About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 7, 2024)
8A Midweek Edition-February 7-8, 2024 The Times, Gainesville, Georgia I gainesvilletimes.com LIFE Cancer treatment advances, doctors push back against side effects Nam Y. Huh Associated Press Jill Feldman, 54, poses for a photo at her home in Deerfield, III., Friday, Jan. 19. Lung cancer patient and advocate Jill Feldman takes pills at home that shrink tumors by blocking a signal that tells cancer cells to grow. BY CARLA K. JOHNSON AP Medical Writer For cancer patients, the harsh side effects of powerful drugs have long been the trade off for living longer. Now, patients and doc tors are questioning whether all that suffering is necessary. They've ignited a movement to radically change how new cancer drugs are tested, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration urging drugmakers to do a better job at find ing the lowest effective dose, even if it takes more time. Advances in treatment mean millions of people are surviving for years with incur able cancers. Jill Feldman, 54, of Deerfield, Illinois, has lived 15 years with lung cancer, thanks to that progress. Her parents both died of lung cancer months after their diagnoses. But her cancer drug causes joint pain, fatigue and mouth sores that make eating and drinking painful. “If you drink something that's too hot, you really bum your mouth. That's how my mouth feels 24/7," Feldman said. She has lowered the dose with her doctor's blessing but she wants drugmakers to study lower doses early in the research process. “No one should have to endure avoidable harmful effects of treatment," she said. Unlike in other diseases, cancer drug development has focused on finding what's called the “maximum tolerated dose.” To speed testing of chemotherapy drags, researchers ramp up the dosage in a few people in early studies to determine the highest possible dose patients can toler ate. That “more is better” philosophy works for chemotherapy, but not necessarily for newer cancer drugs — like the one Feldman takes — which are more targeted and work differently. Chemotherapy is like a battering ram where aggressive strikes are a good strategy. But newer cancer drugs are more like hav ing a front door key. They target a mutation that drives cancer cell growth, for example, or rev up the body's immune system to join the fight. “You might only need a low dose to turn off that cancer driver,” said Dr. Lillian Siu, who leads cancer drug development at the Princess Margaret Cancer Center in Toronto. “If you can get the same bang for your buck, why go higher?” Through a program called Project Opti- mus, the FDA is pushing drugmakers to include more patients in early dose-finding trials to get better data on when lower doses can work. A key motivation for the project was “the growing calls from patients and advocates that cancer drugs be more toler able,” said FDA spokesperson Chanapa Tan- tibanchachai in an email. Many of the new cancer drags were devel oped using the old strategy. That leads to problems when patients skip doses or stop taking the drugs because of side effects. Some dose recommendations have been offi cially lowered after the drags were approved. Other dose-lowering happens one patient at a time. Nearly half of patients in late-stage trials of 28 targeted therapy drags needed to have their doses lowered, according to one study. “We were pushing the dose as high as we could go,” said Dr. Patricia LoRusso, who leads drug discovery at Yale Cancer Center. “You get side effects and then you have to stop the drug to recover from the side effects and the tumor can grow.” There's also huge patient-to-patient varia tion. The amount of a pill that reaches the bloodstream can vary because of liver and kidney function and other differences. But that means lowering the dose for everyone risks underdosing some patients, LoRusso said. Dr. Julie Gralow, chief medical officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncol ogy, is planning a 500-patient study to test whether lower doses of two drags for breast cancer that has spread. The study will compare two strategies: Starting treatment at the full dose then low ering the dose for side effects versus starting with a lower dose and increasing dosage if the patient does well. Much of the questioning of high doses has come from metastatic breast cancer patients, including the Patient Centered Dosing Initia tive, which has done influential surveys of patients and cancer doctors. “We will be on treatment for the rest of our lives,” said Lesley Kailani Glenn, 58, of Cen tral Point, Oregon. “We want to try to live the best that we can, knowing that treatment is never-ever going to stop.” During the 11 years she's lived with the disease, she has summited Mount Whitney in California, hiked the Cinque Terra in Italy and started a nonprofit. When Glenn learned how cancer drug research favors high doses, she started work ing with her doctor. She has taken drugs at lower doses and even lower when she can't live with the side effects. Diarrhea