Top 5 Most-Read Oncology Content of 2024

The top oncology content of 2024 explored a wide range of topics within the cancer care space, including new insights from clinical trials, acquisitions, and access to new drugs.

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Here are the most-read oncology pieces of 2024.

5. Cancer Drugs Speed to Accelerated Approvals, Then Hit the Brakes in Timely, Clinically Beneficial Confirmatory Trials

The FDA’s Accelerated Approval (AA) pathway expedites access to potentially life-saving therapies by approving drugs based on surrogate endpoints that suggest clinical benefit, particularly in oncology. However, confirmatory trials to validate these benefits often face delays, with many drugs failing to demonstrate meaningful improvements in overall survival or quality of life. Stakeholders, including the FDA, health care providers, and health plans, must address the uncertainties of AA therapies through rigorous trial validation, patient education, and policies promoting high-value care.

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4. Vaping and Lung Cancer Screening: Reduced Rates Among Vapers Revealed

Former smokers using e-cigarettes face a higher risk of lung cancer but are less likely to undergo recommended lung cancer screening (LCS), a study finds. Despite meeting LCS criteria, only 26.7% of individuals were screened, with misconceptions about e-cigarette safety contributing to lower screening rates. Researchers emphasized the need for targeted interventions to raise awareness and improve adherence to LCS among former smokers who use e-cigarettes, given their increased cancer risk.

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3. OneOncology Announces Deal to Acquire United Urology Group

OneOncology, a leading management services organization (MSO) for independent cancer practices, announced plans to acquire United Urology Group (UUG), a multi-state urology practice group, marking a pioneering combination of oncology and urology MSOs. The acquisition aligns their physician-centered cultures and will drive collaboration in areas such as clinical trials, radiation therapy, and drug procurement. UUG's expertise in managing genitourinary cancers complements OneOncology’s cancer care platform, enhancing patient care and expanding access to integrated specialty services.

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2. FDA Accepts Nivolumab Subcutaneous Injection Application, With Potential to Boost Access to PD-1 Inhibitors

The FDA accepted Bristol Myers Squibb’s biologics license application for a subcutaneous formulation of nivolumab (Opdivo), potentially making it the first PD-1 inhibitor available via SC injection. If approved by the target action date of December 29, 2024, this formulation could transform the treatment experience for patients with cancer by offering an alternative to intravenous administration.

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1. Accelerated Aging Linked to Increased Cancer Risk in Young Adults

Research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024 suggests a strong link between accelerated biological aging and the rising incidence of early-onset solid tumors in younger generations. The study, led by Yin Cao, MPH, an associate professor of surgery at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, highlighted the untapped potential of examining biological aging as a predictor for cancer development in younger individuals.

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