VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

HTAN researchers analyzed thousands of cells to map cancer evolution, revealing gene regulation insights and tumor initiation as polyclonal processes, published in *Nature* journals.

Ursula Vogl discusses key prostate cancer trials from ESMO 2024: PATCH (transdermal estradiol vs. LHRH analogs in non-metastatic), ARANOTE (darolutamide in metastatic hormone-sensitive), and PEACE-3 (radium-223 plus enzalutamide in metastatic castration-resistant). Also covered are STAMPEDE (metformin's metabolic benefits) and SPLASH (lutetium PSMA-I&T therapy). Practical considerations include metformin's potential role despite lacking overall survival benefit and challenges in implementing radioligand therapy due to logistical, regulatory, and reimbursement issues.

A digital intervention combining text messages and a web-based dashboard, added to health behavior counseling, improved weight-for-length trajectories and reduced obesity incidence at 24 months in a diverse population, compared to counseling alone.

A preliminary study suggests TMS therapy may slow Alzheimer’s symptoms by 44%, targeting brain networks involved in memory. The experimental treatment, involving weekly sessions, showed little decline in daily living abilities and fewer side effects compared to current drug treatments.

Daniel Lee discusses VA Health Care System's patient-facing costs for advanced prostate cancer treatment, highlighting improved access via the Cleland-Dole Act, National Tele-Oncology Program, and Precision Oncology Program. Despite lower medication co-pays and annual cost caps, challenges remain, including indirect costs like travel expenses and cardiovascular risks. Lee emphasizes the need for understanding these indirect costs through patient conversations and standardized assessment tools, suggesting innovative solutions like home administration of treatments to reduce the burden on veterans.

The AACR Molecular Biology in Clinical Oncology Workshop, directed by Ross L. Levine, with codirectors Christine M. Lovly and Jean Y. Tang, aims to train aspiring physician-scientists in molecular biology, translational cancer research, and grant writing. Held July 20-26, 2025, at Loews Coronado Bay Resort, the workshop includes lectures, lab sessions, mentoring, and networking opportunities. Previous attendees highlight its impact on their careers.

The 2024 NCODA International Fall Summit in Orlando featured keynote speaker Chaunte Lowe, clinical science breakthroughs, and sessions on novel treatments and best practices. Highlights included Joyce O’Shaughnessy’s talk on breast cancer treatment advances, Stephanie White’s insights on oncology pharmacy, Liz Vogel’s safety guidelines for hazardous drug compounding, Nathan Vanderford’s discussion on rural healthcare challenges, and a panel on precision medicine in lung cancer. Doug Long also addressed oncology market trends.

Vanderbilt Health Rx Solutions, a Vanderbilt University Medical Center branch, has launched a consulting service to enhance patient care and optimize drug launches by addressing inefficiencies and duplicated efforts between manufacturers and health systems, focusing on pre- and post-launch phases, and improving data handling and best practices sharing.

The 2024 election will determine the future of Medicare drug price negotiations, ACA subsidies, and medication abortion access. Harris supports accelerating Medicare negotiations, making ACA subsidies permanent, and expanding abortion access. Trump's positions are less clear, with potential to repeal Medicare's negotiation authority and restrict abortion access.