Stimulate Platelet Production with Romiplostim in Patients Affected with Chemotherapy-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on April 6th, 2026
|
|
Myelosuppression is an unintended consequence of chemotherapy, in which the bone marrow activity is hampered. This led to a significant reduction in platelet production, amongst other blood products. This condition is known as chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, and there is no approved treatment for it. A study, recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, had examined the usage of romiplostim to treat chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia.
|
Adding Palbociclib to Targeted and Endocrine Therapy in Triple-Positive Breast Cancer
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on March 11th, 2026
|
|
Breast cancers that express estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 offer multiple therapeutic targets. This subtype, often referred to as triple-positive breast cancer, is typically managed with a combination of HER2-directed agents and endocrine therapy. However, treatment resistance remains a major challenge. Because dysregulation of the cell cycle contributes to tumor growth and progression, a study was conducted to evaluate whether adding the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib could improve outcomes in this patient population.
|
Decade-Long Clinical Outcome & Safety of Nivolumab Treatment in Advanced Melanoma
|
Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on March 2nd, 2026
|
|
After extensive testing, it has been found that nivolumab is an effective treatment for advanced-stage melanoma. When compared with other immunotherapy, nivolumab had also proven to be superior. A long-term surveillance study on the clinical outcome of nivolumab on melanoma had recently been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
|
Treating Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with mutated EGFR using Sacituzumab Tirumotecan
|
Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on February 13th, 2026
|
|
Tumors of patients with non-small cell lung cancer express a high level of receptor for epidermal growth factor (EGFR). Because these receptors are important for tumor proliferation, targeting them with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) has been an effective strategy to manage the cancer. However, mutation to EGFR can happen, and this leads to resistance against the EGFR-TKI. In these cases, a study was conducted to explore the usage of sacituzumab tirumotecan as an alternative means of treatment.
|
Osimertinib plus Chemotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Mutated EGFR
|
Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on February 2nd, 2026
|
|
Osimertinib is a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Prior studies have demonstrated that osimertinib is more effective in treating non–small cell lung cancer than earlier-generation EGFR inhibitors and platinum-based chemotherapy. Separately, recent evidence has shown that combining platinum-based chemotherapy with the second-generation EGFR inhibitor gefitinib leads to improved clinical outcomes compared with gefitinib alone. Building on these findings, a study funded by AstraZeneca was conducted to evaluate whether adding platinum-based chemotherapy to osimertinib could further improve outcomes.
|
Usage of One HPV Vaccine Dose in Resource-Limited Settings
|
Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on January 28th, 2026
|
|
Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is one of the most common etiological causes of cervical cancer. Vaccination had been successful at preventing infection and lowering the disease risk. However, worldwide vaccine coverage is low; thus, the burden of cervical cancer is majorly borne by underdeveloped nations. With funding from the National Cancer Institute, a study was conducted to assess the preventative capability of a one-dose HPV vaccine schedule.
|
Atezolizumab for Patients with Detectable Circulating Tumor DNA Following Radical Cystectomy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
|
Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on January 23rd, 2026
|
|
Radical cystectomy is the standard first-line treatment for patients diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer; however disease recurrence still happens in 50% of the cases. Adjuvant therapy can be conducted, but there is a risk of unnecessary treatment and side effects if there is no residual disease. Thus, it is important to find a marker that would indicate the persistence of remnant tumors. Circulating tumor DNA had been a useful indicator for colon cancer recurrence, so a study, funded by Roche, was conducted to evaluate the usage of atezolizumab to manage bladder cancer in patients with circulating tumor DNA.
|
Atezolizumab for Patients with Detectable Circulating Tumor DNA Following Radical Cystectomy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on January 23rd, 2026
|
|
Radical cystectomy is the standard first-line treatment for patients diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer; however disease recurrence still happens in 50% of the cases. Adjuvant therapy can be conducted, but there is a risk of unnecessary treatment and side effects if there is no residual disease. Thus, it is important to find a marker that would indicate the persistence of remnant tumors. Circulating tumor DNA had been a useful indicator for colon cancer recurrence, so a study, funded by Roche, was conducted to evaluate the usage of atezolizumab to manage bladder cancer in patients with circulating tumor DNA.
|
Treating Urothelial Carcinoma with a Combination of Disitamab Vedotin plus Toripalimab
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on January 21st, 2026
|
|
As a means to escape the immune system, many tumor cells express PD-1 on the surface to downregulate the immune cells that have specifically targeted them for killing. Interfere with this immune evasion method by targeting and inhibiting PD-1 had proven to be successful. The pharmaceutical RemeGen had funded a study to evaluate the added benefit of adding toripalimab - an anti-PD-1 immunotherapy - to the current therapy for urothelial carcinoma, disitamab vedotin.
|
Treating Advanced Triple Negative Breast Cancer with Sacituzumab Govitecan
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on December 8th, 2025
|
|
Patients with breast tumors that lack expression of the three major hormone receptors face poorer outcomes than others. These triple-negative breast cancers have a 5-year case-fatality rate of roughly 85%. Although blocking the PD-1 immune-evasion pathway can be effective, such immunotherapies offer little benefit when tumors do not express or downregulate PD-1. To address this challenge, a Gilead-funded study evaluated sacituzumab govitecan as a treatment option for triple-negative breast cancer.
|
Combination of Amivantamab and Lazertinib to Treat Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on November 26th, 2025
|
|
Chemotherapies that target the epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway (EGFR-TKIs) have been central to treating non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, even the most advanced third-generation agents offer only moderate benefit, with median survival around three years and a 5-year survival rate below 20%. Resistance to current therapies continues to emerge, highlighting the need for new treatment strategies. With support from Janssen, researchers conducted a study evaluating the combined use of amivantamab and lazertinib in NSCLC.
