On May 26, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted regular approval to ceritinib (Zykadia^®, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.) for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors are anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive as detected by an FDA-approved test.

On May 10, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval to pembrolizumab in combination with pemetrexed and carboplatin for the treatment of patients with previously untreated metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

Despite U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations, screening rates for smokers at high risk for lung cancer remain very low, according to the findings from a new study published in JAMA Oncology.
 

On April 28, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval to brigatinib for the treatment of patients with metastatic anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have progressed on or are intolerant to crizotinib.

The end of 2016 proved to be a busy and exciting time for cancer breakthroughs, seeing eight new U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals for immunotherapy and biotherapy. Following is a summary of cancer-related FDA approvals in the last quarter of 2016, indications for treatment, and associated clinical implications.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) added seven new substances to the 14th release of its Report on Carcinogens in November 2016. This brings the total number of HHS-identified carcinogens to 248.

Researchers looked at the burden of cigarette use across all U.S. states and found that the proportion of cancer deaths from smoking was highest in several Southern states, including Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Bonnie, a 70-year-old woman, arrives at the outpatient oncology clinic to learn about treatment options for stage IIB small cell lung cancer. During the intake process, Bonnie tells Daryl, an oncology nurse, that despite her new lung cancer diagnosis, she just can’t seem to find the willpower to quit smoking. What would you do?

Increasing weight during treatment may indicate early clinical benefit in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to the results of a study published in the Annals of Oncology.

Patients receiving stereotactic body radiation therapy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer who have anemia at diagnosis may be more likely to have aggressive disease with poor survival and non-local progression, according to findings from a new study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.

Researchers have found that four quality measures (neoadjuvant multiagent chemotherapy, lobectomy or greater resection, sampling of at least 10 lymph nodes, and R0 resection) are associated with longer survival in patients with stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society Cancer Statistics 2016 report, the incidence of lung cancer has decreased 38% and 13% among men and women, because of reduced tobacco use. It remains the leading cause of cancer death in older adults of both genders.

Coverage by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has recently made computed tomography (CT) lung screening access possible for many at high risk for lung cancer. Part of the National Coverage Determination requires that patients engage in a shared decision making (SDM) session with their healthcare providers before entering a CT screening program.

Lung cancer symptoms and side effects often persist in patients as they transition to the survivorship period, resulting in increased stress, poorer functional status, lower quality of life, and higher mortality. However, emerging evidence suggests that yoga can help patients with cancer and other chronic illnesses manage symptoms.