Onco Acu du 10 mars 2020

	4.1 DÉP., DIAG. & PRONO. - PROSTATE
Urine test could reduce unnecessary prostate cancer biopsies [EurekAlert!] The team developed the ExoMeth test by studying urine samples collected from 197 patients. They used machine learning techniques to find which specific combination of biological markers could be useful for predicting the presence of prostate cancer.
	4.10 DÉP., DIAG. & PRONO. - POUMON
Combining smoke cessation programs with screening for lung cancer can reduce mortality [University of Michigan] Meza concluded that effective cessation interventions at the point of screening could greatly enhance the impact of LDCT screening programs and most of these great benefits won’t be realized unless lung screening uptake is improved.
	4.12 BIOPSIES LIQUIDES
Prostate cancer 'fingerprint' detected in blood sample [EurekAlert!] In the study, published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers at UCL Cancer Institute used Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to establish if they could identify prostate cancer DNA in blood plasma. Previous studies have focused on tissue samples, however this requires an invasive biopsy.
	4.15 DÉP., DIAG. & PRONO. - IMAGERIE
Cancerous tumors, surrounding cells illuminated by new imaging agent [WUSTL] The compound binds to the activated form of a protein called annexin A2, which is present in many types of solid tumors but not healthy tissue. The activated form of the protein promotes inflammation and invasiveness of these tumors, which allows the cancer to spread.
	4.2 DÉP., DIAG. & PRONO. - GÉNOME
Integrated Genomic Analysis Highlights Potential Strategy for Overcoming Some ALL Resistance [Genome Web] Among other things, the investigators found that alterations leading to lower-than-usual levels of CELSR2 were linked to lower glucocorticoid treatment response and enhanced levels of a protein called BCL2, which can be targeted by the drug venetoclax.
	4.5 DÉP., DIAG. & PRONO. - COLORECTAL
Assessment of Treatment Cost-effectiveness Using a Colorectal Cancer Mutation Profile [JAMA Network Open] We applaud the authors for the novelty of basing their findings on biological data (ie, somatic variants) rather than simply pathologic data. The use of genetic data raises the hope that, with future research, nodal status could be more accurately predicted, reducing the chances of recurrent disease (and its associated costs) when only a local therapy is administered.
	4.9 DÉP., DIAG. & PRONO. - SEIN
Breast cancer ‘breakthrough’ could end unnecessary biopsies [Pharma Times] Scientists from the Horizon2020 project SOLUS say they have developed a non-invasive, multi-modal, imaging system that uses ultrasound and light technologies to easily differentiate between benign or malignant lesions, without having to perform a biopsy.
	5.1 TRAITEMENTS - PRÉ-CLINIQUE
Could Leukemia Be Stopped Before It Starts? Researchers Aim to Find Out [Dana-Farber Cancer Institute] The researchers worked with mice that had the first hit, a mutation in the gene DNMT3A that is associated with CHIP. When they introduced the second hit, a mutation in the gene NPM1, the mice went on to develop leukemia. But if these mice were treated early with a compound called VTP-50469, the premalignant blood cells stopped multiplying and leukemia never developed. There were no apparent toxic effects.
St. Jude finds cancer drug resistance genes and possibly how to limit their effects [St. Jude Chlidren's Research Hospital] St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital scientists have discovered a gene associated with about half of glucocorticoid resistance in children with the most common pediatric cancer. Researchers have also identified a drug that may counter resistance. The research appears today in the journal Nature Cancer.
	5.10 TRAITEMENTS - ESSAIS
Inclusion of Older Adults in Cancer Clinical Trials [FDA] Draft Guidance for Industry.
FDA Encourages Inclusion of Older Patients in Cancer Trials [RAPS] FDA’s recommendations in the six-page draft guidance are broken up by development stage, with the agency giving specific recommendations for early clinical development, clinical trials and for gathering information about older patients in the postmarket setting.
