizada. En este video, el Dr. Raez discute las terapias dirigidas para NSCLC (NTRK 1-3). Para más información, visite http://cancerGRACE.org/. Para unirse a la conversación, visite https://cancergrace.org/forum. ***** For this years addition to our Lung Cancer Video Library produced in Spanish for our Latino Community, Dr. Luis Raez provides us with up to date information. In this video, Dr. Raez discusses targeted therapies for NSCLC (NTRK 1-3). For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the…

Para este año, además de nuestra videoteca de cáncer de pulmón producida en español para nuestra comunidad latina, el Dr. Luis Raez nos brinda información actualizada. En este video, el Dr. Raez analiza las terapias dirigidas para el NSCLC (MET y BRAFv600). Para más información, visite http://cancerGRACE.org/. Para unirse a la conversación, visite https://cancergrace.org/forum. ***** For this years addition to our Lung Cancer Video Library produced in Spanish for our Latino Community, Dr. Luis Raez provides us with up to date information. In this video, Dr. Raez discusses targeted therapies for NSCLC (MET and BRAFv600). For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/.…

Para este año, además de nuestra videoteca de cáncer de pulmón producida en español para nuestra comunidad latina, el Dr. Luis Raez nos brinda información actualizada. En este video, el Dr. Raez analiza las nuevas terapias dirigidas para el NSCLC a la espera de aprobación (RET – Loxo 292 y Blu667) Para más información, visite http://cancerGRACE.org/. Para unirse a la conversación, visite https://cancergrace.org/forum. ***** For this years addition to our Lung Cancer Video Library produced in Spanish for our Latino Community, Dr. Luis Raez provides us with up to date information. In this video, Dr. Raez discusses new targeted therapies…

Para estos videos adicionales a nuestra Biblioteca de videos sobre el cáncer de pulmón producidos en español para nuestra comunidad latina, la Dra. Gelenis Domingo nos brinda información actualizada. En este video, el Dr. Domingo analiza biopsias líquidas y cáncer de pulmón. Para más información, visite http://cancerGRACE.org/. Para unirse a la conversación, visite https://cancergrace.org/forum. ***** For these additional videos to our Lung Cancer Video Library produced in Spanish for our Latino Community, Dr. Gelenis Domingo provides us with up to date information. In this video, Dr. Domingo discusses liquid biopsies and lung cancer. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join…

Para estos videos adicionales a nuestra Biblioteca de videos sobre el cáncer de pulmón producidos en español para nuestra comunidad latina, la Dra. Gelenis Domingo nos brinda información actualizada. En este video, el Dr. Domingo analiza la inmunoterapia del cáncer de pulmón de células pequeñas y la terapia dirigida. Para más información, visite http://cancerGRACE.org/. Para unirse a la conversación, visite https://cancergrace.org/forum. ***** For these additional videos to our Lung Cancer Video Library produced in Spanish for our Latino Community, Dr. Gelenis Domingo provides us with up to date information. In this video, Dr. Domingo discusses small cell lung cancer immunotherapy…

Para estos videos adicionales a nuestra Biblioteca de videos sobre el cáncer de pulmón producidos en español para nuestra comunidad latina, la Dra. Gelenis Domingo nos brinda información actualizada. En este video, el Dr. Domingo analiza la terapia dirigida para NSCLC (EGFR). Para más información, visite http://cancerGRACE.org/. Para unirse a la conversación, visite https://cancergrace.org/forum. ***** For these additional videos to our Lung Cancer Video Library produced in Spanish for our Latino Community, Dr. Gelenis Domingo provides us with up to date information. In this video, Dr. Domingo discusses targeted therapy for NSCLC (EGFR). For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join…

Para estos videos adicionales a nuestra Biblioteca de videos sobre el cáncer de pulmón, producida en español para nuestra comunidad latina, la Dra. Gelenis Domingo nos brinda información más actualizada. En este video, el Dr. Domingo analiza la terapia dirigida para NSCLC (ALK y ROs-1). Para más información, visite http://cancerGRACE.org/. Para unirse a la conversación, visite https://cancergrace.org/forum. ***** For these additional videos to our Lung Cancer Video Library, produced in Spanish for our Latino Community, Dr. Gelenis Domingo provides us with more up to date information. In this video, Dr. Domingo discusses targeted therapy for NSCLC (ALK and ROs-1). For…

Para estos videos adicionales a nuestra Biblioteca de videos sobre el cáncer de pulmón producidos en español para nuestra comunidad latina, la Dra. Gelenis Domingo nos brinda información actualizada. En este video, el Dr. Domingo analiza la necesidad del diagnóstico molecular en el cáncer de pulmón (pruebas NGS y PD-L1). Para más información, visite http://cancerGRACE.org/. Para unirse a la conversación, visite https://cancergrace.org/forum. ***** For these additional videos to our Lung Cancer Video Library produced in Spanish for our Latino Community, Dr. Gelenis Domingo provides us with up to date information. In this video, Dr. Domingo discusses the need of molecular…

Para este año, además de nuestra videoteca de cáncer de pulmón producida en español para nuestra comunidad latina, el Dr. Luis Raez nos brinda información actualizada. En este video, el Dr. Raez analiza la inmunoterapia para el cáncer de pulmón no microcítico. Para más información, visite http://cancerGRACE.org/. Para unirse a la conversación, visite https://cancergrace.org/forum. ***** For this years addition to our Lung Cancer Video Library produced in Spanish for our Latino Community, Dr. Luis Raez provides us with up to date information. In this video, Dr. Raez discusses immunotherapy for non small cell lung cancer. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/.…

