Author: Editor

Aditya Bardia, MD, MPH, Director of Breast Cancer Research, Mass General Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School speaks about ASCO 2021 Highlights in Breast Cancer.Link to Abstract – OlympiA: A randomized phase III trial of olaparib as adjuvant therapy in patients with high-risk HER2-negative breast cancer (BC) and a germline BRCA1/2 mutation (gBRCAm).https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/115571/abstractLink to Abstract – Significantly different costs of adjuvant chemotherapy regimens in the United States.https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/60336/abstractLink to Abstract – Durvalumab improves long-term outcome in TNBC: results from the phase II randomized GeparNUEVO study investigating neodjuvant durvalumab in addition to an anthracycline/taxane based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in early triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/196389/abstractLink…

Mark Agulnik, MD, Medical Oncologist at the City of Hope speaks about Phase II study of pazopanib with oral topotecan in patients with metastatic and non-resectable soft tissue and bone sarcomas.Link to Article:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41416-021-01448-0?utm_source=bjc_etoc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=toc_41416_125_4&utm_content=20210817&WT.ec_id=BJC-202108&sap-outbound-id=B66F5D2580DC2EA5D5FA5EAC79002B8B8B7F24E9Abstract:Background:Pazopanib is effective in refractory soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) and extends PFS substantially. In previous trials, individuals with sarcoma showed preclinical indications of response to combinations of metronomic topotecan and pazopanib.Methods:The effectiveness of the combination of pazopanib and topotecan in patients with metastatic or unresectable non-adipocytic STS was investigated in this prospective, single-arm phase II trial. Additionally, it included osteosarcoma and liposarcoma exploratory arms. In the non-adipocytic STS cohort,…

Mark Agulnik, MD, Medical Oncologist at the City of Hope speaks about Phase II study of pazopanib with oral topotecan in patients with metastatic and non-resectable soft tissue and bone sarcomas.Link to Article:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41416-021-01448-0?utm_source=bjc_etoc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=toc_41416_125_4&utm_content=20210817&WT.ec_id=BJC-202108&sap-outbound-id=B66F5D2580DC2EA5D5FA5EAC79002B8B8B7F24E9Abstract:Background:Pazopanib is effective in refractory soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) and extends PFS substantially. In previous trials, individuals with sarcoma showed preclinical indications of response to combinations of metronomic topotecan and pazopanib.Methods:The effectiveness of the combination of pazopanib and topotecan in patients with metastatic or unresectable non-adipocytic STS was investigated in this prospective, single-arm phase II trial. Additionally, it included osteosarcoma and liposarcoma exploratory arms. In the non-adipocytic STS cohort,…

Nobuko Hijiya, MD, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital speaks about A Phase 2 Study Of Nilotinib In Pediatric Patients With CML: Long-term Update On Growth Retardation And Safety.Link to Article:https://www.nordicnanovector.com/investors-and-media/press-releases?page=/press/perma/1936235PRNewswire – OSLO, Norway, August 3, 2021 — PARADIGME, Nordic Nanovector ASA’s ongoing pivotal Phase 2b study of Betalutin® (177Lu lilotomab satetraxetan) in 3rd-line relapsed rituximab/anti-CD20 refractory follicular lymphoma (3L R/R FL), has received an update. The Company now expects the preliminary three-month data readout from PARADIGME within the first half of 2022, after reviewing the recent rate of patient enrollment with its…

Nobuko Hijiya, MD, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital speaks about A Phase 2 Study Of Nilotinib In Pediatric Patients With CML: Long-term Update On Growth Retardation And Safety.Link to Article:https://www.nordicnanovector.com/investors-and-media/press-releases?page=/press/perma/1936235PRNewswire – OSLO, Norway, August 3, 2021 — PARADIGME, Nordic Nanovector ASA’s ongoing pivotal Phase 2b study of Betalutin® (177Lu lilotomab satetraxetan) in 3rd-line relapsed rituximab/anti-CD20 refractory follicular lymphoma (3L R/R FL), has received an update. The Company now expects the preliminary three-month data readout from PARADIGME within the first half of 2022, after reviewing the recent rate of patient enrollment with its…

