OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians, 2010-2018

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  OncoLog, Volume 63, Number 02, February 2018

  Sarah Bronson and Bryan Tutt

  • Radiation Therapy for Liver Cancer: Clinical trials expand treatment options for patients with primary liver cancer
  • Proton Therapy for Breast Cancer May Avoid Heart Damage: Trial compares cardiotoxicity of proton-and photon-based radiation therapy to the breast/chest wall and lymph nodes
  • New targeted Therapies for Leukemia: New treatments target CD123, BCL2 proteins in acute myelogenous leukemia, blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm
  • HOUSE CALL: Supportive Care for Cancer Patients- Supportive care treats the whole patient, not just the cancer

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  OncoLog, Volume 63, Number 07, July 2018

  Sarah Bronson and Bryan Tutt

  • FGFR Inhibition for Bladder Cancer: Erdafitinib has favorable response rate in advanced bladder cancers, including those that do not respond to immunotherapy
  • INBRIEF: Targeted Therapies Matched to Tumor-Specific Mutations Prolong Survival
  • Managing High-Risk Breast Lesions: Strong provider recommendation for preventive therapy increases its use in women with lobular carcinoma in situ, atypical hyperplasia
  • Aerosolized Gemcitabine for Pulmonary Metastases: Clinical trials tests novel chemotherapy delivery system for patients with lung metastases from osteosarcoma or other solid tumors
  • HOUSE CALL: What the national Cancer Institute Does- Resources for cancer patients, caregivers, physicians, researchers

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  OncoLog, Volume 63, Number 08, August 2018

  Angie N. Meus, Joe Munch, and Bryan Tutt

  • High-Dose Radiation Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer: trial tests whether radiomodulating agent GC4419 can enable higher doses of stereotactic body radiation therapy
  • Image-Guided Cordotomy for Cancer Pain: Computed tomography-guided cordotomy relieves cancer-related refractory pain
  • Esophageal, Pharyngoesophageal Reconstruction: Advanced surgical techniques restore digestive continuity
  • Therapy Preserves Swallowing Function: New trial tests different swallowing therapy regimens for head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy
  • OncoLog Says Farewell

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  OncoLog, Volume 63, Number 05-06, May - June 2018

  Joe Munch, Sunita Patterson, and Bryan Tutt

  • Breast Cancer Treatment without Surgery: New approach may let certain breast cancer patients who respond to systemic therapy forgo surgery
  • INBRIEF: Targeted Drug BLU-667 Shows Promise against Solid Tumors with RET Alterations
  • Diet May Improve Gut Microbiome in Colorectal Cancer Survivors: Trial tests whether adding beans to diet affects markers of cancer risk, metabolic health
  • TRK Inhibition Shows Activity in Solid Tumors: Early results of clinical trials for adult, pediatric patients with NTRK gene fusions show promise
  • HOUSE CALL: Preparing for Natural Disasters-People with cancer or other chronic illnesses should take extra precautions

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  OncoLog, Volume 63, Number 04, April 2018

  Joe Munch, Bryan Tutt, and Sarah Bronson

  • Hunger Training Helps Manage Weight, May Reduce Cancer Risk: Clinical Trial tests weight loss strategy to reduce cancer risk in obese participants
  • Re-Irradiation for Recurrent Head and Neck cancer: Stereotactic techniques enable re-irradiation of unresectable tumors
  • Dermoscopy for Early Detection of Melanoma. Other Skin Cancers: MD Anderson physicians train clinicians in underserved areas to use dermoscopy, which can help avoid unnecessary biopsy
  • HOUSE CALL: Alcohol-Related cancers-Drinking alcohol increases risk of several types of cancer

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  OncoLog, Volume 63, Number 01, January 2018

  Bryan Tutt

  • Immunotherapy for Genitourinary Cancers: Clinical trials explore immune checkpoint inhibitors for bladder, kidney, prostate cancers
  • Active Surveillance for Ductal Carcinoma in Situ: COMET trial compares frequent mammography to standard treatment with surgery
  • Radiation Plus Chemotherapy for Nasal NK T Cell Lymphoma: Clinical trial may standardize treatment for rare cancer
  • HOUSE CALL: Mammography Is Essential for Breast cancer Screening- FDA warns against clinics that advertise screening without mammography
  • USEFULRESOURCES: Videoconferences Allow Collaboration in Cancer Prevention, Treatment, Survivorship