|
Effect of Nicotinamide Cream in Preventing Skin Cancer
|
Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on November 3rd, 2025
|
|
Previous clinical trials have suggested that nicotinamide supplementation may help prevent skin cancer; however, these studies were limited by small sample sizes. To further investigate its effectiveness, a large-scale study funded by the US government evaluated the use of topical nicotinamide in skin cancer prevention.
|
Aspirin Use in Colorectal Cancer With PI3K Mutations
|
Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on October 6th, 2025
|
|
Aspirin, a widely used analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent, reduces inflammation by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Colorectal cancer tumors often overexpress COX-2, which activates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway and promotes tumorigenesis. Supported by the Swedish Research Council, researchers conducted a study to evaluate whether aspirin could improve outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer harboring PI3K pathway mutations.
|
Preventing Disease Recurrence with Cemiplimab in Patients Undergone Surgical Resection for Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
|
Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on September 19th, 2025
|
|
Cutaneous squamous-cell carcinoma is one of the most common forms of skin cancer, and it can easily be managed with surgical resection. In cases of recurrent disease, radiotherapy can be used, but treatment failure can still occur in certain patients. A study was funded by Sanofi & Regeneron Pharmaceuticals with the aims to explore the usage of cemiplimab in treating cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in patients with a high likelihood of relapse.
|
Using Elinzanetant to Manage Hot Flashes in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Endocrine Therapy
|
Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on September 17th, 2025
|
|
For patients with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer, endocrine therapy is typically prescribed for five to ten years. While effective, this prolonged treatment often causes vasomotor side effects, most notably hot flashes, which tend to be more severe in younger patients who have not yet experienced menopause. With funding from Bayer, a study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of elinzanetant in reducing hot flashes during breast cancer treatment.
|
Treating Breast Cancer with Mutated Estrogen Receptor with Camizestrant
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on September 3rd, 2025
|
|
Aromatase inhibitor and CDK 4/6 inhibitor are frequently used as first-line treatment for breast cancer tumor expressing hormone receptors. However, mutation to the estrogen receptor might interfere with the binding of the antagonist aromatase inhibitor. To circumvent this resistance mechanism, AstraZeneca funded a study that tested camizestrant, an selective estrogen-receptor degrader, as a therapy for breast cancer.
|
Treating Recurrent or Metastatic Breast Cancer with Vepdegestrant, an Estrogen Receptor Degrader
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on August 25th, 2025
|
|
A majority of breast cancer tumors exhibit estrogen receptors on their surface while not having the receptor for human epidermal growth factor (HER2). To target this form of cancer, endocrine therapy is used in conjunction with CDK4/6 inhibitors, but treatment resistance poses a challenge for the management of disease progression. With funding from Pfizer, a study was conducted to examine the usage of vepdegestran in advanced breast cancer.
|
Treating Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer with Limertinib, a 3rd Generation EGFR Inhibitor
|
Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on August 22nd, 2025
|
|
Mutation to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) significantly increases the risk of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). As a result, inhibiting the EGFR signaling pathway becomes an ideal therapeutic target. EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been shown to be effective at managing NSCLC, but resistance has been shown to be an obstacle. With funding from Jiangsu Aosaikang Pharmaceutical, a study was conducted to investigate the usage of limertinib to treat non-small-cell lung cancer.
|
Tartalamab as a Second-Line Therapy for Small-Cell Lung Cancer
|
Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on August 15th, 2025
|
|
Small-cell lung cancer is one of the most severe with only 5% of the patients surviving past 5 years. Platinum-based chemotherapy and PD-L1 inhibitors are the first-line therapy for the condition; however, these therapies do not significantly increase survivability. Existing second-line therapies are equally ineffective with intolerable hematological side effects. With funding from Amgen, a study was conducted to assess the usage of tarlatamab to treat small-cell lung cancer.
|
Treating HER2-Positive Gastric Cancer with Trastuzumab Deruxtecan
|
Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on August 13th, 2025
|
|
Gastric cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in Vietnam, and it is associated with significant quality of life deterioration. Previous studies had found that between 5% and 17% of gastric cancer tumors express human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). The pharmaceutical companies Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca had co-funded a study to take advantage of this new therapeutic target - using trastuzumab deruxtecan to treat gastric cancer.
|
Supplement Durvalumab to the Standard FLOT Chemotherapy for Resectable Gastric and Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma
|
Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on August 4th, 2025
|
|
Gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma is one of the most common cancers in Vietnam. Surgical resection with chemotherapy is the ideal way to treat the tumor; however, recurrence is still high. Interfering with the tumor’s immunosuppressive effect had been found to be effective at disease management. A study funded by AstraZeneca was conducted to analyze the addition of durvalumab to the standard chemotherapy to manage gastric and gastroesophageal cancer.
|
Adding Inavolisib to the Current Palbociclib-Fulvestrant Therapy to Treat Breast Cancer
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on August 1st, 2025
|
|
Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer has a complicated pathogenesis with different pathways influencing tumorigenesis. The 3 significant markers associated with disease include estrogen receptor, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 & 6 (CDK4/6), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). Of them, mutation to the latter, specifically the PIK3CA mutation is found in 40% of patients and is associated with worse prognosis. With funding from Roche, a study was conducted to investigate the addition of inavolisib to the current therapy to treat breast cancer.
|
Combining Pembrolizumab with Standard Chemoradiotherapy to Treat Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on July 25th, 2025
|
|
There had been limited advancements in the effort to improve the treatment of resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The current standard therapy of radiation and cisplatin are ineffective and fail to prevent disease relapse in a significant amount of patients. Pembrolizumab had been proven to be effective at treating metastatic and recurrent HNSCC; thus, Merck funded a study to explore the possibility of adapting pembrolizumab to an earlier disease stage.