David Illson, MD, Ph.D., Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College.@ILSONDavid @sloan_kettering @mskcc #ASCO21 #ColorectalCancer #GastrointestinalCancer- Colorectal Cancer and Gastrointestinal Cancer-Link to Abstract 4000 – ESCORT-1st: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial of camrelizumab plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy in patients with untreated advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/195933/abstractLink to Abstract LBA4001 – Nivolumab (NIVO) plus ipilimumab (IPI) or NIVO plus chemotherapy (chemo) versus chemo as first-line (1L) treatment for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC): First results of the CheckMate 648 study.https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/195919/abstractLink to Abstract 4002 – First-line (1L) nivolumab…

Jubilee Brown, MD from the Levine Cancer Institute, and Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Atrium Health speaks about Clinical Activity and Safety of the Anti-Programmed Death 1 Monoclonal Antibody Dostarlimab for Patients With Recurrent or Advanced Mismatch Repair-Deficient Endometrial Cancer: A Nonrandomized Phase 1 Clinical Trial.Link to Abstract:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33001143/Abstract:Importance:Endometrial tumors with faulty mismatch mutation repair systems may be more susceptible to anti-programmed death 1 (PD-1) treatments. Dostarlimab (TSR-042) is an anti-PD-1 antibody that binds to the PD-1 receptor with a high affinity.Objective:Dostarlimab’s anticancer efficacy and safety in patients with defective mismatch repair endometrial cancer were investigated.Participants, setting, and design:On March 7, 2016,…

Sarah E. S. Leary, MD, Associate Professor, Center for Clinical and Translational Research, at the Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Foundation speaks about Efficacy of Carboplatin and Isotretinoin in Children With High-risk Medulloblastoma.Link to Abstract:https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2782033Points to RememberQuestion Is it possible to increase survival in children with high-risk medulloblastoma by using carboplatin during radiotherapy or isotretinoin during maintenance chemotherapy?FindingsIsotretinoin did not enhance survival in this randomized clinical study including 261 children with medulloblastoma. Only children with high-risk group 3 medulloblastoma benefitted from the inclusion of carboplatin after radiation, with survival increasing from 54% to 73%.MeaningBecause the inclusion of carboplatin during radiotherapy is…

Oliver Dorigo, MD, Ph.D., Principal Investigator of the DeCidE1 study and Director of the Gynecologic Oncology Service at Stanford University speaks about IMV Announces Final Topline Results of the DeCidE1 Clinical Trial in Advanced Recurrent Ovarian Cancer.Link to Article:https://www.yahoo.com/now/imv-announces-final-topline-results-111100436.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALAhDmoRF2NQvBiTDvQ4PVTifWqPcfjrSLjPgkGwBSifYnlxQ066nMYSXTn7dGZIfkbLMbYWL8rJK3x3WQBAv2prfA712B5Dz6xDI8k1feWNneQ1P9oMfq1Vsp08EkMUFELt9bgR8-a63hmRM0VjHwB_FXsokCNrn7tB6yQRo10aLink to Study:https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02785250?cond=ovarian+cancer&spons=IMV&draw=2&rank=1IMV Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering a novel class of immunotherapies for difficult-to-treat cancers, today announced the topline results of the DeCidE1 Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating maveropepimut-S (formerly known as DPX-Survivac) in subjects with advanced recurrent ovarian cancer.The specifics of these translational assessments have been submitted for presentation at forthcoming scientific events.The DeCidE1 ResearchThe “DeCidE1” trial compared the…

Professor William North, Professor Emeritus of Physiology and Neurobiology at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College and was a Senior Faculty member of the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lead Consultant at Algernon Pharmaceuticals speaks about Algernon Pharmaceuticals Announces Small Cell Lung Cancer Ifenprodil Research Program and Appoints Dr. William North as Lead Consultant.Link to Article:https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/08/11/2278655/0/en/Algernon-Pharmaceuticals-Announces-Small-Cell-Lung-Cancer-Ifenprodil-Research-Program-and-Appoints-Dr-William-North-as-Lead-Consultant.htmlLink to Study:https://www.dovepress.com/small-cell-lung-cancer-growth-inhibition-synergism-between-nmda-recept-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-CPAAAlgernon Pharmaceuticals Inc., a clinical-stage pharmaceutical development company, is pleased to announce the launch of an NP-120 (“Ifenprodil”) small cell lung cancer (“SCLC”) research program and the appointment of Dr. William North, a cancer research pioneer and professor emeritus at Dartmouth College,…

