New Insights in Cancer Care Shared at Annual Oncology Update 2024
Article Summary
- Experts from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center discussed new developments, drugs and treatments for a variety of cancers at Annual Oncology Update 2024.
- Dr. Mario Bilusic shared phase 3 prostate cancer data, focusing on the PEACE-3 study, a trial for patients with advanced prostate cancer.
- Dr. Elisa Krill-Jackson presented updates in HER2+ treatments focused on breast cancer patients with brain cancer metastases.
Oncologists from the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers throughout Florida debated controversial treatments and shared practical insights from new data in blood, lung, gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Annual Oncology Update 2024.
Experts from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, joined speakers from Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute, Mayo Clinic and University of Florida Health to discuss new developments, drugs and treatments for a variety of cancers.
The meeting summarizes major updates in oncology, according to Marijo Bilusic, M.D., Ph.D., genitourinary medical oncology lead at Sylvester and professor of clinical medicine at the Miller School.
“It is especially valuable for busy people who cannot travel to multiple meetings or keep up with the literature. Everything is summarized,” Dr. Bilusic said.
Cancer treatment in practice often differs from what is outlined on paper. Patients can experience unanticipated symptoms, interventions may require intricate coordination of care and treatments may not yet be fully understood by patients, according to Cindy Pabon, M.D., a gastrointestinal medical oncologist and assistant lead of GI Cancer Clinical Research at Sylvester and Miller School assistant professor of medical oncology.
“Oncology Update meetings enable physicians and health care providers to stay informed about various tumor types while fostering discussions about the challenges our patients may face,” Dr. Pabon said.
Hormone-resistant Prostate Cancer
Dr. Bilusic shared phase 3 prostate cancer data recently presented at ESMO Congress 2024.
He focused on the PEACE-3 study, a trial for patients with advanced prostate cancer. This trial compares a group on hormone tablets alone with a group on a combination of hormone tablets and a radioactive substance.
The latest trial showed improvement in median, progression-free survival from 16.4 to 19.4 months. The majority of patients completed all six cycles, with none of the major side effects that were noted in a previous trial that was terminated.
The publication of the full study is pending, and Dr. Bilusic said these preliminary results look promising.
HER2+ Treatments for Brain Cancer
Elisa Krill-Jackson, M.D., a Sylvester hematologist and oncologist and associate director of community outreach for women’s health at UHealth in Aventura, Fla., presented updates in HER2+ treatments focused on breast cancer patients with brain cancer metastases.
“The recent study on fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan in patients with brain metastases showed remarkable efficacy in treating brain metastases,” Dr. Krill said. “The average progression-free survival at a year was more than 60%—a marked improvement over the recent HER2CLIMB regimen.”
Gastric Cancer
In a gastric cancer presentation, Dr. Pabon noted Miami-Dade County’s age-adjusted incidence, which is higher than the state of Florida.
“Globally, there is also a significant prevalence of stomach cancer among Hispanics,” Dr. Pabon said.
Dr. Pabon helped attendees refine a comprehensive approach to gastric cancer treatment. She also addressed the newly approved zolbetuximab, a claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2)-directed cytolytic antibody, with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy.
“Cancer care is a team sport,” said Gilberto Lopes, M.D., professor and chief of the Division of Medical Oncology at the Miller School and medical director of clinical affairs and associate director of Sylvester. “This meeting brought us together to not only share important information but also brainstorm about how each of us can go back to our clinics or cancer centers and help every person living with cancer under our care now and in the future.”
Tags: brain cancer, breast cancer, cancer research, Dr. Gilberto Lopes, gastric cancer, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center