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Top stories in hematology/oncology: FDA approves Keytruda for metastatic small cell lung cancer, Claudin-specific CAR T cells safe
Among the top stories in hematology/oncology last week were the FDA approval of pembrolizumab monotherapy for patients with metastatic small cell lung cancer and trial results that found treatment with claudin-specific CAR T cells was safe and effective in patients with advanced gastric or pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Other highlights included a study that found the readministration of anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 inhibitors after mild or severe immune-related adverse events was safe, findings that suggested changes in inflammatory and immune regulatory mechanisms in first responders after exposure to World Trade Center dust after the events of 9/11 and a study that found tumor mutational burden appeared to independently predict which patients with some types of colorectal cancer would respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
FDA approves Keytruda for metastatic small cell lung cancer
The FDA approved pembrolizumab monotherapy for patients with metastatic small cell lung cancer that progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy and at least one other prior line of therapy. Read more.
Claudin-specific CAR T cells safe, effective in advanced gastric, pancreatic adenocarcinoma
One-third of a small cohort of patients with advanced gastric or pancreatic adenocarcinoma achieved objective responses to treatment with a novel claudin 18.2-specific chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, according to results of a single-arm, phase 1 trial. Read more.
Checkpoint inhibitor rechallenge appears safe, with monitoring, after immune-related adverse events
Readministration of anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 inhibitors after mild or severe immune-related adverse events appeared to carry acceptable risks vs. rewards, according to study results published in JAMA Oncology. Read more.
‘First mechanistic link’ observed between World Trade Center dust exposure, prostate cancer
Changes in inflammatory and immune regulatory mechanisms after exposure to World Trade Center dust may drive prostate cancer progression among 9/11 responders, according to study results published in Molecular Cancer Research. Read more.
Tumor mutational burden may guide treatment decisions in metastatic colorectal cancer
Tumor mutational burden appeared to independently predict which patients with microsatellite instability-high metastatic colorectal cancer would respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors, according to study results published in Annals of Oncology. Read more.