Alexander I Spira, MD, Ph.D., FACP from the Virginia Cancer Specialists Research Institute, US Oncology Research speaks about Antitumor Activity of Amivantamab in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) with MET Exon 14 Skipping (METex14) Mutation: Initial Results from CHRYSALIS.Link to Studyhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02609776The Context:Breakthrough Therapy Designation has been granted to amivantamab (ami), an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-MET bispecific antibody, for the treatment of EGFR exon 20 insertion NSCLC that has progressed after platinum chemotherapy. The significance of ami in primary METex14 NSCLC is being investigated due to its bispecific character.Methodologies:The MET-2 cohort in the CHRYSALIS trial (NCT02609776) is administering the recommended…

Rajesh Balkrishnan, BS, MS, Ph.D., Professor Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia speaks about Associations between initiating antihypertensive regimens on stage I–III colorectal cancer outcomes: A Medicare SEER cohort analysis.Link to Article:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cam4.4088Abstract:Object -Colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with a high death rate in the United States, necessitating the investigation of new therapeutic options. Antihypertensive (AH) medicines have been shown in preclinical models to interfere with both tumor vasculature and immune cell recruitment to the tumor microenvironment. AH medicines have also been linked to better survival in various cancers, according to existing research. As a result, the goal of…

Kathryn Schmitz, Ph.D., MPH, a researcher at the Penn State Cancer Institute who chaired the ACSM’s roundtables – speaks about Good Moves – The field of exercise oncology is bringing benefits, hope to survivors of breast cancer. Link to Article:https://hms.harvard.edu/magazine/womens-health/good-moves?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=hms-twitter-generalLink to Moving Through Cancer:www.movingthoughcancer.comAs the boat glides downstream, the oars slice in and out of the water in synchrony. To the untrained eye, it appears to be just another bunch of rowers enjoying a beautiful day on the Charles River. But this all-female rowing crew has more than a passion for the sport: they are all breast cancer survivors who…

Yanhong Shi, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology at City of Hope speaks about Targeting PUS7 Suppresses tRNA Pseudouridylation And Glioblastoma Tumorigenesis.Link to Article:https://blog.cirm.ca.gov/2021/08/16/city-of-hope-researchers-discover-potential-therapy-to-treat-brain-tumors/Link to Full Study:https://www.nature.com/articles/s43018-021-00238-0Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor that commonly affects adults. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, this form of brain cancer has a dismal prognosis, with just 40% survival in the first year after diagnosis and 17% survival in the second year. Former US Senator John McCain and Beau Biden, the late son of US President Joe Biden, died as a result of this condition.Dr. Yanhong Shi and…

Anant Madabhushi, Ph.D., the Donnell Institute Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve, head of the Center for Computational Imaging and Personalized Diagnostics (CCIPD) and the Lewis Stokes Cleveland VA speaks about Artificial Intelligence Aids in Discovery of New Prognostic Biomarkers for Breast Cancer.Link to Article:https://www.newswise.com/articles/artificial-intelligence-aids-in-discovery-of-new-prognostic-biomarkers-for-breast-cancerNewswise — CLEVELAND—Scientists at Case Western Reserve University have identified new biomarkers for breast cancer that can predict whether cancer will return after treatment and can be identified from routinely acquired tissue biopsy samples of early-stage breast cancer using Artificial Intelligence (AI).Collagen, a ubiquitous protein present throughout the body, including breast tissue, is the…

Prof. Jonathan Ledermann from the UCL Cancer Institute, University College London speaks about eUpdate – Newly Diagnosed Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma Treatment Recommendations.Link to Abstract:https://www.esmo.org/guidelines/gynaecological-cancers/newly-diagnosed-and-relapsed-epithelial-ovarian-carcinoma/eupdate-newly-diagnosed-epithelial-ovarian-carcinoma-treatment-recommendations?hit=mail-opMaintenance therapy with the poly-adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors olaparib or niraparib after surgery and chemotaxis was investigated in three phase III trials (SOLO-1, PAOLA-1/ENGOT-ov25, and PRIMA/ENGOT-OV26) in newly diagnosed high-grade epithelial ovarian cancers (including fallopian tube and peritoneal) (PFS).SOLO1 looked at first-line maintenance monotherapy with olaparib for two years in women with FIGO stage III-IV ovarian cancer and a BRCA mutation who had a partial or complete response to platinum-based ChT.2 The primary findings showed…

Dr. Matthew Katz, radiation oncologist in Lowell, MA, speaks with Drs. Jack West & Charu Aggarwal about the evolution of social media in medicine, challenges of different platforms, & striving to communicate effectively with & educate broad populations.

