DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE
🇺🇸United States
- Country
- 🇺🇸United States
- Ownership
- -
- Established
- 1947-01-01
- Employees
- -
- Market Cap
- -
- Website
- http://www.dana-farber.org/
Oligo Factory Expands Capabilities with New Low-Scale Synthesis Platform for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Development
• Oligo Factory has launched a new low-scale oligonucleotide synthesis capability, enabling researchers to order custom DNA and RNA oligos in volumes as small as 50 nmol while maintaining high quality standards.
• The company has appointed Luke Dannenberg as CEO and Baiju Parikh as VP of Commercial to drive expansion, while unveiling three specialized product portfolios: FactorTx™, FactorDx™, and FactorLS™ for therapeutics, diagnostics, and life science applications.
• With a new 13,000-square-foot facility in Holliston, Massachusetts, Oligo Factory has increased synthesis capacity 12-fold and purification capabilities 10-fold, positioning itself as an agile alternative to larger suppliers for specialized oligonucleotide needs.
ROSALINE Trial: Neoadjuvant Letrozole/Entrectinib Shows Limited Efficacy in Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer
• The phase 2 ROSALINE trial found that combining entrectinib with letrozole failed to meet its primary endpoint, with no efficacy-evaluable patients achieving residual cancer burden (RCB) of 0 or 1 in invasive lobular breast cancer.
• Despite the primary endpoint failure, the treatment showed a 49% objective response rate by MRI assessment, with 10% complete responses and 39% partial responses among the 41 evaluable patients.
• ROSALINE represents the first neoadjuvant endocrine therapy trial dedicated exclusively to invasive lobular breast cancer, demonstrating the feasibility of subtype-specific trials while researchers continue biomarker analyses.
Precision Medicine Breakthrough Shows 2.6-Fold Survival Improvement in Deadly Canine Cancer
• FidoCure and Stanford researchers have published groundbreaking findings showing targeted therapies significantly improve survival rates in dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma, the deadliest canine cancer.
• The study of 508 dogs revealed that precision medicine approaches led to a 1.8-fold improvement in median survival compared to surgery alone, increasing to 2.6-fold when combined with chemotherapy.
• Researchers identified specific genetic mutations like NRAS that indicate less aggressive cancer subtypes, enabling more personalized treatment plans and potentially informing human angiosarcoma therapies.
Predicta Biosciences Launches GenoPredicta: A Novel Diagnostic Test for Multiple Myeloma
• Predicta Biosciences has launched GenoPredicta, a Laboratory Developed Test for bone marrow and blood that uses whole genome sequencing to improve multiple myeloma diagnosis and treatment guidance.
• The test addresses limitations of traditional diagnostic methods by identifying high-risk patients, detecting genomic alterations, and predicting treatment response without requiring invasive bone marrow biopsies.
• Developed at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, GenoPredicta represents the first product from Predicta's multi-omic platform, with plans to expand to minimal residual disease monitoring and other blood cancers.
Dana-Farber Researchers Present Breakthrough Cancer Studies at AACR 2025 Annual Meeting
• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers are presenting multiple groundbreaking studies on head and neck, breast, and lung cancers at the 2025 AACR Annual Meeting in Chicago from April 25-30.
• Key presentations include Phase 3 results of pembrolizumab in head and neck cancer, promising combination therapies for metastatic breast cancer, and novel RAS inhibitors showing efficacy in lung cancer patients.
• The research spans innovative approaches including personalized cancer vaccines, targeted therapies for rare tumors, and digital health coaching interventions that demonstrate improved physical function in cancer survivors.
Circle Pharma to Reveal Dual Mechanism of Novel Cyclin A/B RxL Inhibitors at AACR 2025
• Circle Pharma will present late-breaking data at AACR 2025 showing how their novel cyclin A/B RxL inhibitors disrupt DNA repair pathways and affect mitotic progression in E2F-high cancers.
• The research, conducted in collaboration with University of Oxford and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, reveals a dual mechanism by which these inhibitors induce tumor regression.
• Circle Pharma's lead compound CID-078, an oral macrocycle cyclin A/B RxL inhibitor, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial (NCT06577987) for patients with advanced solid tumors.
