Cancer Information Highlights, June 7, 2017

Cancer Information Highlights, June 7, 2017

Cancer Information Highlights

From the National Cancer Institute

Updating you about cancer causes, prevention, screening, treatment, coping, and more

New from NCI Intensive Pre-Stem Cell Transplant Regimen May be Best for Younger Adult Patients with AML, MDS   Results from a large phase 3 clinical trial suggest that higher doses of chemotherapy and radiation should be used for younger, healthier adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who are going to have an allogeneic stem cell transplant. Aiming to Prevent Hereditary Cancers, Researchers Focus on Lynch Syndrome   Experts at a workshop hosted by NCI discussed issues related to using Lynch syndrome as a model for preventing hereditary cancers. Advanced Melanoma Research and Treatment Facebook Live Event In case you missed it, watch this recent Facebook Live event about the current state of research and treatment for advanced stage melanoma.  Infographic: What are Cancer Disparities? This infographic shows the factors related to cancer disparities, examples of how cancer affects different populations, and what NCI is doing to understand and reduce cancer disparities. FDA Approves First Drug for Liver Cancer in Nearly a Decade The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved regorafenib for some patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer.  Targeted Therapy Approved by FDA for Acute Myeloid Leukemia This blog post describes the recent approval of the drug midostaurin for adults receiving chemotherapy for newly diagnosed AML with certain changes in the FLT3 gene. PDQ Summary Updates Rectal Cancer Treatment We’ve updated our PDQ summary on rectal cancer to include active surveillance as a standard treatment option for the disease. Drug Information Updates Pembrolizumab for Bladder Cancer and Lung Cancer Our pembrolizumab summary has been updated to include two recent FDA approvals. Pembrolizumab is now approved to treat locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, which is a type of bladder cancer. It has also been approved to be used with pemetrexed and carboplatin to treat non-small cell lung cancer in certain patients. New Drug for Lung Cancer We’ve added a new drug information summary for brigatinib, which was recently approved by FDA to treat a certain type of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. New Drug for Leukemia We’ve added a new drug summary for midostaurin, which was recently approved by FDA to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML), mast cell leukemia, and certain forms of systemic mastocytosis.

Also of Interest Genetic Testing for Hereditary Cancer Syndromes This fact sheet covers genetic testing for inherited cancer risk, including types of tests, who should consider testing, how to understand test results, and who has access to a person’s test results. Types of Treatment: Stem Cell Transplant Learn what stem cell transplants are, the different types, and how they are used to help people who have had very high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy to treat their cancer. Cancer Disparities Learn about cancer disparities, what they are, what the causes might be, and how researchers are trying to address them.