Strategies for Chemo Shortages; HPV Testing for Older Women; Drug-Pricing Battles

In response to the ongoing shortage of chemotherapy drugs, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and Society of Gynecologic Oncology have collaborated on development of strategies to counter the shortages on a cancer site-specific basis.

Catch-up human papillomavirus (HPV) testing in older women showed promise as an aid to cervical cancer prevention by detecting precancerous lesions. (PLoS Medicine)

Genentech voluntarily withdrew an accelerated approval for pralsetinib (Gavreto) for advanced RET-mutated medullary thyroid cancer after concluding that a confirmatory phase III trial was no longer feasible, development partner Blueprint Medicines announced in a securities filing. (Fierce Pharma)

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation’s decision to move forward with the Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM) for Medicare “is extremely disappointing” and shows that the agency is not listening to stakeholders’ concerns and suggestions about the EOM, according to the Community Oncology Alliance.

Generic drug manufacturers have sued the state of Minnesota over certain drug pricing caps that the companies say are unconstitutional. (Endpoints News)

The Biden administration remains steadfast in its pursuit of Medicare drug price negotiation, despite industry lawsuits. (CNN)

A patient’s risk of developing pancreatic cancer decreases if pancreatic cysts remain stable for at least 5 years. (Yale School of Medicine, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology)

Curis announced that the FDA has removed a partial clinical hold on a phase I/II trial of small-molecule inhibitor emavusertib for acute myelogenous leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes.

Patients who were overweight by body mass index criteria had better outcomes in head and neck cancer as compared with individuals with normal weight or obesity. (Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, JAMA Network Open)

AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo announced positive initial results from a phase III trial to evaluate the antibody-drug conjugate datopotamab deruxtecan’s effect on progression-free survival in previously treated advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

Patients with advanced cancers were more likely to receive appropriate palliative care services if they lived in states that expanded Medicaid coverage. (American Cancer Society, Health Affairs)

A biomarker developed from artificial intelligence showed promise for identifying men whose prostate cancer would benefit from androgen deprivation therapy. (NEJM Evidence)