7 Key Cancer Trends For 2018
Few doctors, even oncologists who subspecialize, can keep up with developments in the field.
A New PARP Drug For Breast Cancer? I’m Thrilled!
The paradigm for using chemo first to treat advanced breast cancer may change, as we gain experience with these new drugs.
Actually, Many New Cancer Drugs May Be Helpful And Worth Trying
Perhaps the literature fails to capture the clinical value of oncology drugs. This could happen for several reasons.
A Pill Might Control Pancreatic Cancer, Even If It Doesn’t Cure It
A new type of cancer medication, called PARP inhibitors, is gaining traction in clinical practice.
Precision Oncology Drug Shows Power Of Cancer Genomics
The key to the positive results is molecular matching. Patients received larotrectinib, a TRK inhibitor, only if their cancers were marked by a switch…It’s a perfect example of how precision medicine can benefit patients with rare conditions.
Why The Movie About Henrietta Lacks Matters Today
What’s most compelling about the new movie is that it illuminates the patient, Henrietta Lacks, and renders her unforgettable.
Encouraging Results For Ribociclib In Advanced Breast Cancer
Ribociclib is one of several CDK inhibitors being tried in breast cancer and other malignancies.
Tragedy In A Clinical Trial: A Reminder That Biotech Is Not A Game
It was a seemingly innocuous change in the protocol that may have caused this experimental tragedy. Which is all the more reason to be careful, and mind the details.
A Novel, Targeted Drug Yields Promising Results In Stomach And Esophageal Cancer
If these data pan out, this first-in-class antibody might be likened to Herceptin, or Rituxan… a precise treatment that works on malignant cells that have tested positive for the relevant molecule.
The Emerging Value Of Personalized Phase 1 Clinical Trials In Oncology
This paper offers the clearest demonstration, yet, of the value – to patients – of precision medicine in oncology.
MammaPrint, Agendia’s Breast Cancer Test, Is Having A U.S. Moment. Can It Reduce Overtreatment?
The potential to reduce overtreatment, in women with a low chance of recurrence for which chemo is unlikely to be of benefit, is huge.
Could New Lung Cancer Meds Keep Walter White From Breaking Bad?
Today, Walter White might not be doomed by his lung cancer. The harder problem is how to pay for his care.
Five Key Issues For The Future Of Cancer IT
If there’s one thing that’s become clear about precision medicine – and the delivery of optimal care based in science – it will require super technology. This need is especially urgent in oncology.
Why Many Cancer Drugs Don’t Have To Cost So Much
The concept of valuing drugs, at least in part, by how easy it is to reliably produce, distribute and take them, appeals to reason.
Companion Diagnostics? For Cancer Care, We Need Better Ones
These biomarkers should link patients to optimal therapy (when such exists), and lead some to decline therapy that’s unlikely to help. The CDx field is moving forward rapidly in oncology..
Precision Medicine Is A Needed Goal That Will Benefit Cancer Patients
A common misconception is that precision medicine is about one drug for one disease. But for most cancer types, it will involve combining medications in effective cocktails.
Precision Medicine Will (Eventually) Lower Cancer Care Costs
Over time, the costs should drop, like for smartphone tech, what my Dad – a chemistry major and retired physician – called “magic.”
In A First, Kidney Cancer Drug Extends Survival
Taken together, the findings raise many possibilities – and questions about strategy, and expense – for testing and prescribing new small drugs and immune-targeting antibodies to patients with kidney and, potentially, other advanced cancer forms.
Why Evidence From A Clinical Trial Of Ovarian Cancer Has Limited Value
One problem is that prospective, randomized clinical trials comparing treatments for conditions like “Stage 3 ovarian cancer” fall behind the pace of advances in science and drug development.
Can Journalists Be Too Skeptical About Progress Against Cancer?
On Twitter this week, I happened upon a discussion having to do with the possibility of curing cancer.
On The Death Of Beau Biden, Brain Cancer, Progress And Hope
Brain cancer is an outlier in 2015. It’s among a handful of broad tumor types including liver and pancreatic cancer that, sadly, still kill in most cases.
Lynparza, First In A New Class Of Cancer Drugs, Is Surprisingly Active In A Wide Range Of Tumors
So far, the studies demonstrate that Lynparza has activity in cancer patients with and without inherited BRCA mutations.
Thinking Ahead: From ‘The Emperor Of All Maladies’ To Precision Medicine In Cancer
We’re in the 1950s of precision medicine, so to speak. Modern oncology care helps some, many but not all.
Chatting With Anne Parker: A Patient’s View On How Cancer Care Has Changed Since The 1960s
Anne Parker’s perspective on cancer care – as a family member, patient and advocate – spans over 50 years.
Heart Health After Cancer: A Growing Concern
It’s the kind of problem a person who’s had cancer, or a doctor who’s prescribed generally helpful treatment, may not want to think about.
On The Death Of David Carr, And Cancer Survivorship
Carr’s story highlights the need for improved survivorship care. As his recent autopsy disclosed, he died with an aggressive form of lung cancer and heart disease.
Novel Drug Expands Treatment Options For Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer
The FDA’s decision on palbociclib immediately expands treatment options for a large fraction of people living with metastatic breast cancer. What limits enthusiasm is how much this oral drug will cost.
Why The FDA Panel’s Nod To Sandoz’s Filgrastim (Zarzio) Is Good News For Patients
The implications extend beyond cancer drugs. Biosimilars have the potential to significantly reduce the costs of modern health care for people with all kinds of illness
Why Yes, We Should Treat Cancer
To deny new cancer treatments that might prolong life in a good way, possibly for cure or a remission, or even just to tame the disease, is a misguided proposition.
What’s Intriguing And Concerning About Early Results For Keytruda In Breast Cancer
What’s concerning about the preliminary findings is that the median time to response was 18 weeks. For patients to wait four months or longer to see if there’s a benefit seems like a lot; these are women without much time to spare.
For Treatment Of Polycythemia Vera, FDA Approves Jakafi, A Targeted Therapy
The kinase inhibitor offers a new option for people with polycythemia vera, a condition for which few drugs have been available.
At Palliative Care In Oncology Symposium, A Burst Of Energy
“There is no ‘race for the palliation,’” said Dr. Michael Levy, MD, PhD of Fox-Chase Cancer Center, a palliative care specialist.
Perjeta Works In A Form Of Metastatic Breast Cancer: Active In Other Tumors?
Perjeta extends survival in patients with Her2 positive breast cancer. Might drugs targeting Her2 be effective in other malignancies?
The (Unmet) Potential Value of Cancer Genome Testing
Genome sequencing is not routine in oncology practice. But maybe it should be, advocates suggest.
Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Varies Widely: Study Raises Questions About Early Treatment Choices
Chemotherapy treatments for early-stage breast cancer vary widely in their possible side effects. But few newly-diagnosed patients press their oncologists about those differences.
Ambitious ‘Lung-MAP’ Trial Aims to Evaluate Biomarkers and New Drugs in Squamous Cell Lung Cancer
The Lung-MAP trial will identify molecular abnormalities in tumors specimens from thousands of patients with squamous cell lung cancer.