The High Cost of Cancer; Bone Fracture Risk in Survivors; MRI Gear Shortage

The annual price of newly launched cancer drugs has increased 53% over the last 5 years, according to a report by U.S. Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.). (Reuters)

A survey of large employers found that cancer has become the top driver of employer healthcare costs, with 13% reporting that they have seen more late-stage cancers impacting their workforce, and 44% predicting an increase in cancer diagnoses in the future. (Employee Benefit News)

Adult cancer survivors — particularly those diagnosed within 5 years or who have undergone chemotherapy — have an increased risk of bone fracture compared with older adults without cancer. (JAMA Oncology)

Researchers have shown that the induction of senescence in tumor cells stimulates the immune system and that vaccination with senescent cells reduced the development of tumors in experimental models in melanoma and pancreatic cancer. (IRB Barcelona, Cancer Discovery)

A study evaluating the prevalence of mismatch-repair (MMR) deficiency in rectal adenocarcinomas shows that 2.7% of these cancers are MMR deficient — on the lower end of previous estimates. In an earlier study, which had reported that all 12 patients with locally advanced MMR-deficient rectal adenocarcinomas had complete responses to neoadjuvant dostarlimab (Jemperli), the authors had estimated incidence rates of 5-10%. (New England Journal of Medicine)

The FDA has granted accelerated approval to the MEK inhibitor cobimetinib (Cotellic) for treatment of adult patients with histiocytic neoplasms, which include Erdheim-Chester disease, Rosai-Dorfman disease, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis. (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute)

Biotech company Transgene announced “promising” progression-free survival results from a randomized phase II study comparing TG4001 in combination with avelumab (Bavencio) versus avelumab alone in patients with HPV16-positive anogenital tumors.

The FDA is recommending that healthcare providers discuss alternatives to MRI-guided breast biopsy procedures with patients if their facilities can’t conduct the biopsy due to a shortage of Philips Invivo MRI breast biopsy grid plates and other Philips Invivo MRI disposables.

Cancer patients with baseline immunosuppression and COVID-19 may experience worse outcomes when treated with immunotherapy or other systemic cancer treatments. However, patients without preexisting immune suppression can safely receive those treatments. (JAMA Oncology)

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has revealed that he has previously undergone surgery for skin cancer. (ESPN)