Author: Editor

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).…

Jingxuan Zhao, MPH @AmercianCancer #ASCO20 Health insurance status and cancer stage at diagnosis and survival in the United States Bottom line: Although previous research found correlations between Medicaid coverage or no health insurance with both advanced cancer diagnosis stage and worse survival, access to health care in the United States has significantly improved over the past decade. Using recent national data , this study examined associations of health insurance status with stage at diagnosis and survival among 17 common cancers. Approaches: We reported 1,427,532 newly diagnosed cancer patients aged 18-64 years with 17 common cancers from the National Cancer Database…

Paz J. Vellanki, MD from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled Evaluation of the correlation between antibiotic use and survival in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) Bottom line: Latest evidence indicates that systemic antibiotic (Abx) therapy interferes with the intestinal microbiome and may be associated with reduced survival in patients undergoing ICI care for advanced cancers, like R / M HNSCC. A possible confounder, however, is that the use of Abx identifies a subgroup of patients with a worse…

Nikhil C. Munshi, MD of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discusses ASCO20 Idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel; bb2121), a BCMA-targeted CAR T-cell therapy, in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM): Initial KarMMa results. Bottom line: In triple-class exposed patients with RRMM (pts) progressing on immunomodulatory agents (IMiDs), proteasome inhibitors (PIs), and antibodies to CD38 (mAbs), the findings are poor. In Phase I CRB-401 research (NEJM2019;380:1726), Ide-cel, a BCMA targeted CAR T cell therapy, showed promising tolerability and efficacy in RRMM pts. Primary efficacy and safety results from the seminal phase II KarMMa studies of ide-cel in RRMM (NCT03361748) are presented. Methodology: Enrolled…

Lillian Siu, MD Princess Margaret Cancer Centre discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled Phase III LEAP-010 study: first-line pembrolizumab with or without lenvatinib in recurrent/metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) Background: The PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab is currently approved as first-line monotherapy for patients with R/M HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) ≥1. In a phase 1b/2 trial (NCT02501096) of pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib (multikinase inhibitor of VEGFR 1-3, FGFR 1-4, PDGFRa, RET, and KIT) in solid tumors, the combination demonstrated promising antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile in patients with HNSCC. LEAP-010 (NCT04199104) is…

Bruno Sangro, MD, Ph.D. at Clinica Universidad de Navarro discusses The unmet need in HCC patients, the ADP-A2AFP complete response and its potential. Dr. Bruno Sangro of Clinica Universidad de Navarro presented data from Cohort 3 and the expansion phase of the ADP-A2AFP Phase 1 trial during an oral presentation at ILC. Tim Meyer of University College London presented additional data from Cohorts 1 and 2 during a poster presentation. A video is available on Adaptimmune’s website (https://youtu.be/qAHamb3Yi8Y) of Elliot Norry, and Mark Dudley, SVP of Early Stage Development, discussing these data. The oral presentation and poster presentation are available…

Manisha H Shah, MD of The James Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center explains the study: Dabrafenib, Trametinib, and IMRT in Treating Patients With BRAF Mutated Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. Summary Brief: This research studies how well dabrafenib, trametinib, and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) function together in the treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer mutated in BRAF patients. Dabrafenib and trametinib can halt tumor cell growth by blocking some of the enzymes required to grow the cells. Radiation therapy uses beams of high energy to destroy tumor cells and to shrink tumours. More tumor cells may be destroyed by administering dabrafenib,…

Andrew Wei, MBBS, Ph.D. Alfred Hospital and Monash University U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approves Onureg® (azacitidine tablets), a New Oral Therapy, as Continued Treatment for Adults in First Remission with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The approval is focused on the findings of the seminal phase 3 QUAZAR ® AML-001 trial, in which Onureg treatment resulted in a statistically significant and clinically significant overall survival (OS) improvement, the primary endpoint of the research, of almost 10 months compared to placebo. Median OS from randomization was greater than two years (24.7 months; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 18.7 to 30.5) in patients…

Catherine Haring, MD & Paul Swiecicki, MD from University of Michigan Medical School discuss an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled HPV ctDNA analysis in unresectable recurrent/metastatic oropharyngeal cancer Bottom line: The incidence of related human papillomavirus (HPV+) oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is growing. While HPV + portents enhanced prognosis, survival remains low for patients with unresectable recurrent / metastatic (R / M) OPC. Extant data indicate that HPV ctDNA levels correlate in the primary setting with disease burden and treatment outcomes in patients with HPV + OPC, although there is little data in the metastatic setting. Objective: To establish a highly precise…

Ralph Zinner, MD University of Kentucky discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled Neoadjuvant nivolumab (N) plus weekly carboplatin (C) and paclitaxel (P) in resectable locally advanced head and neck cancer Bottom line: Patients (pts) with resectable locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LA SCCHN) are at high risk for recurrence, despite normal multimodality treatment. Improved overall survival of pts with pathologic complete response (pCR) or significant pathologic response (MPR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In conjunction with platinum-based chemotherapy, PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors are approved for 1st-line treatment of recurrent / metastatic SCCHN. We believe that, relative to historical…

Manisha H Shah, MD of The James Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center discusses the Efficacy of Selpercatinib in RET-Altered Thyroid Cancers. BACKGROUND  RET mutations occur in 70 percent of cancers of the medullary thyroid and RET fusions seldom occur in other thyroid cancers. The effectiveness and safety of the selective RET inhibition is uncertain in patients with RET-altered thyroid cancers. FOR METHODS In a phase 1-2 trial of selpercatinib, patients with RET-mutant medullary thyroid cancer with or without prior treatment with vandetanib or cabozantinib, as well as those with previously treated RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer, were enrolled. As decided…

Jan Ole Kemnade, MD, Ph.D. from Baylor College of Medicine discusses and ASCO 2020 abstract entitled Computational discovery of non-mutational tumor-restricted antigens reveals evidence of immunoediting in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma Bottom line: We previously identified 107 tumor antigens (EbTAgs), defined as genes with negligible expression in healthy tissue and cancer overexpression. EbTAgs present novel adaptive anti-tumor immune response targets and display signs of immunoediting in highly immune oral cavity infiltrated tumors. The EbTAgs expression was contrasted between four HNSCC subtypes in the sense of tumor immune infiltration: oral cavity (OC), HPV+ oropharyngeal (HPV+OP), HPV- oropharyngeal (HPV-OP), and…

Rebecca Christian Arend, MD at University of Alabama discusses an abstract from ASCO 2020 Clinical trial in progress: Pivotal study of VB-111 combined with paclitaxel versus paclitaxel for treatment of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (OVAL, VB-111-701/GOG-3018) Bottom line: Ofranergene obadenovec (VB-111) is a focused, dual-mechanism anti-cancer gene therapy: a broad antiangiogenic effect and the activation of a tumor-directed viral immune response. In a phase II trial of platinum-resistant VB-111 ovarian cancer in conjunction with weekly paclitaxel, the response rate (RR) of CA-125 was 58% and the median overall survival (OS) was 498 days, compared to the subtherapeutic dose of 172.5 days…

Michelle Echevarria, MD from Moffitt Cancer Center discusses an ASCO 2020 Phase I dose escalation of stereotactic body radiation therapy and concurrent cisplatin for re-irradiation of unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma Bottom line: A stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has become an appealing choice for patients with unresectable, previously radiated, locoregionally recurrent head and neck cancer. The intrinsic radiation tolerance of these recurrent cancers can be overcome by the use of high regular doses of radiotherapy. The addition of chemotherapy to radiotherapy is usually prescribed as a radiosensitizer, considering the resistant and advanced nature of many of…

Kedar Kirtane, MD from Moffitt Cancer Center discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled Concurrent cetuximab (CTX) and nivolumab (NIVO) in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC): Results of phase II study Bottom line: Although there is efficacy of anti-programmed death-1 (anti-PD-1) inhibitors, only some patients (pts) with R / M HNSCC gain substantial clinical benefits. In patients who had progressed to at least one previous treatment for their R / M HNSCC, the research was designed to evaluate the 1-year overall survival (OS) rate of concurrent CTX and NIVO. Approaches: Pts were handled…

Kathleen N. Moore, MD from OU Medicine discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled MIRASOL (GOG 3045/ENGOT OV-55): A randomized, open-label, phase III study of mirvetuximab soravtansine versus investigator’s choice of chemotherapy in advanced high-grade epithelial ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancers with high folate-alpha (FRα) expression. Bottom line: Elevated expression of FRα is a feature of many solid tumors, including epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and thus provides an attractive candidate for targeted therapeutic approaches. Mirvetuximab soravtansine is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) comprising a FRα-binding antibody, cleavable linker, and the maytansinoid DM4, a potent tubulin-targeting agent that has shown consistent…

Denise Manon Langabeer, MBA, Ph.D. of MD Anderson gives an overview from ASCO 2020 the abstract entitled Are symptoms distinguishable in ovarian cancer? A nested case-control study of insurance claims. Background: Step III and IV disease was diagnosed in over 60 percent of ovarian cancer cases. A common screening procedure for ovarian cancer is not funded by the US healthcare system. Our aim was to decide if some signs are distinguishable between women diagnosed with ovarian cancer and women without ovarian cancer, based on ICD-9 categories. Approaches: In order to endorse a nested case-control study of health insurance claims from…

Ben George, MD from Froedtert & Medical College discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitied A phase I, first-in-human, open-label, dose‑escalation, safety, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic study of oral TP‑1287 administered daily to patients with advanced solid tumors Context: TP-1287 is an alvocidib, cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) inhibitor, orally bioavailable phosphate prodrug. TP-1287 demonstrates powerful inhibition of CDK9 and intracellular kinases. Inhibition of CDK9 contributes to downregulation of the BCL-2 family member, MCL-1, which in turn inhibits tumor development of prostate , breast, and lung carcinomas in preclinical animal models. Approaches: This is a Phase 1 multicenter dose escalation study in patients…

Shannon N. Westin, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.O.G. from MD Anderson discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled – DUO-E/GOG-3041/ENGOT-EN10: a randomized phase III trial of first-line carboplatin (carb) and paclitaxel (pac) in combination with durvalumab (durva), followed by maintenance durva with or without olaparib (ola), in patients (pts) with newly diagnosed (nd) advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer (EC) Context: Progress in EC care that offers progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) benefits is a high unmet need. EC tumors are susceptible (Pectasides et al. Gynecol Oncol 2008) to carb / pac. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor (PARPi) ola (with or without bevacizumab) maintenance…

