Top stories in hematology/oncology: Apixaban superior to rivaroxaban, FDA approves subcutaneous Herceptin Hylecta

Among the top stories in hematology/oncology last week were a study that found apixban was more effective than rivaroxaban in preventing recurrent venous thromboembolism without major bleeding events and the FDA approval of trastuzumab and hyaluronidase-oysk for subcutaneous injection in certain patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

Other highlights included study results that suggested patients with melanoma who consumed high-fiber diets had better responses to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy than those who ate less fiber, the FDA issuing a safety communication that urged health care providers and patients to be cautious about use of robotically assisted surgical devices for cancer-related surgeries and a study that found the proportion of cervical precancers positive for HPV types 16 and 18 declined significantly between 2008 and 2014.

Apixaban superior to rivaroxaban in preventing recurrent venous thromboembolism, major bleeding

Apixaban appeared more effective than rivaroxaban in preventing recurrent venous thromboembolism without major bleeding events, according to results of a retrospective study published in The Lancet Haematology. Read more.

FDA approves subcutaneous Herceptin Hylecta for HER2-positive breast cancer

The FDA approved trastuzumab and hyaluronidase-oysk for subcutaneous injection in certain patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. Read more.

Diet, supplements may affect immunotherapy response among patients with melanoma

Patients with melanoma who consumed high-fiber diets appeared to have better responses to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy than those who ate less fiber, according to study results scheduled for presentation at American Association of Cancer Research Annual Meeting. Read more.

FDA issues safety communication about use of robotically assisted devices for cancer surgeries

The FDA issued a safety communication urging health care providers and patients to be cautious about use of robotically assisted surgical devices for cancer-related surgeries. Read more.

Data show ‘clear evidence’ of HPV vaccine impact on cervical precancer

The proportion of cervical precancers positive for HPV types 16 and 18 declined significantly between 2008 and 2014, particularly among vaccinated women, according to a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Read more.