Anita Kumar, MD from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center speaks about Brentuximab Vedotin Combined With Chemotherapy in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Early-Stage, Unfavorable-Risk Hodgkin Lymphoma.Link to Article:https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JCO.21.00108?bid=90385523&cid=DM8089Summary -Intention:Improve the prognosis for newly diagnosed early-stage (ES) unfavorable-risk Hodgkin lymphoma and reduce long-term side effects.Methodologies:Patients were given four cycles of brentuximab vedotin (BV) plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine in this multicenter trial with four consecutive cohorts (AVD). Patients were given 30-Gy involved-site radiation in cohort 1, 20-Gy involved-site radiotherapy in cohort 2, 30-Gy consolidation-volume radiotherapy in cohort 3, and no treatment in cohort 4 if PET-4 was negative. Patients with ES and…

Jeff M. Michalski, MD, MBA, FASTRO, Professor of Radiation Oncology at Washington University and the Siteman Cancer Center speaks about For Kids with Medulloblastoma, Trial Suggests Radiation Can Be Tailored.Link to Article:https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2021/medulloblastoma-low-dose-volume-radiationA one-size-fits-all strategy to radiation therapy for children and young people with medulloblastoma, a form of fast-growing brain cancer, may eventually be phased out. According to the findings of a big clinical research, some children can safely receive lower doses of radiation without compromising their long-term survival, while others may require the usual amounts.Although conventional therapies heal more than 80% of children with average-risk medulloblastoma, radiation can harm their…

Eric Klein, MD from the Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute at the Cleveland Clinic speaks about Blood Test That Detects 50 Cancers Before Symptoms Emerge Will Be Launched By The NHS This Year.Link to Article:https://inews.co.uk/news/health/blood-test-detects-50-cancers-symptoms-emerge-launched-nhs-2021-1070415The NHS in England will pilot a simple blood test that can identify more than 50 kinds of cancer before any symptoms appear this autumn, with the goal of making it available to one million patients by 2025.Scientists in the United States have discovered that the test is accurate enough to be used as a screening tool for those at higher risk of the illness, such…

Denise Riedel Lewis, Ph.D. from the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute speaks about the Survival outcomes for cancer types with the highest death rates for adolescents and young adults, 1975-2016.Link to Article:https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.33793#.YQHEKiOdOWo.twitterLink to Seer:http://www.seer.cancer.govSupport for interpreting this please see Table 1 for help, on the above website. Abstract:BACKGROUND:Depending on the kind of cancer, survival rates vary significantly. The goal of this study was to look at long-term survival patterns for cancer types that cause the most deaths among AYAs in order to figure out where the biggest problem is and where future research should be…

Sacha I. Rothschild, MD, Ph.D. from the Department of Medical Oncology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital Basel speaks about SAKK 16/14: Durvalumab in Addition to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients With Stage IIIA(N2) Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer—A Multicenter Single-Arm Phase II Trial.Link to Article:https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.21.00276?cid=DM8117&bid=91715470Summary -Intention:The SAKK 16/00 study found that neoadjuvant treatment with cisplatin and docetaxel followed by surgery resulted in a 1-year event-free survival (EFS) rate of 48 percent in patients with resectable stage IIIA(N2) non–small-cell lung cancer. The extra advantage of durvalumab perioperative therapy was explored.Methodologies:Three cycles of cisplatin 100 mg/m2 and docetaxel 85 mg/m2 were given every three…

Eyal Talor, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Cel-Sci speaks about CEL-SCI’S Multikine® Immunotherapy Produces significant 14.1% 5-Year Survival Benefits (62.7% VS 48.6%) In The Group Receiving Surgery Plus Radiotherapy In Landmark Head and Neck Cancer Phase 3 Study.Link to Article -https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210628005472/en/CEL-SCI%E2%80%99s-Multikine%C2%AE-Immunotherapy-Produces-Significant-14.1-5-Year-Survival-Benefit-62.7-Vs-48.6-in-the-Group-Receiving-Surgery-Plus-Radiotherapy-in-a-Landmark-Head-and-Neck-Cancer-Phase-3-StudyCEL-SCI Corporation reported today the findings of a 9.5-year pivotal Phase 3 trial of its immunotherapy Multikine® (Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection)* in the treatment of advanced (stages III and IV) primary (untreated) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).The study found a statistically significant (p=0.0236, HR=0.68) overall survival benefit of 14.1 percent with overall survival (OS) of 62.7 percent at…

