TNBC Advances: Chemo-Free Regimen Shows Promise; Novel Immunotherapy Achieves High Response Rates

Key Insights

• Neoadjuvant nivolumab with or without ipilimumab induced immune activation and pathologic complete responses in early triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
• A novel immunotherapy strategy achieved high complete response rates in TNBC without typical immune-related adverse effects.
• Cetuximab improved 2-year disease-free survival versus durvalumab in cisplatin-ineligible advanced head and neck cancer patients.

A chemotherapy-free regimen of neoadjuvant nivolumab, with or without ipilimumab, has shown promising results in patients with early triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The treatment induced immune activation in a majority of patients, leading to pathologic complete responses and clearance of circulating tumor DNA. This was reported at ESMO and published in Nature Medicine.

Novel Immunotherapy in TNBC

In another development for TNBC, a novel immunotherapy strategy achieved a high rate of complete responses without the usual immune-related adverse effects. The findings were presented by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, marking a significant step forward in treating this aggressive form of breast cancer.

Cetuximab vs. Durvalumab in Head and Neck Cancer

Cetuximab has demonstrated superior outcomes compared to durvalumab in cisplatin-intolerant or ineligible patients with advanced head and neck cancer. According to research from UC San Diego and published in Lancet Oncology, cetuximab improved 2-year disease-free survival in this patient population.