Articles related to CHECKPOINT INHIBITORS

Although immune therapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), have significantly improved cancer outcomes, these therapies can also cause off-target tissue damage and response variability. The host microbiome affects ICI responsiveness and risk of immune-related adverse effects (irAEs), according to numerous lines of evidence. These developments show the possibility to control microbiome elements to improve the success of ICI because the microbiome is manipulable.

Adjuvant olaparib (Lynparza) was linked with significantly longer life free of invasive or distant illness compared to placebo among patients with high-risk, HER2-negative early breast cancer and germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 pathogenic or possibly pathogenic mutations. Global patient-reported quality of life was not significantly impacted by olaparib.

In this multinational, phase 3, head-to-head trial (ALPINE), patients who received zanubrutinib — a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor with greater specificity– rather than the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib, had significantly longer progression-free survival in individuals with relapsed or refractory CLL or SLL, and zanubrutinib was linked to fewer cardiac side events.

In this single-group, phase 1-2 trial, sotorasib (LUMAKRAS, Amgen) demonstrated antitumor effect in patients with KRAS p.G12C-mutated advanced pancreatic cancer who had undergone prior therapy and had an acceptable safety profile.

In terms of regulation, the PI3K inhibitor medication class had a difficult 2022. Participants in a historic FDA advisory committee meeting in April were warned about dubious safety and efficacy. Less than three months later, the FDA issued a duvelisib (Copiktra) safety warning about mortality rates. As a result, the FDA’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) decided against recommending duvelisib’s approval for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small cell lymphoma (CLL/SLL). Along the way, the FDA also voluntarily withdrew or revoked a number of PI3K inhibitors’ approved indications. Does the medication class have a promising future in the treatment of hematologic malignancies in light of this negative energy?

The diagnosis and treatment of mantle cell lymphoma are covered in this podcast by Jonathon Cohen, MD, MS, Associate Professor, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine. He also discusses how BTK inhibitors and CAR T-cell therapy are changing the treatment landscape and what he expects will be presented at upcoming conferences.