Author: Editor

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

In this episode of The Onco’Zine Brief Peter Hofland, Ph.D. talks with Tim Blauwkamp, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder of Karius.Karius, based in Redwood City, CA, has developed a non-invasive liquid biopsy, a blood test, called the Karius Test®. The test is based on next-generation sequencing of microbial cell-free DNA and can rapidly detect pathogens causing serious infections, including those diseases that are difficult to diagnose through conventional methods. The test can identify and quantify over 1,000 clinically relevant pathogens, including bacteria, DNA viruses, fungi, and parasites. The test can be used to identify infections related to complicated and…

In this edition of The Onco’Zine Brief, Peter Hofland, Ph.D., talks with Vince McRuiz and Margo Shoup, MD, FACS.Margo Shoup is a nationally recognized surgical oncologist who specializes in gastrointestinal cancers and sarcomas. She is also the senior vice president, and system chair of the Nuvance Health Cancer Institute, where she provides strategic and clinical leadership for all aspects of Nuvance Health’s cancer services.Vince McRuiz is a patient of Dr. Shoup.In March 2020 just as the COVID-19 pandemic was ramping up in the northeastern United States, Vince was diagnosed with a retroperitoneal sarcoma — a rare abdominal cancer —that develops…

In this edition of The Onco’Zine Brief Peter Hofland, Ph.D. talks with Armon Sharei, Ph.D. Chief Executive Officer of SQZ Biotech, about the development and manufacturing of cell therapies. Traditionally, the foundation of cancer treatment included surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. But over the last few decades, targeted therapies —drugs that specifically, target molecular changes seen primarily on cancer cells—have become a standard treatment for many cancers. In addition, over the past several years, immunotherapies—therapies that are designed to use the power of a patient’s own immune system to attack cancer, have emerged as a new treatment. One of the…

In this edition of The Onco’Zine Brief Peter Hofland, Ph.D. talks with Cristian Massacesi, MD, Senior Vice President, Head of Late Development Oncology R&D at AstraZeneca and with Jeffrey Skolnik, MD, Vice President, Clinical Development at Inovio Pharmaceuticals about new data and exciting developments both companies are presenting during the 2020 virtual annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology – ASCO.This year, amidst the SAR-CoV-2 or coronavirus pandemic, the ASCO organization has been hard at work to offer a unique scientific program for oncology professionals, patient advocates, and industry representatives.In the program, Hofland and Massacesi talk about AZD9833,…

In this edition of The Onco’Zine Brief, Peter Hofland talking with Helen Sabzevari, the president of Precigen. Precigen is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and clinical-stage development of the next generation of gene and cell therapies using precision technology. The company is developing novel therapeutic agents that are designed to target the most urgent and difficult diseases in immuno-oncology, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases.During the second part of the virtual meeting of the American Association of Clinical Research – AACR – being held June 22 to June 24, 2020, the company presented preclinical results of an investigational drug…

In this episode of The Onco’Zine Brief, Peter Hofland talks with Thorsten Sperber, Global Head Medical Affairs at Immunomedics. Hofland and Sperber talk about sacituzumab govitecan, a novel antibody-drug conjugate. At the time of the interview, the drug was not yet approved, but in the weeks following the interview, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved sacituzumab govitecan (Trodelvyâ„¢) for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) who have received at least two prior therapies for patients with relapsed or refractory metastatic disease.Sacituzumab govitecan, previously known as IMMU-132, is Immunomedics’ lead product and the most…

In this episode of The Onco’Zine Brief, Peter Hofland talks with Terri Conneran, a lung cancer survivor and patient advocate. Struggling in the heat and humidity of the summer of 2016, Terri Conneran believed that her asthma was uncontrolled. In August that year, her physician assistant prescribed her a preventive inhaler. That autumn brought the excuse of allergies, plus time for the new inhaler to take effect. By Christmas 2016, nasal congestion, and a heavy feeling chest with shortness of breath it was time to again see her doctor. Hearing fluid in her lungs, an x-ray showed a mass with…

