In oncology news, the FDA approved nivolumab (Opdivo) for the treatment of patients unresectable advanced, recurrent, or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after receiving prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy. Pegfilgrastim-apgf (Nyvepria) was also approved as a pegfilgrastim (Neulasta) biosimilar, which will help prevent infections in patients undergoing myelosuppressive chemotherapy.

In other news, data appeared promising for a combination regimen as treatment of mantle cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and another agent-induced durable responses in a subgroup of patients with non–small cell lung cancer. Another study was able to identify some molecular abnormalities in smoldering myeloma that are predictive of progression to multiple myeloma. Experts also discussed the role of genetic testing in thyroid cancer, as well as some of the top data that was presented at this year’s American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Virtual Scientific Program.

These updates and others were trending this week:

2020 ASCO Recap: Experts Reviews Most Impactful Oncology/Hematology Data

Following the 2020 ASCO Virtual Scientific Program, a group of oncology experts reviewed the most impactful data from the meeting in genitourinary, gastrointestinal, lung, gynecologic, and breast cancers, as well as hematologic malignancies. They shared their thoughts on how these data will impact the treatment landscape.

Cirmtuzumab Added to Ibrutinib Induces Responses in R/R MCL and CLL

The combination of cirmtuzumab (UC-961) plus ibrutinib (Imbruvica) induced compelling objective responses in cohorts of patients with mantle cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the phase 1b/2 clinical trial (NCT03088878).

Study Identifies Independent Predictors of Smoldering Multiple Myeloma Progression

A series of molecular abnormalities in smoldering multiple myeloma that are independent predictors of progression to multiple myeloma were accurately identified in a genomic test of bone marrow tissue, according to a study led by researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Genetic Testing Becomes Vital in Sequencing Treatments for Patients With Thyroid Cancer

The treatment landscape for thyroid cancers has been enriched by several FDA approvals of targeted therapies, which underscores the importance of genetic testing in thyroid cancer. Marcia Brose, MD, PhD, of Penn Medicine, discussed the role of genetic testing in patients with thyroid cancer and the current treatment options for these patients.

Amivantamab Generates Activity With Manageable Toxicity in EGFR Exon 20-Mutant NSCLC

Amivantamab (JNJ-61186372) induced durable responses and a manageable safety profile as treatment of patients with EGFR exon 20-mutant non–small cell lung cancer, according to results from the phase I CHRYSALIS study (NCT02609776).

ZUMA-2 Trial Demonstrates Similar Outcomes for High- and Low-Risk MCL

Michael Wang, MD, of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the pharmacological profile of KTE-X19 in patients with high- or low-risk relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma in the ZUMA-2 trial (NCT02601313).

Case-Based Peer Perspectives: A 73-Year-Old Man With Relapsed Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Danielle M. Brander, MD, remarks on the appropriateness for targeted therapy as a treatment option for a 73-year-old man with relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Special Feature: COVID-19 Update

Acalabrutinib Shows Potential as Therapeutic Strategy for Severe COVID-19

In patients with severe COVID-19, decreased inflammation and improved overall outcomes were observed with acalabrutinib (Calquence), a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is traditionally used to treat hematologic malignancies, according to findings from a 19-patient case series.

Palliative Care Collaboration With Oncology Amplifies During COVID-19 Pandemic

In an interview with Targeted Oncology, Aberdeen Mehta, MD, MPH, of the UCLA Medical Center, discussed his experiences practicing palliative care in patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic and how new care plans may continue even after the curve flattens.