Mansoor Raza Mirza, MD from Region Hovedstaden discusses an abstract from ASCO 2020 entitled Final survival analysis of Smita Bhatia, MD of UAB discusses an article in the Journal of Clinical Oncology entitled Total Body Irradiation and Risk of Breast Cancer After Blood or Marrow Transplantation: A Blood or Marrow Transplantation Survivor Study Report Intent   To explore the link between total body irradiation (TBI) and subsequent breast cancer in women treated for hematologic malignancies through blood or marrow transplantation (BMT). PATIENTS AND MAINS Participants were drawn from a retrospective cohort study, the BMT Survivor Study (BMTSS), which included patients…

Jan Schellens, MD, CMO Byondis discusses the Phase I Study of Antibody-Drug Conjugate SYD1875. 11 August 2020, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, Byondis B.V. (formerly Synthon Biopharmaceuticals B.V.) today announced that treatment with its investigational antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) SYD1875 was initiated by the first cancer patients. In patients with 5T4-expressing, locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors, the First-in-Human Dose-Escalation and Expansion Trial with the Antibody-Drug Conjugate SYD1875 will assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of SYD1875. While 5T4 plays an important role in cancer growth, there are currently no drugs that target this particular tumor antigen. Patients are currently registered at…

Mansoor Raza Mirza, MD from Region Hovedstaden discusses an abstract from ASCO 2020 entitled Final survival analysis of NSGO-AVANOVA2/ENGOT-OV24: Combination of niraparib and bevacizumab versus niraparib alone as treatment of recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer—A randomized controlled chemotherapy-free study Background: We previously reported significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) with the chemotherapy-free regimen of niraparib and bevacizumab compared to niraparib alone, in women with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer (PSROC), regardless of homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) status (MyChoice HRD), duration of chemotherapy-free interval (CFI) and number of previous lines of therapy (Mirza MR et al, Lancet Oncol 2019). We now present the updated…

Andreas Burchert, MD University Hospital Giessen and Marburg Sorafenib Maintenance After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Acute Myeloid Leukemia With FLT3–Internal Tandem Duplication Mutation (SORMAIN) Intent — Patients with acute myeloid leukemia ( AML) with internal tandem duplication mutation in the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 gene (FLT3-ITD) have a poor prognosis, often relapse, and die as a consequence of AML, despite undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT). Whether a maintenance therapy using FLT3 inhibitors, such as the multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor sorafenib, improves outcome after HCT, is currently uncertain. MAINS In a randomized , placebo-controlled, double-blind phase II…

Sepideh Azarianpour-Esfahani, Ph.D. of Case Western Reserve University discusses an abstract from ASCO 2020 Computerized features of spatial arrangement of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from H&E images predicts survival and response to checkpoint inhibitors in gynecologic cancers Context: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in solid tumors have proved effective. Except for MSI-H endometrial cancer (~ 50 percent), the response rate is still poor in gynecologic cancers (GC) (~10-15 percent). Present biomarkers (e.g., expression of PDL1) have limited usefulness in recognizing ICI benefits in GC. In this research, the ability of H&E slide images to predict overall survival ( OS) and response to ICI…

Nicolo Manaresi, Ph.D. Chief Scientific Officer of M Silicon Biosystems gives an overview of Two Studies Presented at AACR 20 Meeting Deepen Understanding Of Cancer Mechanisms “The products and workflow described in this video are for research use only. Not for use in diagnostics procedures.” BOLOGNA, Italy and HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa., Aug. 4, 2020 / PRNewswire/ — The pioneer of liquid biopsy technology, Menarini Silicon Biosystems, today revealed two new studies documenting genetic changes in circulating cancer cells that could enhance cancer prognosis and help guide treatment. Ses studies were presented as posters at the American Association for Cancer Research…

Allison Huegel, COO AxoProtego and Ahmet Hoke, MD, Ph.D. Johns Hopkins Medicine gives an overview of AxoProtego Therapeutics Announces Novel Investigational Agent for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy. GLEN BURNIE, Md., July 27, 2020 / PRNewswire/ — AxoProtego Therapeutics (AxoProtego) has announced the licensing of a novel investigational treatment for patients with peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) caused by chemotherapy. There is currently a significant unmet medical need for this life-altering disorder as 30-80 % of patients with cancer experience peripheral neuropathy caused by chemotherapy, whether from conventional chemotherapy, biologics or cell-based therapies. The National Institute of Health (NIH) National Cancer Institute ( NCI)…

John R. “Jack” Steel, M.D. F.A.C.R.O. of Tampa Bay Radiation Oncology discusses Managing Anxiety During Cancer Treatment. Some of the most difficult emotions to handle during cancer treatment can be nausea, apprehension, and panic. Here are some ways to cope with those feelings that will make you feel better. The majority of cancer patients don’t feel nervous all the time. Maybe you’ll feel anxious: Right before therapy Upon care Reflecting on going to the hospital or clinic Going for a check-up Waiting to see the results It helps to explore your own way to deal with your anxieties. Maybe you…

David Spetzler, M.S., Ph.D., MBA, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Caris Life Sciences discusses their Partners with Elevation Oncology to Advance Enrollment in Phase 2 Trial of Patients with Solid Tumors Harboring NRG1 Gene Fusions. IRVING, Texas, Aug. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Caris Life Sciences ®, a leading molecular science innovator focused on delivering on the promise of precision medicine, today announced it has entered into a strategic alliance with Elevation Oncology to improve patient enrollment procedures for genomically guided, tumor-agnostic clinical trials. Using Caris’ market-leading molecular profiling offerings package, the clinical trial solutions of Caris Pharmatech Just-In-Time (…

Rana R. McKay, MD UC SD Health discusses ASCO 2020 abstract entitled Optimized management of nivolumab (Nivo) and ipilimumab (Ipi) in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC): A response-based phase II study (OMNIVORE) Context: For advanced RCC, Nivo + Ipi is a proven first-line treatment (tx). We hypothesized that not all patients (pts) would need to have CTLA-4 blockade applied. In addition, Nivo’s optimum maintenance time in response pts is not known. In this phase II response-adaptive trial, we investigate the sequential addition of 2 doses of Ipi in response pts (NCT03203473) to induce response in Nivo non-responders (NR) and duration…

Benoit You, MD, Ph.D. from Centre Hospitalier Lyon-Sud discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled ROPHIMMUN phase II trial, cohort A Context: Patients with monochemotherapy-resistant gestational trophoblastic tumors (GTT) are treated with historical chemotherapy regimens considered to be productive yet toxic. In all GTT subtypes (Bolze et al. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2017), PD-L1 is expressed constitutively. GTT immune-surveillance includes HLA-G and natural killer ( NK) cells. The monoclonal antibody avelumab (Pfizer & Merck KGaA) anti-PD-L1 causes cytotoxicity via NK cells. TROPHIMMUN study aimed to determine the effectiveness of avelumab in patients with chemoresistant GTT. Approaches: In the cohort A of…

Babar Bashir, MD from Jefferson Health discussed an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled BT5528-100 phase I/II study of the safety, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary clinical activity of BT5528 in patients with advanced malignancies associated with EphA2 expression. Context: BT5528 is a Bicycle Toxin Conjugate (BTC), consisting of a tumor antigen EphA2 targeting bicyclic peptide, connected to a cytotoxin (monomethyl auristatin E [MMAE]) through a cleavable tumor microenvironment linker. Bicycles, developed by Bicycle Therapeutics, are a novel class of chemically synthesized restricted peptides. EphA2 is reported to be overexpressed in a number of solid tumors, leading to oncogenesis, angiogenesis associated with tumours, and…

Johanna C. Bendell, MD from Sarah Cannon discusses and ASCO 2020 abstract entitled A phase I/II, two-part, multicenter, first-in-human study of DS-7300a in patients with advanced solid malignant tumors Context: B7 homologue 3 (B7-H3) is a protein that is overexpressed in different forms of cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, head and neck, prostate, esophageal, and breast. Overexpression of B7-H3 is related to poor prognosis because it facilitates increased cancer cell invasive and metastatic potential (Dong P, et al. Front Oncol. 2018;8:264). No targeted cancer therapies with B7-H3 are currently approved. DS-7300a is an antibody-drug conjugate made up…

Ramaprasad Srinivasan, M.D., Ph.D. – NIH National Cancer Institute Results from a phase II study of bevacizumab and erlotinib in subjects with advanced hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC) or sporadic papillary renal cell cancer Context:  HLRCC is a type 2 papillary RCC (pRCC) variant-related familial cancer syndrome. HLRCC is caused by the gene for the Krebs cycle enzyme fumarate hydratase (FH) by germline mutations. FH inactivation results in VHL-independent hypoxia-inducible factor upregulation, dependency on aerobic glycolysis, and activation of the NRF2 pathway, characteristics that some sporadic pRCC tumors also share. We hypothesized that the metabolic alterations that underlie…

David A. Braun, MD, PhD from Dana Farber discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled Immunogenomic characterization of advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma treated with PD-1 blockade Context: The treatment of many advanced malignancies, including clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), has modified immune control point inhibitors targeting the PD-1 pathway, but the PD-1 response drivers and resistors remain incompletely elucidated. In addition, the widespread paradigm in solid tumor immunology that pre-existing infiltration of CD8 + T cells in combination with large numbers of nonsynonymous mutations (which may be viewed as neoantigens in the sense of various HLA class I…

Paola Nix, Ph.D. at Myriad Genetics discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled Functional RNA Studies Are a Useful Tool in Variant Classification but Must Be Used With Caution: A Case Study of One BRCA2 Variant Since it can guide health management and cancer care decisions, the use of genetic testing to determine hereditary cancer risk is growing. In BRCA1 and BRCA2, for instance, pathogenic variants are considered to be associated with inherited breast and ovarian cancer syndrome. In one of these genes, a germline pathogenic variant is associated with an increased cancer risk and thus merits altered medical management, including…

Thanh Hue Dellinger, MD from the City of Hope discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled Whole transcriptome changes correlate to exceptional ovarian cancer responders: A sub-analysis of a HIPEC Phase I trial. Context: Patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer benefit from hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), which prolongs their overall survival by almost 12 months. But HIPEC-triggered molecular changes are not well characterized and no molecular response signatures are identified. We studied improvements in early gene expression in ovarian tumors following treatment with HIPEC. Approaches: This is an interval subgroup study of a single Phase I institution trial using HIPEC at…

Patrick Glen Pilie, MD MD Anderson discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled Identifying Functional Loss of ATM Gene In Patients With Advanced Cancer Context: In cancer, ATM is commonly mutated, and defects can serve as a putative predictive biomarker. However, most ATM variants are not well known for their functional effects. In this study , we examined the relationship between ATM variants and ATM protein expression in advanced cancer patients (pts) to better distinguish the ATM functional defects. Approaches: We retrospectively identified pts seen on CLIA-certified next generation sequencing (NGS) assays at MD Anderson Cancer Center that had ATM variants…

