Legal End Run on Talc Cases? Oral Drug Parity Redux; AI Boosts Upper GI Detections

Johnson & Johnson is exploring a plan to transfer its remaining liabilities for talc-related lawsuits into a new subsidiary that would seek bankruptcy protection. (Reuters)

Merck announced that adding pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to chemotherapy before surgery for triple-negative breast cancer, followed by maintenance pembrolizumab afterward significantly improved event-free survival. See MedPage Today‘s coverage of the potentially practice-changing study.

Merck also announced FDA approval of pembrolizumab in combination with lenvatinib (Lenvima) for unresectable or previously treated advanced endometrial cancer not associated with microsatellite instability or mismatch repair deficiency.

Kadmon announced full FDA approval of belumosudil (Rezurock) for chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Rep. Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.) reintroduced the Oral Parity Bill that would require health plans and insurers to offer patient cost-sharing for oral cancer medications that is at least as favorable as that offered for intravenous medications. (American Society of Clinical Oncology)

Plaudits for use of artificial intelligence to improve detection of neoplasms during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. (The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology)

Hundreds of chemicals in processed foods, water, and numerous consumer products increase synthesis of estrogen and progesterone, potentially increasing the risk of breast cancer. (Silent Spring Institute)

Remote 24-hour monitoring during cancer chemotherapy improved management of side effects and quality of life. (The BMJ)

Greater decreases in cancer mortality occurred in states that expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. (DukeHealth, Journal of the National Cancer Institute)

Five smoking cessation actions that focus on mindfulness and persistence. (CNN)