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    Digital Sherpas Enhance Nursing Care, Patient Quality of Life
    Patient Support
    Digital Sherpas Enhance Nursing Care, Patient Quality of Life
    December 06, 2019
    Russia Fosters Oncology Nursing Professional Development With ONS, EONS Presentations at Cancer Conference
    Oncology nursing community
    Russia Fosters Oncology Nursing Professional Development With ONS, EONS Presentations at Cancer Conference
    November 19, 2019
    Nurses Must Include Palliative Care Early for Their Patients
    Palliative care
    Nurses Must Include Palliative Care Early for Their Patients
    November 08, 2019
    Shared Structure Allows Nurses to Drive the Decision-Making Process
    Shared decision making (SDM)
    Shared Structure Allows Nurses to Drive the Decision-Making Process
    November 01, 2019
    What the First Patient I Ever Cared for Taught Me About Anxiety From New Beginnings
    Oncology nurse-patient relationship
    What the First Patient I Ever Cared for Taught Me About Anxiety From New Beginnings
    October 25, 2019
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    Cancer treatments

    fda update
    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

    FDA Grants Regular Approval to Cabometyx for First-Line Treatment of Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma

    On December 19, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted regular approval to cabozantinib for treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

    December 19, 2017
    polypharmacy in the elderly
    Prescription medication

    Address the Challenge of Polypharmacy in Older Adults Undergoing Cancer Treatment

    Polypharmacy is the use of several medications simultaneously for different medical conditions. Data confirm that polypharmacy is prevalent in older adults with cancer, with one study reporting a minimum of four prescriptions to define polypharmacy. Many medications prescribed during cancer care are intended to treat other comorbid conditions that occur prior to a patient’s cancer diagnosis (e.g., heart disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, reflux disease). Reportedly, one third of individuals older than 65 years use more than one pharmacy to fill prescription medications. This can lead to further confusion for patients regarding medication management.

    December 12, 2017
    Yes, There’s a Saline Shortage, but Here’s What You Can Do About It
    Cancer treatments

    Yes, There’s a Saline Shortage, but Here’s What You Can Do About It

    Saline shortages that began late last year are now expected to continue throughout the remainder of 2014.
    November 16, 2017
    fda update
    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

    FDA Approves First Biosimilar for Cancer Treatment

    On September 14, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Mvasi (bevacizumab-awwb, Amgen Inc.) as a biosimilar to Avastin (bevacizumab, Genentech Inc.). Mvasi is the first biosimilar approved in the U.S. for the treatment of cancer.

    September 14, 2017
    Childhood Cancer Treatments
    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

    Senate Passes Bill to Focus on Childhood Cancer Treatments

    A new bill passed in the U.S. Senate last week will provide measures to ensure that drug companies are developing treatments for children with cancer. The RACE for Children Act is part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Reauthorization Act of 2017, which aims to speed up the approval process for new treatments and medical devices and is expected to be signed into law by President Trump.

    August 07, 2017
    FDA Update
    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

    FDA Approves Liposome-Encapsulated Combination of Daunorubicin-Cytarabine for Patients With AML

    On August 3, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted regular approval to a liposome-encapsulated combination of daunorubicin and cytarabine (Vyxeos™, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) for the treatment of adults with newly-diagnosed therapy-related AML (t-AML) or AML with myelodysplasia-related changes (AML-MRC), two types of AML having a poor prognosis.

    August 03, 2017
    hematopoietic stem cell transplant care
    Advanced practice nursing (APN)

    Safely Provide Outpatient Care to Patients Receiving Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantations

    High-dose chemotherapy with hematopoietic stem cell support is a well-established treatment for many hematologic malignancies. This treatment can be a difficult journey for patients and families. Historically, patients have been treated in a traditional hospital setting in anticipation of severe side effects, including mucositis, febrile neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and pulmonary, renal, and hepatic complications. Patients can remain profoundly immunosuppressed for months while recovering from transplant. However, better supportive care in recent years has allowed many centers to move all or a portion of their transplant care into an outpatient setting.

