Few studies have evaluated prognostic factors among patients with multiple myeloma (MM) since new therapies have become available. Monthly zoledronic acid (ZOL) has been incorporated into many treatment regimens to reduce skeletal-related events (SREs), but outcomes among patients receiving this bisphosphonate have not been well-defined. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine baseline and on-treatment prognostic factors in these patients. Data were collected from the date of diagnosis on 300 consecutive MM patients treated with ZOL. Median duration of ZOL was 18 months (range 1-121 months). The skeletal morbidity rate was 0.116 events per patient year. Five-year overall survival (OS) was 69%. Risk factors for shortened OS included SREs, increased serum creatinine, and International Staging System (ISS) Stage II or III.
Radiation Oncologists Met With Congressional Leaders to Reverse CMS Cuts and Provide Equal Access to Care
Radiation oncologists met with Congress to urge leaders to consider how the Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposal to make significant cuts to radiation oncology facilities could be detrimental to the survival of patients with Read more…
FDA Approves Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab Combination for Early TNBC Indication
The FDA granted approval to the supplemental biologics license application (sBLA) for pembrolizumab (Keytruda) as neoadjuvant therapy for patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) when given in combination with chemotherapy followed by single-agent Read more…
Recommended TVUS Screening Thresholds May Miss Endometrial Cancer in Black Women
Adherence to current clinical guidelines for the evaluation of postmenopausal bleeding may result in systematic underdiagnosis of endometrial cancer (EC) in Black women, according to a study published online July 15 in JAMA Oncology. Kemi M. Read more…