Top stories in hematology/oncology: Bristol-Myers Squibb acquires Celgene, ASH initiates clinical trials for sickle cell disease therapies

Among the top hematology/oncology stories last week were an announcement that Bristol-Myers Squibb will merge with Celgene, and a report that ASH launched sickle cell disease clinical trials to develop new therapies.

Other highlights include a study that concluded stress is associated with poor outcomes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, findings that suggested that topical agents do not increase radiation doses in cancer radiotherapy, and a report that announced an NCI grant will fund chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for treatment of solid tumors.

Bristol-Myers Squibb to acquire Celgene in $74 billion deal

Bristol-Myers Squibb has agreed to acquire Celgene in one of the largest mergers in the pharmaceutical industry’s history. Read more.

ASH launches sickle cell disease clinical trials network to accelerate therapy development

ASH launched a clinical trials network designed to accelerate development of novel therapies for patients with sickle cell disease. Read more.

Stress linked to poor outcomes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Stress appeared to be associated with immune and inflammatory processes that contribute to cancer cell proliferation and survival among patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia, according to study findings published in Cancer. Read more.

Topical agents do not increase radiation dose during cancer radiotherapy

Topical skin treatments do not increase radiation dose to the skin during radiotherapy and, therefore, can be used by individuals with cancer prior to radiation treatments, according to study results. Read more.

NCI grant to fund study of CAR T-cell therapy for solid tumors

A $10.7 million grant from NCI will fund research at University of Pennsylvania’s Abramson Cancer Center to evaluate the use of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for treatment of solid tumors. Read more.