Multiple recent studies evaluate different immunotherapy approaches for advanced NSCLC, including long-term benefits for nivolumab plus ipilimumab with chemotherapy in PD-L1-negative tumors, limited advantages from PD-(L)1 rechallenge strategies, and early positive signals from combining TIGIT and PD-1 inhibitors in PD-L1-high patients.
Key oncology developments include a $315 million partnership between Astellas and Vir for the prostate cancer T-cell engager VIR-5500, with updated phase 1 data showing an 82% PSA50 rate. The FDA accepted a filing for Ono Pharmaceuticals' tirabrutinib seeking accelerated approval in primary central nervous system lymphoma. Research findings also identified a new kidney cancer biomarker and showed promising results for the TRK inhibitor repotrectinib and the breast cancer triple therapy gedatolisib plus palbociclib and fulvestrant.
Three trials show ultra-low-dose checkpoint inhibitors retain efficacy with reduced toxicity and dramatically lower costs. DELII and Patil et al. trials tested low-dose nivolumab in solid tumors and HNSCC; NIVIPIT tested intratumoral low-dose ipilimumab in melanoma.
FDA approves AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo's Datroway for first-line TNBC patients not eligible for PD-1/L1 inhibitors, based on Phase III TROPION-Breast02 data showing a 21% reduction in risk of death versus chemotherapy.
Phase 3 BREAKWATER found encorafenib plus cetuximab plus FOLFIRI improved PFS and response in first-line BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer. OS data remain immature.
MSD said sacituzumab tirumotecan improved overall survival and progression-free survival in the Phase III TroFuse-005 trial in endometrial cancer. The study also met its objective response rate endpoint.
Tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy has shown durable responses in refractory melanoma, including a 31.4% objective response rate in phase II data. The 2024 FDA approval of Lifileucel marked a milestone as regulators in other markets continue reviews.
The FDA has accepted for review a supplemental application for taletrectinib in advanced ROS1-positive NSCLC, with a PDUFA date of January 4, 2027. Updated TRUST-I and TRUST-2 data showed high response rates, durable responses and no new safety signals.
Sensei Biotherapeutics dosed the first patient in a Phase 1b/2 trial of PIKTOR (sapanisertib + serabelisib) in HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer. The multi-node PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitor previously showed a 47% overall response rate in a Phase 1b trial.