Top stories in hematology/oncology: Eltrombopag does not improve survival outcomes, FDA grants breakthrough therapy status to crizanlizumab

Among the top hematology/oncology stories last week were results from a phase 2 trial that found adding eltrombopag to immunosuppressive therapy did not impact outcomes in patients with severe aplastic anemia, and news that the FDA has granted breakthrough therapy designation to crizanlizumab to prevent vaso-occlusive crises in patients with sickle cell disease.

Other highlights include results from a phase 3 trial that suggested a hybrid esophagectomy may result in less major complications than open surgery for patients with esophageal cancer, a study that found patients with a high frequency of basal cell carcinoma were three times more likely to develop other cancers, and the FDA announcing it had granted fast track designation to vofatamab to treat advanced or metastatic urothelial cell carcinoma with fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 mutation or fusion.

Eltrombopag does not improve outcomes in aplastic anemia

The addition of eltrombopag to standard immunosuppressive therapy did not have a significant impact on response rates or survival outcomes among patients with newly diagnosed severe aplastic anemia, according to results of an open-label phase 2 trial. Read more.

FDA grants breakthrough therapy status to SEG101 for pain crises in sickle cell disease

The FDA granted breakthrough therapy designation to crizanlizumab for the prevention of vaso-occlusive crises among patients with sickle cell disease. Read more.

Hybrid esophagectomy results in fewer major complications without compromising survival outcomes

Patients with esophageal cancer who underwent a hybrid minimally invasive esophagectomy had a lower incidence of intraoperative and postoperative major complications than patients who underwent open surgery, according to results of a randomized, phase 3 trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Read more.

High-frequency basal cell carcinoma may signal increased risk for other cancers

Patients with frequent cases of basal cell carcinoma appeared to be at three times greater risk for developing other unrelated cancers, including blood, breast, colon and prostate cancers, according to study findings. Read more.

FDA grants fast track designation to vofatamab for bladder cancer subset

The FDA granted fast track designation to vofatamab for the treatment of advanced or metastatic urothelial cell carcinoma that harbors fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 mutation or fusion. Read more.