Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

NAM elected 90 regular and 10 international members, recognizing outstanding achievements in health and medicine. New members include Carlos L. Arteaga, Nina Bhardwaj, Bob S. Carter, Stephen Jacob Chanock, George Coukos, Lisa M. Coussens, Silvia C. Formenti, Joseph Heitman, Nola M. Hylton, Reshma Jagsi, Peter Anthony Jones, Funda Meric-Bernstam, Deborah Schrag, and Mitchell J. Weiss. Victor J. Dzau, NAM President, highlighted their contributions to health equity and public health challenges.

Oryzon Genomics reports financial results for Q3 2024, highlights PORTICO Phase IIb trial data for vafidemstat in BPD, FDA approval for PORTICO-2 Phase III trial, strengthened IP position for vafidemstat, and first cohort dosed in Phase Ib study of iadademstat in first-line AML. R&D expenses reduced by $5.1M.

Osimertinib plus savolitinib showed a 90.5% objective response rate vs 60.9% for osimertinib alone in de novo MET-aberrant, EGFR-mutant advanced NSCLC, according to the phase II CTONG2008 (FLOWERS) trial. The combination demonstrated deeper and more durable responses, with a median duration of response of 18.6 months vs 8.4 months for monotherapy. However, the combination had more frequent grade 3 or higher adverse events.

At the 2024 ESMO Congress, significant advancements in breast cancer therapeutics were highlighted, including final overall survival data from KEYNOTE-522, 4-year update from NATALEE, intracranial activity of T-DXd in DESTINY-Breast12, phase 2 results of HER3-DXd in ICARUS-BREAST01, and beneficial effects of exercise on quality of life and survival.

Charles Rudin presented groundbreaking data on ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd, DS-7300), an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) showing impressive response rates in extended stage SCLC at 8 mg/kg (26%) and 12 mg/kg (56%). Potential synergies with immunotherapy due to immunogenic cell death induction. Modern protein engineering enables targeting multiple tumor antigens with bispecific antibodies, promising future advancements in targeted therapies.

Amy Abernethy's Highlander Health aims to streamline clinical research, leveraging data to reduce trial costs and duration, with initial funding for projects at Duke-Margolis, Baylor Scott & White Health, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

JAK inhibitors are key drugs for treating inflammatory diseases and cancer, with billions in revenue. They target JAK enzymes, crucial for cytokine signaling, reducing inflammation and symptoms. Approved for atopic dermatitis, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and alopecia areata, they offer significant benefits. For cancer, they treat myelofibrosis and are being explored in combinations with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Safety concerns led to FDA and EMA restrictions, but market growth is expected due to rising autoimmune disease prevalence.

FDA approves Genentech’s Itovebi for HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer with PIK3CA mutation, in combination with palbociclib and fulvestrant. Phase III INAVO120 study showed 57% reduced risk of disease worsening or death, with median progression-free survival of 15.0 months vs 7.3 months. PIK3CA mutation affects 40% of HR-positive metastatic breast cancers.

MSK research identifies p53 gene mutation linked to breast cancer drug resistance, suggests CDK2/CDK4/6 inhibitor combo; phase 3 trial shows improved prostate cancer control with ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA-617; MSK-led study finds optimal radiation dose for spinal metastasis to prevent complications; proton therapy proves effective against recurrent head and neck cancers.