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CHICAGO – Pairing the immune checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab and ipilimumab delivered deep and durable responses in patients with advanced metastatic melanoma, producing a 2-year overall survival rate of 79% among 53 patients.

"These are remarkable data even for a trial of this size in metastatic melanoma," noted Dr. Mario Sznol, a professor of medical oncology at Yale University, New Haven, Conn.

In a video interview at the annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, Dr. Sznol discusses the study results, and he outlines how combinations of new agents with older treatments such as interferon and interleukin-2 may be used in the future.

CHICAGO – Pairing the immune checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab and ipilimumab delivered deep and durable responses in patients with advanced metastatic melanoma, producing a 2-year overall survival rate of 79% among 53 patients.

"These are remarkable data even for a trial of this size in metastatic melanoma," noted Dr. Mario Sznol, a professor of medical oncology at Yale University, New Haven, Conn.

In a video interview at the annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, Dr. Sznol discusses the study results, and he outlines how combinations of new agents with older treatments such as interferon and interleukin-2 may be used in the future.

CHICAGO – Pairing the immune checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab and ipilimumab delivered deep and durable responses in patients with advanced metastatic melanoma, producing a 2-year overall survival rate of 79% among 53 patients.

"These are remarkable data even for a trial of this size in metastatic melanoma," noted Dr. Mario Sznol, a professor of medical oncology at Yale University, New Haven, Conn.

In a video interview at the annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, Dr. Sznol discusses the study results, and he outlines how combinations of new agents with older treatments such as interferon and interleukin-2 may be used in the future.

CHICAGO – Advanced melanoma therapy – a field notorious for offering patients few drugs and little chance of survival – may be on the brink of an extraordinary transformation.

"There’s truly a revolution going in the immunotherapy of melanoma," explained Dr. Steven O’Day of the Beverly Hills (Calif.) Cancer Center.

In a video interview at the annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, Dr. O’Day reviews the rapid developments in melanoma treatment options and the shift from a "nuclear bomb" approach to a more-targeted "cruise missile" mindset. He also highlights the parallels between the exceptional advances made in childhood leukemia treatment and new melanoma treatments such as ipilimumab and PD-1 inhibitors, and he discusses the new drugs’ ability to overcome a phenomenon that often defeats chemotherapy: cancer cell resistance.

CHICAGO – Advanced melanoma therapy – a field notorious for offering patients few drugs and little chance of survival – may be on the brink of an extraordinary transformation.

"There’s truly a revolution going in the immunotherapy of melanoma," explained Dr. Steven O’Day of the Beverly Hills (Calif.) Cancer Center.

In a video interview at the annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, Dr. O’Day reviews the rapid developments in melanoma treatment options and the shift from a "nuclear bomb" approach to a more-targeted "cruise missile" mindset. He also highlights the parallels between the exceptional advances made in childhood leukemia treatment and new melanoma treatments such as ipilimumab and PD-1 inhibitors, and he discusses the new drugs’ ability to overcome a phenomenon that often defeats chemotherapy: cancer cell resistance.

CHICAGO – Advanced melanoma therapy – a field notorious for offering patients few drugs and little chance of survival – may be on the brink of an extraordinary transformation.

"There’s truly a revolution going in the immunotherapy of melanoma," explained Dr. Steven O’Day of the Beverly Hills (Calif.) Cancer Center.

In a video interview at the annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, Dr. O’Day reviews the rapid developments in melanoma treatment options and the shift from a "nuclear bomb" approach to a more-targeted "cruise missile" mindset. He also highlights the parallels between the exceptional advances made in childhood leukemia treatment and new melanoma treatments such as ipilimumab and PD-1 inhibitors, and he discusses the new drugs’ ability to overcome a phenomenon that often defeats chemotherapy: cancer cell resistance.

CHICAGO – Results from a phase I study of investigational PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab may point the way toward higher treatment response rates and less toxicity in patients with advanced metastatic melanoma.

Of 411 patients who took pembrolizumab, 1-year overall survival was 69%, and 88% of patients who had a treatment response continued to have a response at 1 year, reported Dr. Antoni Ribas, professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.

In a video interview at the annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, Dr. Ribas discussed the study results and explained how PD-1 antibodies help the immune system recognize and mount a more potent T-cell–mediated defense against melanoma.

CHICAGO – Results from a phase I study of investigational PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab may point the way toward higher treatment response rates and less toxicity in patients with advanced metastatic melanoma.

