The Cancer Letter Publications

Issue 21 - May. 24, 2019

TCL45-21 (61 downloads)

Trials & Tribulations
Why I choose to play a dual role in TMIST
As a physician-scientist, I have spent my career advancing research in women’s health. I was a part of the planning effort to design and launch TMIST—the Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial.
Dana-Farber wins legal dispute over PD-1/PD-L1 patents; BMS set to lose exclusive license
So, you’ve finished your copy of the Mueller Report and you long for another great read from the same publisher—the U.S. government.
Review
Chernobyl, the HBO miniseries: Fact and fiction (Part II)
Last week, I discussed events resulting in the Chernobyl NPF accident, including unique aspects of the reactor-design which contributed to the accident, and which resulted in release of radiation to the environment. I also discussed the initial Soviet response. Next, I focus on the immediate medical consequences and the response of Soviet government to medical interventions.
In Brief
- Mullighan named deputy director of St. Jude
- Dimopoulos and Mateos to receive achievement awards from IMF
- Singh named sub-PI Heartland Cancer Research NCORP Executive Committee
- Douglas Lowy receives NYU honorary degree
Funding Opportunities
Astellas Oncology calls for entries to C3 Prize to award $200,000
Astellas Pharma Inc. is calling for entries for the fourth annual Astellas Oncology C3 Prize (Changing Cancer Care), a challenge that funds the best non-treatment ideas to improve cancer care for patients, caregivers and their loved ones.
Clinical Roundup
- UPenn study shows adding bevacizumab improves OS in NSCLC
- NRG Oncology phase III study results: partial breast irradiation is effective
- First states to expand Medicaid saw larger screening rate increases
Drugs & Targets
- Oncopeptides to submit NDA for melflufen in multiple myeloma

Issue 20 - May. 17, 2019

TCL45-20 (236 downloads)

Conversation with The Cancer Letter
Libutti: How Rutgers Cancer Institute became a New Jersey-sized colossus
When NCI renewed the Comprehensive Cancer Center designation for Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, it also acknowledged that the institution’s catchment area now covers the entire state of New Jersey, having expanded from roughly three counties around its home location of New Brunswick.
ODAC votes down AML drug as FDA raises concerns over equipoise, uncertain efficacy
The FDA Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee May 14 voted 8-3 against approval of quizartinib for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia which is FLT3- ITD positive, as detected by an FDA-approved test.
Texas Senate approves $3 billion measure to renew CPRIT funding
The Texas Senate May 10 passed a measure that would provide new funding for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.
Review
Chernobyl, the HBO miniseries: Fact and fiction
Two weeks ago, HBO began screening a five-part series on Monday nights on the Chernobyl nuclear power facility (NPF) accident, which occurred more than 30 years ago on April 26, 1986.
In Brief
- Hollings Cancer Center receives NCI-designation renewal
- Bold named physician-in-chief of UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Endowed gift establishes Dr. Cyrus Katzen Family Director at GW Cancer Center
- Borghaei, Clapper, Golemis, Wasik, Whetstine receive endowed chairs at Fox Chase
- UAMS Cancer Institute BMT program receives internationally recognized accreditation
- ACS CAN report shows short-term insurance coverage is inadequate, confusing and expensive for patients
- ACS sets goal to reduce overall cancer mortality 40% by 2035
- COA launches campaign to stop “PBM Abuses”
- Hungary joins International Agency for Research on Cancer
Clinical Roundup
- ASCO announces top studies to be presented at 2019 annual meeting
- Tibsovo achieved primary endpoint in cholangiocarcinoma
- Earlier, more frequent removal of some pancreatic cysts may decrease cancer risk
Drugs & Targets
- FDA approves Venclexta in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- FDA approves ramucirumab in hepatocellular carcinoma
- FDA approves Bavencio + Inlyta combination in renal cell carcinoma
- GE Healthcare and Indi Molecular partner on diagnostic tool for immunotherapy patients

Issue 19 - May. 10, 2019

TCL45-19 (249 downloads)

NCI approves Georgetown-Hackensack consortium
Are more long-distance relationships in the works?
NCI has funded a consortium uniting Georgetown Lombardi Cancer Center and John Theurer Cancer Center of Hackensack University Medical Center.
Conversation with The Cancer Letter
Georgetown’s Weiner and Hackensack’s Pecora tell us how they created a consortium spanning 233 miles
Georgetown’s Louis M. Weiner and Hackensack’s Andrew L. Pecora started to discuss forming a consortium in 2011, roughly at the time when it became clear that conferencing and data transfer technologies were making it possible for cancer centers located hundreds of miles apart to operate in a coordinated manner.
Real World Evidence
FDA issues draft guidance on using real world data in drugs, biologics
FDA has issued a draft guidance that describes the types of real world data and real world evidence that the agency would accept as part of regulatory submissions for drugs and biologics.
House committee advances FY2020 funding bill giving NIH a $2 billion raise
The House Committee on Appropriations May 8 approved a spending bill that gives NIH $41.1 billion, a $2 billion increase over the current level. The bill passed on a vote of 30 to 23.
In Brief
- Primo “Lucky” Lara now serves as SWOG deputy chair, Kathy Albain is vice president
- Tisch Cancer Institute and Precision Immunology Institute form Mt. Sinai Center for Computational Immunology
- Memorial Sloan Kettering introduces MSK Kids
- Ananth, Choi, Kirtane, Li receive NCCN Young Investigator Award
- UAMS’s Johann receives $1.4 million for lung cancer clinical trials
- Prostate Cancer Foundation publishes revised guidelines, new patient resources
Funding Opportunities
DoD Prostate Cancer Research Program– opportunities for FY19
The FY19 Defense Appropriation provides $100 million to the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program to support innovative, high-impact prostate cancer research.
Trials & Tribulations
Estimating overdiagnosis is hard—we need all the help we can get
Over the past decade there has been much consternation about overdiagnosis, the detection of cancers that would not have been diagnosed without screening.
Clinical Roundup
- BMS phase III study didn’t meet primary endpoint of OS with Opdivo + radiation in glioblastoma multiforme
- City of Hope opens multiple myeloma autologous CAR T-cell therapy trial targeting CS1 protein
Drugs & Targets
- FDA approves Kadcyla for breast cancer
- FDA grants Breakthrough Device designation to Natera’s Signatera test
- Caris Life Sciences receives FDA Breakthrough Device designation for MI Transcriptome companion diagnostic test
- European Commission approves Lorviqua in previously-treated ALK-positive advanced NSCLC
- Arcus Biosciences and Strata Oncology announce clinical development collaboration for anti-PD-1 antibody