Articles

Cladribine as First-Line Therapy for Indolent and Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis

Criteria to assess presenting patterns of organ damage have not been extensively evaluated. Preliminary evidence suggests identifying these patterns could be useful in profiling organ dysfunction in avapritinib clinical trials.

Genetic Testing for Hereditary Alpha-Tryptasemia in Patients Presenting with Mast-Cell Mediator Symptoms in the Absence of Symptoms of Mastocytosis

Cladribine has long been established as an efficient therapy in systemic mastocytosis and remains a valuable treatment option even as new therapies emerge.

Assessing the Potential Role of Anti-CD117 CAR T-Cells for Targeted Therapy in Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis

Hereditary alpha-tryptasemia may promote development of systemic mastocytosis. Screening for variations in copy number of the alpha tryptase gene may provide early evidence for diagnosis of mastocytosis.

Whole Genome Sequencing Detects Chromosomal Aberrations Associated with Systemic Mastocytosis

CAR T-cell immunotherapy is highly efficient because of its ability to target specific tumor antigens. Preliminary evidence suggests that CAR T-cells directed against CD117, the KIT receptor, may emerge as a therapeutic option for advanced systemic mastocytosis.

Navigation Is About Value

Cytogenetic aberrations are rarely found by cytogenetics in systemic mastocytosis but are associated with advanced disease. Whole genome sequencing detects both chromosomal aberrations and non-KIT gene mutations and can be used as an alternative to cytogenetics for assessing disease risk.

Navigators Need a Place at the Table

Sharon Gentry, MSN, RN, HON-ONN-CG, AOCN, CBCN, Program Director, Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+), said she attended the AVBCC Summit because oncology nurse and patient navigation is "all about value" across the cancer care continuum.

Bringing the Patient Voice to Stakeholders

We are making progress, but oncology nurse navigators need to have a louder voice in these meetings with stakeholders because, as patient advocates, they are often the keepers of patient experience, said Sharon Gentry, MSN, RN, HON-ONN-CG, AOCN, CBCN, Program Director, Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+).

A Navigator for Every Patient

Sharon Gentry, MSN, RN, HON-ONN-CG, AOCN, CBCN, Program Director, Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+), said navigators have "boots on the ground" experiences with patients with cancer, their families, and their caregivers, and oncology navigators are the professionals best suited to deliver these voices to the stakeholders who need to hear them.