Articles
There is renewed interest in MSI analysis because the MSI-H/dMMR phenotype has emerged as an actionable predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint blockade therapy in different cancer types. This review presents available evidence supporting the clinical relevance and predictive value of MSI/dMMR in cancers, including those treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and outlines the diagnostic approaches developed to assess MSI/dMMR in clinical practice.
Genotyping tumors for microsatellite instability (MSI) has taken on new importance in the world of oncology. MSI screening has long been recognized as important in the care of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) or endometrial cancer, and high-level MSI (MSI-H) is now being recognized as a potential marker for germline mutations in certain DNA mismatch-repair (MMR) genes that lead to the development of Lynch syndrome.
Previously, testing for microsatellite instability (MSI) or mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) has been performed as a screening test to identify patients with Lynch syndrome in colorectal and endometrial cancer, in addition to providing prognostic and predictive data in colorectal cancer (CRC).
The FDA recently approved 2 new biosimilars for managing different conditions related to cancer—epoetin alfa-epbx (Retacrit) is the first biosimilar to epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit) and pegfilgrastim-jmbd (Fulphila) is the first biosimilar to pegfilgrastim (Neulasta).
Once-weekly carfilzomib (Kyprolis) therapy at a higher dose significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and reduced the risk of disease progression or death compared with twice-weekly carfilzomib in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The overall safety profile for both regimens in the randomized phase 3 ARROW clinical trial were similar, said co-lead investigator María-Victoria Mateos, MD, PhD, Director, Myeloma Unit, University Hospital Salamanca-IBSAL, Spain, at the 2018 European Hematology Association Congress.
By Wayne Kuznar
The results of the phase 3 OPTIMISMM clinical trial showed a 39% risk reduction in disease progression or death with pomalidomide, bortezomib, and low-dose dexamethasone compared with bortezomib and low-dose dexamethasone alone.
The drug affordability ratings in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Evidence Blocks are inconsistent with real-world total episode-of-care costs, according to Scott D. Ramsey, MD, PhD, Director, Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA.
The investigational LOXO-292, a potent and highly selective RET kinase inhibitor, has demonstrated robust and durable antitumor activity against RET-activating fusions and mutations, and has shown promising efficacy in patients with solid tumors and RET mutations.
The second-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, bb2121, engineered to target B-cell maturation antigen, a protein on the surface of certain myeloma cells, displayed continuing efficacy and safety in an update of a phase 1 clinical trial in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
Navigating through the oncology landscape has become increasingly challenging. As a result, it is imperative for oncology practices today to stay abreast of the changes occurring in the field to succeed.