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.
News
Drug conjugate extends life in HER2+ end-stage metastatic colorectal cancer
An almost 50% response rate is “very exciting.”
News
Study findings support consideration of second biopsy for transected melanomas
Accurate Breslow depth is necessary for surgical decisions.
News
Mohs surgery favorable as monotherapy for early Merkel cell carcinomas
Small series adds to growing body of literature.
News
Study supports intensifying chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer
Intensifying chemoradiotherapy appeared to improve outcomes in locally advanced head and neck cancer.
News
Novel hedgehog inhibitor strategies improve BCC outcomes
Upfront tumor debulking seems to help.
News
Checkpoint inhibitor skin side effects more common in women
"Clinicians should consider these results in counseling female patients regarding an elevated risk of dermatologic adverse events."
News
Lobaplatin deemed ‘promising alternative’ to cisplatin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
A lobaplatin-based regimen was as effective as a cisplatin-based regimen in a phase 3 trial.
News
Survival benefit with nivolumab extends to 5 years in NSCLC
Early response portends durable outcome, but the optimal duration of treatment is uncertain.
News
Cell-free DNA improves response prediction in breast cancer
Using cell-free DNA and MRI in combination improved prediction of pathological complete response.
News
Combo provides ‘broad benefit’ across NHL subtypes
Adding copanlisib to rituximab improved progression-free survival, but overall survival data are not mature.
News
Endometrial thickness could predict cancer, guide lymph node assessment
Patients with endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia don’t need routine lymph node sampling, an investigator says.
News
Negative results when immunotherapy was added to chemoradiotherapy
A phase 3 trial investigating the addition of avelumab to chemoradiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer was stopped early.
News
Technique combines ‘best of both worlds’ to target lung nodules
Bronchoscopic transbronchial microwave ablation proved feasible in a small study.