Study Uncovers Bias and Stereotyping When Recruiting Patients for Clinical Trials [Wiley] New research published in CANCER reveals bias and stereotyping among clinical and research professionals who recruit patients to enroll in cancer clinical trials.
	5.12.5 IMMUNOTHÉRAPIES - PHARMA
Withdrawal of Application to Change the EU Marketing Authorisation for Nivolumab and Ipilimumab [ESMO] Intended extension of indication concerned metastatic non-small cell lung cancer that has not been previously treated.
	5.12.5.1 IMMUNOTHÉRAPIES - BIOTECH
Vasella helps Numab to CHF22M round ahead of cancer trial start [Fierce Biotech] Numab is closing in on the start of a clinical trial that will begin to show whether its approach can deliver on the promise that attracted a string of partners. The trial, which is due to start this year, will test PD-L1x4-1BBxHSA trispecific ND021 in cancer patients.
	5.2 PHARMA
BMS' Empliciti misses shot at new myeloma market with phase 3 failure [Fierce Pharma] Like other drugs, including Amgen’s Kyprolis, Empliciti is already approved alongside Rd in relapsed or refractory patients. But previously untreated patients represent the largest myeloma market, as they make up a larger group that tends to stay on therapy for longer.
Bristol Myers flunks frontline multiple myeloma trial, turning attention to cell therapy [EndPoints] For Bristol Myers Squibb, attention now turns to two alternate approaches to multiple myeloma. Another bid for Empliciti involves combining it with their PD-1 inhibitor Opdivo.
Bristol-Myers' multiple myeloma combo therapy fails study [Reuters] The combination of the company’s Empliciti, Celgene Corp’s Revlimid and common anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone failed to show statistically significant results, in comparison to a combination of Revlimid and dexamethasone.
Bristol Myers Squibb Reports Primary Results of ELOQUENT-1 Study Evaluating Empliciti (elotuzumab) Plus Revlimid (lenalidomide) and Dexamethasone in Patients with Newly Diagnosed, Untreated Multiple Myeloma [BMS] Phase 3 trial did not meet primary endpoint of progression-free survival in patients not eligible for transplant.
	5.2.6 PHARMA - BIOTECH
That was fast: 3 months after uncloaking, Zentalis guns for IPO [Fierce Biotech] The cash will be put toward developing ZN-c5, a selective estrogen receptor degrader, for the treatment of ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.
Unum racks up yet another FDA hold as it twists its way through a restructuring, looking for a fresh start with a preclinical drug [EndPoints] The troubled biotech reported that its experimental therapy ACTR707 — used in combination with rituximab in patients with CD20+ B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma — may have been responsible for a possible new malignancy.
	5.3 TRAITEMENTS - FDA, EMA,...
Addressing the potential impact of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on medicines supply in the EU [EMA] In the context of COVID-19, the group will identify and coordinate EU-wide actions to protect patients when medicines in the EU are at risk of supply shortage, e.g. due to a temporary lockdown of manufacturing sites in areas affected by COVID-19 or travel restrictions impacting shipment.
	6. LUTTE CONTRE LES CANCERS
MD Anderson implements additional restrictions due to 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) [MD Anderson Cancer Center] “Our cancer patients are uniquely vulnerable to coronavirus. For this reason, we are committing to increased workforce precautions.”
	6.6 PUBLICATIONS, POLITIQUES SCIENTIFIQUES
Publishers roll out alternative routes to open access [Science] But can they overcome free riders and concerns about higher prices?
	6.7.3 DMP
New Trump rules aim to fuel sharing of patient health records by smartphone [STAT] In a briefing with reporters, Trump’s aides essentially doubled-down on policies they first announced last March, saying they will press forward with the rules despite warnings from electronic health record companies and some hospitals that they could compromise the privacy of patient information.
	6.8 COMMUNICATION
Improving Physician Communication About Treatment Decisions [JAMA] The process of shared decision-making is difficult for many reasons, including limitations in the evidence, challenges in comparing diverse outcomes, and the time needed to have these discussions. The imbalance of “risks vs benefits” language adds to this difficulty.