Université de Montréal

Larotrectinib showed rapid, durable responses and high disease control rate in pediatric TRK fusion–positive CNS tumors, with 37% ORR and 74% 24-week DCR. In adults, ORR was 6% and DCR 12%. Larotrectinib had a manageable safety profile, with longer follow-up needed to determine elective treatment discontinuation candidates.

BRAIN-AF trial finds rivaroxaban does not reduce neurocognitive decline, stroke, or TIA risk in adults under 65 with atrial fibrillation, challenging the use of oral anticoagulation in younger, lower-risk patients.

Research on gut microbiome's role in cancer care has advanced rapidly, revealing its impact on prognosis and immunotherapy response. Key findings include the identification of beneficial bacteria like *Akkermansia muciniphila* and detrimental effects of antibiotics on survival. New technologies, such as PCR chips and oral charcoal capsules, aim to mitigate antibiotic-induced dysbiosis and enhance immunotherapy efficacy. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) shows promise in overcoming immunotherapy resistance, while dietary interventions, such as increased fiber intake, also influence outcomes. Future cancer care may include routine microbiome analysis to tailor treatments.

10x Genomics launches new Chromium products for single cell analysis; Modifi Biosciences acquired by Merck; Dyno Therapeutics collaborates with Roche for AAV gene therapies; Axol acquires Phenocell SAS; Astoriom acquires Flagship Biosciences; Sapio Sciences adds immunogenicity bioanalysis features; Vizgen and Ultivue merge; Ginkgo Bioworks partners with Virica Biotech; Certara acquires Chemaxon; Xcellbio expands collaboration with AmplifyBio; ERS licenses CRISPR/Cas9 to Université de Montréal; Genialis introduces krasID biomarker algorithm; Cytiva collaborates with Pear Bio; Wheeler Bio licenses ATUM's miFuc platform.

ERS Genomics and Université de Montréal announce a non-exclusive CRISPR/Cas9 license agreement, enabling UdeM to launch two CRISPR/Cas9 screening facility platforms at its Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer.

The ARANOTE trial investigates darolutamide plus ADT versus placebo plus ADT in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, showing significant improvements in radiographic progression-free survival, time to mCRPC, pain progression, and PSA responses. The study includes a diverse patient population and highlights darolutamide's favorable safety profile, with adverse events similar to placebo. The potential for darolutamide to become a new standard of care is discussed.

Research on gut microbiome's role in cancer prognosis and immunotherapy response has advanced significantly, identifying specific bacterial species like _Akkermansia muciniphila_ and _Faecalibacterium prausnitzii_ as beneficial. Challenges include determining bacterial significance and creating response scores. Developments such as PCR chips and charcoal capsules aim to mitigate antibiotic-induced dysbiosis, while fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) shows promise in enhancing immunotherapy efficacy. Dietary interventions, like increased fiber intake, also influence microbiome and survival outcomes, emphasizing the potential for microbiome analysis to personalize cancer treatment.