MEDSIR, in collaboration with Oncoclinicas & Co., presented 12 new studies at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) congress, highlighting advancements in personalized cancer treatments. The research spanned prostate, breast, thymic, and lung cancers, with a focus on improving therapeutic options for complex and difficult-to-treat cases.
ABIGAIL Study: Chemotherapy-Free Option in Breast Cancer
The ABIGAIL study evaluated abemaciclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor, combined with endocrine therapy as a first-line treatment for HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer patients with poor prognosis. The study aimed to demonstrate that this chemotherapy-free approach was not inferior to paclitaxel in terms of overall response rate and safety within the first 12 weeks. Results indicated a markedly better overall response rate at 12 weeks in the abemaciclib and endocrine therapy group (59%) compared to the chemotherapy group (40%).
Dr. Juan de la Haba, principal investigator of the study and oncologist at the Reina Sofia University Hospital in Córdoba, Spain, stated, "The data from the ABIGAIL study are a crucial step forward for patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer... This study reinforces our commitment to finding more effective and less aggressive therapeutic solutions for those who need it most."
PECATI Study: Novel Combination Therapy for Thymic Tumors
The PECATI study addressed the lack of standard treatments for metastatic thymic carcinomas beyond chemotherapy. This international study, conducted across 10 hospitals in Spain, Italy, and France, assessed the efficacy of combining lenvatinib and pembrolizumab in patients with advanced and previously treated thymic tumors. The results showed that 88% of patients experienced no disease progression within the first 5 months of treatment, and 62% remained progression-free at 12 months.
Dr. Jordi Remon, principal investigator of the study and medical oncologist at the Institut Gustave Roussy in Paris, France, commented, "These results are truly promising... While research is essential to improve treatments in any type of cancer, it becomes even more relevant in rare tumors such as thymomas, where treatment options are more limited."
Advancing Research in Brain Metastasis
MEDSIR also led MEDTalks, a symposium focused on brain metastasis, addressing the critical need for innovative solutions in treating this condition, particularly in solid tumors like lung, breast, and skin cancers. The symposium highlighted the role of Investigator-Initiated Trials (IITs) and pharmaceutical industry-sponsored trials in advancing understanding and treatment strategies, with discussions on new drugs like Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) and radio-ligands.
