IMMUNOTHERAPY

Frederick L. Locke, MD, discusses how chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies have evolved over the last 30 years of research in the field of hematologic malignancies.

The success of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy observed in hematologic malignancies has not yet translated into the solid tumor setting; however, efforts continue to try to bring this new modality into the treatment paradigm for solid tumors, including pancreatic cancer. 

In findings presented during the 2019 AACR Annual Meeting, safety and efficacy was seen with CAR T cells targeting mesothelin-expressing tumors in a preliminary clinical evaluation in patients with malignant pleural disease.

Susan Prockop, MD, discusses an option available for the treatment of central nervous Epstein-Barr virus-positive posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease.<br /> &nbsp;

Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD, Co-Physician Editor in Chief, <em>Targeted Therapies in Oncology</em>,<em>&nbsp;</em>discusses<em>&nbsp;</em>the<em>&nbsp;</em>evolving<em>&nbsp;</em>role of immunotherapy in melanoma and non&ndash;small cell lung cancer, where by it is now the dominant therapeutic approach in these diseases in progressively earlier lines of therapy.

Less than 20% of healthcare providers feel very comfortable administering and prescribing appropriate and timely treatment to manage adverse events associated with immuno-oncology therapy, according to an independent needs assessment conducted by the ACCC IO Institute.

Consuming a diet rich in fiber could boost immunotherapy response in select patients with melanoma,&nbsp;according to early research findings.

Michael A. Postow, MD, shares advice to community oncologists on managing the side effects of immunotherapy in patients with melanoma.

To date, there is no national Medicare policy in place to provide coverage for&nbsp;CAR T-cell therapies, which have been proven to be a successful treatment for&nbsp;certain patients with relapsed/refractory cancers. Now, the&nbsp;Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services has proposed to cover CAR T-cell therapies approved by the FDA under&nbsp;&ldquo;Coverage with Evidence Development.&quot;

Lung Cancer

Arjun V. Balar, MD, discusses a few approaches for incorporating immunotherapy treatments into the frontline for patients with bladder cancer.

Ezra Cohen, MD, discusses the advancing field of immunotherapy in the treatment landscape for patients with head and neck cancers. Prior to the use of PD-1/PD-L1 blockades, which have been the most tested immunotherapy in this setting, there were little treatment options.