To provide the information your oncologist is not telling you or doesn't have the time to!
A cancer diagnosis can feel like an overwhelming challenge—not just in terms of health, but also financially. For many patients, the initial phase of diagnosis requires multiple tests, specialist consultations, surgeries, pathology, and imaging services. Depending on the cancer’s location, stage, and any spread to other organs, additional tests like molecular diagnostics or ancillary treatments …
The treatment landscape for advanced-stage classic Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cHL) is rapidly evolving. Traditionally, chemotherapy regimens such as AVD (doxorubicin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) or combinations including brentuximab vedotin have been used to manage this challenging disease. However, a groundbreaking phase 3 clinical trial (S1826) has introduced a promising new regimen—nivolumab (N+AVD)—that is proving to be superior in …
On October 18, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved zolbetuximab-clzb (Vyloy, Astellas Pharma), a novel treatment for adults with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. This approval brings a much-needed new option for patients whose tumors express the CLDN18.2 protein, as identified through an FDA-approved test. …
A new article published in the NEJM showing impressive efficacy in NSCLC, here’s the summary below. The landscape of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment continues to evolve, particularly for patients with EGFR mutations. Historically, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) like osimertinib have been the first line of defense, providing improved progression-free survival for patients. …
The journey of treating patients with advanced cancer, like metastatic gastric cancer, often brings clinicians face to face with difficult conversations surrounding prognosis, treatment goals, and emotional dissonance. As we make strides in cancer therapies, the complexity of managing patient expectations, cognitive awareness, and emotional resilience becomes more apparent, both for patients and clinicians. A …
Hope for Advanced Bladder Cancer Bladder cancer is often like an unwelcome party crasher, popping up when least expected and causing considerable distress. Yet, in the realm of oncology, we are constantly seeking new ways to send such unwelcome guests packing. Today, I am thrilled to share some exciting news about a promising new approach …
Immunotherapy has made significant strides in cancer treatment, but microsatellite stable (MSS) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has long posed a challenge due to its resistance to immune-based therapies. However, promising results from a recent phase 2/3 trial have shown that the individualized neoantigen-directed immunotherapy, GRANITE, may change the outlook for patients with MSS mCRC. This innovative therapy, combined …
The world recently lost NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo to brain cancer, while former President Jimmy Carter continues to defy expectations. Despite being diagnosed with metastatic melanoma, including brain and liver metastasis he has just celebrated his 100th birthday. These two public figures have brought significant attention to CNS (Central Nervous System) malignancies, sparking curiosity about the different types of brain tumors, how …
On October 10, 2024, the FDA approved a new and promising treatment for patients with advanced breast cancer: inavolisib (Itovebi), in combination with palbociclib and fulvestrant. This new approval offers fresh hope for patients with endocrine-resistant, PIK3CA-mutated, hormone receptor (HR)-positive, and HER2-negative breast cancer, especially those whose disease has progressed after endocrine therapy. The approval also includes the FoundationOne Liquid CDx assay, a diagnostic test used to …
Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a notoriously aggressive form of lung cancer, making up about 15% of all lung cancer cases. While treatments have made strides in extensive-stage SCLC, limited-stage SCLC has seen few advancements in decades—until now. A new clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine has revealed promising results with the use …