Cervical Cancer Burden Persists; Cancer Trial Payments; Fighting Cancer With Nerves

Despite increased uptake of vaccination against human papillomavirus, the global burden of cervical cancer appears unlikely to reach the World Health Organization’s goal of eradication by 2050. (CIDRAP)
Combat Medical reported a high-grade recurrence-free survival rate of 68% at 12 months in bacillus Calmette-Guérin-unresponsive non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer treated with its hyperthermic intravesical chemotherapy (HIVEC) with mitomycin C.
The FDA approved the VOLGA trial combination of durvalumab (Imfinzi) plus enfortumab vedotin (Padcev) for the perioperative treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer in adults who are ineligible for or refuse cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
But the agency declined to approve Novocure’s wearable Optune Mya device that delivers tumor treating fields to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) brain metastases, the company announced.
An analysis of real-world data showed that patients with advanced NSCLC lived longer if they had broad-based genomic testing prior to starting treatment. (National Comprehensive Cancer Network)
Eight of 10 patients with treatment-resistant/refractory Waldenström macroglobulinemia responded to an investigational CAR T-cell therapy. (Blood)
Faeth Therapeutics said its oral combination of serabelisib and sapanisertib, given with paclitaxel, met the primary endpoint of objective response in a phase II trial of previously treated PIK3CA-mutated endometrioid endometrial cancer.
Researchers showed that adequate reimbursement for patients’ travel and other personal expenses could be a relatively inexpensive strategy to increase participation in cancer clinical trials. (Cancer)
Merck discontinued its Sutro Biopharma-partnered clinical development of the interleukin-2 antagonist MK-1484 in advanced solid tumors, describing the action as a “routine pipeline prioritization.” (Fierce Biotech)
A blood test for circulating tumor DNA has shown promise for identifying men with advanced prostate cancer most likely to benefit from targeted radiotherapy, according to an analysis from the TRAP trial. (Institute of Cancer Research)
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network added the artificial intelligence-driven ArteraAI Prostate Test to clinical guidelines as a risk-stratification tool for patients who have biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy, Artera announced.
Thomas Stinchcombe, MD, of Duke Cancer Institute in Durham, North Carolina, will step into the role of editor in chief of the Journal of Clinical Oncology in January. (ASCO Post)
Newly elected Democrats from red states aim to lead the charge to rein in corporate healthcare and certain business practices that allegedly drive up healthcare costs. (Axios)

Could the nervous system be activated in a way to aid cancer treatment, much like the immune system? (Georgia Institute of Technology)