FORCE's eXamining the Relevance of Articles for You (XRAY) program looks behind the headlines of cancer news to help you understand what the research means for you.
XRAY is a reliable source of hereditary cancer research-related news and information.
Learn more about the XRAY program
Categories Tumor Testing
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Study : Colorectal cancer in people with Lynch syndrome can include types of cancer found more typically in people without Lynch syndrome
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Most relevant for: People with Lynch syndrome and people with colorectal cancer who may have Lynch syndrome
When people with Lynch syndrome (LS) develop cancer, their tumors typically have a related set of features or biomarkers known as deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) and high microsatellite instability (MSI-High). However, occasionally people with Lynch syndrome have cancers that are proficient in mismatch repair (pMMR or MMR-P) and have microsatellite stability (MSS or MSI-Low) –more like the colorectal cancers found in people without Lynch syndrome. This study shows that 10 percent of people with Lynch syndrome may have these types of cancers. This can change treatment recommendations. (Posted 9/5/24)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Topic : The drug Enhertu is FDA-approved for any advanced or metastatic HER2-positive tumors
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People with advanced HER2-positive cancer
The FDA granted accelerated approval of Enhertu for people with any HER2-positive tumor that is metastatic or cannot be surgically removed. Eligible patients must have had previous treatment such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy. (Posted 7/19/24)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Update : News from the FDA - Two new metastatic colorectal cancer treatments
Most relevant for: People with colorectal cancer
The FDA recently approved two new treatments for metastatic colorectal cancer. (Posted 3/22/24)
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Topic : Progress in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer
Most relevant for: People with triple-negative breast cancer
During the December 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Dr. Melinda Telli presented a summary of research that has led to better treatments for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). These treatments now include drugs called targeted therapies and immunotherapies for both early and late stages of TNBC. (Posted 3/19/24)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium
Update : News from the FDA– new breast cancer treatment, thermography warning and implant screening updates
Relevance: Medium
Most relevant for: People with HR-positive and HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. People with silicone breast implants. People considering thermography screening
This XRAY review is a summary of FDA breast cancer updates from July to December 2023. This includes a new drug approval and two consumer updates. (Posted 2/21/24)
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Update : New drug combination for the second treatment of some HR-positive advanced breast cancers
Most relevant for: People with hormone receptor (HR)-positive or HER2-negative breast cancer that has spread outside the breast tissue.
The FDA approved Truqap plus Faslodex for the treatment of metastatic hormone receptor-positive (HR-positive), HER2-negative breast cancer that returned or worsened after treatment with hormone therapy. The approval is for treating cancers in people whose tumors had a mutation in one of three genes. For people with one of these mutations, Truqap improved the time until their cancer came back or got worse. (Posted 2/9/24)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Promising early results for treating metastatic prostate cancer
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: People with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)
The TALAPRO studies looked at how well the oral drug Talzenna (talazoparib) works as a treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The addition of Talzenna to treatment with Xtandi (enzalutamide) increased the time until the cancer got worse or came back (progression-free survival). The greatest benefit was seen in people who had an inherited or tumor mutation in a gene that repairs DNA damage (such as ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2 and others). (Posted 3/1/23)
Update: On June 20, 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the combination of Talzenna with Xtandi as an initial treatment for some people with mCRPC for people with inherited or tumor mutations in genes that repair DNA damage.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Promising early results for people with DNA mismatch repair deficient rectal cancer
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: People with rectal cancer with high mutational burden or mismatch repair problems including people with Lynch syndrome.
A small research study tested the usefulness of the immunotherapy drug dostarlimab for treating locally advanced rectal cancer with a biomarker known as “dMMR” (DNA mismatch repair deficient). None of the participants had evidence of cancer six months later; some remained cancer free for up to 25 months). Many participants had Lynch syndrome. The remarkable response to this treatment may allow people with this particular subtype of rectal cancer to avoid potentially life-changing rectal surgery. (Posted 11/14/22) Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : A win for some patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer
A drug used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer improved survival in people with metastatic breast cancers that were previously considered HER2-negative. These results change practice guidelines for metastatic breast cancer and reclassify HER2 tumor marker status as “HER2-low” to guide treatment. (Posted 7/18/22)
Update: On 08/05/2022 the FDA approved Enhertu to treat people with metastatic, HER2-low breast cancer who have received prior chemotherapy in the metastatic setting or who developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing chemotherapy. Enhertu is also approved for treatment of people with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who progressed after prior anti-HER2 treatment. Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Update : Blood tests called liquid biopsies for cancer screening, monitoring and treatment
Most relevant for: People considering a liquid biopsy to screen for cancer
Could a simple blood test change cancer detection, treatment and monitoring? Several companies are offering a type of blood test known as a liquid biopsy to detect multiple cancers at their earliest stages, monitor response to treatment and help choose the best treatment. Although progress has been made using liquid biopsies to treat cancer, these tests have not yet been shown to detect cancer early enough to save lives. (posted 9/29/21)
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