December 2020
Pembrolizumab as adjuvant therapy for resected high-risk stage II melanoma
Melanoma is the most common skin cancer in the UK and is characterised by changes to mole size or shape. It is when melanocytes (cells that give skin its tan or brown colour) grow uncontrollably. Stage II melanoma is where the cancer has spread locally, as opposed to other areas of the body, and can result in a larger tumour sometimes with broken skin. Patients with high-risk stage 2 melanoma cancer may have an increased chance of the cancer returning after surgical resection (removal of the tumour) because of the tumour being thicker and deeper in the skin, which makes it difficult to remove all cancerous cells. There is currently no recommended systemic treatment after surgical resection if the cancer comes back in patients with stage II melanoma.
December 2020
Trastuzumab deruxtecan for metastatic HER2 – positive breast cancer – second line
Trastuzumab deruxtecan is in clinical development for the treatment of adults with HER2- positive, unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer who have previously been treated with trastuzumab and taxane. HER2-positive breast cancer is when the cancer tests positive for HER2 protein, which promotes the growth of cancer cells and tend to be more aggressive than other types of breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer (stage IV) is when the cancer has spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other organs in the body, while unresectable means that the cancer cannot be treated by surgery. Treatment of the disease often involves the use of anti-HER2 therapies, chemotherapy, or a combination of both.
December 2020
Cemiplimab for recurrent, persistent or metastatic cervical cancer – second line
Cemiplimab is in clinical development for the treatment of recurrent, persistent, or metastatic cervical cancer. Recurrent cancer is when the cancer returns months or years after the original treatment; persistent cancer is when the tumour does not respond to treatment or a second tumour develops despite the completion of treatment. Metastatic cancer is when the …