Top in hem/onc: Sickle cell gene therapy, primary care in cancer centers
Last week, bluebird bio suspended clinical trials with its LentiGlobin product for sickle cell disease due to reported cases of hematologic malignancies among patients who received the treatment. It was the top story in hematology/oncology.
Another top story explored the possibility of placing primary care physicians in cancer centers. Nicholas J. Petrelli, MD, FACS, associate editor of surgical oncology for HemOnc Today, said this “novel approach” could help address “primary care problems that arise during cancer treatment,” and possibly reduce nonemergency visits to the ED.
Read these and more top stories in hematology/oncology below:
Manufacturer suspends clinical trials for gene therapy to treat sickle cell disease
Gene therapy developer bluebird bio temporarily suspended a phase 1/phase 2 trial and phase 3 trial of bb1111, the company’s LentiGlobin-based investigational therapy for patients with sickle cell disease. Read more.
Thinking outside the box: Bringing primary care into the cancer center
An informal survey conducted at ChristianaCare's Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute revealed that as many as 30% of patients with cancer do not have a PCP. Read more.
Disparities in lung cancer screening may persist despite revisions to USPSTF guideline
A revised U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guideline could lead to increased lung cancer screening rates among women and racial and ethnic minority populations, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. Read more.
First-line lenvatinib-pembrolizumab combination improves OS, PFS in advanced kidney cancer
The combination of lenvatinib (Lenvima, Eisai) and pembrolizumab (Keytruda, Merck) significantly prolonged overall survival and progression-free survival compared with sunitinib (Sutent, Pfizer) among previously untreated patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma, according to results of the phase 3 CLEAR trial. Read more.
130 organizations urge Biden, states to prioritize people with cancer for COVID-19 vaccination
A group of 130 cancer centers, organizations and other entities sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging that people diagnosed with cancer be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccines. Read more.