Of 411 patients who took pembrolizumab, 1-year overall survival was 69%, and 88% of patients who had a treatment response continued to have a response at 1 year, reported Dr. Antoni Ribas, professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.

In a video interview at the annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, Dr. Ribas discussed the study results and explained how PD-1 antibodies help the immune system recognize and mount a more potent T-cell–mediated defense against melanoma.

CHICAGO – Results from a phase I study of investigational PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab may point the way toward higher treatment response rates and less toxicity in patients with advanced metastatic melanoma.

Of 411 patients who took pembrolizumab, 1-year overall survival was 69%, and 88% of patients who had a treatment response continued to have a response at 1 year, reported Dr. Antoni Ribas, professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.

In a video interview at the annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, Dr. Ribas discussed the study results and explained how PD-1 antibodies help the immune system recognize and mount a more potent T-cell–mediated defense against melanoma.

DALLAS – Sufficient vitamin D levels – serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations greater than 80 nmol/L – appeared to protect against edema of the retinal nerve fiber layer in a prospective cohort study of patients with acute optic neuritis.

An adequate vitamin D level also protected against thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) ganglion cell layer and other poor outcomes after 6 months in the study of 49 patients (some of whom had multiple sclerosis), according to researchers at the University of Calgary (Alta.).

The team correlated vitamin D levels with optical coherence tomography findings. Vitamin D is known to have anti-inflammatory effects, so it’s the chronic benefit that was surprising, lead investigator Dr. Jodie Burton explained at a meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis.

It’s just one more reason that it’s a good idea to check vitamin D levels, and supplement them if necessary, Dr. Burton said.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

DALLAS – Sufficient vitamin D levels – serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations greater than 80 nmol/L – appeared to protect against edema of the retinal nerve fiber layer in a prospective cohort study of patients with acute optic neuritis.

An adequate vitamin D level also protected against thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) ganglion cell layer and other poor outcomes after 6 months in the study of 49 patients (some of whom had multiple sclerosis), according to researchers at the University of Calgary (Alta.).

The team correlated vitamin D levels with optical coherence tomography findings. Vitamin D is known to have anti-inflammatory effects, so it’s the chronic benefit that was surprising, lead investigator Dr. Jodie Burton explained at a meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis.

It’s just one more reason that it’s a good idea to check vitamin D levels, and supplement them if necessary, Dr. Burton said.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

DALLAS – Sufficient vitamin D levels – serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations greater than 80 nmol/L – appeared to protect against edema of the retinal nerve fiber layer in a prospective cohort study of patients with acute optic neuritis.

An adequate vitamin D level also protected against thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) ganglion cell layer and other poor outcomes after 6 months in the study of 49 patients (some of whom had multiple sclerosis), according to researchers at the University of Calgary (Alta.).

The team correlated vitamin D levels with optical coherence tomography findings. Vitamin D is known to have anti-inflammatory effects, so it’s the chronic benefit that was surprising, lead investigator Dr. Jodie Burton explained at a meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis.

It’s just one more reason that it’s a good idea to check vitamin D levels, and supplement them if necessary, Dr. Burton said.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

DALLAS – Plasma exchange, or PLEX, is a type of therapeutic apheresis that has been shown to be effective for acute attacks of demyelinating disease, but it’s not to be used for treatment of chronic or progressive multiple sclerosis.

Dr. Brian G. Weinshenker, professor of neurology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minn., summarized the current evidence and indications for plasma exchange in individuals with multiple sclerosis or neuromyelitis optica and shared a few practice tips at a meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis. 

For the latest guidelines, visit the American Academy of Neurology and the American Society for Apheresis.

nmiller@frontlinemedcom.com On Twitter @naseemsmiller

DALLAS – Plasma exchange, or PLEX, is a type of therapeutic apheresis that has been shown to be effective for acute attacks of demyelinating disease, but it’s not to be used for treatment of chronic or progressive multiple sclerosis.

Dr. Brian G. Weinshenker, professor of neurology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minn., summarized the current evidence and indications for plasma exchange in individuals with multiple sclerosis or neuromyelitis optica and shared a few practice tips at a meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis. 

For the latest guidelines, visit the American Academy of Neurology and the American Society for Apheresis.

nmiller@frontlinemedcom.com On Twitter @naseemsmiller

DALLAS – Plasma exchange, or PLEX, is a type of therapeutic apheresis that has been shown to be effective for acute attacks of demyelinating disease, but it’s not to be used for treatment of chronic or progressive multiple sclerosis.

