Fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (Enhertu) has been granted a priority review as a therapy for adults with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have been pretreated with another anti–HER2-based regimen.

The decision is based on findings from the phase 

 (NCT03529110), in which the blinded independent central review (BICR)–assessed median progression-free survival (PFS) with trastuzumab deruxtecan (n = 261) had not yet been reached (95% CI, 18.5–not evaluable [NE]) vs 6.8 months (95% CI, 5.6-8.2) with trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla; T-DM1; n = 263), translating to a 72% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death (HR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.22-0.37; 

 The 12-month PFS rates in the investigative and control arms were 75.8% (95% CI, 69.8%-80.7%) and 34.1% (95% CI, 27.7%-40.5%), respectively.

The median overall survival (OS) was NE in both treatment arms (HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.36-0.86; 

 = .007172). the 12-month OS rate with trastuzumab deruxtecan was 94.1% (95% CI, 90.3%-96.4%) vs 85.9% (95% CI, 80.9%-89.7%) with T-DM1.

“This regulatory review of [trastuzumab deruxtecan] in the United States marks the first time this medicine is participating in both the Real-Time Oncology Review and Project Orbis programs,” Ken Takeshita, MD, global head of R&D at Daiichi Sankyo, stated in a press release. “The FDA’s prioritization of our application underscores the potential of this medicine and the continued need to expedite the availability of new treatment options, while making it possible to potentially receive approvals in several countries concurrently.”

The open-label, multicenter DESTINY-Breast03 trial enrolled patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who received prior treatment with trastuzumab (Herceptin) and a taxane in the advanced or metastatic setting. Notably, patients with clinically stable, treated brain metastases were permitted.

Study participants were randomized 1:1 to receive either trastuzumab deruxtecan at 5.4 mg/kg every 3 weeks or T-DM1 at 3.6 mg/kg every 3 weeks. Stratification factors comprised hormone receptor status, previous treatment with pertuzumab (Perjeta), and history of visceral disease.

The primary end point of the trial was PFS per BICR assessment and a key secondary end point was OS. Other secondary end points included objective response rate (ORR) per BICR and investigator, duration of response (DOR) per BICR, investigator-assessed PFS, and safety.

The most common grade 3 or higher treatment-related, treatment-emergent adverse effects reported with trastuzumab deruxtecan included neutropenia (19.1%), thrombocytopenia (7.0%), leukopenia (6.6%), nausea (6.6%), anemia (5.8%), fatigue (5.1%), vomiting (1.6%), increase in alanine aminotransferase (1.6%), decreased appetite (1.2%), increase in aspartate aminotransferase (0.8%), diarrhea (0.4%), and alopecia (0.4%).

Moreover, 10.5% of patients experienced interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pneumonitis associated with treatment, as determined by an independent adjudication committee. Most of these events (9.7%), were grade 1 (2.7%) or grade 2 (7.0%), although 2 grade 3 effects (0.8%) were reported. Notably, no grade 4 or 5 ILD or pneumonitis was observed.

In addition, manufacturers urge providers to assess left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients prior to treatment with trastuzumab deruxtecan, and to continue to assess periodically throughout treatment. If LVEF reaches 40-45% and there has been a decrease between 10-20% since baseline, treatment should be put on hold and LVEF should be reassessed in 3 weeks. If LVEF has not returned to within 10% of baseline, treatment should be discontinued. 

Complete blood counts should be monitored to assess potential neutropenia—as severe neutropenia was found to occur in a high volume of patients. If absolute neutrophil counts reach grade 3 (<1.0 to 0.5 x 109/L), treatment should be interrupted until counts return to grade 2 or less.

In the event of grade 3 thrombocytopenia a (platelets <50 to 25 x 109/L), treatment should be stopped until grade 1 or less is reached, then dose may be maintained. If AE reaches grade 4 (<25 x 109/L), treatment should be stopped until grade 1 or less. Treatment dose should then be reduced by 1 level.

“The review across geographies and the priority review in the United States as part of Project Orbis is so important because it speaks to the transformative potential of [trastuzumab deruxtecan] based on the unprecedented PFS benefit in this setting,” Susan Galbraith, executive vice president of Oncology R&D at AstraZeneca, stated in a press release.

 “The news reinforces the importance of bringing this potential new option to patients as quickly as possible.”

