In a nutshell This study analyzed outcomes in advanced skin cancer patients who stopped their treatment of nivolumab (Opdivo) and ipilimumab (Yervoy) due to side effects. This study concluded that many patients still benefit from the combination even after stopping treatment. Some background...
Read MoreCurrent stage-Stage IV Posts on Medivizor
Identifying factors to predict treatment prognosis in EGFR positive non-small-cell lung cancer
In a nutshell The authors examined whether the lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR) could predict outcome in patients with late stage EGFR positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). They concluded LMR could be beneficial in predicting outcome for patients with EGFR positive NSCLC patients receiving first-line EGFR-TKIs. Some background Some...
Read MoreLooking at immunotherapy for late stage non-small-cell lung cancer
In a nutshell This trial looked at the effectiveness of the immunotherapy nivolumab (Opdivo) for patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The authors concluded that nivolumab resulted in similar survival rates compared to chemotherapy. They did however state that it was safer in terms of side effects. Some background Chemotherapy...
Read MoreTalimogene laherparepvec combined with ipilimumab in the treatment of inoperable melanoma
In a nutshell This study investigated the effectiveness of talimogene laherparepvec (Imlygic; T-VEC) with ipilimumab (Yervoy) in the treatment of inoperable stage 3 or 4 melanoma. Researchers concluded that this combination improves melanoma outcomes, with manageable side effects. Some background Immunotherapy has become an...
Read MoreSearching for advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients to treat a combination of immunotherapy and radiation
In a nutshell This phase 2 clinical trial will test the effectiveness of FLT3 ligand immunotherapy in combination with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The main outcome of this trial will be measured as the time to disease progression. This study is being conducted in New York City. The details...
Read MoreVemurafenib is an effective treatment option for BRAF-mutant metastatic melanoma
In a nutshell This study examined the effectiveness and safety of vemurafenib (Zelboraf) as treatment for BRAF-mutant metastatic melanoma. Researchers concluded that vemurafenib is an effective treatment option for patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma and brain metastasis (BM; spread to the brain). Some background Over 40% of melanoma patients...
Read MoreIs a combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab a safe and effective standard treatment for advanced melanoma?
In a nutshell This review investigated whether ipilimumab (Yervoy) and nivolumab (Opdivo) combined treatment would be a safe standard treatment for advanced melanoma. Researchers concluded that this combined treatment cannot be considered the standard treatment yet due to the lack of overall survival studies and high rates of toxicity. Some...
Read MoreDoes bevacizumab increase hemorrhage risk in metastatic colorectal cancer?
In a nutshell This study investigated the risk of hemorrhage (blood loss) associated with bevacizumab (Avastin) treatment in metastatic (spread to other parts of the body) colorectal cancer patients. Researchers reported that bevacizumab significantly increases the risk of hemorrhage. Some background The formation of new blood vessels is an...
Read MoreImpact of nivolumab on health-related quality of life in advanced melanoma
In a nutshell This study investigated the effect of nivolumab (Opdivo) on health-related quality of life in patients with advanced melanoma. Researchers suggested that nivolumab is associated with an increased long-term quality of survival. Some background Treatment of advanced melanoma has changed since the approval of new medicines, such as PD-1...
Read MoreTalimogene laherparepvec is as effective as ipilimumab and vemurafenib in the treatment of metastatic melanoma
In a nutshell This review compared the effectiveness of talimogene laherparepvec (Imlygic) with ipilimumab (Yervoy) and vemurafenib (Zelboraf) in the treatment of metastatic (spread to other organs) melanoma. Researchers concluded that talimogene laherparepvec overall survival is at least as good as with ipilimumab and vemurafenib. Some background...
Read MoreComparing EGFR-TKI drugs for non-small cell lung cancer
In a nutshell This study compared afatinib (Gilotriff) and gefitinib (Iressa) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with positive EGFR mutations. The authors concluded that afatinib was associated with better treatment outcomes than gefitinib. Some background Mutations (genetic changes) in the epidermal growth factor...
Read MoreTargeted therapy for BRAF-mutation-positive advanced NSCLC
In a nutshell This trial aimed to determine whether dabrafenib (Tafinlar) was effective and safe in treating BRAF-mutation-positive advanced NSCLC. The authors concluded that dabrafenib had some anticancer ability and tolerable side effects compared to other treatment options available for this type of cancer. Some background Genetic mutations...
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