A Collection of Hematology & Oncology Articles
The practice of oncology and hematology is in constant evolution. These articles highlight some of the most notable advancements and discoveries in the modern medical world. We invite you to use this site frequently and collaborate with medical professionals across the globe.
Welcome
At Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), our physicians and advanced practice providers are deeply vested in clinical research to provide the most cutting-edge treatment options available to our patients. In our own practices we are fortunate to offer over 300 clinical trials across 37 locations including 3 dedicated Phase 1 Drug Development Units. We value every opportunity to share best practices and the latest research both within and outside of our institution. We welcome you to use this collection as a resource to support your own research and understanding as we strive together to advance cancer care one step at a time.
Recent Articles
Nivolumab With or Without Ipilimumab in Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Nonrandomized, Open-Label, International, Multicenter Phase I/II Study
Doublet IO may not be as good as single agent in advance Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Further randomized studies are needed but I think it is reasonable to adopt a risk and toxicity-based approach in these patients for now.
Abemaciclib Plus Fulvestrant in Advanced Breast Cancer After Progression on CDK4/6 Inhibition: Results From the Phase III postMONARCH Trial
Yet another combination to consider after CDK4/6i + ET in HR+ MBC!
Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Recurrent Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Randomized, Open-Label, Controlled Trial
Nice to see randomized studies on liver directed therapy. SBRT is better than RFA for single recurrent lesions <5cm in size, particularly when they are <2cm. IR will argue that Y90 is different and superior to RFA, but SBRT is likely underutilized in this setting.
Brentuximab Vedotin Combination for Relapsed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
The ECHELON-3 study showed BV + Len + R is an active and (relatively) tolerable in the rrDLBCL patient group. Interestingly, patients did not have to be CD30+ to see a benefit.
Influence of Nucleophosmin (NPM1) Genotypes on Outcome of Patients With AML: An AIEOP-BFM and COG-SWOG Intergroup Collaboration
It does not seem that all NPM1 mutations are created equally. Type A and B mutations had favorable outcomes and type D mutations do much worse, something to consider when risk stratifying in patients with AML.
Onvansertib in Combination With Chemotherapy and Bevacizumab in Second-Line Treatment of KRAS-Mutant Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Single-Arm, Phase II Trial
This PLK1-inhibitor seems extremely promising. This phase II trial studied pre-treated KRAS-mut patients with FOLFIRI + bev + study drug and the response rates and PFS were quite remarkable. Given the compelling results, they went from this study to a phase III 1L study.
Intermittent or Continuous Panitumumab Plus Fluorouracil, Leucovorin, and Irinotecan for First-Line Treatment of RAS and BRAF Wild-Type Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: The IMPROVE Trial
Interesting study where intermittent FOLFIRI + pan was seemingly just as effective as continuous therapy. The ongoing Phase III IMPROVE-2 is the confirmatory trial and if positive could change standard practice. Of note, intermittent meant eight (8) cycles followed by a holiday until progression when it was reinitiated.
Phase II Study of Acalabrutinib, Venetoclax, and Obinutuzumab in a Treatment-Naïve Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Population Enriched for High-Risk Disease
Triple therapy for CLL, AVO, is highly active and has very high MRD-negative rates compared to other studies using Ven+Obi or BTKi therapy alone. The battle between indefinite BTKi therapy vs more intense combination therapy will continue as we don’t know if one paradigm is better from a bigger picture.
FCS Physician Focus
Plasma Proteome–Based Test for First-Line Treatment Selection in Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
FCS medical oncologist and hematologist Ernesto Bustinza-Linares, MD has co-authored an abstract published in the American Society of Clinical Oncology Journal, JCO Precision Oncology, that uncovers a new testing method to determine personalized care options for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The abstract’s authors address the limitations of existing guidelines that recommend checkpoint immunotherapy, sometimes in combination with chemotherapy, for treating NSCLC, which often discounts patient variability and immune factors. The findings from the study show that by incorporating additional plasma proteome-based testing, combined with the standard protein inhibitor testing, clear differences in patient outcomes were observed after applying targeted treatments based on the testing results.
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute
