Author: Editor

Prof. Jesús García-Foncillas, MD, Ph.D., is currently the Director of the University Cancer Institute and the Department of Oncology at the “Fundacion Jimenez Diaz” University Hospital (Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain) and Professor of Oncology at the Autonomous University of Madrid. He combines this with the roles of Director of the Translational Oncology Division at the Health Research Institute FJD-UAM (Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain) and Coordinator of the Comprehensive Cancer Program of four University Hospitals at Madrid (Fundacion Jimenez Diaz, Infanta Elena Hospital, Rey Juan Carlos Hospital, and Collado-Villalba Hospital). Prof Garcia-Foncillas obtained his MD from the School of…

Prof. Jesús García-Foncillas, MD, Ph.D., is currently the Director of the University Cancer Institute and the Department of Oncology at the “Fundacion Jimenez Diaz” University Hospital (Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain) and Professor of Oncology at the Autonomous University of Madrid. He combines this with the roles of Director of the Translational Oncology Division at the Health Research Institute FJD-UAM (Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain) and Coordinator of the Comprehensive Cancer Program of four University Hospitals at Madrid (Fundacion Jimenez Diaz, Infanta Elena Hospital, Rey Juan Carlos Hospital, and Collado-Villalba Hospital). Prof Garcia-Foncillas obtained his MD from the School of…

Gary Winzelberg, MD, MPH, Associate Professor, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Associate Director, UNC Palliative Care Program, Director, Hospice, and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program speaks about Let’s Target The Tough Stuff.Dr. Gary Winzelberg, Palliative Medicine & Geriatrics Physician at the University of North Carolina, discusses questions surrounding end-of-life care in Bladder Cancer.Link to JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY A S C O S P E C I A L A R T I C L E Integration of Palliative Care Into Standard Oncology Care: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline Update:https://www.asco.org/practice-patients/guidelines/patient-and-survivor-care#/9671The goal is to:To provide evidence-based recommendations to oncology clinicians,…

Gary Winzelberg, MD, MPH, Associate Professor, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Associate Director, UNC Palliative Care Program, Director, Hospice, and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program speaks about Let’s Target The Tough Stuff.Dr. Gary Winzelberg, Palliative Medicine and Geriatrics Physician at the University of North Carolina, discusses questions surrounding end-of-life care in Bladder Cancer.Link to JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY A S C O S P E C I A L A R T I C L E Integration of Palliative Care Into Standard Oncology Care: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline Update:https://www.asco.org/practice-patients/guidelines/patient-and-survivor-care#/9671The goal is to:To provide evidence-based recommendations to oncology clinicians,…

Miranda Gogishvili, MD High Technology Medical Center, University Clinic speaks about ESMO 2021 Abstract – LBA51 – EMPOWER-Lung 3: Cemiplimab in combination with platinum doublet chemotherapy for first-line (1L) treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/empower-lung-3-cemiplimab-in-combination-with-platinum-doublet-chemotherapy-for-first-line-1l-treatment-of-advanced-non-small-cell-lung-cancerAbstract LBA51Background:EMPOWER-Lung 3 is a two-part, randomized Phase 3 trial of 1L therapy in patients with advanced (Stage III/IV) squamous (SQ) or non-squamous (NSQ) NSCLC who do not have actionable mutations (NCT03409614). The study’s double-blind Part 2 enrolled patients regardless of their PD-L1 levels and compared the clinical activity and safety of cemiplimab, an anti-PD-1, plus (+) platinum-based chemotherapy to (vs) placebo…

Miranda Gogishvili, MD High Technology Medical Center, University Clinic speaks about ESMO 2021 Abstract – LBA51 – EMPOWER-Lung 3: Cemiplimab in combination with platinum doublet chemotherapy for first-line (1L) treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/empower-lung-3-cemiplimab-in-combination-with-platinum-doublet-chemotherapy-for-first-line-1l-treatment-of-advanced-non-small-cell-lung-cancerAbstract LBA51Background:EMPOWER-Lung 3 is a two-part, randomized Phase 3 trial of 1L therapy in patients with advanced (Stage III/IV) squamous (SQ) or non-squamous (NSQ) NSCLC who do not have actionable mutations (NCT03409614). The study’s double-blind Part 2 enrolled patients regardless of their PD-L1 levels and compared the clinical activity and safety of cemiplimab, an anti-PD-1, plus (+) platinum-based chemotherapy to (vs) placebo…

Melissa L. Johnson, MD, Associate Director, Lung Cancer Research, Sarah Cannon Research Institute speaks about Rovalpituzumab Tesirine as a Maintenance Therapy After First-Line Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Patients With Extensive-Stage–SCLC: Results From the Phase 3 MERU Study.Link to Article:https://www.jto.org/article/S1556-0864(21)02067-0/fulltextAbstract:Introduction:DLL3, an unusual Notch ligand expressed in SCLC tumors, is targeted by Rovalpituzumab tesirine (Rova-T), an antibody-drug combination. After platinum-based chemotherapy, we compared the effectiveness of Rova-T vs placebo as a maintenance treatment in patients with advanced-stage–SCLC.Methods:MERU was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in its third phase. Patients who had not progressed following four rounds of platinum-based front-line treatment were given 0.3 mg/kg…

Melissa L. Johnson, MD, Associate Director, Lung Cancer Research, Sarah Cannon Research Institute speaks about Rovalpituzumab Tesirine as a Maintenance Therapy After First-Line Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Patients With Extensive-Stage–SCLC: Results From the Phase 3 MERU Study.Link to Article:https://www.jto.org/article/S1556-0864(21)02067-0/fulltextAbstract:Introduction:DLL3, an unusual Notch ligand expressed in SCLC tumors, is targeted by Rovalpituzumab tesirine (Rova-T), an antibody-drug combination. After platinum-based chemotherapy, we compared the effectiveness of Rova-T vs placebo as a maintenance treatment in patients with advanced-stage–SCLC.Methods:MERU was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in its third phase. Patients who had not progressed following four rounds of platinum-based front-line treatment were given 0.3 mg/kg…

Andrew J. Armstrong, MD, Professor of Medicine, Surgery, Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke Cancer Institute speaks about the ESMO 2021 Abstract – LBA25 – Final overall survival (OS) analysis from ARCHES: A phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo (PBO)-controlled study of enzalutamide (ENZA) + androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC).Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/final-overall-survival-os-analysis-from-arches-a-phase-iii-randomized-double-blind-placebo-pbo-controlled-study-of-enzalutamide-enza-anAbstract LBA25Background:ENZA + ADT, compared to PBO + ADT, decreased the risk of radiographic progression and improved secondary outcomes in males with mHSPC in the ARCHES (NCT02677896) study. The final OS (after 356 events), a significant secondary objective in ARCHES and an important benchmark…

Andrew J. Armstrong, MD, Professor of Medicine, Surgery, Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke Cancer Institute speaks about the ESMO 2021 Abstract – LBA25 – Final overall survival (OS) analysis from ARCHES: A phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo (PBO)-controlled study of enzalutamide (ENZA) + androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC).Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/final-overall-survival-os-analysis-from-arches-a-phase-iii-randomized-double-blind-placebo-pbo-controlled-study-of-enzalutamide-enza-anAbstract LBA25Background:ENZA + ADT, compared to PBO + ADT, decreased the risk of radiographic progression and improved secondary outcomes in males with mHSPC in the ARCHES (NCT02677896) study. The final OS (after 356 events), a significant secondary objective in ARCHES and an important benchmark…

Joleen M. Hubbard, MD, Oncology Department, Mayo Clinic speaks about the ESMO 2021 Abstract – 507TiP – PRESERVE 1: A phase III, randomized, double-blind trial of trilaciclib versus placebo in patients receiving FOLFOXIRI/bevacizumab for metastatic colorectal cancer.   Link to Abstract: https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/preserve-1-a-phase-iii-randomized-double-blind-trial-of-trilaciclib-versus-placebo-in-patients-receiving-folfoxiri-bevacizumab-for-metastatic-co 507TiP Abstract:Background:Based on results from three randomized, placebo-controlled phase II studies, the FDA has authorized trilaciclib, an intravenous (IV) kinase inhibitor that preserves hematopoeitic stem and progenitor cells following chemotherapy exposure. In another randomized phase II study, giving trilaciclib before chemotherapy had modest myeloprotective effects but increased overall survival in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (OS).Design of the…

Joleen M. Hubbard, MD, Oncology Department, Mayo Clinic speaks about the ESMO 2021 Abstract – 507TiP – PRESERVE 1: A phase III, randomized, double-blind trial of trilaciclib versus placebo in patients receiving FOLFOXIRI/bevacizumab for metastatic colorectal cancer.Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/preserve-1-a-phase-iii-randomized-double-blind-trial-of-trilaciclib-versus-placebo-in-patients-receiving-folfoxiri-bevacizumab-for-metastatic-co507TiP Abstract:Background:Based on results from three randomized, placebo-controlled phase II studies, the FDA has authorized trilaciclib, an intravenous (IV) kinase inhibitor that preserves hematopoeitic stem and progenitor cells following chemotherapy exposure. In another randomized phase II study, giving trilaciclib before chemotherapy had modest myeloprotective effects but increased overall survival in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (OS).Design of the experiment:PRESERVE 1 (NCT04607668) is…

Ignace B. Vergote, MD, Ph.D., Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Gynaecologic Oncology at the Catholic University of Leuven speaks about ESMO 2021 Abstract – 723MO – Tisotumab vedotin (TV) + carboplatin (Carbo) in first-line (1L) or + pembrolizumab (Pembro) in previously treated (2L/3L) recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer (r/mCC): Interim results of ENGOT-Cx8/GOG-3024/innovaTV 205 study.Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/tisotumab-vedotin-tv-carboplatin-carbo-in-first-line-1l-or-pembrolizumab-pembro-in-previously-treated-2l-3l-recurrent-or-metastatic-cAbstract 723MOBackground:In previously treated r/mCC, TV exhibited persistent activity (objective response rate [ORR]=24 percent; median duration of response [mDOR]=8.3 mo) with manageable safety (Lancet Oncol. 2021; 22:609-619). The results of the 2-part, multi-cohort phase Ib/II study ENGOT-cx8/GOG-3024/innovaTV 205 in r/mCC…

Ignace B. Vergote, MD, Ph.D., Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Gynaecologic Oncology at the Catholic University of Leuven speaks about ESMO 2021 Abstract – 723MO – Tisotumab vedotin (TV) + carboplatin (Carbo) in first-line (1L) or + pembrolizumab (Pembro) in previously treated (2L/3L) recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer (r/mCC): Interim results of ENGOT-Cx8/GOG-3024/innovaTV 205 study.Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/tisotumab-vedotin-tv-carboplatin-carbo-in-first-line-1l-or-pembrolizumab-pembro-in-previously-treated-2l-3l-recurrent-or-metastatic-cAbstract 723MOBackground:In previously treated r/mCC, TV exhibited persistent activity (objective response rate [ORR]=24 percent; median duration of response [mDOR]=8.3 mo) with manageable safety (Lancet Oncol. 2021; 22:609-619). The results of the 2-part, multi-cohort phase Ib/II study ENGOT-cx8/GOG-3024/innovaTV 205 in r/mCC…

Merle Ronden, MD Department of Radiation Oncology, VU University Medical Center speaks about The Impact of the Availability of Immunotherapy on Patterns of Care in Stage III NSCLC: A Dutch Multicenter Analysis.Link to Abstract:https://www.jtocrr.org/article/S2666-3643(21)00054-0/fulltextOverview:Intro:Treatment for stage III NSCLC varies a lot from country to country. Adjuvant durvalumab following concurrent chemoradiotherapy improved progression-free and overall survival in the PACIFIC study (CCRT). Between 2015 and 2019, we looked at treatment decisions made by three Dutch regional thoracic multidisciplinary tumor boards to see if there were any changes in practice when adjuvant durvalumab became accessible.Methodologies:Patients with stage III NSCLC had their information obtained…

Merle Ronden, MD Department of Radiation Oncology, VU University Medical Center speaks about The Impact of the Availability of Immunotherapy on Patterns of Care in Stage III NSCLC: A Dutch Multicenter Analysis.Link to Abstract:https://www.jtocrr.org/article/S2666-3643(21)00054-0/fulltextOverview:Intro:Treatment for stage III NSCLC varies a lot from country to country. Adjuvant durvalumab following concurrent chemoradiotherapy improved progression-free and overall survival in the PACIFIC study (CCRT). Between 2015 and 2019, we looked at treatment decisions made by three Dutch regional thoracic multidisciplinary tumor boards to see if there were any changes in practice when adjuvant durvalumab became accessible.Methodologies:Patients with stage III NSCLC had their information obtained…

Dr. Aaron Goodman of UCSD speaks with hosts Jack West and Charu Aggarwal explaining the remarkable level of engagement he achieves in offering medical education on hematology via Twitter, especially his wildly successful polls.

