Author: Editor

Address to Japan Society of Clinical Oncology focuseson opportunities to expand benefits to more patients Accomplished surgeon-scientist joined Roswell Park in 2016 Currently, immunotherapies work well for very few patients with breast cancer Dr. Takabe also speaking on how to support development of oncology leaders  Dr. Kazuaki Takabe, Roswell Park’s Chief of Breast Surgery, gave the keynote address at the annual meeting of the Japan Society of Clinical Oncology. BUFFALO, N.Y. — Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Chief of Breast Surgery, Kazuaki Takabe, MD, PhD, FACS, gave an Oct. 24 keynote address on immunotherapy for breast cancer at the 57th Annual Meeting of…

– Target Enrollment of 450 Achieved Early Due to High Demand – – Topline Results Expected in 2023 – Dendreon Pharmaceuticals, a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company and pioneer in the development of immunotherapy, announced early completion of patient enrollment of its Phase 3 ProVent clinical trial. More than 450 subjects were randomized in the large-scale clinical trial, which is evaluating the effectiveness of sipuleucel-T (PROVENGE®) in reducing disease progression in men with early-stage prostate cancer on active surveillance (AS). “The rapid pace of enrollment in the ProVent trial is a significant milestone for Dendreon, and underscores a strong interest by patients…

Douglas G. McNeel, MD of @UWCarbone discusses the phase II trial of a DNA vaccine encoding in patients with nonmetastatic, castration-sensitive prostate cancer. ______ Read here: https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.19.01701?journalCode=jco&

National Comprehensive Cancer Network expands resources to meet growing utilization of cell-based cancer treatments. Today, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) published new NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT), also known as stem cell transplant or historically as bone marrow transplant. This new resource provides step-by-step information on best practices in evaluating patients for hematopoietic cell transplantation and managing complications afterwards. This type of specialized treatment is increasingly common, occurring approximately 22,000 times a year in the United States in people with various malignancies, most commonly for blood-related cancers.[1] “Establishing NCCN Guidelines for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation…

Katherine Clifton @katherineclift4 of @WUSTL answers a common question regarding using an anti-EGFR resistance mechanism: are these gene fusions targetable? __________ Read here: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/PO.19.00141

Katherine Clifton, MD @katherineclift4 of @WUSTL discusses actionable fusions as an anti-EGFR resistance mechanism. __________ Read here: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/PO.19.00141

A comparison of the Pinktober and Movember movements reveals that reach and engagement do not always lead people to research screening options A new study published in Lancet Oncology shows that health awareness campaigns ‘ internet success may not always translate into increased interest in related health behaviors. USC’s Keck School of Medicine researchers compared Pinktober and Movember, two month-long cancer awareness programs focused on six years of web traffic data of similar online popularity. Google Trends search data patterns were analyzed for specific keywords associated with each campaign and the health behaviors that should result from increased awareness. For…

Studies show that proton therapy compared to traditional radiation increases overall survival in patients with inoperable liver cancer and recognizes predictors that reduce complications in the liver. Two new studies support and inform the use of proton radiation therapy to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, a common but often fatal type of liver cancer with limited treatment options. One research (Sanford et al.) shows that proton radiation is capable of increasing overall survival with decreased toxicity compared to traditional photon radiation. A second study (Hsieh et al.) identifies predictors that may result from radiation treatments to reduce liver damage. These…

Nicklas Oscarsson of @goteborgsuni on how oxygen in hyperbaric chamber provides relief after radiotherapy affects clinicians and treatment today. ________ Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the pelvic region, a study shows, can relieve self-reported symptoms and side effects of radiotherapy against cancer. Most patients reported reductions in vomiting, urinary incontinence and discomfort following 30–40 sessions in a hyperbaric chamber. “This treatment is highly effective for the majority of the patients” states Nicklas Oscarsson, first author of the article, a doctoral student in anesthesiology and intensive care at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, and senior consultant at Angered Hospital. Radiation therapy…

Company Commences First-in-Human Study at Multiple Academic Sites in United States Oct. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Linnaeus Therapeutics, Inc. (Linnaeus), a privately held clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel small molecule oncology therapeutics, today announced that it has dosed the first patient in its phase 1/2 clinical trial of LNS8801 in patients with advanced solid and hematologic cancers. This marks the first time any company has dosed a patient in a clinical trial specifically targeting the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). The initiation of the study follows U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of…

Nicklas Oscarsson of @goteborgsuni answers frequently asked questions regarding oxygen in hyperbaric chamber provides relief after radiotherapy. __________ Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the pelvic region, a study shows, can relieve self-reported symptoms and side effects of radiotherapy against cancer. Most patients reported reductions in vomiting, urinary incontinence and discomfort following 30–40 sessions in a hyperbaric chamber. “This treatment is highly effective for the majority of the patients” states Nicklas Oscarsson, first author of the article, a doctoral student in anesthesiology and intensive care at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, and senior consultant at Angered Hospital. Radiation therapy is part…

Nicklas Oscarsson of @goteborgsuni explains oxygen in hyperbaric chamber provides relief after radiotherapy. ___________ Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the pelvic region, a study shows, can relieve self-reported symptoms and side effects of radiotherapy against cancer. Most patients reported reductions in vomiting, urinary incontinence and discomfort following 30–40 sessions in a hyperbaric chamber. “This treatment is highly effective for the majority of the patients” states Nicklas Oscarsson, first author of the article, a doctoral student in anesthesiology and intensive care at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, and senior consultant at Angered Hospital. Radiation therapy is part of many cancer treatment…

EU approval based on JAVELIN Renal 101 trial results demonstrating significant improvement in progression-free survival with BAVENCIO in combination with axitinib compared with sunitinib.  Combination regimen approved across all IMDC prognostic risk groups and irrespective of PD-L1 expression.  EMD Serono, the biopharmaceutical subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, USA and Canada, and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today announced that BAVENCIO ® (avelumab) in combination with axitinib has been approved by the European Commission (EC) for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The approval was based on promising interim results from the Phase III JAVELIN…

Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  (NYSE AMERICAN: ATNM) (“Actinium”) today announced key interim findings from the pivotal Phase 3 SIERRA trial of Iomab-B, including feasibility and safety data, at 50% of total patient enrollment. The SIERRA trial (Study of Iomab-B in Elderly Relapse/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia) is a 150-patient, 1:1 randomization Phase 3 pivotal trial that is studying Iomab-B (Iodine-131 apamistamab) compared to physician’s choice of salvage chemotherapy in patients age 55 and above with active, relapsed or refractory AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia). These interim data provide information on safety and feasibility of using Iomab-B to enable a BMT (Bone Marrow Transplant), the only curative treatment…

Evidence from the lead program showed that glucocorticoids promote the growth of prostate tumor cells, stimulate androgen-regulated gene expression and stimulate enzalutamide resistance, which ORIC-101 has completely reversed. Second program data showed that small molecule inhibition of CD73 fully restored proliferation and cytokine production of T cells with AMP/adenosine suppression.  ORIC Pharmaceuticals, a privately held, clinical-stage oncology company focused on developing treatments that address mechanisms of therapeutic resistance, presented new preclinical data on its lead program ORIC-101 – a selective and potent glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist in Phase 1b – and its CD73 inhibitor program – an orally bioavailable small…

Greg Delgoffe, PhD @delgoffelab of @PittTweet explains how the dual-function virus designed to killing tumors is affecting clinicians today. ________ Viruses designed to kill cancer cells are already used to treat one skin cancer and are commonly studied in other cancers. A new study shows that oncolytic viruses known as viruses can be enhanced further to improve the body’s immune response to tumors. The researchers found that this new type of oncolytic virus can simultaneously kill the cancer cells and provide tumor immune cells with a hormone that they need to perform their own cell killing functions. The dual-function virus…

Greg Delgoffe, PhD @delgoffelab of @PittTweet explains the dual-function virus designed to killing tumors and helping immune cells. __________ Viruses designed to kill cancer cells are already used to treat one skin cancer and are commonly studied in other cancers. A new study shows that oncolytic viruses known as viruses can be enhanced further to improve the body’s immune response to tumors. The researchers found that this new type of oncolytic virus can simultaneously kill the cancer cells and provide tumor immune cells with a hormone that they need to perform their own cell killing functions. The dual-function virus was…

Steven Mansoor, MD @mansoor_steven of @OHSUSOM describes what is next and how this protein associated with many disease is visualized for the first time will affect clinicians today. __________ New drugs can be motivated by understanding how receptors of P2X7 proteins function.  Scientists first noticed how a protein associated with various health issues functions at the molecular level. The breakthrough, that one day could inspire new drugs to treat inflammation, coronary artery disease, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, and more, has been published today in the Cell journal. Research assistant at Oregon Health & Science University Alanna McCarthy, B.S., and scientist at…

Steven Mansoor, MD @mansoor_steven of @OHSUSOM answers common questions involving a protein associated with many disease is visualized for the first time. __________ New drugs can be motivated by understanding how receptors of P2X7 proteins function.  Scientists first noticed how a protein associated with various health issues functions at the molecular level. The breakthrough, that one day could inspire new drugs to treat inflammation, coronary artery disease, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, and more, has been published today in the Cell journal. Research assistant at Oregon Health & Science University Alanna McCarthy, B.S., and scientist at OHSU Steven Mansoor, M.D., Ph.D., used…

Steven Mansoor, MD @mansoor_steven of @OHSUSOM explains a protein associated with many disease is visualized for the first time. ___________ New drugs can be motivated by understanding how receptors of P2X7 proteins function.  Scientists first noticed how a protein associated with various health issues functions at the molecular level. The breakthrough, that one day could inspire new drugs to treat inflammation, coronary artery disease, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, and more, has been published today in the Cell journal. Research assistant at Oregon Health & Science University Alanna McCarthy, B.S., and scientist at OHSU Steven Mansoor, M.D., Ph.D., used cryoelectron microscopy to…

New drugs can be motivated by understanding how receptors of P2X7 proteins function.  Scientists first noticed how a protein associated with various health issues functions at the molecular level. The breakthrough, that one day could inspire new drugs to treat inflammation, coronary artery disease, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, and more, has been published today in the Cell journal. Research assistant at Oregon Health & Science University Alanna McCarthy, B.S., and scientist at OHSU Steven Mansoor, M.D., Ph.D., used cryoelectron microscopy to obtain a protein receptor’s 3D structure and observe its inner working. The protein receptor they studied is a protein of…

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the pelvic region, a study shows, can relieve self-reported symptoms and side effects of radiotherapy against cancer. Most patients reported reductions in vomiting, urinary incontinence and discomfort following 30–40 sessions in a hyperbaric chamber. “This treatment is highly effective for the majority of the patients” states Nicklas Oscarsson, first author of the article, a doctoral student in anesthesiology and intensive care at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, and senior consultant at Angered Hospital. Radiation therapy is part of many cancer treatment procedures for organs like the heart, cervix, ovaries, and colon. In the lower abdomen,…

Bradley E. Bernstein, MD @BradEBernstein @willflavahan of @MassGeneralNews answers how this affects clinicians on the cause of drug resistance found in a form of intestinal tumor. __________ Most cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), a form of soft tissue cancer (sarcoma), are caused by gene mutations that can be treated effectively with drugs that inhibit the action of enzymes which promote rogue cancer. But an estimated 10% to 20% of GISTs do not have any mutations detectable or targeted. Scientists in a partnership on cancer research in the Boston area have now explained mechanisms that allow the production of these…

Most cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), a form of soft tissue cancer (sarcoma), are caused by gene mutations that can be treated effectively with drugs that inhibit the action of enzymes which promote rogue cancer. But an estimated 10% to 20% of GISTs do not have any mutations detectable or targeted. Scientists in a partnership on cancer research in the Boston area have now explained mechanisms that allow the production of these hard-to-treat cancers and have identified approaches in laboratory experiments that could lead to successful new therapies. The research, a joint effort by scientists at the Massachusetts General…

Bradley E. Bernstein, MD @BradEBernstein @willflavahan of @MassGeneralNews answers commonly asked questions on the cause of drug resistance found in a form of intestinal tumor. __________ Most cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), a form of soft tissue cancer (sarcoma), are caused by gene mutations that can be treated effectively with drugs that inhibit the action of enzymes which promote rogue cancer. But an estimated 10% to 20% of GISTs do not have any mutations detectable or targeted. Scientists in a partnership on cancer research in the Boston area have now explained mechanisms that allow the production of these hard-to-treat cancers and…

Bradley E. Bernstein, MD @BradEBernstein @willflavahan of @MassGeneralNews explains the cause of drug resistance found in a form of intestinal tumor. ___________ Most cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), a form of soft tissue cancer (sarcoma), are caused by gene mutations that can be treated effectively with drugs that inhibit the action of enzymes which promote rogue cancer. But an estimated 10% to 20% of GISTs do not have any mutations detectable or targeted. Scientists in a partnership on cancer research in the Boston area have now explained mechanisms that allow the production of these hard-to-treat cancers and have identified approaches in…

Alena Gros of @VHIO answers commonly asked questions regarding the development of cell therapies for non-responders to current immunotherapies: can these cells kill the tumor? _________ Research conducted by VHIO’s Alena Gros suggests a modern, less intrusive approach to detecting killer T lymphocytes in patients with low mutational burden gastrointestinal tumors that are refractory to authorized immune-based therapies. Killer T cells found in blood that can hone on mutations expressed in cancer cells pave the way for an effective and customized avenue of therapy. In today’s current era of precision medicine against cancer, we are increasingly witnessing how research is…

Alena Gros of @VHIO explains driving the development of cell therapies for non-responders to current immunotherapies. __________ Research conducted by VHIO’s Alena Gros suggests a modern, less intrusive approach to detecting killer T lymphocytes in patients with low mutational burden gastrointestinal tumors that are refractory to authorized immune-based therapies. Killer T cells found in blood that can hone on mutations expressed in cancer cells pave the way for an effective and customized avenue of therapy. In today’s current era of precision medicine against cancer, we are increasingly witnessing how research is successfully potentiating and personalizing immunotherapy to more effectively unleash…

Research conducted by VHIO’s Alena Gros suggests a modern, less intrusive approach to detecting killer T lymphocytes in patients with low mutational burden gastrointestinal tumors that are refractory to authorized immune-based therapies. Killer T cells found in blood that can hone on mutations expressed in cancer cells pave the way for an effective and customized avenue of therapy. In today’s current era of precision medicine against cancer, we are increasingly witnessing how research is successfully potentiating and personalizing immunotherapy to more effectively unleash the power of the immune system in a greater number of patients to attack disease. Despite such…

Peter O’Donnell, MD of @UChicagoMed provides results from biomarkers in patients with locally advanced metastatic urothelial carcinoma treated with durvalumab in phase 1/2 dose‐escalation.

