The Week of June 10 in Review

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Dr. Heinemann Discusses the FIRE-3 Trial

Volker Heinemann, MD, PhD, professor, medical oncology, University of Munich in Munich, Germany, discusses the design and results from the FIRE-3 trial at the 2013 ASCO Annual Meeting.

Underutilized Genetic Tests Put Families at Risk

A new study of the use of genetic testing for cancer-causing mutations in France has found that the uptake is low. An analysis of the data from the French National Cancer Institute from 2003 to 2011 showed an increase in testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 for breast and ovarian cancer, though not for the MMR mutation for Lynch syndrome.

Dr. Tewari on a Phase III Trial Exploring Bevacizumab in Recurrent Cervical Cancer

Krishnansu S. Tewari, MD, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California Irvine in Orange, California, describes a phase III trial conducted by the Gynecologic Oncology Group exploring treatment with bevacizumab for patients with recurrent cervical cancer.

Amgen Says Trebananib Improves Progression-Free Survival in Ovarian Cancer

A phase III study of the investigational peptibody trebananib has met its primary endpoint of an improvement in progression-free survival (PFS). Amgen released early results that showed an approximately one-third reduction of risk of progression or death in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer when the agent is combined with paclitaxel.

Dr. Hudis Discusses the Optimism Surrounding Immunotherapy

Clifford A. Hudis, MD, ASCO President-Elect, Chief, Breast Cancer Medicine Service, Attending Physician, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, discusses his optimism surrounding immunotherapy for cancer care.

Supreme Court Decision Limits Gene Patenting

The US Supreme Court ruled that a segment of DNA in isolation is not eligible for patent protection. The decision came today following decisions by lower courts regarding the patents held on a test for genetic mutations associated with breast cancer.

Dr. Herbst on MPDL3280A for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, a professor of Medicine at Yale Cancer Center and chief of Medical Oncology at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven in Connecticut, comments on the emergence of immunotherapies for multiple types of cancer including MPDL3280A for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Dr. Pazdur Comments on Breakthrough Therapy Designation

Richard Pazdur, MD, director of the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, describes the benefits of a Breakthrough Therapy Designation.

Dr. Brose on Sorafenib in RAI-Resistant Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Marcia Brose, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery in the Abramson Cancer Center and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, discusses the rationale, background, and results from the phase III DECISION study that explored sorafenib in radioactive iodine-resistant differentiated thyroid cancer.