Halaven (eribulin mesylate) was approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients with unresectable or advanced liposarcoma. The treatment is approved for patients who previously had undergone chemotherapy with an anthracycline drug. It was previously approved for patients with breast cancer who had undergone at least two prior chemotherapeutic regimens, including an anthracycline and a taxane. Continue reading
Category Archives: Therapy
Precision Medicine MATCH Trial Difficulties with Biopsy Specimens
The National Cancer Institute launched the MATCH trial in August 2015 as part of the Precision Medicine Initiative announced by President Obama. Continue reading
Priority Review for Potent Novel Therapy for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Venetoclax is a novel cancer therapy being developed by Roche and AbbVie. The U.S. FDA has accepted the New Drug Application and granted Priority Review and Breakthrough Therapy Designation for venetoclax for the treatment of people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have received at least one prior therapy, including those with 17p deletion. Continue reading
Exploiting the Tumor Microenvironment – Threshold, Bioatla, Pfizer
Two companies announced news last week regarding their efforts to treat cancer by administering treatments that become activated by physiological conditions specific to the tumor microenvironment. Threshold Pharmaceuticals announced data from Phase III clinical trials of evophosphamide (TH-302), and BioAtla announced an antibody development deal with Pfizer. Continue reading
Varubi (rolapitant) Approved for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Varubi (rolapitant) (Tesaro) as part of a combination of drugs to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by certain types of cancer chemotherapy. More specifically, it was approved to prevent delayed phase chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). Continue reading
Targeting Cancer Stem Cells – OncoMed’s R-SPONDIN LGR Antibody for Colorectal Cancer
OncoMed initiated a Phase I/II trial of its anti-RSPO3 antibody (OMP-131R10) in patients with relapsed colorectal cancer. Patients will also be receiving FOLFIRI (5-FU, irinotecan, leucovorin). Continue reading
Two New Drugs Effective in Kidney Cancer – Opdivo and Cometriq
Opdivo (nivolumab – BMS) and Cometriq (cabozantinib -Exelixis) demonstrated positive results in studies of patients with kidney cancer. Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults, accounting for more than 100,000 deaths annually. Globally, the five-year survival rate for those diagnosed with metastatic, or advanced kidney cancer, is 12.1 percent. Continue reading
Lung Cancer Drug for Patients with Resistant T790 EGFR Mutation
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) receives signals from outside the cell that promote cell division and block apoptosis, leading to proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Continue reading
Vectibix Extends Survival in Colon Cancer
A Phase III study in patients with chemo-refractory colorectal cancer with wild-type K-ras genotype demonstrated that Amgen’s Vectibix (panitumumab) improved overall survival compared to best supportive therapy, alone. A total of 377 patients were randomized to receive best supportive care with or without intravenous infusions of Vectibix every 14 days. Full results of the study will be presented at a future medical meeting and submitted for publication. Continue reading
What do pineapples, glucose, and cancer have in common – mitochondria
I was sent articles by two non-cancer researchers last week – they are quite fitting for discuss on this blog (thank you, Gina and Sherilyn). The first was on DCA (dichloroacetate), a drug approved for congenital lactic acidosis, and the second about bromelain, an enzyme in pineapples. Continue reading