Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA

Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA, is a freelance medical writer and editor based in central Pennsylvania. She enjoys writing about a variety of topics including oncology, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune disorders. Previously, she conducted research investigating the role of pharmacogenetics on the efficacy of oncologic therapies.

All articles by Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA

Rarely, patients with prostate cancer will develop metastases to the gastrointestinal tract, which l

Esophagus, News

Adjuvant Nivolumab Improved DFS in Esophageal and GEJ Cancers

Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA

April 30, 2021

Residual pathologic disease often remains after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and resection in patients with esophageal or GEJ cancers, and these patients have a high risk of recurrence.

To help curb drug prices, a consortium of hospital groups recently announced plans to form their own

Colorectal neoplasia

ASCO Publishes 2021 Report on Progress Against Cancer

Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA

February 26, 2021

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) highlights the past year’s oncologic advances and identifies important areas for future research in its 2021.

Colorectal neoplasia

COBRA Study to Test ctDNA as Biomarker for Adjuvant Chemotherapy Benefit in Colon Cancer

Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA

January 22, 2021

COBRA investigators will evaluate circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a biomarker for adjuvant chemotherapy benefit in 1408 patients with resected, stable stage IIA colon cancer.

Novel Kinase Inhibitor Shows Efficacy in Patients with Advanced HCC Tumors Overexpressing AFP

Liver

Tivozanib and Durvalumab Doublet Regimen Is Well-Tolerated in HCC

Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA

January 21, 2021

Combination tivozanib and durvalumab was found to be well-tolerated in patients with advanced, treatment-naïve hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Sometimes the distinctions between cancer treatment groups are a little blurry. Here’s a guide to their definitions and origins.

General Gastroenterology

GI Symptoms Common in Patients With Cancer and COVID-19

Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA

January 5, 2021

Investigators evaluated the prevalence and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with COVID-19 and cancer who were hospitalized during the study period.

In this study, a young adult was defined as an individual who was 40 years or younger.

General Gastroenterology

Evolving Incidence Trends in AYA Cancers

Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA

December 4, 2020

Cancer incidence trends across 41 countries demonstrated sharp increases and decreases in certain cancer types over the last 15 years.

Male doctor explaining results to middlea-ged female patient in hallway

General Gastroenterology

Antibiotics May Reduce Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA

November 20, 2020

Antibiotic use prior to ICI treatment may reduce ICI efficacy and result in worse survival outcomes among patients with cancer, in a retrospective study.

New, less aggressive guidelines have been developed for management of pancreatic cysts.

Pancreatic Disorders

Neoadjuvant Urelumab-Containing Combination Has Preliminary Activity in Pancreatic Cancer

Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA

November 18, 2020

Preliminary data suggest that neoadjuvant treatment of resected pancreatic cancer with urelumab plus nivolumab and GVAX was well tolerated and showed some antitumor activity in a small study.

Overall, it is estimated that approximately 7% to 11% of patients experience tumor shrinkage in phase 1 trials.

Liver

Statistical Index Suggests That Immunotherapy Trials in Liver Cancer and Other Malignancies Show Uncertain Clinical Benefit

Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA

November 10, 2020

The survival-inferred fragility index of phase 3 trials for immune checkpoint inhibitors suggests that, despite statistical significance, survival data do not show a robust clinical benefit.