The Onco'Zine Brief

In this episode of The Onco'Zine Brief, Peter Hofland talks with Thorsten Sperber, Global Head Medical Affairs at Immunomedics. Hofland and Sperber talk about sacituzumab govitecan, a novel antibody-drug conjugate. At the time of the interview, the drug was not yet approved, but in the weeks following the interview, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved sacituzumab govitecan (Trodelvy™) for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) who have received at least two prior therapies for patients with relapsed or refractory metastatic disease.

Sacituzumab govitecan, previously known as IMMU-132, is Immunomedics’ lead product and the most advanced program in the company’s unique antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) platform. The drug binds the humanized anti-trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (Trop-2) monoclonal antibody (mAb) hRS7 IgG1κ through the cleavable CL2A linker to the anti-cancer drug SN-38 to kill cancer cells. Trop-2 is expressed in more than 85% of all cancers, including breast cancer and TNBC.

With the FDA’s decision, sacituzumab govitecan is the eight approved and available ADCs reaching the market, making these targeted drugs a powerful class of therapeutic agents in oncology and hematology.

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Struggling in the heat and humidity of the summer of 2016, Terri Conneran believed that her asthma was uncontrolled. In August that year, her physician assistant prescribed her a preventive inhaler.

That autumn brought the excuse of allergies, plus time for the new inhaler to take effect.

By Christmas 2016, nasal congestion, and a heavy feeling chest with shortness of breath it was time to again see her doctor. Hearing fluid in her lungs, an x-ray showed a mass with fluid. Pneumonia was diagnosed, a return appointment was scheduled for two weeks later.

In the first week of 2017, the wheezing and congestion worsened. Already concerned about the mass shown in the x-ray, a CT scan was ordered. Terri scheduled an appointment with a pulmonologist.

Based on the initial CT results, the pulmonologist confidently stated this is unlikely cancer. To be certain, a PET plus biopsy was necessary.

Late in the evening of the following Friday, the pulmonologist called with the results. The diagnosis: non-small cell lung cancer

To think of the call, Terri recalls that it still feels surreal hearing those words of the pulmonologist. She exactly remembers where she sitting as I wrote the words he doctor spoke on the paper in front of her.

The call forever changed her life - It would be the beginning of her journey as a cancer patient and patient advocate.

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In this episode The Onco’Zine Brief, recorded during the 42nd San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) held December 10 – 14, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas, Peter Hofland talks with Susan Rafte, a 25+ year survivor of metastatic breast cancer and patient advocate.

In 1994, eight and a half months after birth to her daughter Marika, Susan Rafte, only 30 years old, was diagnosed with stage III ductal carcinoma.

While she was pregnant with her daughter, she first felt a lump in her breast. Her doctors attributed the lump to her pregnancies. However, 18 months later, when Rafte pushed for a biopsy, the lump was diagnosed as a malignant tumor.

Rafte was treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, by a multidisciplinary care team with chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy.

In 1995, soon after her initial treatment, Susan’s sister Jane Weiner, and three other dancers in New York City co-founded the Pink Ribbons Project®. After her recovery from a stem cell transplant in 1997, Jane and Susan brought the project to Houston.

The Pink Ribbons Project® was the first arts and dance initiative founded solely to promote awareness about breast cancer and help raise funding for breast cancer advocacy and education. And over the Pink Ribbons Project’s lifetime, the organization raised more than US $ 6,000,000 for that cause.

Beyond the Pink Ribbons Project and from the beginning of her diagnosis, Rafte has always been public about her disease. She felt it was important to spread awareness and provide education about breast health and breast cancer, because, as she explains: “I knew from personal experience that this disease has no boundaries.”

As part of her work Rafte became a peer-to-peer support volunteer through MD Anderson Cancer Center. In 2000, Rafte helped start an on-site peer support program at the breast cancer center at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She also serves on many research projects and committees as a patient advocate.

As a volunteer, Rafte’s involvements also includes dividing her volunteer hours with the Baylor College of Medicine, San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Breast Health Collaborative of Texas as well as the affiliations she holds with The Rose Diagnostic Center and Harris County Hospital Clinic – Breast Care Centers.