In October 2021, the FDA granted a breakthrough therapy designation to trastuzumab deruxtecan for use in adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who previously received 1 or more anti–HER2-based regimens.

 The designation was based on data from DESTINY-Breast03.

ENHERTU granted priority review in the US for patients with HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer treated with a prior anti-HER2-based regimen. News release. Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited; January 17, 2022. Accessed January 17, 2022. 

Cortés J, Kim S-B, Chung W-P, et al. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) vs trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) in patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer: results of the randomized, phase 3 study DESTINY-Breast03. 

. 2021;32(suppl 5):S1283-S1346. doi:10.1016/annonc/annonc741

Enhertu granted priority review in the US for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer treated with a prior anti-HER2-based regimen. News release. AstraZeneca; January 17, 2022. Accessed January 17, 2022. 

Enhertu granted breakthrough therapy designation in US for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer treated with one or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens. News release. AstraZeneca; October 4, 2021. Accessed January 17, 2022. 

This article was originally published on OncLive as “FDA Grants Priority Review to Trastuzumab Deruxtecan for Select HER2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer”

Articles

A supplemental biologics license application has been granted to trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki for the treatment of adult patients with select HER2-positive breast cancer.

Trastuzumab Deruxtecan Receives Priority Review for Select Patients With HER2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer

Lindsay Fischer is the Associate Editor at ONN. She joined MJH life sciences in 2021 after graduating from Rutgers University with majors in both English and Spanish and a minor in creative writing. When she is not writing, or researching the latest oncology nursing news, Lindsay is an amateur backpacker and rollerblader. Email Lindsay at lfischer@mjhlifesciences.com

A predictive model demonstrated that cervical cancer may soon be almost entirely prevented in communities with low poverty rates. However, this elimination may not apply to communities with high poverty rates, according to data published in the journal of 

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention

Specifically, it is estimated that this disease subtype may be virtually eliminated by 2030 in low poverty American communities. The anticipated time in high poverty communities is unfortunately doubled, with the model predicting a near elimination by 2044 in these areas.

“Other studies have predicted that, as a whole, the U.S. will hit the elimination target in the middle of that range. The fact that some places will hit it a decade before other places is a little bit of a ‘gut punch,’” commented Jennifer Spencer, PhD, an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin, who performed this work as a research fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health, in a press release.

In the United States, roughly 14,000 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed every year and there are estimated to be around 4,000 case-related deaths. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are the cause behind over 90% of cervical cancer diagnoses. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that can also cause anal, penile, vaginal, vulvar, and oropharyngeal tumors.

Since 2006, available HPV vaccines have served to protect against 9 different HPV types, including 7 out of the 14 which are associated with an increased risk of cancer. All adolescents are advised to receive a full vaccination, which consists of 2 doses for children aged 9 to 15 and 3 doses for individuals between 15 and 26 years of age. According to the World Health Organization, a “near-elimination” of cervical cancer equates to less than 4 cases per 100,000 individuals. The vaccine is over 90% effective in preventing HPV-related cancers and is therefore expected to help the United States reach “near-elimination” status.

However, most patients do not develop cervical cancer until they are older than 30 years old. Therefore, scientists are not yet able to quantify the effects of widespread vaccination effort—the first round of vaccinated adolescents are only now beginning to enter the age range of increased risk. Because of this, researchers have turned to tools like predictive models.

Spencer and her colleagues used previous models to design a model of HPV spread and progression. The model considered the risk of HPV transmission among vaccinated vs unvaccinated individuals, the probably of HPV progressing to cervical cancer, rates of cervical cancer screenings, and the odds of effective cancer treatment.

The model was designed into 2 separate versions. One represents a hypothetical county in the lowest poverty quartile while the other represents one of a county in the highest poverty quartile. Researchers used immunization data from the National Immunization Survey-Teen (NIS0Teen), screening and follow-up data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), and HPV prevalence data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), to compare immunization data between low and high poverty areas.

The results predicted that there will be 21,604 excess cases of cervical cancer in high-poverty areas compared with those in low-poverty areas. Despite this, the rate of excess cases is still believed to improve. Specifically, the disparity in excess cervical cancer rates in high-poverty areas is anticipated to decrease from 2.5 excess cases per 100,000 women to an excess of 1.0 case per 100,000 women by 2070. Although the model did not demonstrate that near elimination would be achieved sooner if vaccination rates reached 80%, vaccination efforts are still predicted to reduce around 1,000 excess cases over the next 50 years.

