Precision Medicine in Oncology® | Specialty

The OncLive Precision Medicine in Oncology® condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and expert insights on precision-focused approaches in patients with cancer, with gene-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors and antibody-drug conjugates, checkpoint inhibitors, tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy, and other tailored treatments. This page features news articles, interviews in written and video format, and podcasts that focus on updates and ongoing research with personalized therapies across solid and hematologic tumors.

Genomic Alterations Characterized in Squamous Cell Cancers of the Head and Neck

June 26th 2013

Squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck have different patterns of genetic alterations, some of which may be actionable or druggable with available agents or drugs in development.

Ellen Matloff on the Supreme Court Gene Patenting Decision

June 25th 2013

Ellen T. Matloff, MS, CGC, from the Yale School of Medicine/Yale Cancer Center, describes the impact of the US Supreme Court decision to restrict the patenting of segments of DNA in isolation.

Project Aims to "Bridge the Gap" From Remission to Cure in Multiple Myeloma

June 21st 2013

In an interview with OncologyLive, Brian G.M. Durie, MD, provided details about the Black Swan initiative and how he expects the project to develop.

Supreme Court Limits Ability to Patent Genes in Landmark Decision

June 13th 2013

After years of varying decisions by lower courts regarding the patents held on a test for genetic mutations associated with breast cancer, the US Supreme Court has ruled that a segment of DNA in isolation is a natural product and not eligible for patent protection.

Dr. Saenger on Combining Targeted and Immune Agents

June 12th 2013

Yvonne M. Saenger, MD, Assistant Professor in Medicine and Dermatology, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, discusses the idea of combining targeted and immune agents.

Charting the Course in Myeloma: Durie Keeps Standards, New Goals in Sight

June 10th 2013

As one of the world's top multiple myeloma physicians and researchers, Brian G.M. Durie, MD, can boil his mission down to one simple goal: saving lives. But it was two people the doctor couldn't save who have most affected his path.

BRCA1/2 Linked to Poor Prognosis in Prostate Cancer

June 7th 2013

A new study suggests that germline mutations of BRCA1/2 could play a significant role in more-aggressive cases of prostate cancer. Additionally, BRCA2 mutations were specifically linked to poor overall survival.

Revisiting HER2: Recent Research Shakes Views on Famed Marker

June 5th 2013

New research suggests that HER2-targeted drugs may actually have much broader applications, benefiting patients who are not designated HER2-positive by routine testing.

ASCO Opens 49th Annual Meeting Urging More Federal Funding for Research

June 1st 2013

The American Society of Clinical Oncology kicked off its 49th Annual Meeting with leaders urging all stakeholders in cancer care to vigorously oppose cuts to vital US biomedical research funding.

Cracking the Code: Privacy, Consent Are Concerns in Gene Studies

May 30th 2013

The security of genetic data collected from research study participants has emerged as a concern after investigators proved they could ferret out individual identities from large databases.

Translating Combination Radiotherapy/Immunotherapy From Dogs to Humans With Advanced Melanoma or Sarcoma

May 29th 2013

Arta Monjazeb, MD, and Michael Kent, DVM, from the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, describe an early phase trial exploring the potential of translating successful treatment from dogs to humans with advanced melanoma or sarcoma.

Genetic Experts' Views Shift on Testing, Prophylactic Surgery

May 28th 2013

The decision about whether to get tested for a genetic mutation that may predispose a person to certain cancers is a difficult one for many patients to make. Even more difficult for mutation carriers is deciding whether to undergo a prophylactic surgical procedure.

Dr. Borgen on the Decision to be Tested for a BRCA Gene

May 23rd 2013

Patrick Borgen, MD, chair, Department of Surgery, director, Maimonides Breast Cancer Center, discusses a patient's decision to be tested for a BRCA gene.

Dr. Morris on rPFS as an Endpoint in Clinical Trials

May 22nd 2013

Michael J. Morris, MD, medical oncologist, Genitourinary Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the use of radiographic progression-free survival as an endpoint in prostate cancer clinical trials.

Chip Petricoin on the Discovery of New Biomarkers

May 20th 2013

Emanuel F. "Chip" Petricoin III, PhD, Co-Director, Center for Applied Proteomics & Molecular Medicine, Professor of Life Sciences, George Mason University, discusses the discovery of new biomarkers in breast cancer.

A National Dialogue on Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer

May 16th 2013

A high-profile case of a medical decision being based primarily on the results of a genetic test has prompted a national discussion on the benefits and risks associated with acting on the results of such a test.

FDA Approves Frontline Erlotinib With Novel Companion Diagnostic for Advanced NSCLC

May 14th 2013

The FDA concurrently approved erlotinib along with a companion diagnostic to be used together in the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer harboring a specific EGFR mutation.

Cancer Treatment-It's Personal Now

May 10th 2013

The majority of the new oncology drugs approved in 2012 are oral agents, and by reviewing the indications for these agents, it's easy to see how genetics impacts the agent's efficacy.

Counseling BRCA, Lynch Carriers on Prophylactic Oophorectomy

May 8th 2013

Due to the high lifetime risk of ovarian cancer and the poor ovarian cancer surveillance options available, women who carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations are advised to remove their ovaries and fallopian tubes by age 40 or when childbearing is complete.

Dr. Camidge on Targeted Therapies in Adjuvant NSCLC

May 7th 2013

D. Ross Camidge, MD, PhD, from the University of Colorado Cancer Center, discusses the selective administration of targeted therapies in the adjuvant setting for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

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