    August 03, 2017
    immunotherapy for cancer treatment
    Immunotherapy

    How the Evolution of Immunotherapy Will Impact Oncology Nurses

    Immunotherapy is one of the fastest-evolving areas of oncology to date. Previously, it could take years for some cancers to see new treatment options; today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is approving new immuno-oncology agents or new indications for those agents every few weeks. It’s a boon and a challenge to medical professionals. On the one hand, potentially life-changing treatments are making way to patients who need them—patients who have exhausted first-line treatments and now have limited options. On the other hand, healthcare professionals may struggle to stay current with the emerging trends, cutting-edge science, and evolving treatment plans for their patients.

    June 01, 2017
    FDA Update
    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

    FDA Approves Midostaurin for FLT3-Positive Adult AML, Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis

    On April 28, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved midostaurin for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are FLT3 mutation-positive (FLT3+), as detected by an FDA-approved test, in combination with standard cytarabine and daunorubicin induction and cytarabine consolidation.

    April 28, 2017
     Fraudulent Cancer Treatments
    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

    FDA Issues Warnings to Fraudulent Cancer Treatment Companies

    On April 25, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warning letters to 14 companies that were selling fraudulently marketed products claiming to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure cancer. In total, the companies produced more than 65 products that have been sold in the United States without FDA approval.

    April 26, 2017
    FDA Approves Nivolumab
    Cancer treatments

    FDA Approves Nivolumab for Advanced or Metastatic Bladder Cancer

    On February 2, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval to nivolumab for treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with a platinum-containing chemotherapy.

    February 02, 2017
    Cancer treatments

    Combination Therapy Shows Promise for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

    January 18, 2017
    Cancer treatments

    Combination Therapy Shows Promise for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

    According to the results of a new study published in Science Translational Medicine, a combination regimen consisting of a BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor and a B-cell lymphoma 2 inhibitor may one day result in a cure for chronic myeloid leukemia.
    January 03, 2017
    nurse reviewing x-ray
    Cancer treatments

    Combination Therapy Shows Promise for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

    According to the results of a new study published in Science Translational Medicine, a combination regimen consisting of a BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor and a B-cell lymphoma 2 inhibitor may one day result in a cure for chronic myeloid leukemia.

    January 03, 2017
    Cancer treatments

    FDA Approves Nivolumab for Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

    On November 10, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved nivolumab (Opdivo® injection, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company), for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with disease progression on or after a platinum-based therapy.
    November 10, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    FDA Approves Pembrolizumab for Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

    On October 24, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pembrolizumab (Keytruda®, Merck & Co., Inc.) for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 as determined by an FDA-approved test.
    October 25, 2016
    Breast cancer

    Sentinel Node Dissection Sufficient for Localized Breast Cancer

    Researchers have found no significant difference in five-year locoregional recurrence or survival in women with T1/2N0M0 breast cancer who received sentinel node dissection and axillary lymph node dissection compared to sentinel node dissection only.
    October 25, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    FDA Approves Olaratumab for Soft Tissue Sarcoma

    On October 19, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to olaratumab (Lartruvo™, Eli Lilly and Company) for the treatment of patients with soft tissue sarcoma not amenable to curative treatment with radiotherapy or surgery and with a histologic subtype for which an anthracycline-containing regimen is appropriate.
    October 20, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    FDA Approves Atezolizumab for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

    On October 18, 2016, FDA approved atezolizumab (TECENTRIQ, Genentech Oncology) for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease progressed during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving atezolizumab.
    October 19, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    FDA Modifies Use of Erlotinib in NSCLC, Used Only in Patients With EGFR Tumor Mutations

    On October 18, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration modified the indication for erlotinib (TARCEVA, Astellas Pharm Global Development Inc.) for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to limit use to patients whose tumors have specific epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations.
    October 19, 2016
    Oncology nurse talking with patient
    Cancer treatments

    Is Scalp Cooling the Right Decision for Your Patients?

    Because chemotherapy-induced alopecia is one of the most distressing side effect of chemotherapy, nurses are integral to preparing patients to confront it. In the past, patients didn’t have many options for hair-loss prevention. With new advances in scalp cooling technology for patients with breast cancer, hair loss prevention may be a possibility.
    September 21, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    Inotuzumab Ozogamicin May Improve Survival in ALL

    Researchers have found that a monoclonal antibody called inotuzumab ozogamicin may help more patients with refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) proceed to stem cell transplantation. The findings were reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.
    September 20, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    Does the Sequence of Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Agents Matter?

