The FDA has required that Amgen compare its approved KRAS-targeted therapy sotorasib (Lumakras) 960-mg dose with a 240-mg dose as one of its accelerated approval post-marketing requirements, a paradigm-shifting event that signals new scrutiny around determining the labeled dose for targeted oncology drugs, which still follow outdated maximum tolerated dose (MTD) principles in cytotoxic agents.

Publication: ASH Clinical NewsOriginal Source: Journal of the National Care InstituteDesign: Assessment of longitudinal changes in memory, attention, and executive function in men and women with lymphoma (n=248; 62.5% male) prior to and six months after initiation of chemotherapy. A group of age- and sex-matched people without cancer was used as a control arm (n=212; 59% male).Results: At baseline, patients with lymphoma self-reported significantly more issues on the FACT-Cog scale (perceived cognitive impairment [PCI] and total scores) compared with sex-matched controls (p<0.05). In addition, patients with lymphoma reported significantly more attentional difficulty (p=0.01) and significantly greater PCI (p<0.03).

As a physician, you improvise every day but may not even realize it. From interpreting non-verbal cues to dealing with unexpected twists in a case, improv is critical. And research shows that taking some classes for the skill enhances communication, improves diagnostic accuracy, boosts patient satisfaction, and reduces physicians’ stress. So, what are you waiting for?

This BMJ editorial examines whether approaches better equipped to compare rates of menstrual variation in vaccinated versus unvaccinated populations are needed, based on the reports of changes to periods and unexpected vaginal bleeding after vaccination. The US has taken the first step, earmarking $1.67M from the National Institutes of Health to encourage research.

Vaccinations are up and COVID-19 cases continue to decline, but healthcare will forever be changed by the pandemic. The telehealth revolution is upon us, and health disparities are finally being addressed. Doctors and patients are working together to define what constitutes “necessary” healthcare. Discover what else the future holds for healthcare in a post-pandemic world.

Source: MedPage Today (from JAMA Oncology)Design: Analysis was from a previously published prospective cohort study that evaluated the rates of antibody response to Pfizer’s vaccine in 102 cancer patients who were on active treatment compared with 78 healthy controls. A fourth of the patients were undergoing treatment for lung cancer, 26% for gastrointestinal cancers, and 18% for breast cancer.Results: After four months from the second dose of Pfizer’s mRNA vaccine, 87% of cancer patients who had been on active treatment continued to produce COVID-19 antibodies.