Top in hem/onc: Therapy for sickle cell disease; social media use among oncologists
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New research suggests that an investigational CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited cell therapy may offer a functional cure for beta-thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
Study results demonstrated that after one dose of exagamglogene autotemcel, or exa-cel (CRISPR Therapeutics, Vertex Pharmaceuticals), 95% of patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia ceased red blood cell transfusions. Moreover, all 31 patients in the study with sickle cell disease no longer experienced severe vaso-occlusive crises after exa-cel infusion. It was the top story in hematology/oncology last week.
The second top story was about the most frequently discussed topics among health care professionals on social media during the ASCO Annual Meeting. According to Creation Healthcare, a specialist digital insights consultancy, most social media conversations during the meeting focused on lung, breast and bowel/colorectal cancers.
Read these and more top stories in hematology/oncology below:
Exa-cel may offer functional cure for beta-thalassemia, sickle cell disease, new data show
An investigational CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited cell therapy demonstrated significant, durable efficacy among patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia and sickle cell disease, according to study results. Read more.
Lung, breast, bowel cancers dominate ASCO social media conversation among HCPs
ASCO Annual Meeting, held in person for the first time since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, took place June 3-7 in Chicago. ASCO — also accessible virtually via live or on-demand sessions — provided a great platform for health care professionals to learn about the latest developments in oncology while reconnecting with their peers. Read more.
Obesity associated with improved immunotherapy outcomes among certain patients with cancer
Obesity appeared to be associated with improved immunotherapy outcomes among patients with certain cancer types, according to a cohort study published in JAMA Network Open. Read more.
New AACR president aims to ‘impact the next generation’ through mentoring, opportunities
Lisa M. Coussens, PhD, FAACR, the 2022 to 2023 American Association for Cancer Research president, aims to make mentorship and education — for both junior faculty and undergraduate and high school students — a core focus of her term. Read more.
Neuropsychologist aims to grow diversity in her field, help cancer survivors ‘live better’
Natalie Kelly, PhD, ABPP, is one of few Black women board-certified in both neuropsychology and pediatric neuropsychology in the oncology field. Read more.