• S5 Ep80: What New Cancer Drugs Were Approved in 2023?
    Jan 1 2024
    In this special episode of The Vitals, we ring in the New Year 2024 by combing through 2023 FDA approvals. Listen as editor, Lindsay Fischer, recounts key approvals on a month-by-month basis. To read the full information surrounding the approvals, be sure to check out our news coverage below.  As always, thank you for listening to The Vitals, and for all the engagement in 2023. We look forward to bringing you more oncology news in 2024. We want to hear from you! Which drugs approved in 2023 have been practice changing? Have you had any difficulty or success in incorporating these novel agents into clinical use? Any challenges with supporting patients on these regimens? Email ONNeditors@mjhlifesciences.com with your feedback January  Tucatinib and Trastuzumab Combination Gains FDA Approval for RAS Wild-Type HER2+ mCRCFDA Approves Zanubrutinib for CLL/SLLAdjuvant Pembrolizumab Gets FDA Approval in NSCLC FDA Grants Pirtobrutinib Accelerated Approval for Relapsed/Refractory MCL  February  Sacituzumab Govitecan Receives Indication for Unresectable, Locally Advanced or Metastatic HR+/HER2- Breast CancerFDA Grants Regular Approval to Dostarlimab for dMMR Endometrial Cancer March  Abemaciclib Indication Expands to Include HR+, HER2–, Node+, High-Risk, Early Breast CancerFDA Approves Single-Dose Autoinjector of Biosimilar Pegfilgrastim-cbqv for Febrile NeutropeniaFDA Approves Dabrafenib With Trametinib for Pediatric BRAF V600E–Mutant Low-Grade GliomaFDA Grants Accelerated Approval to Retifanlimab for Locally Advanced Merkel Cell CarcinomaPembrolizumab Receives Full FDA Approval for Treatment of Select Patients With dMMR/MSI-H Solid Tumors April FDA Grants Accelerated Approval to Enfortumab Vedotin Plus Pembrolizumab for Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial CancerOmidubicel-onlv Gets Greenlight to Accelerate Neutrophil Recovery After Stem Cell Transplant in Hematologic MalignanciesPolatuzumab Vedotin Approved in Combination With R-CHP for Treatment-Naïve DLBCL, High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma May Cemiplimab Granted Full Approval for Metastatic Basal Cell CarcinomaEpcoritamab Obtains Accelerated Approval for Relapsed/Refractory DLBCLFDA Greenlights Avapritinib for Indolent Systemic MastocytosisFDA Approves Radiohybrid PET Diagnostic Agent Posluma for PSMA-Positive Lesions in Prostate CancerOlaparib Gains FDA Approval for BRCA+ mCRPC June Glofitamab Gains Accelerated Approval for Relapsed/Refractory DLBCLFDA Approves Talazoparib in Combination With Enzalutamide for mCRPCBlinatumomab Receives Full Approval for MRD-Positive B-Cell ALL July  Ready-to-Dilute Cyclophosphamide Injections Obtain FDA ApprovalQuizartinib Plus Chemo Gains FDA Approval for Newly Diagnosed, FLT3-ITD+ AMLFDA Approves Frontline Dostarlimab in Combination With Chemotherapy for dMMR/MSI-H Endometrial Cancer August  FDA Approves Trifluridine/Tipiracil With Bevacizumab for Metastatic Colorectal CancerPralsetinib Gains Regular Approval for NSCLC With RET Gene FusionsTalquetamab Receives Accelerated Approval for Heavily Pretreated Multiple MyelomaFDA Approves Niraparib Plus Abiraterone Acetate to Treat BRCA+ mCRPCFDA Grants Elranatamab Accelerated Approval for Relapsed or Refractory Multiple MyelomaFDA Approves Hepzato Kit for Metastatic Uveal Melanoma With Liver Metastases September FDA Approves Motixafortide Plus G-CSF to Mobilize Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Multiple MyelomaFDA Approves Momelotinib to Treat Myelofibrosis With AnemiaBosutinib Is Approved for Pediatric Ph+ CP–Chronic Myeloid Leukemia October  FDA Grants Marketing Authorization to First DNA Test to Assess Multiple Cancer PredispositionsFDA Approves Encorafenib/Binimetinib for BRAF V600E+ NSCLCFDA Approves Adjuvant Nivolumab for Stage IIB/C MelanomaPembrolizumab/Chemotherapy is Approved for Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung CancerEntrectinib Is Approved for Pediatric Patients With NTRK+ Solid TumorsFDA Approves Ivosidenib to Treat Myelodysplastic Syndromes With IDH1 MutationFDA Approves Toripalimab Regimens to Treat Adults With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma November  FDA Grants Pembrolizumab New Biliary Tract Cancer IndicationFDA Approves Fruquintinib for Patients With Pretreated Metastatic Colorectal CancerFDA Approves Repotrectinib for Adults With Advanced/Metastatic ROS1+ NSCLCPembrolizumab Is Approved for Patients With HER2– Gastric/GEJ AdenocarcinomaFDA Approves Capivasertib/Fulvestrant for Advanced/Metastatic, HR+, HER2- Breast CancerFDA Approves Enzalutamide for High-Risk Nonmetastatic Castration-Sensitive Prostate CancerFDA OKs Nirogacestat for Adults Patients With Desmoid Tumors December FDA Grants Pirtobrutinib Accelerated Approval to Treat CLL/SLL in the Third LineFDA Approves Eflornithine for Children, Adults With High-Risk NeuroblastomaFDA Approves Belzutifan for Patients With Advanced Renal Cell CarcinomaEnfortumab Vedotin Plus Pembrolizumab Snags Full Approval for Patients With Locally ...
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    10 mins
  • S5 Ep79: Finley-Oliver Talks Talquetamab and Other Later Line Multiple Myeloma Therapies
    Dec 14 2023
    In this episode of The Vitals, Beth Finley-Oliver, MSN, ARNP, AGNP-BC, a nurse practitioner who works in the outpatient hematology clinic at Moffitt Cancer Center, revisits her presentation from the 2023 JADPRO Live Annual Meeting and discusses the growing number of therapies for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

