Addressing Racial Disparities in Health Care
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Black Participation in Clinical Trials Is Imperative to Reduce Racial Disparities in Multiple Myeloma
By Kayle Waterhouse African Americans must be properly represented in clinical trials to ensure equal treatment for multiple myeloma and other cancers, top oncologists told SurvivorNet Connect. Dr. Ajay Nooka, a hematologist-oncologist at the Winship Cancer Institute, says Blacks are underrepresented in clinical trials. He states that “20% of the patients that we treat for […]
Learn MoreWhy Oncologists Have to Take Time to Educate Themselves on the Broader Patient Population
By Kayle Waterhouse Too often oncologists forget about a significant portion of their patient population. As SurvivorNet Connect acknowledges racial disparities in multiple myeloma, a group of top oncologists noted that patient education requires an active approach from oncologists. Dr. Brandon Blue, a hematologist-oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center, tells SurvivorNet Connect how important it is to recognize […]
Learn MoreThe Evolution of Telemedicine – Considering Patients Who Don’t have WiFi
By Kayle Waterhouse As physicians adapt to a world in which connecting with patients over video has become a part of their day to day lives, there is significant debate about the effectiveness of telemedicine. In SurvivorNet’s virtual conference about reducing racial disparities in multiple myeloma, leading oncologists shared different views on telemedicine. “Unfortunately, not […]
Learn MoreDoes Chemotherapy Still Have a Role in Frontline CLL Treatment?
In the past, the standard first-line therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was fludarabine-cyclophosphamide-rituximab (FCR). Because this regimen is both immunosuppressive and myelosuppressive, there has been a move away from FCR to novel combinations, such as venetoclax (brand name: Venclexta) plus obinutuzumab (brand name: Gazyva). Is there still a role for chemotherapy in the frontline treatment of CLL?
Learn MoreCLL — 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).
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