ASCO 2015 Highlights

On October 11, 2023, the FDA approved a new indication for encorafenib (Braftovi; Array BioPharma) combined with binimetinib (Mektovi; Array BioPharma) for adults with metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and a BRAF^V600E mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test.

Madrid, Spain—Results from 3 phase 3 clinical trials demonstrated the superiority of targeted therapies over conventional chemotherapy in patients with oncogene-addicted non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including ALK-positive advanced NSCLC; EGFR exon 20 insertion-mutation–positive, newly diagnosed or advanced NSCLC; and advanced RET fusion–positive NSCLC. These findings were reported during the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2023.

The 5th Annual Cholangiocarcinoma Summit, held October 19 to 21, 2023, in Scottsdale, AZ, brought together experts from around the world to discuss the latest research and clinical data pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with CCA and other biliary track cancers.

On October 20, 2023, the FDA accelerated the approval of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor entrectinib (Rozlytrek; Genentech) for the treatment of pediatric patients aged >1 month who are diagnosed with metastatic solid tumors associated with an NTRK gene fusion, as detected by an FDA-approved test, and no known acquired resistance mutation or whose disease is likely to lead to severe morbidity and has progressed after previous treatment, or patients who have no satisfactory standard therapy.

A new study has revealed some important information about the behavior of one of the most notorious forms of cancer. Pancreatic cancer, the study found, can readily turn to an alternate source of energy to survive when its primary source, the sugar molecule glucose, is in short supply.

Washington, DC—On September 6, 2023, the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM), the leading trade association for generic and biosimilar manufacturers, released its 2023 U.S. Generic & Biosimilar Medicines Savings Report highlighting the value of generic and biosimilar medicines.

Crystal S. Denlinger, MD, FACP, has been named the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Cancer clinical trials offer patients an opportunity to be treated with the most cutting-edge and promising therapies available, but the majority of patients who are offered these trials still are not signing up for them.

To better assist their oncology patients with getting into clinical trials, providers at the University of Florida Health Cancer Center, Gainesville, recently decided that they needed a new kind of navigator: an oncology clinical trial nurse navigator.