A Collection of Hematology & Oncology Articles
The practice of oncology and hematology is in constant evolution. These articles highlight some of the most notable advancements and discoveries in the modern medical world. We invite you to use this site frequently and collaborate with medical professionals across the globe.
Welcome
At Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), our physicians and advanced practice providers are deeply vested in clinical research to provide the most cutting-edge treatment options available to our patients. In our own practices we are fortunate to offer over 300 clinical trials across 37 locations including 3 dedicated Phase 1 Drug Development Units. We value every opportunity to share best practices and the latest research both within and outside of our institution. We welcome you to use this collection as a resource to support your own research and understanding as we strive together to advance cancer care one step at a time.
Recent Articles
Final, 10-Year Outcomes with Nivolumab plus Ipilimumab in Advanced Melanoma
10-year survival data from Checkmate 067 on Ipi+Nivo, Nivo and Ipi alone in met-melanoma. The OS was twice as long in the Ipi+Nivo group compared to Nivo alone. Of note this was with Nivo-1 + Ipi-3, and most of us use the more tolerable Nivo-3 + Ipi-1 dosing based on Checkmate 511. This remains the SOC for good PFS met-melanoma in my opinion.
Ponsegromab for the Treatment of Cancer Cachexia
Growth differentiation factor 15 seems to be a driver in cancer cachexia. Ponsegromab targets this pathway and shows a meaningful improvement in weight, appetite and activity level in patients with a high level of this protein. It is fantastic to see a study like this and I’m excited to use this drug when available.
Discontinuation versus continuation of imatinib in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours (BFR14): exploratory long-term follow-up of an open-label, multicentre, randomised, phase 3 trial
Imatinib cessation after a good response in met-GIST should not be considered. Based on this study’s results patients should be left on therapy until disease progression or toxicity issues.
Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2–Expressing Biliary Tract Cancer (HERB; NCCH1805): A Multicenter, Single-Arm, Phase II Trial
Enhertu shows promising activity in met-BTC’s that are HER2-pos but also in HER2-low. Using this in HER2-low would be off label but something to consider after SOC therapy.
Pembrolizumab Plus Carboplatin and Paclitaxel as First-Line Therapy for Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (KEYNOTE-B10): A Single-Arm Phase IV Trial
Based on these findings, Carbo/Taxol+Pembro is an active regimen in met-HNC and an option for those patients who are not good candidates for 5FU based therapy.
Paclitaxel, Ifosfamide, and Cisplatin as Initial Salvage Chemotherapy for Germ Cell Tumors: Long-Term Follow-Up and Outcomes for Favorable- and Unfavorable-Risk Disease
TIP will likely become the established salvage therapy for GCT’s if this study’s findings are confirmed in the ongoing Phase III TIGER trial.
Scalp Cooling in Preventing Persistent Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
I guess scalp cooling does have some objective evidence that it works. Still the expense and time constraints will need to be considered.
Prostate Advanced Radiation Technologies Investigating Quality of Life (PARTIQoL): Phase III Randomized Clinical Trial of Proton Therapy vs. IMRT for Localized Prostate Cancer
Protons vs IMRT for localized prostate cancer showed no difference in outcome or quality of life. There will be longer f/u and other endpoints studied but the take-home message is that protons are not significantly better than photons.
FCS Physician Focus
Plasma Proteome–Based Test for First-Line Treatment Selection in Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
FCS medical oncologist and hematologist Ernesto Bustinza-Linares, MD has co-authored an abstract published in the American Society of Clinical Oncology Journal, JCO Precision Oncology, that uncovers a new testing method to determine personalized care options for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The abstract’s authors address the limitations of existing guidelines that recommend checkpoint immunotherapy, sometimes in combination with chemotherapy, for treating NSCLC, which often discounts patient variability and immune factors. The findings from the study show that by incorporating additional plasma proteome-based testing, combined with the standard protein inhibitor testing, clear differences in patient outcomes were observed after applying targeted treatments based on the testing results.