Para este año, además de nuestra videoteca de cáncer de pulmón producida en español para nuestra comunidad latina, el Dr. Luis Raez nos brinda información actualizada. En este video, el Dr. Raez habla sobre la detección del cáncer de pulmón. Para más información, visite http://cancerGRACE.org/. Para unirse a la conversación, visite https://cancergrace.org/forum. ******* For this years addition to our Lung Cancer Video Library produced in Spanish for our Latino Community, Dr. Luis Raez provides us with up to date information. In this video, Dr. Raez discusses Lung Cancer Screening. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For the GRACE Blood Cancer Video Library, Dr. Joshua Brody, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology and Director of the Lymphoma Immunotherapy Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital joins us to discuss updates from ASH 2019. For this video, Dr. Brody shares information on Mantle Cell Lymphoma, and the exciting outcomes from CAR-T Cell therapy trials. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For the GRACE Blood Cancer Video Library, Dr. Marco Ruiz, Medical Oncologist in Hematologic Cancers specializing in leukemia, lymphoma, Myelodysplastic syndrome, myelofibrosis, HIV related malignancies, stem cell transplants, geriatric oncology, palliative medicine at the Miami Cancer Institute in Miami, Florida joins us to discuss updates the updates in treatments for blood cancers. For this video, he discusses the the role of bone marrow transplantation and other therapies for blood cancers. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For the GRACE Blood Cancer Video Library, Dr. Marco Ruiz, Medical Oncologist in Hematologic Cancers specializing in leukemia, lymphoma, Myelodysplastic syndrome, myelofibrosis, HIV related malignancies, stem cell transplants, geriatric oncology, palliative medicine at the Miami Cancer Institute in Miami, Florida joins us to discuss updates the updates in treatments for blood cancers. For this video, he discusses the diagnosis & management of blood cancers. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For the GRACE Blood Cancer Video Library, Dr. Marco Ruiz, Medical Oncologist in Hematologic Cancers specializing in leukemia, lymphoma, Myelodysplastic syndrome, myelofibrosis, HIV related malignancies, stem cell transplants, geriatric oncology, palliative medicine at the Miami Cancer Institute in Miami, Florida joins us to discuss updates the updates in treatments for blood cancers. For this video, he shares information on the prevalence and epidemiology of blood cancers. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For the GRACE Blood Cancer Video Library, Dr. Joshua Brody, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology and Director of the Lymphoma Immunotherapy Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital joins us to discuss updates from ASH 2019. For this video, he shares information on CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) and a new generation of BTK Inhibitors For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For the GRACE Blood Cancer Video Library, Dr. Joshua Brody, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology and Director of the Lymphoma Immunotherapy Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital joins us to discuss updates from ASH 2019. For this video, he shares information on Bi-specific Therapy and new treatments for diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For this video Dr.Matthew Gubens discusses targeted therapies in non small cell lung cancer. What are the leading treatment options for patients with low or negative tumor PD-L1 expression and advanced squamous NSCLC today? For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For this video Dr.Matthew Gubens discusses non small cell lung cancer, and immunotherapy. For a frail patient with advanced NSCLC, can immunotherapy help as a treatment option? For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For this video Dr.Matthew Gubens discusses non small cell lung cancer, and tumor mutational burden. At this time could TMB be helpful in non small cell lung cancer management? For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For this video Dr. Millie Das discusses Immunotherapy in non small cell lung cancer., and the current role of immunotherapy for unresectable stage lll NSCLC. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For this series of the GRACE Lung Cancer Video Library, Dr. Millie Das joined us to discuss targeted therapies in non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and what the current leading treatment options are for patients with low or negative tumor PDL1 expression and advanced non squamous NSCLC. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For the GRACE Lung Cancer Video Library, Dr. Millie Das joined us to discuss Immunotherapy in non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and whether immunotherapy has activity in malignant pleural mesothelioma. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

Prof. Jean Bourhis, Department Head of Radio-Oncology at the University Hospital of Lausanne and Lead Investigator of Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois explains the ESMO 2020 Abstract Pembrolizumab versus cetuximab, concomitant with radiotherapy (RT) in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC): Results of the GORTEC 2015-01 “PembroRad” randomized trial. Abstract LBA388  Context This new combination was tested in a randomized trial against the well-established standard of care (SOC) cetuximab-RT in LA-HNSCC on the basis of the hypothesis of the possible synergistic effect of anti-PD1 pembrolizumab when combined with RT. Methodology In this phase II randomized trial, patients with…

Aditya Bardia, MD, MPH of Massachusetts General Hospital discusses the Natera Announces Collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital for a Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial in Early Stage Breast Cancer. SAN CARLOS, Calif., Aug. 27, 2020/PRNewswire/ — Natera, Inc. ( NASDAQ: NTRA), a pioneer and global leader in cell-free DNA, today announced a joint agreement with the Mass General Cancer Center (MGCC) of Massachusetts General Hospital, connected to the Phase II randomized clinical trial of Ribociclib (Kisqali ®), a CDK4/6 inhibitor, for the treatment of ER-pository multi-center treatment. LEADER (Part II) will randomize patients with localized postmenopausal breast cancer as proof of…

Aditya Bardia, MD, MPH of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute speaks about ESMO 20 ASCENT: A randomized phase III study of sacituzumab govitecan (SG) vs treatment of physician’s choice (TPC) in patients (pts) with previously treated metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC).Abstract LBA17ContextStandard of care (SOC) chemotherapy in pts with pretreated mTNBC is associated with poor objective response rates (ORRs) and limited median progression-free survival (mPFS). SG (TRODELVYTM) is a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) consisting of an anti-Trop-2 antibody attached to the irinotecan active metabolite, SN-38, through a specific hydrolysable linker that allows intracellular and tumor microenvironment (bystander effect) release of SN-38. SG…

