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

A doctor comforts a young patient before chemotherapy.

Hematologic Cancers

Reduced Rates of Central Nervous System Relapse in Patients With High-Risk Pediatric ALL

Victoria Forster, PhD

November 8, 2019

Central nervous system relapse rates in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia can be reduced with additional early doses of intrathecal chemotherapy.

A phase 3 trial looking at nivolumab and ipilimumab in advanced melanoma has reported increased survival with the combination, but notable toxicities.

Skin Cancer

Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab in Advanced Melanoma Improves Survival at 5-Year Follow-Up — but Significant Toxicities Linger

Victoria Forster, PhD

November 7, 2019

A phase 3 trial looking at nivolumab and ipilimumab in advanced melanoma has reported increased survival with the combination, but notable toxicities.

A small study on patients with metastatic melanoma who were treated with autologous vaccines in a phase 2 clinical trial suggests that soluble PD-1 may have potential as a prognostic biomarker.

Skin Cancer

Soluble PD-1 Is a Potential Biomarker in Metastatic Melanoma in Patients Treated With Autologous Vaccines

Victoria Forster, PhD

October 29, 2019

A small study on patients with metastatic melanoma who were treated with autologous vaccines in a phase 2 clinical trial suggests that soluble PD-1 may have potential as a prognostic biomarker.

A T-cell therapy that targets a protein only expressed on HPV-positive cancers has shown low toxicity and impressive responses in some patients enrolled in a phase 1/2 clinical trial.

Gynecologic Cancer

Certain Anatomical Sites Appear to Respond Well to an Investigational T-Cell Therapy for HPV-Positive Epithelial Cancers

Victoria Forster, PhD

September 19, 2019

A T-cell therapy that targets a protein only expressed on HPV-positive cancers has shown low toxicity and impressive responses in some patients enrolled in a phase 1/2 clinical trial.

General Oncology

Phase 3 Trial for Oncolytic Viral Therapy Pexa-Vec in Advanced Liver Cancer Terminated Early

Victoria Forster, PhD

September 10, 2019

Pexa-Vec, in combination with sorafenib, has failed an interim futility analysis, leading to the early termination of the trial.

Early results from a clinical trial of personalized cancer vaccine NEO-PV-01 in 3 types of advanced cancer have shown promise and no significant toxicity issues.

General Oncology

Personalized Cancer Vaccine NEO-PV-01 Shows Promise in 3 Types of Advanced Cancer

Victoria Forster, PhD

August 20, 2019

Early results from a clinical trial of personalized cancer vaccine NEO-PV-01 in 3 types of advanced cancer have shown promise and no significant toxicity issues.

Breast Cancer

Female Childhood Cancer Survivors Are at Increased Risk for Breast Cancer Due to Anthracycline Treatment

Victoria Forster, PhD

August 15, 2019

Survivors of childhood cancers who were treated with anthracyclines are at increased risk for developing breast cancer.

A new study has suggested disrupted glucose metabolism is linked to high levels of DNA damage in the pancreas, which may contribute to the acquisition of KRAS mutations and subsequent carcinogenesis.

Pancreatic Cancer

Disrupted Glucose Metabolism Led to High Levels of DNA Damage in Pancreatic Tissue: Study

Victoria Forster, PhD

August 1, 2019

A new study has suggested disrupted glucose metabolism is linked to high levels of DNA damage in the pancreas, which may contribute to the acquisition of KRAS mutations and subsequent carcinogenesis.

Early results from a phase 1 clinical trial of CAR T cells administered directly into the chest cavity for the treatment of pleural cancers has shown low toxicity and high efficacy.

Lung Cancer

CAR-T Therapy Injected Directly Into Chest Cavity Shows Early Promise in Pleural Cancers

Victoria Forster, PhD

July 9, 2019

Early results from a phase 1 clinical trial of CAR T cells administered directly into the chest cavity for the treatment of pleural cancers has shown low toxicity and high efficacy.

New research has linked microsatellite instability and the number of insertion/deletion mutations present in a tumor to clinical response to checkpoint inhibition.

Skin Cancer

Tumors With High Levels of Microsatellite Instability Responded Well to Treatment With PD-1 Inhibitors

Victoria Forster, PhD

June 19, 2019

New research has linked microsatellite instability and the number of insertion/deletion mutations present in a tumor to clinical response to checkpoint inhibition.

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