    Episode Highlights
    “A clinical trial upfront would be my first option. After that, I have to try and find something their myeloma hasn't seen yet.”

    “With CAR T, the CRS incidence is higher, and I think we're doing better [at managing it] because we have multiple interventions. We see viral infections with [both] the CAR T and the bispecifics. We always have to kind of keep that in the back of our mind.”

    “The more medications we have, the more this is turning into a chronic illness.”

     For More On Multiple Myeloma:

    • Delivering Teclistamab in the Outpatient Setting
    • Ambulation Improves Frailty Scores in Patients With Multiple Myeloma
    • With New Bispecific Antibodies in Multiple Myeloma, Nurses Need To Know How to Manage CRS


    Video Interviews

    • Managing Teclistamab-Induced CRS for Patients With Multiple Myeloma
    • Data Supporting Elranatamab Approval in Multiple Myeloma
    • Data Behind Talquetamab Approval in Multiple Myeloma

    More Podcast Episodes

    • Beth Faiman Discusses Recent Changes in Multiple Myeloma Treatment Landscape
    • ASH Data Offer Treatment Direction for Oncology Nursing Professionals
    • A Look Back at 2022 FDA Approvals in Oncology
    • Conversations Around Selinexor: Best Nursing Practices in Multiple Myeloma
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    11 mins
  • S5 Ep78: Laura Zitella Discusses the Growing Arsenal of Bispecific Antibodies in DLBCL
    Dec 1 2023
    In May 2023, the FDA granted accelerated approval to epcoritamab-bysp (Epkinly) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) DLBCL, including DLBCL arising from indolent lymphoma, and high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL), following 2 or more lines of systemic therapies. Shortly thereafter, in June 2023, the FDA granted accelerated approval to glofitamab-gxbm (Columvi) as a fixed duration treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified or large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) arising from follicular lymphoma, after 2 or more lines of systemic therapy.  In this episode of The Vitals, Laura Zitella, MS, RN, ACNP-BC, AOCN, who is a hematology nurse practitioner in the Hematology, Blood, Marrow transplant, and Cellular Therapy (HBC) program at UCSF Health and associate clinical professor in the Department of Physiological Nursing at the University of California San Francisco, joins Oncology Nursing News to discuss how these newly approved bispecific antibodies are expanding third-line treatment options for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.   Episode Highlights “Bispecific antibodies are antibodies that generally have at least 2 antigen binding sites: 1 binding site is to the antigen of interest on the cancer cell, and in lymphoma, that's often CD19, or CD20. The other antigen binding site is to CD3, which is a T-cell marker.” “Unfortunately, we do not cure all patients with second-line therapy [and] the bispecifics are used for third-line therapy, where we have historically had limited treatment options.” “One of the big advantages of bispecific antibodies is that they are ‘off-the-shelf;’ they do not need to be manufactured, and they are available immediately." “Epcoratimab is a subcutaneous [administration] bispecific antibody, whereas glofitamab is an intravenous [administration]. Both require step-up dosing, which means that you start with a small dose and then the subsequent doses are a little bit higher, and a little bit higher until you reach your treatment dose.” For More on DLBCL Glofitamab Gains Accelerated Approval for Relapsed/Refractory DLBCLEpcoritamab Obtains Accelerated Approval for Relapsed/Refractory DLBCLInvestigators Unveil Real-World Experiences on Shared Decision-Making in R/R DLBCL For More On Bispecific Antibodies With New Bispecific Antibodies in Multiple Myeloma, Nurses Need To Know How to Manage CRSNovel Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors, Bispecific Antibodies Become Clinical Mainstays in Melanoma NursingSmith Discusses Evolving Landscape of Lymphoma TreatmentsBispecific Antibodies May Change Lung Cancer Paradigm More Podcast Episodes in Hematology  Beth Faiman Discusses Recent Changes in Multiple Myeloma Treatment LandscapeOncology Nursing Stories: Off-The-Shelf CAR T Therapy for Acute Lymphoblastic LeukemiaOncology Nursing Stories: Pregnancy After Lymphoma ChemoradiationConversations Around Selinexor: Best Nursing Practices in Multiple MyelomaStephanie Jackson Unpacks Recent Advances in Leukemia Treatments
