Matthew Lunning, DO, Associate Vice Chair of Research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, reviews treatment implications of emerging research in CAR T-cell therapy for a variety of lymphomas subtypes, and discusses newer study outcomes, limitations to current CAR-T cell products, the state of allogenic CAR-T cell therapy, and key elements to consider when selecting therapy for a given patient.

The authors analyzed a cohort of nearly 5,000 patients with AML for the prevalence and prognostic impact of IDH mutations and found distinct clinical and co-mutational features of the IDH1-R132C mutation. The study identified variable outcomes associated with distinct mutations of IDH and offers additional evidence in support of delineating the IDH2-R172K mutation as a distinct entity based on its co-mutational landscape and significant impact on outcome.

Both immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and VEGF receptor inhibitors are approved for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treatment and can cause cardiovascular events (CVs). This randomized study of avelumab plus axitinib vs. sunitinib used prospective monitoring of LVEF and serum cardiac biomarkers to assess for the development of major adverse CV events. The results indicate patients with high baseline troponin T levels and who receive combination ICI and VEGF receptor inhibitor therapy should be monitored closely for adverse cardiac events.

In an editorial published in KevinMD.com, a neurosurgeon discusses the myriad reasons she chooses to stay in clinical practice when many of her colleagues are leaving. The reasons range from job satisfaction from treating patients to family and financial considerations.

In March 2021, the US Preventive Services Task Force expanded the eligibility for lung cancer screening by setting the benchmark at a 20 pack-year smoking history for those ages 50 to 80 years who are current smokers or former smokers who have quit within the past 15 years. The new criteria will boost the number of eligible adults by 87% overall, according to a modeling analysis. It also could reduce lung cancer deaths by 13% versus 10% previously.

The impact of COVID-19 on the medical careers of women are diverse and troubling. From reduced publication submission to higher burnout rates to higher workplace harassment issues, the issues are multiple and are a clear call for change.