Triplet Therapy in Melanoma — Combined BRAF/MEK Inhibitors and Anti-PD-(L)1 Antibodies
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe provide an updated review of clinical trials evaluating the combination of BRAF/MEK inhibitors with anti-PD-(L)1 therapy (triplet therapy) for patients with advanced BRAF-mutant melanoma, accompanied by a summary of the biological evidence supporting this combination.Recent FindingsResistance to BRAF/MEK inhibition and comparatively low response rates to immune checkpoint inhibitors remain clinical challenges in the treatment of melanoma. Preclinical data demonstrates that targeted therapy is immune-modulatory and synergises with immune checkpoint inhibition. Several randomised controlled trials...
Source: Current Oncology Reports - April 2, 2022 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Managing the Risk of Infection in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in the Era of New Therapies
AbstractPurpose of ReviewPatients diagnosed with CLL have an increased susceptibility to infections. Over the years, there has been a shift of the treatment arsenal to an increasing use of chemotherapy-free regimens, particularly small molecule inhibitors. These therapies have proven to be effective and have a favorable toxicity profile. Infections continue to represent a significant complication in the era of novel therapies.Recent FindingsRecent studies continue to bring new insights into the effects of modern therapies on the immune system. Evidence supporting infection prevention strategies is scarce. We will review th...
Source: Current Oncology Reports - April 2, 2022 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Cardioprotection for Anti-HER2 Therapy: Considerations for Primary Prevention and Use in Mildly Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review summarizes current HER2-targeted therapies and clinical studies that have investigated primary and secondary prevention of cardiac dysfunction for HER2 + breast cancer patients undergoing targeted therapy.Recent FindingsPrimary and secondary prevention clinical trials highlight the importance of cardioprotective measures during HER2 + cancer treatment. Together, these studies suggest the safety of neurohormonal drugs, the importance for an individualized approach in starting cardiopreventive therapies, and the potential to expand HER2 + treatment options to patients with c...
Source: Current Oncology Reports - April 1, 2022 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Rehabilitation in Advanced Cancer Patients with Bone Metastases and Neural Compromise: Current Status and Future Directions
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review aimed to increase the understanding of oncologists and physiatrists about the necessity, efficacy, and safety of rehabilitation in advanced cancer patients with bone metastases and neural compromise.Recent FindingsRecently, there are growing evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of rehabilitation in patients with bone metastases and neural compromise. Despite the potential benefits of rehabilitation, however, rehabilitative services are considerably underutilized in clinical practice. Many oncologists are not familiar with functional issues and have limited understanding of the av...
Source: Current Oncology Reports - April 1, 2022 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Role of Image-Guided Percutaneous Needle Biopsy in the Age of Precision Medicine
AbstractPurpose of reviewWith the remarkable progress in cancer precision medicine, the demand for biopsy has been increasing, and the role of biopsy has been changing. In this review, we discuss the current state and recent advances in the role of image-guided percutaneous needle biopsy (PNB) in facilitating precision medicine.Recent findingsBiopsies are useful not only in the diagnosis of cancer and histological sub-type but also in the analysis of its molecular characteristics for targeted treatments. PNB specimens have been shown to provide high DNA yields for genomic analysis. Liquid biopsy is an emerging technology b...
Source: Current Oncology Reports - April 1, 2022 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Neuroblastoma Heterogeneity, Plasticity, and Emerging Therapies
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe evolving information of the initiation, tumor cell heterogeneity, and plasticity of childhood neuroblastoma has opened up new perspectives for developing therapies based on detailed knowledge of the disease.Recent FindingsThe cellular origin of neuroblastoma has begun to unravel and there have been several reports on tumor cell heterogeneity based on transcriptional core regulatory circuitries that have given us important information on the biology of neuroblastoma as a developmental disease. This together with new insight of the tumor microenvironment which acts as a support for neuroblastoma ...
Source: Current Oncology Reports - April 1, 2022 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Controversies in the Treatment of Adolescents and Young Adults with Philadelphia Chromosome-Negative B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
AbstractPurpose of the reviewThe incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been increasing steadily in the adolescent and young adult (AYA) population. In this review article focused on the management of AYAs with Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) B-ALL, we examine topics of clinical interest and identify areas of controversy in need of further investigation.Recent findingsWe explore four areas of active investigation: pediatric-inspired front-line treatment regimens, the optimal time of measurable residual disease (MRD) assessment, the role of hematopoietic stem cell transplant and the optimal salvage thera...
