AstraZeneca is set to present groundbreaking oncology research at the upcoming American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting from May 30 to June 3, 2025, reinforcing its position as a leader in cancer treatment innovation.
The company will showcase more than 80 abstracts featuring 20 approved and potential new medicines, including two plenary presentations, one special late-breaking oral abstract session, and 19 additional oral presentations. This marks an unprecedented seventh consecutive year that AstraZeneca medicines will be featured in an ASCO plenary session, highlighting the company's consistent contributions to advancing cancer care.
Transforming Breast Cancer Treatment
Among the most anticipated presentations is the SERENA-6 Phase III trial, which will be featured as a plenary presentation. This study evaluated camizestrant, an investigational next-generation oral selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD), in combination with CDK4/6 inhibitors for first-line treatment of hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer in patients with emergent ESR1 mutations.
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President of Oncology Haematology R&D at AstraZeneca, emphasized the significance of this trial: "SERENA-6 is the first pivotal Phase III trial to use circulating tumor DNA to inform a treatment switch, pioneering this technology in the first-line setting to delay disease progression in HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer."
This represents the first positive Phase III trial for a next-generation oral SERD in this first-line setting and the first positive Phase III trial for camizestrant overall, potentially offering a new treatment option for patients with this common form of breast cancer.
Another major highlight is the DESTINY-Breast09 Phase III trial, which will be presented in a special oral session. This study evaluated ENHERTU (trastuzumab deruxtecan) in combination with pertuzumab for first-line treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. According to Galbraith, "DESTINY-Breast09 for ENHERTU in combination with pertuzumab is the first trial in more than a decade to demonstrate superiority over first-line standard of care across a broad HER2-positive metastatic patient population."
Advancing Gastric Cancer Treatment
The second plenary presentation will feature the MATTERHORN Phase III trial, which investigated perioperative IMFINZI (durvalumab) plus FLOT chemotherapy in patients with resectable, early-stage and locally advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers.
Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President of the Oncology Haematology Business Unit at AstraZeneca, noted: "The MATTERHORN data for perioperative IMFINZI in gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers are a further example of our successful strategy to move immunotherapy into early stages of cancer where cure is the treatment goal."
Additionally, the DESTINY-Gastric04 Phase III trial will present data on ENHERTU in second-line HER2-positive unresectable and/or metastatic gastric and GEJ cancers, potentially expanding treatment options for these difficult-to-treat malignancies.
Innovations in Lung Cancer
The NeoADAURA Phase III trial will present findings on neoadjuvant TAGRISSO (osimertinib) with or without chemotherapy in resectable, early-stage EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aims to evaluate whether adding TAGRISSO to the treatment regimen before surgery can improve outcomes for patients with this specific genetic mutation.
The TROPION-Lung02 study will showcase computational pathology biomarker analyses of DATROWAY (datopotamab deruxtecan) plus pembrolizumab with or without platinum chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced NSCLC without actionable genomic alterations. This research could help identify which patients might benefit most from this combination therapy.
Rare Disease Advances
The KOMET Phase III trial will present data on KOSELUGO (selumetinib) in adults with neurofibromatosis type 1 and symptomatic, inoperable plexiform neurofibromas. This represents an important advancement in the treatment of this rare genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body.
Collaborative Approach
AstraZeneca's presentations highlight the company's collaborative approach to drug development. The company is working with Daiichi Sankyo to develop and commercialize ENHERTU and DATROWAY, with Merck & Co. (known as MSD outside the US and Canada) on KOSELUGO, and with HUTCHMED on savolitinib.
These collaborations have enabled AstraZeneca to accelerate the development of innovative treatments across multiple cancer types, bringing new options to patients with significant unmet needs.
Comprehensive Research Portfolio
Other notable presentations include:
- SACHI Phase III trial of savolitinib combined with osimertinib versus chemotherapy in EGFR-mutant and MET-amplification advanced NSCLC
- NIAGARA trial analyzing circulating tumor DNA in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer who received perioperative durvalumab
- AEGEAN trial examining associations of post-surgical minimal residual disease status with neoadjuvant circulating tumor DNA dynamics in resectable NSCLC
- ADRIATIC trial investigating clinical and molecular characteristics of early progressors and long-term progression-free survivors in limited-stage small-cell lung cancer
- CALLA trial on ultrasensitive detection and tracking of circulating tumor DNA in locally advanced cervical cancer
These studies collectively demonstrate AstraZeneca's commitment to advancing precision medicine approaches across various cancer types, with a particular focus on using biomarkers and circulating tumor DNA to guide treatment decisions.
Looking Ahead
AstraZeneca's strong presence at ASCO 2025 underscores the company's dedication to its stated ambition of eliminating cancer as a cause of death. By developing treatments that can be used earlier in the disease course, identifying biomarkers to guide therapy selection, and creating novel combination approaches, AstraZeneca continues to push the boundaries of cancer research.
The breadth and depth of data being presented reflect the company's comprehensive approach to oncology, spanning multiple tumor types, treatment modalities, and stages of disease. As these treatments move through the development pipeline and into clinical practice, they have the potential to significantly improve outcomes for cancer patients worldwide.