Marshall R. Posner, MD, Director of Head and Neck Medical Oncology at The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai speaks about the ESMO 2021 Abstract – 961MO – Safety, efficacy, immunogenicity of arenavirus-based vectors HB-201 and HB-202 in patients with HPV16+ cancers.Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/safety-efficacy-immunogenicity-of-arenavirus-based-vectors-hb-201-and-hb-202-in-patients-with-hpv16-cancers961MO Abstract:Background:HPV16+ malignancies are generated by the persistent expression of HPV16-specific E7 and E6 oncoproteins, which are also sources of immunogenic neoantigens. The replicating arenavirus vectors HB-201 (LCMV) and HB-202 (Pichinde viral) elicit tumor-specific T-cell responses by producing the identical non-oncogenic HPV16 E7E6 fusion protein.Methods:In HPV16+ malignancies, a phase I first-in-human research looked at HB-201 monotherapy and…

Marshall R. Posner, MD, Director of Head and Neck Medical Oncology at The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai speaks about the ESMO 2021 Abstract – 961MO – Safety, efficacy, immunogenicity of arenavirus-based vectors HB-201 and HB-202 in patients with HPV16+ cancers.Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/safety-efficacy-immunogenicity-of-arenavirus-based-vectors-hb-201-and-hb-202-in-patients-with-hpv16-cancers961MO Abstract:Background:HPV16+ malignancies are generated by the persistent expression of HPV16-specific E7 and E6 oncoproteins, which are also sources of immunogenic neoantigens. The replicating arenavirus vectors HB-201 (LCMV) and HB-202 (Pichinde viral) elicit tumor-specific T-cell responses by producing the identical non-oncogenic HPV16 E7E6 fusion protein.Methods:In HPV16+ malignancies, a phase I first-in-human research looked at HB-201 monotherapy and…

Professor Sanjay Popat, Consultant Medical Oncologist BSc MBBS FRCP Ph.D., The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust speaks about the ESMO 2021 Abstract – 1195P – Brigatinib (BRG) vs crizotinib (CRZ) in ALK TKI–naive ALK+ NSCLC: Final results from ALTA-1L.Link to Abstract:https://cslide.ctimeetingtech.com/esmo2021/attendee/confcal_4/presentation/list?q=ALTA&r=pt%7E53Abstract:Background:BRG BIRC-assessed PFS was superior to CRZ in two planned interim assessments of ALTA-1L (NCT02737501). The ALTA-1L results are presented in their final form.Methods:ALK TKI–naive advanced ALK+ NSCLC patients (pts) were enrolled and categorized by baseline (BL), brain metastases (BM), and previous treatment (CT). A previous CT scan for advanced NSCLC and asymptomatic BM was permitted. BRG 180 mg qd…

Professor Sanjay Popat, Consultant Medical Oncologist BSc MBBS FRCP Ph.D., The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust speaks about the ESMO 2021 Abstract – 1195P – Brigatinib (BRG) vs crizotinib (CRZ) in ALK TKI–naive ALK+ NSCLC: Final results from ALTA-1L.Link to Abstract:https://cslide.ctimeetingtech.com/esmo2021/attendee/confcal_4/presentation/list?q=ALTA&r=pt%7E53Abstract:Background:BRG BIRC-assessed PFS was superior to CRZ in two planned interim assessments of ALTA-1L (NCT02737501). The ALTA-1L results are presented in their final form.Methods:ALK TKI–naive advanced ALK+ NSCLC patients (pts) were enrolled and categorized by baseline (BL), brain metastases (BM), and previous treatment (CT). A previous CT scan for advanced NSCLC and asymptomatic BM was permitted. BRG 180 mg qd…

Saura Manich from the Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron speaks about ESMO 2021 Abstract – LBA15 – Primary outcome of the phase III SYD985.002/TULIP trial comparing [vic-]trastuzumab duocarmazine to physician’s choice treatment in patients with pre-treated HER2-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/primary-outcome-of-the-phase-iii-syd985.002-tulip-trial-comparing-vic-trastuzumab-duocarmazine-to-physician-s-choice-treatment-in-patients-with-pLBA15 Abstract:Background:[vic-]Trastuzumab duocarmazine (SYD985, Byondis B.V., NL) is a new HER2-targeting antibody–drug combination made up of trastuzumab linked to a duocarmycin-containing linker molecule. TULIP looked at SYD985’s effectiveness in advanced HER2-positive breast cancer.Methods:The TULIP study (NCT03262935) randomly allocated HER2-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (MBC)…

Saura Manich from the Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron speaks about ESMO 2021 Abstract – LBA15 – Primary outcome of the phase III SYD985.002/TULIP trial comparing [vic-]trastuzumab duocarmazine to physician’s choice treatment in patients with pre-treated HER2-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/primary-outcome-of-the-phase-iii-syd985.002-tulip-trial-comparing-vic-trastuzumab-duocarmazine-to-physician-s-choice-treatment-in-patients-with-pLBA15 Abstract:Background:[vic-]Trastuzumab duocarmazine (SYD985, Byondis B.V., NL) is a new HER2-targeting antibody–drug combination made up of trastuzumab linked to a duocarmycin-containing linker molecule. TULIP looked at SYD985’s effectiveness in advanced HER2-positive breast cancer.Methods:The TULIP study (NCT03262935) randomly allocated HER2-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (MBC)…

Kevin Punie, MD Medical Oncologist Specialized in treatment of TNBC from the University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium speaks about ESMO 2021 Abstract – 257P – Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the ASCENT study of sacituzumab govitecan (SG) in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC).Link to Abstract:https://cslide.ctimeetingtech.com/esmo2021/attendee/confcal_4/presentation/list?q=257PAbstract:Origins:The anti–Trop-2 antibody is linked to SN-38 by a unique hydrolyzable linker in SG, which is an antibody-drug conjugate. In the ASCENT intention-to-treat study, SG substantially improved progression-free survival (PFS; median 4.8 vs 1.7 mo) and overall survival (OS; median 11.8 vs 6.9 mo) in the second line or larger (2L+) mTNBC scenario compared to single-agent…

ASCENT Trial and Trodelvy (Sacituzumab Govitecan) Improves Progression Free Survival in Metastatic Triple Negative Breast (mTNBC) 5 Key Stats for Trodelvy (Sacituzumab Govitecan) from the ASCENT Trial Trodelvy significantly prolonged progression-free survival (median PFS; 4.8 vs 1.7 mo)  Overall survival (median OS; 11.8 vs 6.9 mo) vs single-agent chemotherapy of physician’s choice (TPC) in the second line or greater (2L+) mTNBC setting. Patients (Pts) with mTNBC who received ≥2 prior systemic therapies (at least 1 for metastatic disease) were randomized to receive Sacituzumab Govitecan (10 mg/kg IV on d 1 and 8, every 21 d) or TPC (capecitabine, eribulin, vinorelbine, or…

Professor Sergei Krasny, MD, DSc, deputy director of the N.N. Alexandrov National Cancer Centre of Belarus and Alexander Shneider, Ph.D., Founder and CEO, CureLab Oncology, Inc. speaks about Hormone-resistant Prostate And Breast Cancers Added To Clinical Study Based On Encouraging Preliminary Results.Link to Article:https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/924187The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus has approved extending CureLab Oncology’s ElenagenTM, an investigational DNA treatment, clinical study to include two new arms: 1) hormone-resistant breast cancer and 2) hormone-resistant metastatic prostate cancer. Elenagen was included in the current research because of promising early findings in triple-negative breast cancer and platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients…

Professor Sergei Krasny, MD, DSc, deputy director of the N.N. Alexandrov National Cancer Centre of Belarus and Alexander Shneider, Ph.D., Founder and CEO, CureLab Oncology, Inc. speaks about Hormone-resistant Prostate And Breast Cancers Added To Clinical Study Based On Encouraging Preliminary Results.Link to Article:https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/924187The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus has approved extending CureLab Oncology’s ElenagenTM, an investigational DNA treatment, clinical study to include two new arms: 1) hormone-resistant breast cancer and 2) hormone-resistant metastatic prostate cancer. Elenagen was included in the current research because of promising early findings in triple-negative breast cancer and platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients…

Mark LaBarge, Ph.D., professor in City of Hope’s Department of Population Sciences, and Sundus Shalabi, Ph.D. candidate at the City of Hope speak about Evidence For Accelerated Aging In Mammary Epithelia Of Women Carrying Germline BRCA1 Or BRCA2 Mutations.Link to Abstract:https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-021-00104-9 Abstract:Luminal epithelial cells in the human mammary gland lose lineage fidelity as they age, exhibiting markers typically found in myoepithelial cells. We believe that loss of lineage fidelity is a common symptom of epithelia that is predisposed to cancer start. We show in this work that histologically normal breast tissue from younger women who are vulnerable to breast cancer…

Mark LaBarge, Ph.D., professor in City of Hope’s Department of Population Sciences, and Sundus Shalabi, Ph.D. candidate at the City of Hope speak about Evidence For Accelerated Aging In Mammary Epithelia Of Women Carrying Germline BRCA1 Or BRCA2 Mutations.Link to Abstract:https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-021-00104-9 Abstract:Luminal epithelial cells in the human mammary gland lose lineage fidelity as they age, exhibiting markers typically found in myoepithelial cells. We believe that loss of lineage fidelity is a common symptom of epithelia that is predisposed to cancer start. We show in this work that histologically normal breast tissue from younger women who are vulnerable to breast cancer…

Mauro Di Pilato, Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center speaks about CXCR6 Positions Cytotoxic T cells To Receive Critical Survival Signals In The Tumor Microenvironment.Link to Article:https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00856-4#%20Emphasizes:• CXCR6 is required for long-term tumor suppression by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (CTLs)• CXCR6 improves CTL interactions with typical DCs in the CCR7+ DC3 state.• To survive in the TME, DC3s trans-present IL-15 to TCF-1neg effector-like CTLs.• DC3s are densely clustered in the tumor stroma’s T cell-rich perivascular niches.Overview:CTL responses against malignancies are…

Mauro Di Pilato, Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center speaks about CXCR6 Positions Cytotoxic T cells To Receive Critical Survival Signals In The Tumor Microenvironment.Link to Article:https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00856-4#%20Emphasizes:• CXCR6 is required for long-term tumor suppression by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (CTLs)• CXCR6 improves CTL interactions with typical DCs in the CCR7+ DC3 state.• To survive in the TME, DC3s trans-present IL-15 to TCF-1neg effector-like CTLs.• DC3s are densely clustered in the tumor stroma’s T cell-rich perivascular niches.Overview:CTL responses against malignancies are…

Vince Miller, MD is one of the world’s experts in lung cancer and clinical trial design and interpretation. His work was critical to identification of EGFR sensitizing and resistance mutations, Physician-in-Chief at EQRx speaks about the ESMO 2021 Abstract – Aumolertinib Significantly Prolongs Progression-Free Survival with Fewer Side Effects in the First-Line Treatment of Patients with Advanced EGFR-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.Link to Article:https://www.eqrx.com/press-release/aumolertinib-significantly-prolongs-progression-free-survival-with-fewer-side-effects-in-the-first-line-treatment-of-advanced-egfr-mutated-non-small-cell-lung-cancer/Background: Au is a potent, irreversible epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR TKI) that specifically suppresses both EGFR sensitizing and resistance mutations. In China, Au has been authorized for the treatment of patients with EGFR…

Vince Miller, MD is one of the world’s experts in lung cancer and clinical trial design and interpretation. His work was critical to identification of EGFR sensitizing and resistance mutations, Physician-in-Chief at EQRx speaks about the ESMO 2021 Abstract – Aumolertinib Significantly Prolongs Progression-Free Survival with Fewer Side Effects in the First-Line Treatment of Patients with Advanced EGFR-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.Link to Article:https://www.eqrx.com/press-release/aumolertinib-significantly-prolongs-progression-free-survival-with-fewer-side-effects-in-the-first-line-treatment-of-advanced-egfr-mutated-non-small-cell-lung-cancer/Background: Au is a potent, irreversible epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR TKI) that specifically suppresses both EGFR sensitizing and resistance mutations. In China, Au has been authorized for the treatment of patients with EGFR…