Amy Turner, Ph.D. from the University of Leeds, The Astbury Centre, Tomlinsonlab@leeds speaks about New treatment approach targets cancer ‘Death Star’.Link to Article:https://healthcare-in-europe.com/en/news/new-treatment-approach-targets-cancer-death-star.htmlBecause of its capacity to withstand therapies, the mutant version of the RAS protein has been dubbed the “Death Star,” and it is present in 96 percent of pancreatic tumors and 54 percent of colorectal cancers. RAS is a vital protein for health, but it may be turned on for longer in its mutant version, leading to tumor development. Although one medication has been licensed for use, it can only treat a tiny portion of the overall number…

Monica Swahn, Ph.D. from the International Consortium for Advancing Research on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Department of Population Health Sciences, Georgia State University speaks about Prevalence and Mortality of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in West Africa: Biologic and Sociocultural Factors. Link to Article:https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/GO.21.00082?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmedAfrica is the world’s second-most populous continent. The continent has considerable physical, cultural, and population variety, with 54 nations spread over five geographical areas (Northern, Western, Middle, Eastern, and Southern Africa). Breast cancer (BC) has a wide range of incidence among African people. BC has become a major public health issue across the world. BC is the second-leading cause of cancer…

Ugochi Ogu, MD, an assistant professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center speaks about Ugochi Ogu, MD, and Team Discover Novel Variant of Sickle Cell Disease.Link to Article:https://news.uthsc.edu/ugochi-ogu-md-and-team-discover-novel-variant-of-sickle-cell-disease/Ugochi Ogu, MD, an assistant professor in the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s Division of Hematology and Oncology, and her colleagues have found a new kind of sickle cell illness.Sickle cell disease is a hereditary blood condition that causes faulty hemoglobin to be produced in the bloodstream. The condition requires two faulty copies of the gene, one from each parent, and the severity…

Dr. Larry Shulman of University of Pennsylvania meets with hosts Charu Aggarwal & Jack West to discuss the promise & challenges of telemedicine in the US & internationally, physician burnout, & the critical value of building programs for global oncology.

Shahid Gilani, MD from the University Hospital Of North Midlands speaks about Hypofractionated radiotherapy as a definitive treatment for Basal Cell Carcinoma: A single-institution experience.Link to Article:https://www.bir.org.uk/media/452155/part_2_-_virtual_bir_annual_radiotherapy_and_oncology_meeting_2021_programme.pdf

Shahid Gilani, MD from the University Hospital Of North Midlands speaks about the Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) in Cancer-Related Thromboembolism.Link to Article:https://www.actascientific.com/ASCB/pdf/ASCB-04-0257.pdf

Stella K. Kang, MD of the Departments of Radiology, NYU Langone Health speaks about Active Surveillance Strategies for Low-Grade Prostate Cancer: Comparative Benefits and Cost-effectiveness.Link to Abstract:https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/radiol.2021204321Overview:Backdrop:For low-risk prostate cancer, active surveillance (AS) is the preferred therapeutic strategy (PC). Surveillance varies by MRI, follow-up frequency, and the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score, which determines whether or not a biopsy should be repeated.Intention:The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of AS methods for low-risk PC with and without MRI.Components and Procedures:In this work, researchers created a mathematical model to assess the cost-effectiveness of…

Lluís Espinosa, MD from IMIM-Hospital del Mar and CIBERONC speaks about Optimising Metastatic Melanoma Therapy By Combining Two Treatments.Link to Article:https://www.healtheuropa.eu/optimising-metastatic-melanoma-therapy-by-combining-two-treatments/109884/Combining chemotherapy with BRAF oncogene inhibitors may be the most effective treatment for metastatic melanoma, according to a new study.Researchers from the Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Hospital del Mar, CIBER Cancer, and the Bellvitge Medical Research Institute collaborated on the study, which found that a combination of chemotherapy and BRAF oncogene inhibitors can successfully cure metastatic melanoma.The findings were reported in the Oncogene journal.Metastatic melanoma is the top cause of skin cancer mortality worldwide; now, breakthrough research might…

