AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY

Sanofi to present new oncology data at ASCO 2023, including a first-in-human study of SAR443579, a novel NK cell engager for hematological malignancies, granted Fast Track Designation by the FDA. The company focuses on transformative therapies and strategic partnerships to address unmet medical needs in cancer treatment.

Recent advances in BTC molecular characterization reveal it as a target-rich disease, with up to 40% of cases having targetable genomic alterations. IDH1, IDH2, and FGFR2 mutations are notable, especially in iCCA. Ivosidenib and pemigatinib show promise in treating IDH1-mutated and FGFR2-altered BTC, respectively. FGFR inhibitors like futibatinib and erdafitinib are under investigation. MSI-H/dMMR BTC responds to pembrolizumab. NTRK gene fusions, HER2 overexpression, and BRAF V600E mutations are also therapeutic targets, with specific inhibitors showing efficacy. Ongoing trials explore targeted therapies and immunotherapies for BTC, emphasizing the importance of genetic sequencing for personalized treatment.

2022 marked a transition in the COVID-19 pandemic, with advancements in cancer research including 40 FDA oncology drug approvals and promising immunotherapy trials. Despite progress, challenges remain in cancer prevention and treatment. The AACR emphasized the importance of e-cigarette regulation and highlighted future directions in cancer research, including immunotherapy, precision medicine, and addressing health disparities.

PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors show promise in treating dMMR/MSI-H colorectal cancer (CRC) by enhancing T-cell activity against tumors. However, their effectiveness in pMMR/non-MSI-H CRC remains uncertain. Combining these inhibitors with chemotherapy or radiotherapy in neoadjuvant settings may improve outcomes, especially for locally advanced or metastatic CRC. Ongoing research focuses on optimizing these combinations and addressing safety concerns.

BCMA is a key target in multiple myeloma (MM) therapy, with sBCMA levels potentially affecting treatment efficacy. Studies on teclistamab and talquetamab show sBCMA reduction correlates with treatment response, suggesting its utility as a response marker. Baseline sBCMA levels also correlate with tumor burden, indicating its role in MM progression and therapy monitoring.

Measurable residual disease (MRD) is a key prognostic marker in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), influencing treatment and transplant decisions. Advances in detection techniques like flow cytometry and next-generation sequencing have improved MRD quantification. MRD status affects patient outcomes, with MRD-negative patients showing better survival rates. Ongoing research focuses on optimizing MRD-based treatment strategies, including the timing of hematopoietic stem cell transplant and conditioning regimens.

Scemblix® (asciminib) demonstrates superior efficacy over Bosulif® (bosutinib) in Ph+ CML-CP patients, with a 37.6% vs. 15.8% major molecular response rate at 96 weeks. It also shows better safety, with lower discontinuation rates due to adverse events (7.7% vs. 26.3%). Scemblix's unique mechanism offers potential to transform CML treatment standards.

2021 saw significant advances in gynecological cancer research, focusing on cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers. Key developments included innovative therapies, improved screening and prevention strategies, and promising results from immunotherapy and antibody-drug conjugates. Despite COVID-19, research remained active, offering hope for future medical practice changes.

Recurrent glioblastoma trials often exclude patients based on prior treatment specifics, potentially unfairly limiting participation. Recent trends show more trials for newly diagnosed cases, with broader eligibility criteria. However, overly restrictive criteria and reliance on single-arm phase II studies hinder progress, underscoring the need for more inclusive and randomized trials to improve outcomes.

Adjuvant CDK4/6 inhibitors with ET showed potential in prolonging IDFS for HR+/HER2- EBC, especially in N2/N3 patients, but with higher risks of grade 3/4 AEs and treatment discontinuation. Evidence remains inconclusive, necessitating further trials for validation.