is her deal- breaker: She wants to be able to walk her dog or shop for groceries without worrying about a bathroom emergency. “The last thing we want to do is have our quality of life stolen from us,” Glenn said. Through Project Optimus, the FDA is encouraging drug developers to conduct more head-to-head dosing comparisons. That could slow down the process, said Dr. Alice Shaw, who leads early cancer drug develop ment at Novartis. “That will require more patients and then, as you can imagine, also will require more time to identify, enroll and treat those patients,” said Shaw said. Adding six months to a year to the process, Shaw said, needs to be balanced against the urgent need for new cancer drugs. But getting the dose right early will in the long ran lead to more effective drugs, said Dr. Timothy Yap, a drug developer at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. “If the patients are not taking the drug, then it's not going to work.” EVENTS Georgia Art League Winter Exhibit. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays through Feb. 26. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. 470-272-3010, mela- nievaughanl33@gmail.com. Free. Author Talk: Bobby Nash. 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 7. Hall County Library System, Gainesville Branch, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville. 770-532-3311 ext. 4011, jcline@hallcountylibrary.org. Free. Flomeschool Workshop: The Art of Papermaking. 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 7. Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville, 1911 Sweetbay Drive, Gainesville. $10. Caffeine and Octane Lanier Race way. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 9. Caffeine and Octane's Lanier Raceway, 5301 Winder Highway, Braselton. Elachee Story Time. 10:30to 11:30 a. m. Feb. 9. The Storybook Market, 224 Main St. SW, Gainesville. 770-535- 1976. Free. Valentine’s Weekend Sunset Cruises. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9-14. Lanier Boat Charter, 6800 Lights Ferry Road, Flowery Branch. 678-882-8062, cpt- thomasstepnowski@gmail.com. $225. Cat Cafe. 1 to3 p.m. Feb. 12. Hall County Library system, Gainesville Branch, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville. 770-532-3311 ext. 4011, jcline@hall- countylibrary.org. Free. Galentine’s Charcuterie Workshop. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12. Hall County Library System, Gainesville Branch, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville. 770-532- 3311 ext. 4011, jcline@hallcountyli- brary.org. Free. Valentine Flower Fundraiser. 9 a. m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 12-14. The Marketplace, 1 First St., Gainesville. 470-703-0187, themarketplacel717@gmail.com. $20. Local History and Genealogy Re sources in the County Next Door. 10:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 13. Gainesville Branch Library, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesvi lie. 770-532-3311 ext. 4011. Free. Special Needs Social Hour. 11a.m. to noon Feb. 14. Hall County Library System, Gainesville Branch, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville. 770-532-3311 ext. 4011, jcline@hal Icou ntyl i bra ry. org. Free. The Crown MountainTrio. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16. Gainesville Performing Arts Center, 3040 Landrum Education Drive, Oakwood. 706-864-1423, mu- sic@ung.edu. Free. The Crucible. 7:30 to 10 p.m. Feb. 16- 17. Brenau University’s Hosch Theatre, 429 Academy St. NE, Gainesville. 678- 717-3624, boxoffice@gainesvillethe- atrealliance.org. $16 - $24. Lori Williams Quintet 2024 Evenings of Intimate Jazz. 8tol0p.m. Feb. 16. The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Spring St. SW, Gainesville. 770-534- 2787, info@theartscouncil.net. $40. Nicole Zuraitis Quarter. 8 to 10 p.m. Feb. 16-17. The Arts Council Smith- gall Arts Center, 331 Spring St. SW, Gainesville. 770-534-2787, info@ theartscouncil.net. $40. Roman Street Quarter 2024 Evenings of lntimateJazz.8to 10 p.m. Feb. 16. The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Spring St. SW, Gainesville. 770- 534-2787, info@theartscouncil.net. $40. Art as Therapy: Paint Pour. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 17. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514Green St. NE, Gainesville. 770-536-2575, info@QVAC.org. $40. Georgia Audubon Birding Hike. 8 to 10 a.m. Feb. 17. Chicopee Lake, Gaines ville. 770-535-1976. $10. ONGOING Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group. 5:30-6:30 p. m. first Tuesdays of the month. Grace Episcopal Church, 422 Brenau Ave. NE, Gainesville. 727- 409-6608, charlenebestdewitt@gmail. com. Free. Card workshop. 10a.m.to 1 p.m.first Saturdays of the month. Hall County Library System, Gainesville branch, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville. 770-532- 3311 ext. 4011, gkoecher@hallcoun- tylibrary.org. Discovery Saturdays. 10a.m.to3 p.m. second Saturdays of the month. Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. 