Trodelvy-Keytruda Combination Shows Promising Results in First-Line Treatment for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
• Gilead Sciences and Merck's phase 3 ASCENT-04/KEYNOTE-D19 trial demonstrated statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival with Trodelvy plus Keytruda compared to Keytruda with chemotherapy in metastatic TNBC patients.
• The novel combination of antibody-drug conjugate (Trodelvy) with immunotherapy (Keytruda) represents a potential paradigm shift in treatment approach for aggressive triple-negative breast cancer, potentially displacing conventional chemotherapy.
• Early data shows a positive trend toward improved overall survival, with detailed results to be presented at upcoming medical meetings and discussed with regulatory authorities.
Novel Chemo-Immunotherapy Approach Shows Promise for Advanced HPV-Negative Head and Neck Cancer
• A Phase 2 clinical trial at UChicago Medicine demonstrated that combining nivolumab immunotherapy with chemotherapy led to tumor shrinkage in 53% of advanced HPV-negative head and neck cancer patients.
• The innovative treatment approach, which included response-adaptive chemo-radiation therapy, showed improved survival outcomes and reduced toxic side effects, particularly in patients who responded well to initial treatment.
• Higher PD-L1 expression levels were associated with better treatment responses, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for predicting treatment outcomes in this patient population.
Personalized Cancer Vaccine Shows Promising Results in Advanced Kidney Cancer Trial
• A groundbreaking Phase 1 trial at Yale Cancer Center demonstrated successful anti-cancer immune responses in all nine patients with advanced kidney cancer using personalized therapeutic vaccines.
• The vaccine, designed to target specific tumor mutations, generated strong T-cell responses within three weeks of treatment and maintained effectiveness for approximately three years post-treatment.
• Patients experienced minimal side effects, primarily mild flu-like symptoms, suggesting a favorable safety profile for this innovative approach to treating advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
Daraxonrasib (RMC-6236) Shows Promise in RAS-Mutant Pancreatic Cancer with ctDNA Correlation
• Phase 1 trial of daraxonrasib (RMC-6236) in RAS-mutant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) demonstrates encouraging early results.
• Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis reveals that most patients experienced a decrease, with approximately 50% achieving complete eradication.
• Patients with KRAS G12X mutations showed improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to those with other RAS mutations.
• Further follow-up is needed to determine how ctDNA changes correlate with clinical outcomes, particularly in patients with stable disease.
FDA Issues Complete Response Letter for Checkpoint's Cosibelimab in Advanced Skin Cancer
• The FDA has rejected Checkpoint Therapeutics' application for cosibelimab in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, citing manufacturing facility issues rather than safety or efficacy concerns.
• Clinical trials demonstrated promising results with a 55% overall response rate in locally advanced cSCC and 50% in metastatic disease, positioning cosibelimab as a potential low-cost alternative to existing treatments.
• Checkpoint Therapeutics plans to address the manufacturing concerns and resubmit their application, aiming for potential approval in 2024, though the news triggered a 45% drop in company stock.
Cabozantinib Shows Promise in Advanced GI Neuroendocrine Tumors
• Cabozantinib (Cabometyx) significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with advanced gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (GI-NETs) after prior therapy.
• The CABINET trial subgroup analysis revealed a median PFS of 8.5 months with cabozantinib versus 5.6 months with placebo in GI-NET patients.
• Benefits were observed across various clinical factors, including tumor grade and prior treatment, except in non-midgut GI primary tumors.
• The safety profile of cabozantinib was consistent with previous data, with manageable adverse events reported.
Datopotamab Deruxtecan's Role in HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer Treatment: Sequencing and Safety Considerations
• Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) is poised to become a standard treatment for metastatic hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer after prior systemic therapy.
• Optimal sequencing of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) like Dato-DXd, sacituzumab govitecan, and trastuzumab deruxtecan remains uncertain, especially considering overlapping toxicities.
• Real-world toxicity profiles suggest sacituzumab govitecan may cause more cytopenias and diarrhea, while Dato-DXd and trastuzumab deruxtecan are linked to interstitial lung disease.