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer today announces an open comment period for the “IASLC Multidisciplinary Recommendations for Pathologic Assessment of Lung Cancer Resection Specimens Following Neoadjuvant Therapy” paper. The paper has been made available here to provide an opportunity for public review of new draft recommendations. The open comment period runs from October 14 to November 7, 2019. With the recent growing number of clinical trials for non-small cell lung cancer with neoadjuvant therapy, there is a great need for standardization of sample processing since it has consistently been shown that major pathological response (MPR) is an important…

Cancer center recognized for following best practices in field Designated centers demonstrate best practices outlined by NCCN, ACR Roswell Park’s Lung Cancer Screening Program offers low-dose CT scans Center’s program diagnoses 70 percent of lung cancers at early stage The efforts of the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center to provide opportunities for early detection of lung cancer to the community have won a prestigious GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer Screening Center of Excellence. Technical governing bodies such as the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) offer clear information on who is a qualified candidate…

Peter O’Donnell, MD of @UChicagoMed explains biomarkers in patients with locally advanced metastatic urothelial carcinoma treated with durvalumab in phase 1/2 dose‐escalation.

A research study published in Neoplasia, led by lead researcher Nallasivam Palanisamy, Ph.D., associate researcher at the Vattikuti Urology Institute at Henry Ford Health System, identified a novel fusion of the prostate cancer gene involving the KLK4 protein coding gene and KLKP1 pseudogene. In urine samples of prostate cancer patients, this particular biomarker can be identified, providing a non-invasive method of detection.  The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is currently being used as the standard method of screening prostate cancer. Nevertheless, elevated levels of PSA are not exclusive to prostate cancer, as benign prostate conditions can also induce them. As a…

Kristin Campbell of @UBCnews shares exercise guidelines for cancer survivors. ________ There is growing evidence that exercise is a significant part of recovery for the increasing number of cancer survivors worldwide. But how much is required, and what kind of exercise? A recent research study, undertaken by an international group of experts led by the University of British Columbia, has led to the development of new guidelines for exercise for cancer survivors. The revised guidelines, published today in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, detail detailed’ exercise treatments’ to tackle common side effects associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment,…

Kristin Campbell of @UBCnews explains exercise guidelines for cancer survivors limitations and safety concerns. __________ There is growing evidence that exercise is a significant part of recovery for the increasing number of cancer survivors worldwide. But how much is required, and what kind of exercise? A recent research study, undertaken by an international group of experts led by the University of British Columbia, has led to the development of new guidelines for exercise for cancer survivors. The revised guidelines, published today in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, detail detailed’ exercise treatments’ to tackle common side effects associated with…

There is growing evidence that exercise is a significant part of recovery for the increasing number of cancer survivors worldwide. But how much is required, and what kind of exercise? A recent research study, undertaken by an international group of experts led by the University of British Columbia, has led to the development of new guidelines for exercise for cancer survivors. The revised guidelines, published today in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, detail detailed’ exercise treatments’ to tackle common side effects associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment, such as anxiety and exhaustion. Generally speaking, the new guidelines prescribe…

Akash J. Patel of @bcmhouston answers meningioma molecular profiling reliably predicts tumor recurrence: how does this help us? ________ Read here: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-10/bcom-mmp100719.php

Akash J. Patel of @bcmhouston explains meningioma molecular profiling reliably predicts tumor recurrence. __________ Read here: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-10/bcom-mmp100719.php

Nallasivam Palanisamy, Ph.D. @NallasivamPala4 of @HenryFordNews highlights select biomarkers in patients with prostate cancer and what is next on the horizon for research. _________ A research study published in Neoplasia, led by lead researcher Nallasivam Palanisamy, Ph.D., associate researcher at the Vattikuti Urology Institute at Henry Ford Health System, identified a novel fusion of the prostate cancer gene involving the KLK4 protein coding gene and KLKP1 pseudogene. In urine samples of prostate cancer patients, this particular biomarker can be identified, providing a non-invasive method of detection.  The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is currently being used as the standard method of…

Nallasivam Palanisamy, Ph.D. @NallasivamPala4 of @HenryFordNews explains a unique biomarker can be detected in the urine samples of prostate cancer patients, offering a non-invasive way of detection. _________ A research study published in Neoplasia, led by lead researcher Nallasivam Palanisamy, Ph.D., associate researcher at the Vattikuti Urology Institute at Henry Ford Health System, identified a novel fusion of the prostate cancer gene involving the KLK4 protein coding gene and KLKP1 pseudogene. In urine samples of prostate cancer patients, this particular biomarker can be identified, providing a non-invasive method of detection.  The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is currently being used as…

Nallasivam Palanisamy, Ph.D. @NallasivamPala4 of @HenryFordNews explains a biomarker in urine may offer noninvasive detection of prostate cancer. __________ A research study published in Neoplasia, led by lead researcher Nallasivam Palanisamy, Ph.D., associate researcher at the Vattikuti Urology Institute at Henry Ford Health System, identified a novel fusion of the prostate cancer gene involving the KLK4 protein coding gene and KLKP1 pseudogene. In urine samples of prostate cancer patients, this particular biomarker can be identified, providing a non-invasive method of detection.  The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is currently being used as the standard method of screening prostate cancer. Nevertheless, elevated…

Carol DeSantis, MPH @caroldesantis6 of @AmericanCancer provides information on trends in breast cancer death rates.

Carol DeSantis, MPH @caroldesantis6 of @AmericanCancer explains breast cancer trends in the U.S.

Emily Bernstein, PhD of @IcahnMountSinai answers neuroblastoma in older children: what happens when you have an ATRX deletion?

Emily Bernstein, PhD of @IcahnMountSinai explains neuroblastoma in older children & adolescents harboring deletions within a gene called ATRX may be responsive to tazemetostat.

Courtney Williams, MPH @cphilwil of @ONealCancerUAB explains findings in a new study that results in lower costs and how this affects treatment and clinicians today. __________ Research from the UAB’s O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center finds that patients treated outside the recommendations of the NCCN Guidelines had significantly greater direct costs. A new study by the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB), published in the October 2019 issue of JNCCN— Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, finds that direct costs for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) increase dramatically when their treatment differs from…

James Suliburk, MD @jsuliburk of @bcmhouston answers how far away is this technology from being used in clinical practice? ___________ Read here: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-10/uota-ntf100219.php

James Suliburk, MD @jsuliburk of @bcmhouston explains new tests for thyroid cancer could prevent unnecessary surgery. ___________ Read here: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-10/uota-ntf100219.php

Courtney Williams, MPH @cphilwil of @ONealCancerUAB explains findings in a new study that results in lower costs for patients with metastatic breast cancer. __________ Research from the UAB’s O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center finds that patients treated outside the recommendations of the NCCN Guidelines had significantly greater direct costs. A new study by the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB), published in the October 2019 issue of JNCCN— Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, finds that direct costs for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) increase dramatically when their treatment differs from the NCCN…

Amanda Haymond of @GeorgeMasonNews @GMU_COS explains a new discovery that includes protein painting technology and enables scientists to make discoveries in cancer research.

Zhibo Ma, PhD of @salkinstitute explains mapping normal breast development to try and better understand cancer. __________ Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers, and some types are among the hardest to treat. The different types and presence of many different cells makes it difficult to target these tumors. Scientists at the Salk Institute have now used state-of – the-art technology to test each cell during normal breast development to understand what happens wrongly in cancer. The results of the group, published in the Cell Reports on 8 October 2019 and distributed in a free online resource, lay…

Zhibo Ma, PhD of @salkinstitute explains how this affects treatment and clinicians today. __________ Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers, and some types are among the hardest to treat. The different types and presence of many different cells makes it difficult to target these tumors. Scientists at the Salk Institute have now used state-of – the-art technology to test each cell during normal breast development to understand what happens wrongly in cancer. The results of the group, published in the Cell Reports on 8 October 2019 and distributed in a free online resource, lay the foundations for…

Zhibo Ma, PhD of @salkinstitute answers common questions asked by colleagues regarding measuring chromatin accessibility changes in breast cancer. ________ Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers, and some types are among the hardest to treat. The different types and presence of many different cells makes it difficult to target these tumors. Scientists at the Salk Institute have now used state-of – the-art technology to test each cell during normal breast development to understand what happens wrongly in cancer. The results of the group, published in the Cell Reports on 8 October 2019 and distributed in a free…

Viruses designed to kill cancer cells are already used to treat one skin cancer and are commonly studied in other cancers. A new study shows that oncolytic viruses known as viruses can be enhanced further to improve the body’s immune response to tumors. The researchers found that this new type of oncolytic virus can simultaneously kill the cancer cells and provide tumor immune cells with a hormone that they need to perform their own cell killing functions. The dual-function virus was significantly more active in shrinking and removing tumors in mice with melanoma tumors than a regular oncolytic virus. The…

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers, and some types are among the hardest to treat. The different types and presence of many different cells makes it difficult to target these tumors. Scientists at the Salk Institute have now used state-of – the-art technology to test each cell during normal breast development to understand what happens wrongly in cancer. The results of the group, published in the Cell Reports on 8 October 2019 and distributed in a free online resource, lay the foundations for understanding normal breast growth and can lead to new strategies for tumor control. “In…

Curtis McCloskey, PhD of @ottawahospital explains how this affects treatment and clinicians today. __________ A laboratory study published in Clinical Cancer Research provides a new perspective on how ovarian cancer is developed and suggests how it can be avoided. The research is the first to demonstrate that with age occurs the normal ovarian stiffening called fibrosis. It also indicates that this cycle may be prevented by the diabetes medication metformin. “Fibrosis happens when body tissues are repeatedly injured and inflamed, leaving behind hard collagen fibers that pile up over time, like a scar on the skin,” said Dr. Curtis McCloskey,…

Curtis McCloskey, PhD of @ottawahospital provides insight on a possible new frontier for preventing ovarian cancer. ____________ A laboratory study published in Clinical Cancer Research provides a new perspective on how ovarian cancer is developed and suggests how it can be avoided. The research is the first to demonstrate that with age occurs the normal ovarian stiffening called fibrosis. It also indicates that this cycle may be prevented by the diabetes medication metformin. “Fibrosis happens when body tissues are repeatedly injured and inflamed, leaving behind hard collagen fibers that pile up over time, like a scar on the skin,” said Dr.…

A laboratory study published in Clinical Cancer Research provides a new perspective on how ovarian cancer is developed and suggests how it can be avoided. The research is the first to demonstrate that with age occurs the normal ovarian stiffening called fibrosis. It also indicates that this cycle may be prevented by the diabetes medication metformin. “Fibrosis happens when body tissues are repeatedly injured and inflamed, leaving behind hard collagen fibers that pile up over time, like a scar on the skin,” said Dr. Curtis McCloskey, the lead author, “Cancer cells tend to like growing in these fibrotic tissues. Dr.…

Lee P. Richman, MD, Andrew J. Rech, MD and Robert H. Vonderheide, MD of @PennMedicine answer how it is different and is the software ready? _______ When tumor cells expand, tens of thousands of genetic mutations are often spawned. It’s like finding a few needles in a haystack to figure out which ones are most important to try with immunotherapy. Now a new model built by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Abramson Cancer Center hand-picks certain needles so they can be leveraged in more effective, personalized cancer vaccines. Cell Systems today published data on the design of the template,…

Lee P. Richman, MD, Andrew J. Rech, MD and Robert H. Vonderheide, MD of @PennMedicine discuss an algorithm personalizes which cancer mutations are best for immunotherapy. ____________ When tumor cells expand, tens of thousands of genetic mutations are often spawned. It’s like finding a few needles in a haystack to figure out which ones are most important to try with immunotherapy. Now a new model built by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Abramson Cancer Center hand-picks certain needles so they can be leveraged in more effective, personalized cancer vaccines. Cell Systems today published data on the design of the…