Andrea B. Apolo, MD of NIH National Cancer Institute speaks about the ESMO 2020 abstract New First-Line Treatment Option For Metastatic Kidney Cancer, According To Results Of Phase 3 Study.LUGANO, Switzerland-For patients with metastatic kidney cancer, the findings of the phase 3 CheckMate 9ER trial have provided a potential first-line treatment choice. At ESMO 2020, the late break results are discussed. (1) The research took two second-line monotherapy medications, nivolumab, and cabozantinib, and merged them for use as a first-line standard-of-care drug, sunitinib. The combination was superior for progression-free survival, overall survival, and response rate compared to sunitinib. In various…

Angel A. Rodriguez, MD, Oncology Medical Director of Natera speaks about Natera Announces Collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital for a Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial in Early Stage Breast Cancer. SAN CARLOS, Calif., Aug. 27, 2020/PRNewswire/ — Natera, Inc. ( NASDAQ: NTRA), a pioneer and global leader in cell-free DNA, today announced a joint agreement with the Mass General Cancer Center (MGCC) of Massachusetts General Hospital, connected to the Phase II randomized clinical trial of Ribociclib (Kisqali ®), a CDK4/6 inhibitor, for the treatment of ER-pository multi-center treatment. LEADER (Part II) will randomize patients with localized postmenopausal breast cancer as proof…

Roy S Herbst, MD, Ph.D. of the Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center discusses ESMO 2020 abstract Yale Trial Validates Immunotherapy Treatment for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.New Haven, Conn. Atezolizumab, the immunotherapy drug, improves survival over standard survival.For several patients with newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC), chemotherapy,A new study led by researchers from the Yale Cancer Center (YCC) shows that. The conclusions, from aStep 3 global randomized clinical trial, published today in the New England Journal ofMedicine, assistance with the U.S. The approval of the medication by the Food and Drug Administration for this in…

Timothy A. Yap, MD of MD Anderson discusses ESMO 2020 Poster: Rucaparib + Sacituzumab Govitecan: Initial Data From the Phase 1b/2 SEASTAR Study (NCT03992131) SEASTAR study presented at ESMO. SUMMARY  Initial promising signs of antitumor activity were seen in patients with advanced solid tumors (n=6) with the combination of rucaparib + sacituzumab govitecan, including patients with prior polymerase inhibitor exposure (ADP-ribose) and without deleterious homologous recombination repair gene mutation. * Despite premature toxicity, all 6 patients * Continued treatment with successful treatment of emergent adverse reactions * Controlled with dose adjustment and/or help for the growth factor * Further consideration…

Dr. Zeynep Zengin, post-doctoral fellow at City of Hope discusses the ESMO Virtual Congress 2020: Assessment of Circulating Cell-Free Tumor DNA in 847 Patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) and concordance with tissue-based testing.(UroToday.com) For patients undergoing systemic therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), biomarkers need to be identified to guide initial treatment decisions and to track treatment response. A non-invasive approach to determining tumor-level genetic modifications is the evaluation of circulating cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA). Previously, ctDNA profiles have been shown to develop along with advanced kidney cancer treatment. It is important to understand the concordance of…

Professor Ray McDermott of St. Vincent University Hospital and Tallaght Hospital, Ireland discusses ESMO – Survival benefits of larotrectinib in an integrated dataset of patients with TRK fusion cancer. BACKGROUND Fusions of the neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene encode chimeric fusion. In a wide range of adult and pediatric tumors, tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) proteins, which are constitutively active and act as oncogenic motors. In different paediatric and adult tumour types, NTRK gene fusions have been reported, with an average incidence of 1 percent in all solid tumour types. They occur more commonly in such rare tumors, such as…

Professor Ray McDermott of St. Vincent University Hospital and Tallaght Hospital, Ireland explains the ESMO poster DASL-HiCaP: Darolutamide augments standard therapy for localized very high-risk cancer of the prostate (ANZUP1801). A randomized phase III double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of adding darolutamide to androgen deprivation therapy and definitive or salvage radiation.BackgroundLuteinizing hormone-releasing hormone equivalent (LHRHA) radiation therapy (RT) plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the standard of treatment for men with very high-risk localized prostate cancer (PC) or with very high-risk features and chronic radical prostatectomy (RP) PSA. Despite this, incurable distant metastases in 15 percent of males with very high-risk features…

Peter R. Galle, MD of University Medical Center Mainz discusses his ESMO 2020 abstract – Updated results of a phase Ib study of regorafenib (REG) plus pembrolizumab (PEMBRO) for first-line treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Background REG is an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase with immunomodulatory activity and PEMBRO is a monoclonal anti-PD-1 antibody. We have planned a phase Ib analysis of REG plus PEMBRO for first-line treatment of advanced HCC, based on possible synergistic effects. Methodology This is a dose-finding, continuing research of patients (pts) who have not had previous systemic therapy. In the first cohort, for 3 weeks…

W. Michael Korn, MD, CMO of Caris Life Sciences discusses their abstract – Caris Life Sciences Presented New Ovarian Cancer Research at ESMO Virtual Congress 2020IRVING, Texas, Sept. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Caris Life Sciences ®, a leading molecular science innovator focused on achieving the promise of precision medicine, today revealed findings from a study that may shed new light on patients with KRAS-mutated epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) on their care path. These results, presented at the Virtual Congress 2020 of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), illustrate an unmet need for this patient population and indicate that targeted…

