Highlights from ESMO 2024: Key Oncology Advances from Major Pharmaceutical Companies

The 2024 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress illuminated a range of transformative advances that are set to reshape the oncology field. This year’s event underscored the pivotal role of groundbreaking research and innovative treatments in advancing cancer care. Highlights included AbbVie’s updates on novel antibody-drug conjugates targeting ovarian cancer and c-Met-overexpressing tumors, Merck’s impressive data on KEYTRUDA and emerging antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), AstraZeneca’s insights into predictive biomarkers in NSCLC, Regeneron’s promising combination therapies for advanced melanoma, Bristol Myers Squibb’s long-term data and new trials, and Daiichi Sankyo’s advancements in ADCs for lung and breast cancers. Collectively, these developments promise to significantly enhance clinical practices and patient outcomes.

AbbVie’s Pipeline: New Developments in Ovarian Cancer and c-Met-Overexpressing Solid Tumors

At ESMO, AbbVie presented updates on its ADC platform, focusing on high-unmet-need tumor types. They highlighted three key drugs: mirvetuximab soravtansine, Teliso-V, and ABBV-400.

Mirvetuximab soravtansine targets folate receptor alpha-positive, platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer. Results showed an objective response rate (ORR) of 51.9% with good tolerability. This indicates its potential for ovarian cancer treatment.

Teliso-V and ABBV-400 are aimed at tumors overexpressing c-Met, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). c-Met is a receptor tyrosine kinase that, when activated, influences various cell signaling pathways. Teliso-V demonstrated efficacy in EGFR wild-type NSCLC patients with high c-Met expression. AbbVie plans to submit an accelerated approval application in Q3 2024, with an FDA review expected in 2025. ABBV-400, a next-generation c-Met-targeted ADC, showed promise in NSCLC and gastroesophageal cancer patients, warranting further research.

Merck’s Four Approved Drugs and 6 Investigational Candidates: KEYTRUDA and ADC Advances in the Spotlight 

Merck showcased data on four approved drugs and six investigational candidates, covering over 20 cancers. Key highlights included survival data for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) in early-stage cancers.

The data from the KEYNOTE-522 trial showed that KEYTRUDA improves overall survival in high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Similarly, the KEYNOTE-A18 trial data indicated its potential in high-risk locally advanced cervical cancer. Other trials, such as KEYNOTE-006 and KEYNOTE-811, supported KEYTRUDA’s role in advanced melanoma and HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.

Merck also presented new data on experimental drugs, including the HER3-targeting ADC patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd), the i natamab deruxtecan (I-DXd), the anti-TROP2 ADC sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT), and the steroid synthesis inhibitor opevesostat.

Predictive Biomarkers in NSCLC by AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca presented exploratory analysis from the TROPION-Lung01 Phase III trial. This study confirmed that TROP2 biomarkers predict clinical outcomes in NSCLC patients. Using AstraZeneca’s quantitative continuous scoring (QCS) platform, they quantified TROP2 protein expression in tumor cells. Results showed that patients with TROP2-QCS-positive tumors had better outcomes with datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) compared to docetaxel.

The study found that datopotamab deruxtecan reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 43% in TROP2-QCS-positive patients, with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 6.9 months. In contrast, docetaxel had a PFS of 4.1 months. This supports TROP2 as a predictive biomarker and underscores the value of AstraZeneca’s QCS platform in identifying patients who could benefit from specific ADC therapies.

Regeneron’s Experimental Combination Drugs for Advanced Melanoma

Regeneron presented new data on its oncology products, focusing on advanced melanoma. The data highlighted the combination of the experimental LAG-3 inhibitor fianlimab and the PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo. The two-year results from this combination therapy showed high clinical activity, with a 25% complete response rate and a 57% objective response rate. The study included 98 patients with advanced melanoma, demonstrating persistent tumor response and deeper effects over time. This supports ongoing Phase III trials and highlights the potential of this combination therapy for challenging cases.

Bristol Myers Squibb: Long-Term Data and New Trials

Bristol Myers Squibb presented nearly 60 abstracts, with a focus on the ten-year data for the Opdivo and Yervoy combination therapy. The CheckMate-067 trial results showed that this combination therapy is beneficial for long-term survival in advanced melanoma. It has the longest median overall survival reported in clinical trials for this condition.

The CheckMate-77T trial provided new data on Opdivo as a neoadjuvant treatment for resectable NSCLC, showing potential benefits for operable tumors. Additionally, the data from the CheckMate-8HW trial supported the use of Opdivo and Yervoy in MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer.

Bristol Myers Squibb also highlighted new trials, including a Phase II study of nivolumab and relatlimab in advanced or recurrent NSCLC, and a new antibody BMS-986012 for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. The initial data on the protein degrader BMS-986365 for castration-resistant prostate cancer was also promising.

Daiichi Sankyo: ADC Developments in Lung and Breast Cancers

Daiichi Sankyo presented new clinical data on its ADC portfolio, including datopotamab deruxtecan and the CLDN6-targeting ADC DS-9606. Datopotamab deruxtecan, previously reported at the World Conference of Lung Cancer, showed efficacy in NSCLC as part of neoadjuvant therapy. The TROPION-Lung01 trial data indicated better survival outcomes with datopotamab deruxtecan compared to docetaxel.

For the first time, Daiichi Sankyo presented data on DS-9606, targeting CLDN6 in various solid tumors, demonstrating its new therapeutic potential. Additionally, the DESTINY-Breast12 trial revealed the effectiveness of ENHERTU in HER2-positive breast cancer. These findings underscore Daiichi Sankyo’s focus on lung and breast cancer treatments and the potential of its ADC therapies.

Author

Bernice Lottering