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    11 mins
  • S5 Ep77: Nicole Gay Shares How She Counsels Patients on Lung Cancer Screenings
    Nov 15 2023
    In honor of lung cancer awareness month, for this episode of The Vitals, Nicole Gay, APRN-C, joins Oncology Nursing News to share how she counsels patients about lung cancer screening. 

    Gay is a nurse practitioner at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Clinic, and a nurse navigator for the clinic’s lung cancer screening program. In the conversation, she shares how she addresses patient fears and concerns around screening, helping them feel comfortable and confident in navigating their health.

    Episode Highlights

    “Lung cancer screening, unfortunately, has a bit of a stigma around it. Part of my job is reducing that stigma, making patients feel comfortable and relaying how important screening for lung cancer really is.”

    “This is a low-dose CT scan. The amount of radiation they are getting is reduced when you compare it to a normal CT scan.”

    “We are very grateful for the change in the guidelines. It really widened the pool of patients that can be screened.”

    Online Articles

    • How I Counsel Patients About Lung Cancer Screening
    • Innovative Patient Education Strategies Continue to be Developed for Lung Cancer Screening
    • Opinion: Cancer Screenings, Although Not Perfect, Remain Valuable
    • Updates in Lung Cancer Screening Criteria Increase African American Patient Participation
    Videos

    • Johanna Garibaldi On Strengthening Cancer Prevention Tactics With Mobile Screening Clinics
    • Confidence Is Key in Oncology Nurse Navigation

    References

    1. Lung cancer: screening. US Preventive Services Task Force. March 19, 2021. Accessed August 16, 2023. https://uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/lung-cancer-screening
    2. Lung cancer screening billing guide. American Lung Association. Accessed August 30, 2023. https://www.lung.org/getmedia/bd0af1bf-1cd8-4fd0-9f8f-47e55c783448/ALA-Lung-Cancer-Screening-Billing-Guide-FINAL.pdf
    3. Cancer facts and figures 2021. American Cancer Society. Accessed August 16, 2023. https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics/all-cancer-facts-figures/cancer-facts-figures-2021.html
    4. Lung nodules. American Cancer Society. Accessed August 16, 2023. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/lung-nodules.html
    5. Lung cancer screening. Mayo Clinic. February 11, 2022. Accessed August 30, 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lung-cancer-screening/about/pac-20385024
    6. Lung cancer screening: questions for the doctor. US Department of Health & Human Services. Updated May 26, 2023. Accessed August 18, 2023. https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/doctor-visits/talking-doctor/lung-cancer-screening-questions-doctor

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    9 mins
  • S5 Ep76: ctDNA Monitoring is a Piece of the Puzzle in CRC Treatment
    Oct 31 2023
    In this episode of The Vitals, Holly Chitwood, DNP, FNP-C, AGACNP-BC, walks through a patient case with a 70-year-old male with metastatic colorectal cancer.1 His providers used circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing to monitor his minimal residual disease (MRD) levels throughout active treatment. This approach, although not currently addressed in National Comprehensive Cancer Center Guidelines, allows patients and providers to have an idea of how the treatment is working earlier compared with what imaging can usually demonstrate, she explains.

