Vol. 20/No. 6 | Oncology Live®

Novel Drug Targets Stem Cell Activity in Pancreatic Cancer

March 21, 2019

Napabucasin, a novel therapy that targets cancer stem cell pathways, is being investigated in a phase III clinical trial that is believed to be the largest study ever conducted in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in the metastatic setting

When a Measure of Significance Is Not All That Significant

March 20, 2019

The term statistically significant is almost certainly beautiful music to the ears of clinical investigators and pharma/biotech companies. However, concern develops when one inquires how the most common test of significance, the P value, is used in clinical investigative efforts and whether at times this is more harmful than helpful within the domain of cancer medicine.

Novel Agents Ease Chemotherapy Burden in ALL, But Treating Older Patients Remains a Challenge

March 19, 2019

Immune-based approaches have revolutionized the treatment of acute lymphoblastic lymphoma, especially for patients unable to tolerate multiagent chemotherapy. Now, investigators are looking forward to seeing these agents move into frontline settings, perhaps leading to chemotherapy-free approaches.

Chemokine Offers Tempting Target in Tumor Niche

March 19, 2019

Chemokine receptor type 2, a major recruiter of circulating monocytes that subsequently develop into a protumoral type of macrophage within the tumor microenvironment, has emerged as a promising therapeutic target.

Perlmutter Earns NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center Designation

March 15, 2019

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has designated NYU Langone Health’s Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the highest rank awarded by the NCI. Perlmutter joins an elite group of 50 cancer centers across the country that have earned this distinction.

SITC Guidelines Provide a Fresh Look at Evolving Strategies for Melanoma

March 14, 2019

New therapeutic approaches for treating patients with earlier-stage melanoma who face a higher risk of recurrence are among the features of recently updated consensus guidelines from the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer.

US Market Is Still Waiting for Biosimilars to Produce Meaningful Price Reductions

March 14, 2019

When the FDA approved its first biosimilar drug in 2015—filgrastim-sndz, for compromised white blood cell count—there was talk of the benefits of competition in the pharma industry; increased access to medications for patients; and, of course, the all-around savings. Four years later, those benefits haven’t been fully realized,