Precision Medicine in Oncology

Favorable genetic characteristics may be able to predict which patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (R/R CLL) who were treated with venetoclax-rituximab will attain undetectable minimal residual disease (MRD).

Camille Hertzka, vice president and head of Oncology, US Medical, AstraZeneca, speaks about the real-world data collection of durvalumab to assess applicability in patients not involved in the PACIFIC trial, and the importance of diversity and inclusion in clinical trials moving forward.

The study explores data on liquid biopsy approaches outside of circulating tumor DNA—a commonly used approach for liquid biopsy—and includes novel methods like non-coding RNA.

Antoine Italiano, MD, PhD, head of Early Phase Trials and Sarcoma Units at Institut Bergonié, Bordeaux, France, addresses findings of an extended follow-up of larotrectinib in patients with TRK fusion cancer that indicated prolonged progression-free survival in those undergoing the NTRK inhibitor.

ASCO officials characterized the results as practice changing and said they highlighted the need for genetic testing in patients who receive a diagnosis of high-risk breast cancer.

Researchers underscored the importance of addressing these barriers, as artificial intelligence may offer improvements in clinical decision making, broaden access to care, and improve clinical efficiency.

Recent coverage from Targeted Oncology® highlights how combination therapies are impacting the treatment spectrum for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Researchers say increase in immunotherapy was significant over the study period between 2016 and 2018.

Stakeholders identify the value elements of comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) they find most important, as well as options for innovative contracts.

Despite expanded use of precision medicine, there remain a myriad of barriers hindering its implementation in day-to-day practice.

Using biomarkers to guide treatment decisions are increasingly being leveraged across various cancers, and metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is no exception. However, the positivity rates of these biomarkers can differ across different patient characteristics, according to a recent study.

Biomarkers are being used in patients with cancer to target treatments that will work best. Interviews with OncLive® highlight how biomarkers are being used in colorectal and bladder cancer.

The literature review included 25 studies related to diagnostic impact of liquid biopsies versus tissue biopsies and 3 studies that assessed the economic impacts of the 2 biopsies.

AJMC®TV interviews let you catch up on what’s new and important about changes in healthcare, with insights from key decision makers—from the clinician, to the health plan leader, to the regulator. When every minute in your day matters, AJMC®TV interviews keep you informed. Access the video clips at ajmc.com/interviews. These interviews have been edited lightly for clarity.

Interest in therapies that target DDR genes has increased since 2015, when basic science in this area won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Based on their analysis, the researchers compiled a recommended number of genes to include in panels for 14 cancer types.

A recent review took a look at the promise of measuring circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) with digital-droplet PCR (ddPCR) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) as the landscape of this cancer continues to shift toward personalized, precision treatment.

Research published in November found an 85% drop in breast cancer screening and a 75% drop in colon cancer screening. Since that time, screening rates have improved somewhat.

Potential biomarkers include tumor mutational burden, microsatellite instability, and circulating tumor DNA.

Study findings indicate that droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) may be more accurate than real-time quantitative PCR in measuring minimal residual disease (MRD) among pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), particularly in late follow-up time points.

When overexpressed in the mice, LRRN4CL led to a higher risk of melanoma spreading to the lungs and correlated with decreased survival.

The sensitivity and specificity of liquid biopsy might be improved through selective venous sampling according to an article in press in The Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.