Oncology

Patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who received an oral formulation of the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel (Taxol) had a better response and survival and elss neuropathy than patients who received intravenous (IV) paclitaxel.

Investigators have established a genomic outline of the CDK4/6i resistance in patients with breast cancer, growing the potential for novel treatments to circumvent that resistance.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors offer the potential to significantly improve outcomes for women with HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.

The study results also show improved outcomes for patients with brain metastases.

Although CDK4/6 inhibitors prolong progression-free survival for patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, the ideal treatment for each patient is currently unclear until adverse effects appear.

The research presented at the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium suggests that the different mechanisms could be exploited to overcome CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance in breast cancer patients.

Researchers say several key questions remain in the treatment of breast cancer: whether CDK4/6i therapy should be continued beyond progression, what the mechanisms of resistance are, and how agents should be selected.

"I think immunotherapy has certainly arrived for breast cancer," said Rita Nanda, MD.

Patricia Spears discusses what clinical trials can offer and when to start discussing them with patients. This video was filmed December 11 at the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

A combination therapy of carfilzomib, dexamethasone, and daratumumab extended progression-free survival when compared with carfilzomib and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

The current observational, longitudinal study focused on patient-reported outcomes on functioning, symptoms, and quality of life in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Check the Pharmacy Times® website for more information and be sure to watch for daily newsletters, online conference articles and videos, and social media updates.

A poster presented at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition assessed disease-related health care utilization and costs among patients with multiple myeloma.

In a session at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition, held December 7-10 in Orlando, Florida, experts presented on the evolution of CLL therapy, how to make treatment decisions, and what’s to come in the future based on ongoing studies.

Jennifer Woyach, MD, associate professor at The Ohio State University, discusses current clinical trials going on in the chronic lymphocytic leukemia space that are most likely to impact the treatment landscape.

Jennifer Woyach, MD, associate professor at The Ohio State University, explains how patient-specific factors can help determine treatment decisions in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

A novel, off-the-shelf bispecific antibody could serve as a new treatment option for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma who don’t respond to CAR T-cell therapy.

The analysis evaluated emerging mutations in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia receiving gilteritinib therapy in the phase 3 ADMIRAL study.

Patients receiving novel oral therapeutics often have a high dependence on financial assistance; specialty pharmacies may help facilitate access to these therapies.

Top articles of the week from Specialty Pharmacy Times.

A new method of targeted radiation therapy sends alpha-emitting particles directly to stroma cells in pancreatic cancer tissue.

Men with breast cancer had higher mortality than women regardless of cancer type, treatment, and access to care.

Pharmacy Times® will be on site at the 61st American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition.

Psychological factors such as anxiety and depression can directly influence a patient’s experience with cancer-related pain.

Specialty Pharmacy Times will be on-site in San Antonio, TX, for the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, taking place December 10 to 14, 2019.

It is currently uncertain to what extent interleukin inhibitors may increase the risk of serious infections and cancer in patients being treated for rheumatic diseases.

Trastuzumab-dkst (Ogivri, Mylan, Biocon), a biosimilar to trastuzumab (Herceptin, Genentech Inc.), has been launched in the US, according to an announcement from Mylan N.V. and Biocon Ltd. It is the first biosimilar approved by the FDA and recommended by the FDA Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee.

Under a new international collaboration, the FDA has granted supplemental approval to acalabrutinib (Calquence, AstraZeneca) for the treatment of adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic leukemia.