Author: Editor

Susanna Curtis, MD of Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center speaks about the Study: Medical Marijuana Associated with Fewer Hospitalizations for Individuals Living with Sickle Cell Disease. According to a new report in Blood Advances, WASHINGTON, Aug. 13, 2020, /PRNewswire/ — Individuals with sickle cell disease ( SCD) who are obtaining medical marijuana to relieve pain may need less hospital visits. SCD adults who sought and received medicinal marijuana were less often admitted to the hospital than those who did not receive it. In the United States, SCD is the most prevalent hereditary red blood cell disease, affecting…

Erika P. Hamilton, MD Director, Breast Cancer and Gynecologic Cancer Research Program, Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Tennessee Oncology speaks about ESMO 2020 abstract –   ·         Initial clinical experience of lucitanib + nivolumab in advanced metastatic solid tumours: data from the phase 1b/2 LIO-1 study (CO-3810-101; NCT04042116) ·         LIO-1: A Phase 2 study of lucitanib + nivolumab in patients (pts) with gynaecological tumours (CO-3810-101; NCT04042116; ENGOT-GYN3/AGO/LIO)    

Neal Shore, MD at the Carolina Urologic Research Center discusses the ESCALATE Trial Potential Enhancement of Prostate Cancer Treatment Options: First Patient Randomized in Phase III Trial A Phase III Randomized Analysis Comparing Enzalutamide or Darolutamide with Radium-223 vs Enzalutamide or Darolutamide with Placebo and the Effect on Symptomatic Skeletal Event-Free Survival in mCRPC Patients, clinicaltrials.gov # NCT04237584, MANA RBM and CUSP report the randomization of the first participant in ESCALATE. For patients with metastatic prostate cancer that has progressed with initial androgen deprivation therapy (mCRPC), enrollment is scheduled. In addition to clinical outcome tests, patients will be randomized to…

Lillian Siu, MD of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre discusses ESMO 2020 abstract #524O, Proffered Paper: Initial Results of a Phase 1 Study of MK-4830, a First-in-Class Anti-Immunoglobulin-Like Transcript 4 (ILT4) Myeloid-Specific Antibody in Patients (Pts) With Advanced Solid Tumors. MK-4830, a myeloid-specific ILT4 receptor-targeted antibody given either as a single agent or in combination with pembrolizumab (Keytruda ®; Merck & Co.), was well tolerated and showed positive objective responses in patients with advanced solid tumors who were heavily pre-treated. This is the inference drawn from the results of a phase I dose-escalation analysis presented during the ESMO Virtual Congress…

Eric Jonasch, MD The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center ASCO 2020 Phase II study of the oral HIF-2α inhibitor MK-6482 for Von Hippel-Lindau disease-associated renal cell carcinoma.Context:Several cancers, including clear renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), are at risk in patients (pts) with Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL). VHL inactivation results in the constitutive activation of the transcription factor of HIF-2 aa, which drives the development of the tumor. In a phase 1/2 trial, MK-6482, a potent, selective, small-molecule HIF-2 alpha inhibitor, has shown favorable safety and antitumor activity. Initial findings of phase 2 open-label analysis of MK-6482 for the treatment…

Robert Coleman, MD, FACOG, FACS, Chief Scientific Officer US Oncology Research discusses ASCO 2020 A phase III randomized controlled trial of secondary surgical cytoreduction (SSC) followed by platinum-based combination chemotherapy (PBC), with or without bevacizumab (B) in platinum-sensitive, recurrent ovarian cancer (PSOC): A NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) study. Context: GOG-0213 is an international, open-label, randomized phase 3 trial of PSOC women with two objectives: 1) to research the addition of B to paclitaxel/carboplatin simultaneously and as maintenance; and 2) to determine the effect of SSC. Overall survival (OS) is the principal endpoint. The results of Objective 1 [HR 0.829;…

