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Top stories in hematology/oncology: USPSTF recommendations on cervical cancer screening, effective breast cancer therapies

Among the top stories in hematology/oncology were the new U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations on cervical cancer screening and a guest commentary on the advancement of targeted therapies for breast cancer subtypes.

Also, new data from the CDC revealed the most common HPV-associated cancer, a report indicated that the combination of nivolumab, ipilimumab was effective for melanoma with brain metastases, and experts discuss the roles medical professionals would play in a radiation exposure incident. – by Janel Miller

New recommendations reflect ‘continued evolution’ of cervical cancer screening

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued a recommendation statement and evidence review supporting cervical cancer screening via cervical cytology every 3 years among women aged 21 to 29 years. Read more

Guest commentary: Targeted therapies appear effective in breast cancer subtypes

The movement toward targeted therapy for all cancers, including breast cancers, is advancing rapidly. As we have dissected many of the growth and survival pathways, as well as other phenotypes of cancer such as invasion and metastasis, we are beginning to understand these pathways in more detail. Importantly, we are developing targeted drugs that specifically block different components of these pathways. Read more.

CDC: Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma now most common HPV-associated cancer

In 2015, oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma surpassed cervical cancer as the most common HPV-associated cancer in the U.S., with 15,479 cases among men and 3,438 cases among women, according to data from the CDC published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Read more.

Nivolumab, ipilimumab combination effective for melanoma with brain metastases

The combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab had a clinically meaningful intracranial effect among patients with melanoma who had untreated brain metastases, according to results from the open-label, phase 2 CheckMate 204 trial. Read more.

Preparing for chaos: Hem/ onc response crucial to radiation exposure incident

A mass casualty radiologic disaster would require immediate and full response from the medical community, with a specific need for the expertise of hematologists/oncologists. Read more.