Vince Miller, MD is one of the world’s experts in lung cancer and clinical trial design and interpretation. His work was critical to identification of EGFR sensitizing and resistance mutations, Physician-in-Chief at EQRx speaks about the ESMO 2021 Abstract – LBA43 – GEMSTONE-301: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III study of sugemalimab in patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had not progressed after concurrent or sequential chemoradiotherapy (CRT).Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/gemstone-301-a-randomized-double-blind-placebo-controlled-phase-iii-study-of-sugemalimab-in-patients-with-unresectable-stage-iii-non-small-cellBackground:The standard of treatment for patients (pts) with unresectable stage III NSCLC is concurrent CRT (cCRT) followed by immunotherapy. However, because almost half of this group…

Vince Miller, MD is one of the world’s experts in lung cancer and clinical trial design and interpretation. His work was critical to identification of EGFR sensitizing and resistance mutations, Physician-in-Chief at EQRx speaks about the ESMO 2021 Abstract – LBA43 – GEMSTONE-301: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III study of sugemalimab in patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had not progressed after concurrent or sequential chemoradiotherapy (CRT).Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/gemstone-301-a-randomized-double-blind-placebo-controlled-phase-iii-study-of-sugemalimab-in-patients-with-unresectable-stage-iii-non-small-cellBackground:The standard of treatment for patients (pts) with unresectable stage III NSCLC is concurrent CRT (cCRT) followed by immunotherapy. However, because almost half of this group…

Mark Pegram, MD the Susy Yuan-Huey Hung Professor, Medicine – Oncology, Stanford Hospital, and Clinics speaks about ESMO 2021 Abstract LBA1 – Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) vs trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) in patients (Pts) with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer (mBC): Results of the randomized phase III DESTINY-Breast03 study (Enhertu).Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/trastuzumab-deruxtecan-t-dxd-vs-trastuzumab-emtansine-t-dm1-in-patients-pts-with-her2-metastatic-breast-cancer-mbc-results-of-the-randomiLBA1 Abstract  -Background:Based on the outcomes of DESTINY-Breast01, T-DXd is a HER2-targeting antibody–drug conjugate that has been authorized for patients with advanced HER2+ mBC (NCT03248492). DESTINY-Breast03 (NCT03529110) is a multicenter, open-label, randomized phase 3 trial evaluating the effectiveness and safety of T-DXd against T-DM1 in patients with HER2+ mBC who had previously…

Mark Pegram, MD the Susy Yuan-Huey Hung Professor, Medicine – Oncology, Stanford Hospital, and Clinics speaks about ESMO 2021 Abstract LBA1 – Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) vs trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) in patients (Pts) with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer (mBC): Results of the randomized phase III DESTINY-Breast03 study (Enhertu).Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/trastuzumab-deruxtecan-t-dxd-vs-trastuzumab-emtansine-t-dm1-in-patients-pts-with-her2-metastatic-breast-cancer-mbc-results-of-the-randomiLBA1 Abstract  -Background:Based on the outcomes of DESTINY-Breast01, T-DXd is a HER2-targeting antibody–drug conjugate that has been authorized for patients with advanced HER2+ mBC (NCT03248492). DESTINY-Breast03 (NCT03529110) is a multicenter, open-label, randomized phase 3 trial evaluating the effectiveness and safety of T-DXd against T-DM1 in patients with HER2+ mBC who had previously…

Hope S. Rugo, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology); and Director, Breast Oncology and Clinical Trials Education, UCSF Helen Dillard Family Comprehensive Cancer Center speaks about ESMO 2021 Abstract – #LBA16, Proffered Paper: Final Results of KEYNOTE-355: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase 3 Study of Pembrolizumab + Chemotherapy vs Placebo + Chemotherapy for Previously Untreated Locally Recurrent Inoperable or Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC).Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/keynote-355-final-results-from-a-randomized-double-blind-phase-iii-study-of-first-line-pembrolizumab-chemotherapy-vs-placebo-chemotherapy-forLBA16 Abstract:Background:In a previous interim analysis of KEYNOTE-355 (NCT02819518), patients (pts) with metastatic TNBC whose tumors expressed PD-L1 (CPS 10) saw a substantial improvement in PFS compared to placebo (pbo) + chemo (HR, 0.65, 95 percent…

Hope S. Rugo, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology); and Director, Breast Oncology and Clinical Trials Education, UCSF Helen Dillard Family Comprehensive Cancer Center speaks about ESMO 2021 Abstract – #LBA16, Proffered Paper: Final Results of KEYNOTE-355: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase 3 Study of Pembrolizumab + Chemotherapy vs Placebo + Chemotherapy for Previously Untreated Locally Recurrent Inoperable or Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC).Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/keynote-355-final-results-from-a-randomized-double-blind-phase-iii-study-of-first-line-pembrolizumab-chemotherapy-vs-placebo-chemotherapy-forLBA16 Abstract:Background:In a previous interim analysis of KEYNOTE-355 (NCT02819518), patients (pts) with metastatic TNBC whose tumors expressed PD-L1 (CPS 10) saw a substantial improvement in PFS compared to placebo (pbo) + chemo (HR, 0.65, 95 percent…

Bradley Monk, MD, FACOG, FACS, Gynecologic Oncologist, Arizona Oncology speaks about the ESMO 2021 Abstract #LBA2, Presidential Symposium: KEYNOTE-826: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase 3 Study of Pembrolizumab + Chemotherapy vs Placebo + Chemotherapy for First-Line Treatment of Persistent, Recurrent, or Metastatic Cervical Cancer.Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-asia-congress-2019/keynote-826-a-phase-iii-randomized-study-of-chemotherapy-with-or-without-pembrolizumab-for-first-line-treatment-of-persistent-recurrent-or-metas265TiP Abstract:Background:Patients with advanced cervical cancer have a significant chance of death and a poor prognosis. Although adding the anti-VEGF agent bevacizumab to platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy (CT) is associated with a modest OS benefit compared to CT alone (median OS, 16.8 vs 13.3 mo; hazard ratio, 0.77, 95 percent CI, 0.62-0.95; P = 0.007; Tewari…

Bradley Monk, MD, FACOG, FACS, Gynecologic Oncologist, Arizona Oncology speaks about the ESMO 2021 Abstract #LBA2, Presidential Symposium: KEYNOTE-826: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase 3 Study of Pembrolizumab + Chemotherapy vs Placebo + Chemotherapy for First-Line Treatment of Persistent, Recurrent, or Metastatic Cervical Cancer.Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-asia-congress-2019/keynote-826-a-phase-iii-randomized-study-of-chemotherapy-with-or-without-pembrolizumab-for-first-line-treatment-of-persistent-recurrent-or-metas265TiP Abstract:Background:Patients with advanced cervical cancer have a significant chance of death and a poor prognosis. Although adding the anti-VEGF agent bevacizumab to platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy (CT) is associated with a modest OS benefit compared to CT alone (median OS, 16.8 vs 13.3 mo; hazard ratio, 0.77, 95 percent CI, 0.62-0.95; P = 0.007; Tewari…

Daniel Auclair, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation speaks about Minimal Residual Disease in Myeloma: Application for Clinical Care and New Drug Registration.Link to Article:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34321279/Summary -The discovery of new medicines has changed the therapeutic paradigm for multiple myeloma (MM), with MRD negative now possible throughout the whole disease spectrum. Real-time clinical tools for the sensitive identification and monitoring of MRD in MM patients have been given by bone marrow-based technologies to measure MRD, including methods employing next-generation flow and next-generation sequencing. Complementary liquid biopsy-based assays are rapidly evolving, with some, such as mass spectrometry techniques, nearing clinical…

Daniel Auclair, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation speaks about Minimal Residual Disease in Myeloma: Application for Clinical Care and New Drug Registration.Link to Article:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34321279/Summary -The discovery of new medicines has changed the therapeutic paradigm for multiple myeloma (MM), with MRD negative now possible throughout the whole disease spectrum. Real-time clinical tools for the sensitive identification and monitoring of MRD in MM patients have been given by bone marrow-based technologies to measure MRD, including methods employing next-generation flow and next-generation sequencing. Complementary liquid biopsy-based assays are rapidly evolving, with some, such as mass spectrometry techniques, nearing clinical…

Daniel Auclair, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation speaks about MMRF CureCloud – First At-home Genomic Testing Program/Multiple Myeloma.Link to MMRF CureCloud:https://mmrfcurecloud.org/In the first at-home genetic testing program, the MMRF CureCloud will integrate huge quantities of health data from thousands of multiple myeloma patients. It is the world’s first, largest, and most comprehensive myeloma database. It is also an important resource for scientists, clinicians, and patients who are striving to create cures, enhance patient quality of life, and identify therapies.Myeloma is not only an uncommon illness, but it also has a wide range of symptoms. Our groundbreaking…

Daniel Auclair, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation speaks about MMRF CureCloud – First At-home Genomic Testing Program/Multiple Myeloma.Link to MMRF CureCloud:https://mmrfcurecloud.org/In the first at-home genetic testing program, the MMRF CureCloud will integrate huge quantities of health data from thousands of multiple myeloma patients. It is the world’s first, largest, and most comprehensive myeloma database. It is also an important resource for scientists, clinicians, and patients who are striving to create cures, enhance patient quality of life, and identify therapies.Myeloma is not only an uncommon illness, but it also has a wide range of symptoms. Our groundbreaking…

Jason J. Luke, MD, FACP, Cancer Immunotherapeutics Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center speaks about ESMO 2021 Abstract #LBA3, Presidential Symposium: Pembrolizumab Versus Placebo After Complete Resection of High-Risk Stage II Melanoma: Efficacy and Safety Results From the KEYNOTE-716 Double-Blind Phase III Trial. Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/pembrolizumab-versus-placebo-after-complete-resection-of-high-risk-stage-ii-melanoma-efficacy-and-safety-results-from-the-keynote-716-double-blindLBA3_PR Abstract -Background:Observation is the current standard of treatment for patients (pts) after excision of high-risk stage II melanoma. We compared pembrolizumab (pembro) to placebo in patients with resected AJCC-8 stage IIB or IIC melanoma in phase 3 double-blind KEYNOTE-716 study. The first interim study of recurrence-free survival (RFS) is presented.Methods:Patients over the age of 12…

Jason J. Luke, MD, FACP, Cancer Immunotherapeutics Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center speaks about ESMO 2021 Abstract #LBA3, Presidential Symposium: Pembrolizumab Versus Placebo After Complete Resection of High-Risk Stage II Melanoma: Efficacy and Safety Results From the KEYNOTE-716 Double-Blind Phase III Trial. Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/pembrolizumab-versus-placebo-after-complete-resection-of-high-risk-stage-ii-melanoma-efficacy-and-safety-results-from-the-keynote-716-double-blindLBA3_PR Abstract -Background:Observation is the current standard of treatment for patients (pts) after excision of high-risk stage II melanoma. We compared pembrolizumab (pembro) to placebo in patients with resected AJCC-8 stage IIB or IIC melanoma in phase 3 double-blind KEYNOTE-716 study. The first interim study of recurrence-free survival (RFS) is presented.Methods:Patients over the age of 12…

David M. O’Malley, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and the director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the OSUCCC – James speaks about the ESMO 2021 Abstract – LBA34 – Single-agent anti-PD-1 balstilimab or in combination with anti-CTLA-4 zalifrelimab for recurrent/metastatic (R/M) cervical cancer (CC): Preliminary results of two independent phase II trials.Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-virtual-congress-2020/single-agent-anti-pd-1-balstilimab-or-in-combination-with-anti-ctla-4-zalifrelimab-for-recurrent-metastatic-r-m-cervical-cancer-cc-preliminaryBackground:The lack of second-line therapy for R/M CC remains a significant therapeutic need. In R/M CC, data from two phase 2 trials of balstilimab (bal) alone and in conjunction with zalifrelimab (zal) are presented.Methods:Patients received bal…

