Addressing Racial Disparities in Health Care
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CLL — Deciding Which BTK Inhibitor is Best in the Upfront Setting
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients now have several frontline treatment options available to them, including two FDA-approved Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors: ibrutinib (brand name: Imbruvica) and acalabrutinib (brand name: Calquence). How do you determine which of these medications is best for a particular patient?
Learn MoreVenetoclax vs. BTK Inhibitors in CLL Treatment
In 2019, the FDA approved the combination regimen venetoclax (brand name: Venclexta) plus obinutuzumab (brand Name: Gazyva) as a frontline treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Though this combination significantly improves progression-free survival compared with obinutuzumab plus the chemotherapy drug chlorambucil, and it’s a time-limited regimen, the multiple infusions and potential side effects warrant careful consideration.
Learn MoreThe Evolution to BTK Inhibitors in CLL Treatment
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treatment used to be one-size-fits-all. Today, the approach has shifted to more targeted therapies, thanks to the introduction of the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors. Dr. James Gerson, hematologist-oncologist at Penn Medicine, tells SurvivorNet Connect that he prefers acalabrutinib (brand name: Calquence) because it has fewer side effects than ibrutinib in a similar patient population.
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 More‘Great Urgency’ to Understand KRAS as an Actionable Marker in Lung Cancer
As cancer treatment evolves into precision medicine, certain markers are emerging as actionable targets for therapy, including G12C inhibitors for the KRAS gene. KRAS is considered to be the most mutated oncogene in human cancers. At least three different mutations in this gene are associated with lung cancer.
Learn MoreIs a CT Scan Always Needed After Chemoradiation for Lung Cancer?
For patients with stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), treatment may start with chemoradiation. If the cancer remains under control after two or three of these treatments, durvalumab (brand name: Imfinzi) therapy can help keep it from progressing. Is it always necessary to do a post-treatment CT scan before prescribing Imfinzi?
Learn MoreImportance of Monitoring Lung Cancer Patients on Imfinzi for Possible Pneumonitis
Durvalumab (brand name: Imfinzi) is the standard of care following chemoradiation for patients with stage III unresectable lung cancer. Patients who receive this and other checkpoint inhibitors will need careful monitoring for potential adverse immune events.
Learn MoreImmune Therapies — The Future of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treatment
We have entered a new era of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy. Targeted treatments use the patients’ own immune system to attack the cancer, and in the process, possibly avoid some of the side effects of chemotherapy. Three therapies in particular are having a significant impact on the treatment of ALL patients who have relapsed.
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