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  OncoLog, Volume 63. Number 03, March 2018

  Bryan Tutt

  • Local Consolidative Therapy Plus Immunotherapy or Targeted Agents for NSCLC: Clinical trials explore surgery/radiation plus immune checkpoint or tyrosine kinase inhibitors for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer
  • INBRIEF: CAR T Cells Elicit Durable Responses in Large B Cell Lymphoma
  • Managing Opioid Use in Cancer Patients: Vigilance and interventions ensure patient safety
  • Hepatitis C Virus Linked to Head and Neck Cancers: Association of HCV with extrahepatic cancers has implications for HCV testing, treatment
  • HOUSE CALL: Understanding cancer Risk and Risk factors-Your risk factors might affect your need for cancer screening

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  OncoLog, Volume 62, Number 10, October 2017

  Sarah Bronson and Bryan Tutt

  • Organ-Sparing Therapy for Esophageal Cancer: Endoscopic surgery, ablation treat early-stage cancer, dysplasia while avoiding esophagectomy.
  • INBRIEF: Surgeons Perform Unique Allogeneic Soft Tissue Transplant Between Identical Twins
  • Advances in Breast Reconstruction: New reconstruction techniques increase breast cancer surgical options, improve cosmetic outcomes.
  • HOUSE CALL: Facing the Financial Burden of Cancer Treatment-Talking to care team, seeking out resources are important steps in managing cancer-related financial stress
  • INBRIEF: Proton Therapy plus Chemotherapy Shows Promise in Lung Cancer Trial

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  OncoLog, Volume 62, Number 02, February 2017

  Jill Deisigne-Russell, Christina Bennett, and Laura Russell

  • Fallopian Tube Removal May Reduce Ovarian Cancer Risk: Alternative approach to prophylactic surgery for women with BRCA mutations averts early menopause.
  • Highlights from the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: MD Anderson researchers present findings regarding diagnosis, staging, treatment.
  • INBRIEF: Locoregional Restaging of Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer with Mammography and Ultrasonography May Help Detect Additional Lesions
  • HOUSE CALL: Stem Cell Transplant Terms: Helpful definitions for patients and families
  • USEFUL RESOURCES: Algorithms for Managing Treatment-Related Conditions

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  OncoLog, Volume 62, Number 07, July 2017

  Joe Munch and Bryan Tutt

  • RAS Mutations and Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases: Gene mutations may have implications for local therapy for liver metastases from colorectal cancer.
  • Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer: Clinical trial may clarify which patients with prostate cancer will benefit from active surveillance rather than immediate treatment.
  • Gut Microbiome May Affect Immunotherapy Response in Melanoma: Metastatic melanoma patients who experience responses to checkpoint inhibitors have a distinct gut bacterial genetic signature.
  • HOUSE CALL: Cancer-Related fatigue-Tips for fighting fatigue

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  OncoLog, Volume 62, Number 09, September 2017

  Joe Munch and Bryan Tutt

  • Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for Spinal Metastases: Laser technique may be alternative to open surgery prior to stereotactic radiation therapy for metastases adjacent to the spinal cord.
  • Immunotherapy Plus Targeted Therapy for Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer: Trial combines atezolizumab with targeted or cytotoxic agents for patients with anaplastic or poorly differentiated thyroid cancer.
  • A New era in Follicular Lymphoma: Newly approved drugs, clinical trials represent shift from cytotoxic to targeted and immunotherapeutic agents.
  • HOUSE CALL: Understanding Clinical Trials- Trials provide access to new cancer treatments
  • INBRIEF: Repeat Surgery for Close Margins May Be Unnecessary for DCIS Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy

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  OncoLog, Volume 62, Number 11-12, November - December 2017

  Joe Munch and Bryan Tutt

  • Managing Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy: Neuromodulation, pharmacological treatments show promise against peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients.
  • Treating Tobacco Addiction: MD Anderson provides pharmacotherapy, counseling to help smokers quit plus cessation education, resources for community practitioners
  • HOUSE CALL: Smoking-Related Cancers- Cancer risks from tobacco are not limited to the lungs, but quitting reduces these risks

