The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2024 annual meeting in Chicago showcased promising investigational therapies across various malignancies. Several key updates were presented, highlighting advancements in treatment strategies and improved patient outcomes.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Opdivo/Yervoy Combo for Liver Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) announced positive Phase III data for the combination of Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab) in first-line treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The CheckMate-9DW trial revealed a median overall survival of 23.7 months for the combination, compared to 20.6 months for patients treated with Eisai's Lenvima (lenvatinib) or Bayer's Nexavar (sorafenib). The objective response rate was 36% for the Opdivo/Yervoy arm and 13% for the Lenvima/Nexavar arm. Complete response rates were also higher in the combination arm (7%) versus the comparator arm (2%).
Dana Walker, VP at BMS, noted that the Opdivo/Yervoy combination has been an established second-line treatment for advanced HCC, and these results demonstrate significantly increased survival in the first-line setting. The safety profile remained consistent with previous data, with treatment-related adverse events reported in 84% of the combination group and 91% of the Lenvima/Nexavar group.
Sanofi: Sarclisa Combo in Multiple Myeloma
Sanofi presented data on the use of Sarclisa (isatuximab) in combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (VRd) for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients ineligible for transplant. The trial demonstrated a 40% reduction in the risk of death or disease progression compared to VRd alone (p=0.0005). At a median follow-up of 59.7 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) in the Sarclisa-VRd arm was not reached, versus 54.3 months in the standard of care arm. The estimated PFS at 60 months was 63.2% for the combination versus 45.2% for VRd alone.
Secondary endpoints also favored the Sarclisa combination, with a complete response (CR) rate of 74.7% compared to 64% in the standard of care arm. Minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative CR was achieved in 55.5% of patients treated with the combination, versus 40.9% in the standard-of-care group. Sanofi is seeking regulatory approval for this combination in transplant-ineligible patients.
AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo: Enhertu in Breast Cancer
AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo announced positive results from the Destiny-Breast06 Phase III trial, evaluating Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) in HR-positive, HER2-low and HER2-ultralow breast cancer patients whose disease progressed despite endocrine therapy. In patients with HER2-low breast cancer, Enhertu reduced disease progression or death by 38% versus chemotherapy (p<0.0001), with a median PFS of 13.2 months in the Enhertu arm versus 8.1 months with chemotherapy. In the overall trial population, Enhertu reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 37% versus chemotherapy (p<0.0001), also with a 13.2-month PFS.
The objective response rate (ORR) in the overall population was 57.3% for Enhertu and 31.2% for chemotherapy. Susan Galbraith, EVP at AstraZeneca, stated that these results represent another potential paradigm shift in treating HR-positive metastatic breast cancer, reinforcing Enhertu's potential to improve outcomes earlier in the treatment landscape.