Limitations of this study include the fact that the model only accounted for heterosexual transmission, and it did not factor in infections with more than one type of HPV, which could alter vaccine efficacy predictions. Additionally, the authors acknowledge that, in the coming years, an improved understanding of disease progression following HPV infection and cervical cancer carcinogenesis could affect the accuracy of these predictions.

“Vaccination can do a lot of good, but it’s unlikely that the disparities can be addressed through just vaccination,” concluded Spencer. “The next step is to identify what policies we can use to close these gaps in the future.”

Low-poverty U.S. communities may eliminate cervical cancer by 2030 but high-poverty communities may lag behind. American Association for Cancer Research. News release. September 9, 2021. Accessed January 17, 2021. 

As the HPV vaccine becomes more prevalent, cervical cancer rates are expected to decrease significantly by 2030. However, this trend may differ across socioeconomic communities. 

Cervical Cancer Advances May Heighten Preexisting Health Disparities

Women who opt to undergo mastectomy may experience a drop in quality of life (QOL) compared with those who receive breast-conserving surgery, according to findings from a patient-reported outcomes survey recently published in 

 Scores did not appear to be impacted by breast reconstruction; however, socioeconomic stressors may have factored into the scores.

Specifically, women who underwent a bilateral mastectomy reported an average BREAST-Q score of 54.6, compared with 65.5 among women who received breast-conserving surgery. Regarding psychosocial well-being, the scores were 65.1 vs 75.9, respectively. In terms of sexual well-being, patients who underwent unilateral mastectomy had an average reported score of 53.4 compared with 46.2 among the bilateral mastectomy respondents, and 57.4 among those who had received breast-conserving surgery.

“Historically, it was felt that 75% of breast cancer patients should be eligible for breast conserving surgery. Over time, however, more women, particularly young women, are electing to have a mastectomy,” lead study author Laura Dominici, MD, a surgeon at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, said in a press release. “They frequently offer peace of mind as the reason for their decision—even though research shows that unless a woman has a genetic predisposition to breast cancer, she has a very low risk of developing cancer in the healthy breast.”

The BREAST-Q study assessed the responses of 560 women with stage 0 to III breast cancer, all of whom were 40 years or younger. The average age was 36 years. In addition, 484 had stage 0 to II disease. On average, participants were 5.8 years removed from their diagnosis.

Of the 560 respondents, 290 had received bilateral mastectomy (52%), 110 had received unilateral mastectomy (20%), and 160 had underwent breast-conserving therapy (28%).

Overall, patients who had received a mastectomy reported lower scores in all 3 QOL measures compared with those who received breast-conserving surgery. This outcome was consistent across both patients who had received bilateral or unilateral mastectomies. Assessed categories included breast appearance satisfaction, psychosocial well-being, and sexual well-being.

Among patients who underwent mastectomy, 357 (89%) received reconstruction and 181 (45%) received radiotherapy. Via a multivariate analysis, researchers concluded that implant-based reconstruction was associated with decreased breast satisfaction (β = −7.4; 95% CI, −12.8 to −2.1; 

= .007), compared with autologous reconstruction and complex reconstruction was associated with decreased physical well-being (β = −14.0; 95% CI, −22.2 to −5.7; 

Furthermore, researchers also queried about physical function as a fourth category and concluded that this measure was not significantly affected by mastectomy. In addition, financial difficulties were found to negatively impact responses in all 4 categories.

Study authors acknowledged that the study was not randomized; potentially limiting the findings. Furthermore, QOL was assessed at a singular moment in time. Lastly, researchers were not privy to the women’s QOL prior to the study, which may have factored into their decision making in terms of therapeutic surgery.

Dominici noted, “It is possible that women who chose mastectomy because of personal preference may perceive their QOL differently than women who underwent mastectomy because they were not candidates for BCT.”

Despite these potential limitations, the authors noted that patient reported outcomes surveys can reveal a lot about patient quality of life and are therefore important tools for identifying unmet needs in survivorship.

