• May 25, 2020  

    What’s New in Immunotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer?

    Emma Shtivelman, PhD

    Chemotherapy was once the only treatment option for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). But five years ago, immunotherapy—treatment that boosts a patient’s own immune system to fight cancer—came on the scene. In 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug nivolumab (brand name Opdivo) as next-line treatment for NSCLC after chemotherapy. Today, new immunotherapy options continue to alter the NSCLC… Read more »

  • May 2, 2020  

    FDA Approves Niraparib for First-Line Maintenance of Advanced Ovarian Cancer Bookmark

    George Lundberg, MD

    Press release from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) curated by Editor in Chief George Lundberg, MD, who notes: 

    This FDA announcement is a welcome one for patients afflicted by epithelial ovarian cancer that has spread.

    Go to full article published by the FDA.

    If you’re wondering whether this story applies to your own cancer case or a loved one’s, we invite you to get support from Cancer Commons.

  • April 22, 2020  

    FDA Approves Tucatinib in Combination With Trastuzumab/Capecitabine for Advanced Unresectable or Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Bookmark

    George Lundberg, MD

    Article from The ASCO Post curated by Editor in Chief George Lundberg, MD, who notes: 

    Based upon clinical trial results compared to controls, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved additional uses for the drug tucatinib (brand name Tukysa) in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine.

    Go to full article published by The ASCO Post.

    If you’re wondering whether this story applies to your own cancer case or a loved one’s, we invite you to get support from Cancer Commons.

  • April 21, 2020  

    5-Aminolevulinic Acid and Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound: The Combination of the Two Techniques to Optimize the Extent of Resection in Glioblastoma Surgery Bookmark

    George Lundberg, MD

    Research paper from Neurosurgery curated by Editor in Chief George Lundberg, MD, who notes: 

    The best chance a patient has for survival with glioblastoma is the extent to which the tumor is initially removed surgically. The tools discussed in this study can help the surgeon maximize extirpation.

    Go to full paper published in Neurosurgery.

    If you’re wondering whether this story applies to your own cancer case or a loved one’s, we invite you to get support from Cancer Commons.

  • April 9, 2020  

    FDA Approves Pancreatic Cancer Drug Treatment After It Was Shown to Increase Progression Free Survival Bookmark

    George Lundberg, MD

    Article from Good News Network curated by Editor in Chief George Lundberg, MD, who notes: 

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Lynparza (olaparib) for treating  stage 4 pancreatic cancer patients with hereditary BRCA mutation who have not progressed on platinum therapy. A clinical trial showed prolongation of progression free survival in this subset of patients.

    Go to full article published by Good News Network.

    If you’re wondering whether this story applies to your own cancer case or a loved one’s, we invite you to get support from Cancer Commons.

  • April 9, 2020  

    New Pancreatic Cancer Therapies Extending Lives Bookmark

    George Lundberg, MD

    Article from WebMD curated by Editor in Chief George Lundberg, MD, who notes: 

    An aggressive 3-part approach may offer hope for some patients with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

    Go to full article published by WebMD.

    If you’re wondering whether this story applies to your own cancer case or a loved one’s, we invite you to get support from Cancer Commons.

  • April 8, 2020  

    Tucatinib and Trastuzumab Deruxtecan Show Promise in HER2+ Breast Cancer

    Smruti Vidwans, PhD

    In 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug trastuzumab (brand name Herceptin) for people with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Overnight, HER2+ metastatic breast cancer became treatable (though not curable). Subsequent successful clinical studies led to use of trastuzumab earlier in the breast cancer journey—after surgery—to help prevent recurrence, as well as in earlier-stage HER2+ breast cancer. Meanwhile, the FDA approved… Read more »

  • March 16, 2020  

    New Treatments For Bladder Cancer in 2020

    Emma Shtivelman, PhD

    In 2019 and early 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a number of new drugs for bladder cancer of all stages, and more treatments are on the horizon. Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening right now in bladder cancer treatment: Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer treatments (NMIBC) In patients with NMIBC, tumors are confined to the inner cell layer of the bladder… Read more »

  • March 9, 2020  

    Facilitating Access to Treatment for Children with Brain Cancer

    With: Leslie Jared, RN, MSN

    A Q&A with Leslie Jared, RN, MSN, Nurse Navigator at Cancer Commons. Email: leslie.jared@cancercommons.org Q: A midline glioma is a type of brain tumor that is particularly dangerous because of its nature and its location in the brain. It often afflicts children. An investigational drug called ONC201 has shown early promise in some patients whose tumors have a specific genetic mutation called H3 K27M.… Read more »

  • February 22, 2020  

    ‘Unprecedented’ Responses to Cisplatin/Gemcitabine in BRCA-Mutated Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Bookmark

    George Lundberg, MD

    Article from The ASCO Post curated by Editor in Chief George Lundberg, MD, who notes: 

    A treatment that combines two drugs can be beneficial for some patients who have advanced pancreatic cancer with BRCA mutations.

    Go to full article published by The ASCO Post.

    If you’re wondering whether this story applies to your own cancer case or a loved one’s, we invite you to get support from Cancer Commons.