Early Trial Yields Promising Data for Pemrolizumab in Breast Cancer
December 14th 2015The immunotherapy pembrolizumab (Keytruda) demonstrated on overall response rate (ORR) of 12% in patients with ER-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer in the phase 1b KEYNOTE-028 trial, marking the second early-stage trial to show antitumor activity with this agent in breast cancer.
Patient-Reported Symptoms Can Inform Advice on Tamoxifen Versus Anastrozole
December 11th 2015A new study has shown that overall quality of life is similar among patients taking tamoxifen or anastrozole, but patient reports on their hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and joint pain can help illuminate which therapy may be right for a particular woman. And, the analysis shows, age matters.
FDA Approves Vistogard to Counteract Chemo Overdose, Toxicities
December 11th 2015The FDA has approved uridine triacetate (Vistogard) for the emergency treatment of adult and pediatric patients who had severe or life-threatening toxicities within 4 days of treatment following an overdose of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or capecitabine.
Early Signals of Response With PD-L1 Inhibitor Avelumab in Metastatic Breast Cancer
December 11th 2015The immunotherapy agent avelumab yielded encouraging overall response rates (ORR) for patients with PD-L1–positive metastatic breast cancer and had an acceptable safety profile, according to findings reported at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS).
Denosumab Is Not Just for Bone Health—Therapy Improves Survival, Too
December 9th 2015Denosumab not only promotes bone health, it confers a survival advantage, according to data from a follow-up analysis of the ABCSG-18 trial reported at the 2015 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS).
FDA Clears First Cooling Cap to Save Hair During Breast Cancer Chemo
December 9th 2015The FDA has cleared for marketing the nation’s first cooling cap—the Dignitana DigniCap Cooling System—to reduce the severity and frequency of hair loss in patients receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer.
Information Empowers Patients With GI Malignancies
December 9th 2015Entering through the giant, inflatable colon, dozens of patients, caregivers, family members and providers gathered at the Georgetown University Hotel and Conference Center in Washington, DC, December 5 for the symposium, “Fighting a Smarter War Against Cancer.â€
Daratumumab Combo Safe and Effective in Multiple Myeloma
December 8th 2015The CD38 monoclonal antibody daratumumab in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone proved to be safe and showed an 81% response rate in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, according to research presented at the 2015 ASH Annual Meeting.
Two, High-Dose Flu Shots Help High-Risk Patients Avoid Infection
December 7th 2015Although patients with multiple myeloma and other plasma cell disorders (PCDs) are routinely vaccinated against influenza, studies show that a one-time flu shot does not confer an adequate immune response in these high-risk patients.
Ibrutinib Superior to Chemotherapy in Untreated Chronic Leukemia
December 7th 2015The kinase inhibitor Ibrutinib (Imbruvica) is a more effective frontline therapy than the traditional chemotherapy chlorambucil in treating older treatment-naïve patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), reducing the risk of death by 84%.
Avoidable Colorectal Cancer Deaths Hit Low Socioeconomic Areas Hardest
December 4th 2015Disparities in colorectal cancer deaths have had a significant impact on the national economy, with areas of low socioeconomic status experiencing the greatest losses, according to a study by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Anthracycline Regimens May Worsen 'Chemobrain' in Breast Cancer Survivors
December 3rd 2015Patients with breast cancer who have received anthracycline-based (ANTHR) chemotherapy may be more likely to experience "chemobrain"-a cancer-related cognitive impairment that can affect memory, attention, and physical function-than those treated with nonanthracycline-based regimens.
The FDA Expands Approval of Opdivo as Frontline Therapy for Melanoma
November 24th 2015The FDA has approved nivolumab (Opdivo) as a frontline treatment for patients with BRAF wild-type advanced melanoma, based on a substantial improvement in overall survival (OS) compared with dacarbazine in a phase III study.
Portrazza FDA approved for Advanced Squamous NSCLC
November 24th 2015The combination of Portrazza (necitumumab) with gemcitabine and cisplatin has been FDA approved as first-line therapy for patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The approval is based on findings from the phase III SQUIRE trial.
The Story of Hope for Two Members: Zoila Pasos & Haydee Marte
November 24th 2015In 2007, Zoila Pasos found a lump in her breast when she was just a few weeks pregnant. Not long into the pregnancy, she miscarried. While she allowed her body time to heal, she had the lump checked and was told it was a benign cyst and nothing to worry about.
FDA Approves Opdivo to Treat Kidney Cancer
November 23rd 2015Based on an extension in overall survival (OS) in the CheckMate-025 trial, Opdivo (nivolumab) has been approved by the FDA for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following prior treatment with an anti-angiogenic therapy.
Tafinlar/Mekinist Combination Fully Approved by FDA for BRAF-Mutant Melanoma
November 23rd 2015The combination of Tafinlar (dabrafenib) and Mekinist (trametinib) has been fully approved by the FDA to treat patients with unresectable or metastatic BRAF-mutated melanoma. The approval is based on an extension in overall survival (OS) from two phase III studies.
Genetic Testing May Add Confusion to Treatment Decisions
November 23rd 2015As genetic testing becomes increasingly available, there will be a growing gap between the wide availability of testing and the relative importance of results to treatment decisions. In the current environment, there's more promise in precision medicine than practical applications in the exam room.