New AI tool brings precision pathology for cancer and beyond into quicker, sharper focus

A new artificial intelligence tool that interprets medical images with unprecedented clarity does so in a way that could allow time-strapped clinicians to dedicate their attention to critical aspects of disease diagnosis and image interpretation. The tool, called iStar (Inferring Super-Resolution Tissue Architecture), was developed by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, who believe […]

Analyses of Yescarta CAR T-cell therapy support curative potential in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphomas – Kite/Gilead Sciences

Kite, a Gilead Company announced data from follow-up analyses of three studies of Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel) that demonstrate the long-term survival potential for patients living with several sub-types of relapsed or refractory (R/R) non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which were presented at the 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition. This included ZUMA-1 (Abstract #4864) showing that patients with refractory […]

Diabetes drugs appear to lower colorectal cancer risk

Glucagon-like receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), a class of type 2 diabetes drug treatments, appear to also reduce the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) researchers reported on Dec. 7, 2023 in JAMA Oncology. “Our results clearly demonstrate that GLP-1 RAs are significantly more effective than popular anti-diabetic drugs, such as Metformin or insulin, at preventing the development of CRC,” said co-lead […]

Positive results from DREAMM-7 head-to-head phase III trial for Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma – GSK

GSK plc announced positive headline results from a planned interim efficacy analysis of the DREAMM-7 head-to-head phase III trial evaluating belantamab mafodotin as a second-line treatment for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma The trial met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) and showed that belantamab mafodotin when combined with bortezomib plus dexamethasone (BorDex) significantly extended the time to disease […]

Beyond use dating of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (Pazenir) infusion

Prepared infusions of nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab) paclitaxel are stable for seven days, when stored in a refrigerator, according to researcher Helen Linxweiler (University Medical Centre of Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany). Paclitaxel is widely used in cancer chemotherapy e.g. for treatment of metastatic breast, pancreas and lung cancer. The nab formulation has to be reconstituted and diluted in a carrier […]

FDA grants priority review to application for Keytruda + concurrent chemoradiotherapy, as treatment for newly diagnosed high-risk locally advanced cervical cancer – Merck Inc

Merck Inc., known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, announced the FDA has accepted for priority review a new supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) seeking approval for Keytruda, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) plus concurrent chemotherapy, followed by brachytherapy (also known as concurrent chemoradiotherapy) as treatment with definitive intent for newly diagnosed […]

How should clinicians prescribe opioids for cancer-related pain in patients who use cocaine or methamphetamines?

Clinicians treating cancer-related pain must consider whether and how to prescribe opioids to patients who use nonmedical stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamines; however, no guidelines exist related to these common and challenging situations. In a new study, palliative care and addiction experts deemed it appropriate to continue opioids, increase monitoring, and avoid opioid tapering in such patients. The results […]

A free online tool can help prostate cancer patients save on out-of-pocket drug costs

A free online tool could potentially save some prostate cancer patients more than $9,000 in out-of-pocket drug costs, a new study finds. For patients enrolled in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, out of pocket costs can vary significantly. But by using an online Medicare plan finder tool, patients can compare pricing among all Part D drug plans offered in […]

European Commission approves Lonsurf in combination with bevacizumab for the third-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer – Servier + Taiho

Taiho Pharmaceutical announced that its partner Servier, has won European regulatory approval for Lonsurf (trifluridine + tipiracil) in combination with bevacizumab for the third-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The European Commission gave its approval to the combination therapy in adult patients with mCRC who have received two prior anticancer treatment regimens, including fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin-, and irinotecan-based chemotherapies, anti-VEGF […]

Jemperli + chemotherapy approved by the FDA as the first new frontline treatment option in decades for dMMR/MSI-H primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer – GSK

GSK plc announced that the FDA has approved Jemperli (dostarlimab) in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, followed by Jemperli as a single agent for the treatment of adult patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), as determined by an FDA-approved test, or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H). The supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) supporting this […]