Erik A. Williams, MD of the Foundation Medicine, Inc. discusses CDKN2C-Null Leiomyosarcoma: A Novel, Genomically Distinct Class of TP53/RB1–Wild-Type Tumor With Frequent CIC Genomic Alterations and 1p/19q-Codeletion. INTENT Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) has recurrent mutations but few actionable genomic alterations in TP53 and RB1. Here, we searched for repeated actionable genomic changes in LMS that occur in the absence of popular oncogenic drivers that are not treatable. Tissues from 276,645 unique advanced cancers were sequenced by hybrid-capture-based next-generation DNA and RNA sequencing / comprehensive genomic profiling of up to 406 genes, including 2,570 uterine and soft tissue LMS. Clinicopathologic characteristics of related…

Paolo Ghia, MD, Ph.D. of Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele speaks about ASCEND: Phase III, Randomized Trial of Acalabrutinib Versus Idelalisib Plus Rituximab or Bendamustine Plus Rituximab in Relapsed or Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic LeukemiaIntent —In this national, multicenter, randomized, open-label phase III review, acalabrutinib, a highly selective, active Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was evaluated in patients with relapsed / refractory (R / R) chronic lymphocytic leukemia ( CLL).METHODSQualified patients, aged 18 years with R / R CLL, were randomly allocated 1:1 centrally and stratified by del(17p) status, success status score of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, and a number of prior…

Xiang Cheng Ph.D. and Feng Geng Ph.D. from Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center discusses Blocking Fat Storage Might Offer New Way to Treat Most Lethal Form of Brain Cancer. Glioblastoma (GBM) has an average survival of 12-15 months, a period that has remained unchanged for two decades. GBM cells accumulate fats in lipid droplets and use them as energy for rapid cell division. This study shows that blocking an enzyme used to form the lipid droplets might be a new way to treat this deadly disease. COLUMBUS, Ohio – Glioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal form of brain cancer that…

S. Michelle Shiller, DO, AP/CP, MGP at PathGroup discusses how the Pan-Cancer Consortium Moves to Clarify and Promote Consistent Use of Common Terms for Biomarker and Germline Genetic Testing A white paper outlining guidelines for the use of research terms in precision medicine for patient education in the cancer world has been released by a LUNGevity Foundation-led coalition of 41 leading patient advocacy groups, professional societies, and industry partners. The use of clear terminology will greatly increase patient knowledge and comprehension of possible lifesaving testing strategies available for both new diagnosis of cancer and disease progression or recurrence. Research shows…

Ari Melnick, MDof Weill Cornell Medicine discusses winning the  American Society of Hematology Ernest Beutler Lecture and Prize. ASH will award the 2020 Ernest Beutler Lecture and Prize to Ari Melnick, MD of Weill Cornell Medicine in New York and Courtney DiNardo, MD, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for their valuable research contributions to the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia through an enhanced understanding of epigenetics.   Named for the late Ernest Beutler, MD, former president of ASH and physician-scientist for more than 50 years, the Ernest Beutler Lecture is a two-part lectureship that recognizes significant translational…

Edward J. Benz, Jr., MD at Dana Farber discusses his award from American Society of Hematology Leadership in Promoting Diversity and the road ahead. The 2020 ASH Award for Leadership in Promoting Diversity will be awarded to Edward J. Benz, Jr., MD, President and CEO Emeritus of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Massachusetts and the Richard and Susan Smith Distinguished Professor at Harvard Medical School in Massachusetts. Dr. Benz is being honored for his efforts to promote women and underrepresented minority hematologists throughout the course of his career. The ASH Award for Leadership in Promoting Diversity honors hematologists who have…

Ammar Chaudhry, MD at City of Hope discusses an abstract from AACR 2020 entitled Randiomic prediction of survival in recurrent high-grade glioma patients

Shailja Shah, MD, MPH. at Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center discusses a Study which gauges specific site gastric cancer risks among ethnic groups Compared to non-Hispanic white Americans, non-white Americans, especially Asian Americans, are at a disproportionately higher risk for gastric cancer. According to specific ethnicities and locations within the stomach, a new study breaks down this risk. The California Cancer Registry data for the seven largest Asian American populations (Chinese, Japanese , Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, South Asian and Southeast Asian) as well as for non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanic populations were analyzed in the study published Aug. 6 in…