Matthew Galsky, MD from Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled Phase III IMvigor 130 Study Tumor, immune, and stromal characteristics associated with clinical outcomes with atezolizumab (atezo) + platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) or atezo monotherapy (mono) versus PBC in metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC)Context: Clinical outcomes with atezo mono in mUC are associated with tumor mutational burden (TMB), PD-L1 expression, T-effector gene expression (GE) and a fibroblast TGF-β-response signature (F-TBRS) (Mariathasan, Nature, 2018). The possible predictive role of these biomarkers and APOBEC mutagenesis in IMvigor130 is discussed here. Approaches: Pts receiving first-line (1L) treatment with mUC (tx) were…

Eleni Efstathiou, MD, Ph.D. of MD Anderson discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled Neoadjuvant apalutamide (APA) plus leuprolide (LHRHa) with or without abiraterone (AA) in localized high-risk prostate cancer (LHRPC) Context: Novel androgen signaling inhibitors (ASIs) with medical castration could improve LHRPC outcomes. We have previously documented an association of relapse-free survival with pathologic tumor regression steps. However, a broad spectrum of recurrent cancers has been identified. A research investigating the APA effect in LHRPC was conducted to build on our findings and assess candidate outcome predictors. Approaches: This is a 6-month APA+LHRHa + /- AA (randomized 1:1) Phase II…

Ajay Goel, Ph.D. of the City of Hope speaks about the AACR 2020 Abstract 1084: EpiPanGI-Dx: A cell-free DNA methylation fingerprint for the early detection of gastrointestinal cancers.SummaryPurpose: DNA methylation alterations have emerged as front-runners in biomarker development in view of high cancer specificity, especially as cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) biomarkers for early cancer detection. Much effort to date, however, has concentrated on the development of cancer type-specific biomarkers, but the prospect of developing a pan-cancer diagnostic assay has not been explored. In this sense, gastrointestinal ( GI) cancers, including colorectal (CRC), esophageal squamous cell and adenocarcinoma (ESCC and EAC), gastric…

David Spigel, MD at Sarah Cannon discusses an ACCC 2020 presentation entitled Results Show Multidisciplinary Team Approach Needed for Best Care, Outcomes The project was founded in collaboration with the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) and the LUNGevity Foundation, with funding from AstraZeneca. It aims to explore the benefits of care management within a multidisciplinary cancer team, assess and quantify the current awareness by clinicians of emerging criteria for diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, recognize and address obstacles to improving care, and evaluate process improvement models across a…

Nancy Beatriz Gordon, MD from MD Anderson discusses an abstract from ASCO 2020 entitled A Phase I Trial Of Aerosol Gemcitabine For The Treatment Of Patients With Solid Tumors And Lung Metastases Context: Therapeutic effectiveness has been seen in pre-clinical trials of aerosol gemcitabine (GCB) in mice and dogs with osteosarcoma (OS) lung metastases. In adults with lung cancer, aerosol GCB administered once a week has been shown to be healthy. Direct delivery of GCB through inhalation to the lungs can result in higher concentrations of drugs in the tumor with fewer side effects. In order to determine the viability…

Istvan Petak, MD #ASCO20 Oncompass Medicine SHIVA01 Trial Update Context: Precision oncology demands that individual molecular pathomechanisms be identified in order to find appropriate tailored treatment strategies for each cancer patient. Owing to the lack of a reproducible, systematic method of clinical decision-making, the integration of complex molecular knowledge into routine clinical practice remains a major challenge. Approaches: We are designing a precision oncology decision support system, the Realtime Oncology Molecular Treatment Calculator (MTC), to provide a structured method for molecular analysis. MTC is a medical information engine based on rules that aggregates and ranks applicable science and clinical data dynamically…

Scott Kopetz, MD at MD Anderson discusses the FDA Approval Encorafenib) In Combination With Cetuximab For The Treatment Of Brafv600E-Mutant Metastatic Colorectal C Based on BEACON CRC test results, BRAFTOVI plus cetuximab showed a median overall survival ( OS) of 8.4 months (95 percent CI: 7.5, 11.0) compared to 5.4 months (95 percent CI: 4.8, 6.6) for Control (cetuximab irinotecan or cetuximab FOLFIRI) ([HR 0.60, (95 percent CI: 0.45, 0.79), p=0.0003]). In addition, BRAFTOVI plus cetuximab showed an improved target response rate (ORR) of 20 percent (95 percent CI: 13 percent, 29 percent ) compared to 2 percent (95 percent…

Sonny Hsiao, Ph.D. of Acopedia shares his final thoughts on Acepodia Presents Preclinical Data on its Lead NK Cell Therapy Candidate ACE1702 at 2020 AACR Virtual Meeting II. SAN FRANCISCO and TAIPEI, Taiwan, June 22, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Acepodia, a biotechnology company developing cancer immunotherapy based on its innovative technology platform ACC (Antibody Cell Conjugation), today revealed preclinical data on ACE1702, a natural killer cell (NK cell) therapy being developed as a treatment for strong HER2-expressing tumours. The knowledge was discussed at the 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting II of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in a digital…

Sonny Hsiao, Ph.D. of Acopedia discusses Acepodia Presents Preclinical Data on its Lead NK Cell Therapy Candidate ACE1702 at 2020 AACR Virtual Meeting II. SAN FRANCISCO and TAIPEI, Taiwan, June 22, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Acepodia, a biotechnology company developing cancer immunotherapy based on its innovative technology platform ACC (Antibody Cell Conjugation), today revealed preclinical data on ACE1702, a natural killer cell (NK cell) therapy being developed as a treatment for strong HER2-expressing tumours. The knowledge was discussed at the 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting II of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in a digital poster session. ACE1702 is…

Alessandro Santin, MD of Byondis shares his final thoughts on the study: Byondis Initiates Phase II Study of Antibody-Drug Conjugate [Vic-]Trastuzumab Duocarmazine in Advanced Endometrial Cancer NIJMEGEN, The Netherlands, newswire/-Byondis B.V. July 15, 2020 / B3C (formerly Synthon Biopharmaceuticals B.V.) today reported that in its Phase II research evaluating the safety and efficacy of its investigational antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) [vic-]trastuzumab duocarmazine (SYD985) in patients with HER2-expressing recurrent, advanced or metastatic endometrial (uterine) cancer, treatment was initiated in the first patients. A Phase II single-arm trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) [vic-]trastuzumab duocarmazine (SYD985) in patients…

Alessandro Santin, MD of Byondis talks about what are the next steps for the study: Byondis Initiates Phase II Study of Antibody-Drug Conjugate [Vic-]Trastuzumab Duocarmazine in Advanced Endometrial Cancer NIJMEGEN, The Netherlands, newswire/-Byondis B.V. July 15, 2020 / B3C (formerly Synthon Biopharmaceuticals B.V.) today reported that in its Phase II research evaluating the safety and efficacy of its investigational antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) [vic-]trastuzumab duocarmazine (SYD985) in patients with HER2-expressing recurrent, advanced or metastatic endometrial (uterine) cancer, treatment was initiated in the first patients. A Phase II single-arm trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) [vic-]trastuzumab duocarmazine…

Alessandro Santin, MD of Byondis speaks about will this affect clinicians today on the study: Byondis Initiates Phase II Study of Antibody-Drug Conjugate [Vic-]Trastuzumab Duocarmazine in Advanced Endometrial Cancer NIJMEGEN, The Netherlands, newswire/-Byondis B.V. July 15, 2020 / B3C (formerly Synthon Biopharmaceuticals B.V.) today reported that in its Phase II research evaluating the safety and efficacy of its investigational antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) [vic-]trastuzumab duocarmazine (SYD985) in patients with HER2-expressing recurrent, advanced or metastatic endometrial (uterine) cancer, treatment was initiated in the first patients. A Phase II single-arm trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) [vic-]trastuzumab duocarmazine…

Jeff Ross, MD at Foundation Medicine discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled Clinically aggressive malignancies associated with STK11 germline mutations (STK11GCa): A comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) study Context: Peutz-Jehger ‘s Syndrome and a number with malignancies with variable clinical aggressiveness are associated with germline mutations in the STK11 (LKB1) mTOR pathway gene. Recent evidence also ties inactivation of STK11 to failure to benefit from therapy with anti-cancer immune control point inhibitor (IO) in NSCLC. Approaches: We detected 103 (0.05 percent) STK11GCa inactivating base substitutions or indels using hybrid capture based CGP based on extracted tumor DNA and a reported “somatic-germline-zygosity”…

Theresa Deisher PhD at AVM Biotechnology discusses The WWRD Study: AVM0703 for Treatment of Leukemia or Lymphoma Description in detail: Phase 1 Patients will be included in the Phase 1 segment of the study in a 3 + 3 dose-escalation design to determine dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and set the Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD)/Recommended Phase 2 (RP2D). Up to 9 cohorts of the sequential dose AVM0703 are expected. 3 to 6 patients are enrolled in each cohort. After 7 days of evaluation-patient in each cohort is sequentially enrolled. After 3 patients have completed the 21-day DLT evaluation period with no confirmed…

Christian Marsolais @Theratech_ #AACR20 NEW DATA SHOW THERATECHNOLOGIES’ SORT1+ TECHNOLOGY IS EFFECTIVE IN MANY TREATMENT-RESISTANT CANCERS The optimisation of the ability of identified natural cancer agents Science has found many compounds in nature that have the ability to combat cancer. Such compounds, however, are often unstable or need to be taken in amounts that are impractical. Phytochemicals found in plants, such as curcumin, have shown antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, and apoptotic properties against various cancers such as colorectal, ovarian, and breast cancers. However, these phytochemicals have low bioavailability when administered alone and are easily degraded and poorly absorbed through the gastro-intestinal tract.…

Alessandro Santin, MD of Byondis answers common questions on the study: Byondis Initiates Phase II Study of Antibody-Drug Conjugate [Vic-]Trastuzumab Duocarmazine in Advanced Endometrial Cancer. NIJMEGEN, The Netherlands, newswire/-Byondis B.V. July 15, 2020 / B3C (formerly Synthon Biopharmaceuticals B.V.) today reported that in its Phase II research evaluating the safety and efficacy of its investigational antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) [vic-]trastuzumab duocarmazine (SYD985) in patients with HER2-expressing recurrent, advanced or metastatic endometrial (uterine) cancer, treatment was initiated in the first patients. A Phase II single-arm trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) [vic-]trastuzumab duocarmazine (SYD985) in patients with…