When tumor cells expand, tens of thousands of genetic mutations are often spawned. It’s like finding a few needles in a haystack to figure out which ones are most important to try with immunotherapy. Now a new model built by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Abramson Cancer Center hand-picks certain needles so they can be leveraged in more effective, personalized cancer vaccines. Cell Systems today published data on the design of the template, and the algorithm is already available online as a resource-serving open source software. “There are mutations in tumors that can lead to powerful immune responses, but…

– Data from pivotal study demonstrate safety and efficacy regardless of prior gastrectomy in previously treated patients with metastatic gastric cancer (mGC) and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma   PRINCETON, N.J., October 14, 2019 – Taiho Oncology, Inc. announced today that detailed results from the analysis of patients with prior gastrectomy enrolled in the Phase 3 TAS-102 Gastric Study (TAGS) evaluating LONSURF® (trifluridine and tipiracil) in adult patients with metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma previously treated with at least two prior lines of chemotherapy that included a fluoropyrimidine, a platinum, either a taxane or irinotecan, and if appropriate, HER2/neu-targeted therapy, were published in the…

Ajai Chari, MD of @MountSinaiNYC answers how the phase 2 PLEIADES study affects treatment and clinicians today. ____________ About the PLEIADES Trial2 The non-randomized, open-label, parallel assignment Phase 2 PLEIADES (MMY2040) study included 199 adults with either newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma were treated with 1,800 mg of the SC formulation in combination with either bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (D-VRd) or bortezomib, melphalan and prednisone (D-VMP). Patients with relapsed or refractory disease were treated with 1,800 mg of the SC formulation plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (D-Rd). The primary endpoint for the D-VMP and D-Rd…

Ajai Chari, MD of @MountSinaiNYC explains a common question asked by colleagues regarding the PLEIADES study: how long do you keep people in clinic? _____________ About the PLEIADES Trial2 The non-randomized, open-label, parallel assignment Phase 2 PLEIADES (MMY2040) study included 199 adults with either newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma were treated with 1,800 mg of the SC formulation in combination with either bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (D-VRd) or bortezomib, melphalan and prednisone (D-VMP). Patients with relapsed or refractory disease were treated with 1,800 mg of the SC formulation plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (D-Rd). The…

Ajai Chari, MD of @MountSinaiNYC discusses the phase 2 PLEIADES study. _________ About the PLEIADES Trial2 The non-randomized, open-label, parallel assignment Phase 2 PLEIADES (MMY2040) study included 199 adults with either newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma were treated with 1,800 mg of the SC formulation in combination with either bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (D-VRd) or bortezomib, melphalan and prednisone (D-VMP). Patients with relapsed or refractory disease were treated with 1,800 mg of the SC formulation plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (D-Rd). The primary endpoint for the D-VMP and D-Rd cohorts was overall response rate. The…

Scott Kopetz, MD @skopetz of @MDAndersonNews discusses what’s next for the phase 3 BEACON trial in colorectal cancer. __________ Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today announced detailed results from the interim analysis of the Phase 3 BEACON CRC trial evaluating the combination of BRAFTOVI® (encorafenib), MEKTOVI® (binimetinib), and cetuximab (BRAFTOVI Triplet), in patients with advanced BRAFV600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), following one or two lines of therapy. The results show significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and objective response rates (ORR) for the BRAFTOVI Triplet and BRAFTOVI Doublet combination (BRAFTOVI and cetuximab), compared to cetuximab plus irinotecan-containing regimens (Control), and provide analysis of the…

Scott Kopetz, MD @skopetz of @MDAndersonNews explains the phase 3 BEACON CRC trial.  ______ Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today announced detailed results from the interim analysis of the Phase 3 BEACON CRC trial evaluating the combination of BRAFTOVI® (encorafenib), MEKTOVI® (binimetinib), and cetuximab (BRAFTOVI Triplet), in patients with advanced BRAFV600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), following one or two lines of therapy. The results show significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and objective response rates (ORR) for the BRAFTOVI Triplet and BRAFTOVI Doublet combination (BRAFTOVI and cetuximab), compared to cetuximab plus irinotecan-containing regimens (Control), and provide analysis of the efficacy and safety of the…

Andrew Krivoshik, MD of @AstellasUS explains insights on EV-103 enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab that was presented at ESMO. #ESMO2019

Andrew Krivoshik, MD of @AstellasUS discusses the EV_103 phase I trial in locally advanced and first- and second-line metastatic urothelial cancer. #ESMO2019

GRACE is very excited to bring to you this new program on supportive care in cancer treatment.Arjun Gupta, MD, one of the GRACE Fellows Ambassador Program Winners for 2019 is the host of this video series, Supportive Care in Cancer Treatment. In this next video, Dr. Gupta’s guest is Dr. Richard Dunne, with the University of Rochester Medical Center in NY. Their topic of discussion is cachexia in cancer treatment.For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

Suresh S. Ramalingam, MD @RamalingamMD of @WinshipAtEmory illustrates the next step in the phase III FLAURA trial in NSCLC. ________ 28% of patients in the global FLAURA trial were still receiving TAGRISSO at three years vs. 9% on either gefitinib or erlotinib TAGRISSO showed a 52% reduction in risk of central nervous system disease progression or death AstraZeneca today presented detailed overall survival (OS) results from the Phase III FLAURA trial of TAGRISSO® (osimertinib) in the 1st-line treatment of adult patients with locally-advanced or metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Results showed a statistically significant…

Suresh S. Ramalingam, MD @RamalingamMD of @WinshipAtEmory illustrates the next step in the phase III FLAURA trial in NSCLC. ________ 28% of patients in the global FLAURA trial were still receiving TAGRISSO at three years vs. 9% on either gefitinib or erlotinib TAGRISSO showed a 52% reduction in risk of central nervous system disease progression or death AstraZeneca today presented detailed overall survival (OS) results from the Phase III FLAURA trial of TAGRISSO® (osimertinib) in the 1st-line treatment of adult patients with locally-advanced or metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Results showed a statistically significant…

Suresh S. Ramalingam, MD @RamalingamMD of @WinshipAtEmory illustrates the next step in the phase III FLAURA trial in NSCLC. ________ 28% of patients in the global FLAURA trial were still receiving TAGRISSO at three years vs. 9% on either gefitinib or erlotinib TAGRISSO showed a 52% reduction in risk of central nervous system disease progression or death AstraZeneca today presented detailed overall survival (OS) results from the Phase III FLAURA trial of TAGRISSO® (osimertinib) in the 1st-line treatment of adult patients with locally-advanced or metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Results showed a statistically significant…

Sarah Osman of @Queens_Belfast explains the standardized technique is using CT scans to assess and predict prostate cancers in patients. __________ Researchers from Queen’s University Belfast have discovered a new way to predict the aggressiveness and future behaviour of prostate cancers. The new method uses images from computed tomography (CT) scans that are routinely collected from all patients. The images are then analysed by a computer to extract hundreds of features, termed ‘radiomic features’, which have the potential to uncover disease characteristics that fail to be seen by the naked eye. This technique could complement traditional assessment methods and may…

Sarah Osman of @Queens_Belfast provides insight on research that found a new way to predict the future behavior of prostate cancers with computed tomography (CT) scans. _____________ Researchers from Queen’s University Belfast have discovered a new way to predict the aggressiveness and future behaviour of prostate cancers. The new method uses images from computed tomography (CT) scans that are routinely collected from all patients. The images are then analysed by a computer to extract hundreds of features, termed ‘radiomic features’, which have the potential to uncover disease characteristics that fail to be seen by the naked eye. This technique could…

Sarah Osman of @Queens_Belfast provides insight on research that found a new way to predict the future behavior of prostate cancers with computed tomography (CT) scans. ______________ Researchers from Queen’s University Belfast have discovered a new way to predict the aggressiveness and future behaviour of prostate cancers. The new method uses images from computed tomography (CT) scans that are routinely collected from all patients. The images are then analysed by a computer to extract hundreds of features, termed ‘radiomic features’, which have the potential to uncover disease characteristics that fail to be seen by the naked eye. This technique could…

Xiao-Ou Shu, MD of @VUMChealth explains how oncologists should treat male breast cancer patients and how it will affect clinicians. _______ Men may be more likely than women to die after being diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly during the first 5 years after diagnosis, a new study suggests.  In the study, the 5-year overall survival rate after a diagnosis of breast cancer was 77.6% for men, compared with 86.4% for women, researchers reported in JAMA Oncology on September 19.  The findings add to previous research showing differences in death rates between men and women with breast cancer while also providing information about some of the…

Valérie Gabarre @valeriegabarre of @OSEIMMUNO discusses the ATALANTE-1 trial and the TEDOPaM study presented by OSE Immunotherapeutics at #ESMO19. __________ ATALANTE-1 randomized phase III trial, OSE-2101 versus standard treatment as second or third line in HLA-A2 positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Moving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in first-line setting in advanced NSCLC, new treatment strategies are needed for patients who progress on treatment with ICI. Tedopi® (OSE-2101) is a neoepitope vaccine restricted to HLA-A2 positive patients (∼45% of NSCLC) targeting five tumor-associated antigens expressed in lung cancer cells: ACE, HER2, MAGE2, MAGE3 and P53. In a phase II…

Research from the UAB’s O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center finds that patients treated outside the recommendations of the NCCN Guidelines had significantly greater direct costs. A new study by the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB), published in the October 2019 issue of JNCCN— Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, finds that direct costs for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) increase dramatically when their treatment differs from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines for Oncology (NCCN) recommendations. Previous studies have found that disagreeable care leads to higher overall health care costs[1], but this is…

Xiao-Ou Shu, MD of @VUMChealth explains that in a recent study, men have a higher mortality rate than women due to multiple contributors. #breastcancer ___________ Men may be more likely than women to die after being diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly during the first 5 years after diagnosis, a new study suggests.  In the study, the 5-year overall survival rate after a diagnosis of breast cancer was 77.6% for men, compared with 86.4% for women, researchers reported in JAMA Oncology on September 19.  The findings add to previous research showing differences in death rates between men and women with breast cancer while also providing information…

Researchers from Queen’s University Belfast have discovered a new way to predict the aggressiveness and future behaviour of prostate cancers. The new method uses images from computed tomography (CT) scans that are routinely collected from all patients. The images are then analysed by a computer to extract hundreds of features, termed ‘radiomic features’, which have the potential to uncover disease characteristics that fail to be seen by the naked eye. This technique could complement traditional assessment methods and may help clinicians to make more informed personalised treatment decisions for men with prostate cancer. In the long run, it may reduce…

Once breast cancer spreads to bone, treatment becomes nearly impossible. Breast cancer cells can lie dormant in the bone, often undetectable and able to escape typical treatments. Unfortunately, these dormant cells can awaken at any time to generate tumors. All of this combined makes it difficult to understand how the cells proliferate and how to stop them from doing so. However, researchers from the University of Notre Dame have now identified a pair of proteins believed to be critical for spreading, or metastasizing, breast cancer to bone. One protein, known as CXCL5, was discovered to be key for signaling growth…

Patients with mesothelioma may gain similar benefit from immunotherapy as chemotherapy, and good responders may provide important clues to novel treatment for the thousands of new cases each year. Data from the PROMISE-meso trial presented at the ESMO Congress 2019 highlight the need to understand the biological mechanisms whereby mesothelioma, which is incurable, adapts to immunotherapy in some patients but not in others, resulting in variations in treatment response. PROMISE-meso compared the effects of immunotherapy with the checkpoint inhibitor, pembrolizumab, and standard chemotherapy after patients with mesothelioma relapsed on or after first-line treatment. “In PROMISE-meso, nearly four times more patients…

The investigational drug selpercatinib may benefit patients with lung cancer whose tumors have alterations in the RET gene, according to preliminary results from a clinical trial.  About 2% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have fusions between the RET gene and other DNA segments. These gene fusions can lead to the production of abnormal RET proteins that spur the growth of cancer cells. Selpercatinib (LOXO-292) is a targeted therapy that works by inhibiting the activity of abnormal RET proteins. The drug is an oral therapy that patients take as a pill.  In the trial, more patients responded to the drug—that is, their tumors shrank—than has been seen with older drugs that…

Men may be more likely than women to die after being diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly during the first 5 years after diagnosis, a new study suggests.  In the study, the 5-year overall survival rate after a diagnosis of breast cancer was 77.6% for men, compared with 86.4% for women, researchers reported in JAMA Oncology on September 19.  The findings add to previous research showing differences in death rates between men and women with breast cancer while also providing information about some of the factors that may contribute to the disparity between the sexes. One factor identified by the authors was the lack of adequate…

Ellen J. Kim, MD of @PennMedicine includes observations found in the PROVe Study. #EORTC19 _________ Dr. Ellen J. Kim, UPENN, Professor of Dermatology, Penn Cutaneous Lymphoma Program, PROVe principal investigator, said: “The rarity of MF-CTCL has resulted in there being limited knowledge available for those affected by this disease, as well as many clinicians. We are pleased to have conducted the PROVe study and to further highlight our findings at the EORTC, as we set out to further expand our knowledge concerning the field of MF and current treatment options. The observational study assessed nearly 300 patients and verified that…

