Articles related to Hematology

We’ve been hearing about hydroxychloroquine seemingly since the pandemic started, and there is no question that doctors need to determine whether hydroxychloroquine is an efficacious treatment for adults hospitalized with COVID-19. Does this Original Investigation from JAMA finally provide some clarity to the drug’s use among patients hospitalized with the virus?

Another win for Merck and Keytruda, as the FDA granted accelerated approval to pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) whose tumors express PD-L1 based on PFS. The FDA also approved a companion diagnostic, PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx.

Is perfectionism a net positive? What drives you forward so you can meet your goals and standards? Is it sustainable? It’s perfectly understandable that you strive to deliver the highest quality care for your patients; however, it’s impossible to reach unachievable standards. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to find the balance between accepting your flaws and performing at a high level.

In this article/podcast from KevinMD.com, a nephrologist discusses being terminated after 15 years at the same institution as a physician in a private practice multi-specialty clinic. Despite getting employees to focus on accountability and rally behind organizational goals – not to mention the ongoing challenges of dealing with COVID-19 – the physician was fired. Was it warranted? Read on to decide for yourself.

Olaparib, a PARP inhibitor, is approved for the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in germline (g)BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Find out whether the results from this latest report will emphasize the value of molecular characterization (homologous recombination (HR)–related genes other than BRCA1/2) for treatment decisions in MBC.

Are traditional cytotoxic chemotherapies becoming a thing of the past? This study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology shows a move toward targeted agents, as a combination of obinutuzumab, ibrutinib, and venetoclax induced deep remissions in patients with treatment-naive or relapsed/refractory (R/R) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).