It has taken decades of work for researchers to find ways to activate the immune system to treat cancer (what we now call immuno-oncology or I-O). Much of that work has been poorly funded. Largely, it has been the result of researchers getting experience in other disciplines (like infectious disease) and then transferring that expertise to oncology...
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In a nutshell This is a European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) review of the treatment guidelines for elderly patients with malignant lymphoma. Some background The treatment for elderly patients (aged 70 or older) must be carefully adjusted to reduce side effects while still being effective. Many elderly patients may not be able to...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study compared lenalidomide (Revlimid) with the doctor’s choice of medication in patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma. The study concluded that lenalidomide significantly improved outcomes for patients with mantle cell lymphoma. Some background Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a type of non-Hodgkin...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the effects of abexinostat in patients with relapsed or refractory (did not respond to treatment) NHL (non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma). The study concluded that abexinostat is safe and effective in patients with NHL (particularly follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma). Some background Histone...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study analyzed the outcomes of older patients with stage 3 or 4 DLBCL (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma) who received biosimilar filgrastim (Neupogen) during their chemotherapy. The study concluded that filgrastim was safe and effective in these patients. Some background Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study examined the impact of multi-drug resistant organisms in patients who had undergone stem cell treatment. The study concluded that patients colonized with multi-drug resistant organisms should be watched closely for infections after transplantation. Some background Stem cell transplantation is a treatment used in...
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In a nutshell This study examined infection risk in leukemia and lymphoma patients treated with CAR-T cell therapy, a new type of immunotherapy. Researchers reported that infection rates were comparable to other salvage therapies. Some background Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy helps the immune system to fight cancer cells. In...
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In a nutshell This study examined infection risk in leukemia and lymphoma patients treated with CAR-T cell therapy, a new type of immunotherapy. Researchers reported that infection rates were comparable to other salvage therapies. Some background Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy helps the immune system to fight cancer cells. In...
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In a nutshell This study examined outcomes of autologous stem cell transplants after high-dose chemotherapy in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients with central nervous system (CNS) involvement. This study reported durable remission and good disease control for NHL with CNS involvement. Some background Many forms of NHL are treatable. When...
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“I think all too often we underestimate the impact of a cancer diagnosis on the mental health and well-being of the individual, thus it goes unaddressed.” ~Stephanie Zimmerman, MSN Receiving a diagnosis of cancer can bring on feelings of worry, fear, dread, anger, uncertainty and loss. Research indicates that, for some people, these symptoms of...
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In a nutshell This study examined the combination of bortezomib (Velcade), cladribine (Leustatin), and rituximab (Rituxan) for patients with mantle cell or follicular lymphoma. The authors concluded that this combination was effective and can be an alternative for patients who cannot undergo stem cell transplantation. Some background There is no...
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In a nutshell This review explores the current treatments for patients with relapsed or difficult to treat mantle cell lymphoma. Some background Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Patients with relapsed MCL generally have poor outcomes. These patients with relapsed or difficult to treat (refractory) MCL have...
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