“The decision of whether to have a mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery should be a shared decision between patients and their doctors,” Dominici concluded. “Particularly when talking to young women, who are likely to have a long period of survivorship, it’s important that we as clinicians discuss the potential impacts of mastectomy on their QOL. As our study indicates, those impacts are not insignificant and persist years into the future.”

Dominici L, Hu J, Zheng Y, et al. Association of local therapy with quality-of-life outcomes in young women with breast cancer [published correction appears in JAMA Surg. 2021;156(10):989-990. 

. 2021;156(10):e213758. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2021.3758

A patient-reported outcome survey highlighted quality-of-life gaps in breast cancer survivorship.  

Young Women With Breast Cancer Who Undergo Mastectomy Report Lower Quality of Life

Patients with cancer initiating immunotherapy treatment should be encouraged to adopt a fiber-rich diet, according to Jennifer McQuade, MD.

McQuade, an assistant professor of medical melanoma oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, recently spoke with 

® about recently published study findings, which suggest that high-fiber diets and lower probiotic use may be associated with improved immunotherapy response rates among patients with melanoma.

“I would avoid over-the-counter supplements, and then, as far as diet, [we looked at] our patients’ habitual diet,” McQuade explained. “The question now really is, ‘can we actually change a patient's diet and then change their microbiome and potentially influence their outcomes?’”

“That's the ongoing clinical intervention study that we have now—we actually are doing dietary interventions. In the meantime, the question is, ‘what do we tell our patients now?’ Fortunately, a diet that's high in fiber is the same diet that's recommended by the American Cancer Society, and by the American Institute for Cancer Research. We know that this diet is associated with a lower risk of cancer in general, it is associated with lower risks of cardiovascular disease, and it's really consistent with a diet that is recommended for the US population in general.”

“The recommendation is getting at least 20 to 25 grams of fiber per day, and most of the average US population consumes, on average, 15 to 17 grams of fiber per day,” she concluded.

Videos

An expert from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers advice on the best diet to enrich a patient’s microbiome and consequent immunotherapy response. 

Nurses May Advise Patients on Immunotherapy to Increase Fiber Intake

Elderly patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) achieved a high overall response rate (ORR) and durable survival after receiving ibrutinib (Imbruvica) and rituximab (Rituxan), according to data from a phase 2 ENRICH trials (NCT0180567) published in the 

The combination elicited an investigator-assessed best ORR of 96% among 48 patients, including a complete response (CR) rate of 71%, a partial response rate of 25%, and a stable disease rate of 4%. Within the intent-to-treat population (n = 50), the best ORR achieved with the doublet was 92%; this included a CR rate of 68%.

“Ibrutinib plus rituximab is an effective, easily administered, and chemotherapy-free option in elderly patients with nonblastoid MCL,” lead study author Preetesh Jain, MD, DM, PhD, of MD Anderson Cancer Center, and colleagues, wrote in the paper. “New onset atrial fibrillation was observed in 9 patients. We recommend that pretreatment assessment of cardiovascular risk factors is beneficial before ibrutinib/rituximab therapy.”

Patients older than 65 years with MCL treated with systemic chemotherapy tend to have inferior outcomes compared with younger patients with the disease. Standard treatment for elderly patients with MCL is rituximab-based chemoimmunotherapy followed by rituximab maintenance. However, a high incidence of grade 3 to 4 myelosuppression, hospitalization rates, infectious complications, and second cancers following this approach represent significant complications in this population.

The investigator-initiated, institutional review board–approved, open-label, single-institution, single-arm trial stemmed from a study originally designed to investigate the safety and efficacy of ibrutinib plus rituximab in relapsed or refractory MCL.

In 2015, another cohort was added to investigate the effects of ibrutinib and rituximab on elderly patients. The study enrolled 50 patients who were aged 56 years of age or older with previously untreated MCL. These patients had nonblastoid or pleomorphic histology, and/or a Ki-67% less than 50%, and an ECOG performance status of 2 or less. Notably, patients with a history of controlled atrial fibrillation were permitted.

Patients were administered oral ibrutinib 560 mg once daily in 28-day cycles with rituximab, which was given via an intravenous infusion at 375 mg/m2 once weekly for 4 weeks in the first cycle, followed by a dose on day 1 of every cycle starting in cycles 3 through 8. After cycle 8, rituximab was given on day 1 of every 2 months for up to 2 years. After 2 years, Ibrutinib was administered in continuous cycles until disease progression, toxicity, or other factors caused discontinuation.