Jacob J. Adashek, DO of the Moffitt Cancer Center explains the ESMO 2020 Abstract – Personalized molecularly matched therapies for carcinomas of unknown primary is associated with improved outcomes. Context CUP accounts for 2-5 percent of the world’s overall cancer diagnoses and represents a Heterogeneous cancer community. Combination chemotherapy with modest reaction rates is the preferred treatment. (20 percent-40 percent). The median overall survival remains low (6-15 months), however. Empirical treatments have been performed (e.g. carboplatin / paclitaxel, cisplatin / gemcitabine). Centered on tissue-of-origin gene expression compared to tissue-specific therapies Profiling; There was no clinical advantage in randomized trials. While…

Roy S Herbst, MD, Ph.D. of Yale Cancer Center explains the ESMO abstract – Yale Cancer Center Study Reinforces Benefit Using Targeted Therapy for Early Stage NSCLC.New Haven, Conn.-According to revised findings led by Yale Cancer Center researchers, the treatment of osimertinib with targeted therapy following surgery appears to be important. In patients with early-stage, non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations, disease-free survival (DFS) is increased.The advantage of treatment with osimertinib shown in the ADAURA trial earlier this year was such that the independent data monitoring committee recommended the early unblinding of…

Ana Maria Arance Fernandez, MD of Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain speaks on her ESMO abstract – LBA44 – Lenvatinib (len) plus pembrolizumab (pembro) for advanced melanoma (MEL) that progressed on a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor: Initial results of LEAP-004. Context Identification of safe and reliable MEL treatment options that have advanced towards anti-PD-1-based treatment A major unmet need is counseling. The single-arm, open-label, step 2 LEAP-004 analysis The combination of len (multikinase inhibitor) and pembro (anti-PD-1) is evaluated by (NCT03776136) in Such a nation. Methodology Qualified pts had unresectable stage III-IV MEL, PD confirmed by iRECIST within 12…

Alexander Eggermont, MD of Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus Grand Paris and University Paris-Saclay explains the ESMO 2020 abstract LBA46 – Pembrolizumab versus placebo after complete resection of high-risk stage III melanoma: Final results regarding distant metastasis-free survival from the EORTC 1325-MG/Keynote 054 double-blinded phase III trial. Context A randomized phase III, double-blind EORTC 1325 / KEYNOTE-054 study was performed to test pembrolizumab versus placebo in patients (pts) with resected stage III high-risk melanoma. Pembrolizumab enhanced recurrence-free survival (RFS) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.57, P<0.0001) relative to placebo at a 1.25-year (yr) median follow-up (Eggermont, NEJM 2018). This resulted in EMA and…

Zarnie Lwin, MD Royal Brisbane, and Women’s Hospital, University of Queensland discusses the ESMO abstract LBA41 – LEAP-005: Phase II study of lenvatinib (len) plus pembrolizumab (pembro) in patients (pts) with previously treated advanced solid tumours. Context In early-phase studies, Len (antiangiogenic multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor) + pembro (anti-PD-1 agent) showed promising clinical results across several cancers and is FDA-approved for pts with previously treated advanced endometrial cancer that is not MSI-H or mismatch repair-deficient that are ineligible for curative / radiation surgery. The first findings of the phase 2 LEAP-005 study (NCT03797326) evaluating the efficacy and protection of…

John Bridgewater, MD, Ph.D., Medical Oncologist discusses ESMO abstracts Efficacy and Safety of Futibatinib in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) Harboring FGFR2 Fusions/Other Rearrangements: Subgroup Analyses of a Phase 2 Study (FOENIX-CCA2) and Quality of Life Outcomes With Futibatinib Treatment in FOENIX-CCA2, a Phase 2 Study in Patients With Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Harboring FGFR2 Gene Fusions/Rearrangements. 1 – Efficacy and Safety of Futibatinib in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) Harboring FGFR2 Fusions/Other Rearrangements: Subgroup Analyses of a Phase 2 Study (FOENIX-CCA2) Context FGFR2 fusions occur with iCCA and tumor suppressor computations in 10-20 percent of pts.  There may be prognostic genes. An analysis of futibatinib…

Dr. Neal Shore MD, FACS, CPI, of the Atlantic Urology Clinics and Director at the Carolina Urologic Research Center, discusses Nonmetastatic, Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer and Survival with Darolutamide and ESMO abstract tolerability and treatment response to darolutamide (DARO) in patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) in the phase 3 ARAMIS trial.Prostate Nonmetastatic, Castration-Resistant Darolutamide Cancer and SurvivalBACKGROUNDDarolutamide is an inhibitor of the androgen receptor that is structurally distinct and approved for the treatment of non-metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer. The median metastasis-free survival was substantially longer with darolutamide (40.4 months) than with placebo (18.4 months) in the expected primary analysis…

Susanna Curtis, MD of Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center speaks about the Study: Medical Marijuana Associated with Fewer Hospitalizations for Individuals Living with Sickle Cell Disease. According to a new report in Blood Advances, WASHINGTON, Aug. 13, 2020, /PRNewswire/ — Individuals with sickle cell disease ( SCD) who are obtaining medical marijuana to relieve pain may need less hospital visits. SCD adults who sought and received medicinal marijuana were less often admitted to the hospital than those who did not receive it. In the United States, SCD is the most prevalent hereditary red blood cell disease, affecting…

Erika P. Hamilton, MD Director, Breast Cancer and Gynecologic Cancer Research Program, Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Tennessee Oncology speaks about ESMO 2020 abstract –   ·         Initial clinical experience of lucitanib + nivolumab in advanced metastatic solid tumours: data from the phase 1b/2 LIO-1 study (CO-3810-101; NCT04042116) ·         LIO-1: A Phase 2 study of lucitanib + nivolumab in patients (pts) with gynaecological tumours (CO-3810-101; NCT04042116; ENGOT-GYN3/AGO/LIO)    