David M. O’Malley, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and the director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the OSUCCC – James speaks about the ESMO 2021 Abstract – LBA34 – Single-agent anti-PD-1 balstilimab or in combination with anti-CTLA-4 zalifrelimab for recurrent/metastatic (R/M) cervical cancer (CC): Preliminary results of two independent phase II trials.Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-virtual-congress-2020/single-agent-anti-pd-1-balstilimab-or-in-combination-with-anti-ctla-4-zalifrelimab-for-recurrent-metastatic-r-m-cervical-cancer-cc-preliminaryBackground:The lack of second-line therapy for R/M CC remains a significant therapeutic need. In R/M CC, data from two phase 2 trials of balstilimab (bal) alone and in conjunction with zalifrelimab (zal) are presented.Methods:Patients received bal…

David M. O’Malley, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and the director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the OSUCCC – James speaks about the Niraparib Maintenance Therapy in Platinum-Sensitive, Recurrent Ovarian Cancer.Link to Abstract:https://www.gynecologiconcology-online.net/article/S0090-8258(21)01316-0/fulltextSummary -Objective:Balstilimab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, was tested in patients with previously treated, recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer for its safety and anticancer efficacy in this phase II clinical study.Methods:Patients who had recurrent and/or metastatic cervical cancer and had relapsed following a previous platinum-based therapy regimen for advanced disease were eligible. Balstilimab was given intravenously once every two weeks at…

David M. O’Malley, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and the director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the OSUCCC – James speaks about the Niraparib Maintenance Therapy in Platinum-Sensitive, Recurrent Ovarian Cancer.Link to Abstract:https://www.gynecologiconcology-online.net/article/S0090-8258(21)01316-0/fulltextSummary -Objective:Balstilimab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, was tested in patients with previously treated, recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer for its safety and anticancer efficacy in this phase II clinical study.Methods:Patients who had recurrent and/or metastatic cervical cancer and had relapsed following a previous platinum-based therapy regimen for advanced disease were eligible. Balstilimab was given intravenously once every two weeks at…

David M. O’Malley, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and the director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the OSUCCC – James speaks about ESMO 2021 Abstract – 724MO – Balstilimab (anti-PD-1) in combination with zalifrelimab (anti-CTLA-4): Final results from a phase II study in patients (pts) with recurrent/metastatic (R/M) cervical cancer (CC).Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/balstilimab-anti-pd-1-in-combination-with-zalifrelimab-anti-ctla-4-final-results-from-a-phase-ii-study-in-patients-pts-with-recurrent-metastBackground:The treatment of R/M CC in the second line remains a serious clinical issue. Multiple cancers have been successfully treated by blocking both the PD-1 and CTLA-4 immune checkpoints. We present the results of a large single-arm…

David M. O’Malley, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and the director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the OSUCCC – James speaks about ESMO 2021 Abstract – 724MO – Balstilimab (anti-PD-1) in combination with zalifrelimab (anti-CTLA-4): Final results from a phase II study in patients (pts) with recurrent/metastatic (R/M) cervical cancer (CC).Link to Abstract:https://oncologypro.esmo.org/meeting-resources/esmo-congress-2021/balstilimab-anti-pd-1-in-combination-with-zalifrelimab-anti-ctla-4-final-results-from-a-phase-ii-study-in-patients-pts-with-recurrent-metastBackground:The treatment of R/M CC in the second line remains a serious clinical issue. Multiple cancers have been successfully treated by blocking both the PD-1 and CTLA-4 immune checkpoints. We present the results of a large single-arm…

June-Wha Rhee, MD, cardiologist with specialized clinical and research training in cardiovascular drug toxicity and pharmacogenomics, from Stanford Hospital and Clinics speaks about Impact of Hormonal Therapies for Treatment of Hormone-Dependent Cancers (Breast and Prostate) on the Cardiovascular System: Effects and Modifications.Link to Abstract:https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1161/HCG.0000000000000082Overview:The main causes of mortality in the United States are cardiovascular disease and cancer, with hormone-dependent tumors (breast and prostate cancer) being the most frequent noncutaneous malignancies in women and men, respectively. The hormonal (endocrine-related) treatments that are used to treat both malignancies enhance survival rates, but they significantly raise cardiovascular morbidity and death in survivors. This…

June-Wha Rhee, MD, cardiologist with specialized clinical and research training in cardiovascular drug toxicity and pharmacogenomics, from Stanford Hospital and Clinics speaks about Impact of Hormonal Therapies for Treatment of Hormone-Dependent Cancers (Breast and Prostate) on the Cardiovascular System: Effects and Modifications.Link to Abstract:https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1161/HCG.0000000000000082Overview:The main causes of mortality in the United States are cardiovascular disease and cancer, with hormone-dependent tumors (breast and prostate cancer) being the most frequent noncutaneous malignancies in women and men, respectively. The hormonal (endocrine-related) treatments that are used to treat both malignancies enhance survival rates, but they significantly raise cardiovascular morbidity and death in survivors. This…

Dr. Shikha Jain of the University of Illinois & Chair of the Women in Medicine Summit joins Charu Aggarwal & Jack West to discuss sexism & harassment, as well as education & medical practice options for women (and men) after the COVID-19 pandemic.

William C. Huang, M.D., FACS, Associate Professor and Vice-Chair of Urology at NYU Langone Health, Principal Investigator of the OPTIMA II trial speaks about PD43-02 PRIMARY CHEMOABLATION OF LOW-GRADE INTERMEDIATE-RISK NON-MUSCLE-INVASIVE BLADDER CANCER USING UGN-102, A MITOMYCIN-CONTAINING REVERSE THERMAL GEL (OPTIMA II): A PHASE 2b, OPEN-LABEL, SINGLE-ARM TRIAL.Link to Abstract:https://www.auajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1097/JU.0000000000002057.02Summary -Goal And Beginnings:Transurethral resection under general anesthesia is the gold standard of treatment for low-grade intermediate-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (LG IR NMIBC). LG IR NMIBC is recurring cancer, and patients typically have to have many operations, which can result in substantial postoperative and long-term morbidity. The goal of this research was to…

Dr. Mikkael Sekeres of Univ of Miami chats with Charu Aggarwal and Jack West about challenges and opportunities with his move from Cleveland to Miami, his commitment to writing for a broad audience, & challenges for MDs & patients in the wake of COVID-19.

Julie Hallet, MD, MSc, FRCSC, Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, Susan Leslie Clinic for Neuroendocrine Tumours speaks about JNCCN Study Reveals Neuroendocrine Tumor Mortality Patterns to Inform Treatment Decisions.Link to Article:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jnccn-study-reveals-neuroendocrine-tumor-mortality-patterns-to-inform-treatment-decisions-301363563.htmlAccording to recent research published in the August 2021 edition of JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, the risk of dying of cancer was higher than the chance of dying of other causes in all patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), although mortality varied by primary tumor location. It’s the first population-based cohort research to look at the variables linked to cancer-specific mortality following a NET diagnosis.Individuals with…

Julie Hallet, MD, MSc, FRCSC, Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, Susan Leslie Clinic for Neuroendocrine Tumours speaks about JNCCN Study Reveals Neuroendocrine Tumor Mortality Patterns to Inform Treatment Decisions.Link to Article:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jnccn-study-reveals-neuroendocrine-tumor-mortality-patterns-to-inform-treatment-decisions-301363563.htmlAccording to recent research published in the August 2021 edition of JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, the risk of dying of cancer was higher than the chance of dying of other causes in all patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), although mortality varied by primary tumor location. It’s the first population-based cohort research to look at the variables linked to cancer-specific mortality following a NET diagnosis.Individuals with…

Michael Kelly, MD, MPH, MS, Syros Pharmaceuticals Senior Medical Director speaks about Syros Starts Phase 3 Clinical Trial of Targeted Investigational Therapy in Newly Diagnosed Higher-Risk MDS Patients.Link to Abstract:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04797780Syros Pharmaceuticals has begun a Phase 3 clinical trial of tamibarotene, a targeted experimental treatment, in a subset of newly diagnosed HR-MDS patients with RARA gene overexpression. RARA-positive persons account for around 30% of people with HR-MDS, and tamibarotene is the first focused treatment in clinical research for this patient population.The SELECT-MDS-1 Phase 3 trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study that will recruit around 190 RARA-positive newly diagnosed HR-MDS patients. Tamibarotene…

Michael Kelly, MD, MPH, MS, Syros Pharmaceuticals Senior Medical Director speaks about Syros Starts Phase 3 Clinical Trial of Targeted Investigational Therapy in Newly Diagnosed Higher-Risk MDS Patients.Link to Abstract:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04797780Syros Pharmaceuticals has begun a Phase 3 clinical trial of tamibarotene, a targeted experimental treatment, in a subset of newly diagnosed HR-MDS patients with RARA gene overexpression. RARA-positive persons account for around 30% of people with HR-MDS, and tamibarotene is the first focused treatment in clinical research for this patient population.The SELECT-MDS-1 Phase 3 trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study that will recruit around 190 RARA-positive newly diagnosed HR-MDS patients. Tamibarotene…

Professor Yves Chabu, Ph.D. from MU College of Arts and Science speaks about Understanding How Cancer Can Relapse.Link to Abstract:https://showme.missouri.edu/2021/understanding-how-cancer-can-relapse/Activating mutations in the RAS family of genes are preventing researchers from developing effective cancer treatments. Now, researchers from the University of Missouri and Yale University have revealed that one of these mutations, oncogenic RAS or RASV12, is also responsible for cancer cell recurrence after genotoxic therapy treatment, which involves medicines that break a cancer cell’s DNA in an attempt to kill it.Genotoxic treatments kill cancer cells by damaging the DNA inside them. To prevent being eliminated, cells typically stop reproducing…

Kent Hoskins, MD, Co-Leader of the Breast Cancer Research Group and Director of Cancer Genetics at the University of Illinois Cancer Center speaks about ASCO 2021 Abstract – Disparities within luminal breast cancer: Clinical and molecular features of African American and non-Hispanic white patients.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/198997/abstractBackground information:Despite equivalent therapies, African American breast cancer patients (AA) are diagnosed younger, have more high-risk characteristics, and have poorer clinical outcomes than non-Hispanic White patients (NHW). Although comorbidities like obesity and metabolic syndrome may play a role, ancestry-specific variables and the consequences of structural violence, which disproportionately affect AA people, may have an impact…

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…

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…

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…

Justin Balko, PharmD, Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University Medical Center speaks about Tumor-specific major histocompatibility-II expression predicts benefit to anti-PD-1/L1 therapy in patients with HER2-negative primary breast cancer.Link to Article:https://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2021/07/22/1078-0432.CCR-21-0607Abstract:Intention:When combined with conventional neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), immunotherapies targeting PD-1/L1 improve pathologic complete response (pCR) rates in early-stage triple-negative and perhaps high-risk estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Immunotherapy, on the other hand, has been linked to substantial toxicity, and most patients treated with NAC do not require it to reach pCR. Biomarkers that can distinguish individuals who will benefit from immunotherapy from those who will achieve pCR with NAC alone are obviously needed.…

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…

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…

Michal R. Tomaszewski, Ph.D. from H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute speaks about ASCO 2021 Abstract – Imaging-based patient inclusion model for clinical trial performance optimization.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/196629/abstractBackground information:The development of novel cancer medicines in the era of precision medicine is heavily reliant on the appropriate identification of target patient populations. We believe that computational imaging data analysis may be utilized to produce a quantitative population enrichment method in clinical trials, and we want to provide a framework for this analysis.Methodologies:This concept was investigated in patients with soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) who were enrolled in a randomized Phase III…

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…

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…

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 III…

Neeraj Agarwal, MD, is a Professor in the Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at University of Utah School of Medicine speaks about ASCO 2021 Abstracts – Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and patient-reported outcomes at final analysis of the TITAN study of apalutamide (APA) versus placebo (PBO) in patients (pts) with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/197750/abstractBackstory:In the phase 3 TITAN trial, APA was compared to PBO in patients with mCSPC who were receiving ADT. APA substantially improved overall survival (OS) and radiographic progression-free survival (RFS) compared to…

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…

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…

Shilpa Gupta, MD from the Cleveland Clinic speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – SWOG S1216: A phase III randomized trial comparing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) plus TAK-700 with ADT plus bicalutamide in patients (pts) with newly diagnosed metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) (NCT01809691).Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/196407/abstractBackground information:Tak is a nonsteroidal 17, 20-lyase inhibitor that inhibits the production of androgens in the gonadal and adrenal glands. In patients with newly diagnosed mHSPC, we looked at the therapeutic benefit of Tak combined with ADT.Methodologies:Patients with mHSPC who had a Zubrod performance status (PS) of 0-2 and a PSA of less than 2…

