Categories Cancer Treatment

Update: Strategies for managing pancreatic cancer pain

Abdominal pain is often a severe, ongoing symptom of pancreatic cancer, yet little research has been done on how to best reduce this pain. The authors of this review discuss current strategies for managing cancer-related pain and their effectiveness. (Posted 10/31/22)

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Update: PARP inhibitors withdrawn as third-line or later treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer

Survival data from a clinical trial signaled that PARP inhibitors may not work as well as chemotherapy for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer who have received three or more lines of treatment. As a result, FDA approvals have been withdrawn for PARP inhibitors in this setting.  This does not affect PARP inhibitor approvals for use as maintenance therapy for ovarian cancer. (Posted 10/4/22)

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Study: PARP inhibitor treatment for metastatic prostate cancer shows most benefit in men with inherited BRCA mutations

This study looked at the benefit of using the PARP inhibitor niraparib to treat metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Participants included those with an inherited or tumor mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 or an inherited or tumor mutation in another gene that affects DNA repair. Participants with an inherited or tumor mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 had better survival compared to those without a BRCA mutation. Side effects from niraparib were common, and consistent with previous reports for PARP inhibitors.  (posted 9/6/2022)

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Study: A win for some patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer

A drug used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer improved survival in people with metastatic breast cancers that were previously considered HER2-negative. These results change practice guidelines for metastatic breast cancer and reclassify HER2 tumor marker status as “HER2-low” to guide treatment. (Posted 7/18/22)

Update: On 08/05/2022 the FDA approved Enhertu to treat people with metastatic, HER2-low breast cancer who have received prior chemotherapy in the metastatic setting or who developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing chemotherapy. Enhertu is also approved for treatment of people with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who progressed after prior anti-HER2 treatment. Este artículo está disponible en español.

Study: The hidden financial burden of treating cancer care symptoms

Drugs commonly used to treat symptoms of cancer and cancer treatment side effects can cost thousands of dollars out of pocket for patients, depending on what drugs are used. (Posted 6/29/2022). Este artículo está disponible en español.

Update: New drug approved for metastatic prostate cancer

The FDA approved a new treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. They also approved a test that can be used to identify patients who would benefit from this new treatment.  (Posted 5/10/22)

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Study: Quality of life for people with early-stage breast cancer who participated in the OlympiA clinical trial

The OlympiA study showed that the PARP inhibitor olaparib (Lynparza) is effective when used as maintenance therapy for people with an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation who have early-stage breast cancer. Patient-reported outcomes from OlympiA suggest that olaparib was well tolerated and did not reduce quality of life or delay recovery from chemotherapy. (posted 2/22/22) Update: Based on OlympiA results, the FDA approved olaparib as adjuvant treatment for people with an inherited BRCA mutation who were diagnosed with early-stage HER2-negative breast cancer at high risk for recurrence. (03/11/2022). 

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Study: Cannabis use among breast cancer patients

This study looked at patterns of cannabis use among breast cancer patients who are members of online health communities. Almost half of the study participants reported using cannabis to help manage treatment symptoms and side effects. The study also looked at reasons why patients used cannabis, where they obtained it and whether they perceived cannabis to be safe. While this study only looked at cannabis use among breast cancer patients it is likely results would be similar among patients diagnosed with other types of cancers. (posted 1/25/22)

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Study: Physical activity may prevent chemotherapy-related cognitive decline in women with breast cancer

Many people experience chemo brain or chemo fog (cognitive effects) during and after chemotherapy. Researchers looked at the impact of physical activity on chemotherapy-related decline in memory, attention and information processing in women with breast cancer. This study shows that more physical activity before and during chemotherapy is linked to better information processing after chemotherapy. (Posted 1/6/22)

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Study: Bone-protecting drugs cut the risks for fractures caused by metastatic prostate cancer treatments

Skeletal problems, especially bone fractures, are common in patients with advanced prostate cancer. To prevent these, many guidelines recommend the use of bone-protecting agents during treatment. The importance of giving a bone-protecting agent when treating patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and bone metastases was confirmed in early results of an ongoing phase III trial. (11/5/21)

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