Dr. Brian G. Weinshenker, professor of neurology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minn., summarized the current evidence and indications for plasma exchange in individuals with multiple sclerosis or neuromyelitis optica and shared a few practice tips at a meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis. 

For the latest guidelines, visit the American Academy of Neurology and the American Society for Apheresis.

nmiller@frontlinemedcom.com On Twitter @naseemsmiller

DALLAS – Patients with multiple sclerosis have likely already heard the worst about their treatment options from the Internet; they need help balancing risks and benefits.

The key is offering them options, knowing what problems need to be discussed, and monitoring treatment beyond what’s usually recommended on product labeling, said Dr. Donna Graves, an MS specialist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas. She shared her tips – and also a heads-up about alemtuzumab, which might be approved for MS as soon as this fall – at a meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

DALLAS – Patients with multiple sclerosis have likely already heard the worst about their treatment options from the Internet; they need help balancing risks and benefits.

The key is offering them options, knowing what problems need to be discussed, and monitoring treatment beyond what’s usually recommended on product labeling, said Dr. Donna Graves, an MS specialist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas. She shared her tips – and also a heads-up about alemtuzumab, which might be approved for MS as soon as this fall – at a meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

DALLAS – Patients with multiple sclerosis have likely already heard the worst about their treatment options from the Internet; they need help balancing risks and benefits.

The key is offering them options, knowing what problems need to be discussed, and monitoring treatment beyond what’s usually recommended on product labeling, said Dr. Donna Graves, an MS specialist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas. She shared her tips – and also a heads-up about alemtuzumab, which might be approved for MS as soon as this fall – at a meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

DALLAS – Vaccinations are beneficial for individuals with multiple sclerosis because they help avoid infections, which in turn lower the risk of relapse.

But while inactive vaccines are considered safe for MS patients, the use of live vaccines such as Varivax, Zostavax, or yellow fever vaccine is more nuanced, especially as more disease-modifying therapies (DMT) become available. There are limited data available about the effect of live vaccines on patients who are on DMTs, and the final decision comes down to the risk-benefit ratio, said, Dr. Patricia K. Coyle, professor of neurology and director of the MS Comprehensive Care Center at Stony Brook (N.Y.) University Medical Center.

In a video interview at a meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, Dr. Coyle summarizes what’s known so far about vaccines and MS, and provides tips to clinicians.

nmiller@frontlinemedcom.com

On Twitter @naseemmiller

DALLAS – Vaccinations are beneficial for individuals with multiple sclerosis because they help avoid infections, which in turn lower the risk of relapse.

But while inactive vaccines are considered safe for MS patients, the use of live vaccines such as Varivax, Zostavax, or yellow fever vaccine is more nuanced, especially as more disease-modifying therapies (DMT) become available. There are limited data available about the effect of live vaccines on patients who are on DMTs, and the final decision comes down to the risk-benefit ratio, said, Dr. Patricia K. Coyle, professor of neurology and director of the MS Comprehensive Care Center at Stony Brook (N.Y.) University Medical Center.

In a video interview at a meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, Dr. Coyle summarizes what’s known so far about vaccines and MS, and provides tips to clinicians.

nmiller@frontlinemedcom.com

On Twitter @naseemmiller

DALLAS – Vaccinations are beneficial for individuals with multiple sclerosis because they help avoid infections, which in turn lower the risk of relapse.

But while inactive vaccines are considered safe for MS patients, the use of live vaccines such as Varivax, Zostavax, or yellow fever vaccine is more nuanced, especially as more disease-modifying therapies (DMT) become available. There are limited data available about the effect of live vaccines on patients who are on DMTs, and the final decision comes down to the risk-benefit ratio, said, Dr. Patricia K. Coyle, professor of neurology and director of the MS Comprehensive Care Center at Stony Brook (N.Y.) University Medical Center.

In a video interview at a meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, Dr. Coyle summarizes what’s known so far about vaccines and MS, and provides tips to clinicians.

nmiller@frontlinemedcom.com

On Twitter @naseemmiller

DALLAS – It might come as a surprise to learn how many good studies there are to support marijuana for multiple sclerosis, especially for subjective symptoms. The data are summarized in recent MS complementary and alternative medicine guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology.

