SABCS 2023 | Professor Jiayi Chen : Escalating or De-escalating — Focusing on the Latest Developments in the Field of Breast Cancer Radiotherapy

SABCS 2023 | Professor Jiayi Chen : Escalating or De-escalating — Focusing on the Latest Developments in the Field of Breast Cancer Radiotherapy

The 46th San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS 2023) was held in San Antonio, Texas, where numerous significant studies were presented. Oncology Frontier had the privilege of inviting Professor Jiayi Chen from the Department of Radiation Oncology at Ruijin Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, to share the latest developments in the field of breast cancer radiotherapy presented at this SABCS conference.
SABCS Researchers Discuss丨Chemotherapy-Free Triple Combination for Advanced Triple-Positive Breast Cancer: HER2 Dual Antibody + CDK4/6i + Fulvestrant

SABCS Researchers Discuss丨Chemotherapy-Free Triple Combination for Advanced Triple-Positive Breast Cancer: HER2 Dual Antibody + CDK4/6i + Fulvestrant

Numerous studies have confirmed the therapeutic benefits of combining anti-HER2 therapy with endocrine treatment in patients with advanced triple-positive breast cancer (HR+/HER2+). With the enrichment of new endocrine targeting treatments and anti-HER2 treatment schemes in recent years, there has been exploration into other combination schemes, which are hopeful in providing more effective and less toxic "chemotherapy-free" combination treatments for such patients. At the recently held 46th San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS 2023), Professor Santiago Escrivá-de-Romani from the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital/Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology in Spain reported a Phase 2a study using a novel HER2 dual-specific antibody (zanidatamab) combined with palbociclib and fulvestrant to treat advanced triple-positive breast cancer, achieving positive anti-tumor activity and good safety.
SABCS Researchers Discuss | DEBBRAH Study: T-DXd Treatment for Leptomeningeal Metastatic Breast Cancer

SABCS Researchers Discuss | DEBBRAH Study: T-DXd Treatment for Leptomeningeal Metastatic Breast Cancer

The clinical treatment of breast cancer with leptomeningeal metastasis is extremely challenging, with patients surviving only a few months. Currently, intrathecal medication is the main treatment for leptomeningeal metastasis, but it comes with a high risk of bleeding and infection; finding effective systemic treatment drugs has been a hot topic of research in recent years. At the 46th San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS 2023) held recently, Professor Marta Vaz Batista from the Doutor Fernando Fonseca EPE Hospital in Portugal reported the results from Cohort 5 of the Phase II DEBBRAH study, which evaluated the efficacy and safety of T-DXd (trastuzumab deruxtecan) in patients with HER2-positive and HER2-low Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC) with brain metastasis (BM) and/or Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis (LMC).
Insights from Dr. Charles Flexner on Replacing Oral HIV Medications with Long-acting Drugs

Insights from Dr. Charles Flexner on Replacing Oral HIV Medications with Long-acting Drugs

In recent years, there have been many groundbreaking developments in the prevention and treatment of HIV infections with long-acting formulations. The LATITUDE study on cabotegravir/rilpivirine for patients with poor adherence was reported in the clinical LBA at the CROI conference. Additionally, the conference featured several special sessions discussing how to optimize the use of long-acting formulations. Dr. Charles Flexner from the Johns Hopkins University shared his views on whether long-acting formulations could replace oral medications in an interview with Infectious Disease Frontier.
Insights from Dr. Khalil Ghanem on the Challenges and Future of Syphilis Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Insights from Dr. Khalil Ghanem on the Challenges and Future of Syphilis Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

As the incidence of syphilis continues to rise, clinicians are faced with an increasing number of patients with complex clinical presentations, posing significant challenges in patient management. At the 31st Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), Dr. Khalil Ghanem from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine delivered a keynote on the diagnosis and treatment of syphilis. In this issue of Infectious Disease Frontier, we are fortunate to have Dr. Ghanem discuss the diagnostic challenges of neurosyphilis, the value of the DoxyPEP prevention strategy, and the future outlook for syphilis management.
Dr. Afam A. Okoye: Highlights and Prospects of HIV Curative Therapy Research