Neal Shore, MD at the Carolina Urologic Research Center discusses the ESCALATE Trial Potential Enhancement of Prostate Cancer Treatment Options: First Patient Randomized in Phase III Trial A Phase III Randomized Analysis Comparing Enzalutamide or Darolutamide with Radium-223 vs Enzalutamide or Darolutamide with Placebo and the Effect on Symptomatic Skeletal Event-Free Survival in mCRPC Patients, clinicaltrials.gov # NCT04237584, MANA RBM and CUSP report the randomization of the first participant in ESCALATE. For patients with metastatic prostate cancer that has progressed with initial androgen deprivation therapy (mCRPC), enrollment is scheduled. In addition to clinical outcome tests, patients will be randomized to…

Lillian Siu, MD of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre discusses ESMO 2020 abstract #524O, Proffered Paper: Initial Results of a Phase 1 Study of MK-4830, a First-in-Class Anti-Immunoglobulin-Like Transcript 4 (ILT4) Myeloid-Specific Antibody in Patients (Pts) With Advanced Solid Tumors. MK-4830, a myeloid-specific ILT4 receptor-targeted antibody given either as a single agent or in combination with pembrolizumab (Keytruda ®; Merck & Co.), was well tolerated and showed positive objective responses in patients with advanced solid tumors who were heavily pre-treated. This is the inference drawn from the results of a phase I dose-escalation analysis presented during the ESMO Virtual Congress…

Eric Jonasch, MD The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center ASCO 2020 Phase II study of the oral HIF-2α inhibitor MK-6482 for Von Hippel-Lindau disease-associated renal cell carcinoma.Context:Several cancers, including clear renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), are at risk in patients (pts) with Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL). VHL inactivation results in the constitutive activation of the transcription factor of HIF-2 aa, which drives the development of the tumor. In a phase 1/2 trial, MK-6482, a potent, selective, small-molecule HIF-2 alpha inhibitor, has shown favorable safety and antitumor activity. Initial findings of phase 2 open-label analysis of MK-6482 for the treatment…

Robert Coleman, MD, FACOG, FACS, Chief Scientific Officer US Oncology Research discusses ASCO 2020 A phase III randomized controlled trial of secondary surgical cytoreduction (SSC) followed by platinum-based combination chemotherapy (PBC), with or without bevacizumab (B) in platinum-sensitive, recurrent ovarian cancer (PSOC): A NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) study. Context: GOG-0213 is an international, open-label, randomized phase 3 trial of PSOC women with two objectives: 1) to research the addition of B to paclitaxel/carboplatin simultaneously and as maintenance; and 2) to determine the effect of SSC. Overall survival (OS) is the principal endpoint. The results of Objective 1 [HR 0.829;…

Erik A. Williams, MD of the Foundation Medicine, Inc. discusses CDKN2C-Null Leiomyosarcoma: A Novel, Genomically Distinct Class of TP53/RB1–Wild-Type Tumor With Frequent CIC Genomic Alterations and 1p/19q-Codeletion. INTENT Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) has recurrent mutations but few actionable genomic alterations in TP53 and RB1. Here, we searched for repeated actionable genomic changes in LMS that occur in the absence of popular oncogenic drivers that are not treatable. Tissues from 276,645 unique advanced cancers were sequenced by hybrid-capture-based next-generation DNA and RNA sequencing / comprehensive genomic profiling of up to 406 genes, including 2,570 uterine and soft tissue LMS. Clinicopathologic characteristics of related…

Paolo Ghia, MD, Ph.D. of Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele speaks about ASCEND: Phase III, Randomized Trial of Acalabrutinib Versus Idelalisib Plus Rituximab or Bendamustine Plus Rituximab in Relapsed or Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic LeukemiaIntent —In this national, multicenter, randomized, open-label phase III review, acalabrutinib, a highly selective, active Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was evaluated in patients with relapsed / refractory (R / R) chronic lymphocytic leukemia ( CLL).METHODSQualified patients, aged 18 years with R / R CLL, were randomly allocated 1:1 centrally and stratified by del(17p) status, success status score of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, and a number of prior…

Xiang Cheng Ph.D. and Feng Geng Ph.D. from Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center discusses Blocking Fat Storage Might Offer New Way to Treat Most Lethal Form of Brain Cancer. Glioblastoma (GBM) has an average survival of 12-15 months, a period that has remained unchanged for two decades. GBM cells accumulate fats in lipid droplets and use them as energy for rapid cell division. This study shows that blocking an enzyme used to form the lipid droplets might be a new way to treat this deadly disease. COLUMBUS, Ohio – Glioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal form of brain cancer that…

S. Michelle Shiller, DO, AP/CP, MGP at PathGroup discusses how the Pan-Cancer Consortium Moves to Clarify and Promote Consistent Use of Common Terms for Biomarker and Germline Genetic Testing A white paper outlining guidelines for the use of research terms in precision medicine for patient education in the cancer world has been released by a LUNGevity Foundation-led coalition of 41 leading patient advocacy groups, professional societies, and industry partners. The use of clear terminology will greatly increase patient knowledge and comprehension of possible lifesaving testing strategies available for both new diagnosis of cancer and disease progression or recurrence. Research shows…

Ari Melnick, MDof Weill Cornell Medicine discusses winning the  American Society of Hematology Ernest Beutler Lecture and Prize. ASH will award the 2020 Ernest Beutler Lecture and Prize to Ari Melnick, MD of Weill Cornell Medicine in New York and Courtney DiNardo, MD, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for their valuable research contributions to the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia through an enhanced understanding of epigenetics.   Named for the late Ernest Beutler, MD, former president of ASH and physician-scientist for more than 50 years, the Ernest Beutler Lecture is a two-part lectureship that recognizes significant translational…

