M. Alexander Otto

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

FDA OKs Blood-Based Test to Help Diagnose Prostate Cancer

Author:: M. Alexander Otto

Publish date: December 3, 2025

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Revumenib Approved for R/R Acute Leukemia With KMT2A Translocation

Author:: M. Alexander Otto

Publish date: November 18, 2024

The oral small molecule is the first drug approved for a major driver of acute leukemia in infants.

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Michigan Oncologist Charged in Scheme to Illegally Sell Cancer Drugs

Author:: M. Alexander Otto

Publish date: October 31, 2024

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

Publish date: August 9, 2024

The immunotherapy is a reformulation of denileukin diftitox that was initially approved for certain patients with persistent or recurrent cutaneous...

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What Does Hormone Receptor Mean in BRCA-Associated BC?

Author:: M. Alexander Otto

Publish date: July 29, 2024

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

Publish date: July 24, 2024

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

Publish date: July 15, 2024

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

Publish date: March 25, 2024

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

Publish date: March 25, 2024

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

Publish date: January 12, 2024

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 n...

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Nodal Radiation May Make BC Axillary Dissection Unnecessary

Author:: M. Alexander Otto

Publish date: January 3, 2024

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

Publish date: December 21, 2023

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

Publish date: December 8, 2023

Early results look promising for skipping radiation for low-risk, hormone receptor–positive breast cancer in women 50 years and older, but there is...

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Even with insurance, cancer out-of-pocket costs can be punishing

Author:: M. Alexander Otto

Publish date: December 5, 2023

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

Publish date: November 2, 2023

A small trial in early breast cancer has reported 100% disease-free survival at 3 years in women who skipped surgery following pathologic complete ...