Blood Cancer's First New Drug in 29 Years; AI for Mammography? Phase III Myeloma Win

The FDA has approved ropeginterferon alfa-2b (Besremi) injection for treating adults with essential thrombocythemia, a chronic blood cancer, marking the first new therapy for this condition since 1997. According to a national survey, nearly 40% of men aged 55 or older have never undergone a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening test for prostate cancer.

A preliminary study of a blood test for early lung cancer detection reported a sensitivity of 94% and a negative predictive value of 97%. At Anne Arundel Medical Center in Maryland, cancer treatment patients had to reschedule appointments at other facilities following a cyberattack that disrupted computer systems. McKesson, a drug distributor and healthcare supply company, disclosed that unauthorized individuals had stolen data from its oncology, multispecialty, and medical-surgical businesses.

Researchers are exploring whether artificial intelligence can identify breast cancers not detected by mammography, questioning if this advancement truly makes a difference. The American Urological Association/Society of Urologic Oncology has updated its clinical guideline for non-invasive bladder cancer, incorporating advances in risk stratification, new bladder-preserving treatment options, and insights into biomarkers and emerging therapies.

A urine test for bladder cancer detected over 90% of cancers in nearly 1,000 patients referred for evaluation, as revealed by researchers at the University of Birmingham. A recent study published in the Medical Journal of Australia highlights that colon cancer in individuals under 50 exhibits distinct biology and survival rates compared to the disease in older patients.

In a phase III clinical trial, the bispecific antibody ivonescimab demonstrated improved overall survival compared to pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in patients with PD-L1-positive locally advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Moreover, AbbVie announced that the bispecific T-cell engager etentamig significantly enhanced response rate and progression-free survival in a phase III trial of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.