Alessandro Santin, MD of Byondis talks about the study: Initiates Phase II Study of Antibody-Drug Conjugate [Vic-]Trastuzumab Duocarmazine in Advanced Endometrial Cancer NIJMEGEN, The Netherlands, newswire/-Byondis B.V. July 15, 2020 / B3C (formerly Synthon Biopharmaceuticals B.V.) today reported that in its Phase II research evaluating the safety and efficacy of its investigational antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) [vic-]trastuzumab duocarmazine (SYD985) in patients with HER2-expressing recurrent, advanced or metastatic endometrial (uterine) cancer, treatment was initiated in the first patients. A Phase II single-arm trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) [vic-]trastuzumab duocarmazine (SYD985) in patients with HER2-Expressing Endometrial Carcinoma…

Ignacio Garrido-Laguna, MD at Huntsman Cancer Institute discusses the ASCO 2020 abstract entitled A phase I, first-in-human, open-label, dose‑escalation, safety, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic study of oral TP‑3654 administered daily for 28 days to patients with advanced solid tumors. Context: TP-3654 is an oral, second-generation, active PIM-1 kinase inhibitor with PIM 2 , 3 activity and positive selectivity against other kinases. These cytoplasmic serine / threonine kinases are highly expressed in many cancers, and their oncogenic ability was primarily due to suppressing downstream apoptosis of stimuli including inflammatory cytokines and other immune effectors. It has also been shown that TP-3654 mediates…

Oliver Peacock, MD The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center gives his final thoughts about his ASCO 2020 Abstract on Improving the AJCC/TNM staging classification for colorectal cancer: The prognostic impact of tumor deposits. Background: Tumor deposit (TD) detection currently plays a limited role in colorectal cancer ( CRC) staging other than for N1c classification. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the prognostic effect of TD among primary CRC patients, beyond the AJCC N1c classification.  Methodology: Patients with stage 1 to 3 primary CRC diagnosed between 2010 and 2015 were reported from the Monitoring, Epidemiology and End…

Oliver Peacock, MD The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center answers common questions he has received for his ASCO 2020 Abstract on Improving the AJCC/TNM staging classification for colorectal cancer: The prognostic impact of tumor deposits.Background:Tumor deposit (TD) detection currently plays a limited role in colorectal cancer ( CRC) staging other than for N1c classification. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the prognostic effect of TD among primary CRC patients, beyond the AJCC N1c classification. Methodology:Patients with stage 1 to 3 primary CRC diagnosed between 2010 and 2015 were reported from the Monitoring, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)…

Oliver Peacock, MD The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center discusses his ASCO 2020 Abstract on Improving the AJCC/TNM staging classification for colorectal cancer: The prognostic impact of tumor deposits.Background:Tumor deposit (TD) detection currently plays a limited role in colorectal cancer ( CRC) staging other than for N1c classification. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the prognostic effect of TD among primary CRC patients, beyond the AJCC N1c classification. Methodology:Patients with stage 1 to 3 primary CRC diagnosed between 2010 and 2015 were reported from the Monitoring, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. TD stratified cancer specific survival…

Philip Mack, Ph.D. of Mount Sinai answers the common questions he has received for his ASCO 2020 abstract on Residual circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) after two months of therapy to predict progression-free and overall survival in patients treated on S1403 with afatinib +/- cetuximab. Background : Longitudinal improvements in the occurrence of mutant alleles (MAF) have high potential to refine clinical management of targeted therapies. Methodology: S1403 was a first-line phase II analysis of afatinib w or w/o cetuximab in pts with EGFR-mutant NSCLC. 174 pts were randomized with 168 confirmed to be qualified between March 2015 and April 2018.…

Philip Mack, Ph.D. of Mount Sinai discusses his ASCO 2020 abstract on Residual circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) after two months of therapy to predict progression-free and overall survival in patients treated on S1403 with afatinib +/- cetuximab. Background : Longitudinal improvements in the occurrence of mutant alleles (MAF) have high potential to refine clinical management of targeted therapies. Methodology: S1403 was a first-line phase II analysis of afatinib w or w/o cetuximab in pts with EGFR-mutant NSCLC. 174 pts were randomized with 168 confirmed to be qualified between March 2015 and April 2018. Owing to futility, the study closed early.…

Senthil Damodaran, MD of MD Anderson shares his final thoughts on the Phase II study of copanlisib in patients with tumors with PIK3CA mutations (PTEN loss allowed): NCI MATCH EAY131-Z1F. Bottom line: NCI-MATCH (EAY131) is a platform study in which patients (pts) with solid tumors, lymphomas, or multiple myeloma are enrolled in targeted therapies based on subsequent genomic interest shifts (NCT02465060). In pts with PIK3CA mutations, Arm Z1F evaluated copanlisib, a highly selective, pan-Class 1 PI3 K inhibitor with predominant activity against both the δ and alpha isoforms. Methodology: Copanlisib (60 mg IV) was administered to Pts in 28-day cycles…

Senthil Damodaran, MD of MD Anderson talks about the common questions he receives about the Phase II study of copanlisib in patients with tumors with PIK3CA mutations (PTEN loss allowed): NCI MATCH EAY131-Z1F. Bottom line: NCI-MATCH (EAY131) is a platform study in which patients (pts) with solid tumors, lymphomas, or multiple myeloma are enrolled in targeted therapies based on subsequent genomic interest shifts (NCT02465060). In pts with PIK3CA mutations, Arm Z1F evaluated copanlisib, a highly selective, pan-Class 1 PI3 K inhibitor with predominant activity against both the δ and alpha isoforms. Methodology: Copanlisib (60 mg IV) was administered to Pts…

Wilson H. Miller, MD Jewish General Hospital discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled A phase Ib study of oral Chk1 inhibitor LY2880070 as monotherapy in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer. Context: LY2880070 (LY) is an orally administered, selective control-point kinase 1 (Chk1) adenosine triphosphate competitive inhibitor. LY blocks the response of the checkpoint, and inhibition of Chk1 results in apoptosis induced by mitotic catastrophe. Approaches: This two-part, open-label multicenter research investigates LY ‘s protection, pharmacokinetics (PK) and anti-tumor activity in patients with advanced or metastatic cancers. The main purpose of this research was to determine the maximum tolerated dose…

Senthil Damodaran, MD of MD Anderson explains the Phase II study of copanlisib in patients with tumors with PIK3CA mutations (PTEN loss allowed): NCI MATCH EAY131-Z1F Bottom line: NCI-MATCH (EAY131) is a platform study in which patients (pts) with solid tumors, lymphomas, or multiple myeloma are enrolled in targeted therapies based on subsequent genomic interest shifts (NCT02465060). In pts with PIK3CA mutations, Arm Z1F evaluated copanlisib, a highly selective, pan-Class 1 PI3 K inhibitor with predominant activity against both the δ and alpha isoforms. Methodology: Copanlisib (60 mg IV) was administered to Pts in 28-day cycles on days 1, 8,…

Jason P Sheehan, MD of the University of Virginia speaks about his final thoughts on the Focused Ultrasound Shows Potential Against Deadliest Brain Tumor study. The University of Virginia School of Medicine’s revolutionary use of centered ultrasound is showing promise against glioblastoma, the deadliest brain tumor, and may prove useful against other cancers that are difficult to treat. With a drug that sensitizes them to sound waves, the procedure strikes cancer cells, then blasts them with concentrated ultrasound. The sound waves produce tiny bubbles within the cancer cells which cause them to die. The work is early, with researchers testing…

Lindsey Rolfe at Clovis Oncology outlines a New Preclinical Data on ALKS 4230 in Combination With Lucitanib The research assessed the antitumor efficacy and mechanism of action of mALKS 4230, ALKS 4230 mouse ortholog, and lucitanib as monotherapy in conjunction with a preclinical syngeneic colon cancer mouse model. The combination of mALKS 4230 and lucitanib resulted in a dose-dependent, long-lasting complete response (absence of any detectable tumor) and improved survival compared to treatment with mALKS 4230 and lucitanib monotherapy. The main findings set out in the poster include: In the group that received the higher dose of mALKS 4230 (out…

Jason P Sheehan, MD of the University of Virginia explains how this will affect clinicians today, the Focused Ultrasound Shows Potential Against Deadliest Brain Tumor study. The University of Virginia School of Medicine’s revolutionary use of centered ultrasound is showing promise against glioblastoma, the deadliest brain tumor, and may prove useful against other cancers that are difficult to treat. With a drug that sensitizes them to sound waves, the procedure strikes cancer cells, then blasts them with concentrated ultrasound. The sound waves produce tiny bubbles within the cancer cells which cause them to die. The work is early, with researchers…

Jason P Sheehan, MD of the University of Virginia discusses the common questions he receives about the Focused Ultrasound Shows Potential Against Deadliest Brain Tumor study. The University of Virginia School of Medicine’s revolutionary use of centered ultrasound is showing promise against glioblastoma, the deadliest brain tumor, and may prove useful against other cancers that are difficult to treat. With a drug that sensitizes them to sound waves, the procedure strikes cancer cells, then blasts them with concentrated ultrasound. The sound waves produce tiny bubbles within the cancer cells which cause them to die. The work is early, with researchers…

Daniel Becker MD at NYU Langone discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled Exploring the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) for the molecular profile of young onset colorectal cancers. Background: The incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer ( CRC) has been decreasing, partially due to increased screening implementation, but the incidence among patients under 50 (young onset, YO) is increasing at a rate of 2 percent per year. The cause of this growing occurrence is still poorly understood, but variations in mutation profiles may help to explain pathogenesis, prognosis and identify therapy targets. Approaches: For 488 TCGA CRC patients, genomic and clinical…

Jason P Sheehan, MD of the University of Virginia discusses the Focused Ultrasound Shows Potential Against Deadliest Brain Tumor. The University of Virginia School of Medicine’s revolutionary use of centered ultrasound is showing promise against glioblastoma, the deadliest brain tumor, and may prove useful against other cancers that are difficult to treat. With a drug that sensitizes them to sound waves, the procedure strikes cancer cells, then blasts them with concentrated ultrasound. The sound waves produce tiny bubbles within the cancer cells which cause them to die. The work is early, with researchers testing the idea in lab dishes on…

Kristen Hege, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb discusses Phase 1 proof-of-concept data (via an oral presentation) on novel CELMoD CC-92480 from ASCO 2020. Background: CC-92480 is a novel cereblon E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD) agent designed to allow Ikaros and Aiolos to degrade quickly and maximally. In vitro, it has increased antiproliferative and tumoricidal activity with high immune stimulating activity in MM cell lines, including those resistant to lenalidomide (LEN) and pomalidomide (POM). Methods: Phase 1, multicenter, maximum tolerated dose (MTD) dose escalation analysis, suggested phase 2 dose, protection, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of CC-92480 + DEX in highly pretreated RRMM pts.…