But most of those studies were done using standardized products not available in the United States, which means that U.S. providers have to give advice in a country in which marijuana types and products vary considerably. It comes down to a case-by-case approach, Dr. Allen C. Bowling of the Colorado Neurological Institute, Englewood, explained in a video interview at a meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

DALLAS – It might come as a surprise to learn how many good studies there are to support marijuana for multiple sclerosis, especially for subjective symptoms. The data are summarized in recent MS complementary and alternative medicine guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology.

But most of those studies were done using standardized products not available in the United States, which means that U.S. providers have to give advice in a country in which marijuana types and products vary considerably. It comes down to a case-by-case approach, Dr. Allen C. Bowling of the Colorado Neurological Institute, Englewood, explained in a video interview at a meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

DALLAS – It might come as a surprise to learn how many good studies there are to support marijuana for multiple sclerosis, especially for subjective symptoms. The data are summarized in recent MS complementary and alternative medicine guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology.

But most of those studies were done using standardized products not available in the United States, which means that U.S. providers have to give advice in a country in which marijuana types and products vary considerably. It comes down to a case-by-case approach, Dr. Allen C. Bowling of the Colorado Neurological Institute, Englewood, explained in a video interview at a meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

CHICAGO – Women with breast cancer and bone metastasis can safely scale back the frequency of their zoledronic acid infusions from every 4 weeks to every 12 weeks without a loss in efficacy*, according to results of the phase III OPTIMIZE 2 trial.

Notably, the dreaded bisphosphonate side effect of osteonecrosis of the jaw was seen in two patients in the monthly arm, but none of those in the every-3-month treatment arm.

The findings apply only to breast cancer patients who’ve completed at least 1 year of monthly zoledronic acid therapy, according to study author Dr. Gabriel N. Hortobagyi, a professor of medicine at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.

In an interview with us at the 50th anniversary of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, this past ASCO president said that the findings from this late-breaking abstract study will have implications for the costs of cancer care and possibly for patients with other cancers.

Dr. Hortobagyi reported consultant or advisory roles and research funding with Novartis, the study sponsor. Several coauthors are employees of or have leadership positions with Novartis.

pwendling@frontlinemedcom.com

Correction, 5/31/2014: An earlier version of this article misstated the duration of their zoledronic acid infusion treatments.

CHICAGO – Women with breast cancer and bone metastasis can safely scale back the frequency of their zoledronic acid infusions from every 4 weeks to every 12 weeks without a loss in efficacy*, according to results of the phase III OPTIMIZE 2 trial.

Notably, the dreaded bisphosphonate side effect of osteonecrosis of the jaw was seen in two patients in the monthly arm, but none of those in the every-3-month treatment arm.

The findings apply only to breast cancer patients who’ve completed at least 1 year of monthly zoledronic acid therapy, according to study author Dr. Gabriel N. Hortobagyi, a professor of medicine at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.

In an interview with us at the 50th anniversary of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, this past ASCO president said that the findings from this late-breaking abstract study will have implications for the costs of cancer care and possibly for patients with other cancers.

Dr. Hortobagyi reported consultant or advisory roles and research funding with Novartis, the study sponsor. Several coauthors are employees of or have leadership positions with Novartis.

pwendling@frontlinemedcom.com

Correction, 5/31/2014: An earlier version of this article misstated the duration of their zoledronic acid infusion treatments.

CHICAGO – Women with breast cancer and bone metastasis can safely scale back the frequency of their zoledronic acid infusions from every 4 weeks to every 12 weeks without a loss in efficacy*, according to results of the phase III OPTIMIZE 2 trial.

Notably, the dreaded bisphosphonate side effect of osteonecrosis of the jaw was seen in two patients in the monthly arm, but none of those in the every-3-month treatment arm.

The findings apply only to breast cancer patients who’ve completed at least 1 year of monthly zoledronic acid therapy, according to study author Dr. Gabriel N. Hortobagyi, a professor of medicine at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.

In an interview with us at the 50th anniversary of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, this past ASCO president said that the findings from this late-breaking abstract study will have implications for the costs of cancer care and possibly for patients with other cancers.

Dr. Hortobagyi reported consultant or advisory roles and research funding with Novartis, the study sponsor. Several coauthors are employees of or have leadership positions with Novartis.

pwendling@frontlinemedcom.com

Correction, 5/31/2014: An earlier version of this article misstated the duration of their zoledronic acid infusion treatments.