|
Reduced-Dose Apixaban Effectively Prevents Venous Thromboembolism in Cancer Patients
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on May 7th, 2025
|
|
Patients with cancer face a significantly higher risk of venous thromboembolism compared to their healthy counterparts. Although many current guidelines recommend continued anticoagulation throughout the duration of cancer, prolonged therapy increases the risk of bleeding complications. To explore an optimal dosing strategy, a study funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of different apixaban dosing regimens in preventing thromboembolism among cancer patients.
|
Managing ESR1-Mutated ER-Positive Breast Cancer with Imlunestrant & Abemaciclib
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on April 30th, 2025
|
|
Estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer can be managed with ER antagonists like fulvestrant. However, fulvestrant’s requirement for intramuscular injection complicates treatment, necessitating clinic visits and limiting its convenience. Furthermore, its efficacy is reduced in patients with ESR1 mutations in the estrogen receptor. Imlunestrant is a newer, orally available ER antagonist. To evaluate its effectiveness, Eli Lilly sponsored a study combining imlunestrant with abemaciclib in managing ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.
|
Double Therapy with Acalabrutinib and Venetoclax Reduces Death and Disease Progression in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on March 24th, 2025
|
|
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is currently managed with combination regimens that include targeted chemoimmunotherapies such as Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors, Bcl-2 inhibitors, and anti-CD20 antibodies, among others. These treatments have significantly improved survival and delayed disease progression, but they are also associated with prolonged immunosuppression and cardiovascular toxicity. A study funded by AstraZeneca compared the effectiveness and safety of acalabrutinib, a second-generation Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor, with the current treatment regimens for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
|
Long-Term Outcomes of Nivolumab and Ipilimumab Combination in Unresectable Advanced Melanoma
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on February 3rd, 2025
|
|
Following its approval in 2010, the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab has shown remarkable outcomes in patients with melanoma. Nivolumab and ipilimumab function by blocking the PD-1 and CTLA-4 proteins that cancer cells use to suppress the immune response. After the approval, Bristol Myers Squibb sponsored a surveillance study to assess the long-term outcomes of the nivolumab and ipilimumab combination in treating melanoma.
|
Efficacy of Ponsegromab in Managing Cachexia in Cancer Patients
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on January 24th, 2025
|
|
Cachexia is a common issue faced by cancer patients, with few approved treatment options available. Recent guidelines suggest the use of olanzapine to improve appetite, though there is limited evidence to support this recommendation. Short-term use of progesterone analogs and glucocorticoids can also be beneficial, but they come with side effects. Recent studies have shown that the GDF-15 protein plays a role in the development of cachexia through its interaction with GFRAL receptors in the hindbrain. Ponsegromab is a novel antibody that inhibits this interaction, and Pfizer sponsored a study to explore its potential use in managing cachexia.
|
Impact of Pembrolizumab Addition to Platinum-Based Chemotherapy on Survival in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on January 13th, 2025
|
|
Treating breast cancer can be challenging because different subtypes of the disease exhibit varying susceptibilities and prognoses. Triple-negative breast cancer is characterized by tumor cells that do not express estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, or the human epidermal growth factor receptor. The lack of these therapeutic targets makes treating this subtype particularly difficult. Pembrolizumab, a PD-1 inhibitor, works by blocking the tumor's ability to evade the immune system. The medication was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2020 for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer after promising preliminary results. Recently, the study published its comprehensive findings in the New England Journal of Medicine.
|
Comparing Nivolumab and Ipilimumab Combination to Standard Chemotherapy in Advanced Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on January 8th, 2025
|
|
Colorectal cancer is a common cancer, and patients with mismatch repair deficiency and microsatellite instability mutations generally have a poorer prognosis. Nivolumab, a PD-1 inhibitor, and ipilimumab, a CTLA-4 inhibitor, are immune checkpoint inhibitors that exhibit antitumor activity by counteracting the immune-suppressive effects of tumor cells. A study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine investigated the impact of nivolumab and ipilimumab in treating colorectal cancer patients with advanced mutations.
|
Impact of Neoadjuvant Durvalumab on Disease Recurrence and Survival in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
|
Reviewed & translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on December 20th, 2024
|
|
Current guidelines for bladder cancer recommend adjuvant cisplatin chemotherapy prior to radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection. However, 50% of patients experience relapse within three years. Durvalumab, a PD-1 inhibitor, can improve tumor clearance by blocking the immunosuppressive effects of cancer cells. A study funded by AstraZeneca was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of adding durvalumab to the treatment regimen for managing muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
|
Effectiveness of Neoadjuvant Nivolumab and Ipilimumab in Resectable Stage III Melanoma
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on December 18th, 2024
|
|
For patients with resectable melanoma, nivolumab, a PD-1 inhibitor, and ipilimumab, a CTLA-4 inhibitor, can be used as adjuvant treatments to eliminate residual tumor cells following surgery. Both nivolumab and ipilimumab function by blocking the signals tumor cells use to suppress immune cell activity. A study sponsored by Bristol Myers was conducted to assess whether administering nivolumab and ipilimumab as neoadjuvant therapy before surgery could also be effective.
