Dr. Ramaswamy Govindan, MD of Washington University Medical School gives an update on ALK+ lung cancer agents at ASCO 2016
Author: Editor
Dr. Fadi Braiteh, MD of Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada notes that autoimmune can be delayed in immunotherapy
Dr. Nathan Pennell, MD of Cleveland Clinic describes the safety and efficacy differences between PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors
Dr. Alexander Spira, MD of Virginia Cancer Specialists discusses the durable response of atezolizumab
Anna Schuh, MD, PhD, from the University of Oxford, discusses the importance of genomic analysis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in the clinic. According to Dr Schuh, the mutation analysis of TP53 in addition to a FISH analysis are important. She further discusses which other markers will become relevant in the future, which includes looking for subclonal TP53 mutations with next-generation sequencing (NGS) and whole genome sequencing. Recorded at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the British Society of Haematology (BSH) and International Society of Hematology (ISH), held in Glasgow, Scotland.
Gail Roboz, MD from Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY discusses the availability of commercially available genetic molecular testing in which approximately 200 mutations can be evaluated. However current practice is exclusively guided by FLT3, NPM1, CEBPA double mutations. Availability of clinical trials for other specific mutations, for instance IDH1 and 2 , is making molecular genetic testing for these mutations more common practice in both prognosticating and driving treatment. Dr Roboz also discusses the application of molecular genetic testing in older acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Recorded at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the British Society…
George Follows, MA, BM, BCh, PhD, FRCP, FRCPath from Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK gives an overview of the session on the evolution of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) management held at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark. Dr Follows outlines Dr Paolo Ghia’s presentation on how our understanding of the genetics of CLL is having an impact on clinical practice. He further discusses Prof Stephan Stilgenbauer’s talk on new first-line data and how practice is moving away from chemotherapy and potentially towards a chemo-free era. Dr Follows also talks about the potential of ibrutinib, which…
Anas Younes, MD from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY discusses the cost of new drugs in lymphoma. Prof Younes argues that the impact of these drugs on the lives of young patients outweighs concerns around their cost. Recorded at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2016 Annual Meeting, in Chicago, IL.
Dr. Heather Wakelee, MD of Stanford School of Medicine outlines the best way to test newly diagnosed NSCLC in the community setting
Petros Grivas, MD discusses anti PD-1 versus anti PD-L1 in urothelial carcinoma
test
Dr. Omid Hamid, MD of The Angeles Clinic presents updated results of KEYNOTE-001 006 and 029 for advanced melanoma
Robert Dreicer, MD of the University of Virginia answers the question why urothelial cancer for checkpoint inhibitor therapeutics
Dr. Fadi Braiteh, MD of Comprehensive Cancer Centers discusses the POPLAR results show statistic significant improvement in overall survival
Paolo Ghia, MD, PhD from the San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy discusses the research activities of the European Research Initiative on CLL (ERIC), which held a General Assembly at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark. Dr Ghia mentions a study that is collecting data on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients treated with bendamustine plus rituximab in second line. He also discusses the creation of a data set of CLL patients in Europe called Minimum Data Set Project, with the aim to map the number of patients in Europe.