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In this edition of The Onco’Zine Brief, recorded during the 42nd San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), held December 10 - 14, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas, Peter Hofland talks with leading breast cancer experts, and patients about metastatic breast cancer and health related quality of life hrQoL issues including sexual intimacy, bone health and joint pain. In this roundtable, panelists will also discuss liquid biomarkers for disease progression in the metastatic setting.

The expert panel includes;

- David Portman, MD, founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sermonix Pharmaceuticals. Portman is a respected Key Opinion Leader (KOL) in the field, presented clinical data at national and international conferences, and published dozens of peer-reviewed papers in the field of menopause, VVA, SERMs and sexual health. Before founding Sermonix in 2014, Portman was founder and director of the Columbus Center for Women’s Health Research for 18 years where he conducted over 140 clinical trials in women’s health. He received his BA from Northwestern University and his MD and Obstetric and Gynecology residency from The Ohio State University College of Medicine where he is an adjunct instructor.

- Kelli Davis, metastatic breast cancer patient and director of social media at Metavivor. Davis, is an outspoken advocate on behalf of women living with the disease, was diagnosed with stage I breast cancer in 2009 and stage IIIc in 2013. She learned she had stage IV, or metastatic, breast cancer in late 2014.

- Stephanie L. Graff, MD, director of the Breast Cancer Program at Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at HCA Midwest Health and associate director of the Breast Cancer Research Program at Sarah Cannon Research Institute. Graff, an award-winning writer and social media influencer, has broad experience as a principal investigator on numerous clinical trials. She received the Frist Humanitarian Award for her work improving the lives of people in her healthcare community, and serves on the boards of the American Cancer Society Kansas/Kansas City Area and The Research Foundation.

- Kelly Shanahan, MD, an Ob/Gyn, Metavivor board member, metastatic breast cancer patient and advocate. Shanahan is a wife, a mother, a daughter, a doctor, a woman living with metastatic breast cancer. She is also an outspoken advocate. Metastatic breast cancer stole her career and through the horrible diagnosis, she was introduced to amazing women and men who showed her that she, as a trained physician, could still help others and make a difference through advocacy.

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In this edition of The Onco’Zine Brief Peter Hofland talks with Catherine Ivy, the Founder and President of the Ben & Catherine Ivy Foundation.

The Ben & Catherine Ivy Foundation, established in 2005, is the largest non-government organization supporter of brain tumor - including glioblastoma (GBM) - research in the world. To date, the Ivy Foundation has funded clinical trials and basic science in North America, Europe, and Asia. 

Glioblastoma, also known as glioblastoma multiforme, is an aggressive type of cancer that can occur in the brain or spinal cord. Glioblastoma forms from cells called astrocytes, that support nerve cells. The disease can occur at any age, but tends to occur more often in older adults.

Glioblastoma can cause worsening headaches, nausea, vomiting and seizures. It can be very difficult to treat and a cure is often not possible.

Catherine Ivy, is a tireless advocate for glioblastoma patients everywhere. 

Since 2005, the Ivy foundation has committed more than US $ 92 million to brain tumor research. The expectation is that this investment will, in time, lead to an eventual cure. The Ivy Foundation is dedicated to this effort because funding leads to answers, and answers lead to hope.

Ivy Foundation-supported research is always patient-focused and highly translational.  The organizational philosophy is to embrace risk, advocate collaboration, and fiercely support the brain tumor patient community. 

This forward-leaning strategy reflects the ideals of both Ms. Ivy and her late husband, Ben, who died from a glioblastoma in 2005. 

In this interview with The Onco'Zine Brief, Catherine Ivy tells the story of her husband, Ben Ivy, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma in August 2005. In addition to his devastating diagnosis, Ben’s suffering made a difficult situation overwhelmingly painful – Ben Ivy passed away four months after being diagnosed, in November 2005. 

Ben and Catherine Ivy felt it was important to give back to their community and they’ve always actively supported education and healthcare. Following Ben’s death, the Ben and Catherine Ivy foundation refocused its mission to find a cure for brain cancer. 

