The study found that precision oncology therapies require genomic biomarker screening for patient selection and have expanded over the years. The analysis showed a slow expansion in approvals from 1998 to 2017 and a rapid increase from 2017 to 2022, with 86 out of 198 approved drugs classified as precision oncology drugs.
Researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center presented new findings on radiation-induced secondary cancers, a new guidance system for radiation therapy, and the consequences of insurance denials. The studies aimed to improve personalized treatment decisions for patients with rare cancer syndromes like Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
A novel liquid biopsy test identifies levels of circulating tumor DNA as a more precise measure of disease burden than the number of tumors themselves. Patients with lower levels of detectable ctDNA are more likely to benefit from radiation therapy.
Cancer researchers at University of Cincinnati Cancer Center are exploring a new method called lattice therapy, which delivers higher doses to tumors and lower doses to surrounding tissues. The approach has shown promise in reducing treatment time and improving patient outcomes for head and neck, lung, and brain tumors.
A new set of criteria, RANO 2.0, has been proposed to improve the assessment of progression in glioma patients and accelerate the development of new treatments for brain tumors.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital refined the definition of hyperdiploidy in childhood B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), using DNA index to predict patient outcomes. The study found that a simpler system captures a significant proportion of patients with excellent prognoses, and that individual chromosome ...
A secondary analysis of NRG Oncology-RTOG 0617 found IMRT reduced CTCAE grade ≥ 3 pneumonitis by 2-fold compared to 3D-CRT. The study suggests IMRT should be the radiation technique of choice for patients with locally advanced NSCLC.
The City of Hope will lead the way in integrating complementary therapies into cancer care, supporting holistic treatment for patients. The Cherng Family Center's research and clinical programs aim to advance evidence-based standards for integrative oncology, creating an international destination for its transformational work.
The Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommend mindfulness-based stress reduction, meditation, and mindful movement to treat anxiety and depression symptoms in cancer patients. These interventions have strong evidence supporting their benefits.
National guidelines recommend mindfulness meditation, yoga, and music therapy for cancer patients experiencing anxiety and depression. The guidelines are based on strong evidence from clinical studies, providing a comprehensive approach to managing these common side effects of cancer treatment.
The study identifies barriers to cancer treatment, including high drug costs and limited diagnostic infrastructure. It suggests strengthening the oncology workforce and training them on precision therapies to address this shortage.
A group of global oncologists and patient advocates argue that cancer care is driven by commercial interests, not patient needs. The 'Common Sense Oncology' movement aims to prioritize patient outcomes over profit-driven research and treatment development.
The Multidisciplinary Molecular Tumour Board (MTB) has been shown to improve treatment response rates for patients with advanced solid cancer, with 64% of patients benefiting from the MTB-guided approach. The board provides a systematic precision oncology strategy for treatment selection, combining expertise in multiple disciplines.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have engineered a new model of aggressive renal cell carcinoma, highlighting molecular targets and genomic events that trigger chromosomal instability. The loss of interferon receptor genes plays a pivotal role in allowing cancer cells to become tolerant of chromosomal instability.
Researchers have created a new prediction tool to evaluate the benefits of blood cancer treatments, filling a gap in previous versions. The ESMO-MCBS:H v1.0 tool uses a validated algorithm to assess clinical benefits, survival data, and quality of life, providing a transparent assessment for clinicians.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found potential savings of $661.8M (78.8%) if insurers purchased seven generic oncology drugs at MCCPDC prices, with total savings ranging from $228.1M to $2,154.5M.
The Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center received a $2.9 million grant to train physicians and scientists to conduct clinical and translational oncology research, focusing on addressing health inequities in the Bronx. Scholars will engage in interdisciplinary research projects with community outreach and engagement.
A Phase II trial led by MD Anderson Cancer Center showed that zanidatamab achieved a 41% confirmed objective response rate and durable responses in HER2-positive biliary tract cancer. This represents the largest study of a HER2-targeted drug in BTC, providing evidence for its potential as a new treatment option.
At ASCO 2023, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center experts are available to discuss a wide range of topics, including Sarcoma research, tumor agnostic precision oncology, and genitourinary cancers. The center's experts also share their perspectives on immunotherapy approaches for prostate cancer, breast cancer treatment, and melanoma.
The ATOM Coalition aims to improve cancer medicine availability and increase the capacity of lower-income countries to diagnose and manage cancer. The coalition prioritizes generic and biosimilar medicines for cancer treatments, targeting countries with high mortality rates.