Paolo Ghia, MD, PhD from the San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy discusses the side effects of novel drugs in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). According to Dr Ghia, the toxicity profile of novel drugs is better compared to immunochemotherapy but neverthless, side effects are to be expected. Therefore, the rules to start treatment remain the same, i.e. the disease has to be progressive. In order to manage patient expectations about receiving novel drugs, it is important to inform patients about these side effects as Dr Ghia explains. Recorded at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Paolo Ghia, MD, PhD from the San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy discusses drug combinations for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In particular, Dr Ghia talks about the combination of ibrutinib and venetoclax, as well as ibrutinib and venetoclax in combination with obinutuzumab (GA-101) (NCT02758665). Recorded at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Kostas Stamatopoulos, MD, PhD from CERTH Institute of Applied Biosciences, Thessaloniki, Greece gives an overview of the European Research Initiative on CLL (ERIC), which held a General Assembly at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark. The aim of ERIC is to promote research that will improve patient management, strengthen collaboration and disseminate good practice. One of the projects is to complete a census of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients throughout Europe. Dr Stamatopoulos also discusses the deletion of chromosome 17p or aberrant TP53 and the work ERIC has done to improve the treatment of affected…
Paolo Ghia, MD, PhD from the San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy talks about venetoclax for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Venetoclax has recently been approved by the FDA to treat relapsed CLL patients with the 17p deletion. According to Dr Ghia, the drug showed great efficacy in the Phase I and II trials; it was able to achieve minimal residual (MRD) negativity in a large fraction of patients. He also discusses the risk of tumor lysis syndrome associated with venetoclax and how this has been adressed. Recorded at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Noopur Raje, MD from the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA gives an overview of the Phase III POLLUX trial on (NCT02076009) on combining daratumumab with lenalidomide and dexamethasone vs lenalidomide and dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM) presented at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark. According to Dr Raje, patients who received daratumumab with lenalidomide and dexamethasone had more than a doubling in response rate; progression-free survival (PFS) and duration of response are also striking. The future is going to be drug combinations according to Dr Raje. She also highlights the CASTOR trial (NCT02136134) presented…
Kostas Stamatopoulos, MD, PhD from CERTH Institute of Applied Biosciences, Thessaloniki, Greece discusses the issues associated with the rapid development of new drugs in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). One key issue is affordability and access according to Dr Stamatopoulos. The other issue is linked to the high pace of development of novel drugs concerns adverse events or late events. Recorded at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Gareth Morgan, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, PhD from the UAMS Myeloma Institute, Little Rock, AR discusses the use of FISH in multiple myeloma (MM). According to Dr Morgan, it is important to consider that there are many subtypes of MM and a precision or personalized medicine approach is therefore important. The problem about FISH is that it is slow, expensive and prone to error. When compared to molecular diagnostics and next-generation sequencing (NGS), FISH therefore becomes obsolete according to Dr Morgan. Recorded at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Andrew Spencer, MD, PhD from the Monash University, Melbourne, Australia discusses the side effects of panobinostat in multiple myeloma (MM). Most patients did not tolerate the initial dose 45 mg/m2 but with a dose reduction to 30 mg/m2 or 20 mg/m2, most patients tolerated the drug well for the six month duration. The main side effects were gastrointestinal (GI) related and included diarrhoea. There was no relevant myeloid suppression and fatigue was not observed. Recorded at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Paolo Ghia, MD, PhD from the San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy talks about the stratification of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark. As the biology of CLL is better understood, this allows for the better stratification of CLL patients. Dr Ghia mentions how patients can be stratified based on the presence or absence of a 17p deletion and p53 gene mutation. According to Dr Ghia, the way patients are stratified will probably remain the same in the next couple of years despite the development of new therapies. He…
Philippe Moreau, MD from the University Hospital of Nantes, Nantes, France gives an overview of his session on how monoclonal antibodies will change therapy in multiple myeloma (MM) held at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark. In Europe, elotuzumab is approved in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in the relapsed setting and this combination shows progression-free survival (PFS) benefit. The most interesting monoclonal antibody in Prof Moreau’s opinion is daratumumab, which targets CD38. Daratumumab can be used in very advanced patients in Europe. Prof Moreau also outlines the results of the POLLUX and CASTOR trials…
Paolo Ghia, MD, PhD from the San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy discusses minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark. Dr Ghia explains that MRD is a hot topic due to the multitude of new therapies that have become available. As it is still in early stages of development, it should only be used in the context of research according to Dr Ghia.