Ellen J. Kim, MD of @PennMedicine addresses questions asked by colleagues including: how long are patients on therapy in the PROVe Study? #EORTC19 _______ Dr. Ellen J. Kim, UPENN, Professor of Dermatology, Penn Cutaneous Lymphoma Program, PROVe principal investigator, said: “The rarity of MF-CTCL has resulted in there being limited knowledge available for those affected by this disease, as well as many clinicians. We are pleased to have conducted the PROVe study and to further highlight our findings at the EORTC, as we set out to further expand our knowledge concerning the field of MF and current treatment options. The…

Ellen J. Kim, MD of @PennMedicine explains the PROVe Study on efficacy and quality of life (QoL) in patients with mycosis fungoides cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (MF-CTCL) treated with chlormethine gel and other therapies. #EORTC19 ________ Dr. Ellen J. Kim, UPENN, Professor of Dermatology, Penn Cutaneous Lymphoma Program, PROVe principal investigator, said: “The rarity of MF-CTCL has resulted in there being limited knowledge available for those affected by this disease, as well as many clinicians. We are pleased to have conducted the PROVe study and to further highlight our findings at the EORTC, as we set out to further expand our…

Chung-Han Lee, MD @ChungHanLee3 of @sloan_kettering answers how it affects clinicians and what is to come in kidney cancer. _______ Data shared today in oral presentation at ESMO Congress 2019 show telaglenastat doubles median progression-free survival (PFS) in heavily pre-treated patients with advanced disease, reduced risk of death by 36% (HR=0.64, p=0.079 one-sided)   First glutaminase inhibitor to demonstrate clinical activity for treatment of cancer   SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Sept. 28, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CALA), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing novel small molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer…

Chung-Han Lee, MD @ChungHanLee3 of @sloan_kettering explains questions asked by his colleagues: was the improvement in progression-free survival clinically meaningful? ________ Data shared today in oral presentation at ESMO Congress 2019 show telaglenastat doubles median progression-free survival (PFS) in heavily pre-treated patients with advanced disease, reduced risk of death by 36% (HR=0.64, p=0.079 one-sided)   First glutaminase inhibitor to demonstrate clinical activity for treatment of cancer   SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Sept. 28, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CALA), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing novel small molecule drugs for the treatment of…

Chung-Han Lee, MD @ChungHanLee3 of @sloan_kettering discusses data from randomized #ENTRATA Study in patients with advanced RCC. __________ Data shared today in oral presentation at ESMO Congress 2019 show telaglenastat doubles median progression-free survival (PFS) in heavily pre-treated patients with advanced disease, reduced risk of death by 36% (HR=0.64, p=0.079 one-sided)   First glutaminase inhibitor to demonstrate clinical activity for treatment of cancer   SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Sept. 28, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CALA), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing novel small molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer and other…

BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oct. 3, 2019– Verastem, Inc. (Nasdaq:VSTM) (Verastem Oncology or the Company), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing medicines seeking to improve the survival and quality of life of cancer patients, today announced a poster highlighting new preclinical duvelisib (COPIKTRAâ„¢) data that will be presented at the 5th International Conference on New Concepts in Lymphoid Malignancies, which is hosted by the European School of Haematology (ESH), and is taking place October 3-5, 2019, in Estoril, Portugal. The poster features preclinical research that compared duvelisib with idelalisib in preclinical models of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). COPIKTRA is not approved for use in MCL, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma…

BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oct. 3, 2019– Verastem, Inc. (Nasdaq:VSTM) (Verastem Oncology or the Company), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing medicines seeking to improve the survival and quality of life of cancer patients, today announced duvelisib (COPIKTRATM) has received orphan drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in the treatment of T-Cell lymphoma. The designation was created to encourage the development of drugs that may provide significant benefit to patients suffering from rare diseases. “Receiving orphan drug designation for T-Cell Lymphoma, in addition to the previously-granted Fast Track status, for Peripheral T-Cell lymphoma, marks another important regulatory milestone to bring…

(WASHINGTON, October 3, 2019) — Yesterday, ASH President Roy Silverstein, MD, of the Medical College of Wisconsin asked members of the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations to adopt the provision in the House-passed fiscal year (FY) 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill that dedicates $2 million for a federal program to collect data on the complications, treatments, and health outcomes of people with sickle cell disease (SCD). Through legislation passed in December 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Sickle Cell Data Collection Program was authorized to award grants to states, academic institutions,…

Shaji Kumar, MD of Mayo Clinic explains how patient volumes associated with longer survival in MM will affect clinicians and treatment. ______ New research in the September 2019 issue of JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network finds that providers with more experience treating people with multiple myeloma have better outcomes than those with more limited experience. In general, providers who saw the most cases were more likely to be located at academic, NCI-designated cancer centers. However, the researchers found that the very highest-volume providers at community facilities did achieve equally low mortality rates as clinicians at NCI-designated cancer centers. “Multiple myeloma…

Shaji Kumar, MD of Mayo Clinic explains a new study that supports higher patient volumes are associated with longer survival in multiple myeloma. _______ New research in the September 2019 issue of JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network finds that providers with more experience treating people with multiple myeloma have better outcomes than those with more limited experience. In general, providers who saw the most cases were more likely to be located at academic, NCI-designated cancer centers. However, the researchers found that the very highest-volume providers at community facilities did achieve equally low mortality rates as clinicians at NCI-designated cancer centers.…

Hypertension with ibrutinib more common than previously reported; this study is first to show association between cancer drug-related hypertension and other heart problems (WASHINGTON, October 3, 2019) — Over half of people prescribed the targeted blood cancer-fighting drug ibrutinib developed new or worsened high blood pressure within six months of starting the medication, according to a new study published online today in Blood. The analysis is also the first to tie ibrutinib-related hypertension to a heightened risk of heart problems, particularly atrial fibrillation. Moreover, the association of ibrutinib with cardiovascular complications remained regardless of the prescribed dose. “This study provides a more clear picture…

An international panel of experts will identify the best approaches to implement genetic testing for men with prostate cancer   PHILADELPHIA — The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center – Jefferson Health (SKCC) will host the second International Prostate Cancer Consensus Conference, “Implementation of Genetic Testing for Inherited Prostate Cancer,” Oct. 4-5. This invitation-only scientific meeting will once again bring together more than 100 clinicians, researchers, national organizations, thought leaders, and patient advocates to review the rapidly evolving field of genetic testing in the management of prostate cancer.   This is a follow-up meeting to the inaugural Philadelphia Prostate Cancer Consensus that…

Ramaswamy Govindan, MD of Siteman Cancer Center explains the phase I KRAS inhibitor that is well tolerated by patients with adenocarcinoma and NSCLC. ________ A clinical trial testing the toxicity of a KRAS inhibitor demonstrated early promising antitumor activity and few adverse side effects in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer harboring KRAS G12C mutation, according to Ramaswamy Govindan, M.D., from the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. The KRAS G12C mutation is found in approximately 14 percent of patients with lung adenocarcinoma and 11 percent of patients with non-small cell lung cancer but…

Ramaswamy Govindan, MD of Siteman Cancer Center answers multiple questions regarding the phase I KRAS inhibitor well tolerated by patients with adenocarcinoma and NSCLC including: will patients respond with other operations? __________ A clinical trial testing the toxicity of a KRAS inhibitor demonstrated early promising antitumor activity and few adverse side effects in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer harboring KRAS G12C mutation, according to Ramaswamy Govindan, M.D., from the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. The KRAS G12C mutation is found in approximately 14 percent of patients with lung adenocarcinoma and 11 percent…

Peter Voorhees, MD of Levine Cancer Institute addresses phase 2 GRIFFIN study affecting clinicians and treatment today. _______ The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced today results from the randomized Phase 2 GRIFFIN (MMY2004) study showing that the addition of DARZALEX® (daratumumab) to bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRd) induced higher response rates in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma who were eligible for high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) compared with VRd alone. The data, selected as a late-breaking abstract, were presented at the 17th International Myeloma Workshop (IMW) meeting in Boston. “The GRIFFIN study is the second randomized…

Peter Voorhees, MD of Levine Cancer Institute answers questions received from the audience at IMW 2019 regarding the phase 2 GRIFFIN study patients with high risk cytogenetics. ______ The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced today results from the randomized Phase 2 GRIFFIN (MMY2004) study showing that the addition of DARZALEX® (daratumumab) to bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRd) induced higher response rates in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma who were eligible for high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) compared with VRd alone. The data, selected as a late-breaking abstract, were presented at the 17th International Myeloma Workshop (IMW)…

Peter Voorhees, MD of Levine Cancer Institute answers commonly asked questions by colleagues regarding the phase 2 GRIFFIN study: should you change clinical practice or transplant newly diagnosed MM patients? _______ The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced today results from the randomized Phase 2 GRIFFIN (MMY2004) study showing that the addition of DARZALEX® (daratumumab) to bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRd) induced higher response rates in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma who were eligible for high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) compared with VRd alone. The data, selected as a late-breaking abstract, were presented at the 17th International…

Peter Voorhees, MD of Levine Cancer Institute explains how the phase 2 GRIFFIN study shows a high response rate in patients with newly diagnosed MM. ________ The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced today results from the randomized Phase 2 GRIFFIN (MMY2004) study showing that the addition of DARZALEX® (daratumumab) to bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRd) induced higher response rates in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma who were eligible for high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) compared with VRd alone. The data, selected as a late-breaking abstract, were presented at the 17th International Myeloma Workshop (IMW) meeting in…

COG study shows treatment can be reduced without compromising outcomes Study shows therapy can be reduced in some neuroblastoma patients Algorithm based on tumor biology, anticipated response to treatment For patients with localized tumors, 3-year overall survival was 100% BUFFALO, N.Y. — A recent Children’s Oncology Group (COG) study identified a treatment algorithm that can help reduce therapy for some neuroblastoma patients with intermediate-risk disease, while maintaining good clinical outcomes. The study’s findings are particularly significant because they suggest that many infants and young children with this disease may be spared unpleasant or lingering side effects of prolonged therapy, says…

Ashley T. Freeman, MD of BC Cancer explains how the idea that higher patient volumes are associated with longer survival in multiple myeloma will affect clinicians. _________ New research adds to accumulating evidence of benefit for patients treated at high-volume facilities or by high-volume providers. New research in the September 2019 issue of JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network finds that providers with more experience treating people with multiple myeloma have better outcomes than those with more limited experience. In general, providers who saw the most cases were more likely to be located at academic, NCI-designated cancer centers. However, the researchers…

Data published today in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) previously treated with docetaxel and who progressed within 12 months on an androgen receptor (AR)-targeted agent (abiraterone or enzalutamide) experienced significantly longer radiographic progression free survival (rPFS) with Jevtana® (cabazitaxel) plus prednisone compared with abiraterone plus prednisone or enzalutamide. Overall survival (OS) with Jevtana was also significantly longer. These findings from the CARD study were presented today in the Presidential Symposium of the 2019 European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in Barcelona, Spain.    “In this study, treatment with Jevtana significantly improved radiographic progression…

September 28, 2019   Data shared today in oral presentation at ESMO Congress 2019 show telaglenastat doubles median progression-free survival (PFS) in heavily pre-treated patients with advanced disease, reduced risk of death by 36% (HR=0.64, p=0.079 one-sided)   First glutaminase inhibitor to demonstrate clinical activity for treatment of cancer   SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Sept. 28, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CALA), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing novel small molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer and other life-threatening diseases, presented today supporting data for its previously reported positive results from its…

Results from the second interim analysis of the Phase 3 SPARTAN study featured in an oral presentation at ESMO 2019 and simultaneously published in Annals of Oncology   BARCELONA, Spain, Sept. 27, 2019 /PRNewswire/ – The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced today updated, longer-term results from the pivotal Phase 3 SPARTAN study following a second interim analysis. Treatment with ERLEADA® (apalutamide) plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) resulted in a 25 percent reduction in the risk of death compared with placebo plus ADT in patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) who were at high risk of developing metastases.1   The updated findings showed…

Ashley T. Freeman, MD of BC Cancer explains commonly asked questions by colleagues: why do myeloma patients seem to do better when they are treated at a high volume facility or by high volume myeloma oncologist? _______ New research adds to accumulating evidence of benefit for patients treated at high-volume facilities or by high-volume providers. New research in the September 2019 issue of JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network finds that providers with more experience treating people with multiple myeloma have better outcomes than those with more limited experience. In general, providers who saw the most cases were more likely to…

Ashley T. Freeman, MD of BC Cancer provides insight on a study in JNCCN that supports the idea that higher patient volumes are associated with longer survival in MM. _________ New research adds to accumulating evidence of benefit for patients treated at high-volume facilities or by high-volume providers. New research in the September 2019 issue of JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network finds that providers with more experience treating people with multiple myeloma have better outcomes than those with more limited experience. In general, providers who saw the most cases were more likely to be located at academic, NCI-designated cancer centers.…