Filip Janku, MD at MD Anderson discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled Phase I study of IM156, a novel potent biguanide oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors. Bottom line: IM156, a novel oral potent biguanide OXPHOS inhibitor of the mitochondrial electron transport chain’s Protein Complex 1 (PC1), induces phosphorylation of AMPK, the downstream effects of which are harmful to energy stress-prone OXPHOS-dependent cancer cells. In solid tumor and hematologic malignancy models, preclinical studies with IM156 showed activity as a single agent and in combinations. Approaches: This was an open label, first-in-human, multi-center, dose-escalation study using a…

Kristen Hege, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb discusses Phase 1 proof-of-concept data (via an oral presentation) on novel CELMoD CC-92480 from ASCO 2020.Background: CC-92480 is a novel cereblon E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD) agent designed to allow Ikaros and Aiolos to degrade quickly and maximally. In vitro, it has increased antiproliferative and tumoricidal activity with high immune stimulating activity in MM cell lines, including those resistant to lenalidomide (LEN) and pomalidomide (POM).Methods: Phase 1, multicenter, maximum tolerated dose (MTD) dose escalation analysis, suggested phase 2 dose, protection, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of CC-92480 + DEX in highly pretreated RRMM pts. On or…

Haiying Cheng, MD at Albert Einstein Cancer Center discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled RICTOR amplification as a novel therapeutic target for lung cancer brain metastases Around 20% to 50% of advanced lung cancer patients experience brain metastases correlated with debilitating cognitive dysfunction and a dismal prognosis. Very few studies investigating the genomics of brain metastases in lung cancer have been performed. Approaches: We studied extensively the occurrence of PI3K / AKT / RICTOR / mTOR pathway aberrations at primary and metastatic sites using an comprehensive database of NGS (FoundationOne) 11845 cases of lung adenocarcinoma. In orthotopic mouse models the…

Philip McCarthy, MD of Roswell Park discusses New Strategy for Controlling Graft vs. Host Disease in Blood/Marrow Transplant Recipients. New preclinical work by a team of researchers from the Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program of the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center suggests that the risk of developing acute graft vs. host disease (GVHD) during allogeneic blood / marrow transplant (BMT), a potentially curative treatment for selected patients with hematologic disorders, can be minimized using an existing class of medications named Hemn Mohammadpour PhD, DVM, Philip McCarthy, MD, Elizabeth Repasky, PhD, and colleagues show in a new study in the journal…

Charles Edward Geyer, MD Houston Methodist discusses the ASCO 2020 abstract entitled Biomarker data from KATHERINE: A phase III study of adjuvant trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) versus trastuzumab (H) in patients with residual invasive disease after neoadjuvant therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer Bottom line: The KATHERINE Phase 3 analysis (NCT01772472) compared adjuvant T-DM1 versus H after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with residual invasive breast cancer plus HER2-targeted therapy. Here we disclose exploratory analysis of the relationship between invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) and potentially reaction-related biomarkers. Approaches: Samples of fixed paraffin-embedded tissue were obtained before and/or in the course of neoadjuvant therapy.…

Jacob J. Adashek, DO of Moffit Cancer Center gives an overview from ASCO 2020 the abstract entitled Targetable immune checkpoint molecules may be significantly differentially expressed in minority ethnicities. Bottom line: Effects of immune control point blockade therapy (ICT) trials were primarily conducted in patients with melanoma and lung cancer, both of which are enriched for White patients. A National Cancer Database report, for example, showed that 97 per cent of melanoma first-line ICT therapies were given to White recipients (Patel, ASCO-SITC 2020). Because of the expanding indication of tumor types affecting more diverse populations, we tried to research whether…

Ravi Salgia, MD, PhD from City of Hope and the AACR 2020 meeting discusses the AACR 2020 abstract entitled Association of molecular characteristics with survival in advanced NSCLC patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors Summary Objectives: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) modified the lung cancer therapy environment. Large proportions of patients however have primary or developed ICI resistance. Molecular characterization is crucial to the selection of patients and to overcoming resistance to inhibitors in checkpoints. This research aims to examine the molecular characteristics associated with ICI outcomes in advanced patients with non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC). Materials and methods: All City…

Cathy Eng, MD at Vanderbilt University Medical Center discusses Anal cancer’s first randomized trial for inoperable disease sets the treatment standard Patients with inoperable anal cancer, a rare condition, have not had a regular treatment so far; palliative care was the norm for them. Now the Journal of Clinical Oncology is releasing findings from InterAAct, the first international prospective randomized trial in advanced anal cancer. In 91 patients the study compared two different chemotherapy therapies. The primary outcome, Objective response rate (ORR), was the same between treatments. The ORR for cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (5FU) in carboplatin plus paclitaxel was 57…

Scott Tomlins, MD, Ph.D. Co-Founder, and Chief Scientific Officer – Strata discusses the Strata Oncology Partners with Elevation Oncology to Accelerate Enrollment of CRESTONE Study for Patients with Rare NRG1 Gene Fusions. Press Release – ANN ARBOR, Mich., July 21, 2020 / PRNewswire/ — Strata Oncology, Inc., a precision oncology company developing molecular targets for cancer therapies, today announced the signing of an agreement with the newly launched Elevation Oncology to facilitate patient detection and registration for the Phase 2 CRESTONE Elevation Oncology trial evaluating seribantumab use in recurrent patients; Seribantumab is a fully human monoclonal IgG2 antibody that binds…

Audrey Guth, Nanny Angel Network – Astellas Oncology discusses Astellas Oncology Opens Annual C3 Prize® Call for Entries to Award the Best Innovations in Cancer Care Beyond Medicine.http://www.c3prize.comhttps://nannyangelnetwork.com/

Eric Jonasch, MD @MDAndersonNews #ASCO2020 gives an overview of the Phase II study of the oral HIF-2α inhibitor MK-6482 for Von Hippel-Lindau disease Bottom line: Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) patients (pts) are at risk for multiple cancers including strong renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). VHL inactivation results in constitutive activation of the transcription factor HIF-2α, which induces development of the tumors. In a phase 1/2 analysis, MK-6482, a potent, selective, small molecule inhibitor of HIF-2α, showed favorable safety and antitumor activity. For the treatment of VHL-associated ccRCC (NCT03401788), we present initial findings of the open-label phase 2 analysis on MK-6482. Approaches:…

Abby Westerman, founder of b-present Foundation – Astellas discusses Astellas Oncology Opens Annual C3 Prize® Call for Entries to Award the Best Innovations in Cancer Care Beyond Medicinehttps://b-present.orghttp://www.c3prize.com

Elizabeth Plimack, MD @FoxChaseCancer gives an updated analysis of KEYNOTE-426 at ASCO 2020 Pembrolizumab plus axitinib versus sunitinib as first-line therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) Bottom line: The randomized, open-label, phase 3 research KEYNOTE-426 (NCT02853331) showed that pembrolizumab (pembro) + axitinib (axi) significantly improved OS, PFS, and ORR vs. sunitinib as first-line therapy for advanced RCC (aRCC) in the first pre-planned interim review (minimum follow-up research of 7 mo). Updated analysis as seen here. Approaches: Treatment-naive patients (pts) with clear cell aRCC, KPS approximately 70%, and detectable disease (RECIST v1.1) were randomly allocated to receive pembro 200 mg…

Jared Gollob Chief Medical Officer @KymeraTx shares common questions he gets from colleagues such as “What’s Advantage of IRAK 4 Combined into One Molecule?” and others on the AACR 2020 presentation entitled IRAKIMiD Degrader Program and Present Preclinical Data Demonstrating Potent Immunomodulatory and Antitumor Activity for its Novel STAT3 Degraders in Immuno-oncology Kymera Therapeutics , Inc., a biotechnology company pioneering targeted protein degradation to develop innovative protein degrading medicines for patients, today announced that it will present preclinical data on its potent and highly selective STAT3 degraders, as well as first data from its novel IRAKIMiD degraders combining IRAK4 and…

Jared Gollob @JaredGollob @KymeraTx gives an overview of a poster presented at AACR 2020 IRAKIMiD Degrader Program and Present Preclinical Data Demonstrating Potent Immunomodulatory and Antitumor Activity for its Novel STAT3 Degraders Kymera Therapeutics , Inc., a biotechnology company pioneering targeted protein degradation to develop innovative protein degrading medicines for patients, today announced that it will present preclinical data on its potent and highly selective STAT3 degraders, as well as first data from its novel IRAKIMiD degraders combining IRAK4 and IMiD substrate degradation. Data will be discussed during the 2020 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Virtual Annual Meeting II…

Astrid Margossian, MD @SEngineMedicine discusses an ASCO 2020 poster entitled Predictive value of a CLIA-approved organoid based drug sensitivity test Bottom line: Precision medicine incorporates genomic, biochemical, and clinical knowledge in order to improve the selection of cancer patients for treatment. Drug research with Ex vivo has the ability to fit the right drug to the right patient. For all solid tumors, we have established a CLIA-certified functional drug assay which provides an actionable report of organoid sensitivity to targeted, endocrine and chemotherapy agents as a tool for therapeutic decisions. Objectives: To develop the predictive power of the test in…

Andy Krivoshik, MD, Ph.D. – Astellas Oncology discusses Astellas Oncology Opens Annual C3 Prize® Call for Entries to Award the Best Innovations in Cancer Care Beyond Medicine.http://www.c3prize.com

Robin Kate Kelley, MD of the University of California, San Francisco discusses the most effective way to combined a CTL4 inhibitor with a PDL1 inhibitor. Bottom line: In the initial cohort of this study (NCT02519348), the combination of double immune control point inhibitors (ICI) T (anti – CTLA-4) and D (anti – PD-L1) showed tolerability with positive objective response rate (ORR). Subsequent assessment of pts with solid tumors treated with can doses of T indicated priming with a higher dose of T can induce a stronger immune response and improve anti-tumor activity. The randomized expansion cohorts thus included 4 arms…

Robin Kate Kelley, MD gives an overview of a presentation from ASCO 2020 entitled Efficacy, tolerability, and biologic activity of a novel regimen of tremelimumab (T) in combination with durvalumab (D) for patients (pts) with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC). Bottom line: In the initial cohort of this study (NCT02519348), the combination of double immune control point inhibitors (ICI) T (anti – CTLA-4) and D (anti – PD-L1) showed tolerability with positive objective response rate (ORR). Subsequent assessment of pts with solid tumors treated with can doses of T indicated priming with a higher dose of T can induce a stronger…

