Rasagiline

Targeted therapies for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) are moving to earlier treatment lines, emphasizing the importance of molecular testing. Key options include anti-EGFR therapy for RAS wild-type patients, BRAF V600E inhibitors like encorafenib, and HER2-directed therapies such as trastuzumab plus tucatinib. Ongoing trials aim to integrate these therapies into first-line settings, including MOUNTAINEER-03 for HER2-positive patients and studies on new RAS-targeted therapies.

2024 saw progress in pancreatic cancer treatment with four new drug approvals, a phase 3 trial showing survival benefits, and the first phase 3 RAS inhibitor trial. The five-year survival rate rose to 13%, though pancreatic cancer remains challenging. Targeted therapies and biomarker testing are crucial, with new options like NALIRIFOX, KRAS inhibitors, and TTFields offering hope.

Intermittent panitumumab and FOLFIRI showed promising progression-free survival in RAS/BRAF wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer patients, with median progression-free survival of 11.2 months (continuous) and 17.5 months (intermittent). The intermittent approach reduced toxicity and allowed more time off treatment.

New Amsterdam Pharma's CETP inhibitor succeeded in Phase 3 trials, GSK partnered with Relation for fibrotic disease and osteoarthritis drugs, Cardiff Oncology's CRDF-004 showed tumor shrinkage in metastatic colon cancer patients, and Cure Ventures launched Tasca Therapeutics with $52 million for cancer therapies. GSK's Blenrep showed improved survival in multiple myeloma patients, J&J's Darzalex may prevent myeloma in high-risk patients, and Uniqure received FDA approval to seek accelerated approval for Huntington's disease gene therapy.

Lantern Pharma enrolls first patient in Taiwan for Phase 2 HARMONIC™ trial evaluating LP-300 in never-smoker NSCLC patients, highlighting Taiwan's significance due to over 50% of lung cancer cases occurring in never-smokers.

No difference in overall survival between FOLFOXIRI plus bevacizumab and FOLFOX/FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab in colorectal cancer patients with liver-only metastases, regardless of RAS/BRAF V600E variant status and tumor sidedness. FOLFOX/FOLFIRI-bevacizumab is supported for these patients.

Molecular testing shapes treatment decisions in advanced pancreatic cancer, with RAS inhibitors potentially increasing genetic testing importance. Bekaii-Saab discusses chemotherapy regimen selection, emphasizing molecular testing's role and targeted therapies' potential. Triplet regimens like NALIRIFOX and FOLFIRINOX are favored over doublets, though gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel shows comparable efficacy. NAPOLI 3 data suggests NALIRIFOX's superiority, though toxicity considerations remain. Germline and somatic tumor profiling guide treatment, especially for RAS mutations and other targeted strategies.

Angiotensin II, a synthetic vasopressor, effectively treats vasodilatory shock in the ATHOS-3 trial, achieving target mean arterial pressure. While no significant mortality differences were observed, post hoc analyses suggest survival benefits for high renin vasodilatory shock subgroups. Safety profiles showed no increase in serious adverse events, but a nonsignificant higher rate of deep vein thrombosis in the angiotensin II group. FDA approval includes warnings for thrombotic events, with reported differences in thromboembolic event rates between FDA and ATHOS-3 trial data. A systematic review by Caragata et al. found insufficient evidence to confirm or refute a consistent association between angiotensin II therapy and increased thromboembolic risk, highlighting the need for standardized diagnostic criteria and further research on early angiotensin II initiation.

Aptose Biosciences announced financial results for Q3 2024, highlighting a net loss decrease to $7.0 million. The company secured a $10 million loan from Hanmi to support tuspetinib development, showcasing its potential in AML triplet therapies. Aptose faces challenges with Nasdaq compliance, aiming to address stockholders' equity and minimum bid price requirements. Key milestones include initiating TUS+VEN+AZA triplet dosing in newly diagnosed AML patients and reporting data from ongoing studies.

Atezolizumab combined with targeted therapy (vemurafenib/cobimetinib or bevacizumab) significantly improved median overall survival to 18.23 months in patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, according to a phase 2 trial. The study, published in JAMA Oncology, involved 43 patients divided into three cohorts based on tumor mutations. The longest median OS of 43.24 months was observed in cohort 1 with BRAF V600E mutations. Adverse effects were noted, including one death due to colonic perforation.