Issue 16 – The Cancer Letter

Lowy: “Our patients are counting on us, and we must not let them down”
NCI Frederick Lab takes aim at COVID-19
NCI’s Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research has launched three initiatives focused on SARS-CoV-2.
Doroshow: NCI to accrue patients for COVID-19 longitudinal cohort
Ongoing trials see significant decrease in accrual
NCI is building a nationwide cohort of cancer patients with COVID-19 at over 1,000 sites across the institute’s clinical trials networks and at NCI-designated cancer centers.
NCI Director’s Report
Sharpless: NCI is fully operational, we have a moral obligation to help in the COVID-19 pandemic response
In spite of disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, NCI continues to review grants, disburse funds, and support extramural research, said NCI Director Ned Sharpless.
As treatments get cancelled because of COVID-19, patients worry about adequacy of care
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, oncologists are either limiting or canceling adjuvant care, in effect staging a population-level experiment.
American Cancer Society announces a wave of furloughs and layoffs as COVID-19 constricts fundraising
The American Cancer Society earlier this week announced immediate furloughs and layoffs of its staff citing “a significant financial hardship” triggered by the novel coronavirus.
Guest Editorial
Amid COVID-19 pandemic, cancer community responds to fill data gap
As clinicians in a medical specialty that relies on evidence to guide treatment plans for individuals with cancer, we face an unfortunate dearth of data to help steer us during the coronavirus pandemic.
Guest Editorial
Cancer care continues during COVID-19 pandemic—with new tools and old challenges
While the news these days is rightly focused on hospitals and the government fighting public enemy number one, aka COVID-19 (the novel coronavirus), independent community oncology practices continue to treat and comfort patients who are at war with that insidious disease we call cancer.
Conversation with The Cancer Letter
Lichtenfeld: COVID-19 exposed weaknesses in the U.S. health care system
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected oncology?
What will the long-term impact be?
COVID-19 Updates
- AstraZeneca trial to test Calquence in COVID-19 patients
- Clinical trial accruals at OneOncology increase in the face of COVID-19
- American Cancer Society opens COVID-19 tracking study
- Research!America urges Congress to modify budget caps, increase FY21 funding for health agencies
- NAS, NAE, and NAM presidents: U.S. funding for WHO should not be interrupted during COVID-19 pandemic
- White House expands coverage for essential diagnostic services
- Bipartisan bill proposes telehealth expansion
- Nebraska Medical Center develops infectious aerosol capture mask to protect health care workers
- FDA authorizes blood purification device to treat COVID-19
- Adolescent, young adult cancer non-profits provide guidance on COVID-19
- FAQs and Guidances
In Brief
- J. Alan Diehl named deputy director and chief operating officer of Case CCC
- Andres F. Correa joins Fox Chase Cancer Center
- Esther Welkowsky named VP, clinical operations, at Elicio Therapeutics
Clinical Roundup
- Elicio Therapeutics and NCI study ELI-002 mutant KRAS targeting mechanism
- ACS study: JUUL sales bounced back within weeks of self-imposed flavor ban
- Chronic stress can impact response to radiation therapy
Drugs & Targets
- FDA approves Koselugo for neurofibromatosis type 1
- FDA approves mitomycin for low-grade upper tract urothelial cancer
- Ontruzant, biosimilar of Herceptin, introduced in the U.S.