Oncology

A new retrospective study published in JAMA identified that tuberculosis and certain fungal infections in the lungs could hamper the efficient detection of lung cancer by FDG-PET imaging.

A prospective study published in The Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that the average cost to screen high-risk individuals for developing lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography plus the average cost of curative intent treatment, like surgery, is lower than the average cost to treat advanced stage lung cancer, which quite rarely results in a cure.

Controversy over the value of proton beam radiation continues to harass clinicians as the therapy emerges to be extremely useful in some, but not all, cancers. Additionally, payers sometimes refuse to cover treatment costs due to lack of evidence of efficacy.

With the aim of understanding why some patients respond better to a particular drug, NCI has launched the Exceptional Responders Initiative, to generate molecular profiles of tumors that respond well to a particular treatment.

Research published this month in the journal Cancer Research, found that increased expression of the enzyme PAD2 in young mice could lead to skin tumors that could progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma.

The ASCO statement corroborates the need for regulation of laboratory-developed tests, which are increasingly being used to guide personalized treatment in oncology as well as other therapeutic areas.

Due to existing payment structures and practice patterns for colonoscopy, reducing endoscopist reimbursement may diminish access to and quality of colorectal cancer screening.

The guidelines have been published in 2 journals: Breast and Annals of Oncology.

The drug is the first in it's class - an antibody designed to engage 2 different targets simultaneously.

The biosensor, which can detect the oxidative stress marker 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, is 5-times more sensitive than the ELISA test that is commonly used to identify biomarkers.

The approval in CLL is supported primarily by data from a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial in combination with rituximab in 220 patients with relapsed CLL who were not able to tolerate standard chemotherapy. The approval in FL, is supported by data from a single-arm phase 2 study (Study 101-09) of Zydelig monotherapy in 125 iNHL patients refractory to rituximab and alkylating-agent-containing chemotherapy.

The study, conducted in pancreatic cancer patients in Norway, was presented at the annual meeting of the International Contrast Ultrasound Society in Chicago.