In this episode of The Onco’Zine Brief, recorded during the 42nd San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) held December 10 – 14, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas, Peter Hofland talks with Susan Rafte, a 25+ year survivor of metastatic breast cancer and patient advocate.In 1994, eight and a half months after birth to her daughter Marika, Susan Rafte, only 30 years old, was diagnosed with stage III ductal carcinoma.While she was pregnant with her daughter, she first felt a lump in her breast. Her doctors attributed the lump to her pregnancies. However, 18 months later, when Rafte pushed for a…

In this edition of The Onco’Zine Brief, recorded during the 42nd San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), held December 10 – 14, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas, Peter Hofland talks with leading breast cancer experts and patients about metastatic breast cancer and health-related quality of life hrQoL issues including sexual intimacy, bone health and joint pain. In this roundtable, panelists will also discuss liquid biomarkers for disease progression in the metastatic setting.The expert panel includes; David Portman, MD, founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sermonix Pharmaceuticals. Portman is a respected Key Opinion Leader (KOL) in the field, presented clinical…

Neal Shore, MD, FACS – LUGPA discusses Enzalutamide and Survival in Nonmetastatic, Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Neal Shore, MD, FACS – LUGPA discusses Enzalutamide and Survival in Nonmetastatic, Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Neal Shore, MD, FACS – LUGPA discusses Olaparib for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Neal Shore, MD, FACS – LUGPA discusses Olaparib for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Neal Shore, MD, FACS – LUGPA discusses Oral Relugolix for Androgen-Deprivation Therapy in Advanced Prostate Cancer

Neal Shore, MD, FACS – LUGPA discusses Oral Relugolix for Androgen-Deprivation Therapy in Advanced Prostate Cancer

In this edition of The Onco’Zine Brief Peter Hofland talks with Catherine Ivy, the Founder and President of the Ben & Catherine Ivy Foundation. The Ben & Catherine Ivy Foundation, established in 2005, is the largest non-government organization supporter of brain tumor – including glioblastoma (GBM) – research in the world. To date, the Ivy Foundation has funded clinical trials and basic science in North America, Europe, and Asia.  Glioblastoma, also known as glioblastoma multiforme, is an aggressive type of cancer that can occur in the brain or spinal cord. Glioblastoma forms from cells called astrocytes, that support nerve cells. The…

Peggy Sotiropoulou, Ph.D. – Celyad Oncology discusses Celyad Oncology Announces FDA Clearance of IND Application for CYAD-211, First shRNA-based, Non-Gene Edited Allogeneic CAR T Therapy

Peggy Sotiropoulou, Ph.D. – Celyad Oncology discusses Celyad Oncology Announces FDA Clearance of IND Application for CYAD-211, First shRNA-based, Non-Gene Edited Allogeneic CAR T Therapy

Peggy Sotiropoulou, Ph.D. – Celyad Oncology discusses Celyad Oncology Announces FDA Clearance of IND Application for CYAD-211, First shRNA-based, Non-Gene Edited Allogeneic CAR T Therapy

Peggy Sotiropoulou, Ph.D. – Celyad Oncology discusses Celyad Oncology Announces FDA Clearance of IND Application for CYAD-211, First shRNA-based, Non-Gene Edited Allogeneic CAR T Therapy

Dre Benedetta Guani – University Hospital of Lausanne discusses Histopathologic validation of the sentinel node technique in early-stage cervical cancerASCOhttps://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/187420/abstract

Dre Benedetta Guani – University Hospital of Lausanne discusses Histopathologic validation of the sentinel node technique in early-stage cervical cancerASCOhttps://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/187420/abstract

Liv Johannessen, P.h.D.Syros Pharmaceuticals discusses Activity of SY-5609 an oral noncovalent potent and selective CDK7 inhibitor in preclinical models of colorectal cancerhttps://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/188034/abstractASCO2020

Liv Johannessen, P.h.D. Syros Pharmaceuticals discusses Activity of SY-5609 an oral noncovalent potent and selective CDK7 inhibitor in preclinical models of colorectal cancer https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/188034/abstract ASCO2020

Jeff Petty, MD Wake Forest Baptist Health discusses Jazz Pharmaceuticals Announces U.S. FDA Accelerated Approval of Zepzelcaâ„¢ (lurbinectedin) for the Treatment of Metastatic Small Cell Lung Cancer