Dr. Afam A. Okoye: Highlights and Prospects of HIV Curative Therapy Research

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly extended the lifespan and improved the quality of life for HIV-infected individuals, yet achieving a complete cure for HIV remains an unresolved challenge. HIV's characteristic of latent infection allows it to persist in the body, hidden from the immune system, and reactivate upon cessation of ART. Thus, developing a curative therapy capable of entirely eliminating the virus from the body and achieving long-term virus-free survival is a critical need in medical science. At the recent 2024 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI 2024), Infectious Disease Frontier had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Afam A. Okoye from the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University. He provided insights into the research highlights in the field of HIV curative therapies at the conference and shared his views on cutting-edge technologies such as latency reversing agents, cytokine research, and gene editing.
The First Weekly Oral Treatment Plan! Dr. Amy Colson Shares Phase 2 Study Results of Islatravir Combined with Lenacapavir at the CROI Conference

The First Weekly Oral Treatment Plan! Dr. Amy Colson Shares Phase 2 Study Results of Islatravir Combined with Lenacapavir at the CROI Conference

Islatravir is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase translocation inhibitor (NRTTI) currently under development, while lenacapavir belongs to a new class of capsid inhibitors, both featuring long half-lives and highlighted as part of long-acting treatment strategies. Previously, the clinical development of islatravir was temporarily halted due to adverse events involving reductions in CD4 cells and lymphocytes. However, after dose adjustments, the combined use with lenacapavir in a phase 2 trial revealed positive outcomes at the recent CROI conference, promising the first all-oral weekly treatment plan for HIV patients. Infectious Disease Frontier interviewed Dr. Amy Colson, the study's Principal Investigator and Director of Research at the Community Resource Initiative, at the event.
Outcomes of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Refractory/Relapsed Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Patients with Failure of CAR-T Therapy

Outcomes of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Refractory/Relapsed Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Patients with Failure of CAR-T Therapy

In the challenging field of hematology, the search for effective treatments for relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL) after CAR-T therapy failure is crucial. Professor Professor Haiwen Huang from The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University leads an innovative study exploring allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) as a promising alternative. This collaborative research not only offers new hope for R/R DLBCL patients but also showcases the pioneering spirit driving advancements in oncology. By providing valuable insights into allo-HSCT's potential, Professor Huang and his team contribute significantly to the evolving landscape of cancer treatment, highlighting the importance of innovation and teamwork in improving patient care.
Dr.Taisheng Li’s Team Presents the “Chinese Solution” for HIV Immune Reconstitution Deficiency at CROI 2024

Dr.Taisheng Li’s Team Presents the “Chinese Solution” for HIV Immune Reconstitution Deficiency at CROI 2024

At the 31st Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI 2024) held from March 3 to 6 in Denver, Colorado, USA, a study by Dr. Taisheng Li's team from the Peking Union Medical College Hospital was selected for a poster presentation and discussed at the fifth session. This conference, which started in 1993, has become one of the most influential meetings in the field of AIDS, attracting experts from around the world to share their latest research findings. The study presented by Dr. Li's team showcased a "Chinese solution" for addressing immune reconstitution deficiencies in HIV-infected individuals to the global academic community.
Dr. Shuihua Lu: First RCT Study Reported on a Novel Vaccine for Preventing Tuberculosis Relapse丨CROI Commentary

Dr. Shuihua Lu: First RCT Study Reported on a Novel Vaccine for Preventing Tuberculosis Relapse丨CROI Commentary

Patients who have successfully completed tuberculosis treatment still face a high risk of relapse, making the development of vaccines to prevent recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis an important direction in TB prevention efforts. At the recently concluded 31st Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI 2024), a study presented as a late-breaking abstract (Abstract Number: 210) revealed that the novel tuberculosis vaccine H56:IC31, while not reducing the rate of TB relapse, enhanced both humoral and cellular immune responses in recipients. This marks the first clinical multicenter, randomized controlled trial (RCT) reported on the use of a TB vaccine for the prevention of relapse. The Infectious Disease Frontier has invited Dr. Shuihua Lu and his team from The Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen to introduce and comment on this study as follows.