FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER

Long-term follow-up of MajesTEC-1 trial shows teclistamab maintains deep and durable responses in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, with 63% overall response rate and 46.1% achieving CR or better. Median DOR, PFS, and OS increased to 24, 11.4, and 22.2 months, respectively. Safety profile consistent, with notable decrease in severe infections over time.

Fred Hutch Cancer Center study reveals a significant increase in U.S. cancer patients participating in industry-sponsored clinical trials compared to federally funded ones, highlighting underinvestment in federal studies and growing reliance on industry for cancer research.

A blood test for colon cancer detected 83% of cancers but few precancerous growths, offering an alternative to colonoscopy. Available for $895, it awaits FDA approval and insurance coverage. Guardant Health's Shield test, recommended every three years, requires follow-up colonoscopy for abnormal results, potentially increasing costs. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, involved 7,861 people and showed the test missed 17% of cancers and had 10% false alarms. More screening options aim to reduce colorectal cancer deaths.

Targeted therapies aim to exploit tumor heterogeneity, with Dr. Michael Haffner studying prostate cancer's cell surface marker diversity. His research reveals greater heterogeneity in castrate-resistant prostate cancers, identifying potential therapeutic targets. Published in PNAS, the study highlights two forms of cancer resistance: mutation-based and lineage plasticity, emphasizing the need for deeper understanding of tumor cell lineages.

AstraZeneca's Imfinzi shows benefits in event-free and overall survival in muscle-invasive bladder cancer, but faces FDA scrutiny over treatment phase contributions. The NIAGARA study results, published in NEJM, suggest a 32% EFS improvement and 25% reduced risk of death. Despite concerns, the FDA approved Imfinzi for lung cancer, raising questions about its decision-making process for NIAGARA.

Dr. Jay Sarthy aims to develop less toxic chemotherapy for high-risk leukemia, using aclarubicin, a promising but unpatentable anthracycline widely used in Asia. His lab's findings suggest aclarubicin is more effective and safer than doxorubicin, with potential to reduce long-term side effects. Sarthy plans FDA registration and clinical trials, needing philanthropic support due to lack of industry investment.

A patient under Dr. Scott Roberts' care tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 for over 500 days due to severe immunocompromise. The FDA authorized pemivibart for preexposure prophylaxis in immunocompromised individuals, and IDSA updated its guidelines to recommend its use. Despite concerns about efficacy against new variants, pemivibart offers a new preventive option for high-risk patients.

Bria-IMT (SV-BR-1-GM) combined with retifanlimab-dlwr or pembrolizumab showed improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer patients, with median OS of 15.6 months and PFS of 4.1 months in the 2022 cohort, and 13.4 months OS and 3.9 months PFS since study onset. These results support Bria-IMT's potential as a new standard of care.

Researchers analyzed vaginal swabs from VOICE study participants to identify 14 BV-associated bacterial taxa and 6 inflammatory proteins linked to increased HIV risk. High concentrations of these markers, particularly IP-10, distinguished women at highest risk. The study also found that Lactobacillus crispatus was associated with protection against HIV. Future prevention efforts could involve testing for high-risk bacteria and exploring antibiotic or probiotic treatments.

FDA prioritizes mirdametinib for NF1-PN treatment; DESTINY-Breast06 questions HER2 testing necessity for T-DXd in HR+ breast cancer; social media's role in cancer care info dissemination vs. misinformation; FDA fast-tracks BGB-16673 for CLL/SLL; bispecific antibodies may redefine myeloma treatment.