DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE

MEDSIR, in collaboration with Oncoclinicas & Co., presented 12 studies at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) congress, including the ABIGAIL study on HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer and the PECATI study on advanced thymic tumors, demonstrating significant progress in personalized treatments and therapeutic options for difficult-to-treat cancers.

The SPLASH trial evaluates Lutetium-177-PNT2002 in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients progressing on ARPI therapy, showing significant improvement in radiographic progression-free survival with a hazard ratio of 0.71. Dr. Sartor highlights the favorable safety profile and efficacy, including higher objective response rates and PSA responses, but notes the high crossover rate (84.6%) from the control arm to Lutetium therapy, potentially affecting overall survival results. The unique dosing schedule of this agent, compared to other Lutetium-177 therapies, is discussed for its potential advantages in reduced toxicity. The evolving landscape of radiopharmaceuticals, including dose optimization, new isotopes, and combination therapies, is emphasized for increased treatment options.

SOLARIS trial: High-dose vitamin D3 added to standard chemotherapy plus bevacizumab for metastatic colorectal cancer showed no additional toxicity but did not delay cancer progression more than standard-dose vitamin D3. Potential benefit observed for left-sided disease, requiring further investigation.

About half of metastatic melanoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors survive cancer-free for 10+ years, per a 10-year follow-up study from Weill Cornell Medicine and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The CheckMate 067 trial, involving 945 patients, showed nivolumab and ipilimumab combination significantly improved outcomes, with no new safety concerns. Median survival increased from 6.5 months to over 6 years, and patients free from cancer progression at 3 years likely remain disease-free at 10 years.

Breastfeeding safe for young breast cancer patients with BRCA mutations or HR+ cancer; telephone-based coaching increases exercise in overweight patients.

Prof Andres Cervantes likens ESMO to a tree, providing support and collaboration to oncologists. ESMO offers educational opportunities and embraces emerging trends, including AI and precision medicine. Cervantes emphasizes the importance of better patient outcomes and improved working conditions for oncology professionals, including DEI. ESMO 2024 focused on women's cancers and oncology, with discussions on fertility preservation and sexual health post-cancer treatment. The conference also highlighted advancements in whole genome sequencing and mutational signatures in cancer research.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) showed substantial and durable overall and intracranial activity in HER2-positive advanced breast cancer patients with stable and active brain metastases in the DESTINY-Breast12 trial. The therapy's 12-month progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 61.6% overall, 62.9% in stable brain metastases, and 59.6% in active brain metastases. The 12-month central nervous system (CNS) PFS was 58.9%, consistent across both stable and active brain metastases. Overall response rates (ORR) were 51.7% in patients with baseline brain metastases, with intracranial ORR at 71.7% in measurable CNS disease. The therapy's safety profile was consistent with previous reports, though interstitial lung disease (ILD) remains a risk, especially with concomitant steroids.

TiNivo-2 study found no improvement in outcomes when nivolumab was added to tivozanib for metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients who progressed on checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Tivozanib monotherapy showed better median progression-free survival (PFS) than the combination. The study suggests reconsidering ICI rechallenge and supports tivozanib monotherapy as a second-line option.

T-DXd showed promising overall and intracranial activity in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients, regardless of brain metastasis status, according to DESTINY-Breast12 study results presented at ESMO 2024.

MEDSIR hosted an informational breakfast at the ESMO congress in Barcelona, bringing together key players in cancer research to discuss the future of breast and lung cancer treatments, emphasizing the importance of early detection, international collaboration, and the integration of AI and new technologies.