Source: Current Oncology Reports - March 30, 2022 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Managing Pain and Discomfort in Children with Cancer
AbstractPurpose of ReviewApproximately 15,600 children are diagnosed with cancer annually. Many of these children have cancer-related pain that improves with cancer treatment, but some develop intractable pain from cancer progression or sequelae from treatment modalities. The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical evaluation of the literature relevant to pain management in children with cancer. We intend to emphasize important and up-to-date findings in pharmacology, interventional pain management, and complementary and alternative medicine.Recent FindingsAlternative medications and routes of administration, comple...
Source: Current Oncology Reports - March 30, 2022 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Neuro-oncologic Emergencies
AbstractPurpose of ReviewPatients with brain and spine tumors are at high risk of presenting cancer-related complications at disease presentation or during active treatment and are usually related to the type and location of the lesion. Here, we discuss presentation and management of the most common emergencies affecting patients with central nervous system neoplastic lesions.Recent FindingsTumor-related emergencies encompass complications in patients with central nervous system neoplasms, as well as neurologic complications in patients with systemic malignancies. Brain tumor patients are at high risk of developing multipl...
Source: Current Oncology Reports - March 30, 2022 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Current Clinical Trial Landscape of OX40 Agonists
AbstractPurpose of ReviewDespite the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) immunotherapy, most cancer patients still develop progressive disease necessitating additional treatment options. One approach is ligation of the OX40 (CD134) costimulatory receptor which promotes T cell activation, effector function, and the generation of long-lived memory cells.Recent FindingsNumerous preclinical studies have demonstrated that OX40 agonists alone or in combination with ICB (e.g., anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, and anti-CTLA-4) augment anti-tumor immunity.SummaryIn this review, we discuss the impact of OX40 agonists on T cell functi...
Source: Current Oncology Reports - March 29, 2022 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Integrating Precision Medicine into the Contemporary Management of Gynecologic Cancers
This article reviews the current trends in precision medicine for treatment of gynecologic cancers.Recent FindingsWith the identification of the molecular aberrations inherent to gynecologic malignancies, we have discovered targetable mutations. Specific to ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancers, potential therapeutic targets that have been identified and shown to have benefit include: hormonal therapies, anti-angiogenic agents, poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPi), and immunotherapy.SummaryThe adoption of targeted therapeutics for the treatment of gynecologic cancers has been gradual, but we have started to se...
Source: Current Oncology Reports - March 26, 2022 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Anti-PD-1: When to Stop Treatment
AbstractPurpose of ReviewEmerging data indicate that immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in patients with metastatic melanoma can be stopped electively or at the time of toxicity with an acceptable risk for progression. However, the optimal treatment duration remains to be defined. We review published data on treatment duration, outcome after treatment discontinuation, and treatment re-introduction in patients with metastatic melanoma.Recent FindingsPublished studies indicate that disease control can be maintained after discontinuation of ICB therapy. Discontinuation of therapy in responders decreases the risk for treatment-r...
Source: Current Oncology Reports - March 26, 2022 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
The Treatment Landscape of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
AbstractPurpose of reviewThe systemic treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has significantly evolved. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated clinical efficacy and more favorable toxicity profiles compared to multikinase inhibitors. Combination therapy with ICIs may provide greater anti-tumor activity compared to ICI monotherapy. This review will discuss the current treatment landscape of advanced HCC, with a focus on recently completed and ongoing trials of ICI combinations, as well as future directions. Recent findingsAtezolizumab/bevacizumab has been approved as first-line therapy in pat...
Source: Current Oncology Reports - March 26, 2022 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Viral and Clinical Oncology of Head and Neck Cancers
This study assesses the current state of knowledge of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), which are malignancies arising from the orifices and adjacent mucosae of the aerodigestive tracts. These contiguous anatomical areas are unique in that 2 important human oncoviruses, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human papillomavirus (HPV), are causally associated with nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal cancers, respectively. Mortality rates have remained high over the last 4 decades, and insufficient attention paid to the unique viral and clinical oncology of the different subgroups of HNSCC.Recent FindingsWe have compared a...
Source: Current Oncology Reports - March 26, 2022 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Fluoropyrimidine Cardiotoxicity: Incidence, Outcomes, and Safety of Rechallenge
AbstractPurpose of ReviewFluoropyrimidine (FDP) chemotherapy regimens used in the treatment of solid tumors such as breast, gastrointestinal, and hepatobiliary malignancies have led to significant survival benefits. However, FDP cardiotoxicity can lead to premature termination of FDP-based chemotherapy treatments. Resuming these crucial therapies after initial FDP cardiotoxicity can be challenging for patients and healthcare providers.Recent FindingsSymptomatic cardiotoxicity occurs in up to 35% of patients treated with FDP-based chemotherapy. The most common symptom is chest pain, but palpitations, dyspnea, myocardial inf...
Source: Current Oncology Reports - March 26, 2022 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
