Early Promise for CAR-M Therapy; Drug Pricing Proposal; Unprecedented Decisions

Chimeric antigen receptor macrophages (CAR-M) showed promise in a first-in-human trial targeting solid tumors. (Penn Medicine)

Sanofi and Exscientia will collaborate on using artificial intelligence to develop 15 new drugs in oncology and immunology. (Bloomberg)

CMS has floated a proposal to lower drug prices by focusing on rebates and fees charged by pharmacy benefit managers. (Community Oncology Alliance)

Merck announced that adjuvant pembrolizumab (Keytruda) significantly improved disease-free survival in a clinical trial of patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer.

A recent increase in breast cancer in younger women suggests women ages 20-49 “might benefit from discussing potential breast cancer risk and ways to reduce risk with their healthcare providers,” according to a study from the CDC.

A vaccine that stimulates production of a protein that helps regulate antioxidant activity might offer protection against skin cancer. (Oregon State University)

Depleting a certain type of T cell from donor blood showed promise for reducing the risk of graft-versus-host disease after stem-cell transplant and may also reduce the risk of leukemia relapse. (UPMC Hillman Cancer Center)

Two-thirds of patients with hematologic malignancies and septic shock died within a month and fewer than 20% were alive at 90 days. (Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network)

The FDA has cleared a direct-to-consumer test for the HOXB13 G84E mutation associated with increased prostate cancer risk, 23andMe announced.

Different oxygen levels in tumors may influence the activity of cancer drugs. (Indiana University)

“I’m being forced to make decisions I have never had to make before.” (Journal of Oncology Practice)

New insights into how obesity may change the cellular microenvironment to promote tumor formation and growth. (University of Bergen, Nature Communications)

Psychological distress added an estimated $2,600 to the average cost of treatment for adolescents and young adults with cancer. (Cancer)

A new clinical guideline offers recommendations for optimizing use of radiation therapy for liver cancer. (American Society for Radiation Oncology)

A glimpse inside cancer experts’ crystal ball for 2022. (American Association for Cancer Research)