When my mother died 10 years ago, I found an index card on which she had written a saying she titled “A High Calling.” It described parents’ important role in raising the next generation, their children. That message also applies to the preparation of the next generation of a profession, such as oncology nursing—beyond formal prelicensure education.
On August 2, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval to afamitresgene autoleucel (Tecelra®), a melanoma-associated antigen A4 (MAGE-A4)–directed genetically modified autologous T-cell immunotherapy, for adults with unresectable or metastatic synovial sarcoma who have received prior chemotherapy, are HLA-A*02:01P, -A*02:02P, -A*02:03P, or -A*02:06P positive and whose tumor expresses the MAGE-A4 antigen as determined by FDA-approved or -cleared companion diagnostic devices.
On August 1, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved dostarlimab-gxly (Jemperli) with carboplatin and paclitaxel, followed by single-agent dostarlimab-gxly, for adult patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer (EC). Dostarlimab-gxly previously was approved with carboplatin and paclitaxel, followed by single-agent dostarlimab-gxly, for primary advanced or recurrent EC that is mismatch repair deficient or microsatellite instability-high.
Increasing clinical study enrollment of participants from historically underrepresented populations helps improve the quality of data used to approve a medical product, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in a June 2024 press release. To achieve that goal, the agency released draft guidance for medical product sponsors to submit required diversity action plans for phase III and other types of clinical trials.
Over the past two decades, the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer has dramatically evolved with the introduction of targeted therapies and immunotherapy. These advancements require predictive molecular tests to determine which treatments are suitable for patients. Biomarker testing has become vital in lung cancer care, enabling personalized diagnosis and treatment by identifying specific genetic variants.
Basing lung cancer screening eligibility decisions on pack-year history misses about 27% of Black patients and 8% of White patients who should otherwise qualify for screening, researchers reported in study findings published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. They found that total smoking duration history was a more accurate indicator of individuals who should be offered lung cancer screening.
On July 30, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj (Darzalex Faspro®) in combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone for induction and consolidation in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are eligible for autologous stem cell transplantations.
Mrs. Brown (she/her) is a 70-year-old assigned female at birth with a history of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with central nervous system involvement. She received axicabtagene ciloleucel and tolerated the immune effector cell infusion.
On July 10, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated the Medical Device Shortages List to include blood culture media bottles (product code MDB). It also sent a letter to healthcare providers indicating that it is aware that the United States is experiencing interruptions in the supply of BD BACTEC blood culture media bottles because of recent supplier issues. The FDA said that the supply disruption is expected to affect patient diagnosis, follow-up patient management, and antimicrobial stewardship efforts.
Ending cancer as we know it doesn’t stop at U.S. borders. Truly transforming the burden of cancer around the world requires shared vision and action, participants said during the July 2024 White House Africa Cancer Forum.