Top stories in hematology/oncology: Inconsistencies in head, neck cancer treatments, benefits of chemoradiotherapy

The most-read stories in hematology/oncology last week involved a study showing disparities in head and neck cancer treatments among accredited hospitals and research concluding chemoradiotherapy provides several benefits in certain older patients with lung cancer.

Rounding out the top stories were reports examining how carfilzomib benefits patients with multiple myeloma, sutimlimab’s impact in patients with cold agglutinin disease, and how liquid biopsy locates certain mutations tied to non-small cell lung cancer. – by Janel Miller

Accredited hospitals vary in quality of head, neck cancer care

Pervasive variations exist in the quality of head and neck cancer care across Commission on Cancer hospitals, according to a research letter published in JAMA Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Cancer. Read more.

Chemoradiotherapy safe, effective for older patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer

Older patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer achieved similar survival outcomes after concurrent chemoradiotherapy as younger patients, according to study results published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology. Researchers also observed no significant difference in toxicity between the two age groups. Read more.

Carfilzomib regimen extends multiple myeloma survival, regardless of renal impairment

The combination of carfilzomib and dexamethasone extended progression-free survival and overall survival compared with bortezomib and dexamethasone among patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma regardless of baseline renal function, according to a post-hoc exploratory subgroup analysis of a randomized phase 3 trial published in Blood. Read more.

Sutimlimab induces rapid responses in cold agglutinin disease

Sutimlimab appeared to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with cold agglutinin disease, according to results of a first-in-human clinical trial of the anti-C1s monoclonal antibody published in Blood. Read more.

Liquid biopsy improves detection of targetable mutations in non-small cell lung cancer

The addition of plasma next-generation sequencing to solid tissue biopsy improved detection of therapeutically targetable mutations in patients with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer, according to results of a prospective cohort study. Read more.