Top in hem/onc: Staffing shortages in clinical research; pathogenic germline variants
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Clinical trial accrual rates have dropped 20% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and staffing shortages have slowed progress in cancer research, according to the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer.
The staff shortages are at what Leisha A. Emens, MD, PhD, called “a critical breaking point,” and the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer’s Crisis in Clinical Research Virtual Summit held panels to develop ideas on how to combat this threat. It was the top story in hematology/oncology last week.
The second top story was about germline testing in patients with lung cancer. New research showed that approximately one in seven patients with lung cancer had a pathogenic germline variant. The identification of pathogenic germline variants could have important implications for patients and their families, according to researchers.
Read these and more top stories in hematology/oncology below:
Cancer clinical research in crisis as staffing shortage hits ‘critical breaking point’
Staffing challenges have contributed to a “crisis” in new clinical research, with 95% of cancer centers reporting personnel issues resulting from the “great resignation,” according to the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer. Read more.
Germline testing ‘should be considered’ for all patients with lung cancer, data suggest
About 15% of a large cohort of patients with lung cancer had pathogenic germline variants, nearly all of which could be clinically actionable, according to study results presented during an ASCO Plenary Series session. Read more.
BLOG: Looking beyond the uterus
Nothing instills more confidence in your patients than replying “uh, 12 weeks” after they’ve asked how many years of experience you have as a doctor. Read more.
Phase 3 trial of canakinumab for non-small cell lung cancer misses endpoint
A randomized phase 3 trial designed to evaluate canakinumab as adjuvant treatment for completely resected non-small cell lung cancer failed to meet its primary endpoint, according to the agent’s manufacturer. Read more.
Sexual dysfunction common among women with lung cancer
Most women with lung cancer reported some degree of sexual dysfunction following diagnosis, according to study results presented during International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer World Conference on Lung Cancer. Read more.