Victoria Forster, PhD

Victoria Forster is a postdoctoral research scientist and freelance science writer. Her research interests include; DNA repair deficiencies, pediatric cancers, stem cell and organoid models for cancer development and cancer treatment-related side effects. She is also a 25-year survivor of childhood leukemia and an advocate for childhood cancer awareness. She has bylines in several outlets including The Times, The Guardian, Forbes, and Cancer Therapy Advisor.

All articles by Victoria Forster, PhD

Prostate Cancer

Immunotherapy in mCRPC: Teasing Out the Right Dosing Schedule

Victoria Forster, PhD

October 8, 2020

The phase 2 Clinical Trial CheckMate 650 shows promise for some immunotherapy in subset of patients with advanced prostate cancer, but the toxicities are concerning.

Phase 2 clinical trial shows promising result for dabrafenib and trametinib combination in patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma with a BRAFV600E mutation.

General Oncology

Dabrafenib and Trametinib Show Promise in Advanced Cholangiocarcinoma

Victoria Forster, PhD

September 25, 2020

Phase 2 clinical trial shows promising result for dabrafenib and trametinib combination in patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma with a BRAFV600E mutation.

New guidelines from the American Cancer Society (ACS) appear to move away from the reliance on cytology screening via Pap testing.

Gynecologic Cancer

American Cancer Society Updates Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines

Victoria Forster, PhD

September 16, 2020

New guidelines from the American Cancer Society (ACS) appear to move away from the reliance on cytology screening via Pap testing.

$FDA approves allogenic CAR T cells targeted at BCMA for phase 1 trial in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.$

Multiple Myeloma

Phase 1 Trial Featuring First shRNA-Edited CAR-T Therapy to Begin

Victoria Forster, PhD

September 9, 2020

FDA approves allogenic CAR T cells targeted at BCMA for phase 1 trial in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

A new approach combining inducible gene therapy and an anti–PD-1 shows promise in hard-to-treat brain tumors.

Brain Cancer

Phase 2 Trial Using IL-12 Gene Therapy for Glioblastoma Reaches Recruitment Target

Victoria Forster, PhD

August 13, 2020

A new approach combining inducible gene therapy and an anti–PD-1 shows promise in hard-to-treat brain tumors.

The approval is based on evidence that the vaccine can prevent anogenital infections, with an ongoing trial looking at throat infection prevention in men likely to be critical for continued approval.

Head and Neck Cancer

Gardasil 9 for the Prevention of Some Head and Neck Cancers: Measuring the Benefit

Victoria Forster, PhD

August 10, 2020

The approval is based on evidence that the vaccine can prevent anogenital infections, with an ongoing trial looking at throat infection prevention in men likely to be critical for continued approval.

Pediatric Cancer

Children With Cancer Not Experiencing as Severe COVID-19 as Initially Feared

Victoria Forster, PhD

August 4, 2020

Studies suggest that the majority of pediatric patients with cancer and COVID-19 experience mild disease — rather than severe disease — as a result of infection with the novel virus.

There have been some concerns that the immunomodulatory effect of PD-1 blockade may influence the response of patients with cancer to COVID-19.

Lung Cancer

Prior PD-1 Blockade Did Not Appear to Influence the Severity of COVID-19 in Patients With Lung Cancer

Victoria Forster, PhD

June 17, 2020

There have been some concerns that the immunomodulatory effect of PD-1 blockade may influence the response of patients with cancer to COVID-19.

Phase 3 clinical trial of combination shows survival and quality-of-life benefits vs the standard of care, sorafenib, leading to the regimen’s expedited regulatory approval.

Gastrointestinal Cancers

Bevacizumab + Atezolizumab: Survival and Quality-of-Life Benefits in Advanced Liver Cancer Spur Regulatory Approval

Victoria Forster, PhD

June 11, 2020

Phase 3 clinical trial of combination shows survival and quality-of-life benefits vs the standard of care, sorafenib, leading to the regimen’s expedited regulatory approval.