Jeff Petty, MD Wake Forest Baptist Health discusses Jazz Pharmaceuticals Announces U.S. FDA Accelerated Approval of Zepzelcaâ„¢ (lurbinectedin) for the Treatment of Metastatic Small Cell Lung Cancer

Jeff Petty, MD Wake Forest Baptist Health discusses Jazz Pharmaceuticals Announces U.S. FDA Accelerated Approval of Zepzelcaâ„¢ (lurbinectedin) for the Treatment of Metastatic Small Cell Lung Cancer

Siqing Fu, M.D., Ph.D. MD Anderson Cancer Center discusses Soricimed Announces Resumption of MD Anderson’s Investigator-Initiated Phase 1b Clinical Trial of SOR-C13 https://www.firstwordpharma.com/node/1731315

Siqing Fu, M.D., Ph.D. MD Anderson Cancer Center discusses Soricimed Announces Resumption of MD Anderson’s Investigator-Initiated Phase 1b Clinical Trial of SOR-C13   https://www.firstwordpharma.com/node/1731315

Robert Epstein, MD – Epstein Health, LLC. – discusses Real-world burden of chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression: Results of a U.S. online survey of patients with cancer. https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/190476/abstract #ASCO2020

Robert Epstein, MD – Epstein Health, LLC. – discusses Real-world burden of chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression: Results of a U.S. online survey of patients with cancer. https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/190476/abstract #ASCO2020

Robert Epstein, MD – Epstein Health, LLC. – discusses Real-world burden of chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression: Results of a U.S. online survey of patients with cancer. https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/190476/abstract #ASCO2020

Raj Malik, MD – G1 Therapeutics discusses G1 Therapeutics to present data showing myelopreservation benefits of Trilaciclib in patients with small cell lung cancer at the ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program. http://investor.g1therapeutics.com/news-releases/news-release-details/g1-therapeutics-present-data-showing-myelopreservation-benefits

Radek Spisek, Ph.D. SOTIO discusses SO-C101 displays strong anti-tumor effect in TC-1 and TRAMP-C2 tumor mice and in combination with PD-1 blockade prevents tumor development in a NK and CD8+ T cells dependent manner Summary: SO-C101 is a IL-15 superagonist being developed for the treatment of advanced solid tumors – currently in an ongoing Phase 1 trial (NCT04234113) – Poster shows new preclinical data detailing anti-tumor efficacy in tumor mouse models – SO-C101 monotherapy significant reduced tumor growth in early and advanced treatment settings – SO-C101 in combination with PD-1 inhibitors led to durable tumor response in a majority of…

Radek Spisek, Ph.D. SOTIO discusses SO-C101 displays strong anti-tumor effect in TC-1 and TRAMP-C2 tumor mice and in combination with PD-1 blockade prevents tumor development in a NK and CD8+ T cells dependent manner Summary: SO-C101 is a IL-15 superagonist being developed for the treatment of advanced solid tumors – currently in an ongoing Phase 1 trial (NCT04234113) – Poster shows new preclinical data detailing anti-tumor efficacy in tumor mouse models – SO-C101 monotherapy significant reduced tumor growth in early and advanced treatment settings – SO-C101 in combination with PD-1 inhibitors led to durable tumor response in a majority of…

Radek Spisek, Ph.D. SOTIO discusses SO-C101 displays strong anti-tumor effect in TC-1 and TRAMP-C2 tumor mice and in combination with PD-1 blockade prevents tumor development in a NK and CD8+ T cells dependent manner Summary: SO-C101 is a IL-15 superagonist being developed for the treatment of advanced solid tumors – currently in an ongoing Phase 1 trial (NCT04234113) – Poster shows new preclinical data detailing anti-tumor efficacy in tumor mouse models – SO-C101 monotherapy significant reduced tumor growth in early and advanced treatment settings – SO-C101 in combination with PD-1 inhibitors led to durable tumor response in a majority of…

Radek Spisek, Ph.D. SOTIO discusses SO-C101 displays strong anti-tumor effect in TC-1 and TRAMP-C2 tumor mice and in combination with PD-1 blockade prevents tumor development in a NK and CD8+ T cells dependent manner Summary: SO-C101 is a IL-15 superagonist being developed for the treatment of advanced solid tumors – currently in an ongoing Phase 1 trial (NCT04234113) – Poster shows new preclinical data detailing anti-tumor efficacy in tumor mouse models – SO-C101 monotherapy significant reduced tumor growth in early and advanced treatment settings – SO-C101 in combination with PD-1 inhibitors led to durable tumor response in a majority of…

