Categories Tumor Testing

15 May 2025

Study : Enhertu shows promising results for HER2-low and HER2-ultralow metastatic breast cancer

Most relevant for: People with HR-positive metastatic breast cancer

Recent study results show that a new targeted treatment works better than standard chemotherapy for people with metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast cancers with low or ultralow HER2 status. (Posted 5/15/25)

30 April 2025

Study : Two immunotherapy drugs are better than one for some metastatic colorectal cancers

Most relevant for: People with unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer that is MSI-High or dMMR

Combining two immunotherapy drugs is a more effective treatment for certain metastatic colorectal cancers than using either treatment drug alone. Used together, Opdivo (nivolumab) plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) slowed cancer growth in MSI-High metastatic colorectal cancers, a type of colorectal cancer often found in Lynch syndrome. The FDA approved this combined treatment for MSI-High metastatic colorectal cancer after progression with chemotherapy. (Posted 4/30/25)

5 September 2024

Study : Colorectal cancer in people with Lynch syndrome can include types of cancer found more typically in people without Lynch syndrome

Most relevant for: People with Lynch syndrome and people with colorectal cancer who may have Lynch syndrome

When people with Lynch syndrome (LS) develop cancer, their tumors typically have a related set of features or biomarkers known as deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) and high microsatellite instability (MSI-High). However, occasionally people with Lynch syndrome have cancers that are proficient in mismatch repair (pMMR or MMR-P) and have microsatellite stability (MSS or MSI-Low) –more like the colorectal cancers found in people without Lynch syndrome. This study shows that 10 percent of people with Lynch syndrome may have these types of cancers. This can change treatment recommendations. (Posted 9/5/24)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

19 July 2024

Topic : The drug Enhertu is FDA-approved for any advanced or metastatic HER2-positive tumors

Most relevant for: People with advanced HER2-positive cancer

The FDA granted accelerated approval of Enhertu for people with any HER2-positive tumor that is metastatic or cannot be surgically removed. Eligible patients must have had previous treatment such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy. (Posted 7/19/24)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

22 March 2024

Update : News from the FDA - Two new metastatic colorectal cancer treatments

Most relevant for: People with colorectal cancer

The FDA recently approved two new treatments for metastatic colorectal cancer. (Posted 3/22/24)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

19 March 2024

Topic : Progress in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer

Most relevant for: People with triple-negative breast cancer

During the December 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Dr. Melinda Telli presented a summary of research that has led to better treatments for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).  These treatments now include drugs called targeted therapies and immunotherapies for both early and late stages of TNBC. (Posted 3/19/24)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

21 February 2024

Update : News from the FDA– new breast cancer treatment, thermography warning and implant screening updates

Most relevant for: People with HR-positive and HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. People with silicone breast implants. People considering thermography screening

This XRAY review is a summary of FDA breast cancer updates from July to December 2023.  This includes a new drug approval and two consumer updates. (Posted 2/21/24)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

9 February 2024

Update : New drug combination for the second treatment of some HR-positive advanced breast cancers

Most relevant for: People with hormone receptor (HR)-positive or HER2-negative breast cancer that has spread outside the breast tissue.

The FDA approved Truqap plus Faslodex for the treatment of metastatic hormone receptor-positive (HR-positive), HER2-negative breast cancer that returned or worsened after treatment with hormone therapy. The approval is for treating cancers in people whose tumors had a mutation in one of three genes. For people with one of these mutations, Truqap improved the time until their cancer came back or got worse.  (Posted 2/9/24)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

1 March 2023

Study : Promising early results for treating metastatic prostate cancer

Most relevant for: People with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)

The TALAPRO studies looked at how well the oral drug Talzenna (talazoparib) works as a treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The addition of Talzenna to treatment with Xtandi (enzalutamide) increased the time until the cancer got worse or came back (progression-free survival). The greatest benefit was seen in people who had an inherited or tumor mutation in a gene that repairs DNA damage (such as ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2 and others). (Posted 3/1/23)

Update: On June 20, 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the combination of Talzenna with Xtandi as an initial treatment for some people with mCRPC for people with inherited or tumor mutations in genes that repair DNA damage. 

Este artículo está disponible en español.

15 November 2022

Study : Promising early results for people with DNA mismatch repair deficient rectal cancer

Most relevant for: People with rectal cancer with high mutational burden or mismatch repair problems including people with Lynch syndrome.

A small research study tested the usefulness of the immunotherapy drug dostarlimab for treating locally advanced rectal cancer with a biomarker known as “dMMR” (DNA mismatch repair deficient). None of the participants had evidence of cancer six months later; some remained cancer free for up to 25 months). Many participants had Lynch syndrome. The remarkable response to this treatment may allow people with this particular subtype of rectal cancer to avoid potentially life-changing rectal surgery. (Posted 11/14/22) Este artículo está disponible en español.