|
Long-Term Outcomes of Dabrafenib and Trametinib Combination in Stage III Melanoma with BRAF Mutation
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on December 16th, 2024
|
|
BRAF is a key gene involved in regulating cell growth, and mutations in this gene can lead to persistent MEK activation, causing uncontrolled cell proliferation, which is commonly seen in many melanoma cases. This condition can be managed by inhibiting both BRAF and MEK using dabrafenib and trametinib, in combination with other immunotherapy treatments that help clear cancerous tissue. Following FDA approval for use in 2018, long-term monitoring of patient health outcomes continued, and recent findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
|
Isatuximab Addition to Standard Therapy Reduces Disease Progression in Myeloma
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on December 11th, 2024
|
|
Multiple myeloma is currently treated with a triple combination of bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, lenalidomide, a ligase-modulating agent, and the anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid dexamethasone. Since CD38 is highly expressed on the surface of multiple myeloma tumor cells, Sanofi sponsored a study to explore the potential benefits of adding the anti-CD38 antibody isatuximab to the existing treatment regimen.
|
Efficacy and Safety of Inavolisib in Combination with Palbociclib and Fulvestrant for Treating Advanced-Stage PIK3CA-Mutated Breast Cancer
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on December 9th, 2024
|
|
Activating mutations in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase complex (PIK3CA) are found in 35% to 40% of breast cancer patients, contributing to worsened disease progression. Inavolisib is a potent PIK3CA inhibitor with a high affinity for its target, leading to fewer severe side effects. Roche recently sponsored a study to evaluate the effectiveness of inavolisib in treating advanced-stage breast cancer.
|
Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Amivantamab and Lazertinib in Treating EGFR-Mutated NSCLC
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on December 2nd, 2024
|
|
Mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are common in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, leading to a reduced 5-year survival rate of just 19%. Osimertinib is the current first-line therapy for these patients, working by inhibiting the kinase activity of EGFR (EGFR-TKI). However, nearly all patients eventually develop resistance to osimertinib and other third-generation EGFR-TKIs. To address this issue, Janssen sponsored a study to evaluate the efficacy of amivantamab and lazertinib in treating non-small-cell lung cancer with EGFR mutations.
|
Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Nivolumab and Brentuximab Vedotin in Combination with Standard Regimen for Treating Advanced Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on November 27th, 2024
|
|
Hodgkin’s lymphoma is currently treated with a range of chemotherapy agents, often in various combinations. Among these, brentuximab vedotin has proven effective by targeting tumor cells through binding to CD30, which is widely expressed on their surface. However, this agent is associated with significant toxicity, particularly in pediatric patients. Hodgkin’s lymphoma cells also express high levels of PD-L1, which helps deactivate antitumor immune cells, a process that can be targeted by nivolumab. The National Institutes of Health commissioned a study to compare the effectiveness of brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab when combined with the current standard treatment regimen for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
|
Evaluating the Efficacy of Durvalumab with or without Tremelimumab in Treating Small-Cell Lung Cancer
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on November 25th, 2024
|
|
Small-cell lung cancer accounts for 15% of all lung cancer cases and is currently treated with thoracic radiotherapy and platinum–etoposide chemotherapy. Despite these treatments, the majority of patients experience relapse within two years, with around 30% dying within five years. Durvalumab and tremelimumab are two immunotherapy antibodies that counteract the immune-suppressing effects of PD-L1 and CTLA-4 on cancer cells. These antibodies have shown effectiveness in treating various cancers, including non–small-cell lung cancer. As a result, AstraZeneca sponsored a study to evaluate their potential in treating small-cell lung cancer.
|
FDA Grants First Approval for Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Therapy in Solid Tumors: Afamitresgene Autoleucel for Synovial Sarcoma and Myxoid Round Cell Liposarcoma
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed & translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on November 8th, 2024
|
|
Synovial sarcoma and myxoid round cell liposarcoma are rare types of soft tissue sarcoma that typically respond to chemotherapy. However, once these cancers metastasize, the prognosis is grim, with a 5-year survival rate of only 8% to 14%. Despite their differences, both tumor types express high levels of MAGE-A4. Recently, a study sponsored by Adaptimmune explored the use of afamitresgene autoleucel, a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy targeting MAGE-A4, to treat patients with synovial sarcoma and myxoid round cell liposarcoma.
|
Evaluating the Efficacy of Doxorubicin-Trabectedin Combination Therapy in Metastatic Leiomyosarcoma
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed & translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on Octber 23rd, 2024
|
|
Leiomyosarcoma is a prevalent type of soft tissue sarcoma with a poor prognosis following metastasis. While doxorubicin is the standard first-line treatment, previous studies have shown that combining it with other agents does not improve clinical outcomes. Trabectedin, a second-line therapy, is typically used to manage disease progression after metastasis. Recently, a study sponsored by PharmaMar investigated whether adding trabectedin to the first-line treatment with doxorubicin could improve outcomes in managing leiomyosarcoma.
|
Treating Renal Cell Carcinoma with Belzutifan, a HIF-2α Inhibitor
|
Reviewed & translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on Octber 2nd, 2024
|
|
Ninety percent of renal cell carcinoma cases involve mutations in the VHL gene, which leads to upregulation of the HIF pathway, driving tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Belzutifan has the potential to disrupt this pathway by binding to the HIF2α transcription factor and inhibiting its dimerization. In light of this, Merck sponsored a study to assess the efficacy of belzutifan in treating renal cell carcinoma.
|
Efficacy of Osimertinib in EGFR-Mutated, Unresectable Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
|
Reviewed & translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on September 25th, 2024
|
|
Due to the nature of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), most cases are not suitable for surgical resection, making chemoradiotherapy combined with durvalumab the standard treatment. Previous research has shown that NSCLC patients with mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tend to have poorer prognosis. Osimertinib, an EGFR inhibitor, was recently evaluated for its effectiveness in treating EGFR-mutated NSCLC in a study sponsored by AstraZeneca.
