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Top hematology/oncology stories: Excess body weight increasing cancer burden, chemotherapy may increase risk for leukemia
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The most-read story in hematology/oncology this past week was a report on how the growing prevalence of excess body weight is increasing global cancer burden.
Other top stories included meeting news from the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition. Popular coverage from the meeting included findings that chemotherapy and radiation may increase the risk for subsequent acute lymphoblastic leukemia and a refined gene therapy approach for hemophilia A.
Rounding out the most popular stories were FDA approvals for Herzuma, biosimilar to Herceptin, for HER2-positive breast cancer and a Tecentriq-based combination for first-line treatment of lung cancer.
Growing prevalence of excess body weight increasing global cancer burden
The increasing prevalence of excess body weight, which was responsible for approximately 3.9% of all cancers worldwide in 2012, is driven by multiple economic and environmental factors and should be addressed through policy actions and other interventions, according to a report published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. Read more.
Chemotherapy, radiation may increase risk for subsequent acute lymphoblastic leukemia
SAN DIEGO — Prior cancer treatment with chemotherapy, radiation or both was associated with an increased risk for subsequent acute lymphoblastic leukemia, according to findings presented at ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition. Read more.
Researchers refine gene therapy approach for hemophilia A
SAN DIEGO — Patients with severe hemophilia A achieved factor VIII activity levels sufficient to reduce or prevent spontaneous hemorrhage after a single IV infusion of AAV8-HLP-hFVIII-V3, according to results of a phase 1/phase 2, open-label, nonrandomized dose-escalation trial presented at ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition. Read more.
FDA approves Herzuma, biosimilar to Herceptin, for breast cancer subset
The FDA today approved trastuzumab-pkrb for the treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, the agency announced in a press release. Read more.
FDA approves Tecentriq-based combination for first-line treatment of lung cancer
The FDA approved atezolizumab in combination with bevacizumab, paclitaxel and carboplatin for first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer. Read more.