May 2020, Vol 10, No 5

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a type of biliary tract cancer, is a rare malignancy, with no FDA-approved medications specifically for this type of cancer. The current standard first-line treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic CCA is a chemotherapy combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin. Read Article ›

On April 15, 2020, the FDA approved the alkylating drug mitomycin gel (Jelmyto; UroGen Pharma) for the treatment of patients with low-grade upper-tract urothelial cancer. Mitomycin is a combination of chemotherapy and a sterile hydrogel that stops the transcription of DNA into RNA and halts the synthesis of protein, thereby blocking the ability of cancer cells to multiply. The FDA granted mitomycin gel priority review, breakthrough therapy, fast track, and orphan drug designations. Read Article ›

On April 17, 2020, the FDA approved pemigatinib (Pemazyre; Incyte), an oral kinase inhibitor, as the first treatment for adults (aged ≥18 years) with previously treated, locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma that is associated with a fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) gene fusion or other rearrangements, as detected by an FDA-approved test. This is the first targeted therapy approved for patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma. Read Article ›

On April 17, 2020, the FDA approved tucatinib (Tukysa; Seattle Genetics), an oral kinase inhibitor, in combination with trastuzumab (Herceptin; Genentech) and capecitabine (Xeloda; Genentech) for the treatment of adult patients with advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, including patients with brain metastases, who have received one or more previous anti-HER2–based regimens in the metastatic setting. Read Article ›

The CDC estimates that the number of men with cancer will increase by 24% from 2010 to 2020; this equals 1 million men. In the same period, there will be a 21% increase in the number of women with cancer; this equals 900,000 women. By 2030, when the last baby boomers turn 65 years of age, the number of older adults is expected to reach 20% of the population. Read Article ›

The Ohio-based company, PercuVision, LLC, developer of the telemedicine platform DirectVision DVS-III Telehealth Hub, and LocumTenens.com, a full-service healthcare staffing agency aligned with Georgia’s Jackson Healthcare network, have joined forces to launch a pilot program that will provide valuable clinical and emergency tele-urology services to patients across the United States. The goal of this new partnership is to improve access to care by extending urology services to urban and rural areas where there are few or no urologists, the 2 companies said in a recent press release. Read Article ›

According to recent US census data, there are currently 18 million veterans living in the United States, and approximately 50% of these individuals are aged >65 years.¹ In addition, the Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry reports that approximately 50,000 new cancer cases are reported each year among veterans.² Many of these individuals, who live in remote locations, have significant mobility issues or are hesitant to travel to the nearest hospital for treatment. Recently, the Department of Veterans Affairs launched a novel program using telemedicine to overcome these obstacles and improve the quality of care for veterans with cancer. Read Article ›

Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning targeted to detect prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is poised to overtake conventional imaging, according to presentations at the 2020 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium. Read Article ›

Although medicinal cannabis has been used successfully as a palliative therapy in patients with cancer, it is still stigmatized because of its illicit scheduling. However, as research on cannabis use in oncology matures and the stigma begins to fall away, more states are allowing for pharmacist oversight of this product, and its legalization continues to spread. Read Article ›

During a recent Association for Value-Based Cancer Care (AVBCC) webcast, titled Wholesale Supply Channels: COVID-19 Impact on Cancer Care and Road to Recovery, a panel of healthcare experts discussed issues related to wholesale supply channels for the distribution of drugs and medical/surgical supplies to community oncology care providers. Read Article ›