New data presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2024 and published in the New England Journal of Medicine highlights the benefits of combining immunotherapy drugs with chemotherapy in treating aggressive forms of triple-negative breast cancer and muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Pembrolizumab in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Professor Peter Schmid presented findings from the Phase III KEYNOTE-522 trial, which involved 1,174 patients across 21 countries. The study demonstrated that administering pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug, in conjunction with chemotherapy before and after surgery significantly reduces the risk of cancer recurrence and improves overall survival in patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer.
"Triple-negative breast cancer has the worst outcomes compared to other types of breast cancer," said Professor Schmid. "The results of this trial have found a much-needed new way to treat this aggressive type of breast cancer, and the treatment regime has already become the new standard of care for these patients."
Durvalumab in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
In a parallel presentation, Professor Tom Powles shared results from the phase three NIAGARA study. This trial, conducted across 22 countries with over 1,000 patients, revealed that combining durvalumab, another immunotherapy drug, with chemotherapy improves survival in individuals with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
"Treating aggressive bladder cancer before it spreads is perhaps our best chance of a cure. In NIAGARA, we show for the first time that the addition of immune therapy to chemotherapy increases this cure rate. This is a major step forward for these patients," Professor Powles stated.
Clinical Implications
These findings represent significant advancements in the treatment of these aggressive cancers, offering new hope for improved outcomes and potential cures. The combination therapies are poised to become new standards of care, addressing critical unmet needs in oncology.
