Oncology Round-Up: Mediating Cachexia With Exercise, Consolidative Thoracic Radiation Therapy (cTRT); and More

Exercise May Reduce the Severity of Serious Cancer Complication, Cachexia

According to research from Louisa Tichy, a graduate student at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, exercising prior to cancer development can help slow tumor growth and decrease symptoms of wasting syndrome, better known as cachexia. Up to 80% of advanced cancer patients contract cachexia, which is responsible for nearly a third of all cancer–related deaths. Symptoms include severe progressive muscle wasting, decreased heart function and structure quality, and a worse quality of life. Research from previous studies proves exercise can have anti-inflammatory and positive effects when it comes to cachexia, but there’s very little research relating specifically to preconditioning.

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Dr. Brian Lamon, Caris Life Sciences, Discusses Advancing Precision Medicine in Oncology

DocWire News spoke with Brian Lamon, PhD, Chief Business Officer, Head of BioPharma Business Development, Caris Life Science, about this important partnership and about the future of this exciting company with respect to developing precision therapies to combat cancer.

Consolidative Thoracic Radiation Therapy (cTRT) Plus Chemotherapy in Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer (ES-SCLC)

Patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) continue to face poor survival outcomes. Consolidative thoracic radiation therapy (cTRT) and upfront immunotherapy with chemotherapy have both improved survival outcomes; However, according to researchers Brett H. Diamond and colleagues, they “have not yet been combined in clinical trials.” After conducting a case series, the authors concluded that “treatment of ES-SCLC with first-line chemoimmunotherapy followed by cTRT appears to be safe and to have outcomes comparable to published modern clinical trials.”

Dr. Jeremie Calais on FAP-Targeted PET Imaging and Molecular Radiotherapy in Cancer Patients

Jeremie Calais, MD, MSc, Associate Professor, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Director, UCLA Theranostics Program, Ahmanson Translational Theranostics Division, University of California, Los Angeles, shared his vast knowledge on FAP-targeted PET imaging and molecular radiotherapy in cancer patients.