    Sequencing of cancer treatment regimens is based on multiple factors, including the pharmacokinetic properties of the agents in the regimen and their effectiveness based on cell-cycle specificity. Because of potential interactions and effects, some regimens have critically important administration sequencing.
    August 18, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    Poliovirus May Be Key to Treating Glioblastoma

    A phase I study has shown that a small group of patients with recurrent glioblastoma who received treatment with a modified form of poliovirus showed survival improvement over historical controls. The findings, which were not peer reviewed, were presented at the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting.
    August 16, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    Pembrolizumab Associated With Long-Term Survival in Advanced Melanoma

    A new study has shown that 40% of patients with previously treated advanced melanoma were alive at three years’ follow-up after initiating treatment with pembrolizumab. The results were presented at the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting.
    August 09, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    FDA Approves Pembrolizumab for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

    On August 5, 2016, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA® injection, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.) for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
    August 08, 2016
    Cancer Lab Researcher
    Cancer treatments

    Radiotherapy Optimizes Outcomes and Quality of Life Through Interdisciplinary Care

    As the complexity of cancer treatment plans evolves, radiotherapy continues to be an integral part of many antineoplastic regimens. Not only is radiotherapy used as definitive treatment for malignant conditions, but it is also commonly used to improve the effects of surgery or chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings or as part of a combination regimen.
    August 02, 2016
    Patient and Administrator Talking
    Cancer treatments

    FDA Offers Expanded Access to Patients in Need of Treatment

    Patients who are seriously ill and have exhausted their treatment options often turn to drugs that have yet to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These investigational drugs can offer alternatives to patients who have physician approval.
    July 27, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    FDA Allows Marketing for First Nucleic Acid-Based Quantitation Test for Use During Treatment CML

    On July 22, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowed marketing of the first nucleic acid-based quantitation test for use during treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients.
    July 25, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    CDC Advises Against Using Oral Liquid Docusate

    In an update released on July 8, 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended against using oral liquid docusate for patients because it was linked an outbreak of infections caused by Burkholderia cepacia complex. As of July 18, 2016, 49 confirmed cases have been confirmed in five different states.
    July 25, 2016
    Cancer Patient and Oncology Nurse Chat
    Cancer prevention

    Promote Cancer Prevention in the Face of Cancer Treatment

    Maintaining and restoring health through the promotion of disease screening and early detection is a vital part of nursing. That role becomes no less important after a cancer diagnosis. Patients with cancer remain at risk for other malignancies, and that risk may even increase depending on treatment regimens.
    July 05, 2016
    Nurse and patient conversation
    Cancer treatments

    Checkpoint Inhibitors May Cause Pseudoprogression and Dose-Limiting Side Effects

    Immunotherapy agents, such as checkpoint inhibitors, are gaining popularity and press in cancer care. The agents block pathways used to slow immune activity, taking the brakes off the immune system so killer T cells stay in action and increase cancer cell death. Side effects often mimic autoimmune activity as the immune system stays in overdrive.
    July 05, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    Radiation Plus Chemotherapy Improves Survival From Low-Grade Gliomas

    A new study has shown that patients with grade 2 gliomas who are treated with radiation therapy plus a combination of chemotherapy have better survival than patients treated with radiation alone. The findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
    June 01, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    Proteins Targeting Tumor Microenviroment May Block Metastatic Ovarian Cancer Growth

    Although some patients can be treated with surgery and chemotherapy, eventually most metastatic ovarian cancers become resistant to treatment. New options are needed for patients with advanced ovarian cancer.
    May 24, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    FDA Approves Atezolizumab in Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma

    On May 18, 2016, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration gave accelerated approval to atezolizumab injection (Tecentriq™, Genentech, Inc.) for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy. Atezolizumab is a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) blocking antibody.
    May 18, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    Low-Dose Metformin May Reduce Risk of Colorectal Adenomas

    In patients who have undergone endoscopic polypectomy, subsequent treatment with low-dose metaformin, a diabetes drug, may reduce the risk of metachronous colorectal adenomas and polyps, according to a new study reported in Lancet Oncology.
    May 03, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    New Treatment Approach May Be Effective for Aggressive Ovarian Cancer

