GI CANCERS

James L. Wade III, MD, FACP, FASCO, discusses the importance of clinical trials in the community.

Based on data from the phase III TAGS trial, a supplemental new drug application seeking approval for TAS-102 (trifluridine/tipiracil; Lonsurf) for use in previously treated patients with advanced or metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma, including cancer of the gastroesophageal junction, has been granted a priority review by the FDA.

I think one of the most important advancements in biomedical technology that has improved our understanding of the complexities of cancer is the ability to sequence the cancer genome for any individual patient, in a rapid and cost-effective manner, to help us make treatment decisions in the clinic.

According to a presentation at the 2018 ESMO Congress, risk of death was reduced with trifluridine/tipiracil versus placebo in patients with heavily pretreated gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer. Lead TAGS trial author Hendrik-Tobias Arkenau, MD, PhD, said there was also improvement in progression-free survival and disease control.

Groundbreaking developments in cancer therapies can change lives, extending survival and sending patients who previously thought their chances were slim into remission. But these therapies come at a cost, and many patients reel at the prospect of heavy financial burdens. To help patients and programs meet the challenges of affording cancer treatments, community cancer centers are expanding the role of financial advocates in their organizations.

Thomas A. Gallo, MS, MDA, president of the Association of Community Cancer Centers, discusses his mission as president to “reflect, renew, and reignite” in order to create a more resilient oncology team for the community.

Larotrectinib induced an objective response rate of 80% in patients with advanced solid tumors who harbored&nbsp;<em>NTRK&nbsp;</em>gene fusions, according to results pooled from 3 small trials of the TRK inhibitor. Results were presented during the 2018 ESMO Congress.

Rising prescription drug prices continue to add to the burden of paying for quality healthcare. In an effort to confront such costs, the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services has rescinded a prohibition on step therapy for Medicare Advantage plans. But some contend such a policy will reduce patient access to optimal medication.

Findings from a recent study have suggested that wearable activity monitors could potentially replace performance status and functionability assessments going forward. This could lead to more accurate PS scores as evaluations of PS are difficult to determine objectively in the clinic.&nbsp;

Olaparib (Lynparza) has been granted an&nbsp;orphan drug designation by the FDA for the treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer,&nbsp;AstraZeneca and Merck, the developers of the PARP inhibitor, have announced.

The first patient has been dosed in the phase III FIGHT trial investigating bemarituzumab (FPA144) combined with chemotherapy in patients with previously untreated advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer, according to Five Prime Therapeutics, the developer of the isoform-selective FGF receptor 2b antibody.

Laura Michaelis, MD, associate professor of medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, discusses thrombotic risk for patients with essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera.

Approach to Unresectable Stage 4 Gastric Adenocarcinoma

Tanios Bekaii-Saab, MD,&nbsp;shares his insights on the results from the ReDOS trial, as well as the IMblaze370 trial for patients with mCRC

Cathy Eng, MD, discusses recent data that could shape the treatment landscape for several GI cancers.

Manish A. Shah, MD,&nbsp;discusses key details of the KEYNOTE-180 trial, as well as results from the BRIGHTER study. He also shared his insights on the unanswered questions that still need to be addressed in the field.