Videos

Response is assessed in patients starting a JAK inhibitor by monitoring symptoms on a severity scale, spleen size, blood counts, and overall patient impression of change, with the goal being reduction of symptoms and stabilization of blood counts to improve quality of life.

The JAK inhibitors approved for myelofibrosis have common side effects of cytopenias and gastrointestinal issues, with additional risks of weight gain and cardiac effects and diarrhea; momelotinib and pacritinib show improved tolerability compared to earlier JAK inhibitors.

An expert discusses the four FDA-approved JAK inhibitors for myelofibrosis - ruxolitinib, fedratinib, pacritinib, and momelotinib.

Christine Cooper, RN, BSN, explains anemia in myelofibrosis is managed by stimulating red blood cell production with medications, transfusions, and newer therapies that may stabilize red cell counts.

A doctor reflected on what it was like treating patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms years ago and how much treatments have improved.

An expert explained the benefits of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms finding a community of people with similar diagnoses.

New treatments and ongoing trials are providing more options and better outcomes for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms, an expert explained.

After being diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia, Marilyn Kay Edwards was not told much about her disease.

When caring for his wife with myelofibrosis, Ed Bartholemy focused on making her life as fun and positive as possible, despite her limitations.

Key patient goals for managing myelofibrosis include improving quality of life by addressing low blood counts and constitutional symptoms, considering disease-modifying therapies and transplant to maximize longevity based on predicted survival, and incorporating personalized priorities through shared decision-making with their doctor when choosing treatments.

Patients should be directed to resources like the NCCN guidelines and ClinicalTrials.gov and provided with thorough discussions covering frequency of visits, required testing, medication administration, side effects to enable fully informed decisions.

An expert spoke with CURE® about telehealth when it comes to ostomies within patients with bladder cancer, and overall within patients and survivors.

To determine risk level in myelofibrosis, prognostic models are used which assign points to various clinical and pathological factors to calculate a risk score that categorizes patients as low, intermediate, or high risk; additional information like mutations and chromosomes can further refine risk stratification.

Patients with myelofibrosis commonly present with fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, bone pain, low blood counts, and concentration issues, with diagnosis requiring bone marrow biopsy.

Where a patient lives may affect what kind of treatment they are offered for their CLL or SLL. However, second opinions and learning about one’s cancer diagnosis can help.

An artificial intelligence platform was able to tell the difference between patients with prefibrotic primary myelofibrosis and essential thrombocythemia. However, an expert says that there are considerations that patients must remember when it comes to the use of such programs.

A triple-negative breast cancer survivor discussed disparities she faced when undergoing cancer care.

The panel concludes their discussion with a conversation about the myths surrounding the treatment of cervical cancer.

Experts on cervical cancer offer provide comprehensive insights on the challenges patients experience and discuss ways to improve care.

Cervical cancer survival and Cervivor ambassador Kate Weissman provides advice on conversations patients with cervical cancer should be having with their care teams.

Patients with metastatic breast cancer receiving HER2-targeted therapies should promptly report any respiratory symptoms or signs of lung and heart disease to their oncology care team to facilitate early intervention and management of side effects.

Patients on HER2-targeted therapies for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer should be vigilant about potential side effects like heart toxicities and interstitial lung disease and should undergo regular heart function monitoring and lung scans to catch these side effects early.

Imaging scans provide an invaluable method of monitoring response to HER2-positive breast cancer treatment; frequency of imaging scans depends on individual patient response, symptoms, and the need to monitor for side effects such as interstitial lung disease.

HER2-targeted therapies improve outcomes by shutting down growth signaling to cancer cells, targeted delivery of chemotherapy, or blocking intracellular signaling - all leveraging the HER2 receptor to better control metastatic breast cancer.

Treatment for HER2 low metastatic breast cancer may utilize HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugates like T-DM1 and sacituzumab govitecan after initial therapy; knowing HER2 status, even low expression, is critical to guide use of these HER2-directed ADCs after chemotherapy.

Treatment for HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer depends on factors like hormone receptor status, with chemo/immunotherapy for PD-L1-positive triple negative disease, PARP inhibitors for BRCA mutations, and antibody-drug conjugates as options after first line therapy.

Dr Sara M. Tolaney reviews the currently available treatment options for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and notes that many new HER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies are in development.

Linda Ryan, a recurrent cervical cancer survivor and patient advocate, offers advice for patients undergoing cervical cancer treatment on advocating for yourself and communicating with family.

A gynecologic medical oncologist, a registered nurse, and a patient advocate have a conversation about shared decision-making for patients with cervical cancer.

As part of its Speaking Out® video series, CURE® spoke Dr. Gene G. Finley of Drexel University of College of Medicine and AHN Cancer Institute, Allegheny Clinic Medical Oncology, about education disparities among patients with lung cancer.