Noopur Raje, MD from the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA gives an overview of the Phase Ib/II study of ricolinostat (ACY-1215) in multiple myeloma (MM) (NCT01997840) presented at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark. The trial looks at the combination of ricolinostat with pomalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients. Ricolinostat has a tendancy to be more selective for HDAC6 and according to Dr Raje, it is believed that it is has less off-target toxicity. Dr Raje further explains the rationale of combining with ricolinostat with lenalidomide and discusses data of the Phase…
Kostas Stamatopoulos, MD, PhD from CERTH Institute of Applied Biosciences, Thessaloniki, Greece discusses the progress of research in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Dr Stamatopoulos points out how novel drugs are different from traditional chemotherapy or immunotherapy as they target fundamental processes, which can translate into better response rates and in future, a cure. Recorded at the at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Gareth Morgan, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, PhD from the UAMS Myeloma Institute, Little Rock, AR provides an overview of his talk on ‘Treatment strategies at first relapse’ held at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark. Dr Morgan discusses why there are many trials and data sets available looking at first relapse in myeloma and the evidence that is available for making decisions. Treatment options include revlimid and dexamethasonse, the proteasome inhibitors velcade, carfilzomib and ixazomib, as well as the monoclonal antibodies elotuzumab and daratumumab. According to Dr Morgan, the triplet combinations on a backbone of velcade…
Anna Schuh, MD, PhD, from the University of Oxford, UK, gives an overview of her talk on the advances in the molecular stratification of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The focus of the talk was to make sense of the biological and clinical heterogeneity of CLL patients. The fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and rituximab (FCR) therapy is still the standard of care frontline treatment and while data shows that many patients respond very well or have even shown to be cured, around 25% of patients will relapse within the first two years of having received chemoimmunotherapy according to Dr Schuh. Molecular markers may…
Francesco Forconi, MD, PhD from the University of Southampton, Southampton, UK gives an overview of his talk on the structure and function of the B-cell receptor in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) held at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark. Dr Forconi also outlines why changes in the characteristics of the B-cell receptor affect the function and behavior of the tumor as well as how to target the receptor.
Andrew Spencer, MD, PhD from the Monash University, Melbourne, Australia provides an overview of his talk on epigenetics and HDAC inhibitors in multiple myeloma (MM) held at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark. Prof Spencer talks about the methylation of DNA, translational changes in histones and the abnormalities present in myeloma. According to Prof Spencer, there is a marked abnormality in the methylone in myeloma and a number of histone deacetylase (HDACs) are overexpressed, whereby the overexpression of HDAC1 is associated with poor outcome. He further discusses the rationale behind combining HDAC inhibitors with proteasome…
As part of our coverage from the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, MPN experts Dr. Srdan Verstovsek, Dr. Elias Jabbour, Dr. Brady Stein and patient advocate, Andi Malitz, gathered to discuss the latest news and research in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). The experts reviewed promising results of recent studies, including telomerase inhibitors, antifibrotic treatments, the long-term benefit of the JAK inhibitor, ruxolitinib, as well as news about the promise of early intervention. Also discussed were observational studies and how these studies are providing experts with better understanding of the disease. The experts stressed the importance of balancing treatment…
As part of our coverage from the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, MPN experts Dr. Srdan Verstovsek, Dr. Elias Jabbour, Dr. Brady Stein and patient advocate, Andi Malitz, gathered to discuss the latest news and research in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). The experts reviewed promising results of recent studies, including telomerase inhibitors, antifibrotic treatments, the long-term benefit of the JAK inhibitor, ruxolitinib, as well as news about the promise of early intervention. Also discussed were observational studies and how these studies are providing experts with better understanding of the disease. The experts stressed the importance of balancing treatment…