Edward J. Benz, Jr., MD at Dana Farber discusses his award from American Society of Hematology Leadership in Promoting Diversity and the road ahead. The 2020 ASH Award for Leadership in Promoting Diversity will be awarded to Edward J. Benz, Jr., MD, President and CEO Emeritus of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Massachusetts and the Richard and Susan Smith Distinguished Professor at Harvard Medical School in Massachusetts. Dr. Benz is being honored for his efforts to promote women and underrepresented minority hematologists throughout the course of his career. The ASH Award for Leadership in Promoting Diversity honors hematologists who have…

Ammar Chaudhry, MD at City of Hope discusses an abstract from AACR 2020 entitled Randiomic prediction of survival in recurrent high-grade glioma patients

Shailja Shah, MD, MPH. at Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center discusses a Study which gauges specific site gastric cancer risks among ethnic groups Compared to non-Hispanic white Americans, non-white Americans, especially Asian Americans, are at a disproportionately higher risk for gastric cancer. According to specific ethnicities and locations within the stomach, a new study breaks down this risk. The California Cancer Registry data for the seven largest Asian American populations (Chinese, Japanese , Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, South Asian and Southeast Asian) as well as for non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanic populations were analyzed in the study published Aug. 6 in…

Nick Smith-Stanley, MBA, Associate Director of Administration & Strategic Planning of the LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School speaks about Addressing the Disparity of Women in Oncology. The Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE), piloted in 2019, is the first of its kind to directly discuss the gap in oncology among women. Learn about the SHE program creation, which hosts juniors and seniors identified as women to engage in a week-long immersion program that introduces them to the biology, science, and treatment of cancer. These students also attend leadership and preparation activities during the week that can apply to any area they…

Michael Wang, MD at MD Anderson discusses Kite Pharma’s FDA Approves First Cell-Based Gene Therapy For Adult Patients with Relapsed or Refractory MCLUS. U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) has granted TecartusTM (brexucabtagene autoleucel, formerly KTE-X19), the first and only approved chimerical antigen receptor (CAR ) T cell therapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Following a priority review and FDA Breakthrough Therapy Classification, approval of this one-time therapy is based on the findings of ZUMA-2, a single-arm, open-label trial in which 87 percent of patients responded to a single Tecartus…

Greg Hiebert, Leadership Educator, Coach, and Consultant of Leadership Forward discusses Leadership Resilience and Post Traumatic Growth & Live. Great leaders provide their teams and organizations with calm, trust, and courage. Particularly during great storms, struggles, and adversities, surely like the immense COVID-19 has had an effect on our delivery networks for healthcare. Whether or not you are in a leadership position during your cancer program or work, leadership position or serve as an “informal” leader and/or mentor, learn how to turn challenging experiences into constructive learning and development for yourself and others. Come away with research-based mindsets, skillsets, and…

David R. Gandara, MD at MDAnderson discusses Guardant Health’s FDA approval of the Guardant360 CDx which delivers critical genomic information to oncologists from a simple blood draw Guardant Wellness, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH) estimates that the United States is Guardant360 ® CDx for tumor mutation profiling, also known as systematic genomic profiling (CGP), has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) in patients with any solid malignant neoplasm (cancerous tumor). In order to recognize non-small cell lung cancer patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) alterations who may benefit from Tagrisso ® (osimertinib) therapy, Guardant360 CDx is also…

Minesh P Mehta MD, FASTRO @BaptistHealthSF High- vs Low-Dose Radiation for Adult Low-Grade Glioma

Miguel Ferreira, MSc of GlobalData discusses how the Hodgkin’s lymphoma market to suffer with Adcetris patent expiry but benefit from new competitive landscape, says GlobalData. Adcetris is the world’s 7MM * (US, 5EU and Japan) market-leading drug and has been the major contributor to the market development of Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) in recent years. In this currently rising market, the initial patent expiry in the US in 2024 is projected to lead to stagnation. However, a new competitive environment that will provide an incentive for new businesses looking to join the HL market might compensate for this, says GlobalData, a…

Stephen B. Edge MD, FACS, FASCO of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center speaks about the ASCO 2020 Going off pathway: Problem or good care? Bottom line: Decision support and benchmarking against national standards are supported by clinical oncology pathways (COP). Some organizations offer financial incentives to use care recommended by the COP (on the pathway: OnP). Recommended Rx (off-pathway: OffP) treatment (Rx) other than COP is sufficient for certain cases. Restricted data on the appropriateness of OffP Rx is available. This research explores rates and explanations in one cancer center for OffP Rx. Approaches: Both systemic Rx decisions entered into…

Kazuhiko Matsuoka, PhD Medical University of Vienna Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common form of aggressive bone cancer. A MedUni Vienna study, led by geneticist Erwin Wagner, has uncovered new insights into the disease mechanisms of OS, paving the way for potential new diagnostic and treatment strategies for fighting the bone disease. The most prevalent type of aggressive bone cancer is osteosarcoma (OS). New insights into the disease mechanisms of OS have been discovered in a MedUni Vienna study led by geneticist Erwin Wagner, paving the way for future new diagnosis and treatment methods for combating bone disease. The paper…

Mikkael Sekeres, MD @CleClinicMD @TakedaPharma FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation Granted for Pevonedistat for the Treatment of Patients with Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (HR-MDS) US. U.S. The Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) has awarded Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS) for its investigational drug pevonedistat. Pevonedistat, a first-in-class NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE) inhibitor, may be the first innovative treatment in more than a decade for HR-MDS patients, extending treatment choices that have so far been limited to monotherapy alone with hypomethylating agent (HMA). Even with the latest care options, outcomes remain low for people living…

