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Top stories in hematology/oncology: FDA grants selective RET inhibitor breakthrough therapy designation, CAR T-cell therapy appears safe for multiple myeloma
Among the top stories in hematology/oncology this week was the FDA granting breakthrough therapy designation to an RET inhibitor for lung and thyroid cancers, and a report that CAR T-cell therapy appears safe for multiple myeloma.
Other top stories include a study that concluded anti-PD-1 drugs may cause hyperprogressive disease in lung cancer, a story on a Harvard Medical School project attempting to ascertain why some patients have exceptional responses to cancer treatments, and a study that suggested patients with low-risk blood clots may be better managed at home. – by Janel Miller
Anti-PD-1 drugs may cause hyperprogressive disease in lung cancer
Patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who underwent treatment with PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors had higher rates of hyperprogressive disease than those who received chemotherapy, according to a multicenter retrospective study conducted in France. Read more.
FDA grants RET inhibitor breakthrough therapy designation for lung, thyroid cancers
The FDA granted breakthrough therapy designation to LOXO-292, a selective RET inhibitor, for the treatment of certain patients with RET-altered non-small cell lung cancer or medullary thyroid cancer, according to the agent’s manufacturer. Read more.
Patients with low-risk blood clots may be better managed at home
Outpatient treatment appeared safe for select patients with acute pulmonary embolism with low risk for mortality, according to a single-arm, prospective study. Read more.
Harvard initiative aims to determine why certain patients are ‘exceptional responders’
A Harvard Medical School project will mine multiple data sources to try to determine why some patients are more likely to have exceptional responses to cancer treatments. Read more.
CAR T-cell therapy appears safe for multiple myeloma
The chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy P-BCMA-101 appeared safe among patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, according to the agent’s manufacturer. Read more.