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  OncoLog, Volume 62, Number 05-06, May - June 2017

  Joe Munch, Bryan Tutt, and Kathryn Hale

  • Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Directed Natural Killer Cells for B Cell Malignancies: New take on an experimental therapy holds promise for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, other lymphoid cancers.
  • Preoperative Exercise Program for Pancreatic Cancer Patients: Prehabilitation regimen to improve functional status during chemotherapy evaluated in clinical trials.
  • Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Clinical Trial will evaluate immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with operable early-stage disease.
  • HOUSE CALL: Genetic Screening for Hereditary Cancer Syndromes: Genetic counseling, testing help people assess, manage cancer risk

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  OncoLog, Volume 62, Number 04, April 2017

  Bryan Tutt and Sarah Bronson

  • Advances in Surgical Management of Lymphedema: New options reduce edema in limbs, improve quality of life for cancer patients with lymphedema.
  • Noncytotoxic First-Line Therapy for Mantle Cell Lymphoma: First-line therapy with targeted and immunotherapy agents produces high response rates in mantle cell lymphoma.
  • Reports from the Survivorship Research Symposium: Research on BK virus, heart failure, and aspiration in cancer survivors.
  • HOUSE CALL: Types of Immunotherapy for Cancer: Understanding different approaches to immunotherapy

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  OncoLog, Volume 62, Number 08, August 2017

  Bryan Tutt and Sarah Bronson

  • Immunotherapy for Smoldering Myeloma: Clinical trials test PD-1, DC38 inhibitors to delay progression from premalignant disease to multiple myeloma.
  • Malignant Pheochromocytoma and Sympathetic Paraganglioma Research: Studies may expand treatment options for patients with rare neuroendocrine tumors.
  • Hypofractionated Partial-Breast Irradiation: Clinical trial tests 10-day external-beam radiation therapy regimen after lumpectomy for patients with early-stage breast cancer.
  • HOUSE CALL: Support for Cancer Patients: Patients, caregivers find many types of support from various organizations

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  OncoLog, Volume 62, Number 01, January 2017

  Bryan Tutt, Joe Munch, and Z Ahmed

  • Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy for Melanoma: Trial investigates immune checkpoint blockade in patients with respectable stage III or oligometastatic stage IV disease.
  • Radiation May Enhance Immunotherapy for Solid Tumors: Clinical Trials combine immune checkpoint inhibitors with radiation therapy against lung cancers, other solid tumors.
  • INBRIEF: Nivolumab Plus Azacitidine Shows Promise in Relapsed Acute Myelogenous Leukemia/ Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, Myelodysplastic Syndrome Study Questions Standard Exclusion Criteria for Conventional Trials
  • HOUSE CALL: Social Media Groups for Cancer Patients-Twitter chats, online groups for patients, caregivers
  • USEFUL RESOURCES: Resources to Aid Referring Physicians

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  OncoLog, Volume 62, Number 03, March 2017

  Bryan Tutt, Joe Munch, and Brandon C. Strubberg

  • Immunotherapy for Glioblastoma: Clinical trials test innovative immunotherapy approaches against brain tumors.
  • Virus-Specific T Cells Treat Posttransplant Infections: Banked T cells offer "off-the-shelf" therapy for patients with BK virus, JC virus, Cytomegalovirus infections after stem cell transplant.
  • Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy for Oropharyngeal Cancer: Clinical trial compares outcomes of intensity-modulated proton therapy, standard radiation therapy.
  • HOUSE CALL: Lung Cancer Screening-Low-dose computed tomography can detect lung cancer early

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  OncoLog, Volume 61, Number 01, January 2016

  Sarah Bronson, Bryan Tutt, and Bryan Tutt

  • Proactive Management of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome Benefits Patients: Li-Fraumeni syndromes a hereditary disorder that confers an extremely high likelihood of developing cancer on affected individuals.
  • Clinical Trial Tests High-Dose Radiation Therapy for Limited Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer: Small cell lung cancer carries a poor prognosis, even for patients without metastatic disease. But a phase III trial of high-dose daily or accelerated twice-daily thoracic radiation therapy for limited stage small cell kung cancer may lead to longer survival.
  • Reducing Complications and Hospital Readmissions after Liver Surgery: Hepatectomy carries a risk of complications that can lead to hospital readmission and even death. Even as modern surgical techniques make liver surgery safer and less invasive, a series of initiatives at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has resulted in reduced rates of complications and hospital readmission for patients who undergo hepatectomy.
  • HOUSE CALL: When Should Women Begin Breast cancer Screening?-Guidelines vary, but annual screening is best for most women 40 years and older.
  • USEFULRESOURCES: Cancer Screening and Risk reduction Algorithms.