|
Olanzapine for the Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed & translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on September 23rd, 2024
|
|
Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy, particularly with regimens involving oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and carboplatin, making antiemetic prophylaxis crucial for enhancing patients' quality of life. Olanzapine, an antipsychotic often used to treat schizophrenia, was recently evaluated in a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association to determine whether its antiemetic properties could aid in the prevention of these side effects in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
|
Comparing the Effectiveness of Belantamab and Daratumumab in Treating Multiple Myeloma
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed & translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A
|
Posted on September 9th, 2024
|
|
To maximize disease clearance and prevent resistance, multiple myeloma is often treated with a combination of therapies, including proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulators like bortezomib and dexamethasone. Monoclonal antibodies are also employed to specifically target tumor cells; for instance, CD38 and BCMA are highly expressed on myeloma cells and can be targeted by daratumumab and belantamab, respectively. A recent study funded by GlaxoSmithKline compared the effectiveness of daratumumab and belantamab in treating multiple myeloma and has now published its findings.
|
Tisotumab Vedotin Shows Promise in Prolonging Survival in Recurrent Cervical Cancer
|
Reviewed & translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on August 26th, 2024
|
|
Despite the use of anti–programmed cell death protein (PD-1) and ligand (PD-L1) therapies, the prognosis for cervical cancer remains bleak, with a 5-year survival rate of just 19%. This highlights the urgent need for new treatments, such as tisotumab vedotin. Tisotumab vedotin is a novel agent composed of monomethyl auristatin E, a microtubule-disrupting compound, conjugated to an antibody that targets tissue factor, which is highly expressed in cervical tumors. In response to this need, pharmaceutical companies Genmab and Pfizer sponsored a study to investigate the effectiveness of tisotumab vedotin in treating recurrent cervical cancer.
|
Durvalumab Combined with Chemotherapy in Advanced Biliary Tract and Gallbladder Cancer
|
Reviewed & translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on July 8th, 2024
|
|
The combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin is commonly used to treat advanced biliary tract and gallbladder cancer, but the median survival rate with this regimen is less than 12 months. Durvalumab, a monoclonal antibody, enhances the immune system's antitumor activity by disrupting the immunosuppressive interaction between PD-1 and PD-1L. AstraZeneca sponsored a study to evaluate the effectiveness of Durvalumab in treating advanced biliary tract and gallbladder cancer.
|
Effectiveness of Nivolumab as an Addition to Standard Chemotherapy for Gastric Cancer Treatment
|
Reviewed & translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on July 5th, 2024
|
|
In many Asian countries, the current standard therapy for resectable gastric cancer involves post-surgery chemotherapy, such as docetaxel, oxaliplatin, and tegafur-gimeracil-oteracil, to minimize disease recurrence. A recent article published in The Lancet investigated the effect of adding the PD-1 receptor inhibitor, nivolumab, to this chemotherapy regimen for treating gastric cancer.
|
Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy with Nivolumab and Ipilimumab Shows Promise for Mismatch Repair–Deficient Colon Cancer
|
Reviewed & translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on July 3rd, 2024
|
|
Defects in the mismatch repair cellular machinery are present in 15% of nonmetastatic colon cancer cases. Currently, these patients are treated similarly to those with competent mismatch repair mechanisms, receiving adjuvant chemotherapy with fluorouracil plus oxaliplatin after surgery. Recent data, however, have shown that this approach has limited efficacy. As a result, a study was conducted to evaluate the potential of using neoadjuvant immunotherapy, specifically nivolumab plus ipilimumab, in colon cancer patients with mismatch repair deficiency.
|
Concurrent Usage of Nivolumab and Platinum-based Chemotherapy before and after Surgery for Resectable Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on May 31st, 2024
|
|
Nivolumab is an monoclonal antibody that enhances the immune clearance of tumor cell by inhibiting the PD-1 receptor. Neoadjuvant usage of nivolumab and platinum-based chemotherapy had significantly reduced the risk of death and disease recurrence in patients with resectable non–small-cell lung cancer. As a result, a study investigated the perioperative usage of nivolumab, before and after surgery, can improve clinical outcome by neutralizing residual tumor cells and inhibiting micrometastasis.
|
Effectiveness of Pembrolizumab as Adjuvant Treatment for Renal-Cell Carcinoma
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on May 15th, 2024
|
|
There is a limited number of approved adjuvant treatment for post-resection renal-cell carcinoma. In 2021, Pembrolizumab, an antibody that targets the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) protein, was approved by the US Food and Drug administration after promising interim results. A recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine provides further insights from the final phase of the study evaluating the efficacy of pembrolizumab as an adjuvant treatment for post-resection renal-cell carcinoma.
|
Investigating the efficacy of Alectinib, an ALK inhibitor, in ALK-Positive Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on April 29th, 2024
|
|
Approximately 5% of all cases of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) exhibit rearrangement to the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene. This specific subset of NSCLC can be treated with platinum-based combination chemotherapy; however, this regimen has modest improvements to the survival rate and it has a relatively high risk of disease recurrence. Alectinib is an ALK inhibitor, and a study has been conducted to assess its efficacy in managing ALK-positive NSCLC.
|
Combination Therapy with Ribociclib and Nonsteroidal Aromatase Inhibitors for HR-Positive, HER2-Negative Breast Cancer
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on April 18th, 2024
|
|
Breast cancer tumors that express hormone receptors (HR) but not epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) constitute the most prevalent type of breast cancer. Ribociclib, an agent that inhibits cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6, has shown efficacy in suppressing tumor progression and is commonly used in the treatment of advanced-stage breast cancer. Consequently, a study was conducted to evaluate the potential of Ribociclib in treating early-stage HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.
