DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE

Susan G. Komen honors five leaders transforming breast cancer research and care: Christina Curtis, Fabrice André, Graham Colditz, Mina Sedrak, and Virginia Mason. Awards recognize contributions to understanding breast cancer biology, personalized treatment, risk reduction, and patient advocacy.

LYNPARZA® (olaparib) showed sustained survival benefits in gBRCAm HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer patients, reducing death risk by 28% at 6 years. It improved IDFS, DDFS, and OS, with 87.5% survival rate vs. 83.2% in placebo. This PARP inhibitor is the first to improve survival in early breast cancer.

ASH meeting featured studies on BTK inhibitors in CLL, including Jaypirca's Phase 3 trial showing improved progression-free survival and fewer side effects. AstraZeneca's Calquence combined with Venclexta reduced progression risk by 35%. Pfizer's Oxbryta withdrawal due to safety concerns raised questions on sickle cell drug approvals. Bristol Myers Squibb presented positive survival data for its GPRC5D-targeted CAR-T therapy, arlo-cel, in multiple myeloma.

Obesity rates in the U.S. have slightly dropped to about 40%, linked to 13 cancers. Studies suggest weight-loss medicines like semaglutide may lower cancer risk. Dana-Farber researchers are testing interventions combining diet, exercise, and novel medicines to reduce cancer risk, focusing on specific high-risk groups.

IDEAYA Biosciences dosed the first patient with IDE161, a potential first-in-class PARG inhibitor, in combination with Merck's KEYTRUDA in a Phase 1 trial for MSI-high and MSS endometrial cancer. The trial aims to evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy.

Novartis announced updated NATALEE trial results showing Kisqali (ribociclib) reduces distant recurrence by 28.5% in HR+/HER2- early breast cancer patients when combined with endocrine therapy, with consistent DDFS across subgroups. Real-world data highlights high distant recurrence risk despite endocrine therapy, emphasizing the importance of adding CDK4/6 inhibitors like Kisqali for high-risk patients.

A fixed-duration drug combo of acalabrutinib (BTK inhibitor) and venetoclax (BCL-2 inhibitor), with or without obinutuzumab, shows deep and durable responses in CLL patients, with higher progression-free survival rates and well-tolerated AV regimen. AVO shows higher undetectable MRD rate.

Johnson & Johnson seeks approval for Darzalex to treat high-risk smoldering myeloma, with AQUILA trial showing reduced risk of disease progression. GSK's Blenrep, after withdrawal, shows improved survival in DREAMM-7 trial. Emerging efforts aim to ease conditioning for genetic treatments in sickle cell disease. Kura Oncology's menin inhibitor shows promising results in AML, facing competition from J&J and Syndax. Pfizer's Oxbryta withdrawal for sickle cell disease remains unexplained.

Insomnia market report forecasts growth from 2020 to 2034, driven by increasing prevalence, awareness, and emerging therapies like Seltorexant and TS-142. Challenges include high treatment costs and patient non-compliance, with unmet needs for long-term solutions with minimal side effects.

A fixed-duration drug combination of acalabrutinib (BTK inhibitor) and venetoclax (BCL-2 inhibitor), with or without obinutuzumab, shows deep and durable responses in CLL patients, with higher progression-free survival rates and overall response rates compared to standard chemoimmunotherapy, according to interim results from the AMPLIFY trial presented at ASH.