Earlier Info on Financial Stress; Obesity and Second Cancers; Carcinogenic Condoms?

Patients with cancer want information and advice early in the disease course about how to deal with the financial stressors of their costly care. (Northwestern University)

The FDA expanded approval of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to include combination therapy with pemetrexed and cisplatin for previously untreated advanced/metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma, Merck announced.

Patients who are overweight or obese at cancer diagnosis have an increased risk of developing second primary cancers, according to a study of older cancer survivors. (JAMA Network Open)

A novel three-drug regimen led to an 80% response rate in a small study of patients with advanced chronic myelogenous leukemia or high-risk acute myeloid leukemia. (University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, The Lancet Haematology)

A phase III trial of the antibody-drug conjugate patritumab deruxtecan in non-small cell lung cancer met the primary endpoint of progression-free survival, although two deaths not directly attributed to the drug were reported, Merck and Daiichi Sankyo announced.

Oncternal Therapeutics announced termination of a clinical trial of the androgen receptor inhibitor ONCT-534 in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer and its ONCT-808 CAR T-cell program in lymphoma and plans to “explore strategic alternatives.”

Ultimovacs ASA announced discontinuation of enrollment in a clinical trial of a cancer vaccine for non-small cell lung cancer.

Bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate seeks to curb false and misleading prescription drug marketing on social media. (The Hill)

A proposed class action lawsuit alleges that Trojan condoms contain toxic “forever chemicals,” which have been linked to cancer. (Reuters)

Ossium Health announced a first successful stem-cell transplant for leukemia involving cryopreserved organ donor-derived bone marrow.

Higher state- and county-level prison incarceration rates had a significant association with cancer mortality. (American Cancer Society, Journal of the National Cancer Institute)

The FDA issued draft guidance to industry on considerations for the design and conduct of multiregional clinical trials of cancer treatment in support of drug-approval applications.