Analyses from the Phase III JAVELIN Renal 101 study support efficacy of BAVENCIO plus axitinib across multiple subgroups of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) Abstracts highlight data on BAVENCIO as a monotherapy and in combination in multiple advanced cancers   EMD Serono, the biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in the US and Canada, and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today announced the presentation of multiple analyses from the JAVELIN clinical development program assessing BAVENCIO® (avelumab) alone or as part of combination regimens for the treatment of advanced cancers, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC), metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (mMCC) and some other solid…

Anurag Singh, MD of Roswell Park explains what’s next in research. ______ Roswell Park researchers present findings at ASTRO Annual Meeting Aspirin improved overall survival for patients with head/neck, lung cancers Patients in both studies also received radiation or chemoradiation therapy Future studies will help determine which patients benefit most   BUFFALO, N.Y. — What if a drug that sits in nearly everyone’s medicine cabinet could help extend the lives of some cancer patients? In companion presentations at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting in Chicago, doctors from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center report new evidence that…

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today announced detailed results from the interim analysis of the Phase 3 BEACON CRC trial evaluating the combination of BRAFTOVI® (encorafenib), MEKTOVI® (binimetinib), and cetuximab (BRAFTOVI Triplet), in patients with advanced BRAFV600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), following one or two lines of therapy. The results show significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and objective response rates (ORR) for the BRAFTOVI Triplet and BRAFTOVI Doublet combination (BRAFTOVI and cetuximab), compared to cetuximab plus irinotecan-containing regimens (Control), and provide analysis of the efficacy and safety of the BRAFTOVI Triplet compared to the BRAFTOVI Doublet. These data will be presented…

Anurag Singh, MD of Roswell Park explains a commonly asked question by colleagues: why is there no benefit to cancer specific survival? _______ Roswell Park researchers present findings at ASTRO Annual Meeting Aspirin improved overall survival for patients with head/neck, lung cancers Patients in both studies also received radiation or chemoradiation therapy Future studies will help determine which patients benefit most   BUFFALO, N.Y. — What if a drug that sits in nearly everyone’s medicine cabinet could help extend the lives of some cancer patients? In companion presentations at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting in Chicago,…

Michael Buckstein, MD of Mount Sinai answers commonly asked questions by his colleagues: are you overtreating the patients? What is our toxicity profile? How often do patients recur after the treatments? ______ Preliminary results from this Phase II trial show very promising response rates when combining TACE+SBRT in large, unresectable HCC with excellent OS, PFS, and CSS.  These preliminary data are currently being confirmed in an expanded cohort.

Anurag Singh, MD of Roswell Park reveals that patients with some cancers who have taken baby aspirin can improve overall survival. ________ Roswell Park researchers present findings at ASTRO Annual Meeting Aspirin improved overall survival for patients with head/neck, lung cancers Patients in both studies also received radiation or chemoradiation therapy Future studies will help determine which patients benefit most   BUFFALO, N.Y. — What if a drug that sits in nearly everyone’s medicine cabinet could help extend the lives of some cancer patients? In companion presentations at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting in Chicago, doctors…

Michael Buckstein, MD of Mount Sinai explains the Phase II trial using combination of TACE and SBRT for unresectable single large HCC. ________ Preliminary results from this Phase II trial show very promising response rates when combining TACE+SBRT in large, unresectable HCC with excellent OS, PFS, and CSS.  These preliminary data are currently being confirmed in an expanded cohort.

William Smith, MD of Mount Sinai addresses the next steps in radiation therapy on the objective response and outcomes in nivolumab for hepatocellular carcinoma. _____ Among patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who received combination upfront RT and nivolumab, we found the objective response rate (as determined by mRECIST criteria) to be 35%, substantially increased from historical controls, suggesting that this approach may increase the proportion of patients that would benefit from immune checkpoint inhibition.

William Smith, MD of Mount Sinai explains how this affects clinicians today? _______ Among patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who received combination upfront RT and nivolumab, we found the objective response rate (as determined by mRECIST criteria) to be 35%, substantially increased from historical controls, suggesting that this approach may increase the proportion of patients that would benefit from immune checkpoint inhibition.

William Smith, MD of Mount Sinai answers multiple questions received from colleagues, including: when did patients receive radiation relevant to nivolumab? ______ Among patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who received combination upfront RT and nivolumab, we found the objective response rate (as determined by mRECIST criteria) to be 35%, substantially increased from historical controls, suggesting that this approach may increase the proportion of patients that would benefit from immune checkpoint inhibition.

William Smith, MD of Mount Sinai describes the effect of radiation therapy on the objective response and outcomes with nivolumab for hepatocellular carcinoma. ________ Among patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who received combination upfront RT and nivolumab, we found the objective response rate (as determined by mRECIST criteria) to be 35%, substantially increased from historical controls, suggesting that this approach may increase the proportion of patients that would benefit from immune checkpoint inhibition.

Finding May Explain Why Promising Drugs Work – And When They Won’t     CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Sept. 26, 2019 – A new discovery about pancreatic cancer sheds light on how the cancer fuels its growth and may help explain how promising cancer drugs work – and for whom they will fail.   The finding one day could help doctors determine which treatments will be most effective for patients, so that they get the best outcomes.   “Pancreatic cancer is a very difficult problem. It has been a very difficult problem for a long time. The survival for pancreatic cancer patients is very low…

A recent analysis from Canada found that information on health-related quality of life is often not collected for investigational cancer drugs or used to calculate the balance of costs and benefits of these drugs when they are submitted for reimbursement, according to findings published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.   Both the effectiveness and the expense of a medication are important in determining its value and whether the cost will be reimbursed. This is often considered in terms of the cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). One QALY equates to one year in perfect health.…

With Breast Cancer Awareness Month Approaching, Cedars-Sinai Experts Discuss New Treatment Options for Early-Stage, Low-Risk Breast Cancer Patients LOS ANGELES (Sept. 24, 2019) — When Jeanne Anderson was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago, the Beverly Hills resident underwent a course of chemotherapy to shrink the tumors in preparation for surgery. But thanks to a minimally invasive procedure that kills cancer cells by freezing them, she was able to avoid the risks and recovery time of surgery, and she now is cancer-free. Anderson was referred to oncologist Aron Bick, MD, after her gynecologist detected a breast lump in June…

TORONTO, CANADA / ACCESSWIRE / September 24, 2019 / Soricimed Biopharma Inc. (“Soricimed”), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing first-in-class, targeted cancer therapeutics, today announced that MD Anderson Cancer Center (“MDACC”) has completed enrolment and begun dosing the first cohort of three late-stage pancreatic cancer patients in its investigator-initiated trial of Soricimed’s lead drug candidate, SOR-C13. This trial was launched last month by Principal Investigator, Siqing Fu, MD PhD, a member of the Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics at MDACC, one of the world’s most respected cancer research centers. The trial is building on the safety and anticancer activity of SOR-C13 observed in Soricimed’s…

GRACE is very excited to bring to you this new program on supportive care in cancer treatment. Arjun Gupta, MD, one of the GRACE Fellows Ambassador Program Winners for 2019 is the host of this video series, Supportive Care in Cancer Treatment. In this first video, Dr. Gupta’s guest is Charles Loprinzi, MD, with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Their topic of discussion is Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

– Opinion based on Phase III data showing combination lowered risk of disease progression or death by 31% and improved objective response rate compared with sunitinib1 – Decision by the European Commission anticipated in fourth quarter of 2019   ROCKLAND, MA and NEW YORK, US, September 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — EMD Serono, the biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in the US and Canada, and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) adopted a positive opinion recommending approval of BAVENCIO® (avelumab) in combination with axitinib for the first-line treatment of adult patients with…

Gregory Senofsky, MD of UCLA Health explains the standard conversion rate form lumpectomy to mastectomy. ______ FINDINGS Breast cancer surgeons performing lumpectomies seek to spare healthy breast tissue while removing all cancerous cells, but determining appropriate margins and avoiding follow-up surgeries are ongoing challenges. This retrospective, single-institution review found that intraoperative teamwork between a breast cancer surgeon and a dedicated breast pathologist – utilizing tissue-marking ink and gross examination with magnification to evaluate margins – is an accurate, rapid and cost-effective means of significantly reducing the need for second-surgery margin re-excisions or mastectomies. BACKGROUND Several studies have shown significantly increased…

Gregory Senofsky, MD of UCLA Health addresses how reducing the need for second surgery after lumpectomy will affect clinicians today and the next steps. _______ FINDINGS Breast cancer surgeons performing lumpectomies seek to spare healthy breast tissue while removing all cancerous cells, but determining appropriate margins and avoiding follow-up surgeries are ongoing challenges. This retrospective, single-institution review found that intraoperative teamwork between a breast cancer surgeon and a dedicated breast pathologist – utilizing tissue-marking ink and gross examination with magnification to evaluate margins – is an accurate, rapid and cost-effective means of significantly reducing the need for second-surgery margin re-excisions…

A majority of patients with cancer don’t understand critical features of the genomic test results they receive when participating in clinical trials, according to a pilot study conducted under the Lung Cancer Master Protocol (Lung-MAP), the first lung cancer precision medicine trial supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).  In the first-of-its-kind study, researchers surveyed 123 individuals participating in the Lung-MAP trial and other biomarker-driven cancer trials. In these trials, patients receive genomic testing that detects DNA mutations in cancer cells, known as somatic mutations, which are typically found in tumor tissue samples. Precision medicine trials may also include germline testing, which detects inherited…

Gregory Senofsky, MD of UCLA Health answers a question often asked by colleagues. ______ FINDINGS Breast cancer surgeons performing lumpectomies seek to spare healthy breast tissue while removing all cancerous cells, but determining appropriate margins and avoiding follow-up surgeries are ongoing challenges. This retrospective, single-institution review found that intraoperative teamwork between a breast cancer surgeon and a dedicated breast pathologist – utilizing tissue-marking ink and gross examination with magnification to evaluate margins – is an accurate, rapid and cost-effective means of significantly reducing the need for second-surgery margin re-excisions or mastectomies. BACKGROUND Several studies have shown significantly increased local breast…

Jonathan Goldman, MD of UCLA Health explains the full trial design of the CASPIAN trial. ______ In the Phase III CASPIAN trial IMFINZI at a fixed, convenient dose improved survival with either a cisplatin or carboplatin chemotherapy backbone AstraZeneca today presented detailed results from the Phase III CASPIAN trial, showing IMFINZI® (durvalumab) significantly improved overall survival (OS) in patients with previously-untreated extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC). IMFINZI in combination with four cycles of standard-of-care (SoC) chemotherapy (etoposide with either cisplatin or carboplatin) demonstrated a statistically-significant and clinically-meaningful improvement in OS vs. SoC chemotherapy consisting of up to six cycles…

Jonathan Goldman, MD of UCLA Health describes advances in SCLC. _______ In the Phase III CASPIAN trial IMFINZI at a fixed, convenient dose improved survival with either a cisplatin or carboplatin chemotherapy backbone AstraZeneca today presented detailed results from the Phase III CASPIAN trial, showing IMFINZI® (durvalumab) significantly improved overall survival (OS) in patients with previously-untreated extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC). IMFINZI in combination with four cycles of standard-of-care (SoC) chemotherapy (etoposide with either cisplatin or carboplatin) demonstrated a statistically-significant and clinically-meaningful improvement in OS vs. SoC chemotherapy consisting of up to six cycles of chemotherapy and optional prophylactic…

Jonathan Goldman, MD of UCLA Health answers on the CASPIAN trial: is this practice changing? _______ In the Phase III CASPIAN trial IMFINZI at a fixed, convenient dose improved survival with either a cisplatin or carboplatin chemotherapy backbone AstraZeneca today presented detailed results from the Phase III CASPIAN trial, showing IMFINZI® (durvalumab) significantly improved overall survival (OS) in patients with previously-untreated extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC). IMFINZI in combination with four cycles of standard-of-care (SoC) chemotherapy (etoposide with either cisplatin or carboplatin) demonstrated a statistically-significant and clinically-meaningful improvement in OS vs. SoC chemotherapy consisting of up to six cycles…

Jonathan Goldman, MD explains IMFINZI is the first immunotherapy to show both significant survival benefit and improved, durable responses in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. _______ In the Phase III CASPIAN trial IMFINZI at a fixed, convenient dose improved survival with either a cisplatin or carboplatin chemotherapy backbone AstraZeneca today presented detailed results from the Phase III CASPIAN trial, showing IMFINZI® (durvalumab) significantly improved overall survival (OS) in patients with previously-untreated extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC). IMFINZI in combination with four cycles of standard-of-care (SoC) chemotherapy (etoposide with either cisplatin or carboplatin) demonstrated a statistically-significant and clinically-meaningful improvement in…

Gregory Senofsky, MD of UCLA Health explains the intraoperative teamwork that greatly reduces the need for second surgery after lumpectomy. ____ FINDINGS Breast cancer surgeons performing lumpectomies seek to spare healthy breast tissue while removing all cancerous cells, but determining appropriate margins and avoiding follow-up surgeries are ongoing challenges. This retrospective, single-institution review found that intraoperative teamwork between a breast cancer surgeon and a dedicated breast pathologist – utilizing tissue-marking ink and gross examination with magnification to evaluate margins – is an accurate, rapid and cost-effective means of significantly reducing the need for second-surgery margin re-excisions or mastectomies. BACKGROUND Several…