|
Enhanced Antitumor Activity against Urothelial Carcinoma with the Enfortumab Vedotin and Pembrolizumab Combination
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on April 12th, 2024
|
|
Platinum-based chemotherapy has long been the conventional therapy for urothelial carcinoma, but its efficacy remains limited, resulting in a low 5-year survival rate. Recent investigations have shown promising outcomes with the combination of enfortumab vedotin, an antibody targeting nectin-4 - a cell adhesion molecule overexpressed on tumor cells - and pembrolizumab, a PD-1 inhibitor. In light of these findings, a larger-scale study was undertaken to evaluate the enhanced antitumor activity of the enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab combination against urothelial carcinoma.
|
Repotrecitinib in ROS1 Fusion-Positive Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
|
Reviewed & translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on March 4th, 2024
|
|
Mutation in the ROS1 receptor, a crucial tyrosine kinase, accounts for 2% of all non-small-cell lung cancer cases. Currently, Crizotinib and Entrecitinib are the two ROS1 inhibitors in use. However, resistance to these inhibitors has emerged in half of all cases, and their limited activity within the brain reduces their efficacy in metastatic scenarios. Repotrecitinib, a novel small molecule ROS1 antagonist, represents a next-generation option capable of penetrating the brain easily and overcoming steric hindrance—a common resistance mechanism. A recent study has published its findings on the efficacy of Repotrecitinib in treating ROS1 fusion-positive non-small-cell lung cancer.
|
Using Tebentafusp to treat metastatic uveal melanoma
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on February 5th, 2024
|
|
Uveal melanoma, a rare form of skin cancer impacting the eyes, presents a distinct challenge compared to cutaneous melanoma. Once metastasis occurs, the prognosis is notably grim, with a median survival rate of approximately one year. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, commonly effective in cutaneous melanoma, prove ineffective in addressing uveal melanoma. Consequently, a study was conducted to assess the efficacy of Tebentafusp, a bispecific fusion receptor designed to enhance the neutralization of uveal melanoma cells enriched with gp100 by T-cells.
|
Treating epithelial ovarian cancer by targeting folate receptor alpha with Mirvetuximab Soravtansine-gynx
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on January 26th, 2024
|
|
Epithelial ovarian cancer stands as the most lethal gynecologic neoplasm, with platinum-based chemotherapy demonstrating proven efficacy. However, in instances of relapse, these tumors develop resistance to platinum-based treatments. Notably, these tumors exhibit an abnormally elevated expression of folate receptor alpha (FRa). Addressing this, Mirvetuximab Soravtansine-gynx, an antibody specifically targeting FRa and conjugated to maytansinoid DM4, which acts on the cell's tubulin, has emerged. A recent study, exploring the impact of Mirvetuximab Soravtansine-gynx on epithelial ovarian cancer, has published its findings in the New England Journal of Medicine.
|
Assessing the impact of Erdafitinib, a FGFR inhibitor, on metastatic urothelial cancer
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on January 17th, 2024
|
|
Patients diagnosed with metastatic urothelial cancer are presently undergoing treatment involving cisplatin-based chemotherapy. However, the eligibility criteria for this therapy are quite stringent, and its efficacy in managing the disease is limited. Additionally, second-line treatments utilizing PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors have proven ineffective. Hence, there's a pressing need for new interventions. Given that approximately one-fifth of these patients possess a mutation in the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), a study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an FGFR inhibitor called Erdafitinib in addressing metastatic urothelial cancer.
|
Treating non-small-cell lung cancer with a RET kinase inhibitor, Selpercatinib
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on January 10th, 2024
|
|
For patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without mutation to the EGFR and ALK, the current standard therapy is a combination of pembrolizumab with a platinum-based drug and pemetrexed. However, little is known about its effect on NSCLC cases with mutation to the RET kinase. Selpercatinib is a highly selective RET kinase inhibitor, so a study was conducted to assess its effectiveness in treating non-small-cell lung cancer.
|
Comparing the effectiveness of Selpercatinib to the standard therapy of Vandetanib or Cabozantinib in treating medullary thyroid cancer
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on January 8th, 2024
|
|
Medullary thyroid cancer is associated with the uncontrollable cell growth associated with mutation to the RET gene. The condition is currently being treated with either Vandetanib or Cabozantinib. These two agents can bind to and inactivate the RET kinase; however, they caused a lot of side effects and resistance against the agents had been reported. As a result, studies had been conducted to find a better treatment. A paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine had assessed the effectiveness of Selpercatinib, a highly-selective RET kinase inhibitor, in treating medullary thyroid cancer.
|
Preventing Postoperative Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Recurrence with Durvalumab
|
Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on November 27th, 2023
|
|
In almost 30% of all non-small-cell lung cancer cases, the disease can be treated by surgically removing the tumor. However, disease recurrence happened in about half of these patients within 5 years of resection. Concurrent usage of chemotherapy had only improved the five-year survival rate by 5%. As a result, many attempts had been made to figure out a better solution, including a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine that assessed the usage of Durvalumab.
|
Evaluating Sotarisib in Combination with Panitumumab for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on November 24th, 2023
|
|
Mutation to the KRAS protein, especially to the glycine at the 12th amino acid, is the key driver for colorectal cancer metastasis. The first-line Fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy and later treatment with Trifluridine-Tipiracil combination had limited effectiveness but high toxicity. Sotarisib is a more targeted therapy that can specifically bind to the mutated version of KRAS. Thus, a study had been conducted to assess the efficacy of Sotarisib in treating metastatic colorectal cancer when used with the EGFR inhibitor, Panitumumab.