Catharine Ivy explained that her husband’s suffering and the awareness of the lack of options to fight brain cancer motivated her to find better diagnostics and to develop new therapies to help patients.

And that’s what she did.

The mission of the Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation is to fund brain cancer research in order to develop diagnostics and treatments that lead to long-term survival and a high quality of life for patients with this disease.

More information about the Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation
For more information about the Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation, visit the website of the organization at: www.ivyfoundation.org

About Onco'Zine
The Onco’Zine Brief is developed in collaboration with the online journal, Onco’Zine at oncozine.com - where you can find additional information and the latest news about cancer, cancer diagnosis and treatment, and cancer prevention.

How to support The Onco'Zine Brief
For more information about supporting The Onco’Zine Brief, check our online journal Onco’Zine at Onco’Zine.com or visit Patreaon at https://www.patreon.com/theoncozinebrief

Newsletter
If you’re living in the United States and want to receive our Newsletter, text the word CANCER to 66866 - and we’ll make sure that you’ll receive our newsletter which includes an overview of the latest news in oncology and hematology.

Read more
- Hofland P. First-in-human Study to Determine Effectiveness of Novel, Non-invasive Therapy for Brain Cancer. Onco'Zine. November 21, 2019. Online: https://www.oncozine.com/first-in-human-study-to-determine-effectiveness-of-novel-non-invasive-therapy-for-brain-cancer/
- Hofland P. New Breast Cancer Drug has the Potential to be a Novel Therapy for Glioblastoma. Onco'Zine, July 25, 2019. Online: https://www.oncozine.com/new-breast-cancer-drug-has-the-potential-to-be-a-novel-therapy-for-glioblastoma/
- Nader Sanai, MD, FAANS, FACS. As New Drugs Lag, Accelerated Clinical Trials Lead Charge in Brain Cancer Fight? Onco'Zine. April 12, 2019. Online: https://www.oncozine.com/as-new-drugs-lag-accelerated-clinical-trials-lead-charge-in-brain-cancer-fight%ef%bb%bf/

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In this edition of The Onco’Zine Brief Peter Hofland talks with Dr. Muhammed Murtaza and Dr. Thomas Slavin about liquid biopsies

Murtaza is Assistant Professor and co-Director of the Center for Noninvasive Diagnostics at TGen in Phoenix, AZ, and Dr. Slavin is Assistant Clinical Professor, Departments of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research and Population Sciences, Division of Clinical Cancer Genomics at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Duarte, California.

Hofland talks with Murtaza and Slavin specifically about a test called TARDIS — which stands for TARgeted DIgital Sequencing. This test, according to a study published earlier this year, is as much as 100 times more sensitive than other blood-based cancer monitoring tests. TARDIS is a “liquid biopsy” that specifically identifies and quantifies small fragments of cancer DNA circulating in the patient’s bloodstream, known as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).
 
About Onco'Zine
The Onco’Zine Brief is developed in collaboration with the online journal, Onco’Zine at www.oncozine.com - where you can find additional information and the latest news about cancer, cancer diagnosis and treatment, and cancer prevention.

How to support The Onco'Zine Brief
For more information about supporting The Onco’Zine Brief, check our online journal Onco’Zine at www.Onco’Zine.com or visit Patreaon at https://www.patreon.com/theoncozinebrief

Newsletter
If you’re living in the United States and want to receive our Newsletter, text the word CANCER to 66866 - and we’ll make sure that you’ll receive our newsletter which includes an overview of the latest news in oncology and hematology.

For more information about TARgeted DIgital Sequencing (TARDIS):
- Garcia D. Federal Grant helps TGen Refine Cancer-detection Blood Tests for Breast Cancer Patients. Onco'Zine - October 15, 2019 - https://www.oncozine.com/federal-grant-helps-tgen-refine-cancer-detection-blood-tests-for-breast-cancer-patients/
- Hofland P. New ‘Liquid Biopsy’ Helps to Improve Breast Cancer Diagnostics and Avoid Unnecessary Surgeries - August 8, 2019 - https://www.oncozine.com/new-liquid-biopsy-helps-improves-breast-cancer-diagnostics-and-avoid-unnecessary-surgeries/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-onco-zine-brief--2786156/support.