Sudha Amarnath, MD of Cleveland Clinic discusses how this will affect treatment and clinicians today. _____ Preoperative pelvic radiation (XRT), with or without concurrent chemotherapy, is safe and effective in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and locally advanced rectal cancer, according to Cleveland Clinic research presented at the 2019 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting. IBD is a risk factor for the development of rectal cancers, and IBD patients are frequently diagnosed with locally advanced cancers. “Patients who have IBD are at a higher risk of developing rectal cancer compared to the general population, and also tend…

Sudha Amarnath, MD of Cleveland Clinic answers: Is this truly safe? Are these outcomes real? _____ Preoperative pelvic radiation (XRT), with or without concurrent chemotherapy, is safe and effective in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and locally advanced rectal cancer, according to Cleveland Clinic research presented at the 2019 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting. IBD is a risk factor for the development of rectal cancers, and IBD patients are frequently diagnosed with locally advanced cancers. “Patients who have IBD are at a higher risk of developing rectal cancer compared to the general population, and also tend…

Sudha Amarnath, MD of Cleveland Clinic discusses toxicity and efficacy outcomes of preoperative pelvic radiation therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and rectal cancer.  ____ Preoperative pelvic radiation (XRT), with or without concurrent chemotherapy, is safe and effective in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and locally advanced rectal cancer, according to Cleveland Clinic research presented at the 2019 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting. IBD is a risk factor for the development of rectal cancers, and IBD patients are frequently diagnosed with locally advanced cancers. “Patients who have IBD are at a higher risk of developing…

New multi-pronged strategy for treating advanced breast cancer earns Breakthrough Award Multifaceted approach combines 3 complementary immunotherapy strategies Two clinical trials slated for 2020 in patients with metastatic breast cancer Platform combines biologic agents to make tumors visible to immune system  BUFFALO, N.Y. — A team from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is moving a new three-part strategy for treating advanced cancers forward with support from a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) grant to Pawel Kalinski, MD, PhD, Vice Chair for Translational Research and Rustum Family Professor for Molecular Therapeutics and Translational Research at the Buffalo, N.Y.-based cancer center. The four-year,…

Kailin Yang, MD of Cleveland Clinic answers how this will affect clinicians today and questions asked by his colleagues. _______ Inhibiting two critical steps in the metabolism of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) attenuates GSC self-renewal and reduces tumorigenesis, finds a new study presented at the 2019 annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). “Determining how to target glioma stem cells effectively has been a major challenge in treating glioblastoma [GBM],” says Kailin Yang, MD, PhD, a radiation oncology resident at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center who presented the abstract under the supervision of Jeremy Rich, MD, MHS, of…

Kailin Yang, MD of Cleveland Clinic discusses targeting metabolic reprogramming to radiosensitize glioblastoma stem cells. _________ Inhibiting two critical steps in the metabolism of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) attenuates GSC self-renewal and reduces tumorigenesis, finds a new study presented at the 2019 annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). “Determining how to target glioma stem cells effectively has been a major challenge in treating glioblastoma [GBM],” says Kailin Yang, MD, PhD, a radiation oncology resident at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center who presented the abstract under the supervision of Jeremy Rich, MD, MHS, of the University of California…

Challenges and Pathways to Coverage, with Christine Cambareri, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

Drs. Jack West, Charu Aggarwal, and Benjamin Levy recently gathered to review top discussion points for Lung Cancer from ASCO 2019. In this video, the doctors discuss their thoughts on KRAS G12D as a new target. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

Drs. Jack West, Charu Aggarwal, and Benjamin Levy recently gathered to review top discussion points for Lung Cancer from ASCO 2019. In this video, the doctors discuss stage 4 non small cell lung cancer and new targets, specifically RET. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

Drs. Jack West, Charu Aggarwal, and Benjamin Levy recently gathered to review top discussion points for Lung Cancer from ASCO 2019. In this video, the doctors discuss stage 4 non small cell lung cancer and new targets, specifically MET. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

CancerGRACE is devoted to giving you the most up to date information about cancer and cancer treatment. In our ongoing series recapping the 2019 ASCO meeting, Drs. Jack West, Charu Aggarwal and Benjamin Levy gather to discuss the long-term effects of Pembrolizumab and how its promising new results may impact yours or a loved one’s cancer treatment. CancerGRACE is funded by our community. If you would like to learn more or donate, please visit CancerGRACE.org. Thank you for watching. If you would like to join the conversation, please visit cancergrace.org/forum to join our community.

CancerGRACE is devoted to giving you the most up to date information about cancer and cancer treatment. In our ongoing series recapping the 2019 ASCO meeting, Drs. Jack West, Charu Aggarwal and Benjamin Levy review the results from the Adjuvant Afatinib Trial regarding stages 2 and 3 non-small cell lung cancer treatment. We can’t do what we do without your help. Please visit CancerGRACE.org to donate, find out about volunteer opportunities or learn more about CancerGRACE’s mission to provide the information and support needed to overcome cancer. Thank you for watching. If you would like to join the conversation, please…

Drs. Jack West, Charu Aggarwal, and Benjamin Levy recently gathered to review top discussion points for Lung Cancer from ASCO 2019. In this first video, the doctors discuss “Stage I NSCLC – Should Retrospective Japanese Data Lead Us to Lower Our Threshold for Recommending Adjuvant Chemotherapy”. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

Mohammad Jahanzeb, MD shares data presented at WCLC 2019 that he found interesting.

Mohammed Jahanzeb, MD describes what he would like to see next in NSCLC research.

Nearly 14,000 women will die from ovarian cancer in 2019. Now, new research has found that women who use IUDs for birth control may be lowering their ovarian cancer risk. For five years, Amy Dickson Plache has bravely battled ovarian cancer with chemotherapy, clinical trials, radiation and more. Even now, she’s in treatment. “I won’t be cured, but I’ll just live with this as a chronic disease much like you know someone who had diabetes or you know arthritis,” she said. Plache has an inherited genetic mutation known to increase the risk of ovarian cancer. Tests show her daughter Abby…

Mohammed Jahanzeb, MD explains the design of the study examining real-world treatment patterns and outcomes in U.S. ALK+ NSCLC patients receiving immuno-oncology therapy.

Mohammed Jahanzeb, MD on how this data will affect clinicians today.

Mohammed Jahanzeb, MD answers questions asked by his colleagues.

– Results from ENTRATA Phase 2 trial of telaglenastat in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accepted as Late-Breaking Oral Presentation   – Data from INCB001158 clinical program accepted as Oral Presentation   SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Sept. 03, 2019 – Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CALA), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing novel small molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer and other life-threatening diseases, today announced that new data from two oncology programs have been selected for oral presentations at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2019 Congress to be held September 27-October 1,…

First Phase 3 Study Combining KYPROLIS and DARZALEX, Two Critical Mechanisms of Action in Treatment of Multiple Myeloma   THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (Sept. 13, 2019) — Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today announced the Phase 3 CANDOR study evaluating KYPROLIS® (carfilzomib) in combination with dexamethasone and DARZALEX® (daratumumab) (KdD) compared to KYPROLIS and dexamethasone alone (Kd) met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS). The regimen resulted in a 37% reduction in the risk of progression or death in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma treated with KdD (HR=0.630; 95% CI: 0.464, 0.854; p=0.0014). The median PFS for patients treated with Kd alone was 15.8 months, while the median…

Shauna Campbell, MD of Cleveland Clinic shares three nomograms that were presented on salvage radiotherapy. _____ The integration of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) kinetics into a nomogram widely used to predict outcomes of salvage therapy offers physicians and patients a more nuanced, longer-term look at prostate cancer-specific outcomes. In 2007, a multi-institutional cohort led by Cleveland Clinic’s Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute developed a nomogram to predict prostate cancer-specific and all-cause mortality at six years after salvage radiotherapy (SRT). Almost a decade later, a study led by Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center radiation oncologist Rahul D. Tendulkar, MD, updated the nomogram with evidence that early initiation of…

- DKN-01 Monotherapy Patient with an Ongoing Complete Response - Enhanced PFS in patients with Wnt Activating Mutations and DKK1-high Tumors CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ – Leap Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: LPTX) today announced an oral and poster presentation of updated clinical data from its ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial of DKN-01, its anti-Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) antibody, as both a monotherapy and in combination with paclitaxel chemotherapy in patients with advanced gynecological malignancies will be presented at the 2019 International Gynecologic Cancer Society Annual Global Meeting taking place September 19-21, 2019 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The poster will be presented on Friday, September 20…

New research adds to accumulating evidence of benefit for patients treated at high-volume facilities or by high-volume providers. PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA [September 17, 2019] — New research in the September 2019 issue of JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network finds that providers with more experience treating people with multiple myeloma have better outcomes than those with more limited experience. In general, providers who saw the most cases were more likely to be located at academic, NCI-designated cancer centers. However, the researchers found that the very highest-volume providers at community facilities did achieve equally low mortality rates as clinicians at NCI-designated cancer centers.…

Roswell Park researchers present findings at ASTRO Annual Meeting Aspirin improved overall survival for patients with head/neck, lung cancers Patients in both studies also received radiation or chemoradiation therapy Future studies will help determine which patients benefit most   BUFFALO, N.Y. — What if a drug that sits in nearly everyone’s medicine cabinet could help extend the lives of some cancer patients? In companion presentations at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting in Chicago, doctors from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center report new evidence that low-dose aspirin and other anti-inflammatories may improve survival in patients undergoing treatment…

Shauna Campbell, MD of Cleveland Clinic answers a question received from colleagues: how does it differ from previously published nomograms? _______ The integration of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) kinetics into a nomogram widely used to predict outcomes of salvage therapy offers physicians and patients a more nuanced, longer-term look at prostate cancer-specific outcomes. In 2007, a multi-institutional cohort led by Cleveland Clinic’s Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute developed a nomogram to predict prostate cancer-specific and all-cause mortality at six years after salvage radiotherapy (SRT). Almost a decade later, a study led by Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center radiation oncologist Rahul D. Tendulkar, MD, updated the nomogram with…

Shauna Campbell, MD of Cleveland Clinic explains the impact of post-prostatectomy prostate specific antigen (PSA) kinetics on outcomes of salvage radiotherapy. _______ The integration of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) kinetics into a nomogram widely used to predict outcomes of salvage therapy offers physicians and patients a more nuanced, longer-term look at prostate cancer-specific outcomes. In 2007, a multi-institutional cohort led by Cleveland Clinic’s Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute developed a nomogram to predict prostate cancer-specific and all-cause mortality at six years after salvage radiotherapy (SRT). Almost a decade later, a study led by Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center radiation oncologist Rahul D. Tendulkar, MD, updated the nomogram…

New discovery opens new potentially effective approaches to utilize checkpoint inhibitors for treatment of pancreatic cancer and other types of cancers that are unresponsive to current immunotherapies. HOUSTON, Sept. 16, 2019 - Moleculin Biotech, Inc., (Nasdaq: MBRX) (“Moleculin” or the “Company”), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company with a broad portfolio of drug candidates targeting highly resistant tumors, today announced its sponsored research at MD Anderson Cancer Center has resulted in the filing of a new patent on behalf of MD Anderson Cancer Center covering the combination of its immune-stimulating/transcriptional-modulator, WP1066, with well-known immune checkpoint inhibitors. Read press release online: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/moleculin-announces-its-sponsored-research-at-md-anderson-cancer-center-has-resulted-in-the-filing-of-patent-protection-for-new-discovery-300918401.html “We had previously announced preliminary preclinical data…

Dr. Mohammed Jahanzeb, MD explains the health-related quality of life data from the ALTA-1L trial.

Dr. Mohammed Jahanzeb, MD provides Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) Data in a Phase 3 Study of First-Line Brigatinib vs. Crizotinib in NSCLC (ALTA-1L).

