Articles related to Oncology, Surgical

Despite the array of intensive treatment approaches, local control and overall survival rates in patients with advanced-stage disease remain low (approximately 40%–50% at 5 years). This review discusses recent studies integrating ICIs into definitive treatment regimens.

Blocking expression of FOXK2 in cancer stem cells inhibited growth of these cells, reducing their so-called “stemness,” making them more like normal cells.

Phase 1 trial using an autologous CAR-T cell therapy that targets the oncofetal antigen Claudin-6 (CLDN6) — and CARVac (BioNTech), a CLDN6-encoding mRNA-based vaccine designed to enhance CAR T-cell activity. Data show encouraging clinical activity for an investigational CAR T-cell therapy alone or in combination with an amplifying mRNA vaccine for patients with solid tumors.

Mirvetuximab soravtansine generated an objective response in nearly 1/3 of patients participating. That compares with response rates in the single digits for current treatments in patients whose ovarian cancer doesn’t respond to platinum-based chemotherapy.

This editorial reflects on the work by Lei and colleagues in teasing out hrHPV-negative vs. positive ovarian cancers with a 15-year follow up. But what to do with the knowledge?

The authors summarize the results of the major studies of ICB monotherapy and combinations; review novel combinations under investigation, including ICB with cellular therapies; and discuss potential candidate biomarkers for improving the selection of patients who may respond to ICB.