Today in The Onco’Zine Brief Peter Hofland talks with Dr. Michael Caligiuri, President of City of Hope National Medical Center in Los Angeles, California and Deana and Steve Campbell Physician-in-Chief Distinguished Chair, and Dr. Jianhua Yu, professor in the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation at City of Hope, and a Scholar of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

By combining leading-edge science with true compassion and personalized treatment for each and every patient, scientists, researchers, doctors, nurses and in fact anyone at City of Hope, share in one single goal: Outsmarting cancer to eliminate it.
  
Recognizing the accomplishments in cancer research, treatment, patient care, education and prevention, the National Cancer Institute has designated City of Hope as a comprehensive cancer center, an honor reserved for only 49 institutions nationwide.

Numerous breakthrough cancer drugs are based on technology pioneered by City of Hope. These drugs are saving lives of patients worldwide.

In addition to cancer research, millions of people with diabetes benefit from synthetic human insulin, developed through research conducted at City of Hope.

In today’s program, Hofland talk with Dr. Caligiuri and Dr. Yu about some of the results of this research – and how this is benefiting patients.

Research
In a study published in Cancer Discovery, a journal published by the American Association for Cancer Research, Dr. Caligiuri and Dr. Yu and their colleagues, provide, for first time a scientific explanation as to how checkpoint inhibitor therapy can work when there’s no checkpoint expressed on a patient’s cancer cells

This understanding may lead to a new powerful therapy against even more cancers

Immune System
The immune system is a powerful collection of structures and processes within the body, designed to prevent or limit infection and protect against disease. And while the immune system can naturally defend us against cancer, cancer, in turn, has the ability to evade the immune system by seducing it not to attack it.

To succeed, cancer exploits immune checkpoints, which regulate immune activation and prevent the immune system form attacking healthy cells. But this mechanism can also be used by a tumor to protect itself from being attacked by the immune system.

Checkpoints on tumor cells and on T cells, which are also called T lymphocyte, type of white blood cell, help keep immune responses in check.

In contrast, blocking these checkpoints releases the brakes on the immune system, giving it the ability to do what it is designed to do: eradicate cancer.

The study published in Cancer Discovery helps understand some of the complex mechanisms involved.

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Today in The Onco’Zine Brief Peter Hofland talks with Diane Zipursky Quale.

Together with her late husband John Quale, Diane, who holds a BA from Stanford University and a JD from the National Law Center, George Washington University, is Co-Founder and Director of the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN), the only national advocacy organization devoted to advancing bladder cancer research and supporting those impacted by the disease.

BCAN is on the front-lines advocating for greater public awareness and increased funding for research to identify effective treatments and eventually, a cure for bladder cancer.

Each year, BCAN provides thousands of patients, caregivers and the medical community with the educational resources and support services they need to navigate their bladder cancer journey.

The organization works collaboratively with the medical and research professionals who are dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer and empowers the patient community by allowing them to share experiences with others, and to participate in building awareness of the need for a cure.

In the interview today Peter Hofland and Diane Zipursky Quale talk about BCAN and more.

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In this edition of The Onco’Zine Brief Peter Hofland talks with Laura Panos Smith, a certified genetic counselor and vice president of commercial operations at Ambry Genetics.

Ms. Smith leads a large team responsible for the implementation of key strategic initiatives for Ambry Genetics.

This includes the daily support and education for patients and healthcare providers, as well as marketing and sales support functions.

Ms. Smith has been with Ambry Genetics since 2013 and she has held a number of positions, most recently as the National Director of the Genetic Specialist team – a position she held for three years.

Before joining the company, she worked as a Board Certified Genetic Counselor at Baylor Sammons Cancer Center, in Dallas, Texas, where she led an initiative to grow the oncology and cardiology genetics services.

Ambry Genetics, the company Ms. Smith works for, is a leading clinical diagnostics company offering genetic testing, which includes screening and diagnosis, for conditions including hereditary cancer, hereditary cardiovascular disease, neuro-developmental disorders, epilepsy and others.

As part of Konica Minolta Precision Medicine, Ambry Genetics translates scientific research into clinically actionable test results based upon a deep understanding of the human genome and the biology behind genetic disease.