|
Evaluating Tarlatamab as a Treatment for Recurrent Small-Cell Lung Cancer
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on November 15th, 2023
|
|
Small-cell lung cancer is known for its aggressive nature and tendency to recur even after initial treatment. Secondary therapy options are limited, with existing treatments demonstrating relatively low effectiveness. Tarlatamab, a bispecific T-cell engager, works by enhancing the detection of cancer cells expressing DLL-3 by the patient's T-cells, thereby increasing the likelihood of destroying these cancer cells. Amgen, a pharmaceutical company, sponsored a study to evaluate the effectiveness of Tarlatamab as a treatment for small-cell lung cancer.
|
Comparing the Efficacy of Enzalutamide, Leuprolide, and Their Combination in Treating Biochemical Recurrent Prostate Cancer
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on November 6th, 2023
|
|
Previous surveillance studies had observed that disease recurrence occurs in approximately 50% of prostate cancer patients who received chemotherapy. This disease recurrence is characterized by an increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and the degree of increase is inversely associated with survival. To address this issue, a study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Enzalutamide, an androgen receptor inhibitor, and Leuprolide, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, in treating recurrent prostate cancer.
|
Assessing Dabrafenib and Trametinib Combination Therapy for Pediatric Glioma with BRAF V600E Mutation
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on October 16th, 2023
|
|
Glioma is the most common central nervous system tumor in pediatric patients. While resection and chemotherapy have improved the 5-year survival rate to 95%, relapses still occur, necessitating the development of new therapies. About 20% of pediatric low-grade gliomas feature the BRAF V600E mutation. Consequently, a study was conducted to explore whether Dabrafenib, a selective BRAF V600E inhibitor, and Trametinib could offer similar benefits to pediatric patients as they have for adults.
|
The possibility of using Atezolizumab to treat alveolar soft part sarcoma
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on September 20th, 2023
|
|
Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma that has a 5-year survival rate between 20% and 46%. Since there was not any approved therapy for ASPS, a study was conducted to investigate the potential usage of Atezolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor that blocks programmed death ligand 1. Due to its promising result, Atezolizumab had been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for ASPS.
|
Treating solid tumors with KRAS G12C mutation by using Divarasib
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on September 18th, 2023
|
|
Previous studies had shown that 12% of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 4% of colorectal cancer cases possess a glycine-to-cysteine mutation at the 12th amino acid of the KRAS protein. These cases of cancer are frequently treated with anti-tumor agents like Sotorasib and Adagrasib; however, their efficacy is suboptimal. Thus, amore potent KRAS G12C inhibitor is needed. Recently, a study published their findings on the effectiveness and safety of Divarasib in the New England Journal of Medicine.
|
Using Vorasidenib to treat low grade glioma brain tumor with isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on September 11th, 2023
|
|
Most malignant brain tumors in adults are gliomas, and nearly all of them have mutations to the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) gene. These mutated IDH lead to the accumulation of 2-hydroxyglutarate that can disrupt the process of DNA hydroxymethylation and gene expression in glioma tissue. Vorasidenib is a molecule that can cross the blood-brain barrier and inhibit the mutated version of IDH; thus, a study was conducted to assess its effect on malignant glioma tumor tissues.
|
The clinical effect of Axicabtagene Ciloleucel CAR T-cells in treating Large B-Cell Lymphoma
|
Reviewed & by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on August 16th, 2023
|
|
High-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDT-ASCT) is the first-line treatment for large B-cell lymphoma. However, only half of all patients are eligible for this treatment approach. And for those who are treated with HDT-ASCT, the cured rate is only 20%. For patients who cannot receive this treatment, the median survival time is only 4.4 months. Axicabtagene ciloleucel, is a novel therapy option that had shown promising results in early trials, so a study was performed to assess its potential usage to treat large B-cell lymphoma.
|
The effectiveness osimertinib in treating non-small-cell lung cancer
|
Reviewed & by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on August 9th, 2023
|
|
The current treatment regimen for non-small-cell lung cancer included a surgical resection of the tumor followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. However, the latter long-term treatment had low efficacy in preventing recurrence and death, especially in patients with mutation to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Osimertinib is an agent that can bind to and inhibit both wild type and mutant EGFR. AstraZeneca had sponsored a study to assess the effectiveness of Osimertinib, and the finding had been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
|
Pirtobrutinib, a novel BTK inhibitors for chronic lymphocytic leukemia
|
Reviewed & by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by An Thien Duc Le |
Posted on August 7th, 2023
|
|
BTK inhibitors such as ibrutinib, and zanubrutinib are safe and effective treatments for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. However, resistance can be acquired in the form of C481 mutation. Thus, venetoclax can be used for these cases; however, its usage required careful dose-escalation in an inpatient setting. Recently, Pirtobrutinib, a new BTK inhibitor, has been assessed to see if it can be utilized to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and the result from the investigation has been published onto the New England Journal of Medicine.
|
Dostarlimab, a novel immunotherapy for endometrial cancer
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on July 10th, 2023
|
|
The combination chemotherapy of carboplatin and paclitaxel has been used as the first-line treatment for endometrial cancer, but their long-term outcomes are relatively poor. Dostarlimab is an monoclonal antibody that can target the PD-1 receptors that are highly expressed by certain subset of endometrial tumor cells. Thus, the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline had sponsored a study to assess the efficacy and safety of dostarlimab as a immunotherapy for endometrial cancer.
