Top in hem/onc: Antihistamine use in patients with cancer, missed screenings amid COVID-19
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Researchers conducted a study to determine whether commonly used medications influence responses to cancer treatment. They found that antihistamines were associated with improved immunotherapy efficacy.
Specifically, they reported that patients with melanoma or lung cancer who were taking H1-antihistamines during immunotherapy exhibited significantly improved clinical outcomes, although additional research is needed to confirm the findings. It was the top story in hematology/oncology last week.
Another top story was about a report from the American Association for Cancer Research detailing the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the cancer community. The report highlighted the prevalence of missed cancer screenings and delays in treatment.
Read these and more top stories in hematology/oncology below:
Antihistamines may impact response to immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer
Cancer cell-derived or allergic reaction-released histamine dampened antitumor immunity and conferred resistance to cancer immunotherapy, according to a retrospective study published in Cancer Cell. Read more.
AACR report: Pandemic led to nearly 10 million missed cancer screenings in 7 months
American Association for Cancer Research released a first-of-its-kind report detailing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the cancer community, both in patient care and research practice. Read more.
Immunotherapy benefits older patients with cancer, but closer monitoring may be warranted
Older patients with cancer benefited from single-agent immune checkpoint inhibitors but had higher rates of adverse events and therapy discontinuation with increasing age, according to results of a retrospective study in JAMA Oncology. Read more.
Septic shock linked to high mortality rates among patients with hematologic malignancies
Septic shock remained significantly associated with increased 28-day mortality among patients with hematologic malignancies, according to study results published in Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Read more.
USPSTF guideline revision could reduce racial disparity in lung cancer screening access
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s 2021 guideline for lung cancer screening improved upon previous fixed-screening criteria and may reduce racial disparities in access, according to a study published in JAMA Oncology. Read more.