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…

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 mortality…

Julian Andres Marin-Acevedo, MD from H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute speaks about ASCO 2021 Abstract – Efficacy of cetuximab after immunotherapy (IO) in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/197144/abstractBackground information:For advanced CSCC that is not responsive to surgery or curative radiation, anti-PD1 (aPD1) monotherapy with cemiplimab-rwlc or pembrolizumab is currently considered standard of treatment. Chemotherapy or anti-EGFR medicines were previously utilized to treat these individuals, albeit with poor effectiveness and response durability. At 6 weeks, the overall response rate (ORR) to cetuximab was 28 percent, with a disease control rate (DCR) of 69 percent, according…

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…

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…

Peter H. O’Donnell, MD from the University of Chicago speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – Oral Abstract Session: First-Line Pembrolizumab (Pembro) in Cisplatin-Ineligible Patients With Advanced Urothelial Cancer (UC): Response and Survival Results up to Five Years From the KEYNOTE-052 Phase 2 Study.Link to Abstract:https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/195585Background information:Pembro was authorized based on preliminary data from the phase 2 KEYNOTE-052 trial (NCT02335424), which revealed a 29 percent ORR in cisplatin-ineligible patients with untreated advanced UC. The results are updated after up to 5 years of follow-up.Methodologies:KEYNOTE-052 is an open-label, single-arm, multi-site experiment. Patients had advanced or metastatic UC, were ineligible for cisplatin…

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 are…

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…

Taiga Nishihori, MD from the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – The results of multicenter phase II, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of maintenance ixazomib after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) for high-risk multiple myeloma (MM) from the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMT CTN 1302).Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/195823/abstractBackground information:The function of alloHCT and subsequent maintenance in the treatment of high-risk MM remains unknown. To treat patients with high-risk MM, we tested the effectiveness of ixazomib maintenance treatment following alloHCT utilizing a reduced-intensity fludarabine/melphalan/bortezomib (Flu/Mel/Bort)-based conditioning regimen.Methodologies:Adults 70 years or younger with…

Sarah E. Hoffe, MD from H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute speaks about ASCO Abstract – GRECO-2: A randomized, phase 2 study of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in combination with GC4711 in the treatment of unresectable or borderline resectable nonmetastatic pancreatic cancer (PC).Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/201242/abstractBackground information:While systemic therapy for PC has improved, surgical resection, which is regarded the best therapy, remains uncommon. Patients with unresectable or borderline PC continue to have dismal outcomes, with toxicity and disease progression during induction chemotherapy limiting the number of patients who may be surgically treated. SBRT practice has turned to greater…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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,…

Thomas Brown, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Syapse speaks about ASCO 2021 Abstract – #e21047 – Myocarditis as a rare, yet serious adverse event associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: Case series from a large community-based cancer center.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/200926/abstractBackground:Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) may cause immune-related adverse effects in patients with lung cancer and other malignancies (irAE). Pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, and myocarditis/pericarditis can all manifest with varying degrees of severity and single- or multi-organ involvement. Myocarditis occurs in 0.06 percent to 2.4 percent of the population and is associated with a significant death rate (25…

Thomas Brown, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Syapse speaks about ASCO 2021 Poster – #9105 – Genomic markers associated with hyperprogression in patients with lung cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.Link to Poster:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/200547/abstractBackground:Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has become a standard of care for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, not all patients (pts) benefit with ICI, with a percentage reporting increased tumor development. Hyperprogression (HP) is a term used to describe faster tumor development on ICI along with the deteriorating clinical state. MDM2/MDM4 amplifications, EGFR alterations, and STK11/LKB1 mutations are some of the gene changes that have been…

Thomas Brown, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Syapse speaks about ASCO 2021 Abstracts – #9105 – Genomic markers associated with hyperprogression in patients with lung cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, #e21047 – Myocarditis as a rare, yet serious adverse event associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: Case series from a large community-based cancer center, and #e21121 – Feasibility of RECIST-based real-world tumor response assessment in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patients.Link to Poster #9105:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/200547/abstractLink to Abstract #e21047:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/200926/abstractLink to Abstract #e21121:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/201064/abstract#9105 Background:Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has become a standard of care for patients with…

Somedeb Ball, MD from the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute speaks about Molecular annotation of extramedullary acute myeloid leukemia to identify prevalence of targetable mutations.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/195837/abstractBackground:In individuals with acute myeloid leukemia, extramedullary (EM) involvement, such as myeloid sarcoma (MS) and leukemia cutis (LC), is uncommon (AML). The mutational landscape of EM-AML is unknown, as is the concordance of sequencing data from EM vs. non-EM sites (blood or bone marrow) and the possibility of customized targeted treatment in this patient population.Methods:Clinical and genomic data on EM-AML patients treated at Moffitt Cancer Center, Memorial Healthcare System, and University…

Thomas Brown, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Syapse speaks about ASCO 2021 Abstract – #e21121 – Feasibility of RECIST-based real-world tumor response assessment in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patients.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/201064/abstractBackground:The Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) is commonly used to assess treatment response to anti-cancer medicines for advanced lung cancer, however, it is not widely used in real-world settings. With real-world evidence increasingly being used to back promising treatments, this study looked into the feasibility of assessing real-world lung cancer response using RECIST-based measurement of lesions on archived radiologic films and comparing it to treatment response based on…

Philippe Spiess, MD from H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – Clinically advanced pelvic squamous cell carcinomas (pSCC) in men and women: A comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) study.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/197709/abstractBackground:We used CGP to look for probable genetic changes between tumor types because the clinical symptoms, disease course, and treatment choices for pSCC varied.Methods:1,741 clinically advanced pSCCs underwent hybrid capture-based CGP to evaluate all classes of genomic alterations, including 230 penile (penSCC), 17 male urethral (murthSCC), 125 male anal (manSCC), 7 female urethral (furthSCC), 263 vulvar (vulSCC), 822 cervical (crvSCC), and 277 female…

Gregory T. Kennedy, MD from Penn Medicine speaks about Targeted Intraoperative Molecular Imaging for Localizing Nonpalpable Tumors and Quantifying Resection Margin Distances.Link to Abstract:https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2783502Points to Remember:A Question – Can intraoperative molecular imaging correctly predict resection margin adequacy and locate nonpalpable, visually occult tumors?Conclusions -Intraoperative molecular imaging identified 83 percent of nonpalpable, nonvisible lesions in this nonrandomized open-label trial of 40 adults with a T1 pulmonary lesion radiographically suspicious for a nonpalpable cancer, and intraoperative molecular imaging–calculated margins were nearly identical to those reported on final pathology.Defined -Intraoperative molecular imaging can enhance surgical care of nonpalpable tumors across the area of…

Gregory T. Kennedy, MD from Penn Medicine speaks about Targeted Intraoperative Molecular Imaging for Localizing Nonpalpable Tumors and Quantifying Resection Margin Distances.Link to Abstract:https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2783502Points to Remember:A Question – Can intraoperative molecular imaging correctly predict resection margin adequacy and locate nonpalpable, visually occult tumors?Conclusions -Intraoperative molecular imaging identified 83 percent of nonpalpable, nonvisible lesions in this nonrandomized open-label trial of 40 adults with a T1 pulmonary lesion radiographically suspicious for a nonpalpable cancer, and intraoperative molecular imaging–calculated margins were nearly identical to those reported on final pathology.Defined -Intraoperative molecular imaging can enhance surgical care of nonpalpable tumors across the area of…

Kilian E. Salerno, MD, vice chair of the guideline task force and a radiation oncologist at the National Cancer Institute speaks about ASTRO Issues Clinical Guideline On Radiation Therapy For Soft Tissue Sarcoma In Adults.Link to Article:https://www.astro.org/News-and-Publications/News-and-Media-Center/News-Releases/2021/ASTRO-issues-clinical-guideline-on-radiation-theraLink to ASTRO Guidlines:https://www.practicalradonc.org/article/S1879-8500(21)00118-1/fulltextThe American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has released a new clinical guideline on the use of radiation treatment to treat adult patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Patients with localized, operable STS of the trunk (i.e., chest wall, abdominal wall) and extremities (i.e., arms, legs) should receive optimal radiation dosage, methods, and treatment planning, with an emphasis on maintaining long-term…

Kilian E. Salerno, MD, vice chair of the guideline task force and a radiation oncologist at the National Cancer Institute speaks about ASTRO Issues Clinical Guideline On Radiation Therapy For Soft Tissue Sarcoma In Adults.Link to Article:https://www.astro.org/News-and-Publications/News-and-Media-Center/News-Releases/2021/ASTRO-issues-clinical-guideline-on-radiation-theraLink to ASTRO Guidlines:https://www.practicalradonc.org/article/S1879-8500(21)00118-1/fulltextThe American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has released a new clinical guideline on the use of radiation treatment to treat adult patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Patients with localized, operable STS of the trunk (i.e., chest wall, abdominal wall) and extremities (i.e., arms, legs) should receive optimal radiation dosage, methods, and treatment planning, with an emphasis on maintaining long-term…

Jennifer Linehan, M.D., Associate Professor of Urology and Urologic Oncology at Saint John’s Cancer Institute, Investigator of the OLYMPUS trial speaks about LBA02-10 Long-term Recurrence Free Survival Following UGN-101 Treatment For Low-grade Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.Link to Abstract:https://www.auajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1097/JU.0000000000002149.10A summary -OBJECTIVE AND INTRODUCTION:In individuals with tiny, unifocal tumors, radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) or nephron-sparing endoscopic surgery is the standard therapy for low-grade upper tract urothelial carcinoma (LG UTUC) affecting the renal pelvis and calyces. Patients who had a complete response (CR) after induction therapy with UGN-101 (JELMYTO), a mitomycin-containing reverse thermal gel, had an estimated response durability of 84 percent at 12…

Jennifer Linehan, M.D., Associate Professor of Urology and Urologic Oncology at Saint John’s Cancer Institute, Investigator of the OLYMPUS trial speaks about LBA02-10 Long-term Recurrence Free Survival Following UGN-101 Treatment For Low-grade Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.Link to Abstract:https://www.auajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1097/JU.0000000000002149.10A summary -OBJECTIVE AND INTRODUCTION:In individuals with tiny, unifocal tumors, radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) or nephron-sparing endoscopic surgery is the standard therapy for low-grade upper tract urothelial carcinoma (LG UTUC) affecting the renal pelvis and calyces. Patients who had a complete response (CR) after induction therapy with UGN-101 (JELMYTO), a mitomycin-containing reverse thermal gel, had an estimated response durability of 84 percent at 12…

Jason Sicklick, MD, Surgical Oncologist, Associate Professor of Surgery at UC San Diego Health speaks about Establishment of Patient-derived Succinate Dehydrogenase-deficient Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Models For Predicting Therapeutic Response.Link to Abstract:https://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2021/08/20/1078-0432.CCR-21-2092.abstracta summary -Purpose:GIST is the most prevalent gastrointestinal sarcoma, with mutant succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) subunits (A-D) accounting for fewer than 7.5 percent (i.e. 150-200 new cases per year) of new cases in the United States. SDH-mutant GISTs, unlike GISTs with KIT or PDGFRA mutations, afflict teenagers and young adults, often metastasis, and are resistant to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Because there are no human models for any SDH-mutant tumors, including…

Jason Sicklick, MD, Surgical Oncologist, Associate Professor of Surgery at UC San Diego Health speaks about Establishment of Patient-derived Succinate Dehydrogenase-deficient Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Models For Predicting Therapeutic Response.Link to Abstract:https://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2021/08/20/1078-0432.CCR-21-2092.abstracta summary -Purpose:GIST is the most prevalent gastrointestinal sarcoma, with mutant succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) subunits (A-D) accounting for fewer than 7.5 percent (i.e. 150-200 new cases per year) of new cases in the United States. SDH-mutant GISTs, unlike GISTs with KIT or PDGFRA mutations, afflict teenagers and young adults, often metastasis, and are resistant to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Because there are no human models for any SDH-mutant tumors, including…

