BostonGene, a leader in AI-powered solutions for drug discovery and development, announced a collaboration with the SWOG Cancer Research Network on a new multicohort study designed to transform treatment approaches for extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). The study, titled "S2409, PRISM: PRecIsion in SCLC via a Multicohort Study," represents a randomized Phase II investigation evaluating maintenance durvalumab with or without biomarker-directed therapy for ES-SCLC patients.
The National Cancer Institute-supported trial aims to redefine the standard of care for ES-SCLC patients by employing biomarker-driven personalized treatment strategies. Currently, standard treatment for ES-SCLC involves combination chemotherapy and anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy, followed by maintenance immunotherapy. While this broad approach extends overall survival by 2-3 months, it still results in disease progression in most patients.
AI-Powered Molecular Profiling Platform
The PRISM study will utilize BostonGene's AI-powered multiomic platform to identify molecular subtypes and assign patients to therapy based on their specific subtype. The platform enables deep characterization of each patient's tumor and immune profile, supporting the selection of more effective therapies and helping to accelerate translational insights that inform future drug development.
The trial will enroll up to 900 patients and is designed to utilize novel biomarkers to identify and treat patients who may benefit from the addition of targeted agents, such as PARP inhibitors, to standard therapy. The study will be led by SWOG, conducted within the NCI's National Clinical Trials Network, and chaired by Drs. Anne Chiang of the Yale Cancer Center and Alberto Chiappori of the Moffitt Cancer Center, in conjunction with Translational Medicine chairs Drs. Lauren Byers and Carl Gay of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Building on Previous Research Success
The trial builds on ongoing collaborative work between MD Anderson's lung cancer group, including Drs. Byers and Gay, and BostonGene to identify and validate four molecular subtypes of SCLC that exhibit distinct biological and therapeutic profiles. Initial findings from the SWOG S1929 trial demonstrated promising improvements in progression-free survival using this targeted approach.
"S2409 PRISM will test the hypothesis that we can be more effective in treating extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer by targeting the vulnerabilities of specific molecular subtypes," said study chair Dr. Chiang, who also serves as SWOG's executive officer overseeing lung cancer and breast cancer research. "We hope to demonstrate that it's feasible to identify the SCLC subtype in the clinical setting and to use that information to select the best therapy for each patient."
Clinical Impact and Future Implications
The goal of the upcoming study is to optimize outcomes for each subtype, offering patients more effective and individualized treatments. Dr. Nathan Fowler, Chief Medical Officer at BostonGene, emphasized the study's potential impact: "Collaborating with SWOG on this landmark study aligns with our mission to deliver innovative, data-driven insights that are transforming cancer care. By combining advanced molecular profiling with AI, we're not only able to classify patients more precisely but also to advance therapy selection and accelerate the development of next-generation treatments."
According to Fowler, the study is positioned to reshape the treatment landscape in lung cancer and provide a roadmap for building and validating biomarker-driven treatment approaches across cancers. BostonGene's platform integrates advanced molecular and immune profiling with clinical data to uncover actionable insights that inform trial design, optimize patient selection, and improve clinical outcomes.