    Approximately 80% of ovarian cancers are classified as a high-grade serous subtype. Because of this, long-term survival rates are usually low. Researchers in a new study have found a treatment approach that may offer promise for this form of ovarian cancer.
    April 26, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    FDA Approves Venetoclax for CLL

    On April 11, 2016, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration approved venetoclax (VENCLEXTA™ tablets, marketed by AbbVie, Inc. and Genentech USA, Inc.) for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with 17p deletion, as detected by an FDA-approved test, who have received at least one prior therapy.
    April 11, 2016
    Oncology patient with multiple myeloma
    Cancer treatments

    Multiple Myeloma Is Incurable but Treatable

    This content was developed by ONS, Beth Faiman, PhD, CNP, and Kimberly Noonan, NP, and is sponsored by Amgen. Faiman and Noonan received no payment for their participation.

    April 05, 2016
    Test tubes filled with a clear liquid
    Biotherapy

    Biosimilar Treatments Have Practice Implications

    As biosimilars continue to gain popularity in cancer care, healthcare workers should be prepared to see them in their practice. Here’s what you need to know about this newer drug product.
    April 05, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    FDA Approves Defibrotide Sodium for Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease

    On March 30, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Defitelio® (defibrotide sodium, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with hepatic veno-occlusive disease, also known as sinusoidal obstructive syndrome, with renal or pulmonary dysfunction following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
    March 31, 2016
    Oncology nurses discusses double masectomy
    Breast cancer

    More Women Are Having Double Mastectomies, AHRQ Finds

    In a February blog post, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) posed and answered some serious questions about breast cancer treatment and national trends.
    March 15, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    FDA Approves Crizotinib for ROS1-Positive Lung Cancer

    On March 11, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved crizotinib capsules (Xalkori®, Pfizer, Inc.) for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors are ROS1-positive. Crizotinib was first approved in 2011 for the treatment of patients whose tumors are anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive.
    March 11, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    FDA Approves New Indication for Everolimus

    On February 26, 2016, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration approved everolimus (Afinitor® , Novartis) for the treatment of adult patients with progressive, well-differentiated non-functional, neuroendocrine tumors (NET) of gastrointestinal (GI) or lung origin with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic disease.
    February 26, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    FDA Approves New Indication for Obinutuzumab

    On February 26, 2016, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration approved obinutuzumab (Gazyva® Injection, Genentech, Inc.) for use in combination with bendamustine followed by obinutuzumab monotherapy for the treatment of patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) who relapsed after, or are refractory to, a rituximab-containing regimen. Obinutuzumab was previously approved for use in combination with chlorambucil for the treatment of patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

    February 26, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    FDA Approves New Indication for Palbociclib

    On February 19, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved palbociclib (Ibrance® capsules, Pfizer, Inc.) in combination with fulvestrant for the treatment of women with hormone receptor- (HR-) positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2- (HER2-) negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer with disease progression following endocrine therapy.
    February 22, 2016
    Oncology nurses discuss Oral BRAF Inhibitor
    Cancer treatments

    Oral BRAF Inhibitor Effective for Refractory Hairy Cell Leukemia

    A new study has reported that the oral BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib is effective in treating patients with relapsed or refractory hairy cell leukemia.
    February 09, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    FDA Approves Eribulin for Advanced or Metastatic Liposarcoma

    On January 28, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved eribulin (Halaven® injection, Eisai Co., Ltd.) for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic liposarcoma who have received a prior anthracycline-containing regimen.
    January 28, 2016
    Apsirin post-diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancer
    Cancer treatments

    Aspirin Post-Diagnosis for Gastrointestinal Cancer Linked to Improved Survival

    Researchers studying 14,000 patients with gastrointestinal cancer in the Netherlands have found that patients who took aspirin following their diagnosis were twice as likely to be alive after four years as those who did not take the drug.
    January 26, 2016
    Cancer treatments

    FDA Approves New Ofatumumab Indication

    On January 19, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved ofatumumab (Arzerra® Injection, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation) for extended treatment of patients who are in complete or partial response after at least two lines of therapy for recurrent or progressive chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Ofatumumab was previously approved for the treatment of previously untreated patients with CLL for whom fludarabine-based therapy was considered inappropriate and also for patients with CLL refractory to fludarabine and alemtuzumab.
    January 19, 2016
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