A randomized clinical trial found that providing palliative care at the time of cancer surgery did not improve patient outcomes, including quality of life and survival. The study suggests that surgeons should not be reluctant to call for palliative care consultations based on fear of upsetting patients.
Researchers used human liver organoids to study fibrolamellar carcinoma, a rare childhood liver cancer. They found that different genetic mutations underlie different degrees of aggressiveness in the tumors, and uncovered the probable cell-of-origin as hepatocytes.
A recent study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology found that dose-escalated radiotherapy with short-term androgen deprivation therapy showed no significant impact on urinary or bowel quality of life for men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer. However, the treatment did significantly decrease hormone and sexual quality of lif...
The NRG Oncology study found that stereotactic radiosurgery was not superior to conventional external beam radiotherapy in terms of pain response, and even showed worse pain response at 3 months. Conventional radiotherapy remained effective with a 50-60% pain relief rate, but only lasting four months.
The study found that dose-escalated radiotherapy with short-term androgen deprivation therapy improved rates of biochemical failure, distant metastases, and prostate cancer-specific mortality. However, the trial did not meet its primary endpoint of improving overall survival for men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer.
Neurologist Soma Sengupta introduces the concept of integrative neuro-oncology, combining conventional treatments with alternative therapies to enhance patient well-being. Her approach prioritizes the unique needs of brain tumor patients and their caregivers, promoting a holistic understanding of medicine.
The guideline provides guidance on definitive local therapy options for non-small cell lung cancer with limited extracranial metastases. It emphasizes the need for a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach to treatment decisions.
A recent study published in JAMA Oncology reveals that disparities in cancer care are linked to differences between clinicians' and patients' identities. Younger, lower-income minorities were disproportionately affected by delayed care due to these identity differences.
The ACC Cardio-oncology Course aims to equip clinicians with the latest strategies and best practices for managing cardiovascular health in cancer patients. The course will feature joint presentations of oncologists and cardiologists, showcasing real-life patient care and collaboration across teams.
An international panel of experts has developed standardized definitions for immunotherapy side effects, providing a shared vocabulary for clinicians to standardize clinical practice guidelines. This will help support clinicians in offering the best treatment to patients and enable research into biomarkers predicting adverse effects.
A new study published in JNCCN identifies a targeted approach to improve end-of-life conversations for people with cancer. Researchers found that specially trained oncology infusion room nurses can increase the rate of advance care planning, leading to more supported decision-making.
The NRG Oncology combined trial results indicate that pathologic complete response (pCR) is associated with improved survival outcomes for patients with localized soft tissue sarcoma. pCR can be used as a prognostic factor for clinical outcomes in future STS research, with patients achieving higher overall and disease-free survival rates.
Adding pembrolizumab to chemotherapy greatly improves patient outcomes in both MMR-deficient and proficient tumors. Progression-free survival increases by 70% in MMR-deficient tumors and 46% in MMR-proficient tumors.
Researchers identified ARID1A and PIK3CA as potential targets for drug development in recurrent and metastatic cervical cancer. The study found that these mutations were associated with improved survival rates, suggesting their potential as new treatment options.
A co-location model for cancer diagnostic services at a community health center in Boston reduced time to diagnosis from 32 days to 12 days. The program, which has been in operation for 12 years, was designed to bring oncology diagnostics and patient navigation services into the community health center.
The NCCN Annual Conference will debut a new hybrid format featuring in-person events at a new venue, allowing for hallway conversations and networking opportunities. The conference will also showcase more than 100 abstract poster presentations on various oncology-related categories.
A recent study found that immunotherapy costs accounted for 84% of the net increase in Medicare spending on outpatient cancer care at the end of life. Payments for radiation oncology decreased by 2%, while palliative care spending rose, reflecting a shift towards hypofractionated radiation treatments.
Patients with resectable NSCLC treated with neoadjuvant nivolumab show improved five-year recurrence-free and overall survival rates compared to historical outcomes. Major pathological responses after neoadjuvant nivolumab may be associated with lower risk of disease recurrence and death.
The study validated the clinical utility of Strata Oncology's proprietary pan-solid tumor predictive biomarker, Immunotherapy Response Score (IRS), which predicts response to checkpoint inhibitor therapy. IRS captures tumor biology and microenvironment by combining tumor mutation burden with quantitative expression of PD-L1, PD-1, ADAM...