Jason Sicklick, MD, Surgical Oncologist, Associate Professor of Surgery at UC San Diego Health speaks about Location of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) in the Stomach Predicts Tumor Mutation Profile and Drug Sensitivity.Link to Abstract:https://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2021/07/28/1078-0432.CCR-21-1221.abstractAbstract – Goals:GISTs (gastrointestinal stromal tumors) are tumors that develop in various parts of the stomach and are caused by a variety of mutations (most often in KIT, PDGFRA, and SDHx). The anatomic location of gastric GIST is thought to be linked to different genomic profiles and driving mutations.Design of Experiments:In the National Cancer Database (NCDB), we evaluated KIT versus non-KIT status with tumor site in 2,418…

Jason Sicklick, MD, Surgical Oncologist, Associate Professor of Surgery at UC San Diego Health speaks about Location of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) in the Stomach Predicts Tumor Mutation Profile and Drug Sensitivity.Link to Abstract:https://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2021/07/28/1078-0432.CCR-21-1221.abstractAbstract – Goals:GISTs (gastrointestinal stromal tumors) are tumors that develop in various parts of the stomach and are caused by a variety of mutations (most often in KIT, PDGFRA, and SDHx). The anatomic location of gastric GIST is thought to be linked to different genomic profiles and driving mutations.Design of Experiments:In the National Cancer Database (NCDB), we evaluated KIT versus non-KIT status with tumor site in 2,418…

Ajay Goel, Ph.D., AGAF, chair of City of Hope’s Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Experimental Therapeutics speaks about Assessment of the Diagnostic Efficiency of a Liquid Biopsy Assay for Early Detection of Gastric Cancer.Link to Abstract:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34427680/Summary -Significance:Noninvasive early-stage disease diagnosis is an important method for lowering gastric cancer (GC)-related patient death.Goal:Using a thorough biomarker discovery strategy with retrospective and prospective validation, create a new, noninvasive microRNA (miRNA)-based signature for the early identification of GC.Participants, environment, and layout:This diagnostic investigation was carried out in four steps, utilizing publicly accessible genome sequences and tissue samples from patients at a Japanese university medical…

Ajay Goel, Ph.D., AGAF, chair of City of Hope’s Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Experimental Therapeutics speaks about Assessment of the Diagnostic Efficiency of a Liquid Biopsy Assay for Early Detection of Gastric Cancer.Link to Abstract:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34427680/Summary -Significance:Noninvasive early-stage disease diagnosis is an important method for lowering gastric cancer (GC)-related patient death.Goal:Using a thorough biomarker discovery strategy with retrospective and prospective validation, create a new, noninvasive microRNA (miRNA)-based signature for the early identification of GC.Participants, environment, and layout:This diagnostic investigation was carried out in four steps, utilizing publicly accessible genome sequences and tissue samples from patients at a Japanese university medical…

Miranda Gogishvili, MD High Technology Medical Center, University Clinic speaks about Phase 3 Trial of Libtayo® (Cemiplamab-RWLC) Combined With Chemotherapy Stopped Early Due to Significant Improvement In Overall Survival In Patients With First-line Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.Link to Article:https://investor.regeneron.com/news-releases/news-release-details/phase-3-trial-libtayor-cemiplimab-rwlc-combined-chemotherapyThe combination of Libtayo and chemotherapy enhanced median overall survival from 13 to 22 months, lowering the chance of mortality by 29%.Patients with locally progressed and metastatic disease with squamous or non-squamous histology and all levels of PD-L1 expression were included in the study.Libtayo has now been shown to enhance overall survival in first-line advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients either…

Miranda Gogishvili, MD High Technology Medical Center, University Clinic speaks about Phase 3 Trial of Libtayo® (Cemiplamab-RWLC) Combined With Chemotherapy Stopped Early Due to Significant Improvement In Overall Survival In Patients With First-line Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.Link to Article:https://investor.regeneron.com/news-releases/news-release-details/phase-3-trial-libtayor-cemiplimab-rwlc-combined-chemotherapyThe combination of Libtayo and chemotherapy enhanced median overall survival from 13 to 22 months, lowering the chance of mortality by 29%.Patients with locally progressed and metastatic disease with squamous or non-squamous histology and all levels of PD-L1 expression were included in the study.Libtayo has now been shown to enhance overall survival in first-line advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients either…

Wenxin (Vincent) Xu, MD from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute speaks about Assessing population diversity in phase III trials of cancer drugs supporting Food and Drug Administration approval in solid tumors.Link to Abstract:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34124786/Abstract:The goal of our research was to see if there were any inequalities in clinical trial participation for certain patient categories. For each FDA-approved medication approved between January 1, 2006, and June 30, 2020, we searched the FDA database and collected phase-III clinical trial data from MEDLINE. We looked at the inclusion and exclusion criteria, as well as participation by gender, ethnic group, performance score, HBV and HCV positive, HIV,…

Wenxin (Vincent) Xu, MD from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute speaks about Assessing population diversity in phase III trials of cancer drugs supporting Food and Drug Administration approval in solid tumors.Link to Abstract:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34124786/Abstract:The goal of our research was to see if there were any inequalities in clinical trial participation for certain patient categories. For each FDA-approved medication approved between January 1, 2006, and June 30, 2020, we searched the FDA database and collected phase-III clinical trial data from MEDLINE. We looked at the inclusion and exclusion criteria, as well as participation by gender, ethnic group, performance score, HBV and HCV positive, HIV,…

Hosts Jack West & Charu Aggarwal speak with immunotherapy expert Dr. Patrick Forde about unique advantages of the pre-operative platform for systemic therapy, especially immunotherapy, in early stage cancer & pathologic response assessment from surgery.

Sajeve Thomas, MD, an oncologist and hematologist at the Orlando Health Cancer Institute speaks about Using A Patient’s Own Tumor Cells As Ammunition To Fight Their Cancer.Link to Article:http://oh.multimedia-newsroom.com/index.php/2021/08/04/using-a-patients-own-tumor-cells-as-ammunition-to-fight-their-cancer/Intent:Patients with advanced (metastatic or unresectable) melanoma who do not respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors or targeted treatments have limited therapeutic choices. In metastatic melanoma, adoptive cell treatment with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes has shown to be effective. Lifileucel is a tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte product that is autologous and produced centrally.Methodologies:In patients with metastatic melanoma who had previously been treated with checkpoint inhibitors and BRAF 6 MEK targeted therapies, we undertook a phase II open-label,…

Sajeve Thomas, MD, an oncologist and hematologist at the Orlando Health Cancer Institute speaks about Using A Patient’s Own Tumor Cells As Ammunition To Fight Their Cancer.Link to Article:http://oh.multimedia-newsroom.com/index.php/2021/08/04/using-a-patients-own-tumor-cells-as-ammunition-to-fight-their-cancer/Intent:Patients with advanced (metastatic or unresectable) melanoma who do not respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors or targeted treatments have limited therapeutic choices. In metastatic melanoma, adoptive cell treatment with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes has shown to be effective. Lifileucel is a tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte product that is autologous and produced centrally.Methodologies:In patients with metastatic melanoma who had previously been treated with checkpoint inhibitors and BRAF 6 MEK targeted therapies, we undertook a phase II open-label,…

Kana Wu, M.D., Ph.D., Principal Research Scientist in the Department of Nutrition at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Member of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC, program affiliation: Cancer Epidemiology and Gastrointestinal Malignancies), Member of the Working Group for the IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans Volume 114 (Red Meat and Processed Meat) Speaks about the Pattern of DNA Damage Links Colorectal Cancer and Diet High in Red Meat.Link to Article:https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2021/red-meat-colorectal-cancer-genetic-signatureA diet heavy in red and processed meats has been related to colorectal cancer in several studies, but it’s unclear how eating cheeseburgers, hot…

Kana Wu, M.D., Ph.D., Principal Research Scientist in the Department of Nutrition at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Member of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC, program affiliation: Cancer Epidemiology and Gastrointestinal Malignancies), Member of the Working Group for the IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans Volume 114 (Red Meat and Processed Meat) Speaks about the Pattern of DNA Damage Links Colorectal Cancer and Diet High in Red Meat.Link to Article:https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2021/red-meat-colorectal-cancer-genetic-signatureA diet heavy in red and processed meats has been related to colorectal cancer in several studies, but it’s unclear how eating cheeseburgers, hot…

Eric Jonasch, MD, principal investigator of Study 004 and professor, Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center speaks about FDA Approves Merck’s Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-2 Alpha (HIF-2α) Inhibitor WELIREGâ„¢ (belzutifan) for the Treatment of Patients With Certain Types of Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) Disease-Associated Tumors.Link to Article:https://www.merck.com/news/fda-approves-mercks-hypoxia-inducible-factor-2-alpha-hif-2%CE%B1-inhibitor-welireg-belzutifan-for-the-treatment-of-patients-with-certain-types-of-von-hippel-lindau-vhl-disease/WELIREG is the first HIF-2 inhibitor treatment to receive FDA approval in the United States. WELIREG inhibits transcription and expression of HIF-2 target genes linked with cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, and tumor development as an HIF-2 inhibitor.A boxed warning on the WELIREG label states that exposure to…

Eric Jonasch, MD, principal investigator of Study 004 and professor, Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center speaks about FDA Approves Merck’s Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-2 Alpha (HIF-2α) Inhibitor WELIREGâ„¢ (belzutifan) for the Treatment of Patients With Certain Types of Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) Disease-Associated Tumors.Link to Article:https://www.merck.com/news/fda-approves-mercks-hypoxia-inducible-factor-2-alpha-hif-2%CE%B1-inhibitor-welireg-belzutifan-for-the-treatment-of-patients-with-certain-types-of-von-hippel-lindau-vhl-disease/WELIREG is the first HIF-2 inhibitor treatment to receive FDA approval in the United States. WELIREG inhibits transcription and expression of HIF-2 target genes linked with cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, and tumor development as an HIF-2 inhibitor.A boxed warning on the WELIREG label states that exposure to…

Laura Esserman, MD, MBA, Professor of Surgery and Radiology is a surgeon and breast cancer oncology specialist practicing at the UCSF Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center where she has also held the position of Director since 1996. She co-leads the Breast Oncology Program, the largest of the UCSF Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center’s multidisciplinary programs speaks about The Wisdom Study – “How often should women screen for breast cancer?”.Link to Article:https://www.thewisdomstudy.org/As it approaches the 30,000 woman mark, nationwide research investigating a customized approach to breast cancer screening and risk assessment has begun a fresh push to diversify its participants.WISDOM…

Laura Esserman, MD, MBA, Professor of Surgery and Radiology is a surgeon and breast cancer oncology specialist practicing at the UCSF Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center where she has also held the position of Director since 1996. She co-leads the Breast Oncology Program, the largest of the UCSF Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center’s multidisciplinary programs speaks about The Wisdom Study – “How often should women screen for breast cancer?”.Link to Article:https://www.thewisdomstudy.org/As it approaches the 30,000 woman mark, nationwide research investigating a customized approach to breast cancer screening and risk assessment has begun a fresh push to diversify its participants.WISDOM…

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Howard ‘Jack’ West, MD, Executive Director of Employer Strategy; Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Medical Oncology and; Therapeutics Research at the City of Hope speaks about ASCO 2021 Highlights in Lung Cancer.Link to Abstract 8500- IMpower010: Primary results of a phase III global study of atezolizumab versus best supportive care after adjuvant chemotherapy in resected stage IB-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/195950/abstractLink to Abstract 8503 – Surgical outcomes from the phase 3 CheckMate 816 trial: Nivolumab (NIVO) + platinum-doublet chemotherapy (chemo) vs chemo alone as neoadjuvant treatment for patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/195951/abstractLink to Abstract 9001 -…

David Illson, MD, Ph.D., Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College speaks about ASCO 2021 Highlights in 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)…

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…

Howard ‘Jack’ West, MD, Executive Director of Employer Strategy; Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Medical Oncology and; Therapeutics Research at the City of Hope speaks about ASCO 2021 Highlights in Lung Cancer. Link to Abstract 8500- IMpower010: Primary results of a phase III global study of atezolizumab versus best supportive care after adjuvant chemotherapy in resected stage IB-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/195950/abstractLink to Abstract 8503 – Surgical outcomes from the phase 3 CheckMate 816 trial: Nivolumab (NIVO) + platinum-doublet chemotherapy (chemo) vs chemo alone as neoadjuvant treatment for patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/195951/abstractLink to Abstract 9001…

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…

David Illson, MD, Ph.D., Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College speaks about ASCO 2021 Highlights in 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…

