To provide the information your oncologist is not telling you or doesn't have the time to!
For patients with advanced melanoma who have exhausted standard treatment options, new therapies offer much-needed hope. On November 21, 2024, Replimune Group, Inc. announced that its breakthrough oncolytic immunotherapy, RP1 (vusolimogene oderparepvec), in combination with nivolumab, received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA. The FDA also accepted a Biologics License Application (BLA) for RP1 under …
On November 20, 2024, the FDA granted accelerated approval to zanidatamab-hrii (Ziihera), a bispecific HER2-directed antibody, for the treatment of previously treated, unresectable, or metastatic HER2-positive biliary tract cancer (BTC). This decision brings new hope for patients battling this aggressive and hard-to-treat disease, offering a targeted option for a population with limited therapeutic choices. The …
Electrolytes—essential minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium—play a critical role in maintaining various physiological functions. In oncology, the importance of monitoring and managing electrolytes cannot be overstated. Electrolyte imbalances can not only signal the presence of malignancies but also influence the safety and efficacy of cancer treatments. This blog explores the significance of key …
Radiation therapy has long been a cornerstone in the treatment of various cancers, including gastric cancer, particularly for locally advanced or high-risk cases. However, the evolving landscape of gastric cancer management has raised questions about the necessity of adding preoperative chemoradiotherapy to standard perioperative chemotherapy. The recently published TOPGEAR trial sheds new light on this …
In the world of oncology, the old adage holds true: “When tumors are the rumors and cancer is possibly the answer, then tissue is the issue.” This highlights the critical role of biopsy in uncovering the true nature of suspicious lesions. Hepatic tumors, in particular, pose a diagnostic challenge because they encompass a broad spectrum …
Bladder cancer, particularly muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), poses significant treatment challenges due to its high recurrence rate and aggressive nature. Traditionally, neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery (radical cystectomy) has been the standard of care for cisplatin-eligible patients. However, researchers have been exploring ways to improve outcomes by incorporating immunotherapy into treatment. A recent phase 3 …
Colon cancer treatments have long relied on surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. However, recent breakthroughs in immunotherapy, particularly for mismatch repair–deficient (dMMR) tumors, are reshaping how certain high-risk cancers are treated. A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine provides encouraging data on the effectiveness of neoadjuvant immunotherapy for patients with locally advanced dMMR colon …
IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a chronic, immune-mediated disorder that can affect multiple organs, causing inflammation, fibrosis, and long-term organ damage. I uncommonly see these patients as they often present as a retroperitoneal mass concerning for a connective tissue malignancy however biopsied proven IgG4 related non-malignant disease requiring immunosuppressant treatment which I often did as there …
For patients with a specific type of breast cancer—hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative—that also carries a PIK3CA mutation, a new combination treatment shows promising results. The treatment combines inavolisib, a targeted therapy, with palbociclib and fulvestrant, helping to significantly slow disease progression compared to standard treatment. This combination not only targets multiple cancer growth pathways but also …
Lung cancer remains one of the most common and deadly cancers worldwide. Smoking is responsible for approximately half of all lung cancer cases, making it the single most preventable cause of this disease. For individuals who have smoked for years, quitting can be difficult, and many turn to alternatives like electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) as a …