Dr. Erin Murphy, MD of Cleveland Clinic provides insight on how this will affect clinicians today. _____ Preoperative (neoadjuvant) stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with dose escalation followed by surgical resection for brain metastases > 2 cm yielded local control comparable to that with postoperative SRS or whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) — with the benefits of acceptable acute toxicity and a low incidence of leptomeningeal disease. These preliminary findings from a Cleveland Clinic prospective phase 1/2 clinical trial were presented Sept. 15 at the 2019 annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). “So far we have seen excellent results…

Dr. Erin Murphy, MD of Cleveland Clinic answers a question received form colleagues: why dose escalation? _____ Preoperative (neoadjuvant) stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with dose escalation followed by surgical resection for brain metastases > 2 cm yielded local control comparable to that with postoperative SRS or whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) — with the benefits of acceptable acute toxicity and a low incidence of leptomeningeal disease. These preliminary findings from a Cleveland Clinic prospective phase 1/2 clinical trial were presented Sept. 15 at the 2019 annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). “So far we have seen excellent results…

Dr. Erin Murphy, MD of Cleveland Clinic explains the phase I dose escalation study for neoadjuvant radiosurgery for large brain metastases. _____ Preoperative (neoadjuvant) stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with dose escalation followed by surgical resection for brain metastases > 2 cm yielded local control comparable to that with postoperative SRS or whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) — with the benefits of acceptable acute toxicity and a low incidence of leptomeningeal disease. These preliminary findings from a Cleveland Clinic prospective phase 1/2 clinical trial were presented Sept. 15 at the 2019 annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). “So far…

Philadelphia, PA (September 16, 2019) – Oncoceutics, a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company, commemorates National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September and reiterates its support for children and all those affected by childhood cancer. Cancer remains one of the greatest current health challenges, and childhood cancer kills more children in the United States than any other disease. “In commemorating this month, we recognize not only the children currently battling cancer, but also the families of those children, the clinicians and caregivers treating them, the survivors, the children who have lost their lives, and the researchers working to defeat this disease,”…

State-of-the-art AI algorithms applied to digitised images of oral cancer tissue specimens can be used to predict their chances of survival by measuring the abundance of Tumour infiltrating immune cells Tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (a specific type of immune cells) are key in determining how oral cancers spread and react to treatments University of Warwick researchers were able to look at immune cells that have infiltrated into the tumour with an accuracy of over 96% and stratify patients into low-risk and high-risk in terms of their disease free survival. The chances of surviving oral cancers can be predicted by state of…

– Food & Drug Administration Sets Prescription Drug User Fee Action Date for March 15, 2020 –   BOTHELL, Wash. and TOKYO, September 16, 2019 – Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN) and Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., “Astellas”) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the Biologics License Application (BLA) for the investigational agent enfortumab vedotin and granted Priority Review for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who have received a PD-1/L1 inhibitor and who have received a platinum-containing chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant/adjuvant, locally advanced or metastatic setting. The filing is based…

         Phase 2 GRIFFIN study presented at 17th IMW meeting is the fourth randomized study to investigate the clinical benefit of DARZALEX® in the frontline setting ·         New results from Phase 2 PLEIADES study evaluating a DARZALEX® subcutaneous formulation also presented   BOSTON, September 15, 2019 – The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced today results from the randomized Phase 2 GRIFFIN (MMY2004) study showing that the addition of DARZALEX® (daratumumab) to bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRd) induced higher response rates in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma who were eligible for high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) compared with…

Austin, Texas – September 16, 2019 – The iQ Group Global, an enterprise dedicated to developing early stage bioscience assets, today announced it has added a novel anticancer drug platform to its portfolio that has the ability to develop a range of cancer therapeutics. TEX-Core is an anticancer drug platform that has the ability to develop a range of well-tolerated, MRI-detectable cancer therapeutics that target drug-sensitive and drug-resistant solid tumors. The first cancer therapeutic to be commercialized from the platform is OxaliTEX, a novel chemical entity (WO 2015/191797) that targets only solid tumor cells, activates within the tumor and overcomes drug-resistance…

he Tisch Cancer Institute Deepens Bladder Cancer Care With New Center of Excellence   (New York – September 12, 2019) The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has been awarded nearly $1.7 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Defense to study how bladder cancer affects certain types of white blood cells called “natural killer” cells, or NK cells, which control and limit tumor growth. A clinical and research team of investigators with expertise in bladder cancer and immunotherapy will also design interventions to reverse NK cell dysfunction. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, bladder cancer…

National Comprehensive Cancer Network hosts summit on defining, measuring, and applying quality in an evolving health policy landscape and the implications for cancer care. #NCCNPolicy WASHINGTON, D.C. [September 12, 2019] — The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) hosted a policy summit at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, today, addressing how to define, measure, and apply quality in cancer care. Speakers across the cancer care continuum shared perspectives on current quality measurement initiatives including the Oncology Care Model and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), and looked ahead to future trends in this area. “A lot of effort has already gone toward measuring quality…

Philadelphia, PA (September 10, 2019) – Oncoceutics, Inc. announced a scientific publication in the Journal of Neuro-Oncology describing a complete response and other forms of clinical benefit in pediatric and adult H3 K27M-mutant glioma patients treated with ONC201 on expanded access protocols. This manuscript details radiographic findings and other clinical outcomes in eighteen H3 K27M-mutant glioma patients who were enrolled on expanded access protocols. These patients initiated ONC201 after prior radiation, and in many cases after also failing additional chemotherapy, a disease setting in neuro-oncology where no available therapies have been proven effective. Overall findings include disease stabilization and radiographic regressions after…

– 20 Patients Remain Progression Free on Tivozanib Arm vs. 2 on Sorafenib Arm – – Company Plans to Discuss Updated Results with FDA – – AVEO to Host Conference Call Today at 8:00 am Eastern Time – CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – September 10, 2019 – AVEO Oncology (NASDAQ: AVEO) today announced results from the second prespecified analysis of overall survival (OS) in the TIVO-3 trial. TIVO-3 is the Company’s Phase 3 randomized, controlled, multi-center, open-label study to compare tivozanib (FOTIVDA®) to sorafenib in 350 subjects with highly refractory metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). These results include an OS hazard ratio…

Program includes debate and interactive case studies on emerging cancer care practices. #NCCNhem19. SAN FRANCISCO, CA [September 10, 2019] — World-renowned experts on blood cancers are meeting in San Francisco on September 27-28, to help clinicians stay up-to-date on new, practice-changing strategies to manage patients with hematologic malignancies, at the NCCN 2019 Annual Congress: Hematologic Malignanciesâ„¢, presented by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®), and co-chaired by Ranjana H. Advani, MD, Saul Rosenberg Professor of Lymphoma, Stanford University School of Medicine and Andrew D. Zelenetz, MD, PhD, Medical Director, Quality Informatics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The Congress will address new, emerging, and novel therapeutic agents, diagnostics, and other advances in…

Dr. Neal provides insight on the horizon for the upcoming year.

Dr. Neal explains the unmet needs for this patient population.

In the Phase III CASPIAN trial IMFINZI at a fixed, convenient dose improved survival with either a cisplatin or carboplatin chemotherapy backbone AstraZeneca today presented detailed results from the Phase III CASPIAN trial, showing IMFINZI® (durvalumab) significantly improved overall survival (OS) in patients with previously-untreated extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC). IMFINZI in combination with four cycles of standard-of-care (SoC) chemotherapy (etoposide with either cisplatin or carboplatin) demonstrated a statistically-significant and clinically-meaningful improvement in OS vs. SoC chemotherapy consisting of up to six cycles of chemotherapy and optional prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI). The risk of death was reduced by 27% (equal to…

Phase One Study Shows Novel KRAS Inhibitor Well Tolerated by Patients with Adenocarcinoma and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Barcelona–Sunday, September 8 at 9:45 a.m. CEST — A clinical trial testing the toxicity of a KRAS inhibitor demonstrated early promising antitumor activity and few adverse side effects in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer harboring KRAS G12C mutation, according to Ramaswamy Govindan, M.D., from the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. The KRAS G12C mutation is found in approximately 14 percent of patients with lung adenocarcinoma and 11 percent of patients with non-small cell lung…

(9 September, Tokyo) In a recent study published in the journal Haematologica, researchers at Juntendo University used stem cell technology to produce immune cells with an enhanced ability to fight aggressive tumors of the nasal cavity. A lesser known but invasive form of cancer prevalent in Asian countries is extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma (ENKL). While it starts within the nasal cavity it often spreads to the digestive system, kidneys and bone marrow. At present, the enzymeL-asparaginase is the only therapy available for treating ENKL. However, many patients do not respond well to L-asparaginase thereby greatly decreasing their chances of prolonged survival. Now,…

Phase 3 Data for KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) as Neoadjuvant Therapy in Combination with Chemotherapy in Patients with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (KEYNOTE-522) to be Featured in ESMO Presidential Symposium and Official Press Program Data for LYNPARZA Included in ESMO Presidential Symposium and Official Press Program: in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (PROfound) and in Advanced Ovarian Cancer (PAOLA-1) Monday, September 9, 2019 6:45 am EDT KENILWORTH, N.J.–Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced new data from its broad oncology portfolio and pipeline will be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2019 Congress in Barcelona, Spain,…

54% of 13 Evaluable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Experienced a Partial Response at the Target Dose of 960 mg in the   Ongoing Phase 1 Study   46% of Patients had Stable Disease for a Disease Control Rate of   100% at the Target Dose   FDA Grants AMG 510 Fast Track Designation for Previously Treated   Metastatic NSCLC With KRAS G12C Mutation   THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (Sept. 8, 2019) — Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today announced new data from the ongoing Phase 1 study evaluating AMG 510 in patients with previously treated KRAS G12C-mutated solid tumors. AMG 510 is a…

Dr. Neal provides the most commonly asked questions from colleagues and the recent findings in NSCLC.

Dr. Neal describes TAK-788’s safety profile and the side effects that come along with the drug’s use.

Dr. Neal provides details on TAK-788 Phase 1/2 study.

Dr. Neal explains what EGFR exon 20-mutant NSCLC is and how many patients have this particular mutation.

TORONTO, ON and LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / September 6, 2019 / Soricimed Biopharma Inc. (“Soricimed”), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company discovering and developing first-in-class targeted cancer therapeutics, today announced that it has entered into a strategic alliance with Image Analysis Group (“IAG”), a UK-based company with unique expertise in medical imaging and artificial intelligence (“AI”)-based image analytics, whereby the companies will join their efforts in the development of Soricimed’s lead anti-cancer drug candidate, SOR-C13, a first-in-class inhibitor of the TRPV6 calcium channel. The partners will validate the use of advanced image assessment and AI-derived markers to predict patient treatment response in…

FINDINGS Breast cancer surgeons performing lumpectomies seek to spare healthy breast tissue while removing all cancerous cells, but determining appropriate margins and avoiding follow-up surgeries are ongoing challenges. This retrospective, single-institution review found that intraoperative teamwork between a breast cancer surgeon and a dedicated breast pathologist – utilizing tissue-marking ink and gross examination with magnification to evaluate margins – is an accurate, rapid and cost-effective means of significantly reducing the need for second-surgery margin re-excisions or mastectomies.   BACKGROUND Several studies have shown significantly increased local breast cancer recurrence rates in patients with low-stage breast carcinoma in whom margins were…

Hamburg, Germany and Baltimore, Maryland, 2019.09.04 ̶ Using Sysmex Inostics’ novel SafeSEQ next- generation sequencing cell-free DNA technology, investigators from the Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga [(IBIMA)-CIMES-UMA, Malaga Spain] and collaborators have published the first pilot study to examine the use of a non-invasive liquid biopsy in early diagnosis of breast cancer. This study was unique in that the ctDNA analyses was performed before any invasive diagnostic procedure or treatment. The SafeSEQ liquid biopsy technology has shown sensitivity down to five mutant molecules in a background of ten thousand normal ones (or 0.05% mutant allele frequency also known as MAF).…

Yes. Screening techniques for ovarian cancer are nonexistent. Studies have looked at combinations of blood markers and ultrasounds, but they did not show a survival improvement. Ultimately, if a patient undergoes screening, it should lead to some improvement in outcome or prevention of the cancer altogether. John M. NakayamaAI can help us in this area because cancer results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. We can try to account for more factors using AI, such as other genetic markers, epigenetic markers, changes in lipids, earlier CT or ultrasound findings that could be predictive. Putting those together would generate…

(Reuters Health) – Cancer specialists only rarely advise patients on lifestyle changes that could improve overall health and possibly also reduce the risk of recurrence, a new survey suggests. The survey of doctors from a Midwestern health system found that oncologists were far less likely than primary care physicians to offer advice on health promotion strategies, such as weight loss and smoking cessation, researchers reported in the journal Cancer. With oncologists reticent to offer advice on lifestyle changes, the onus may fall upon patients to bring the topic up and to find ways on their own to address changes, said…

– Results from PROVE-HF trial show significant improvements in measures of cardiac structure and function at six months and one year in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients;(1) EVALUATE-HF results complement findings(2) - PROVE-HF establishes significant correlation between improvement in widely used cardiac biomarker and positive changes in heart structure and ability to pump blood in patients taking Entresto(1) – Safety and tolerability of Entresto were comparable to previously reported findings(1,2,3) EAST HANOVER, N.J., Sept. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ – Novartis announced today results from two new clinical trials evaluating improvement in heart structure and function and long-term safety of Entresto® (sacubitril/valsartan) in…

(New York, NY – September 3, 2019) – September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month,and doctors in the Mount Sinai Health System are promoting early detection by encouraging high-risk groups to be aware of symptoms. “While the overall prognosis for the majority of thyroid cancers is excellent, early diagnosis and treatment are critical to improve survival and decrease the risk of future recurrence. In addition, in many cases, early diagnosis and appropriate surgical management often obviates the need for additional therapies such as radiation or chemotherapy,” says Brett Miles, MD, DDS, Professor and Co-Chief of the Division of Head and Neck Oncology…

Drs. Jack West, Charu Aggarwal, and Benjamin Levy recently gathered to review top discussion points for Lung Cancer from ASCO 2019. In this video, the doctors discuss long term outcomes with Pembrolizumab. For more, please visit http://cancerGRACE.org/. To join the conversation, visit https://cancergrace.org/forum.

Sarmad Sadeghi, MD of USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center explains awaiting approval from the FDA in bladder and prostate cancer.

Sarmad Sadeghi, MD of USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center explains the role of nephrectomy is getting smaller and smaller in kidney cancer.

