Good News for CAR-T Therapy; Liquid Biopsy Progress; Anti-Psychotic for Brain Cancer

The largest prospective study to date showed that CAR T-cell therapy for advanced large B-cell lymphoma can be performed safely as an outpatient procedure in community clinics. (American Society of Hematology)

Johnson & Johnson announced that the CAR T-cell therapy ciltacabtagene autoleucel (Carvykti) improved overall survival in previously treated multiple myeloma.

A federal judge sided with Bristol Myers Squibb in dismissing a lawsuit alleging the pharma giant cheated Celgene shareholders by delaying approval of the CAR T-cell therapies lisocabtagene maraleucel (Breyanzi) and idecabtagene vicleucel (Abecma) and the multiple sclerosis drug ozanimod (Zeposia). (Reuters)

BriaCell Therapeutics announced that its Bria-IMT cell therapy, plus an immune checkpoint inhibitor regimen, achieved complete resolution of a breast cancer brain metastasis.

NBA Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo, 58, died of brain cancer earlier this week. (ESPN)

Bristol Myers Squibb announced FDA approval of perioperative nivolumab (Opdivo), plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy, for resectable non-small cell lung cancer.

Drugmakers will have more time to negotiate and make counteroffers during the second round of talks about price cuts for Medicare, CMS announced.

Measurement of postoperative circulating tumor DNA proved to be a “powerful prognostic biomarker” for recurrence in resected colorectal cancer. (European Society for Medical Oncology)

An artificial intelligence-assisted blood test showed promise for detecting ovarian cancer at even the earliest stages. (Johns Hopkins Medicine, Cancer Discovery)

A new survey of cancer care showed that 70% of U.S. counties do not have access to clinical trials in cancer, restricting access to emerging state-of-the-art treatments. (American Society of Clinical Oncology)

An experimental therapy that includes the anti-psychotic drug pimozide has shown potential in laboratory studies as a treatment for glioblastoma. (TheOhio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cell Reports Magazine)

Patients who receive cord blood transplants for cancer have similar survival, regardless of race. (UVA Cancer Center)

Exact Sciences announced FDA approval of the next-generation Cologuard Plus at-home test for colorectal cancer screening.

Pediatric patients with high-risk B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia did just as well with less aggressive, less toxic therapy as compared with traditionally aggressive treatment. (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)