|
Using a combination of Cabozantinib plus Nivolumab and Ipilimumab to treat Renal-Cell Carcinoma
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by An Duc Thien Le |
Posted on June 12th, 2023
|
|
The immune checkpoint inhibitors, cabozantinib and nivolumab, are the first-line therapies for renal cell carcinoma; however, the effectiveness rate of these treatments can be suboptimal. Tyrosine kinase is a major signal transducer for various pathways that can benefit the tumor such as growth, angiogenesis, immunomodulation, and metastasis. Thus, it is an essential target for antitumor therapy. Cabozantinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and a study was conducted to assess its efficacy and safety when used with the immune checkpoint inhibitor to treat renal cell carcinoma.
|
Comparing the effectiveness of venetoclax to other antitumor therapies in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by An Duc Thien Le |
Posted on June 5th, 2023
|
|
Previous clinical studies have found that the combination of venetoclax and obinutuzumab is effective in enhancing the progression-free survival time in patients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, little is known about the efficacy of this combination relative to other first-line therapy. Thus, a randomized, controlled study was conducted to compare the health outcomes of CLL patients treated with the venetoclax-obinutuzumab combo to other recommended regimens.
|
Combining trifluridine, tipiracil with bevacizumab to treat refractory metastatic colorectal cancer
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le |
Posted on May 31st, 2023
|
|
After first diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer, the patients will generally be treated with a wide variety of chemotherapy. However, disease still progressed in some of the patients; these cases are considered to be refractory. The combination of trifluridine and tipiracil had been proven to be an useful tool for treating metastatic colorectal cancer. Bevacizumab, a VEGF inhibitor, is another therapy that has clear clinical benefits in slowing down disease progression. Thus, a study was performed to assess the effectiveness of combining bevacizumab with trifluridine and tipiracil in treating refractory metastatic colorectal cancer.
|
Using GD2-CART01 cells to treat neuroblastoma in pediatric patients
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on April 17th, 2023
|
|
Neuroblastoma is one of the most common causes of cancer death in pediatric patients. Disialoganglioside GD2 is highly expressed by neuroblastoma cells; thus, monoclonal antibody treatment has yielded positive outcomes. T-cells with chimeric antigen receptors, also known as CAR-T cells, is the novel method of cancer treatment; the T-cells were engineered to express receptors that can bind to specific cellular antigen and induce death in the expressing cell. Thus, the Italian Medicines Agency had sponsored a study to investigate the effect of the GD2-CART01 CAR-T cells in treating neuroblastoma
|
Inhibiting the proliferation of desmoid tumors with Nirogacestat
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on March 17th, 2023
|
|
Despite being non-metastatic, desmoid tumors can cause severe pain and affect function if the tumor compresses the organs. These cells produced an abnormally high amount of the Notch-1 protein which can further worsen the patient’s prognosis. Nirogacestat is an γ-secretase inhibitor that can interfere with Notch signaling. Thus, the SpringWork Therapeutics pharmaceutical company had funded a study to investigate the possibility of using Nirogacestat to treat desmoid tumors.
|
Possible usage of nicotinamide to prevent skin cancer in transplant recipients
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on March 10th, 2023
|
|
To lower the odds of graft rejection, organ transplant recipients must be placed in an immunosuppressive state. However, this inhibits the body’s anti-tumor capability and increases the risk of skin cancer. In vitro, Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) can enhance the efficiency of the DNA repair mechanism after damage from UV radiation. Thus, the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council had sponsored a study to investigate the possible usage of nicotinamide in preventing keratinocyte cancer in organ transplant recipients
|
Treating castration-resistant, metastatic prostate cancer with rucaparib
Topic: ONCOLOGY
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on March 1st, 2023
|
|
Rucaparib is an inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) which can be used to suppress tumor cells. The PARP inhibitor disables the DNA repair mechanism that tumor cells used to survive. Thus, a study had been conducted to assess the effectiveness of Rucaparib in treating prostate cancers with mutations to either the BRCA or ATM genes.
|
Comparing the efficacy and safety of zanubrutinib to ibrutinib, the current first line treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on February 13th, 2023
|
|
Ibrutinib is a first generation BKT inhibitor that has been used as a first-line treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma. However, the medication is not well tolerated due to its severe adverse effects. Zanubrutnib is a second generation molecule that has greater specificity to BKT. A recent study had been conducted to investigate whether the higher specificity of Zanubrutinib translated to a higher degree of efficacy and better tolerated side effects.
|
The effectiveness of using sotorasib to treat pancreatic cancer with G12C KRAS mutation
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on February 10th, 2023
|
|
The KRAS protein is extremely essential for the intracellular signaling required for cellular development. Mutations in this protein frequently disrupt the cell cycle and increase the risk of cancer. A glycine-to-cysteine mutation at amino acid position #12 (G12C) of the KRAS protein is the underlying cause behind 1% to 2% of all pancreatic cancer cases. Due to the high toxicity of the current treatment, a new therapy is needed. Sotorasib is a small molecule that can bind to and inactivate the mutated G12C KRAS, and a recent study conducted by Amgen had recently released their findings on the medication’s effectiveness.
|
Combination therapy of Adagrasib and Cetuximab in treating metastatic colorectal cancer with G12C KRAS mutation
|
Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
|
Posted on February 3rd, 2023
|
|
KRAS is a major oncogene that contributes to the development of approximately half of all colorectal cancer cases. The glycine-to-cysteine mutation at amino acid position #12 (G12C) causes the KRAS protein to be stuck in its active form, leading to continuous signaling that can lead to cancerous development. This form of KRAS mutation is responsible for 3% - 4% of all colorectal cancer cases. Adagrasib is a small-molecule agent that can selectively bind to and inhibit G12C KRAS signaling. Thus, Adagrasib monotherapy is promising, but cancer cells can utilize signaling through the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway to reactivate G12C KRAS. The KRYSTAL-1 study had investigated the effectiveness of combining Adagrasib with an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody, in the form of Cetuximab.
|