Expert Dr. Russell Szmulewitz of the University of Chicago Medical Center describes the endocrinology of prostate cancer and provides an overview of hormonal therapies. Dr. Szmulewitz examines the changing treatment paradigm including risks and benefits. Get email alerts | http://www.patientpower.info/alerts Subscribe on YouTube | http://www.youtube.com/patientpower Like on Facebook | http://www.fb.com/patientpower.info Follow on Twitter | http://www.twitter.com/patientpower Follow on Google+ | http://www.google.com/+patientpowerinfo
Evan Yu, MD of Seattle Cancer Care Alliance goes over next steps after FDA approval for Atezelozimab
Even though there is a tremendous access to new drug therapies, doctors have yet to determine the best way to use these new therapies. The doctors conclude that some of the most exciting therapies are monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, small molecules, cellular therapies, CAR- T cell therapy, and more. IMWG Myeloma Experts debate the latest trends in treatment June 9, 2016 Copenhagen, Denmark
Discussed are the new IMWG Criteria in MRD testing in multiple myeloma, which is to be published in Lancet Oncology. Attention is given as to how to use the testing going forward with patient care. IMWG Myeloma Experts debate the latest trends in treatment June 9, 2016 Copenhagen, Denmark
Heather Wakelee, MD of Stanford Medicine discusses genetic heterogeneity and genomic alterations in KRAS mutated NSCLC
The doctors consider mSMART classification to look at high-, intermediate-, and standard-risk myeloma. They discuss, with the increasing depth of response in myeloma with the newer drugs, how doctors should evaluate the use of these drugs with the higher-risk disease groups. IMWG Myeloma Experts debate the latest trends in treatment June 9, 2016 Copenhagen, Denmark
The third question of the series is Are you proactive regarding your patients possible comorbidities? In particular, the doctors consider patient characteristics such as age, performance status, and other health problems. They talk about when to consider stem cell transplant with frailer patients. IMWG Myeloma Experts debate the latest trends in treatment June 9, 2016 Copenhagen, Denmark
The first question of the series is What is the impact of the new diagnostic criteria? The criteria to which the doctors are referring is the SLiM CRAB criteria, which expands the former CRAB criteria. IMWG Myeloma Experts debate the latest trends in treatment June 9, 2016 Copenhagen, Denmark
Alexander Spira, MD of Virginia Cancer Specialists discusses PD-L1 expression in tumor and immune cells in the microenvironment from the POPLAR trial
Nathan Pennell, MD of Cleveland Clinic talks about the future of genotypical NSCLC immunotherapy
Dr. Omid Hamid, MD of The Angeles Clinic outlines the evidence that uveal melanoma is responsive to immunotherapy
Dr Arjun V. Balar, MD of NYU Langone Medical Center discusses how upper tract disease did better in IMVigor210 trial
At the 10th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC), held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from 9 to 11 March 2016, Oleg Gluz, MD, from the West German Study Group, Mönchengladbach, Germany, discusses the development of evidence-based gene expression profiling to better classify breast cancer subtypes for optimising therapeutic decisions in patients with breast cancer. This content is supported by Genomic Health, Inc. European Medical Journal Website: http://emjreviews.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EMJReviews Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emjreviews
An expert panel, led by Dr. Tomasz Beer, explores research discussed at the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in Chicago. The group explains updates related to biomarkers, chemotherapy and hormonal approaches. Get email alerts | http://www.patientpower.info/alerts Subscribe on YouTube | http://www.youtube.com/patientpower Like on Facebook | http://www.fb.com/patientpower.info Follow on Twitter | http://www.twitter.com/patientpower Follow on Google+ | http://www.google.com/+patientpowerinfo
Is there hope for lung cancer patients with genetic alterations who have become resistant to therapies? On location at ASCO 2016, lung cancer expert Dr. Liza Villaruz announces new information that includes advances in the field of lung cancer focused on overcoming resistance to novel inhibitors. Get email alerts | http://www.patientpower.info/alerts Subscribe on YouTube | http://www.youtube.com/patientpower Like on Facebook | http://www.fb.com/patientpower.info Follow on Twitter | http://www.twitter.com/patientpower Follow on Google+ | http://www.google.com/+patientpowerinfo
Does knowing your molecular mutation in earlier stage lung cancer have any significance in selecting a treatment modality? Is there any difference between external and internal factors that lead to gene mutations in lung cancer? Live from the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in Chicago, Drs. Liza Villaruz and Charu Aggarwal sat down with host, John Ratzenberger, for an Ask the Lung Cancer Expert discussion that covered questions submitted by lung cancer patients and their families. Get email alerts | http://www.patientpower.info/alerts Subscribe on YouTube | http://www.youtube.com/patientpower Like on Facebook | http://www.fb.com/patientpower.info Follow on Twitter | http://www.twitter.com/patientpower Follow…