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)…

Professor Yves Chabu, Ph.D. from MU College of Arts and Science speaks about Understanding How Cancer Can Relapse.Link to Abstract:https://showme.missouri.edu/2021/understanding-how-cancer-can-relapse/Activating mutations in the RAS family of genes are preventing researchers from developing effective cancer treatments. Now, researchers from the University of Missouri and Yale University have revealed that one of these mutations, oncogenic RAS or RASV12, is also responsible for cancer cell recurrence after genotoxic therapy treatment, which involves medicines that break a cancer cell’s DNA in an attempt to kill it.Genotoxic treatments kill cancer cells by damaging the DNA inside them. To prevent being eliminated, cells typically stop reproducing…

Neeraj Agarwal, MD, is a Professor in the Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at University of Utah School of Medicine speaks about ASCO 2021 Abstracts – Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and patient-reported outcomes at final analysis of the TITAN study of apalutamide (APA) versus placebo (PBO) in patients (pts) with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/197750/abstractBackstory:In the phase 3 TITAN trial, APA was compared to PBO in patients with mCSPC who were receiving ADT. APA substantially improved overall survival (OS) and radiographic progression-free survival (RFS) compared to…

Neeraj Agarwal, MD, is a Professor in the Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at University of Utah School of Medicine speaks about ASCO 2021 Abstracts – Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and patient-reported outcomes at final analysis of the TITAN study of apalutamide (APA) versus placebo (PBO) in patients (pts) with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/197750/abstractBackstory:In the phase 3 TITAN trial, APA was compared to PBO in patients with mCSPC who were receiving ADT. APA substantially improved overall survival (OS) and radiographic progression-free survival (RFS) compared to…

Chan Shen, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Surgery Chief, Division of Outcomes, Research and Quality, The Pennsylvania State University speaks about Prolonged Opioid Use After Surgery for Early‐Stage Breast Cancer.Link to Abstract:https://theoncologist.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1634/theoncologist.2019-0868Abstract:Introduction:This study looked at the patterns of long-term opioid usage and the variables that were linked to a greater risk of long-term opioid usage in patients with early-stage breast cancer who were opioid-naive.Methods:The study identified 23,440 opioid-naive individuals who had breast cancer surgery between January 2000 and December 2014 and filled at least one opioid prescription as a result of the operation using MarketScan data. Extra-prolonged opioid usage was…

Dr. Pamela Kunz of Yale Cancer Center speaks with Drs. Charu Aggaral & Jack West about the headwinds of being a woman advancing in academic medicine, as well as a recent shocking story of sexual harassment & the systematic shortfalls that enabled it.

Jose P. Zevallos, MD, MPH, FACS, Associate Professor Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery; Chief Head & Neck Oncologic Surgery at the Washington University Medical School in St. Louis speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – Evaluating a clinically validated circulating tumor HPV DNA assay in saliva as a proximal biomarker in HPV+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Sophie P. Gerndt, MD author of the upcoming manuscript.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/197768/abstractBackground:HPV genomic DNA has been investigated extensively in plasma and saliva, but circulating tumor human papillomavirus DNA (ctHPVDNA) has just emerged as a reliable biomarker for monitoring in HPV+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Tumor-derived…

Thomas Brown, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Syapse speaks about ASCO 2021 Abstract – #e21121 – Feasibility of RECIST-based real-world tumor response assessment in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patients.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/201064/abstractBackground:The Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) is commonly used to assess treatment response to anti-cancer medicines for advanced lung cancer, however, it is not widely used in real-world settings. With real-world evidence increasingly being used to back promising treatments, this study looked into the feasibility of assessing real-world lung cancer response using RECIST-based measurement of lesions on archived radiologic films and comparing it to treatment response based on…

Thomas Brown, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Syapse speaks about ASCO 2021 Abstract – #e21047 – Myocarditis as a rare, yet serious adverse event associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: Case series from a large community-based cancer center.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/200926/abstractBackground:Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) may cause immune-related adverse effects in patients with lung cancer and other malignancies (irAE). Pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, and myocarditis/pericarditis can all manifest with varying degrees of severity and single- or multi-organ involvement. Myocarditis occurs in 0.06 percent to 2.4 percent of the population and is associated with a significant death rate (25…

Thomas Brown, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Syapse speaks about ASCO 2021 Poster – #9105 – Genomic markers associated with hyperprogression in patients with lung cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.Link to Poster:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/200547/abstractBackground:Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has become a standard of care for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, not all patients (pts) benefit with ICI, with a percentage reporting increased tumor development. Hyperprogression (HP) is a term used to describe faster tumor development on ICI along with the deteriorating clinical state. MDM2/MDM4 amplifications, EGFR alterations, and STK11/LKB1 mutations are some of the gene changes that have been…

Thomas Brown, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Syapse speaks about ASCO 2021 Abstracts – #9105 – Genomic markers associated with hyperprogression in patients with lung cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, #e21047 – Myocarditis as a rare, yet serious adverse event associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: Case series from a large community-based cancer center, and #e21121 – Feasibility of RECIST-based real-world tumor response assessment in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patients.Link to Poster #9105:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/200547/abstractLink to Abstract #e21047:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/200926/abstractLink to Abstract #e21121:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/201064/abstract#9105 Background:Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has become a standard of care for patients with…

Philippe Spiess, MD from H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – Clinically advanced pelvic squamous cell carcinomas (pSCC) in men and women: A comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) study.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/197709/abstractBackground:We used CGP to look for probable genetic changes between tumor types because the clinical symptoms, disease course, and treatment choices for pSCC varied.Methods:1,741 clinically advanced pSCCs underwent hybrid capture-based CGP to evaluate all classes of genomic alterations, including 230 penile (penSCC), 17 male urethral (murthSCC), 125 male anal (manSCC), 7 female urethral (furthSCC), 263 vulvar (vulSCC), 822 cervical (crvSCC), and 277 female…

Anas Alshawa, MD from the University of Arizona speaks about the Effects Of Glutamine For Prevention Of Radiation-induced Esophagitis: A Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial.Link to Study:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33580845/Synopsis:The goal Acute radiation-induced esophagitis (ARIE) causes treatment delays, a reduction in quality of life (QOL), and secondary complications such as weight loss. Grade 3 ARIE occurs in 15 percent to 30 percent of patients having esophageal irradiation, resulting in treatment interruption or cessation. The goal of this research was to see how glutamine, a common dietary supplement, affected ARIE in patients with thoracic cancers. Patients and procedures Patients with advanced thoracic malignancies were included in…

Taiga Nishihori, MD from the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – The results of multicenter phase II, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of maintenance ixazomib after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) for high-risk multiple myeloma (MM) from the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMT CTN 1302).Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/195823/abstractBackground information:The function of alloHCT and subsequent maintenance in the treatment of high-risk MM remains unknown. To treat patients with high-risk MM, we tested the effectiveness of ixazomib maintenance treatment following alloHCT utilizing a reduced-intensity fludarabine/melphalan/bortezomib (Flu/Mel/Bort)-based conditioning regimen.Methodologies:Adults 70 years or younger with…

Sarah E. Hoffe, MD from H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute speaks about ASCO Abstract – GRECO-2: A randomized, phase 2 study of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in combination with GC4711 in the treatment of unresectable or borderline resectable nonmetastatic pancreatic cancer (PC).Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/201242/abstractBackground information:While systemic therapy for PC has improved, surgical resection, which is regarded the best therapy, remains uncommon. Patients with unresectable or borderline PC continue to have dismal outcomes, with toxicity and disease progression during induction chemotherapy limiting the number of patients who may be surgically treated. SBRT practice has turned to greater…

Peter H. O’Donnell, MD from the University of Chicago speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – Oral Abstract Session: First-Line Pembrolizumab (Pembro) in Cisplatin-Ineligible Patients With Advanced Urothelial Cancer (UC): Response and Survival Results up to Five Years From the KEYNOTE-052 Phase 2 Study.Link to Abstract:https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/195585Background information:Pembro was authorized based on preliminary data from the phase 2 KEYNOTE-052 trial (NCT02335424), which revealed a 29 percent ORR in cisplatin-ineligible patients with untreated advanced UC. The results are updated after up to 5 years of follow-up.Methodologies:KEYNOTE-052 is an open-label, single-arm, multi-site experiment. Patients had advanced or metastatic UC, were ineligible for cisplatin…

Shilpa Gupta, MD from the Cleveland Clinic speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – SWOG S1216: A phase III randomized trial comparing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) plus TAK-700 with ADT plus bicalutamide in patients (pts) with newly diagnosed metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) (NCT01809691).Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/196407/abstractBackground information:Tak is a nonsteroidal 17, 20-lyase inhibitor that inhibits the production of androgens in the gonadal and adrenal glands. In patients with newly diagnosed mHSPC, we looked at the therapeutic benefit of Tak combined with ADT.Methodologies:Patients with mHSPC who had a Zubrod performance status (PS) of 0-2 and a PSA of less than 2…

Kent Hoskins, MD, Co-Leader of the Breast Cancer Research Group and Director of Cancer Genetics at the University of Illinois Cancer Center speaks about ASCO 2021 Abstract – Disparities within luminal breast cancer: Clinical and molecular features of African American and non-Hispanic white patients.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/198997/abstractBackground information:Despite equivalent therapies, African American breast cancer patients (AA) are diagnosed younger, have more high-risk characteristics, and have poorer clinical outcomes than non-Hispanic White patients (NHW). Although comorbidities like obesity and metabolic syndrome may play a role, ancestry-specific variables and the consequences of structural violence, which disproportionately affect AA people, may have an impact…

Michal R. Tomaszewski, Ph.D. from H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute speaks about ASCO 2021 Abstract – Imaging-based patient inclusion model for clinical trial performance optimization.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/196629/abstractBackground information:The development of novel cancer medicines in the era of precision medicine is heavily reliant on the appropriate identification of target patient populations. We believe that computational imaging data analysis may be utilized to produce a quantitative population enrichment method in clinical trials, and we want to provide a framework for this analysis.Methodologies:This concept was investigated in patients with soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) who were enrolled in a randomized Phase III…

Julian Andres Marin-Acevedo, MD from H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute speaks about ASCO 2021 Abstract – Efficacy of cetuximab after immunotherapy (IO) in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/197144/abstractBackground information:For advanced CSCC that is not responsive to surgery or curative radiation, anti-PD1 (aPD1) monotherapy with cemiplimab-rwlc or pembrolizumab is currently considered standard of treatment. Chemotherapy or anti-EGFR medicines were previously utilized to treat these individuals, albeit with poor effectiveness and response durability. At 6 weeks, the overall response rate (ORR) to cetuximab was 28 percent, with a disease control rate (DCR) of 69 percent, according…

Jonathan Zager, MD from H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute speaks about ASCO 2021 Abstract – Percutaneous hepatic perfusion (PHP) with melphalan for patients with ocular melanoma liver metastases: Preliminary results of FOCUS (PHP-OCM-301/301A) phase III trial.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/195993/abstractBackground information:The most prevalent intraocular cancer, ocular melanoma, commonly metastasizes to the liver, yet there is no clear standard of therapy for individuals with hepatic-dominant ocular melanoma. The FOCUS study began as a phase III randomized experiment (301) that compared PHP to the best alternative care (BAC). Due to enrollment issues, the study was later altered (301A) to exclude the…

Jonathan Strosberg, MD from H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – Final overall survival in the phase 3 NETTER-1 study of lutetium-177-DOTATATE in patients with midgut neuroendocrine tumors.Link to Abstract: https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/197214/abstractBackground information:The most prevalent intraocular cancer, ocular melanoma, commonly metastasizes to the liver, yet there is no clear standard of therapy for individuals with hepatic-dominant ocular melanoma. The FOCUS study began as a phase III randomized experiment (301) that compared PHP to the best alternative care (BAC). Due to enrollment issues, the study was later altered (301A) to exclude the BAC arm.Methodologies:The…

Ana Maria Arance, MD from the Hospital Clinic Barcelona speaks about ASCO 2021 Abstract – Lenvatinib (len) plus pembrolizumab (pembro) for patients (pts) with advanced melanoma and confirmed progression on a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor: Updated findings of LEAP-004.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/195985/abstractBackground information:In patients with unresectable stage III-IV melanoma with confirmed PD on a PD-(L)1 inhibitor administered alone or in combination, preliminary data from the open-label, single-arm, phase 2 LEAP-004 trial (NCT03776136) revealed that len and pembro in combination exhibited promising effectiveness and acceptable safety. ORR was 21.4 percent with a 6.3-month median DOR in patients with PD who had previously…