Nick Smith-Stanley, MBA, Associate Director of Administration & Strategic Planning of the LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School speaks about Addressing the Disparity of Women in Oncology. The Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE), piloted in 2019, is the first of its kind to directly discuss the gap in oncology among women. Learn about the SHE program creation, which hosts juniors and seniors identified as women to engage in a week-long immersion program that introduces them to the biology, science, and treatment of cancer. These students also attend leadership and preparation activities during the week that can apply to any area they…

Michael Wang, MD at MD Anderson discusses Kite Pharma’s FDA Approves First Cell-Based Gene Therapy For Adult Patients with Relapsed or Refractory MCLUS. U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) has granted TecartusTM (brexucabtagene autoleucel, formerly KTE-X19), the first and only approved chimerical antigen receptor (CAR ) T cell therapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Following a priority review and FDA Breakthrough Therapy Classification, approval of this one-time therapy is based on the findings of ZUMA-2, a single-arm, open-label trial in which 87 percent of patients responded to a single Tecartus…

Greg Hiebert, Leadership Educator, Coach, and Consultant of Leadership Forward discusses Leadership Resilience and Post Traumatic Growth & Live. Great leaders provide their teams and organizations with calm, trust, and courage. Particularly during great storms, struggles, and adversities, surely like the immense COVID-19 has had an effect on our delivery networks for healthcare. Whether or not you are in a leadership position during your cancer program or work, leadership position or serve as an “informal” leader and/or mentor, learn how to turn challenging experiences into constructive learning and development for yourself and others. Come away with research-based mindsets, skillsets, and…

David R. Gandara, MD at MDAnderson discusses Guardant Health’s FDA approval of the Guardant360 CDx which delivers critical genomic information to oncologists from a simple blood draw Guardant Wellness, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH) estimates that the United States is Guardant360 ® CDx for tumor mutation profiling, also known as systematic genomic profiling (CGP), has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) in patients with any solid malignant neoplasm (cancerous tumor). In order to recognize non-small cell lung cancer patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) alterations who may benefit from Tagrisso ® (osimertinib) therapy, Guardant360 CDx is also…

Minesh P Mehta MD, FASTRO @BaptistHealthSF High- vs Low-Dose Radiation for Adult Low-Grade Glioma

Miguel Ferreira, MSc of GlobalData discusses how the Hodgkin’s lymphoma market to suffer with Adcetris patent expiry but benefit from new competitive landscape, says GlobalData. Adcetris is the world’s 7MM * (US, 5EU and Japan) market-leading drug and has been the major contributor to the market development of Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) in recent years. In this currently rising market, the initial patent expiry in the US in 2024 is projected to lead to stagnation. However, a new competitive environment that will provide an incentive for new businesses looking to join the HL market might compensate for this, says GlobalData, a…

Stephen B. Edge MD, FACS, FASCO of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center speaks about the ASCO 2020 Going off pathway: Problem or good care? Bottom line: Decision support and benchmarking against national standards are supported by clinical oncology pathways (COP). Some organizations offer financial incentives to use care recommended by the COP (on the pathway: OnP). Recommended Rx (off-pathway: OffP) treatment (Rx) other than COP is sufficient for certain cases. Restricted data on the appropriateness of OffP Rx is available. This research explores rates and explanations in one cancer center for OffP Rx. Approaches: Both systemic Rx decisions entered into…

Kazuhiko Matsuoka, PhD Medical University of Vienna Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common form of aggressive bone cancer. A MedUni Vienna study, led by geneticist Erwin Wagner, has uncovered new insights into the disease mechanisms of OS, paving the way for potential new diagnostic and treatment strategies for fighting the bone disease. The most prevalent type of aggressive bone cancer is osteosarcoma (OS). New insights into the disease mechanisms of OS have been discovered in a MedUni Vienna study led by geneticist Erwin Wagner, paving the way for future new diagnosis and treatment methods for combating bone disease. The paper…