Theresa Deisher, Ph.D. from AVM Biotechnology speaks about FDA Approves Accelerated Dosing in Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma/Leukemia Clinical Trial.Link to Article:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210713005415/en/FDA-Approves-Accelerated-Dosing-in-Non-Hodgkin%E2%80%99s-LymphomaLeukemia-Clinical-TrialThree of the cohorts will be eliminated, and the gap between cohorts will be reduced, according to the authorized protocol change. It’s critical for this research to skip the 9, 12, and 15 mg/kg dosage requirements and go straight to the expected effective therapeutic dose of 18 mg/kg. According to preclinical studies and compassionate use data, the target effective dosage for the study’s expansion phase will be 18-21 mg/kg. By skipping the intermediate dosage levels, the dose-escalation component of the research should…

Joseph Chao, MD from the City of Hope speaks about the Assessment of Pembrolizumab Therapy for the Treatment of Microsatellite Instability-High Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer Among Patients in the KEYNOTE-059, KEYNOTE-061, and KEYNOTE-062 Clinical Trials.Link to Article:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33792646/Abstract:Immunotherapy has been linked to better outcomes in patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) cancers who have previously received treatment.The goal of this study was to compare the anticancer efficacy of pembrolizumab treatment to chemotherapy in MSI-H advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancer patients, independent of the line of therapy they received.Participants, setting, and design: Patients with advanced G/GEJ cancer from 52 sites…

Prof. Hemant Kocher, MBBS, MS, MD, FRCS from the Queen Mary University of London speaks about Pentraxin 3 is a stromally-derived biomarker for detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.Link to Article:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41698-021-00192-1Abstract:There are no good diagnostic indicators for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which is characterized by thick desmoplastic stroma laid down by pancreatic stellate cells (PSC). In an ethically authorized way, a multi-center cohort of PDAC patients and controls (chronic pancreatitis, intra-ductal papillary neoplasms, gallstones, and otherwise healthy) contributed serum. When compared to serum CA19-9 and CEA, serum PTX3 above 4.34 ng/mL has a higher sensitivity (86 percent, 95 percent confidence interval…

Yeonjoo Choi, MD from The Catholic University of Korea Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital speaks about T-cell Agonists In Cancer Immunotherapy.Link to Article:https://jitc.bmj.com/content/8/2/e000966Article:Cancer cells have the ability to avoid the body’s immune system. Immune checkpoint drugs, on the other hand, can stop this evasion and boost T cell antitumor activity. Targeting costimulatory molecules expressed on the surface of T cells, such as 4-1BB, OX40, inducible T-cell costimulator, and glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor, are further methods for boosting antitumor T-cell activity. CD40 also targets the regulation of antigen-presenting cell activation, which eventually leads to T-cell activation. These costimulatory molecule antagonists have…

Professor Peter Schmid, FRCP, MD, Ph.D., Professor of Cancer Medicine and Lead of the Centre of Experimental Cancer Medicine at Barts Cancer Institute speaks about the ESMO 2021 Abstract – KEYNOTE-522: PHASE III STUDY OF NEOADJUVANT PEMBROLIZUMAB + CHEMOTHERAPY VS. PLACEBO + CHEMOTHERAPY, FOLLOWED BY ADJUVANT PEMBROLIZUMAB VS. PLACEBO FOR EARLY-STAGE TNBC.Link to Abstract:https://www.annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534(19)60363-7/fulltextAbstract:Backstory:In the KEYNOTE-173 and I-SPY 2 trials, neoadjuvant pembro + chemo showed tolerable safety and potential antitumor efficacy in participants (pts) with early TNBC. In patients with early TNBC, KEYNOTE-522 (NCT03036488) is a pbo controlled phase III trial of neoadjuvant pembro + chemo followed by adjuvant pembro.Methodologies:Patients…

Sarbajit Mukherjee, MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Oncology in the Department of Medicine at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center speaks about Roswell Park Experts Highlight Opportunities to Improve Outcomes for People with Gastroesophageal CancerLink to Article:https://www.roswellpark.org/newsroom/202107-roswell-park-experts-highlight-opportunities-improve-outcomes-peopleDuring the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer 2021, two specialists from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center were asked to discuss new findings on the treatment of gastroesophageal malignancies. The Roswell Park physician-researchers emphasized easily adoptable approaches that may assist other physicians to deliver treatment that supports improved patient outcomes in their presentations, both of which were presented on July…

