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    xCures to Implement an Intermediate Size Expanded Access Protocol for ONC201 in H3 K27M-mutant Gliomas

    LOS ALTOS, Calif., March 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — xCures and Cancer Commons are pleased to announce a collaboration with Oncoceutics to implement an Expanded Access program for ONC201. Part of this Expanded Access program is an intermediate size Expanded Access protocol for ONC201 in patients with H3 K27M-mutant glioma entitled “ONC018: Expanded Access to ONC201 for Patients with H3 K27M-mutant and/or Midline High Grade Gliomas” that… Read more »

  •   Emma Shtivelman, PhD

    Excerpt:

    The Lung Cancer Master Protocol (Lung-MAP), the first precision medicine trial in lung cancer supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), is undergoing a major expansion to include patients with all non–small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs).

    “The trial previously tested treatments for people with advanced-stage squamous cell lung cancer. Opening the trial to all types of advanced-stage NSCLCs means that thousands of new patients will be eligible to enroll.”

    Go to full article published by The ASCO Post on Feb 1, 2019.

    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.

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    Cancer Commons and xCures Invite Participation from Patients Who Try New Combo Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer

    Treatment for metastatic pancreatic cancer has seen progress in recent years, but outcomes remain poor and treatment advances that can prolong patients’ lives, even for a few months, are eagerly awaited. Two papers published today in the scientific journal Nature Medicine report that a new combination of two drugs that are FDA-approved for other conditions may significantly delay progression of pancreatic cancer in cells… Read more »

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    Promising Developments for Brain Tumor Drug ONC201

    In September, we announced our collaboration with Musella Foundation, xCures, and Oncoceutics to help patients access ONC201, a potential new treatment for a type of brain tumor known as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), as well as other gliomas with a genetic mutation known as H3 K27M. Since then, several news stories have reported promising developments for ONC201. Check out the coverage: The Philadelphia Inquirer: “Cancer therapy shows promise for… Read more »

  •   George Lundberg, MD

    Research paper from the Journal of the National Comprehensive Care Network curated by Editor in Chief George Lundberg, MD, who notes: 

    Metastatic or advanced cervical cancer remains very difficult to treat. Immunotherapy is showing promise.

    Go to full article published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Care 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.

  •   Emma Shtivelman, PhD

    Excerpt:

    “Instructing the immune system to recognize and kill tumours, an approach termed cancer immunotherapy, has transformed the clinical treatment of certain types of malignancy. Prominent among these therapies are immune-checkpoint inhibitors, which block the action of proteins that dampen immune-cell responses against tumours. For example, antibodies can be used to interfere with the inhibitory protein PD-1, which is present on T cells, a type of immune cell that attacks tumours. Immune-checkpoint inhibitors have been most successfully used to treat cancers, such as melanomas, that are well infiltrated by T cells and have a large number of genetic mutationsA subset of these mutations might generate neoantigens — altered protein sequences that are uniquely produced in cancer cells and are recognized as foreign by the immune system.”

    Go to full article published by Nature on Dec 19, 2018.

    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.

  •   Emma Shtivelman, PhD

    Excerpt:

    “Swiss group Roche Holding AG said on Wednesday its Tecentriq immunotherapy mixed with chemotherapy won priority review from the U.S. regulator for treating a type of lung cancer, a potential boost to the drug that has been trailing rivals’ revenues.

    “The announcement comes after Roche in September said patients with untreated extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) lived a median 12.3 months after getting the Tecentriq cocktail, compared to 10.3 months for those getting chemotherapy alone.

    “Winning the speedy review from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration sets up possible U.S. approval for Tecentriq in this indication by March 18, the drugmaker said in a statement.”

    Go to full article published by Reuters on Dec 4, 2018.

    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.

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    New HERizons: HER2-Positive Breast Cancer and the Legacy of Herceptin

    Emma Shtivelman, PhD

    Twenty years ago, no targeted treatments existed for breast cancers with high levels of a protein called HER2 (HER2-positive, or HER2+). The significance of HER2 in breast cancer had only been recognized in 1987, when excessive levels of the protein were identified in about 20% of breast cancers. Oncologists realized that high levels of HER2 mark a type of cancer with a poor prognosis,… Read more »

  •   Emma Shtivelman, PhD

    Excerpt:

    “Cancer has an insidious talent for evading the natural defenses that should destroy it. What if we could find ways to help the immune system fight back?

    “It has begun to happen. The growing field of immunotherapy is profoundly changing cancer treatment and has rescued many people with advanced malignancies that not long ago would have been a death sentence.”

    Go to full article published by The New York Times on Nov 19, 2018.

    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.

  •   Emma Shtivelman, PhD

    Excerpt:

    “On November 2, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to lorlatinib (LORBRENA, Pfizer, Inc.) for patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease has progressed on crizotinib and at least one other ALK inhibitor for metastatic disease or whose disease has progressed on alectinib or ceritinib as the first ALK inhibitor therapy for metastatic disease.

    “Approval was based on a subgroup of 215 patients with ALK-positive metastatic NSCLC, previously treated with one or more ALK kinase inhibitors, enrolled in a non‑randomized, dose-ranging and activity-estimating, multi‑cohort, multicenter study (Study B7461001; NCT01970865). The major efficacy measures were overall response rate (ORR) and intracranial ORR, according to RECIST 1.1, as assessed by an independent central review committee.”

    Go to full article published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Dec 14, 2018.

    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.