Categories Cancer Treatment

Update: FDA allows testing of a vaccine designed to prevent breast cancer

Scientists have been working for many years to develop a vaccine that will prevent breast cancer. The FDA recently announced that the first clinical trial to test a preventive breast cancer vaccine can begin. This vaccine is the result of over a decade of research in animals and human cells. While researchers will first test the vaccine in women who have breast cancer, they hope to use this vaccine in the future to prevent breast cancer.  (posted 5/25/21)

THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN UPDATED on 10/12/2021: The clinical trial discussed in this XRAY review has begun recruiting participants.  Researchers hope to enroll 24 patients with non-metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. The trial is being conducted at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. More information on this trial can be found here.

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Update: Immunotherapy dostarlimab gains FDA approval for treatment of recurrent and advanced endometrial cancer

The FDA has given accelerated approval for the immunotherapy agent dostarlimab (Jemperli) to treat recurrent and advanced endometrial cancer that has a biomarker called mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR). This adds a new treatment option for people with recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer. (posted 5/18/21)

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Update: Cancer disparities: Colorectal cancer in African Americans

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) released a 2020 report about cancer disparities among racial and ethnic groups in the United States. In this XRAY review, we highlight data from the report about the burden of colorectal cancer in African Americans, who have the highest rates of diagnosis and death related to the disease among all racial and ethnic groups. (Posted 4/27/21)

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Study: Patient outcomes and experiences of going flat

Some patients with early-stage breast cancer or those considering risk-reducing surgery may choose mastectomy without reconstruction. This is often referred to as “going flat.” The results of this study suggest that surgeons play a significant role in supporting a patient’s decision to go flat. (3/23/2021)

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Study: Can tumor tests identify more breast cancer patients who can safely skip chemotherapy?

Two studies presented at the December 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium looked at how tumor testing can identify patients who may benefit the most and the least from chemotherapy. (3/4/21)

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Update: FDA approves Orgovyx, the first oral hormone therapy of its type for treating advanced prostate cancer

In December 2020, the FDA approved Orgovyx to treat advanced prostate cancer. The findings were based on the HERO clinical trial of more than 900 men. Data from this trial showed the new therapy was safer than standard androgen deprivation treatment for men with advanced prostate cancer and risk of cardiovascular disease. (2/18/21)

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Study: How breast cancer patients experience hormone therapy

Side effects from hormone therapy are a common reason that many men and women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer stop treatment early. Some people never start hormone therapy. This study asked patients about their experiences with hormone (or endocrine) therapy. The results suggest that there may be ways to improve the number of patients who stick with therapy. Patients need better ways to manage hormone therapy-related side effects. (1/19/21)

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Study: Immunotherapy drug Keytruda received FDA approval and showed benefit for treatment of colorectal cancer

In June 2020, the FDA approved Keytruda (pembrolizumab) as an initial therapy for advanced colorectal cancer. This approval was based on the results from the KEYNOTE-177 study. In this study, Keytruda was more successful than chemotherapy in delaying progression of certain types of colorectal cancers. (11/25/20)

Study: Trodelvy clinical trial results likely practice-changing for people with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer

The ASCENT study confirmed an earlier study and showed that the drug sacituzumab govitecan-hizy (Trodelvy) improves outcomes for people with previously treated metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. These results further support the use of Trodelvy as a standard therapy for patients with pretreated metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. (11/20/20)

Study: The buzz about honeybee venom: Promising early research to treat breast cancer

Early research showed that melittin, an ingredient in honeybee venom, may be used to treat HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancers. This study found that melittin can kill cancer cells. The chemotherapy drug docetaxel more effectively killed breast cancer cells in mice when combined with melittin. It is not known whether melittin would be safe or affect cancer growth in people. While promising, more research must be done before melittin could be used to treat people.  (11/10/20)