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  OncoLog, Volume 61, Number 06, June 2016

  Jill Deisigne, Joe Munch, Kathryn Hale, and B Strubberg

  • Proton Therapy Trials May Provide More Options for Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Proton therapy offers the potential to deliver a higher radiation dose to lung tumors and a lower dose to healthy tissues than does standard radiation therapy. However, the effectiveness of proton therapy has not yet been documented in clinical trials for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common type of lung cancer. Two ongoing trials of proton therapy aim to demonstrate its effectiveness and may change the standard of care for NSCLC.
  • Innovative "Basket" Trial Shows Promise of BRAF Inhibition in Various Cancers: A groundbreaking clinical trial is demonstrating the promise of BRAF inhibition in multiple types of cancer and helping change the way researchers test treatments for cancers with actionable genetic aberrations.
  • Reducing the Likelihood of Second Primary Cancers in Cancer Survivors: Cancer survivors are at risk of not only cancer recurrence but also a second primary cancer. Their risk of a second cancer typically higher than the risk of a first cancer in the general population, but an individual survivor's risk varies by the type of initial cancer and other factors. To help cancer survivors manage the risk, the clinical services at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center include risk reduction and screening for second primary cancers.
  • HOUSE CALL: Types of Radiation Therapy and How They Are Used- Various techniques are used to treat cancer with radiation
  • USEFULRESOURCES: Breast Cancer Survivorship Course.

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  OncoLog, Volume 61, Number 09, September 2016

  Jill Delsigne-Russell, Brandon C. Strubberg, and E Nielsen

  • Transport Oncophysics Could Guide Pancreatic Cancer Treatment: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas respond poorly to standard treatments. Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center are applying the principles of physics to characterize the tumors, and these analyses could lead to individualized therapy.
  • Nivolumab Shows Potential in Treating Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal: Currently, there are no standard therapy options for patients with treatment-refractory metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCCA), but early results of a multi-institutional clinical trial (No. NCI9673) led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center show that the immunotherapy drug nivolumab may be effective against the disease.
  • Lymphedema Screening Initiative for Breast Cancer Survivors Offers Early Diagnosis, Treatment: Lymphedema can be a debilitating side effect of breast cancer treatment. To diagnose and treat the condition early, when it may be reversible, a program at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center identifies and screens patients at high risk for lymphedema.
  • HOUSE CALL: Health and Fitness Apps- Software tools can help you achieve wellness.
  • USEFULRESOURCES: HPV-Associated Cancers Course

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  OncoLog, Volume 61, Number 02, February 2016

  Joe Munch, Bryan Tutt, and C Graber

  • Overcoming Challenges in Cutaneous T Cell Lymphomas: Cutaneous T Cell lymphomas (CTCLs) not only are largely incurable but also make patients miserable with itching, burning skin and unsightly lesions. Because CTCL can resemble various benign skin conditions, many patients are diagnosed at an advanced and difficult-to-treat stage. But ongoing clinical trials may offer patients with CTCL improved treatments and better quality of life.
  • Swallowing Therapy Improves Function and Quality of Life for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: In patients with head and neck cancer, loss of swallowing function may result from radiation therapy, surgery, or the cancer itself and lead to poor health and reduced quality of life. At The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, individualized swallowing therapy programs directed by speech pathologists are helping patients maintain or recover their swallowing function during and after treatment.
  • HOUSE CALL: Common Cancer Terms-Clearly understanding medical terms helps patients, caregivers

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  OncoLog, Volume 61, Number 08, August 2016

  Joe Munch, Bryan Tutt, and E Nielsen

  • Finding a Way Forward in Parathyroid Carcinoma: Among the rarest of the rare malignancies, parathyroid carcinoma poses myriad diagnostic and treatment challenges. Owing to its extreme rarity, very little is known about the mechanisms driving parathyroid carcinoma, let alone how to target them; and survival rates have not budged in decades. However researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center are working to change this.
  • Studies Explore Screening for HPV-related Anal and Oropharyngeal Cancers: No consensus screening guidelines exist for human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers other than cervical cancer. As a step toward establishing such guidelines, studies under way or in the planning stages at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center will test various strategies for early detection of specific HPV-related cancers in populations believed to be at high risk.
  • HOUSE CALL: What You Should Know About Drug Advertisements-Prescription drug ads may not tell the whole story.

