Roswell Park-Led Analysis Shows Survival Benefit of Lenalidomide Maintenance Therapy Following Transplant
[CALGB 100104]

New research analysis published in JCO definitively shows an overall survival benefit from ongoing treatment with lenalidomide for patients with multiple myeloma who have already received bone marrow transplant.
Link: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/08/prweb14605233.htm

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Generic vs Brand Bone Drug for Breast Cancer, Skeletal Mets
[CALGB 70604]

At a time when rising healthcare costs in the United States are coming under intense scrutiny, one of the first independent analyses to compare a proprietary drug with its generic counterpart shows that zoledronic acid given every 3 months is more cost-effective than monthly denosumab (Prolia, Xgeva, Amgen) in women with breast cancer and skeletal metastases, say researchers.
Link: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/887237#vp_1

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Midostaurin Granted EU Approval for AML, Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis
[CALGB 10603]

Midostaurin (common brand name Rydapt) has received approval from the European Commission as a treatment for adults with newly diagnosed FLT3-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and advanced systemic mastocytosis (SM), including aggressive systemic mastocytosis (SM), SM with associated hematological neoplasm (SM-AHN), and mast cell leukemia.
Link: http://www.targetedonc.com/news/midostaurin-granted-eu-approval-for-aml-advanced-systemic-mastocytosis
Related links:
https://www.dddmag.com/news/2017/09/novartis-receives-ec-approval-new-indications-cancer-drug-rydapt
https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/06/23/1028552/0/en/NEJM-publishes-full-analysis-of-Rydapt-midostaurin-Phase-III-RATIFY-trial-in-newly-diagnosed-FLT3-mutated-acute-myeloid-leukemia-AML.html

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Adding Mindfulness: Innovation for an Optimal Preoperative Rehabilitation Before Lung Cancer Resection
[Alliance A221502
- referenced]
Surgical resection appears to be the most effective treatment for early stage non-small cell lung cancer. New research shows that patients with lung cancer facing a curative surgery may be able to help themselves ensure a better outcome with simple perioperative — care before, during and after surgery — rehabilitation techniques, including a slow exercise routine and breathing awareness exercises.
Link: https://www.curetoday.com/publications/cure/2017/spring-lung-2017/adding-mindfulness-innovation-for-an-optimal-preoperative-rehabilitation-before-lung-cancer-resection

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Z-endoxifen Shows Promise as New Treatment for Common Breast Cancer Type
[Alliance A011203
- mentioned]
Z-endoxifen, a potent derivative of the drug tamoxifen, could itself be a new treatment for the most common form of breast cancer in women with metastatic disease. This finding was reported from a clinical trial conducted by researchers at Mayo Clinic and the National Cancer Institute, and published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Study PI Matthew Goetz, MD, recently completed a randomized trial (Alliance A011203) comparing tamoxifen with Z-endoxifen. Results from this are expected in 2018.
Link: https://newswise.com/articles/z-endoxifen-shows-promise-as-new-treatment-for-common-breast-cancer-type

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PATINA Trial Launched to Evaluate New Therapeutic Combination for Breast Cancer
[AFT-PATINA]
The Alliance Foundation Trials (AFT) — in conjunction with Pfizer and six international cancer research groups — has launched a randomised open-label Phase III clinical study, PATINA, to evaluate a combination therapy for breast cancer.
Link: https://www.epmmagazine.com/news/patina-trial-launched-to-evaluate-new-therapeutic-combinatio/
Related link: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170822005290/en/Alliance-Foundation-Trials-Opens-Global-Trial-Investigating

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E-Newsletter - October 2017