December 2011, Vol 2, No 7

The FDA has revoked its previous accelerated (and conditional) approval for bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC), citing safety concerns that outweigh its benefits in this patient population.

Patients with multiple myeloma receiving bortezomib (Velcade) in the pivotal VISTA trial lived more than 1 year longer than those in the control group, according to the final, 5-year analysis of the study presented at the 2011American Society of Hematology annual meeting.

San Antonio, TX—It is becoming increasingly clear that 2 agents are better than 1 in treating HER2-positive advanced breast cancer.

Interview with Patrick Cobb, MD, FACP

Alternative versions of biologic agents—biosimilars—will be coming soon to a formulary near you. In the meantime, many details must be worked out before patients can be safely and effectively treated with these new products.

Adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have a poor prognosis compared with children, but recent studies suggest that using “pediatric-inspired” regimens can improve outcomes for patients with Philadelphia chromosome(Ph)- negative ALL.

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of closely related hematologic malignancies that arise from abnormal development and function of the body’s bone marrow cells. Primary myelofibrosis (PMF), polycythemia vera (PV), and essential thrombocythemia (ET) comprise the Philadel phia chromosome (Ph)-negative MPNs.

The role of pathologists in gathering and interpreting oncologic information has never been as complex as it is today, but neither has it been as clinically impactful, suggested presenters at the 2011 College of American Pathologists meeting.