Paul M. Barr, MD from the University of Rochester Medical Center Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – Up to seven years of follow-up in the RESONATE-2 study of first-line ibrutinib treatment for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.Link to Abstract:https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/198840Background information:Ibrutinib, a once-daily Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is the only targeted therapy that has shown to improve progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) in multiple randomized phase 3 studies. The RESONATE-2 trial of first-line ibrutinib vs. chlorambucil in older patients with CLL/SLL has…

Brian Rini, MD, Professor of Medicine from Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center speaks about Pembrolizumab (pembro) plus axitinib (axi) versus sunitinib as first-line therapy for advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC): Results from 42-month follow-up of KEYNOTE-426.Link to Abstracthttps://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/195569/abstractBackground information:Treatment with pembro + axi significantly improved OS, PFS, and ORR compared to sunitinib monotherapy in treatment-naive advanced ccRCC, according to the first interim analysis of the randomized, multicenter, open-label, phase 3 KEYNOTE-426 trial (NCT02853331). In this patient cohort, further follow-up (median, 30.6 mo) continued to show that pembro + axi was more effective than sunitinib monotherapy. The…

Charles E. Geyer, Jr., MD, FACP, Deputy Director of the Houston Methodist Cancer Center, and Study Co-Chair speaks about ASCO 2021 – 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).Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/115571/abstractBackground information:Treatment with the PARP inhibitor olaparib (Lynparza; 400 mg twice daily [bid]; capsules) resulted in antitumor efficacy in patients (pts) with advanced BC harboring a gBRCAm in a Phase II proof-of-concept study (NCT00494234) (objective response rate: 41 percent; Tutt et al Lancet 2010). Olaparib as adjuvant monotherapy has been…

Brian Durie, MD, part of the iStopMM team and chairman of the International Myeloma Foundation speaks about the study – With 80,000 Participants, the Largest Study of Its Kind Is the First to Evaluate the Benefits of Screening for a Precursor to the Blood Cancer Multiple Myeloma.Link to Article:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/with-80-000-participants-the-largest-study-of-its-kind-is-the-first-to-evaluate-the-benefits-of-screening-for-a-precursor-to-the-blood-cancer-multiple-myeloma-301294309.htmlAccording to the International Myeloma Foundation, findings published this week in Blood Cancer Journal might lead to a paradigm change in myeloma therapy, including screening for the disease’s precursor and early treatment.With a total of 80,759 participants, the IMF-funded iStopMM research (Iceland Screens, Treats, or Prevents Multiple Myeloma) is the biggest of…

Abdulraheem Yacoub, MD from the University of Kansas Center for Bioinformatics speaks about ASCO 2021 Abstract – A phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of ruxolitinib plus parsaclisib in patients with JAK- and PI3K-inhibitor treatment-naïve myelofibrosis.Link to Abstract:https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/201296Background information:Ruxolitinib (a JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor) improves outcomes in individuals with myelofibrosis (MF), however, a small percentage of individuals may have a poor response. The addition of the PI3K inhibitor parsaclisib to ruxolitinib monotherapy resulted in further relief of MF symptoms and splenomegaly in individuals with MF, according to recent phase 2 results (Yacoub. EHA2020. S216). This phase 3 randomized, double-blind research (INCB 50465-313;…

Abdulraheem Yacoub, MD from the University of Kansas Center for Bioinformatics speaks about ASCO 2021 Abstract – A phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of ruxolitinib plus parsaclisib in patients with JAK- and PI3K-inhibitor treatment-naïve myelofibrosis.Link to Abstract:https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/201296Background information:Ruxolitinib (a JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor) improves outcomes in individuals with myelofibrosis (MF), however, a small percentage of individuals may have a poor response. The addition of the PI3K inhibitor parsaclisib to ruxolitinib monotherapy resulted in further relief of MF symptoms and splenomegaly in individuals with MF, according to recent phase 2 results (Yacoub. EHA2020. S216). This phase 3 randomized, double-blind research (INCB 50465-313;…

Mounzer Agha, MD, is the director of the Mario Lemieux Center for Blood Cancers at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, and the clinical director of the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation of UPMC speaks about the ASCO 2021 – Abstract – CARTITUDE-2: Efficacy and safety of ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel), a BCMA-directed CAR T-cell therapy, in patients with progressive multiple myeloma (MM) after one to three prior lines of therapy.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/195446/abstractBackground information:Cilta-cel is a CAR T-cell treatment that expresses two single-domain antibodies that target BCMA and impart avidity. The multicohort, phase 2 CARTITUDE-2 research (NCT04133636) is assessing cilta-cel safety and effectiveness in a variety…

Nima Sharifi, MD, director of Cleveland Clinic’s Genitourinary Malignancies Research Center speaks about ASCO 2021 – Abstract – Adrenal-permissive HSD3B1 genetic inheritance and risk of estrogen-driven postmenopausal breast cancer.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/197176/abstractBackground information:There are no known genetic variables that influence endogenous estrogen synthesis and the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. We wanted to see if the homozygous inheritance of the 1245AC missense-encoding polymorphism in HSD3B1, which is common (8-10%) in White populations, functionally adrenal permissive, and increases the synthesis of the aromatase substrate androstenedione, is linked to postmenopausal estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.Methodologies:HSD3B1 genotype, circulating steroid concentrations, and adrenal-permissive genotype frequency in…

Nima Sharifi, MD, director of Cleveland Clinic’s Genitourinary Malignancies Research Center speaks about Cleveland Clinic Researchers Identify New Drug Target for Treating Aggressive Prostate Cancer.Link to Article:https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2021/05/26/cleveland-clinic-researchers-identify-new-drug-target-for-treating-aggressive-prostate-cancer/Cleveland Clinic researchers have found a viable therapeutic target for treating and preventing aggressive, treatment-resistant prostate cancer, according to new data published in Science Translational Medicine.The researchers showed that blocking the protein H6PD decreased tumor growth and enhanced longevity in mice models with drug-resistant prostate cancer, lead by Nima Sharifi, M.D. of Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute. H6PD levels were similarly enhanced in biopsied patient tumors, indicating that the protein may be used to…

Giuseppe Curigliano, MD, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Milano and the Head of the Division of Early Drug Development at the European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS speaks about ASCO 2021 – Abstract – Safety and efficacy of pralsetinib in patients with advanced RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer: Update from the ARROW trial.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/200463/abstractBackground information:In 1–2% of non-small cell lung cancers, RET fusions are targetable oncogenic drivers (NSCLC). Pralsetinib, a very powerful oral selective RET inhibitor for RET-altered NSCLC and thyroid cancer, was approved by the US FDA (NCT03037385). The results for a…

Ajay Goel, Ph.D., AGAF, chair of the Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Experimental Therapeutics at City of Hope speaks about the DDW 2021 abstract – Transcriptomic Profiling Identifies a Risk Stratification Signature for Predicting Peritoneal Recurrence and Micrometastasis in Gastric CancerLink to Article:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33558424/Summary -The goal is to:Peritoneal carcinomatosis is a kind of gastric cancer that is deadly. The need for biomarkers to help identify patients at high risk of peritoneal recurrence or metastasis is highlighted by the need to create biomarkers that can help identify patients at high risk of peritoneal recurrence or metastasis.Design of the experiment:By analyzing expression profiling…

Ajay Goel, Ph.D., AGAF, chair of the Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Experimental Therapeutics at the City of Hope speaks about the DDW 2021 abstract – A Liquid Biopsy Exosomal microRNA Panel For Predicting Recurrence Following Surgery In Patients With Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.Link to Article:https://m.pharmasources.com/news/69994.htmlThe researchers looked at 210 plasma samples from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients, some of whom had neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) and others who did not. Small RNA sequencing was performed on 25 of the patients.A 6-exosomal miRNA risk-prediction model was then optimized and trained by the researchers. The prediction model reliably distinguished patients with cancer recurrence (area…

Salma K Jabbour, MD from Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey/RWJBarnabas Health speaks about ASCO 2021 Abstract KEYNOTE-799: Phase 2 trial of pembrolizumab plus platinum chemotherapy and radiotherapy for unresectable, locally advanced, stage 3 NSCLC.Link to Abstract:https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/196541Background information:The anti-PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab (pembro) combined concurrent chemoradiation treatment (cCRT) in patients with unresectable, locally advanced stage III NSCLC is being studied in KEYNOTE-799 (NCT03631784). Prior findings in a subgroup of patients (primary efficacy population) indicated an ORR of 69.6% in cohort A (squamous and nonsquamous, n = 112) and 70.5 percent in cohort B (nonsquamous, n = 61), with grade 3 pneumonitis…

Ghassan K. Abou-Alfa, MD, medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – Pemigatinib for previously treated locally advanced/metastatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA): Update of FIGHT-202.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/197197/abstractBackground information:In the FIGHT-202 trial, pemigatinib (PEMI), a powerful, selective oral FGFR1-3 inhibitor, was demonstrated to be effective and safe in patients with CCA and FGFR2 rearrangements/fusions (NCT02924376; objective response rate [ORR], 35.5 percent ; duration of response [DOR], 7.2 months [mo]). In the main publication (Abou-Alfa. Lancet Oncol 2020; cutoff: Mar 22, 2019), overall survival (OS: 21.1 mo) was not mature; herein, we describe matured effectiveness and safety…

Pauline Funchain, MD, Medical Oncologist/Cancer Genomics at Cleveland Clinic speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – Final analysis of overall survival (OS) and relapse-free-survival (RFS) in the intergroup S1404 phase III randomized trial comparing either high-dose interferon (HDI) or ipilimumab to pembrolizumab in patients with high-risk resected melanoma.Link to Abstract -https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/195948/abstractBackground information:We wanted to see if adjuvant pembrolizumab, administered for a year, would enhance OS and RFS compared to high-dose ipilimumab (ipi10) or HDI, the two FDA-approved adjuvant therapies for high-risk resected melanoma at the time.Methodologies:Patients with resected stages IIIA(N2), B, C, and IV who were 18 years or older…

Nathan A. Pennell, MD, Ph.D., FASCO, Vice Chair of Clinical Research and Director, Lung Cancer Medical Oncology Program Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute Clinic speaks about the ASCO 2021 Abstract – Modeling the cost-effectiveness of adjuvant osimertinib in resected EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer patients.Link to Abstract – https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/198656/abstractBackground information:Based on the ADAURA trial’s DFS benefits, adjuvant Osimertinib (Osi) was recently approved for resected EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Prior studies of adjuvant EGFR inhibitors that resulted in improved DFS but not overall survival (OS) have sparked debate over early clinical implementation due to the high drug costs. The…

Suresh S. Ramalingam, MD, FASCO, Deputy Director, lead of the integration of the research, clinical, and educational components within Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University speaks about ASCO 2021 – Abstract – Mobocertinib (TAK-788) in EGFR exon 20 insertion (ex20ins)+ metastatic NSCLC (mNSCLC): Additional results from platinum-pretreated patients (pts) and EXCLAIM cohort of phase 1/2 study.Link to Abstract:https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/198352/abstractBackground information:There are no authorized targeted treatments for EGFR ex20ins+ mNSCLC. Mobocertinib, a first-in-class, powerful oral TKI that targets EGFR ex20ins mutations, has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation in the United States and China for patients with EGFR ex20ins+ mNSCLC after platinum-based treatment.Methodologies:Dose-escalation/expansion and…

Adam C. Berger, MD, FACS, Chief, Melanoma and Soft Tissue Surgical Oncology, Associate Director for Shared Resources at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey/RWJBarnabas Health discusses the ASCO 2021 Abstract – Adjuvant nivolumab in high-risk stage IIb/IIc melanoma patients: Results from investigator initiated clinical trial.Link to Abstract:https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/197065Background information:Recurrence rates for Stage IIB and IIC melanoma have been shown to be as high as 46% in 5-year trials. The only FDA-approved medication for these high-risk individuals to avoid this inevitable recurrence is high-dose interferon-alfa, which is highly toxic. There are currently adjuvant immunotherapies (anti-PD1) and targeted treatments (anti-BRAF and anti-MEK combinations)…

Jorge Cortes, MD, Director of the Georgia Cancer Center discusses the ASCO 2021 Abstract – OPTIC primary analysis: A dose-optimization study of 3 starting doses of ponatinib (PON).Link To Abstract -https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/195828/abstractBackground information: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 response-based PON dosage regimen in patients with resistant/intolerant CP-CML,…