770-535- 1976. $3-$5. Ekphrasisforthe Masses. Noon to 1 p.m. second Tuesdays of the month. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. 770-536-2575, info@qvac.org. Free. GainesvilleLacers. 10a.rn.tol p.m. third Saturdays of the month. Hall County Library System, Gainesville branch, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville. 770-532-3311, gkoecher@hallcoun- tylibrary.org. Gentle Yoga. 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.second, third and fourth Wednes days. Blackshear Place Branch Library, 2927 Atlanta Highway, Gainesville. 770-337-1572, dl9345@bellsouth. net. Free. Georgia Cross Stitchers. 10a.m.to 4:30 p.m. second Saturdays of the month. Hall County Library System, Gainesville Branch, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville. 770-532-3311 ext. 4011; gkoecher@hallcountylibrary.org. Free. Gold Rush Quilting Guild. 10 a.m. to noon first Wednesdays of the month. Friendship Baptist Church, 3513 Westmoreland Road, Cleveland, ale- nekempton@gmail.com. Hip Hop Class Wednesdays. 4-5 p.m. (3rd to 5th Graders) through May 15. Gainesville Ballet Company, 971 River side Drive, Gainesville. 770-866-5353, info@gbcdance.com. $88. Homeschool Day. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. third Thursdays of the month. Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. 770-535-1976. $15. Ice Skating at Sugar Hill. Through Feb. 17. The Ice Rink at Sugar Hill, 5039 W. Broad St., Sugar Hill. Music Bingo. 7 to 9 p.m. every Thurs day. NoFo Brew Co. Gainesville, 434 High St. SW, Gainesville, topher@nofo- brew.co. Free. Northeast Georgia Writers. 1-3 p.m. first Wednesdays of the month. Gaines ville Downtown Library, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville. talltaleswriter@gmail. com. Free. Tea with Jane Austen: A Reading Group.3-4p.m.fourth Fridaysofthe month through November. Hall County Library System, Gainesville Branch, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville. 770-532- 3311 ext.4011,gkoecher@hallcoun- tylibrary.org. Free. Trivia Night. 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays. NoFo Brew Co Gainesville, 434 High St. SW, Gainesville, topher@nofobrew.co. Free. Turning Leaves BookClub. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.first Wednesdays of the month. Linwood Nature Preserve Ecol ogy Center, 415 Linwood Drive, Gaines ville. karin.hicks@uga.edu. War Stories Book Club. 4-5 p. m. sec ond Fridays ofthe month. Murrayville Branch Library, 4796 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville. 770-532- 3311 ext. 171. Free. FROM 7A Valentine’s MayurGala Unsplash This Valentine’s Day, couples can set sail into love onboard the Valentine’s Weekend Couples Sunset Cruise, hosted Feb. 9-14 by Lanier Boat & Charter. Stubing. For more information and to buy tickets, visit Lanier Boat & Charter's website. Tea at the Northeast Georgia History Center Want to combine romance with a little education? Then enjoy tea for two while learn ing about the history of Val entine's Day at the Northeast Georgia History Center in Gainesville on Saturday, Feb. 10. You'll be treated to a curated selection of fine teas, an assortment of sweet and savory treats, and a presenta tion on the origins and evolu tion of Valentine's Day. Cost is $35, $45 for non-mem bers, and pre-registration is required. Valentine’s Wine Dinner at Sweet Acre Farms Winery Another Valentine's Day option in nearby Alto is at Sweet Acre Farms Winery is the Valentine's Wine Dinner, a four-course meal with four wine pairings for $190 per couple. Live entertainment will be supplied by Rail Town Music. Dahlonegawith your darling If you want to get out of town for Valentine's Day, try Dahlonega. The Inn at Black berry Hill offers a Romance Package with mood-setting accommodations, including a bed adorned upon arrival with romantic rose petals. Mean while, Dahlonega Resort and Vineyard will be offering a Lovers' Dinner on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, with a special chef-crafted three-course meal for $85 per person; a few rooms are still available to book, starting at $135 a night. And White Oaks Bistro, nor mally open only for special events, will be offering a spe cial Valentine's Dinner for the public on Friday, Feb. 16, per fect for those who can't spare time in the middle of the week. Galentine’s Charcuterie Workshop Finally, for those without a Valentine but still in the mood to do something with their gal pals, the Hall County Library System's main branch in Gainesville is staging a Gals' Night Out Charcuterie Work shop on Monday, Feb. 12. For only $20, you get to put together a Galentine-themed charcuterie board, a fancy name for a board of meats and cheeses, perfect for snack ing while binge-watching your favorite TV shows with friends. Vitor Monthay Unsplash Another wonderful love to celebrate on Valentine’s is the platonic love in our lives. So, grab all your gal pals and check out the Gal’s Night Out Charcuterie Workshop being held at the Hall County Libary System’s main branch in Gainesville on Monday, Feb. 12.
