News & Comment

FANCM protein truncating variants (PTVs) are emerging as risk factors for ER-negative and triple negative breast cancer. Here, we discuss evidence that greatest risk associates with PTVs, such as p.Arg658*, that extensively truncate the 2048 amino acid FANCM protein. Moreover, risks associated with other less-truncating FANCM PTVs such as p.Gln1701* and p.Gly1906Alafs12* may be amplified by additional gene variants acting as modifiers. Further studies need to be conducted taking into considerations these aspects.

In the global health emergency caused by the COVID-19, clinical trial management has proven to be critical for the pharmaceutical industry, sponsors, and healthcare professionals. Our experience as a sponsor managing interventional oncology clinical studies has provided us with some data and insights. Though limited by sample size, our data emphasize the importance of quickly adopting measures that first prioritize patient safety and data validity, then consider contingency measures such as telemedicine, virtual medical review, and remote monitoring. Successful adaptations of healthcare and patient management in response to COVID-19 have been fundamental to ensuring continuing clinical cancer research.