    Chitwood is an assistant professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Kentucky, as well as a practicing oncology APRN who primarily cares for patients with gastrointestinal, hepatic-biliary, and sarcoma tumors in her clinic. To read the full case study, please check out our show notes below.

    Episode Highlights

    “This is a new technology that we have. It is basically looking at what is in your blood to see how much circulating tumor DNA is floating around.”

    “In this case, and in a lot of my patients, you will see ctDNA is about, you know, anywhere from 2 to 3 months [ahead], predating what you will see on imaging.”

    “You have to be very judicious in explaining the results, especially if you have a positive result, and the patient should be included in the decision making.”

    Online Articles

    • ctDNA Continues to Emerge As A Potentially Useful Disease Monitoring Tool in CRC
    • ctDNA Makes Headway as Promising Marker for Patients With Anal Cancer and Other GI Malignancies
    • ESMO Guideline on Liquid Biopsy Address Quality Standards for Clinical Implementation
    • New Treatment Methods Launch a Shift in CRC Treatment

    Videos

    • Metastatic CRC Nursing Webinar

    Podcast

    • Terri Pollack Offers Perspective on 2023 ASCO GI Cancers Symposium
    • Overcome Screening Barriers in CRC

    References

    1. Chitwood H, Myers A. Use of circulating tumor DNA to monitor minimal residual disease among patients with colorectal cancer. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2023;27(4):369-374. doi:10.1188/23.CJON.369-374




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    14 mins
  • S4 Ep75: Racism Is Still Prevalent in Nursing
    Oct 17 2023
    In this episode of The Vitals, Patricia Jakel, RN, MN, AOCN, co–editor-in-chief with Oncology Nursing News, sits down with Quanna Batiste-Brown, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, to discuss the reality of racism in nursing. Batiste-Brown is an adjunct associate professor and Chief Nursing Officer at UCLA health.

    The pair discuss the implications of the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing, which, in 2021, published survey findings from 5,623 nurses. The findings showed that 50% of nurses feel that there is “a lot” of racism in nursing; that 63% of nurses have personally experienced racism in the workplace; and that 56% of nurses say that racism has impacted their mental health in the workplace. 

     Moreover, although 3 out of 4 nurses have witnessed racism in the workplace, 64% of those who actively challenged racism or stood up for their colleagues said their actions effected no change.

     Batiste-Brown, who is part of California ANA and helped created a workforce in her group that led to the larger ANA’s commission on nursing report, discussed the implications of racism in nursing, and offered insight in how to talk to administration and coworkers about creating an inclusive community that protects employees and promotes better patient care. 

     Episode Highlights

     “Nurses across the state were really upset and tired and wanted to do something about their own lived experiences, [and the] experiences of their patients. [They] wanted to talk about what nurses could do to affect change in racism and health equity, or the care that they are delivering and what their patients were experiencing.”

     “There is opportunity for everyone to come together to have honest conversations about how we move change forward.”

     “Be mindful of someone's mental health and be sure that they're not keeping that information inside of them, because it can be detrimental to your health to be going through something as severe as racism and not tell anyone about it.”

     Podcast Episodes

    • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Oncology Nursing Leadership
    • Championing Diversity in Nursing and Oncology

    Oncology Nursing News Articles

    • The Future of Nursing Must Be Diverse
    • Nurse Leaders Must Foster Change to Develop a Healthy Workplace Environment
    • Diversity and Inclusion Should be Valued in Leadership Roles
    • Creating a Safe Space: Preventing Bullying and Violence Among Oncology Nurses


    Video Interviews

    • Establishing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Throughout Oncology Practice
    • Starting the DEI Conversation in Oncology Nursing

    References 

    1. Our Racial Reckoning Statement. American Nurses Association. Accessed October 11, 2023. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/racism-in-nursing/RacialReckoningStatement/ 

    2. National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing. Accessed October 11, 2023. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/racism-in-nursing/national-commission-to-address-racism-in-nursing/ 






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    15 mins
  • S4 Ep74: Improving The Rate Of Accurate Inflammatory Breast Cancer Diagnoses
    Oct 2 2023
    In this episode of The Vitals, Ryan Tamargo, NP, AONCP, a nurse practitioner with the inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) program at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, talks about IBC and why it is often misdiagnosed. She discusses the launch of an online IBC Scoring System tool, which was developed through Susan G Komen, the Milburn Foundation, and the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation. According to Tamargo, this tool may prove helpful in raising awareness about this rare form of breast cancer and make it easier for primary care providers to recognize the symptoms and make the correct diagnosis. 