John Fruehauf, MD disucsses whether the CheckMate 204 data will affect treatment selection in brain metastases

John Fruehauf, MD of UC Irvine Health discusses new first-line therapy for asymptomatic melanoma brain metastases.         new first-line therapy, asymptomatic melanoma brain metastases, uc irvine health, checkmate 204 study, study, checkmate 204

John Fruehauf, MD of UC Irvine Health explains clinicians could change the way they manage their patients by lowering doses and possibly impacting treatment that way.

John Fruehauf, MD provides insight on how to address toxicity that is causing colitis.

John Fruehauf, MD of UC Irvine Health discusses lowering toxicity through alternate dosing.

John Fruehauf, MD of UC Irvine Health presents whether data practice will change for clinicians.

John Fruehauf, MD of UC Irvine Health explains how INMC data has impacted surgical oncologists.

John Fruehauf, MD of UC Irvine Health discusses IMNC (International Neoadjuvant Melanoma Consoritum) Abstract 9503.

Afsaneh Barzi, MD of Keck School of Medicine discusses the factors to consider in the IDEA collaboration.

Afsaneh Barzi, MD of Keck School of Medicine provides the impact the IDEA data will have on clinicians.

Afsaneh Barzi, MD of Keck School of Medicine explains IDEA collaboration findings in 3 versus 6 months for stage 3 colon cancer.

Afsaneh Barzi, MD of Keck School of Medicine presents the IDEA (International Duration Evaluation of Adjuvant Chemotherapy) collaboration which investigated the adjuvant oxaliplatin-based therapy for patients with high-risk stage II colorectal cancer.

Afsaneh Barzi, MD of Keck School of Medicine discusses the immediate implications in the POLO trial is mandatory germline testing for all patients with pancreatic cancer.

Afsaneh Barzi, MD of Norris Cancer Center provides insight on the still unanswered questions in the POLO study.

Afsaneh Barzi, MD of Norris Cancer Center explains the phase III POLO trial, a maintenance treatment following first-line platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with a germline BRCA mutation and metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Philadelphia, PA (August 26, 2019) – Oncoceutics, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application for ONC206, allowing the first-in-human trial of the compound. ONC206 is the first of the family of drug candidates, which we call “imipridones”, that possess the same core chemical structure as ONC201. The first clinical trial for ONC206 in adults with primary central nervous system neoplasms will be conducted at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) under the leadership of Mark Gilbert, MD, Chief of the Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR) and Brett Theeler,…

Jacob Sands, MD explica lurbinectedin presentado en ASCO 2019.

Jacob Sands, MD discusses lurbinectedin providing another treatment option for patients and practitioners.

Jacob Sands, MD discusses lurbinectedin presented at ASCO 2019.

Jacob Sands, MD provides data and updates on lurbinectedin in small cell lung cancer immunotherapy treatment.

Pascal Besman, COO Pharmamar – PharmaMar to submit New Drug Application (NDA) for lurbinectedin under accelerated approval in SCLC in the USA. Pascal Besman, Pharmamar COO discusses advantages and potential limitations of the new drug.

HATFIELD, Pa. and CLEVELAND, Aug. 27, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Genisphere LLC and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center announced a partnership to study and develop unique strategies to treat pancreatic cancer. According to their agreement, investigators will optimize 3DNA®-based therapeutics designed to target and kill pancreatic tumors. Projects will include delivering a variety of therapeutic cargos, including small molecules and siRNA, formulated with pancreatic tumor-targeting molecules on Genisphere’s 3DNA® nanocarrier. Jordan Winter, MD, Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Director of Surgical Services at UH Seidman Cancer Center, is the lead researcher on…

Lurbinectedin, a potential practice changing drug if approved, will be the only agent available in SCLC tested with immunotherapy. PharmaMar to submit New Drug Application (NDA) for lurbinectedin under accelerated approval in SCLC in the USA.         lurbinectedin, potential practice changing drug, new drug application (nda), nda, pharmamar, immunotherapy, sclc

PharmaMar to submit New Drug Application (NDA) for lurbinectedin under accelerated approval in SCLC in the USA. Hossein Borghaei, MD discusses the recent data released and advantages and potential limitations of the new drug.

Niraparib demonstrated clinically relevant activity among women with heavily pretreated ovarian cancer, particularly those with homologous recombination deficiency-positive, platinum-sensitive disease, according to findings from the phase 2 QUADRA study published in The Lancet Oncology. The results, which also showed no new safety signals, support extending the use of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors to a wider population of women with late-line ovarian cancer, including those without BRCAmutations, according to the researchers. “This is another piece of the puzzle that helps our patients live longer,” Kathleen Moore, MD, associate director of clinical research at Stephenson Cancer Center at University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, said in a press…

Jack Stewart, CSO of Soricimed Biopharma explains SOR-C13 is the leading drug in a phase 1b clinical trial in late stage pancreatic cancer.

Jack Stewart, CSO of Soricimed Biopharma discusses SOR-C13, a selective inhibitor of TRPV6, binds with affinity and disrupts how TRPV6 functions.

Jack Stewart, CSO of Soricimed Biopharma explains SOR-C13 potentially shows promise in ovarian, metastatic prostate and pancreatic cancer.

Data from largest population study to date help identify at-risk individuals, could inform screening initiatives Published on: August 08, 2019 (WASHINGTON, August 8, 2019) — New data suggest that people who have a parent, sibling, or child with blood cancer have a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with the disease. The study published online today in Blood offers the first evidence that such familial risks exist across the spectrum of hematologic malignancies. Age of diagnosis, whether the relative is a parent, sibling, or child, and the number of affected first-degree relatives play a defining role in the relative risk of developing certain blood cancers, according to the study. “This information improves our understanding of the causes of – and potential inherited predisposition to – blood cancers and should inform the identification and characterization of genetic risk factors for blood cancer, as well as how we best clinically…

Findings may guide decisions about which patients will benefit most from treatment with sorafenib Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is commonly treated with sorafenib Subset of CD8+ cells are biomarker linked with survival benefit, team shows Evidence could lead to more individualized treatments for liver cancer patients  BUFFALO, N.Y. — Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center immunology researchers have uncovered a biomarker that may help explain why some patients respond better than others to a common chemotherapy treatment for liver cancer. They hope that their analysis of immune responses among patients receiving sorafenib can lead to more individualized treatment options and better…

TAGRISSO is the only medicine demonstrating statistically-significant overall survival benefit in this setting. Also increased the time patients with central nervous system metastases lived without disease progression   (WILMINGTON, Del., August 9, 2019) AstraZeneca today announced positive overall survival (OS) results from the Phase III FLAURA trial, a randomized, double-blinded, multicenter trial of TAGRISSO in previously-untreated patients with locally-advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations.   TAGRISSO showed a statistically-significant and clinically-meaningful improvement in OS, a secondary endpoint in the FLAURA Phase III trial, compared with erlotinib or gefitinib both of which were previous standard-of-care (SoC) treatments…

Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy improved overall survival for women with locally advanced endometrial cancer compared with radiation alone, a post-hoc analysis of the phase III PORTEC-3 trial found. With adjustment for stratification factors, overall survival (OS) at 5 years was 81.4% in the chemoradiotherapy group compared with 76.1% in the group receiving radiotherapy alone (adjusted HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.51-0.97, P=0.034), reported Stephanie de Boer, MD, of Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands, and colleagues.   And in their study of over 600 patients with stage I-III endometrial cancer, failure-free survival (FFS) at 5 years was 76.5% with chemoradiotherapy versus 69.1% with…

NEW YORK — While new drugs for cancer are helping patients fight the disease, they also produce side effects that can affect the hair, skin and nails and can significantly affect quality of life and, potentially, the ability to continue treatment, according to a press release issued here at the American Academy of Dermatology Summer Meeting. “Approximately half of patients who undergo immunotherapy and receive targeted cancer medications experience a skin-related reaction to the medication,” Anisha Patel, MD, FAAD, an associate professor of dermatology and internal medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, said in the…

Niraparib demonstrated clinically relevant activity among women with heavily pretreated ovarian cancer, particularly those with homologous recombination deficiency-positive, platinum-sensitive disease, according to findings from the phase 2 QUADRA study published in The Lancet Oncology. The results, which also showed no new safety signals, support extending the use of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors to a wider population of women with late-line ovarian cancer, including those without BRCAmutations, according to the researchers. “This is another piece of the puzzle that helps our patients live longer,” Kathleen Moore, MD, associate director of clinical research at Stephenson Cancer Center at University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, said in a press…

TORONTO, CANADA / ACCESSWIRE / AUGUST 6, 2019 / Soricimed Biopharma Inc. (“Soricimed”), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing first-in-class, targeted cancer therapeutics, announced today that The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) has activated an Investigator Initiated Clinical trial of Soricimed’s lead drug candidate, SOR-C13 in late stage pancreatic cancer. This trial was initiated by Siqing Fu, MD PhD, a member of the Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics at MDACC, one of the world’s most respected cancer research centers, based on the results of Soricimed’s multi-center Phase 1 clinical trial in patients with late-stage solid tumor cancer. The Phase 1 trial…

– Milestone represents the first patient dosed with UltraCAR-T targeting solid tumors – First-in-class investigational therapy using autologous CAR-T cells targeting advanced, recurrent platinum resistant ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer GERMANTOWN, Md., Aug. 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ – Precigen, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Intrexon Corporation (NASDAQ: XON) and a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of innovative gene and cellular therapies to improve the lives of patients, today announced that the first patient has been dosed with Precigen’s PRGN-3005, a first-in-class investigational therapy using Precigen’s UltraCAR-Tâ„¢ therapeutic platform. PRGN-3005 UltraCAR-T is an autologous chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell…

— Enhanced survival outcomes in DKK1-high gastroesophageal junction and gastric cancer patients – — DKK1-high biomarker enables future patient selection – — Live conference call and webcast with clinical investigators at 8:30 AM ET — CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ – Leap Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: LPTX) today announced that its anti-Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) antibody, DKN-01, in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 antibody, Keytruda® (pembrolizumab), demonstrated higher survival and objective response outcomes in patients with advanced gastroesophageal junction and gastric cancer (GEJ/GC) whose tumors expressed high levels of DKK1 (DKK1-high).  DKN-01 plus Keytruda therapy achieved over 22 weeks median progression-free survival (PFS) and nearly 32…

Early detection of HPV can prevent various forms of cancer in both men and women, including gay, transgender, and HIV-positive patients   PASADENA, Calif (August 6, 2019) – OmniPathology (www.omnipathology.com), a physician-owned medical laboratory specializing in state-of-the-art pathology services, today announced its new FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) test to detect human papillomavirus (HPV) related cancer in patients. What makes the test unique is that it is more accurate than other means used to detect HPV-related changes. The test has already been used to identify patients who otherwise would go untreated.   The new OmniPathology FISH test uses advanced fluorescence…

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Earn CME: https://naccme.com/program/7334 In this presentation from the ‘Keeping Up With CAR T-cell Therapies in B-Cell Lymphomas’ symposium at the 2019 Great Debates & Updates in Hematologic Malignancies in New York, Dr. Matthew J. Frigault discusses best practices for the management of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity when utilizing CAR-T therapy. © 2019 Imedex, an HMP Company

Earn CME: https://www.naccme.com/program/7333 In this presentation from the ‘Persistent Challenges in the Management of Follicular Lymphoma’ symposium at the 2019 Great Debates & Updates in Hematologic Malignancies in New York, Dr. Elizabeth Brem provides and update on the treatment of relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma. © 2019 Imedex, an HMP Company

Earn CME: https://naccme.com/program/7333 In this presentation from the ‘Persistent Challenges in the Management of Follicular Lymphoma’ symposium at the 2019 Great Debates & Updates in Hematologic Malignancies in New York, Dr. John P. Leonard provides an update on upfront and maintenance therapy advances in the treatment of follicular lymphoma. © 2019 Imedex, an HMP Company

Earn CME: https://naccme.com/program/7334 In this presentation from the ‘Keeping Up With CAR T-cell Therapies in B-Cell Lymphomas’ symposium at the 2019 Great Debates & Updates in Hematologic Malignancies in New York, Dr. Caron A. Jacobson discusses the current state of CAR-T therapy in the treatment of lymphoma. © 2019 Imedex, an HMP Company

Earn CME: https://www.naccme.com/program/7332 In this presentation from the ‘Confronting the Challenges of Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma: Genomic Profiling and the Future Treatment Landscape symposium at the 2019 Great Debates and Updates in Hematologic Malignancies, Dr. Jasmine Zain discusses novel therapies and future targets for the treatment of peripheral t-cell lymphoma. © 2019 Imedex, an HMP Company

July 2, 2019 San Diego Supercomputer Center Researchers Find Novel Diagnosis Method    The invasive and expensive diagnosis process of bladder cancer, which is one of the most common and aggressive cancers in the United States, may be soon helped by a novel non-invasive diagnostic method thanks to advances in machine learning research at the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC), Moores Cancer Center, and CureMatch Incorporated.   Research scientists Igor Tsigelny and Valentina Kouznetsova have been working on the development of a machine-learning (ML) model that looks at a patient’s metabolites and their chemical descriptors. The model accurately classifies the…