AI-based score as a selection tool for supplemental MRI after negative mammography detects many missed breast cancers

 The impact of AISmartDensity, a new artificial intelligence tool aimed to uncover undetected breast cancer after negative mammography screening was found to be "four times more efficient in terms of cancer detection" compared to traditional density and risk models, following MRI imaging.  Despite these encouraging findings, authors of this study di caution that certain cancers identified by BI-RADS D could well be missed by AISmartDensity, necessitating additional research on outcomes of effects and prognosis on cancer characteristics. 

To learn more about AISnartDensity, click here. 

Source mentioned: 

Salim M, Liu Y, Sorkhei M, et al. AI-based selection of individuals for supplemental MRI in population-based breast cancer screening: the randomized ScreenTrustMRI trial. Nature Medicine; Published online 8 July 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-03093-5

Adding olanzapine to standard triple antiemetic therapy for the prevention of carboplatin-induced nausea and vomiting

 A recently completed study from the Hamamatsu University School of Medicine in Japan has indicated that the addition of "olanzapine significantly improved nausea prevention in the overall and delayed phases in patients who received carboplatin."  Further, carboplatin, which has been classified as a moderate emetogenic chemotherapy agent, was not seen to cause serious adverse events in patients that were administered this drug. 

For further information, and to learn more about this study, click here. 

Source mentioned: 

Inui N, Suzuki T, Tanaka K, et al. Olanzapine Plus Triple Antiemetic Therapy for the Prevention of Carboplatin-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase III Trial. JCO; Published online 4 June 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.24.00278

40 % of cancer cases and almost half of all deaths in the U.S. linked to modifiable risk factors

 A new study conducted at the American Cancer Society attributes modifiable risk factors, namely smoking, obesity, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, diet, and infections, as direct indictors of cancer death in nearly 50% of adult cancer deaths (30 years of age and older) in the United States. According to Dr. Farhad Islami, senior scientific director of cancer disparity research at the American Cancer Society, "despite considerable declines in smoking prevalence during the past few decades," 20% of cancer cases and 30% of all cancer deaths are a result of smoking.  Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, is adamant that "the cost to fully fund state tobacco control programs in tiny compared to the cost of tobacco-caused diseases and the potential tobacco-caused health care cost savings states stand to gain in the long term."  

To read more about this study, click here. 

Source mentioned: Islami F, Marlow EC, Thomson B, McCullough ML, Rumgay H, Gapstur SM, Patel AV, Soerjomataram I, Jemal A. Proportion and number of cancer cases and deaths attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors in the United States, 2019. CA Cancer J Clin. 2024 Jul 11. doi: 10.3322/caac.21858. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38990124.

Adjuvant dabrafenib plus trametinib associated with better RFS and DMFS than placebo among patients with resected stage III melanoma with BRAF V600 mutations

 Results of the COMBI-AD study, compiled after almost 10 years of follow-up analysis, has concluded that "12 months of adjuvant treatment with dabrafenib plus trametinib was associated with better relapse-free survival and distant metastasis than placebo among patients with resected stage III melanoma."  Further risk of death was 20% lower via the combined drug regimen compared to placebo. In addition, the COMBI-AD trial indicated overall survival after 3 years at 86% when patients were administered dabrafenib together with trametinib, compared to 77% when given a placebo. 

To learn more about the COMBI-AD study, click here. 

Source mentioned: Long GV, Hauschild A, Santinami M, et al. Final Results for Adjuvant Dabrafenib plus Trametinib in Stage III Melanoma. NEJM; Published online 19 June 2024. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2404139

Belantamab mafodotin–containing triplets a PFS benefit among previously treated patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma

 Results of DREAMM-7, a randomized phase III study, were recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine.  According to DREAMM-7, "treatment with belantamab mafodotin, bortezomib and dexamethasone (BVd regimen) conferred a significant benefit...with respect to progression-free survival (PFS).." among melanoma patients. After a period of 18 months, overall survival for patients treated with the BVd regimen was 84% compared 73% in patients treated with daratumumab, bortezomib and dexamethasone (DVd). These findings indicate strong support for BVd as a preferred treatment option for patients with multiple myeloma. 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Sources mentioned: 

• Hungria V, Robak P, Hus M, et al. for the DREAMM-7 Investigators. Belantamab Mafodotin, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone for Multiple Myeloma. NEJM; Published online 1 June 2024. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2405090
• Dimopoulos MA, Beksac M, Pour L, et al. for the DREAMM-8 Investigators. Belantamab Mafodotin, Pomalidomide, and Dexamethasone in Multiple Myeloma. NEJM; Published 2 June 2024. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa240340