Khalil Choucair, MD – The Kansas University School of Medicine discusses Liquid biopsy: A community-based oncology practice experience. #ASCO2020 https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/188007/abstract

Khalil Choucair, MD – The Kansas University School of Medicine discusses Liquid biopsy: A community-based oncology practice experience. #ASCO2020 https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/188007/abstract

Khalil Choucair, MD – The Kansas University School of Medicine discusses Liquid biopsy: A community-based oncology practice experience. #ASCO2020 https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/188007/abstract

Razelle Kurzrock, MD – UC San Diego Health discusses a Comprehensive analysis of HER2 status through genomic, transcription, and translation among 5,305 patients with diverse malignancies.

Razelle Kurzrock, MD – UC San Diego Health discusses a Comprehensive analysis of HER2 status through genomic, transcription, and translation among 5,305 patients with diverse malignancies.

Razelle Kurzrock, MD – UC San Diego Health discusses a Comprehensive analysis of HER2 status through genomic, transcription, and translation among 5,305 patients with diverse malignancies.

Jason Luke, MD, FACP, is an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the director of the Cancer Immunotherapeutics Center within the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Immunology and Immunotherapy Program discusses A phase I, first-in-human, open-label, dose-escalation study of MGD013.

Jason Luke, MD, FACP, is an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the director of the Cancer Immunotherapeutics Center within the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Immunology and Immunotherapy Program discusses A phase I, first-in-human, open-label, dose-escalation study of MGD013.

Jason Luke, MD, FACP, is an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the director of the Cancer Immunotherapeutics Center within the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Immunology and Immunotherapy Program discusses A phase I, first-in-human, open-label, dose-escalation study of MGD013

Jason Luke, MD, FACP, is an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the director of the Cancer Immunotherapeutics Center within the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, discusses A phase I, first-in-human, open-label, dose-escalation study of MGD013.

Total glossectomy is a surgical option for patients with advanced (stage IV cancers) or recurrent tongue cancer. Advanced cancer of the tongue has severe repercussions to function and survival of the affected patients. This procedure is most commonly performed for oncologic control. CASE REPORT The patient, a 53-year-old male affected by carcinoma of base of tongue, was referred to Dr. Mathan Mohan. After extensive clinical and laboratory examination, Dr. Mathan nominated the patient for Total Glossectomy (TG) with PMMC flap reconstruction. RESECTION The procedure of total glossectomy for surgical management of such locally advanced cancer of the tongue is always…

Buccal cancer involving masticator space grows rapidly and penetrates well with a high recurrence rate due its aggressive nature. The local recurrence rate is very high, and many patients are treated with palliative intent because of their eventual poor outcome. Results are poor because of inability to achieve negative margins in three dimensions. Also, the surgical clearance is difficult because of the extent of tumour spread in masticator space. Cancers originating from the masticator space, pterygoid plates or skull base, invade adjacent anatomical structures, thus surgical tumour resection becomes very challenging. CASE REPORT The present case describes the surgical management…

Juan Carlos Varela, MD AdventHealth discusses AdventHealth launches first-of-its-kind immunotherapy treatment, clinical trial for specific blood cancer patients.

Juan Carlos Varela, MD – AdventHealth discusses AdventHealth launches first-of-its-kind immunotherapy treatment, clinical trial for specific blood cancer patients

Juan Carlos Varela, MD AdventHealth discusses AdventHealth launches first-of-its-kind immunotherapy treatment, clinical trial for specific blood cancer patients.

Nicolas Poirier, Ph.D. – OSE Immunotherapeutics – discusses Identifies Monoclonal Antibody Antagonists of CLEC-1 as New Checkpoint Inhibitors of Immune Myeloid Cells in Immuno-Oncology and New Data Supporting Bispecific Antibody Checkpoint Inhibitor Platform (BiCKI®) and Bifunctional Therapy Targeting PD-1 and IL-7 (BiCKI®-IL-7) For Cancer Immunotherapy – What is the next step for this research?

