FDA approves tucatinib combination for maintenance treatment of breast cancer

The FDA approved tucatinib with trastuzumab and pertuzumab for adults with advanced breast cancer after induction treatment. In a trial of 654 patients, the cancer took 24.9 months to grow with tucatinib, compared with 16.3 months with placebo.

What this means. Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for breast cancer. Doctors can now prescribe it outside a trial.

Drug combination shrank very high-risk bladder cancer in a phase 2 trial

In a phase 2 trial, 28 people with very high-risk bladder cancer that could not be removed through the urethra received disitamab vedotin and tislelizumab. The cancer cleared in 19 of 26 patients assessed (73.1%); responses lasted 24 months in 83.5% of responders.

“Findings of this nonrandomized clinical trial suggest that DV plus tislelizumab may show a high CR rate and durable disease control in patients with transurethrally unresectable (cannot be removed by surgery) ERBB2-positive VHR NMIBC, supporting randomized clinical trials.”

What this means. A mid-stage trial in bladder cancer. Good results at this stage usually still need a larger trial before approval.

Robotic surgery removed more lymph nodes in food pipe cancer

In a phase III trial, 202 people with food pipe or junction cancer had robotic or conventional minimally invasive surgery. Robotic surgery removed a median of 36 lymph nodes, compared with 32; the approaches had similar rates of clear margins.

“Berlth et al additionally reported similar surgical safety and survival at 1 year between the approaches. “These results support the use of robotic esophagectomy as a standard approach…,” the investigators wrote.”

What this means. A large, final-stage trial in food pipe cancer. This is the kind of result regulators use when deciding whether to approve a treatment.

Sofetabart tested in high-grade ovarian cancer

A first-in-human phase 1 study assessed the drug’s safety, effects and movement through the body in people with high-grade ovarian cancer.

What this means. An early trial in ovarian cancer, mainly testing safety and dose. Any new treatment here is years away from routine use.

Varegacestat shrank desmoid tumors in a phase II trial

In 42 adults with progressing desmoid tumors, median tumor volume fell 51.91% after 16 weeks on the once-daily dose. Reductions were smaller with the two intermittent doses.

“Varegacestat demonstrated clinically meaningful DT volume reduction and overall response rate with a manageable safety profile across dose regimens.”

What this means. A mid-stage trial in cancer. Good results at this stage usually still need a larger trial before approval.

Alectinib shrank advanced solid tumors in a phase II trial

Researchers gave alectinib to Twenty-six people with advanced solid tumors. Among patients with measurable tumors, 43.8% had their tumors shrink.

“Alectinib demonstrated meaningful, durable responses with acceptable safety across ALK-altered solid tumors, particularly in patients with ALK fusions, supporting further tumor-agnostic development.”

What this means. A mid-stage trial in several cancer types. Good results at this stage usually still need a larger trial before approval.

New treatments extend survival for people with multiple myeloma

For people whose multiple myeloma has returned or stopped responding to treatment, newer options include cell therapies and antibody drugs. Most people diagnosed with the cancer are now expected to live 10 years or longer, compared with three to five years in the 1990s and early 2000s.

“Other articles explain what patients should expect during their first chemotherapy infusion and how support groups can help caregivers process their emotions.”

What this means. Based on data or samples from people with myeloma, a blood cancer. It is not a treatment trial.