• The lack of overall survival difference in the TROPION-Breast01 trial raises questions about efficacy issues or the impact of crossover between treatment arms.
Lerociclib Plus Fulvestrant Shows Promise in HR+/HER2- Advanced Breast Cancer
• The LEONARDA-1 phase 3 trial demonstrated that lerociclib plus fulvestrant significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared to placebo plus fulvestrant in patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer.
• The combination of lerociclib and fulvestrant showed a manageable safety profile, with hematological toxicities being the most common adverse events, effectively managed with dose adjustments.
• Lerociclib plus fulvestrant exhibited efficacy across various patient subgroups, including those with primary endocrine therapy resistance and liver metastasis, addressing a critical unmet need.
• The study supports lerociclib plus fulvestrant as a potential treatment option for patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer who have progressed on prior endocrine therapy.
Novel HER2-Targeted Therapies Show Promise in Overcoming Treatment Resistance in Advanced Breast Cancer
• New HER2-directed antibody-drug conjugate SHR-A1811 demonstrates impressive 76.3% response rate in HER2-positive breast cancer patients, with potentially improved safety profile compared to existing treatments.
• Bispecific antibody zanidatamab combined with evorpacept shows 55.6% response rate in heavily pretreated patients who progressed on T-DXd, offering hope for resistant disease.
• Research reveals potential resistance mechanisms to HER2-targeted therapies, including topoisomerase I alterations and HER2 gene loss, helping guide future treatment strategies.
ImmunoGen's ELAHERE Receives Accelerated FDA Approval for Ovarian Cancer Treatment
ImmunoGen, Inc. has achieved accelerated FDA approval for its ovarian cancer drug ELAHERE, targeting patients with platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. This marks a significant advancement in treatment options for patients with limited alternatives.
mRNA Cancer Vaccines Show Promise in Clinical Trials, Aiming for Personalized Immunotherapy
• Over 60 mRNA cancer vaccine candidates are in clinical trials, signaling a transformative shift in cancer treatment.
• BioNTech's BNT111, targeting melanoma-associated antigens, shows positive Phase 2 data when combined with cemiplimab.
• Personalized mRNA vaccines, like Moderna's mRNA-4157, are being explored in combination with PD-1 therapies for various cancers.
• The first commercial mRNA cancer vaccine is expected by 2029, driven by technological advancements and increased investment.
Keytruda Approved in China for Early-Stage NSCLC Treatment
• Keytruda gains approval in China for resectable stage II, IIIA, or IIIB NSCLC in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
• The approval is based on the KEYNOTE-671 trial, demonstrating a significant improvement in overall survival and event-free survival.
• This marks Keytruda's fourth indication for NSCLC in China, extending its use to earlier stages of the disease.
• The treatment involves neoadjuvant Keytruda plus chemotherapy, followed by adjuvant Keytruda monotherapy post-surgery.
Olaparib Shows Sustained Benefit in Early-Stage BRCA-Mutated Breast Cancer
• Olaparib improves long-term survival in women with high-risk, early-stage breast cancer and BRCA1/2 mutations, reducing cancer recurrence risk by 35%.
• After six years, 87.5% of olaparib-treated patients were alive, compared to 83.2% in the placebo group, demonstrating a significant survival advantage.
• The OlympiA trial reinforces the importance of BRCA testing to identify patients who can benefit from personalized olaparib treatment early.
• Olaparib is now recommended by NICE in England and Wales for early-stage, high-risk breast cancer with BRCA1/2 mutations, improving survival chances.
DATROWAY® (Datopotamab Deruxtecan) Receives EU Approval for Previously Treated Metastatic HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer
• DATROWAY, a TROP2-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC), has been approved in the European Union for treating adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer who have received endocrine therapy and at least one line of chemotherapy.
• The approval is based on the TROPION-Breast01 phase 3 trial, which showed DATROWAY reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 37% compared to chemotherapy, with a median PFS of 6.9 months versus 4.9 months.
• This marks the second ADC approved for breast cancer based on Daiichi Sankyo's DXd technology and the third medicine from their oncology pipeline to receive EU approval, highlighting their commitment to developing innovative cancer treatments.
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