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Blood Cancer Patients Face More Severe Illness and Death from COVID-19
Having cancer increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. The immune system, already compromised by cancer and its therapies, can't respond as effectively as it could in a healthy patient. The risk of worse outcomes is particularly high for patients with blood cancers. "When they get COVID-19, they tend to get more severe illness and to die more frequently," Dr. Mikkael Sekeres, chief of the Division of Hematology at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, who was formerly with the Cleveland Clinic, tells SurvivorNet Connect.
Learn MoreBreaking Down the PAOLA Trial — Who Benefits from Olaparib (Lynparza)?
In the PAOLA trial, ovarian cancer patients received either bevacizumab alone or bevacizumab plus olaparib (brand name: Lynparza) after their frontline therapy. “And what they found in this trial was very interesting,” says Dr. John Nakayama, gynecologic oncologist with Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh.
Learn MoreBrentuximab Vedotin is ‘Great Stride’ Toward Improving Lymphoma Outcomes
Brentuximab vedotin has added considerably to the lymphoma treatment options available to oncologists. The drug was initially approved for the treatment of relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma following a stem cell transplant or, in patients who could not have a transplant, for those who had already undergone two or more chemotherapy treatments.
Learn MoreBTK Inhibitors for CLL Patients: What Are the Risks?
Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors have provided us with a more targeted way to treat leukemia and lymphoma patients. But, as with any other therapeutic option, they do have side effects. In general, second-generation BTK inhibitors such as zanubrutinib (brand name: Brukinsa) and acalabrutinib (brand name: Calquence) tend to have fewer adverse effects than the first-generation therapy, ibrutinib (brand name: Imbruvica).
Learn MoreCalquence (Acalabrutinib) Has an Advantage Over Other BTK Inhibitors in CLL Treatment
Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors have proven themselves highly effective for both treatment-naïve and relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The first-generation BTK inhibitor ibrutinib was followed by second-generation drugs such as acalabrutinib (brand name: Calquence), zanubrutinib and tirabrutinib, which have all shown good long-term efficacy and safety.
Learn MoreCancer Affects Communities of Color Differently; How Providing Information on Prevention Can Help Level the Playing Field
Myeloma is just one example of a cancer that disproportionately impacts communities of color. Black Americans are twice as likely to have the precursor condition, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) than are white Americans.
Learn MoreCAR T-Cell Therapy in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia May Achieve ‘Deep Remission’
The chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy tisagenlecleucel (brand name: Kymriah) is an FDA-approved treatment for children and young adults with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Learn MoreCAR T-Cell Therapy is ‘Exciting,’ But Also ‘Overwhelming’ for Patients
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has been transformative in blood cancer therapy, particularly for patients with previously poor outcomes; however, producing the CAR T cells can be a complex process.
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