Ian Chau, MD, Consultant Medical Oncologist, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust speaks about The CheckMate 648, 649, and 577 Studies In Gastro-oesophageal Cancer.Link to Article:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210603005918/en/Bristol-Myers-Squibb-Presents-Data-from-CheckMate–648-Showing-Opdivo-plus-Chemotherapy-and-Opdivo-plus-Yervoy-Significantly-Improved-Overall-Survival-Compared-to-Chemotherapy-in-Unresectable-Advanced-or-Metastatic-Esophageal-Squamous-Cell-CarcinomaThe Phase 3 CheckMate -648 trial found that two Opdivo-based treatment combinations — Opdivo (nivolumab) plus chemotherapy and Opdivo plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) — had a statistically significant and clinically meaningful overall survival (OS) benefit compared to chemotherapy at the pre-specified interim analysis in patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. In this scenario, Opdivo + Yervoy is the first dual immunotherapy combination to show a better survival benefit than chemotherapy. Presented at…

Ellen Kim, MD, Medical Director, Dermatology Clinic, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, Professor of Dermatology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and the Lead Principal Investigator for the Phase 3 FLASH (Fluorescent Light Activated Synthetic Hypericin) study speaks about the USCLC 2021 Abstract – HyBryteâ„¢ Positive Pivotal Phase 3 FLASH Study Selected for Presentation at the United States Cutaneous Lymphoma Consortium (USCLC) Annual Meeting.Link to Article:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hybryte-positive-pivotal-phase-3-flash-study-selected-for-presentation-at-the-united-states-cutaneous-lymphoma-consortium-usclc-annual-meeting-301317045.htmlSoligenix, Inc., a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products to treat rare diseases with unmet medical needs, announced today that Ellen Kim, MD, Medical Director, Dermatology Clinic, Perelman Center for…

Adam Brufsky, M.D., Ph.D. from the Magee-Womens Cancer Program, part of the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – Utility of the 70-gene MammaPrint assay for prediction of benefit from extended letrozole therapy (ELT) in the NRG Oncology/NSABP B-42 trial.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/201562/abstractDescription:The MammaPrint (MP) test, which has 70 genes, predicts the probability of distant recurrence (DR) in hormone-receptor-positive early-stage breast cancer and categorizes it as Low Risk or High Risk. NSABP B-42 looked at ELT in patients (pts) who had been on adjuvant endocrine treatment for at least 5 years (tx). The major goal was to…

Debra Pratt, MD a Breast Surgeon at Cleveland Clinicspeaks about Breast Cancer: Finishing Treatment Soon After Diagnosis Increases Survival.Link to Article:https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2021/06/30/new-breast-cancer-study-finds-survival-increases-when-time-between-diagnosis-and-treatment-conclusion-is-limited/The observational research, which included more than 28,000 breast cancer patients enrolled in the American National Cancer Database and was published in the journal Annals of Surgical Oncology, is the biggest of its type to analyze breast cancer survival and time to completion for all treatments. It was shown that therapy for less than 38 weeks was related with a higher five-year survival rate of 89.9% compared to 83.3 percent for treatment for more than 38 weeks. This expands on…

Dharmesh Gopalakrishnan, MD, a Hematology-Oncology Fellow at Roswell Park speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in advanced sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (sRCC): A multicenter study.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/197617/abstractBackstory:Advanced sRCC is a dangerous cancer that responds poorly to chemotherapy and VEGF-targeted treatments. Even though the sample sizes were modest, subgroup analysis from randomized trials revealed that ICI improved outcomes.Methodologies:A multi-institutional retrospective investigation of consecutive patients (pts) with RCC and any sarcomatoid component who underwent systemic treatment for advanced illness was undertaken. The patients were divided into two groups (gp) based on whether or not they had received…

Oliver Rosen, MD, CMO of SQZ Biotechnologies speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – Initial results of a first-in-human, dose escalation study of a cell-based vaccine in HLA A*02+ patients (pts) with recurrent, locally advanced or metastatic HPV16+ solid tumors: SQZ-PBMC-HPV-101.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/196015/abstractBackstory:T cell activation and cancer vaccination effectiveness are limited by ineffective MHC-I presentation of tumor antigens to CD8+ T cells. The Cell Squeeze technique pushes peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) through a microfluidic chip, causing cell membrane rupture and cytosolic delivery of HPV16 E6 and E7 antigens. These antigen-presenting cells (APC) were not genetically modified and were matured…

Hosts Jack West and Charu Aggarwal meet with Dr. Vince Miller to discuss the process of deciding to move from academia to industry, the evolution of molecular marker testing, and the potential for EQRx to break the impasse of escalating cancer drug costs.