Charles S. Fuchs, MD, MPH at Yale Cancer discusses how Checkpoint Inhibitors are a “real player” in Gastric Cancers. Bottom line: KEYNOTE-061 (NCT02370498) is a Phase 3 global analysis of pembrolizumab vs. paclitaxel as second line therapy for GC. At the time of primary analysis (data cutoff: Oct 26, 2017), pembrolizumab did not substantially extend overall survival ( OS) versus paclitaxel (9.1 months versus 8.3 months) in patients with PD-L1-positive status (combined positive score [CPS] [1]), but resulted in a longer response period (DOR) and a favorable safety profile versus paclitaxel. After 2 additional years of follow-up (cut-off: Oct 7,…

Charles S. Fuchs, MD, MPH at Yale Cancer discusses the Current Role for Pembrolizumab in Gastric Cancer using the latest data from the phase III KEYNOTE-061 trial. Bottom line: KEYNOTE-061 (NCT02370498) is a Phase 3 global analysis of pembrolizumab vs. paclitaxel as second line therapy for GC. At the time of primary analysis (data cutoff: Oct 26, 2017), pembrolizumab did not substantially extend overall survival ( OS) versus paclitaxel (9.1 months versus 8.3 months) in patients with PD-L1-positive status (combined positive score [CPS] [1]), but resulted in a longer response period (DOR) and a favorable safety profile versus paclitaxel. After…

Charles S. Fuchs, MD, MPH at Yale Cancer gives an overview of a study presented at ASCO 2020 entitled Pembrolizumab versus paclitaxel for previously treated patients with PD-L1–positive advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC): Update from the phase III KEYNOTE-061 trial. Bottom line: KEYNOTE-061 (NCT02370498) is a Phase 3 global analysis of pembrolizumab vs. paclitaxel as second line therapy for GC. At the time of primary analysis (data cutoff: Oct 26, 2017), pembrolizumab did not substantially extend overall survival ( OS) versus paclitaxel (9.1 months versus 8.3 months) in patients with PD-L1-positive status (combined positive score [CPS] [1]), but…

Benjamin Tycko, MD of Hackensack Meridian Health explains his study findings on DNA that Pinpoint Risks for Cancers. By sequencing entire genomes for DNA modifications and analyzing cancer tissues as well as healthy tissues, Hackensack Meridian Health researchers and doctors have detected what may be a key to cancer threats and other diseases: unique DNA locations where certain expression changes (methylation) are imbalanced, according to a new paper. On June 29, the scientists, from the Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI), Hackensack University Medical Center and its John Theurer Cancer Center (JTCC), and the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Consortium,…

Benjamin Tycko, MD of Hackensack Meridian Health explains Classical Cancer Epigenetic vs Epigenetic Mapping. By sequencing entire genomes for DNA modifications and analyzing cancer tissues as well as healthy tissues, Hackensack Meridian Health researchers and doctors have detected what may be a key to cancer threats and other diseases: unique DNA locations where certain expression changes (methylation) are imbalanced, according to a new paper. On June 29, the scientists, from the Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI), Hackensack University Medical Center and its John Theurer Cancer Center (JTCC), and the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Consortium, recognized by the National…

Benjamin Tycko, MD gives an overview of Signposts in DNA that Pinpoint Risks for Cancers and other Diseases. By sequencing entire genomes for DNA modifications and analyzing cancer tissues as well as healthy tissues, Hackensack Meridian Health researchers and doctors have detected what may be a key to cancer threats and other diseases: unique DNA locations where certain expression changes (methylation) are imbalanced, according to a new paper. On June 29, the scientists, from the Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI), Hackensack University Medical Center and its John Theurer Cancer Center (JTCC), and the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Consortium,…

First Lady Melania Trump chairs a White House roundtable discussing sickle cell anemia. 

Marian Navratil, P.h.D. of HTG Molecular Diagnostics discusses the power of RNA profiling now and in the future. This data was released at ASCO 2020 under the presentation Platform comparison of HTG EdgeSeq and RNA-Seq for gene expression profiling of tumor tissue specimens. Background: Clinical biomarker studies are often hindered by the availability of tissue specimens of sufficient quality and quantity. While RNA-Seq is often considered the gold standard for measuring mRNA expression levels in cancer tissue, it typically requires multiple formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections to extract a sufficient amount of quality RNA for subsequent gene expression profiling analysis.…

Marian Navratil, P.h.D. of HTG Molecular Diagnostics discusses the future of RNA profiling and using it for detecting inflammation of tumor This data was released at ASCO 2020 under the presentation Platform comparison of HTG EdgeSeq and RNA-Seq for gene expression profiling of tumor tissue specimens. Background: Clinical biomarker studies are often hindered by the availability of tissue specimens of sufficient quality and quantity. While RNA-Seq is often considered the gold standard for measuring mRNA expression levels in cancer tissue, it typically requires multiple formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections to extract a sufficient amount of quality RNA for subsequent gene…

Marian Navratil, P.h.D. of HTG Molecular Diagnostics How HGT is Different than RNAPlatform comparison of HTG EdgeSeq and RNA-Seq for gene expression profiling of tumor tissue specimens from ASCO 2020 Background: Clinical biomarker studies are often hindered by the availability of tissue specimens of sufficient quality and quantity. While RNA-Seq is often considered the gold standard for measuring mRNA expression levels in cancer tissue, it typically requires multiple formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections to extract a sufficient amount of quality RNA for subsequent gene expression profiling analysis. The HTG EdgeSeq technology is a gene expression profiling platform that combines quantitative…

Marian Navratil, P.h.D. of HTG Molecular Diagnostics gives an overview from ASCO 2020 the Platform comparison of HTG EdgeSeq and RNA-Seq for gene expression profiling of tumor tissue specimens. Background: Clinical biomarker studies are often hindered by the availability of tissue specimens of sufficient quality and quantity. While RNA-Seq is often considered the gold standard for measuring mRNA expression levels in cancer tissue, it typically requires multiple formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections to extract a sufficient amount of quality RNA for subsequent gene expression profiling analysis. The HTG EdgeSeq technology is a gene expression profiling platform that combines quantitative nuclease…

Melissa Johnson, MD, Associate Director, Lung Cancer Research and Drug Development, Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Tennessee Oncology discusses CX-2029, a PROBODY drug conjugate targeting CD71 (transferrin receptor): Results from a first-in-human study (PROCLAIM-CX-2029) in patients (Pts) with advanced cancer. ASCOhttps://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/185085/abstract

Kathryn Lang, MD – Guardant Health, is this available today. The data presented at the AACR 2020 show that the LUNAR-2 assay achieved 90% sensitivity and 94% specificity in detecting early-stage CRC.1 When restricting analysis of the controls to those who were negative for CRC by colonoscopy (n=74), the LUNAR-2 assay demonstrated improved specificity (99%) with no reduction in sensitivity. These results are consistent with previously reported data2 showing that the company’s multi-modal, cancer-specific circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) technology increases test sensitivity to deliver clinically meaningful results.

Kathryn Lang, MD of Guardant Health discusses Restricting Cohort to Negative Test Results with Liquid Biopsy Highly Accurate in Detecting Early-Stage Colorectal Cancer. This data was presented at AACR 2020 that shows that the LUNAR-2 assay achieved 90% sensitivity and 94% specificity in detecting early-stage CRC.1 When restricting analysis of the controls to those who were negative for CRC by colonoscopy (n=74), the LUNAR-2 assay demonstrated improved specificity (99%) with no reduction in sensitivity. These results are consistent with previously reported data2 showing that the company’s multi-modal, cancer-specific circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) technology increases test sensitivity to deliver clinically meaningful…

Kathryn Lang, MD of Guardant Health provides an overview of data presented at AACR 2020 that shows that the LUNAR-2 assay achieved 90% sensitivity and 94% specificity in detecting early-stage CRC.1 When restricting analysis of the controls to those who were negative for CRC by colonoscopy (n=74), the LUNAR-2 assay demonstrated improved specificity (99%) with no reduction in sensitivity. These results are consistent with previously reported data2 showing that the company’s multi-modal, cancer-specific circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) technology increases test sensitivity to deliver clinically meaningful results.

Melissa Johnson, MD, Associate Director, Lung Cancer Research and Drug Development, Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Tennessee Oncology discusses CX-2029, a PROBODY drug conjugate targeting CD71 (transferrin receptor): Results from a first-in-human study (PROCLAIM-CX-2029) in patients (Pts) with advanced cancer. ASCOhttps://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/185085/abstract

Jason P Sheehan, MD – University of Virginia discusses the Focused Ultrasound Shows Potential Against Deadliest Brain Tumor https://news.virginia.edu/content/focused-ultrasound-shows-potential-against-deadliest-brain-tumor

Jason P Sheehan, MD – University of Virginia discusses the Focused Ultrasound Shows Potential Against Deadliest Brain Tumor https://news.virginia.edu/content/focused-ultrasound-shows-potential-against-deadliest-brain-tumor

Jason P Sheehan, MD – University of Virginia discusses the Focused Ultrasound Shows Potential Against Deadliest Brain Tumor https://news.virginia.edu/content/focused-ultrasound-shows-potential-against-deadliest-brain-tumor

Jason P Sheehan, MD – University of Virginia discusses the Focused Ultrasound Shows Potential Against Deadliest Brain Tumor https://news.virginia.edu/content/focused-ultrasound-shows-potential-against-deadliest-brain-tumor

Debra L. Richardson, MD – Sarah Cannon discusses Phase I expansion study of XMT-1536, a novel NaPi2b-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC): Preliminary efficacy, safety, and biomarker results in patients with previously treated metastatic ovarian cancer (OC) or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) ASCO https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/188449/abstract

J. Silvio Gutkind, PhD – UC San Diego discusses Precision Medicine Identifies Key Recurring Mutation in Head and Neck Cancers AACR https://health.ucsd.edu/news/releases/Pages/2020-07-30-precision-medicine-identifies-key-recurring-mutation-in-head-and-neck-cancers.aspx

J. Silvio Gutkind, PhD – UC San Diego discusses Precision Medicine Identifies Key Recurring Mutation in Head and Neck Cancers AACR https://health.ucsd.edu/news/releases/Pages/2020-07-30-precision-medicine-identifies-key-recurring-mutation-in-head-and-neck-cancers.aspx