Nicolas Poirier, Ph.D. – OSE Immunotherapeutics – discusses – Identifies Monoclonal Antibody Antagonists of CLEC-1 as New Checkpoint Inhibitors of Immune Myeloid Cells in Immuno-Oncology and New Data Supporting Bispecific Antibody Checkpoint Inhibitor Platform (BiCKI®) and Bifunctional Therapy Targeting PD-1 and IL-7 (BiCKI®-IL-7) For Cancer Immunotherapy.

David A. Reardon, MD Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discusses INO-5401 and INO-9012 in combination with cemiplimab REGN2810 in newly diagnosed glioblastoma GBM Interim results. What is the next step for this research?

David A. Reardon, MD Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discusses INO-5401 and INO-9012 in combination with cemiplimab REGN2810 in newly diagnosed glioblastoma GBM Interim results. – How will this affect clinicians today?

David A. Reardon, MD Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discusses What is the rationale in combining these agents together? – INO-5401 and INO-9012 in combination with cemiplimab REGN2810 in newly diagnosed glioblastoma GBM Interim results.

David A. Reardon, MD Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discusses INO-5401 and INO-9012 in combination with cemiplimab REGN2810 in newly diagnosed glioblastoma GBM Interim results.

Nicholas J. Vogelzang, MD Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada 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 prostate cancer and PROCLAIM-CX-072: Analysis of patients with prostate advanced solid tumors receiving long-term treatment with CX-072, a PD-L1 probody therapeutic, as a single agent or in combination with ipilimumab

Christoph Röllig, MD discusses For Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Genetic Testing Is Often Worth the Wait

Andrea Enzinger, MD Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discusses US trends and racial/ethnic disparities in opioid access among patients with poor prognosis cancer near end of life.

Nikhil C. Munshi, M.D of Dana Farber Cancer Institute discusses the positive results from pivotal KarMMa study of Ide-cel in MM Read here: https://news.bms.com/press-release/corporatefinancial-news/bristol-myers-squibb-and-bluebird-bio-present-updated-positive

Nikhil C. Munshi, M.D of Dana Farber Cancer Institute discusses the positive results from pivotal KarMMa study of Ide-cel in MM Read here: https://news.bms.com/press-release/corporatefinancial-news/bristol-myers-squibb-and-bluebird-bio-present-updated-positive

Nikhil C. Munshi, M.D of Dana Farber Cancer Institute discusses the positive results from pivotal KarMMa study of Ide-cel in MM Read here: https://news.bms.com/press-release/corporatefinancial-news/bristol-myers-squibb-and-bluebird-bio-present-updated-positive

Marwan Fakih, MD of City of Hope discusses CodeBreak 100: activity of AMG 510, a novel small molecule inhibitor of KRASG12C, in patients with advanced colorectal cancer Read here: https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/185490/abstract

Marwan Fakih, MD of City of Hope discusses CodeBreak 100: activity of AMG 510, a novel small molecule inhibitor of KRASG12C, in patients with advanced colorectal cancer Read here: https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/185490/abstract

Featuring David Gandara, MD and Johannes Kratz, MD Please visit www.oncocyte.com for more information on DetermaRx   2020 has ushered in two important milestones in early-stage lung cancer. First, CMS approved DetermaRx, a molecular test that identifies patients with Stage I-IIA non-squamous NSCLC who are at high risk of recurrence, and may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. Second, the ADAURA trial results, presented at ASCO, demonstrated the efficacy of osimertinib in EGFR-positive early-stage NSCLC. In this webinar, we will review these latest research findings as well as ongoing clinical trials on the use of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy in early-stage…

Sudhir Manda, MD of Arizona Oncology discusses the long-term proteasome inhibition in multiple myeloma following an in-class transition from bortezomib to ixazomib.

Sudhir Manda, MD of Arizona Oncology discusses the long-term proteasome inhibition in multiple myeloma following an in-class transition from bortezomib to ixazomib.

Matthew P. Goetz, MD of Mayo Clinic @MayoClinic discusses acquired genomic alterations in circulating tumor DNA from patients receiving abemaciclib alone or in combination with endocrine therapy. Read here: https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/185090/abstract