Mikkael Sekeres, MD @CleClinicMD @TakedaPharma FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation Granted for Pevonedistat for the Treatment of Patients with Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (HR-MDS) US. U.S. The Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) has awarded Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS) for its investigational drug pevonedistat. Pevonedistat, a first-in-class NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE) inhibitor, may be the first innovative treatment in more than a decade for HR-MDS patients, extending treatment choices that have so far been limited to monotherapy alone with hypomethylating agent (HMA). Even with the latest care options, outcomes remain low for people living…

Melissa Ann Geller, MD of the University of Minnesota speaks about the ASCO 2020 abstract APOLLO: A phase I study of adaptive memory natural killer (NK) cells in recurrent ovarian cancer. Background: A subset of long-lived CD57+NKG2C+ adaptive NK cells with increased antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and resistance to tumor-suppressive mechanisms is caused by human cytomegalovirus ( CMV) infection. To manufacture modulated adaptive NK cells (FATE-NK100) from CMV+ haploidentical donors for adoptive transfer, we developed a 7-day culture method using a GSK3 inhibitor and IL-15. Phase I Apollo trial measures the maximum tolerated / maximum feasible dose (MTD / MFD) of…

Marwan Fakih, MD at City of Hope discusses an abstract from AACR20 entitled Efficacy and Safety of Pembrolizumab in Previously Treated Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumors: Results From the Phase II KEYNOTE-158 Study Abstract Purpose: KEYNOTE-158 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02628067) investigated the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab across multiple cancers. We present results from patients with previously treated advanced well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NET). Patients and methods: Pembrolizumab 200 mg was administered every 3 weeks for 2 years or until progression, intolerable toxicity, or physician/patient decision. Tumor imaging was performed every 9 weeks for the first year and then every 12 weeks. Endpoints included…

Anca Chelariu- Raicu, MD of MD Anderson Cancer Center speaks about the ASCO 2020 abstract Phase I/II study of weekly topotecan and gefitinib in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer. Background: In several forms of cancer, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is expressed. EGFR may be overexpressed by fifty to 70% of the epithelial ovary, and its expression has in many cases been associated with poor prognostic characteristics. While these tumors are chemosensitive to platinum-based treatment, they also establish chemoresistance. We conducted a phase I / II trial to investigate the effectiveness, efficacy, and toxicity of…

Jennifer Baker Flechtner, Ph.D. – Genocea Biosciences Inc’s Chief Scientific Officer discusses Genocea to Present Data that Reveal New Understanding of ATLASTM-Identified InhibigenTM Biology at AACR Virtual Annual Meeting II CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 22, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Genocea Biosciences, Inc. ( NASDAQ: GNCA), a biopharmaceutical company that develops next-generation neoantigen immunotherapies, today presented preclinical evidence at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Virtual Annual Meeting II that provides fresh and significant insights into the biology and actions of inhibitory neoantigen (InhibigensTM) The results are based on previous research presented at SITC 2019 that showed that the involvement of…

J. Mel Sorensen, MD President, and Chief Executive Officer Galera Thereptutics, Inc gives an overview from ASCO 2020 abstract entitled ROMAN: Reduction in oral mucositis with avasopasem manganese (GC4419)–phase III trial in patients receiving chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced, nonmetastatic head and neck cancer. Background: Around 70 % of patients receiving intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plus cisplatin for locally advanced head and neck cancer (HNC) develop SOM, identified as WHO Grade 3 or 4, which restricts the ability of patients to absorb solids (Gr 3) or liquids (Gr 4, requiring enteral nutrition). An RT-induced superoxide burst initiates the production of oral mucositis…