Researchers analyzed over 500,000 patient records and found that patients diagnosed at age 70 were nearly twice as likely to be passed over for post-surgical radiation therapy. This significant gap in treatment recommendations suggests that cognitive heuristics play a major role in physician decision-making.
Researchers analyzed tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer, revealing two major defects that inhibit immune response. The study suggests a new approach using anti-CD137 agonist antibody treatment in combination with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy to activate T cells.
The EMBRACE-I study demonstrated the superiority of personalized brachytherapy in treating locally advanced cervical cancer. A targeted approach using magnetic resonance imaging-defined tumor volume resulted in a high tumor control rate and low risk of recurrence.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in precision oncology for patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma, identifying that certain cell surface molecules decrease or are absent in these patients, making them resistant to the new drug enfortumab vedotin.
Researchers at the Princess Máxima Center found that concentrating surgery for children with neuroblastoma resulted in shorter operation times and reduced blood loss. The study also showed a decrease in side effects, although further research is needed to confirm improved survival rates.
A nationwide retrospective study showed that adjuvant chemotherapy after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and surgery significantly improved overall survival in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, regardless of lymph node status or resection margins. The study included nearly 900 patients and was published in JAMA Oncology.
The updated guideline provides recommendations on the use of radiation therapy and systemic therapy after surgery to treat patients with endometrial cancer. It considers the role of surgical staging and molecular profiling techniques in determining whether a patient should receive post-operative therapy.
The Máxima Butterfly program offers 28 PhD positions in pediatric oncology, focusing on international collaboration and multidisciplinary exchange. Researchers will receive training from leading experts and gain access to innovative techniques and insights.
The ESMO Immuno-Oncology Congress 2022 will present results from over 240 studies worldwide, exploring new insights on immune checkpoint inhibitors, biomarkers for treatment response, and combination therapy efficacy. The congress aims to accelerate progress in immuno-oncology.
The Princess Máxima Center has been awarded a Marie Sklodowska-Curie COFUND grant to train 28 PhD students from around the world in pediatric oncology research. The program aims to advance the field and promote international collaboration.
A new report by the European Groundshot Commission highlights current and future challenges in cancer research across Europe. The authors estimate that approximately one million cancer diagnoses were missed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine poses a significant threat to clinical trials and workforce gaps.
Patients with non-metastatic soft tissue sarcoma can safely receive hypofractionated treatment over three weeks instead of five, achieving similar tumor control and no increased risk of wound complications. The study found comparable rates of major wound complications between the two treatment courses.
A large-scale analysis of VA medical centers found that facilities with lower yearly PSA screening rates had higher rates of metastatic prostate cancer in subsequent years. The study supports the benefits of prostate cancer screening in reducing metastatic prostate cancer risk, particularly for high-risk groups like Black patients.
Researchers developed an AI model that uses daily step counts to predict the likelihood of unplanned hospitalization during cancer therapy, offering personalized care and potential prevention of treatment interruptions. The model was tested on data from wearable consumer devices and showed strong predictive performance.
The NRG-HN004 trial found that radiotherapy with durvalumab did not improve progression-free survival or overall survival compared to cetuximab in patients with locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who have a contraindication to cisplatin. The study highlighted the need for further research in this population.
A randomized phase III trial shows that adding radiation therapy to systemic therapy can delay tumor progression and lengthen survival without compromising quality of life. The combination of SBRT and sorafenib appears more effective than the drug on its own.
Adding stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to sorafenib significantly improves overall survival, progression-free survival, and time to tumor progression in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. SBRT was shown to be effective without increasing toxicity.
In a first-in-human trial, FLASH radiation treatment was found safe and effective for pain relief in patients with bone metastases. The study showed significant pain relief in 7 out of 10 patients, with minimal side effects.
A recent study supports fourth vaccination for cancer patients to protect them against COVID-19. Patients with solid tumours and hematological cancers showed a significant increase in antibody levels after a fourth dose of one of the currently approved vaccines.
The new SIO-ASCO guideline recommends the use of acupuncture, massage therapy, and other integrative therapies for managing breast cancer-related joint pain, general cancer pain, and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The guidelines also acknowledge areas that need further research to support their recommendations.
Late-breaking results at ESMO Congress 2022 reveal a strong association between air pollution and non-small cell lung cancer, with exposure to particulate matter linked to increased risk. The research underscores the need for environmental sustainability in oncology, particularly in cancer prevention and early detection.