Authors


Neil H. Baum, MD

Latest:

Telemedicine Use in Oncology Practices

ABSTRACT Telemedicine (TM) will play an increasingly significant role in practices that diagnose cancers and treat patients. Although only a small percentage of oncologists currently use TM, many more will embrace this technology in the near future. Although TM has been available for several decades, it was the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic that highlighted how useful the concept was for connecting and communicating not only with patients who live a significant distance away from their oncologist’s brick-and-mortar office, but with those who are homebound, for whatever reason. For instance, patients who have tested positive for coronavirus but who are not significantly symptomatic can be safely treated while they remain at home. One barrier to the widespread implementation of TM was lack of compensation for the time spent communicating with patients using audio-visual technology. As of March 2020, however, CMS has mandated that TM virtual visits and face-to-face visits have financial parity. This article will explore the process of implementing TM into an oncology practice with minimal time, energy, effort, and expense, as well as the concepts and the trends behind using TM to provide care for patients with cancer.


Michael Rosenzweig, MD, MS

Latest:

Toxicity Management in Patients With Multiple Myeloma

Experts explain strategies for toxicity management in patients receiving treatment for multiple myeloma, including monitoring risk of CRS.


Andrey Soares, MD

Latest:

Use of Immunotherapy in Patients With Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This article discusses the potential implications of using checkpoint inhibitors during the COVID-19 pandemic.



Carolina D. Schinke, MD, UAMS Myeloma Center

Latest:

TRiMM-2: Talquetamab + Daratumumab in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

In the context of other clinical trials for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, Ajai Chari, MD, and Carolina Schinke, MD, review data from TRiMM-2.



David O'Malley, MD, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Latest:

Future Directions in Advanced Endometrial Carcinoma

Closing the discussion on advanced endometrial carcinoma, Dr David O’Malley shares his perspective on the future treatment landscape.



Jake Schade, BA

Latest:

Real-World Assessment of Patient Care and Practice Efficiency With the Introduction of Subcutaneous Rituximab

Rituximab-subcutaneously is associated with significantly reduced chair time vs rituximab-intravenously in a US oncology setting. Widespread adoption would be expected to improve practice efficiency and patient access to care, and to reduce health care resource burden.


Marc Braunstein, MD, PhD

Latest:

Considerations for the Management of Oncology Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT Worldwide incidence and mortality due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is greatest in the United States, with the initial epicenter in New York. In Nassau County, New York, where we practice, our institution has had more than 2500 cases and has discharged from the hospital more than 1000 patients. As many academic and private institutions have swiftly shifted their clinical and research priorities to address the pandemic, data are emerging regarding both the impact of malignancy on COVID-19 outcomes as well as the challenges faced in assuring that cancer care remains unimpeded. Of concern, recent studies of cancer patients primarily in China and Italy have suggested that advanced malignancy is associated with increased susceptibility to severe COVID-19 infection. At present, more than 500 clinical trials are underway investigating the pathogenesis and treatment of COVID-19, including expanded use of oncology drugs, such as small molecular inhibitors of cytokine pathways. Here, we begin by reviewing the latest understanding of COVID-19 pathophysiology and then focus our attention on the impact of this virus on hematologic and oncologic practice. Finally, we highlight ongoing investigational treatment approaches that are so relevant to the care of oncology patients during this extraordinary pandemic.


Declan Murphy

Latest:

Declan Murphy, MB, BCh, on Rate of Equivocal Findings on PSMA PET/CT in Patients With Prostate Cancer

Murphy discussed the secondary end point of equivocal findings on PSMA PET/CT from the proPSMA study presented at the SUO 21st Annual Meeting.



Larry Anderson, MD, PhD

Latest:

Cross Q&A: Isa + KD in Relapsed/Refractory MM and Biochemical vs Clinical Progression

In the final cross Q&A session from the multiple myeloma module, panelists discuss implications of IKEMA and consider the importance of biochemical versus clinical progression.


Guido Lancman, MD

Latest:

Guido Lancman, MD, on Next Steps for a Study of IVIG in Patients with Multiple Myeloma Receiving Daratumumab

Hypogammaglobulinemia was found to be nearly universal for patients with multiple myeloma during treatment with daratumumab, suggesting a role for intravenous immunoglobulin.



Daniel Rivera-Sánchez, MD

Latest:

Oligoprogression After Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy in Metastatic Melanoma

This clinical quandary discusses oligoprogressive disease in metastatic melanoma and how treatment with immunotherapy and targeted therapy affect the disease.




Emily S. Weg, MD

Latest:

Advanced Bladder Cancer: Future Directions in Care

Closing out their panel on advanced bladder cancer management, key opinion leaders share their excitement for future evolutions within the treatment landscape.





Mónica Chapa-Ibargüengoitia, MD

Latest:

Sjögren Syndrome Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in a Patient with Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma

This clinical quandary details a Mexican man, aged 77 years, who presented to the oncology clinic with a sternal mass. Based on the results, the patient fulfilled the 2016 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria for Sjögren syndrome, thus the diagnosis triggered by immune checkpoint inhibitors was definitively established.


Javier Letellez Fernández, PharmG

Latest:

Effectiveness, Toxicity, and Survival Predictors of Regorafenib in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Multicenter Study of Routinely Collected Data

Alberto Calvo-García, PharmG, and colleagues analyzed routinely-collected data to assess regorafenib in metastatic colorectal cancer.


James J. Driscoll, MD, PhD

Latest:

Emerging Strategies to Manage Relapsed and/or Refractory Multiple Myeloma

James J. Driscoll, MD, PhD, and James Ignatz-Hoover, MD, PhD, share a perspective on a study published recently in ONCOLOGY.



Zaven Koloyan, MD

Latest:

Pediatric Locally Advanced Synovial Sarcoma: What Would Be the Best Treatment Option?

KEY POINTS • Synovial sarcomas are often mistreated with unplanned tumor resection. • Attention from specialists early in the course of SS can minimize the risk of recurrence, metastases, and the necessity for resurgery, all of which are increased with unplanned tumor resection. • Chemotherapy alone does not provide sufficient local control of the tumor. • Resurgery, in conjunction with radiotherapy and chemotherapy, is the best choice of management for this patient.


Silvia Ruíz-García, PharmG

Latest:

Effectiveness, Toxicity, and Survival Predictors of Regorafenib in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Multicenter Study of Routinely Collected Data

Alberto Calvo-García, PharmG, and colleagues analyzed routinely-collected data to assess regorafenib in metastatic colorectal cancer.



Mitch Hayes, MD

Latest:

Primary Focal Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer: A Review of the Literature

Focal therapy for prostate cancer could balance undertreatment and overtreatment of localized prostate cancer for highly selected patients. Long-term oncologic outcomes are not yet available for any modality. Patients should be informed regarding currently available outcomes, the necessity of adherence to a stringent follow-up protocol, and the possible need for additional targeted therapy or future radical treatment in case of recurrence.