Petros Grivas, MD, PhD Seattle Cancer Care Alliance discusses FDA Approves Avelumab (BAVENCIO) as First-Line Maintenance Treatment for Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial CarcinomaThe approval is focused on the findings of the JAVELIN Bladder 100 Phase III trial, which showed a substantial 7.1-month increase in median overall survival ( OS) relative to BSC alone with BAVENCIO as first-line maintenance plus best supportive treatment (BSC): 21.4 months (95 % CI: 18.9 to 26.1) vs. 14.3 months (95 % CI: 12.9 to 17.9).1 This statistically significant improvement in BSC alone Based on high initial response rates, platinum-based chemotherapy is currently…

Jonathan Cheng, MD Merck – Vice President Clinical Research discusses KEYTRUDA Is the First Single-Agent, Anti-PD-1 Therapy Approved for the First-Line Treatment of These Patients Approval Received Less Than One Month Following Submission of sBLA Application Based on Results of KEYNOTE-177

Aurélien Marabelle, MD at Gustave Roussy discusses the FDA Approval of Second Biomarker-Based Indication for Pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA) The FDA issued accelerated clearance, regardless of tumor type, for the second biomarker-based indication for Merck’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) anti-PD-1 therapy. The therapy is now indicated for adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) (≥10 mutations / megabase) solid tumors (determined by an FDA-approved test) that progressed after previous treatment and for which there are no appropriate alternative therapies. Pembrolizumab enhances the body’s immune system’s ability to help recognize and kill tumor cells by blocking the interaction between the…

Chandra Belani, MD Chief Science Officer – IASLC discusses IASLC: New Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines Will Save Lives Scientists have found an oncogene (a gene causing cancer) that is responsible for glioblastoma, the most deadly brain tumor. For a cancer that is often terminal, the finding provides a promising new therapeutic target. The researchers claim that for the survival of cancer cells, the oncogene is important. Cancer cells die without it. Scientists have already developed several targeted treatments with a similar “oncogene addiction” for other cancers. Glioblastoma Targeting Oncogenes are genes that arise normally and spiral out of control and…

Hui Li, PhD at Univeristy of Virginia UVA IDs Gene Responsible for Deadly Glioblastoma Scientists have found an oncogene (a gene causing cancer) that is responsible for glioblastoma, the most deadly brain tumor. For a cancer that is often terminal, the finding provides a promising new therapeutic target. The researchers claim that for the survival of cancer cells, the oncogene is important. Cancer cells die without it. Scientists have already developed several targeted treatments with a similar “oncogene addiction” for other cancers. Glioblastoma Targeting Oncogenes are genes that arise normally and spiral out of control and cause cancer. AVIL, the…

Wendy Stock, MD of University of Chicago receives 2020 Mentor Award Recipient The Anjuli Seth Nayak Professor of Leukemia at the University of Chicago School of Medicine is Dr. Stock, the clinical awardee. She is vice chair of the Alliance’s Leukemia and Leukemia Correlative Sciences Committee, a joint clinical trials organization funded by the National Institutes of Health’s (NCI) National Cancer Institute. She previously worked for 15 years as co-leader of the Hematopoiesis and Hematological Malignancies Program of the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center, and as co-chair of the Leukemia Steering Committee of the NCI National Clinical Trials Network…

Sigrun Hallmeyer, MD at ACCC discusses Immuno-Oncology and What Lies Ahead

Michael Wang, MD from MD Anderson discusses a paper from Nature entitled Durable response with single-agent acalabrutinib in patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma. Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors have substantially expanded the range of treatment choices for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) [1,2,3,4]. Acalabrutinib is a highly selective, orally administered, and active, off-target BTK inhibitor[5]. Acalabrutinib was approved for treatment of relapsed / refractory MCL by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2017 on the basis of clinical evidence from the open-label, multicenter, phase 2 ACE-LY-004 acalabrutinib 100 mg twice daily[1]. Here, after a 26 month median…

Steve Shak Exact Sciences Chief Medical Officer discusses Oncotype DX Genomic Prostate Score® Result Shows for the First Time the Value of the Test to Guide Treatment Plans for Unfavorable Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients

Timothy A. Yap, MD from MD Anderson discusses an abstract from Journal of Clinical Oncology entitled Phase I Trial of First-in-Class ATR Inhibitor M6620 (VX-970) as Monotherapy or in Combination With Carboplatin in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors Intent Preclinical studies have shown that ATR inhibition as monotherapy and combined with DNA-damaging drugs such as carboplatin can manipulate synthetic lethality (e.g. in cancer cells with compromised compensatory DNA damage responses due to ATM loss). PATIENTS AND METHODS  The ATR inhibitor M6620 (VX-970) was tested in this phase I trial as monotherapy (once or twice weekly) and combined with carboplatin (carboplatin…

Christopher Jakubowski, MD The Johns Hopkins discusses an abstract from The Journal of Clinical Oncology entitled Response to Crizotinib in ROS1 Fusion–Positive Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Murray Brunt, MBBS, FRCR, FRCP The Institute of Cancer discusses an article in The Journal of Clinical Oncology entitled Ten-Year Results of FAST: A Randomized Controlled Trial of 5-Fraction Whole-Breast Radiotherapy for Early Breast Cancer Intent — Earlier studies of hypofractionated whole-breast adjuvant radiotherapy for early breast cancer developed a standard 15- or 16-fraction (fr) protocol. Normal tissue effects (NTE) and disease outcomes after 5-fr regimens were evaluated in the Quick Trial (CRUKE/04/015). Ten-year outcomes are given. METHODS Women aged 50 years with low-risk invasive breast carcinoma (pT1-2 pN0) were randomly assigned to either 50 Gy/25 fr (5 weeks) or…

Daniel Persky, MD @UAZCance #ASCO20 Positron Emission Tomography–Directed Therapy for Patients With Limited-Stage Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Results of Intergroup National Clinical Trials Network Study S1001 Intent In 25 percent to 30 percent of patients, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is presented as a limited-stage disease, with better overall survival ( OS) than that for advanced-stage disease, but with continuous relapse regardless of treatment strategy. Rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) and radiation therapy are the recommended medications. We designed a National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) study to enhance findings and decrease toxicity on the basis of promising outcomes…

Dan Paul Zandberg, MD at UPMC discusses an ASCO 2020 abstract entitled The impact of tumor hypoxia on the clinical efficacy of anti-PD-1 mAb treatment in recurrent/metastatic HNSCC patients (R/M) Bottom line: Anti-PD-1 mAbs have changed the R / M HNSCC treatment landscape, but the physical, immunological, and metabolic barriers present in the tumor microenvironment are likely drivers of low response rates. Hypoxia is a well-established feature of the microenvironment of the tumor and can act as an obstacle to the infiltration and function of T cells. In R / M HNSCC patients, we assessed the effect of hypoxia on…

Ari Rosenberg, MD at The University of Chicago discusses an abstract from ASCO 2020 entitled Dose and volume de-escalation for HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer: Long-term follow-up of the OPTIMA trial Bottom line: Human papilloma virus (HPV) related oropharyngeal cancer has a good prognosis, but conventional multimodality treatment is associated with significant toxicity associated with treatment. A model for treatment de-escalation that optimizes oncological results while reducing toxicity is needed. We tried to further expound our reported OPTIMA results with long-term follow-up and subsequently treated additional pts using the OPTIMA treatment paradigm. Approaches: There was a long-term follow-up of our institutional OPTIMA…

Professor Galina Velikova, MD of the Leeds Institute of Medical Research discusses the ASCO abstract Phase III randomized controlled trial of eRAPID (electronic patient self-Reporting of Adverse-events: Patient Information and advice)—An eHealth intervention during chemotherapy Bottom line: Routine monitoring of the symptoms of patients may improve control of symptoms, quality of life ( QOL), and survival. ERAPID is an online patient reporting system, offering uniquely automated, severity-dependent guidance (self-management or hospital contact alerts). We measured the effect of eRAPID on patient experience & clinical treatment. Methodology: A prospective randomized trial of the two-arm parallel-group (1:1 Normal Treatment (UC) allocation: UC+eRAPID).…

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

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

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

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

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

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