The primary objective of the study was to estimate ORR, and key secondary objectives included progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Safety was also evaluated.

Participants were enrolled to the trial between October 2015 and November 2019. The median age of patients was 71 years (range, 69-76), and 71% were men. Bone marrow involvement was observed in 94% of patients, and gastrointestinal tract involvement was noted in 79% of evaluable patients. Additionally, 16% of patients had a high MCL international prognostic index (MIPI) risk score, and 28% had a high biologic MIPI score including Ki-67%. Furthermore, 3 of 18 patients had 

 aberrations detected in the bone marrow. Twenty-three percent of patients had a history of atrial fibrillation.

At a median follow-up of 45 months (range, 24-56), 45 patients were still alive and 5 had died. A total of 4 patients experienced disease progression; 2 of these patients transformed from classic to blastoid MCL and 1 patient transformed from classic to pleomorphic MCL.

Baseline PET scans were performed in 40 patients, and 35 were positive. Within that group, 26 patients were found to have achieved complete metabolic response (CMR) at best response (74%), 8 did not have a PET scan at best response, and 1 patient had residual disease. Of the 26 patients who experienced CMR, 81% (n = 21) were bone marrow negative for MCL and 1 patient had residual disease; 4 patients did not undergo bone marrow evaluation. The median number of ibrutinib and rituximab cycles to reach CR was 7 (range, 2-51).

Additionally, the median PFS and OS were not reached with the doublet. The 3-year PFS rate was 87% (95% CI, 0.73-0.94) and the 3-year OS rate was 94% (95% CI, 0.82-0.98).

Notably, those with a high Ki-67 were noted to have a trend of higher risk of disease progression and/or death vs those with a low Ki-67 (

= not significant). Moreover, those who experienced a CR as their best response to treatment were noted to have significantly longer PFS and OS vs those who did not. Those with high-risk simplified and modified MIPI score had a significantly higher risk of disease progression. OS was noted to be inferior in high-risk patients.

As of January 2021, 56% of the 50 patients discontinued ibrutinib/rituximab and left the study because of progressive disease (8%), toxicities (42%), or miscellaneous reasons (6%). Of the 21 patients who discontinued because of toxicity, 10 did so because of grade 3 atrial fibrillation. At the time of discontinuation, 16 of the 28 patients who discontinued were in CR. Of the 10 patients who experienced atrial fibrillation, 6 had new onset and 4 had a history.

Most adverse effects (AEs) reported with the combination were either grade 1 or 2 in severity. The most common grade 3 or 4 AEs included atrial fibrillation (22%), fatigue (18%), diarrhea (14%), and myalgias (14%). Grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicities included anemia (4%), neutropenia (8%), and thrombocytopenia (4%).

A total of 4 patients experienced grade 3 or 4 bleeding while receiving ibrutinib; 3 of these patients were receiving aspirin and/or enoxaparin and 1 patient who had retinal bleeding had recently undergone glaucoma surgery and had a history of vitreous surgery. One patient experienced grade 3 hematuria and gram-negative urinary tract infection, although this resolved with the administration of antibiotics.

Thirty-four percent of the 50 patients developed atrial fibrillation, and 10 needed to discontinue ibrutinib because of a grade 3 effect. Nine of the 17 patients who developed this toxicity had no history, and 6 had baseline ECG abnormalities, including 1 with first-degree atrioventricular block, 1 with right bundle branch block, 3 with sinus bradycardia, and 1 with miscellaneous abnormalities.

“We recommend that pretreatment assessment of cardiovascular risk factors is beneficial before IR therapy,” study authors concluded. “Long-term follow-up and randomized studies with standard treatments are needed to further evaluate the efficacy, safety, and pattern of relapse with [ibrutinib and rituximab] combination.”

Jain P, Zhao S, Lee HJ, et al. Ibrutinib with rituximab in first-line treatment of older patients with mantle cell lymphoma. 

. Published online November 19, 2021. doi:10.1200/JCO.21.01797

This article was originally published on OncLive as “Ibrutinib/Rituximab Combo Represents Effective Chemo-Free Option for Elderly Patients with MCL”

Ibrutinib plus rituximab is effective, easy to administer, and removes the need for chemotherapy in older patients, say experts. 