J. Silvio Gutkind, PhD – UC San Diego discusses Precision Medicine Identifies Key Recurring Mutation in Head and Neck Cancers AACR https://health.ucsd.edu/news/releases/Pages/2020-07-30-precision-medicine-identifies-key-recurring-mutation-in-head-and-neck-cancers.aspx

J. Silvio Gutkind, PhD – UC San Diego discusses Verastem Oncology Announces Presentation of Preclinical Data Supporting the Combination of VS-6766 and Defactinib in Metastatic Uveal Melanoma AACR https://investor.verastem.com/news-releases/news-release-details/verastem-oncology-announces-presentation-preclinical-data-0   You may also be interested in: VS-6766 + Defactinib in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer 

J. Silvio Gutkind, PhD – UC San Diego discusses Verastem Oncology Announces Presentation of Preclinical Data Supporting the Combination of VS-6766 and Defactinib in Metastatic Uveal Melanoma AACR https://investor.verastem.com/news-releases/news-release-details/verastem-oncology-announces-presentation-preclinical-data-0   You May Also Be Interested In: VS-6766 + Defactinib in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer    

J. Silvio Gutkind, PhD – UC San Diego discusses Verastem Oncology Announces Presentation of Preclinical Data Supporting the Combination of VS-6766 and Defactinib in Metastatic Uveal Melanoma AACR https://investor.verastem.com/news-releases/news-release-details/verastem-oncology-announces-presentation-preclinical-data-0

Guillermo Garcia-Manero, MD – MD Anderson Cancer Center discusses Astex Pharmaceuticals, Taiho Oncology, and Otsuka Pharmaceutical announce FDA and Health Canada approval of INQOVI® (decitabine and cedazuridine) tablets, oral hypomethylating agent (HMA) therapy for intermediate and high-risk MDS and CMML https://astx.com/astex-pharmaceuticals-taiho-oncology-and-otsuka-pharmaceutical-announce-fda-and-health-canada-approval-of-inqovi-decitabine-and-cedazuridine-tablets-oral-hypomethylating-agent-hma-therapy/

Guillermo Garcia-Manero, MD – MD Anderson Cancer Center discusses Astex Pharmaceuticals, Taiho Oncology, and Otsuka Pharmaceutical announce FDA and Health Canada approval of INQOVI® (decitabine and cedazuridine) tablets, oral hypomethylating agent (HMA) therapy for intermediate and high-risk MDS and CMML https://astx.com/astex-pharmaceuticals-taiho-oncology-and-otsuka-pharmaceutical-announce-fda-and-health-canada-approval-of-inqovi-decitabine-and-cedazuridine-tablets-oral-hypomethylating-agent-hma-therapy/

Guillermo Garcia-Manero, MD – MD Anderson Cancer Center discusses Astex Pharmaceuticals, Taiho Oncology, and Otsuka Pharmaceutical announce FDA and Health Canada approval of INQOVI® (decitabine and cedazuridine) tablets, oral hypomethylating agent (HMA) therapy for intermediate and high-risk MDS and CMML https://astx.com/astex-pharmaceuticals-taiho-oncology-and-otsuka-pharmaceutical-announce-fda-and-health-canada-approval-of-inqovi-decitabine-and-cedazuridine-tablets-oral-hypomethylating-agent-hma-therapy/

Mohamed Alaa Gouda, MD MD Anderson discusses Genomically informed longitudinal monitoring of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to predict outcomes of cancer therapy ASCO2020 https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/188272/abstract

Mohamed Alaa Gouda, MD MD Anderson discusses Genomically informed longitudinal monitoring of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to predict outcomes of cancer therapy ASCO2020 https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/188272/abstract

Quincy S. Chu, MD – University of Alberta discusses A phase Ib study of oral Chk1 inhibitor LY2880070 in combination with gemcitabine in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer ASCO https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/187856/abstract

Quincy S. Chu, MD – University of Alberta discusses A phase Ib study of oral Chk1 inhibitor LY2880070 in combination with gemcitabine in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer ASCO https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/187856/abstract

John Williams, Ph.D. – City of Hope discusses Antibody based redirection of meditope CAR-T cells selectively kill antigen bearing tumor cells   AACR https://vcusa.sparx-ip.net/aacr2020ep/?c=a&view=3&item=2020AB_6591

John Williams, Ph.D. – City of Hope discusses Antibody based redirection of meditope CAR-T cells selectively kill antigen bearing tumor cells   AACR   https://vcusa.sparx-ip.net/aacr2020ep/?c=a&view=3&item=2020AB_6591

John Williams, Ph.D. – City of Hope discusses Antibody based redirection of meditope CAR-T cells selectively kill antigen bearing tumor cells   AACR   https://vcusa.sparx-ip.net/aacr2020ep/?c=a&view=3&item=2020AB_6591

John Williams, Ph.D. – City of Hope discusses Antibody based redirection of meditope CAR-T cells selectively kill antigen bearing tumor cells   AACR   https://vcusa.sparx-ip.net/aacr2020ep/?c=a&view=3&item=2020AB_6591

Daniel Spakowicz, PhD – The James – Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center discusses Microbiome Might Reveal Whether Immune Therapy Can Benefit a Patient, Study Shows     https://cancer.osu.edu/news/microbiome-might-reveal-whether-immune-therapy-can-benefit-a-patient-study-shows

Daniel Spakowicz, PhD – The James – Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center discusses Microbiome Might Reveal Whether Immune Therapy Can Benefit a Patient, Study Shows https://cancer.osu.edu/news/microbiome-might-reveal-whether-immune-therapy-can-benefit-a-patient-study-shows

Daniel Spakowicz, PhD – The James – Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center discusses Microbiome Might Reveal Whether Immune Therapy Can Benefit a Patient, Study Shows https://cancer.osu.edu/news/microbiome-might-reveal-whether-immune-therapy-can-benefit-a-patient-study-shows

Daniel Spakowicz, PhD – The James – Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center discusses Microbiome Might Reveal Whether Immune Therapy Can Benefit a Patient, Study Shows https://cancer.osu.edu/news/microbiome-might-reveal-whether-immune-therapy-can-benefit-a-patient-study-shows

Erminia Massarelli, MD City of Hope discusses INDUCE-1: Report on safety run-in cohorts combining Inducible T-cell co-stimulatory receptor (ICOS) agonist GSK3359609 (GSK609) with platinum+5-FU chemotherapy (5-FU/plat), with or without pembrolizumab (PE), for the treatment of advanced solid tumors ASCO https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/184678/abstract

Erminia Massarelli, MD City of Hope discusses INDUCE-1: Report on safety run-in cohorts combining Inducible T-cell co-stimulatory receptor (ICOS) agonist GSK3359609 (GSK609) with platinum+5-FU chemotherapy (5-FU/plat), with or without pembrolizumab (PE), for the treatment of advanced solid tumors ASCO https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/184678/abstract

Erminia Massarelli, MD City of Hope discusses INDUCE-1: Report on safety run-in cohorts combining Inducible T-cell co-stimulatory receptor (ICOS) agonist GSK3359609 (GSK609) with platinum+5-FU chemotherapy (5-FU/plat), with or without pembrolizumab (PE), for the treatment of advanced solid tumorsASCOhttps://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/184678/abstract

Michael Gerard McCusker, MD – University of Maryland Medical Systems discusses Cisplatin every three weeks versus weekly cisplatin or carboplatin with definitive radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is associated with improved overall survival in a representative national population ASCO https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/184787/abstract

Michael Gerard McCusker, MD – University of Maryland Medical Systems discusses Cisplatin every three weeks versus weekly cisplatin or carboplatin with definitive radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is associated with improved overall survival in a representative national population ASCO https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/184787/abstract

Michael Gerard McCusker, MD – University of Maryland Medical Systems discusses Cisplatin every three weeks versus weekly cisplatin or carboplatin with definitive radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is associated with improved overall survival in a representative national population ASCO https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/184787/abstract

Rodney Paul Rocconi, MD University of South Alabama discusses A phase I combination study of GMCSF/bi-shRNA(furin) DNA-transfected autologous tumor immunotherapy and atezolizumab in recurrent/refractory advanced-stage ovarian cancer: Efficacy assessment in BRCA1/2-wt patientsASCOhttps://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/185052/abstract

Rodney Paul Rocconi, MD University of South Alabama discusses A phase I combination study of GMCSF/bi-shRNA(furin) DNA-transfected autologous tumor immunotherapy and atezolizumab in recurrent/refractory advanced-stage ovarian cancer: Efficacy assessment in BRCA1/2-wt patients ASCO https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/185052/abstract

Rodney Paul Rocconi, MD University of South Alabama discusses A phase I combination study of GMCSF/bi-shRNA(furin) DNA-transfected autologous tumor immunotherapy and atezolizumab in recurrent/refractory advanced-stage ovarian cancer: Efficacy assessment in BRCA1/2-wt patients ASCO https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/185052/abstract

Shilpa Gupta, MD – Cleveland Clinic discusses Perioperative Novel Systemic Immunotherapy-Based Approaches in Urinary Cancers – Abstract 5019 and Abstract 5020

Shilpa Gupta, MD – Cleveland Clinic discusses Perioperative Novel Systemic Immunotherapy-Based Approaches in Urinary Cancers – Abstract 5019 and Abstract 5020

Miguel Garcia-Guzman, PH.D., Vice Chairman, Chief Scientific Officer, Rakuten Medical discusses Rakuten Medical Presents Data during AACR Characterizing how Illuminox Induces Cancer Cell Death and Enhances the Immune Response Preclinically Press Release https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rakuten-medical-presents-data-characterizing-how-photoimmunotherapy-induces-cancer-cell-death-and-enhances-the-immune-response-preclinically-301080849.html

Miguel Garcia-Guzman, PH.D., Vice Chairman, Chief Scientific Officer, Rakuten Medical discusses Rakuten Medical Presents Data during AACR Characterizing how Illuminox Induces Cancer Cell Death and Enhances the Immune Response Preclinically Press Release https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rakuten-medical-presents-data-characterizing-how-photoimmunotherapy-induces-cancer-cell-death-and-enhances-the-immune-response-preclinically-301080849.html

Miguel Garcia-Guzman, PH.D., Vice Chairman, Chief Scientific Officer, Rakuten Medical discusses Rakuten Medical Presents Data during AACR Characterizing how Illuminox Induces Cancer Cell Death and Enhances the Immune Response Preclinically Press Release https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rakuten-medical-presents-data-characterizing-how-photoimmunotherapy-induces-cancer-cell-death-and-enhances-the-immune-response-preclinically-301080849.html

