M. Alexander Otto began his reporting career early in 1999 covering the pharmaceutical industry for a national pharmacists' magazine and freelancing for the Washington Post and other newspapers. He then joined BNA, now part of Bloomberg News, covering health law and the protection of people and animals in medical research. Alex next worked for the McClatchy Company. Based on his work, Alex won a year-long Knight Science Journalism Fellowship to MIT in 2008-2009. He joined the company shortly thereafter. Alex has a newspaper journalism degree from Syracuse (N.Y.) University and a master's degree in medical science -- a physician assistant degree -- from George Washington University. Alex is based in Seattle.
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Michigan Oncologist Charged in Scheme to Illegally Sell Cancer Drugs
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
A physician has been indicted on charges of conspiring to and also taking part in the illegal sale of more than $17 million worth of cancer drugs...
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FDA Approves Lymphir for R/R Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
The immunotherapy is a reformulation of denileukin diftitox that was initially approved for certain patients with persistent or recurrent...
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What Does Hormone Receptor Mean in BRCA-Associated BC?
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
Large international study highlights the impact of hormone receptor status in young women with BRCA-associated breast cancer.
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Circulating Tumor DNA Hints at BC Recurrence Risk
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
Despite suggestive results, researchers say it’s too early to use ctDNA for adjuvant decisions in early, high-risk breast cancer.
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‘Double-Expresser’ DLBCL: Tucidinostat Improved R-CHOP Outcomes
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
As of yet, there’s been no improvement in overall survival with tucidinostat in an interim analysis of a Chinese phase 3 trial.
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Subcutaneous Immunotherapy Promises Better Life For Cancer Patients
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
A move toward subcutaneous versions of standard biologics means less time in clinic for physicians and patients.
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Lung Cancer Screening Unveils Hidden Health Risks
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
An ongoing trial is using lung cancer screening CT scans to also look for signs of impending heart disease in 24,000 Europeans.
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BC axillary dissection may be unnecessary for isolated tumor cells after NAC
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
A large study has addressed a key question in breast cancer surgery: what to do when isolated tumor cells are found in sentinel lymph nodes after...
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Nodal Radiation May Make BC Axillary Dissection Unnecessary
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
A major trial finds that there’s no need to do both in breast cancer patients with just one or two positive sentinel lymph nodes.
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Lower olanzapine dose just as effective for chemotherapy-induced nausea, vomiting
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
A 2.5-mg dose of olanzapine may be just as effective at preventing nausea and vomiting as the standard 10 mg with far less daytime drowsiness.
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Can younger postmenopausal women with low-risk BC skip radiation?
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
Early results look promising for skipping radiation for low-risk, hormone receptor–positive breast cancer in women 50 years and older, but there...
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Even with insurance, cancer out-of-pocket costs can be punishing
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
In a review of commercial claims data, out-of-pocket costs ranged up to $450,374 for stage I breast cancer within a year of diagnosis.
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Omitting surgery may be safe in early BC after neoadjuvant pCR
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
A small trial in early breast cancer has reported 100% disease-free survival at 3 years in women who skipped surgery following pathologic complete...
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Later-line tisotumab vedotin shows survival benefit in metastatic cervical CA
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
Results are similar to cemiplimab, but unlike TV, cemiplimab is not yet approved for the indication.
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Induction chemotherapy in first line improves survival for locally advanced cervical cancer
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
With similar results reported for pembrolizumab, a question has arisen about how to incorporate induction chemotherapy and pembrolizumab into a...