Clinical

Jardiance (empagliflozin) received approval from the FDA for a new indication to treat heart failure in a broader range of patients, including those with preserved ejection fraction.

This new study, conducted among individuals receiving treatment at Cancer Center of Kansas, investigated the potential benefits of incorporating liquid biopsy into community-based oncology practices.

A quasiexperimental study conducted in China provides strong evidence that air pollution is linked to kidney impairment, which points to the importance of policy efforts to ensure clean air.

Researchers analyzed declines in clinical trial enrollment and asked sites what mitigation strategies they employed to meet the reduction.

New research indicates that migraine frequency may be inversely linked with a diet high in anti-inflammatory properties.

The supplemental new drug application (sNDA) filing includes data from 2 pivotal randomized phase 3 global studies, ALPINE and SEQUOIA, of chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). The target action date is October 22, 2022.

Patients with histories of inflammatory bowel disease and systemic lupus erythematosus were also at elevated risks of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), the authors found.

This new study investigated the relationship between cardiac function and hemodynamics among individuals presenting with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and normal levels of N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).

Drugs targeting FGFR mutations, which are seen in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), have generated particular excitement; the authors note that prior to the approval of pemigatinib, the first targeted therapy approved by FDA, only 15% to 25% of patients with CCA were “fit enough to receive second-line chemotherapy.”

The mutation is more common than expected and associated with poor outcomes, according to researchers from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Myelodysplastic syndrome has a variety of clinical presentations, including bone marrow fibrosis. Previously, the presence of fibrosis has not been considered in disease risk scoring in MDS, but recent research suggests it may be a valuable risk factor.

According to researchers, their findings warrant close surveillance of weight and BMI/age z-scores for patients with type 2 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

This new study aimed to identify metabolic differences in endothelial cells in pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (PH) to aid in the development of novel therapeutic approaches.

Data showed erenumab helped improve migraine functional impact when compared with placebo.

A new retrospective study of patients with high-risk t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) investigated outcomes from 2 therapies following return of minimal residual disease–positive status after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

An update to the ERNEST study found a survival benefit in ruxolitinib for the treatment of myelofibrosis in both the first and second line vs hydroxyurea.

Primary central nervous system non-Hodgkin lymphomas are rare extranodal B-cell lymphomas with a poor prognosis and no standard treatment plan.

Researchers performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of over 20,000 patients with acne, identifying 29 novel genome-wide significant acne novel susceptibility loci.

The new protocol for monitoring acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is simpler than current techniques and is at least as good as the current gold standard.

Two cancer-related micro-RNAs could serve as prognostic biomarkers for multiple myeloma bone disease as lower levels were associated with lower overall survival rates, investigators concluded.

The treatment was approved in October 2021 and is the first FDA-approved therapy to treat macular edema associated with uveitis via injection to the suprachoroidal space, which provides a more targeted delivery mechanism.

This new study explores the utility and potential of noninvasive liquid biopsies as a method of early detection in lung cancer.

Response to immunotherapy and survival outcomes were found to be significantly associated with tumor mutational burden in patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer.

High-risk patients and patients with a history of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) had significantly different cytokine profiles compared with patients with a low risk of the condition.

Several potential biomarkers have emerged, although most still require significant validation before they can be used in the clinic.

Lessons from the early days of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy remain fresh as Kite Pharma prepares for the FDA to act on its supplemental biologics license application for use of axi-cel as second-line therapy in relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma. A target action date is set for April 1, 2022.

AccessHope is a program that allows patients and community oncologists to tap into the expertise of City of Hope, often through electronic sharing of records so the patient does not have to travel.

A statement from NCCN’s Advisory Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis said that the panel “endorses vaccination for all eligible persons based on FDA-approved indications or emergency use authorization” and emphasized the need for everyone to be fully vaccinated—including third doses.

The presence of FGFR2 alterations occurs almost exclusively in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) and is seen in 10% to 16% of patients. A question examined in abstracts over the past year has been whether FGFR2 alterations affect survival in those patients who receive systemic chemotherapy for iCCA.