Miguel Garcia-Guzman, PH.D., Vice Chairman, Chief Scientific Officer, Rakuten Medical discusses Rakuten Medical Presents Data during AACR Characterizing how Illuminox Induces Cancer Cell Death and Enhances the Immune Response Preclinically Press Release https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rakuten-medical-presents-data-characterizing-how-photoimmunotherapy-induces-cancer-cell-death-and-enhances-the-immune-response-preclinically-301080849.html

Anne Harris, MHP Childrens Minnesota discusses Juvenile granulosa cell tumor: An interim report from the international ovarian and testicular stromal tumor (OTST) registry ASCO https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/187770/abstract

Anne Harris, MHP Childrens Minnesota discusses Juvenile granulosa cell tumor: An interim report from the international ovarian and testicular stromal tumor (OTST) registry ASCO https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/187770/abstract

Anne Harris, MHP Childrens Minnesota discusses Juvenile granulosa cell tumor: An interim report from the international ovarian and testicular stromal tumor (OTST) registry ASCO https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/187770/abstract

Anne Harris, MHP Childrens Minnesota discusses Juvenile granulosa cell tumor: An interim report from the international ovarian and testicular stromal tumor (OTST) registry ASCO https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/187770/abstract

Anne Harris, MHP Childrens Minnesota discusses Juvenile granulosa cell tumor: An interim report from the international ovarian and testicular stromal tumor (OTST) registry ASCO https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/187770/abstract

Heather Losey, Ph.D., Director, Program Lead in Immuno-Oncology and Jared Lopes, Ph.D., Principal Scientist – Alkermes discusses New Preclinical Data on ALKS 4230 in Combination With Lucitanib to be Presented at 2020 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Virtual Annual Meeting II 2202 / 7 – The combination of a mouse ortholog of ALKS 4230, a selective agonist of the intermediate affinity IL-2 receptor, and the angiogenesis inhibitor lucitanib enhances antitumor activity

Heather Losey, Ph.D., Director, Program Lead in Immuno-Oncology and Jared Lopes, Ph.D., Principal Scientist – Alkermes discusses New Preclinical Data on ALKS 4230 in Combination With Lucitanib to be Presented at 2020 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Virtual Annual Meeting II 2202 / 7 – The combination of a mouse ortholog of ALKS 4230, a selective agonist of the intermediate affinity IL-2 receptor, and the angiogenesis inhibitor lucitanib enhances antitumor activity

Heather Losey, Ph.D., Director, Program Lead in Immuno-Oncology and Jared Lopes, Ph.D., Principal Scientist – Alkermes discusses New Preclinical Data on ALKS 4230 in Combination With Lucitanib to be Presented at 2020 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Virtual Annual Meeting II 2202 / 7 – The combination of a mouse ortholog of ALKS 4230, a selective agonist of the intermediate affinity IL-2 receptor, and the angiogenesis inhibitor lucitanib enhances antitumor activity

John Pagel, MD Swedish Cancer Institute discusses Adaptive Biotechnologies Receives Expanded FDA Clearance for the clonoSEQ® Assay to Assess Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/08/06/2074302/0/en/Adaptive-Biotechnologies-Receives-Expanded-FDA-Clearance-for-the-clonoSEQ-Assay-to-Assess-Minimal-Residual-Disease-MRD-in-Patients-with-Chronic-Lymphocytic-Leukemia.html

John Pagel, MD Swedish Cancer Institute discusses Adaptive Biotechnologies Receives Expanded FDA Clearance for the clonoSEQ® Assay to Assess Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/08/06/2074302/0/en/Adaptive-Biotechnologies-Receives-Expanded-FDA-Clearance-for-the-clonoSEQ-Assay-to-Assess-Minimal-Residual-Disease-MRD-in-Patients-with-Chronic-Lymphocytic-Leukemia.html

John Pagel, MD Swedish Cancer Institute discusses Adaptive Biotechnologies Receives Expanded FDA Clearance for the clonoSEQ® Assay to Assess Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/08/06/2074302/0/en/Adaptive-Biotechnologies-Receives-Expanded-FDA-Clearance-for-the-clonoSEQ-Assay-to-Assess-Minimal-Residual-Disease-MRD-in-Patients-with-Chronic-Lymphocytic-Leukemia.html

Brian Koffman, MD CLL Society Inc. discusses Adaptive Biotechnologies Receives Expanded FDA Clearance for the clonoSEQ® Assay to Assess MRD in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/08/06/2074302/0/en/Adaptive-Biotechnologies-Receives-Expanded-FDA-Clearance-for-the-clonoSEQ-Assay-to-Assess-Minimal-Residual-Disease-MRD-in-Patients-with-Chronic-Lymphocytic-Leukemia.html

Brian Koffman, MD CLL Society Inc. discusses Adaptive Biotechnologies Receives Expanded FDA Clearance for the clonoSEQ® Assay to Assess MRD in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/08/06/2074302/0/en/Adaptive-Biotechnologies-Receives-Expanded-FDA-Clearance-for-the-clonoSEQ-Assay-to-Assess-Minimal-Residual-Disease-MRD-in-Patients-with-Chronic-Lymphocytic-Leukemia.html

Brian Koffman, MD CLL Society Inc. discusses Adaptive Biotechnologies Receives Expanded FDA Clearance for the clonoSEQ® Assay to Assess MRD in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/08/06/2074302/0/en/Adaptive-Biotechnologies-Receives-Expanded-FDA-Clearance-for-the-clonoSEQ-Assay-to-Assess-Minimal-Residual-Disease-MRD-in-Patients-with-Chronic-Lymphocytic-Leukemia.html

Mark Stroh, Ph.D. – CytomX Therapeutics discusses CX-2009 Abstract – a PROBODY drug conjugate targeting CD71 (transferrin receptor): Results from a first-in-human study (PROCLAIM-CX-2029) in patients (Pts) with advanced cancer and CX-072 Abstract – Analysis of patients with advanced solid tumors receiving long-term treatment with CX-072, a PD-L1 probody therapeutic, as a single agent or in combination with ipilimumab. ASCO2020 CX-2009 https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/188112/abstractPROCLAIM- CX072 https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/186711/abstract  

Mark Stroh, Ph.D. – CytomX Therapeutics discusses CX-2009 Abstract – a PROBODY drug conjugate targeting CD71 (transferrin receptor): Results from a first-in-human study (PROCLAIM-CX-2029) in patients (Pts) with advanced cancer and CX-072 Abstract – Analysis of patients with advanced solid tumors receiving long-term treatment with CX-072, a PD-L1 probody therapeutic, as a single agent or in combination with ipilimumab. ASCO2020 CX-2009 https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/188112/abstractPROCLAIM- CX072 https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/186711/abstract  

Mark Stroh, Ph.D. – CytomX Therapeutics discusses CX-2009 Abstract – a PROBODY drug conjugate targeting CD71 (transferrin receptor): Results from a first-in-human study (PROCLAIM-CX-2029) in patients (Pts) with advanced cancer and CX-072 Abstract – Analysis of patients with advanced solid tumors receiving long-term treatment with CX-072, a PD-L1 probody therapeutic, as a single agent or in combination with ipilimumab. ASCO2020 CX-2009 https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/188112/abstractPROCLAIM- CX072 https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/186711/abstract  

Timothy Heuer, Ph.D., twoXAR Pharmaceuticals discusses Presents Positive Preclinical Safety & Efficacy Data for its Novel Investigational Cancer Treatment TXR-311 AACR2020 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/twoxar-pharmaceuticals-presents-positive-preclinical-safety-and-efficacy-data-for-its-novel-investigational-cancer-treatment-txr-311-301080554.html

Timothy Heuer, Ph.D., twoXAR Pharmaceuticals discusses Presents Positive Preclinical Safety & Efficacy Data for its Novel Investigational Cancer Treatment TXR-311 AACR2020 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/twoxar-pharmaceuticals-presents-positive-preclinical-safety-and-efficacy-data-for-its-novel-investigational-cancer-treatment-txr-311-301080554.html

Marco Timmers, Ph.D., CEO – Byondis discusses Byondis develops new biological and chemical entities, a proprietary linker-drug platform to generate multiple novel ADCs https://www.biospace.com/article/byondis-initiates-phase-ii-study-of-antibody-drug-conjugate-vic-trastuzumab-duocarmazine-in-advanced-endometrial-cancer-/

Marco Timmers, Ph.D., CEO – Byondis discusses Byondis develops new biological and chemical entities, a proprietary linker-drug platform to generate multiple novel ADCs https://www.biospace.com/article/byondis-initiates-phase-ii-study-of-antibody-drug-conjugate-vic-trastuzumab-duocarmazine-in-advanced-endometrial-cancer-/

Marco Timmers, Ph.D., CEO – Byondis discusses Byondis develops new biological and chemical entities, a proprietary linker-drug platform to generate multiple novel ADCs https://www.biospace.com/article/byondis-initiates-phase-ii-study-of-antibody-drug-conjugate-vic-trastuzumab-duocarmazine-in-advanced-endometrial-cancer-/

Marco Timmers, Ph.D., CEO – Byondis discusses Byondis develops new biological and chemical entities, a proprietary linker-drug platform to generate multiple novel ADCs https://www.biospace.com/article/byondis-initiates-phase-ii-study-of-antibody-drug-conjugate-vic-trastuzumab-duocarmazine-in-advanced-endometrial-cancer-/

Jeffrey A. Meyerhardt, MD, MPH, FASCO – Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discusses Celecoxib in addition to standard adjuvant therapy with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) in stage III colon cancer: Results from CALGB/SWOG 80702

Jeffrey A. Meyerhardt, MD, MPH, FASCO – Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discusses Celecoxib in addition to standard adjuvant therapy with 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) in stage III colon cancer: Results from CALGB/SWOG 80702

Oscar Mesa, MD, MSC, Global Director, Health Economics, outcomes research and Market Access Critical care – Mallinckrodt discusses Mallinckrodt and Terumo BCT Announce Positive Recommendations in Australia for Public Funding of UVADEX® (methoxsalen) for ECP Administration with the THERAKOS® CELLEX® Photopheresis System for Treatment of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) in Adults

Oscar Mesa, MD, MSC, Global Director, Health Economics, outcomes research and Market Access Critical care – Mallinckrodt discusses Mallinckrodt and Terumo BCT Announce Positive Recommendations in Australia for Public Funding of UVADEX® (methoxsalen) for ECP Administration with the THERAKOS® CELLEX® Photopheresis System for Treatment of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) in Adults

Oscar Mesa, MD, MSC, Global Director, Health Economics, outcomes research and Market Access Critical care – Mallinckrodt discusses Mallinckrodt and Terumo BCT Announce Positive Recommendations in Australia for Public Funding of UVADEX® (methoxsalen) for ECP Administration with the THERAKOS® CELLEX® Photopheresis System for Treatment of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) in Adults