 Ibrutinib/Rituximab Combo May Be an Effective Chemo-Free Therapy for Older Patients With MCL

Podcasts

In this episode of “The Vitals,” 2 veteran oncology nurses discuss the value of mentorship—particularly for novice nurses. 

The Value of Nurse Mentorship in Oncology

An expert discusses the implications of a subgroup analysis of the DESTINY-BREAST03 trial, which highlighted the efficacy of trastuzumab deruxtecan in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. 

Patients With HER2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer Experience Consistent PFS Benefit With Trastuzumab Deruxtecan

Oral decitabine, an oral fixed-dose of combination decitabine and CDA inhibitor cedazuridine, is an FDA-approved therapy for patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes.

Oral Decitabine and Cedazuridine Holds Potential to Reduce Clinic Visits, Infusion Time for Patients With Lower-Risk MDS

Besides education and emotional support, the newly launched program offers personalized services including surgical interventions, hormone replacement therapy, and penile low-intensity shockwave therapy, to help patients heal from their cancer treatments. 

New Program Helps Patients Recover Sexual Lives Following Cancer Treatment

An expert from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center highlights findings demonstrating the impact that diet and probiotics have in immunotherapy responses.

Diet and Probiotics Influence Immunotherapy Responses in Melanoma

Pembrolizumab was associated with the first positive clinical trial outcomes in the adjuvant setting of non–small-cell lung cancer. 

Adjuvant Pembrolizumab Yields Impressive Disease-Free Survival Outcomes in Select Patients With NSCLC

Early detection is key to improving prognosis and achieving better outcomes for patients. 

Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 and Health Disparities on Cancer Screening

Recently presented findings demonstrate that aspacytarabine may represent a viable treatment option for various subsets of patients with acute myeloid leukemia. 

Aspacytarabine May Be Viable Option for Patients with AML Who Are Unfit for Intensive Therapy

New data support increased fiber consumption and decreased probiotic use among patients receiving immunotherapy.

High-Fiber Diets Strengthen Immunotherapy Responses in Patients With Melanoma

Compared with other antibody-drug conjugates, datopotamab deruxtecan was associated with lower rates of neutropenia, pneumonitis, and hematologic toxicity.  

Datopotamab Deruxtecan Demonstrates Manageable Safety Profile in TNBC 

Seasoned oncology nurses share how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the standard of care at their institution, the consequences of the staffing shortage, and how they believe the oncology community can work together to create a better working environment.

Voices Behind the Mask: Oncology Nurses Speak Out About Their COVID-19 Experiences

A triplet regimen of tucatinib, trastuzumab, and capecitabine helped patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and brain metastases live longer with reduced disease progression compared with trastuzumab and capecitabine alone. 

Patients With HER2+ Breast Cancer and Brain Metastases Achieve Better OS With Tucatinib Triplet Regimen

The use of PARP inhibitor olaparib in conjunction with temozolomide may be an effective treatment for patients with advanced uterine leiomyosarcoma whose tumors harbor a BRCA-like phenotype. 

Olaparib Plus Temozolomide Induces Promising Response Duration in Uterine Leiomyosarcoma 

Disease-free survival in liver-only metastatic CRC was significantly improved by introducing adjuvant mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy to hepatectomy

Adjuvant mFOLFOX6 Increases Hepatectomy Efficacy, Improves DFS in Liver-Only Metastatic CRC

Patricia Jakel is an advanced practice nurse for the UCLA Santa Monica Solid Oncology Program. In 1997, she received the Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year Award from the ONS Los Angeles Chapter. She is an active member of American Nurses Association, the American Cancer Society, and the Oncology Nursing Society, and her personal research interests include survivorship, adverse event management, and quality-of-life improvement.

Patricia Jakel, MN, RN, AOCN, reflects on the values of nursing Hackathons and encourages Hackathon participation from oncology nurses.

Top Medical News

Trastuzumab Deruxtecan Receives Priority Review for Select Patients With HER2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer

Cervical Cancer Advances May Heighten Preexisting Health Disparities

Young Women With Breast Cancer Who Undergo Mastectomy Report Lower Quality of Life

Nurses May Advise Patients on Immunotherapy to Increase Fiber Intake

Ibrutinib/Rituximab Combo May Be an Effective Chemo-Free Therapy for Older Patients With MCL

Most Recent