Gastroesophageal cancer represents a significant unmet medical need, with patients often experiencing short survival times. A phase 1 study (NCT05029882) evaluating telisotuzumab adizutecan (ABBV-400) in patients with advanced gastric/GEJ adenocarcinoma was detailed by John H. Strickler, MD, from Duke Cancer Institute. The study aimed to improve both the quality and length of life for these patients.
Data from the study, presented at the 2024 ESMO Congress, revealed that telisotuzumab adizutecan achieved an overall response rate of 28.6% and a clinical benefit rate of 71.4% in evaluable patients who had received at least one prior line of therapy. The drug targets c-MET overexpression, common in many gastroesophageal cancers, through an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) mechanism, delivering a cytotoxic payload directly to cancer cells.
Despite the promising results, the study also noted that most safety concerns were related to the cytotoxic chemotherapy component of the ADC. Common adverse effects included anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, nausea, and fatigue. The ongoing phase 1 study continues to assess adverse effects and changes in disease activity following treatment with telisotuzumab adizutecan in patients with advanced solid tumors, with a focus on those with advanced gastric/GEJ cancer.