Melissa Ann Geller, MD of the University of Minnesota speaks about the ASCO 2020 abstract APOLLO: A phase I study of adaptive memory natural killer (NK) cells in recurrent ovarian cancer. Background: A subset of long-lived CD57+NKG2C+ adaptive NK cells with increased antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and resistance to tumor-suppressive mechanisms is caused by human cytomegalovirus ( CMV) infection. To manufacture modulated adaptive NK cells (FATE-NK100) from CMV+ haploidentical donors for adoptive transfer, we developed a 7-day culture method using a GSK3 inhibitor and IL-15. Phase I Apollo trial measures the maximum tolerated / maximum feasible dose (MTD / MFD) of…

Marwan Fakih, MD at City of Hope discusses an abstract from AACR20 entitled Efficacy and Safety of Pembrolizumab in Previously Treated Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumors: Results From the Phase II KEYNOTE-158 Study Abstract Purpose: KEYNOTE-158 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02628067) investigated the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab across multiple cancers. We present results from patients with previously treated advanced well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NET). Patients and methods: Pembrolizumab 200 mg was administered every 3 weeks for 2 years or until progression, intolerable toxicity, or physician/patient decision. Tumor imaging was performed every 9 weeks for the first year and then every 12 weeks. Endpoints included…

Anca Chelariu- Raicu, MD of MD Anderson Cancer Center speaks about the ASCO 2020 abstract Phase I/II study of weekly topotecan and gefitinib in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer. Background: In several forms of cancer, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is expressed. EGFR may be overexpressed by fifty to 70% of the epithelial ovary, and its expression has in many cases been associated with poor prognostic characteristics. While these tumors are chemosensitive to platinum-based treatment, they also establish chemoresistance. We conducted a phase I / II trial to investigate the effectiveness, efficacy, and toxicity of…

Jennifer Baker Flechtner, Ph.D. – Genocea Biosciences Inc’s Chief Scientific Officer discusses Genocea to Present Data that Reveal New Understanding of ATLASTM-Identified InhibigenTM Biology at AACR Virtual Annual Meeting II CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 22, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Genocea Biosciences, Inc. ( NASDAQ: GNCA), a biopharmaceutical company that develops next-generation neoantigen immunotherapies, today presented preclinical evidence at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Virtual Annual Meeting II that provides fresh and significant insights into the biology and actions of inhibitory neoantigen (InhibigensTM) The results are based on previous research presented at SITC 2019 that showed that the involvement of…

J. Mel Sorensen, MD President, and Chief Executive Officer Galera Thereptutics, Inc gives an overview from ASCO 2020 abstract entitled ROMAN: Reduction in oral mucositis with avasopasem manganese (GC4419)–phase III trial in patients receiving chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced, nonmetastatic head and neck cancer. Background: Around 70 % of patients receiving intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plus cisplatin for locally advanced head and neck cancer (HNC) develop SOM, identified as WHO Grade 3 or 4, which restricts the ability of patients to absorb solids (Gr 3) or liquids (Gr 4, requiring enteral nutrition). An RT-induced superoxide burst initiates the production of oral mucositis…

Petros Grivas, MD, PhD Seattle Cancer Care Alliance discusses FDA Approves Avelumab (BAVENCIO) as First-Line Maintenance Treatment for Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial CarcinomaThe approval is focused on the findings of the JAVELIN Bladder 100 Phase III trial, which showed a substantial 7.1-month increase in median overall survival ( OS) relative to BSC alone with BAVENCIO as first-line maintenance plus best supportive treatment (BSC): 21.4 months (95 % CI: 18.9 to 26.1) vs. 14.3 months (95 % CI: 12.9 to 17.9).1 This statistically significant improvement in BSC alone Based on high initial response rates, platinum-based chemotherapy is currently…

Jonathan Cheng, MD Merck – Vice President Clinical Research discusses KEYTRUDA Is the First Single-Agent, Anti-PD-1 Therapy Approved for the First-Line Treatment of These Patients Approval Received Less Than One Month Following Submission of sBLA Application Based on Results of KEYNOTE-177

Aurélien Marabelle, MD at Gustave Roussy discusses the FDA Approval of Second Biomarker-Based Indication for Pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA) The FDA issued accelerated clearance, regardless of tumor type, for the second biomarker-based indication for Merck’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) anti-PD-1 therapy. The therapy is now indicated for adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) (≥10 mutations / megabase) solid tumors (determined by an FDA-approved test) that progressed after previous treatment and for which there are no appropriate alternative therapies. Pembrolizumab enhances the body’s immune system’s ability to help recognize and kill tumor cells by blocking the interaction between the…

Chandra Belani, MD Chief Science Officer – IASLC discusses IASLC: New Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines Will Save Lives Scientists have found an oncogene (a gene causing cancer) that is responsible for glioblastoma, the most deadly brain tumor. For a cancer that is often terminal, the finding provides a promising new therapeutic target. The researchers claim that for the survival of cancer cells, the oncogene is important. Cancer cells die without it. Scientists have already developed several targeted treatments with a similar “oncogene addiction” for other cancers. Glioblastoma Targeting Oncogenes are genes that arise normally and spiral out of control and…

Hui Li, PhD at Univeristy of Virginia UVA IDs Gene Responsible for Deadly Glioblastoma Scientists have found an oncogene (a gene causing cancer) that is responsible for glioblastoma, the most deadly brain tumor. For a cancer that is often terminal, the finding provides a promising new therapeutic target. The researchers claim that for the survival of cancer cells, the oncogene is important. Cancer cells die without it. Scientists have already developed several targeted treatments with a similar “oncogene addiction” for other cancers. Glioblastoma Targeting Oncogenes are genes that arise normally and spiral out of control and cause cancer. AVIL, the…