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  OncoLog, Volume 61, Number 04, April 2016

  Joe Munch, Bryan Tutt, and K Werner

  • Aggressive Multimodality Salvage Therapy for Locally Recurrent Rectal Cancer Offers Hope to Patients: For patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer, multimodality salvage therapy presents the only chance for a cure. Such therapy is offered at just a handful of specialized referral institutions, including The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
  • Rapid Assessment, Clinical Trials Could Improve Outcomes for Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Patients: Anaplastic thyroid cancer is extremely aggressive-only 20% of patients survive 1 year after their diagnosis-so patients require immediate assessment and treatment. A program at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center expedites the care of patients with this difficult-to-treat disease so that they can receive the best treatment possible, including access to clinical trials of promising new therapies.
  • HOUSE CALL: Skin Cancer Prevention-Avoiding ultraviolet rays from the sun and indoor tanning devices will help keep your skin healthy

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  OncoLog, Volume 61, Number 10, October 2016

  Laura L. Russell, Joe Munch, Bryan Tutt, and Z Ahmed

  • Preventing Postoperative Urinary Tract Infections in Cancer Patients: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) increase morbidity, mortality and health care costs and prolong hospitalizations for patients who require urinary catheters-especially those who undergo long, complex surgeries or procedures to treat urological or gynecological cancers. To reduce the incidence of UTIs, clinicians at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center developed a quality improvement program for surgical patients at the institution.
  • Study Offers a Starting Point for Testing Immunotherapy in Rectal Cancer Patients with Deficient DNA Mismatch Repair: A recent study's findings provide a starting point for assessing the efficacy of immunotherapy in rectal cancer patients with deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR).
  • More than a Third of Colorectal Cancers in Patients Age 35 Years or Younger Are Hereditary, Study Finds: More than one-third of adolescents and young adults diagnosed with Colorectal cancer have hereditary disease, according to a study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
  • Infusion of natural Killer Cells into the Brain Shows Promise against Medulloblastoma, Other Posterior Fossa Tumors: Medulloblastomas, the most common malignant brain tumors in children, are usually incurable if they recur. But a clinical trial of a novel therapy in which natural killer (NK) cells are infused directly into the brain is now enrolling young patients with recurrent medulloblastoma and other malignant tumors of the posterior fossa.
  • HOUSE CALL: Vitamin D and Cancer Prevention-Research is promising but still inconclusive.
  • Comprehensive Clinic Offers Expert Care for Hereditary Gastrointestinal Cancer Syndrome Patients, At-Risk Family Members: One valuable resource for patients with hereditary Gastrointestinal Cancer Syndrome is The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center's Familial High-Risk Gastrointestinal Cancer Clinic.

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  OncoLog, Volume 61, Number 11-12, November - December 2016

  Brandon C. Strubberg, Sarah Bronson, Stephanie Deming, and E Nielsen

  • Innovative Trial Investigates Molecular Drivers of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A new clinical trial focusing on molecular biomarkers of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is attempting to advance targeted therapy against the deadly disease.
  • Smac Mimetics Show Activity against Myelofibrosis: Not all cases of myelofibrosis respond well to ruxolitinib, the only drug approved for this disease. However, early studies indicate that a new class of drugs, Smac mimetics, can achieve a response in some patients with myelofibrosis.
  • Urothelial Cancer Subtypes Predict Treatment Response: Subtypes of urothelial cancer identified through gene expression profiling predict which patients are most likely to respond to neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy, according to research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. These findings will pave the way for a more personalized approach to treatment for urothelial cancers, including difficult-to-treat muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
  • HOUSE CALL: How Smoking Affects Appearance-Tobacco smoke causes premature aging, other cosmetic problems