The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference in Chicago showcased significant developments in cancer therapeutics on June 1, with researchers presenting new data on treatments for a range of cancers.
Revolution Medicines’ pancreatic cancer candidate daraxonrasib and Akeso’s PD-1/VEGF inhibitor ivonescimab were among the most discussed, while companies such as Bristol Myers Squibb, BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson, Gilead Sciences, and Incyte also reported important findings. BioNTech and Bristol Myers Squibb shared Phase 2 data from the ROSETTA Lung-02 trial involving their bispecific antibody pumitamig in non-small cell lung cancer. The combination therapy achieved a confirmed objective response rate of 57.1% for non-squamous NSCLC patients and 68.4% for squamous NSCLC patients at nine months, with a disease control rate of 100%. Grade 3 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 23.3% of patients.
Truist Securities said, “We see this as comparable to ivonescimab.” The pivotal Phase 3 ROSETTA Lung-02 trial is enrolling participants globally, with additional trials underway in other types of cancer.
Johnson & Johnson presented results from the Phase 3 PROTEUS study evaluating Erleada before and after surgery for high-risk localized prostate cancer. The combination reduced the risk of metastasis or death by 20% over five years compared to placebo plus androgen-deprivation therapy. William K. Oh, director of precision medicine at Yale Cancer Center and ASCO expert in genitourinary medicine, said that while Erleada improves outcomes, it has not yet been directly compared to other treatment options including upfront surgery.
Incyte’s Monjuvi/Minjuvi was tested against standard R-CHOP chemotherapy in first-line diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The combination reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 25%, with three-year progression-free survival rates higher than R-CHOP alone. Truist Securities wrote, “We anticipate likely approval in 1L DLBCL early 2027 at the latest and note a nearly doubled market opportunity from [relapsed or refractory] DLBCL alone.”
Gilead Sciences reported promising Phase 1 results for TUB-040—a NaPi2b-targeting antibody-drug conjugate—in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients following its acquisition of Tubulis GmbH earlier this year for up to $5 billion. Leerink Partners wrote, “NAPISTAR 1-01 data of TUB-040 (NaPi2b ADC) in PROC appear consistent with the abstract, with promising efficacy and a manageable safety profile.”
Eli Lilly presented plenary session data showing its RET inhibitor Retevmo led to an eighty-three percent reduction in risk of disease or death among early-stage RET fusion–positive NSCLC patients compared to placebo over two years.