This enables more prescriptive, proactive and preventive care.

But what is genetic testing?

As mentioned in a previous episode of The Onco’Zine Brief, Genetic testing is a specific type of medical test designed to identify changes in an individuals’ chromosomes, genes, or proteins.

A genetic test can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition.

It can also help determine a person's chance of developing or even passing on a genetic disorder, which may lead to a specific disease.

Generally, there are two main types of genetic testing:

If, for example, you have been diagnosed with a type of cancer, the doctor may have told you about somatic or tumor testing.

Such a tests involves a sample of the tumor.

This test studies the DNA to determine what kind of treatment may be best for you – as a patient.
It may look at different, targeted or even personalized treatments to determine which may be better or worse.

An oncologist - or his or her team - will be the best resource to discuss this type of genetic testing and the results:

The second type of genetic testing is called germline genetic testing. This test is using a blood or saliva sample.

The DNA in blood cells is studied to see if there is a mutation that causes an increased risk to develop cancer or another disease

This test is for both people who have a specific disease cancer but also for people who do not.
And the results of this test can be best discussed with a genetic counselor or healthcare provider.

While genetic testing is available for many, it may not make sense for everyone.

A genetic counselor can help a patient determine their risk for genetic disease and catch genetic diseases at an earlier more treatable phase.

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In this edition of The Onco’Zine Brief Peter Hofland talks with Holly LaDuca, a certified genetic counselor and manager of clinical Research oncology at Ambry Genetics.

Identifying an individual’s genetic information is nothing new. And while, over the last decades, most people have become familiar with genetic ancestry testing, or genetic genealogy, as a way for people interested in their family history to go beyond what they can learn from relatives or from historical documentation, genetic testing is much more than that.

In essence, genomic data helps to accelerate the understanding of human disease.

Ambry Genetics, is a leading clinical diagnostics company offering genetic testing, which includes screening and diagnosis, for conditions including hereditary cancer, hereditary cardiovascular disease, neurodevelopmental disorders, epilepsy and others diseases.

As part of Konica Minolta Precision Medicine, Ambry Genetics translates scientific research into, what the company calls, clinically actionable test results based upon a deep understanding of the human genome and the biology behind genetic disease. This approach enables more prescriptive, proactive and preventive care.

With an eclectic mix of backgrounds and specialties, a team of doctors, scientists, genetic counselors, lab technicians, artists, ocean-lovers and science geeks, the people at Ambry Genetics are looking for answers using the most advanced technology and quality processes in the diagnostics industry.

This unique team of dedicated people is committed to delivering the most accurate genetic test results possible. And, when it comes to making important healthcare decisions, the company believes that patients would choose the most reliable and comprehensive test for themselves and their family.

But what is genetic testing?

In short, genetic testing is a type of medical test, usually a blood test, that identifies changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins. The results of a genetic test can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition or help determine a person's chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder, which may lead to a disease.

Generally, there are two main types of genetic testing:

- If you have cancer, the doctor may have told you about somatic or tumor testing. This tests involves a sample of the tumor. The DNA in the tumor is studied to determine if different treatments may be better or worse for the patient. In this case, the oncologists or his or her team will be the best resource to discuss this type of genetic testing.

- The second type of genetic testing is called germline genetic testing and is done using a blood or saliva sample. The DNA in blood cells is studied to see if there is a mutation that causes an increased risk to develop cancer. This test is for both people who have cancer but also for people who do not. And the results can best be discussed with a genetic counselor or healthcare provider to discuss genetic testing.

In talking to the people at Ambry Genetics, one thing stands out. Not only have the people working for the company a diverse backgrounds, they never lose sight of the fact that there is a human life attached to every genetic sample they receive and every result they generate. And they want to ensure that they deliver accurate results that can trusted by both healthcare providers and patients.

For patients, taking a proactive stand about health and healthcare is empowering. So, if you consider a genetic test, talk to a healthcare provider to find out if genetic testing is right thing for you to do. Together with your healthcare provider you can find the best next steps to take.
This is especially important if you think that you may have an increased risk for cancer or another hereditary disease.

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