GLG News by Oncologists Specializing in Hematologic Malignancies in the U.S.

A new French study shows that Erbitux allowed 9 of 133 pre-treated patients with colrectal cancer and liver mets to have their liver lesions become resectable. While the numbers of responding patients is small, this has huge implications since surgical resection od liver lesions may incraese survival...

The EU followed the FDA in approving Wyeth's Torisel for advanced renal cell cancer. It prolonged overall and Progression-free survival as compared to interferon in a randomized trial. Torisel has a different side effect profile than Sutent ( Pfizer) and Nexavar( Bayer/Onyx) so it is expected to be...

Avastin was approved in Europe for use in advanced renal cell carcinoma in combination with interferon Unlike Nexavar, Sutent, or Torisel which have showed survival adavantage as single agents, Avastin has not. The role of Avastin in this disease will be in combination therapy with any of above 3 targeted...

The HeptoVax trial is  Phase II study in which GV1001 (a telomerase peptide vaccine administered with GM-CSF) was given to patients suffering from advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC or liver cancer). The trial update indicates safety of the vaccine but no efficacy data are available.  Such...

The current report in NEJM demonstrates that Erbitux + best supportive care improves survival (6.1 months) for patients with previously treated metastatic colorectal carcinoma as compared with BSC alone (4.6 months).  These data represent the first report of a survival advantage in a solid tumor...

Uveal melanoma is an uncommon disease but is devastating when it metastasizes.  The most common site of metastases is the liver and response rates to conventional chemotherapy agents are poor.   This trial is designed specifically to assess the activity of Marqibo in patients with metastatic...

Avastin now has been approved in Europe for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma.  Avastin + Interferon nearly doubles the PFS vs Interferon alone.  Approval in Europe (and similar FDA approval) will be critical to the marketing of this expensive agent.  However, these data...

There is no reason to believe Dacogen is inferior to Vidaza. In some studies, Dacogen seems to produce a deeper quality of response, and may also prove more beneficial in AML.

Revlimid benefits are often over-stated in non-5Q minus MDS. The cost is a hurdle for many patients with poor prescription plans. Vidaza and Dacogen seem superior in my experience for higher risk patients.

Amgen and to a lesser degree JNJ are lobbying cancer patients to fight Medicare's restriction on their ESA products Aranesp, Epogen and Procrit. The Medicare rule and FDA warnings are fair since using ESA's to increase hemoglobin levels. 12 grams/dl was associated with incraesed mortality, tumor progression,...