The landscape of cancer treatment is evolving with the emergence of novel therapies and combinations that are showing promise across various cancer types. Recent data and approvals highlight advancements in melanoma, breast, and prostate cancers, offering new hope for patients and reshaping treatment paradigms.
Melanoma: Enhanced Efficacy with Novel Combination
Long-term follow-up data from a phase 1 study (NCT03005782) of fianlimab (an anti–LAG-3 agent) in combination with cemiplimab (Libtayo; an anti–PD-1 agent) in advanced melanoma continues to demonstrate promising efficacy and safety. Meredith McKean, MD, MPH, director of melanoma and skin cancer research at Sarah Cannon Research Institute, noted the excitement surrounding this regimen, stating that the objective response rate is doubled compared to anti–PD-1 therapy alone, with a safety profile better tolerated than ipilimumab (Yervoy) and nivolumab (Opdivo). Additional studies are ongoing in adjuvant and frontline metastatic settings to further explore the potential of this combination.
Breast Cancer: Targeting PI3K Mutations
Inavolisib (Itovebi), combined with palbociclib (Ibrance) and fulvestrant, has gained FDA approval for hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative (HER2–), PIK3CA-mutated breast cancer. The approval was based on the phase 3 INAVO120 study (NCT04191499). Dejan Juric, MD, lead investigator of INAVO120, highlighted the unique mechanism of action of inavolisib, explaining that it not only inhibits the PI3K target but also promotes its degradation, preventing cells from adapting and reactivating the same target.
Prostate Cancer: Improving Survival in Advanced Stages
Talazoparib (Talzenna) plus enzalutamide (Xtandi) has demonstrated a meaningful overall survival improvement in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), including those with homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene mutations. The phase 3 double-blind TALAPRO-2 study (NCT03395197) evaluated the combination against placebo. Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO, professor at Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, and global lead investigator for TALAPRO-2, stated that these results indicate potentially practice-changing efficacy for talazoparib in combination with enzalutamide for patients with mCRPC, offering much-needed hope for patients with this advanced and aggressive stage of the disease.