Josephine Lopes Cardozo, Ph.D. from the Netherlands Cancer Institute speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – Outcome of patients with an ultralow risk 70-gene signature in the MINDACT trial.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/201559/abstractBackstory:Gene signatures have been shown to be effective in identifying individuals with a low risk of distant recurrence who might avoid chemotherapy (CT) and are now included in worldwide breast cancer treatment guidelines. Within the low-risk group, an extra threshold was developed for the 70-gene signature (MammaPrint) to identify individuals with an ultralow risk of distant recurrence. These individuals exhibited good breast cancer-specific survival at 15 years in separate cohorts,…

Tony Kurian, MD, Oncology Fellow at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – Using tissue microarray to detect inflammasome signaling components that contribute to the pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndrome.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/196283/abstractBackground:Abnormal maturation, inefficient hematopoiesis, cytopenia, and the development of acute myeloid leukemia are all symptoms of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The etiology of MDS is complex, and it may be connected to innate immunological activation that converges on the NLRP3 inflammasome to cause pyroptosis, a caspase-1-dependent cell death. Both cell-extrinsic stimuli, such as S100A9, the TLR4, and CD33 ligand, and cell-intrinsic danger signals,…

Prof. Lukas Rob, MD, Ph.D., Head of Obstetrics and Gynecological Oncology at University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – Dendritic cell vaccine (DCVAC) combined with chemotherapy (CMT) in patients with newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) after primary debulking surgery (PDS): Biomarker exploratory analysis of a phase 2, open-label, randomized, multicenter trial. Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/195562/abstractBackstory:Despite PDS and CMT, the majority of EOC patients recur. Tumor antigens can be presented via autologous DCVAC to induce a long-lasting immune response. The addition of DCVAC to CMT increases antitumor immunity and improves clinical results, according to our hypothesis.Methodologies:FIGO stage…

Gianantonio Rosti, MD from the Università di Bologna speaks about OPTIC Primary Analysis: A Dose-Optimization Study of 3 Starting Doses of Ponatinib (PON).Link to Abstract:https://library.ehaweb.org/eha/2021/eha2021-virtual-congress/324561/jorge.e.cortes.optic.primary.analysis.a.dose-optimization.study.of.3.starting.html?f=listing%3D0%2Abrowseby%3D8%2Asortby%3D2%2Asearch%3DtkiS153 (Summary)Type of Presentation: OralResponse, resistance, and treatment-free remission in CML is the title of the session.Backstory:PON, a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), showed deep and long-lasting responses and survival in patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) who were resistant or intolerant to second-generation TKI therapy (PACE; NCT01207440); post-hoc analysis suggested a link between dose and both adverse events and response. The primary analysis of OPTIC (NCT02467270), a randomized, phase 2 study using a new…

Brian Van Tine, MD, Ph.D., associate professor of medical oncology, Washington University School of Medicine speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – SPEARHEAD-1: A phase 2 trial of afamitresgene autoleucel (Formerly ADP-A2M4) in patients with advanced synovial sarcoma or myxoid/round cell liposarcoma.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/195713/abstractBackstory:SPEARHEAD-1 (NCT04044768) is a phase 2 open-label experiment that will assess the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of afamitresgene autoleucel in 45 patients with advanced/metastatic synovial sarcoma or Myxoid/Round Cell Liposarcoma (MRCLS).Methodologies:HLA-A*02 positive patients with MAGE-A4-expressing malignancies are eligible. Pts are given leukapheresis to harvest autologous T-cells, which are then processed and turned into afamitresgene autoleucel cells. After…

Professor Gilles Salles from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – Long-term analyses from L-MIND, a phase II study of tafasitamab (MOR208) combined with lenalidomide (LEN) in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL).Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/197097/abstractDescription:L-MIND (NCT02399085) is an open-label Phase II trial of tafasitamab (MOR208), an Fc-modified, humanized anti-CD19 monoclonal antibody, in patients with R/R DLBCL who are ineligible for ASCT. We previously reported primary analyses and 2-year efficacy results; now we give an updated efficacy analysis with a 35-month follow-up (cut-off: October 30, 2020).Methodologies:Pts were 18 years old and…