Wendy Stock, MD of University of Chicago receives 2020 Mentor Award Recipient The Anjuli Seth Nayak Professor of Leukemia at the University of Chicago School of Medicine is Dr. Stock, the clinical awardee. She is vice chair of the Alliance’s Leukemia and Leukemia Correlative Sciences Committee, a joint clinical trials organization funded by the National Institutes of Health’s (NCI) National Cancer Institute. She previously worked for 15 years as co-leader of the Hematopoiesis and Hematological Malignancies Program of the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center, and as co-chair of the Leukemia Steering Committee of the NCI National Clinical Trials Network…

Sigrun Hallmeyer, MD at ACCC discusses Immuno-Oncology and What Lies Ahead

Michael Wang, MD from MD Anderson discusses a paper from Nature entitled Durable response with single-agent acalabrutinib in patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma. Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors have substantially expanded the range of treatment choices for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) [1,2,3,4]. Acalabrutinib is a highly selective, orally administered, and active, off-target BTK inhibitor[5]. Acalabrutinib was approved for treatment of relapsed / refractory MCL by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2017 on the basis of clinical evidence from the open-label, multicenter, phase 2 ACE-LY-004 acalabrutinib 100 mg twice daily[1]. Here, after a 26 month median…

Steve Shak Exact Sciences Chief Medical Officer discusses Oncotype DX Genomic Prostate Score® Result Shows for the First Time the Value of the Test to Guide Treatment Plans for Unfavorable Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients

Timothy A. Yap, MD from MD Anderson discusses an abstract from Journal of Clinical Oncology entitled Phase I Trial of First-in-Class ATR Inhibitor M6620 (VX-970) as Monotherapy or in Combination With Carboplatin in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors Intent Preclinical studies have shown that ATR inhibition as monotherapy and combined with DNA-damaging drugs such as carboplatin can manipulate synthetic lethality (e.g. in cancer cells with compromised compensatory DNA damage responses due to ATM loss). PATIENTS AND METHODS  The ATR inhibitor M6620 (VX-970) was tested in this phase I trial as monotherapy (once or twice weekly) and combined with carboplatin (carboplatin…

Christopher Jakubowski, MD The Johns Hopkins discusses an abstract from The Journal of Clinical Oncology entitled Response to Crizotinib in ROS1 Fusion–Positive Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Murray Brunt, MBBS, FRCR, FRCP The Institute of Cancer discusses an article in The Journal of Clinical Oncology entitled Ten-Year Results of FAST: A Randomized Controlled Trial of 5-Fraction Whole-Breast Radiotherapy for Early Breast Cancer Intent — Earlier studies of hypofractionated whole-breast adjuvant radiotherapy for early breast cancer developed a standard 15- or 16-fraction (fr) protocol. Normal tissue effects (NTE) and disease outcomes after 5-fr regimens were evaluated in the Quick Trial (CRUKE/04/015). Ten-year outcomes are given. METHODS Women aged 50 years with low-risk invasive breast carcinoma (pT1-2 pN0) were randomly assigned to either 50 Gy/25 fr (5 weeks) or…

Daniel Persky, MD @UAZCance #ASCO20 Positron Emission Tomography–Directed Therapy for Patients With Limited-Stage Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Results of Intergroup National Clinical Trials Network Study S1001 Intent In 25 percent to 30 percent of patients, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is presented as a limited-stage disease, with better overall survival ( OS) than that for advanced-stage disease, but with continuous relapse regardless of treatment strategy. Rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) and radiation therapy are the recommended medications. We designed a National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) study to enhance findings and decrease toxicity on the basis of promising outcomes…

Dan Paul Zandberg, MD at UPMC discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled The impact of tumor hypoxia on the clinical efficacy of anti-PD-1 mAb treatment in recurrent/metastatic HNSCC patients (R/M) Bottom line: Anti-PD-1 mAbs have changed the R / M HNSCC treatment landscape, but the physical, immunological, and metabolic barriers present in the tumor microenvironment are likely drivers of low response rates. Hypoxia is a well-established feature of the microenvironment of the tumor and can act as an obstacle to the infiltration and function of T cells. In R / M HNSCC patients, we assessed the effect of hypoxia on…

Ari Rosenberg, MD at The University of Chicago discusses an abstract from ASCO 2020 entitled Dose and volume de-escalation for HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer: Long-term follow-up of the OPTIMA trial Bottom line: Human papilloma virus (HPV) related oropharyngeal cancer has a good prognosis, but conventional multimodality treatment is associated with significant toxicity associated with treatment. A model for treatment de-escalation that optimizes oncological results while reducing toxicity is needed. We tried to further expound our reported OPTIMA results with long-term follow-up and subsequently treated additional pts using the OPTIMA treatment paradigm. Approaches: There was a long-term follow-up of our institutional OPTIMA…

Professor Galina Velikova, MD of the Leeds Institute of Medical Research discusses the ASCO abstract Phase III randomized controlled trial of eRAPID (electronic patient self-Reporting of Adverse-events: Patient Information and advice)—An eHealth intervention during chemotherapy Bottom line: Routine monitoring of the symptoms of patients may improve control of symptoms, quality of life ( QOL), and survival. ERAPID is an online patient reporting system, offering uniquely automated, severity-dependent guidance (self-management or hospital contact alerts). We measured the effect of eRAPID on patient experience & clinical treatment. Methodology: A prospective randomized trial of the two-arm parallel-group (1:1 Normal Treatment (UC) allocation: UC+eRAPID).…