Top in hem/onc: COVID-19 vaccine in people with cancer; advanced lymphoma treatment
An investigational COVID-19 vaccine elicited immune responses in patients with B-cell deficiencies, including those with lymphoma and leukemia, according to recent data.
Ana María López, MD, MPH, MACP, FRCP, professor and vice chair of medical oncology at Sidney Kimmel Medical College and chief of cancer services at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center — Jefferson Health New Jersey, commented on the significance of the findings, saying it will be critical to have an effective COVID-19 vaccine in patients with hematologic malignancies. A review of the data was the top story in hematology/oncology last week.
The second top story was about a promising treatment combination of natural killer cells and a bispecific antibody for patients with advanced lymphoma. Seventeen of 19 patients included in the study achieved a metabolic response to therapy, yielding an overall response rate of 89.5%, according to researchers.
Read these and more top stories in hematology/oncology below:
New COVID-19 vaccine may protect patients with B-cell deficiencies
CoVac-1, a COVID-19 vaccine, induced T-cell responses in patients with B-cell deficiencies, according to study results presented during American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting. Read more.
Immunotherapy combination shows ‘remarkable’ activity for patients with advanced lymphoma
Natural killer cells combined with a bispecific antibody induced response among nearly 90% of patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive lymphoma, according to phase 1/phase 2 trial results. Read more.
Oncologist to run his 30th Boston Marathon with vision of ‘curing all children with cancer’
Besides making sure each foot lands in front of the other, there isn’t much you can do during a 26.2-mile run other than let your mind wander. Howard Weinstein, MD, director of the pediatric hematology-oncology program at MassGeneral Hospital for Children Cancer Center, often thinks about each patient he’s run for at the Boston Marathon and the many others he’s treated during his career. Read more.
Children with cancer in low-, middle-income nations at higher risk for death amid pandemic
Children with cancer who reside in low- and- middle-income countries had a higher risk for mortality due to any cause than those in high-income countries during the first 9 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to study results. Read more.
Put market volatility in perspective
The first quarter of 2022 has served as a stark reminder that financial markets can decline — and decline quickly. Read more.