Top stories in hematology/oncology: Finasteride prevents prostate cancer, Nivolumab associated with low response rates

Among the top hematology/oncology stories last week were findings that concluded finasteride was safe and effective in preventing prostate cancer and a study that suggested nivolumab monotherapy was associated with low overall response rates in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

Other highlights included the FDA’s clearance of 23andMe’s hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome genetic test, a study that found the age at diagnosis predicted survival outcomes in women with luminal A breast cancer and findings that suggested treatment costs for hematologic malignancies are “unsustainable.”

Finasteride shows long-term safety, efficacy for prostate cancer prevention

Finasteride safely and effectively prevented prostate cancer, despite previous findings that suggested the drug increased the risk for high-grade disease, according long-term data published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Read more.

Nivolumab response rates low among some patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Nivolumab monotherapy appeared associated with low overall response rates among patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma who failed or were ineligible for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant, according to results of a phase 2 study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Read more.

23andMe receives FDA clearance for hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome genetic test

FDA granted clearance to 23andMe’s genetic health risk report for MUTYH-associated polyposis, a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome. Read more.

Age at diagnosis predicts survival in breast cancer subtype

Women diagnosed with luminal A breast cancer when aged 40 years or younger had significantly worse 5-year event free survival outcomes than those diagnosed when aged 41 to 60 years, according to a retrospective institutional cohort study published in Breast Cancer Research & Treatment. Read more.

Solutions needed to lower 'unsustainable cost' of care for hematologic malignancies

Treatment costs for hematologic malignancies exceed those of other cancer types, and they place lasting burdens on patients and the health care system, according to results of a study commissioned by Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Read more.