Oncology

Prostate cancers grow slowly and rarely cause any health problems, so without regular screening, it is more difficult to identify any cancer in the prostate.

Ado-trastuzumab (Kadcyla, Genentech) was approved by the FDA in 2019 for the adjuvant treatment of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive early breast cancer.

Nearly 20% of patients with multiple myeloma have a form of the disease in which they make high quantities of a component of monoclonal proteins, which damages the kidneys.

This drug class works by interfering with the ability of cancer cells to repair themselves after experiencing damage to their DNA, but how PARP inhibitors selectively kill cancer cells was previously unknown.

The results of a new study show that immunizations may help prevent malignancies in individuals aged 36 to 45 years.

During the trial, the research team wanted to look at aggressive B cell lymphomas and the outcomes comparing white patients versus minorities.

The guidance noted it is preferable for immunocompromised patients to receive their third dose in a health care delivery setting rather than a pharmacy or public vaccination clinic.

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Umeā University in Sweden finds a connection between the two, due to the intestinal micobiome.

The FDA has approved a second drug, zanubritinib, for the treatment of adult patients with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia.

Atezolizumab was granted accelerated approval for the mTNBC indication in March 2019, making it the first immunotherapy agent to be approved in this setting.

The FDA has also converted the indication for pembrolizumab from an accelerated to a full, regular approval for patients with urothelial carcinoma.

FDA’s green light for biopharmaceutical company’s drug candidate builds upon previous approval to treat pancreatic cancer.

Experts from Emory Healthcare and Winship Cancer Institute discuss the management of oncology patients by pharmacists within an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital reminds parents about the importance of getting the HPV vaccination during National Immunization Awareness Month.

Investigators found that 65% of patients with cancer and COVID-19 were hospitalized and 17% required admission or transfer to a higher level of care.

Approved indications for idelalisib include relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia, small lymphocytic lymphoma, and follicular B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Relugolix is an orally administered treatment for prostate cancer that works by blocking the pituitary gland from making luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone.

Previous studies have demonstrated an association between low levels of vitamin D in the blood and pain, sensitivity to infection, fatigue, depression, and lower self-rated quality of life.

The mutated genes in question, TET2 and DNMT3A, each influence the efficacy of treatment in different ways.

This designation could shorten the FDA review period to 8 months compared to the 12 months under Standard Review.

The kinase inhibitor is a promising treatment option for patients with MET exon 14 skipping mutation non–small cell lung cancer.

Silmitasertib has produced clinical benefit as a monotherapy and in combination with drugs such as gemcitabine and cisplatin.

For the study, approximately 20,000 people were followed over a span of 4 years, which showed that reports of marijuana use peaked at 9% for patients with cancer versus 14% among those with no cancer history.

The approval of Tibsovo marks the first and only targeted therapy approved for patients with previously treated IDH1-mutated cholangiocarcinoma.

Tisagenlecleucel is a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy already indicated for B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Researchers found that the levels of serum albumin and the number of metastatic sites that patients with lung cancer have were significantly associated with overall survival.

Active surveillance, intended to avoid unnecessary treatment and the resulting adverse effects, typically involves regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screenings, prostate exams, imaging studies, and repeat biopsies to carefully monitor prostate cancer growth or progression without compromising long-term outcomes.

Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare bile duct cancer, with physicians diagnosing approximately 8000 cases each year.

Directions in Oncology Pharmacy is getting to know oncology pharmacy professionals through a series of interviews. In this issue, we talk to Ashley E. Glode, PharmD, BCOP, who was recently named an Advocacy Champion by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).