    Resource

    Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) Scoring System online tool

    Episode Highlights

    “What can be tricky about [IBC] is that there is sometimes no mass. The symptoms can be very progressive that it can look like an infection to primary care providers or providers in the community.” Time stamp (TS) 1:48

    “The tool can be really helpful in going step-by-step [through] what you're actually seeing, and then will give you a score at the end." TS 4:00

    “The best thing to prevent this [from] becoming metastatic is going to be treatment with chemotherapy as soon as possible.” TS 9:30

    Online Articles


    • Inflammatory Breast Cancer Is Often Missed, But May Now Be Easier to Diagnose
    • Fast Facts for the Frontline: Inflammatory Breast Cancer
    • Raising Awareness of Inflammatory Breast Cancer
    • The Argument for Better Patient-Centered Care in Oncology
    • USPSTF Suggests Lowering Breast Cancer Screening Age in Draft Recommendation

    The Vitals Podcast Episodes

    Nurse Practitioners Weigh in on Data From the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
    Video Interviews

    • Kara Morris and Christine Wylie on Oral Cryotherapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Mucositis in Breast Cancer
    • Johanna Garibaldi On Strengthening Cancer Prevention Tactics With Mobile Screening Clinics
    • Pattie Jakel Highlights the Challenges With Oral Therapies in Breast Cancer

    Reference

    Jagsi R, Mason G, Overmoyer BA, et al. Inflammatory breast cancer defined: proposed common diagnostic criteria to guide treatment and research. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2022;192(2):235-243. doi:10.1007/s10549-021-06434-x

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    10 mins
  • S4 Ep73: Heather Santone Talks Barriers to Cancer Care in Older Populations
    Sep 13 2023
    In this episode of The Vitals, Heather Santone, an oncology nurse navigator with Allegheny Health Network, shares which unique challenges nurse navigators face when caring for geriatric patients. She points out that many of these patients have difficulty securing transportation to and from their appointments, or struggle to navigate online applications or internet services. Luckily, nurse navigators can play a large role in helping patients overcome these obstacles and ensuring that patients do not fall through the system’s cracks.

    Episode Highlights

    I live in Erie; we are a smaller city. A lot of our testing has to be done in Pittsburgh. Time stamp (TS) 5:56

    Transportation is a large barrier to care for older people because [oftentimes] they have stopped driving, and they may not have the transportation. TS 7:28

    Technology is huge, because a lot of our services, like American Cancer Society’s great Road-to-Recovery program, is on an App—they give us [a 1-800] number so we can call in, but a lot of things, like Lyft goes back to an app or a computer system. TS7:37

    The nice thing about navigation is the that we are there to help prevent the gaps. For the most part, we do a really good job of keeping those gaps very small, to make sure we are trying to follow [patients] all the way through treatment so that they are not lost.” TS 10:07

    Online Articles
    • Defining and Quantifying the Oncology Nurse Navigator Role
    • Geriatric Assessments Help Guide Meaningful Cancer Treatment
    • Geriatric Assessment Rates Improve With Nurse Navigator Intervention
    • Geriatric Assessments Help Promote Comorbidity-Related Discussions in Patients With Advanced Cancer
    Video Interviews:

    • Setting Boundaries Can Be a Challenge for Nurse Navigators
    • Supriya Mohile on Lack of Representation of Geriatric Patients in Clinical Trials
    • Claire Friedman on Considerations for Older Patients Receiving Immunotherapy

    Podcast Episodes:
    • Leana Cabrera Chien and William Dale Underscore The Value of Geriatric Assessments in Optimizing Cancer Care
    • Access-Focused Care: The 4-1-1 on Oncology Phone Triage Programs
    • Preparing Nurses for the 'Silver Tsunami'
    • Behind Integrated Behavioral Health Services

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    12 mins