Pioneering Studies Provide New Options for Patients with Advanced Cancers, Particularly Through Immunotherapy, New Targeted Therapies and Genomics Through NGS and Liquid Biopsies

John Theurer Cancer Center investigators report their latest research findings at American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2022 Annual Meeting

Researchers from Hackensack Meridian John Theurer Cancer Center are presenting data from 29 studies at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the largest world cancer professionals meeting, being held in person in Chicago June 3-7, 2022. Abstracts of the studies can be viewed at abstracts.asco.org.

Hackensack Meridian John Theurer Cancer Center is the largest and one of the  premier cancer programs in NJ, according to U.S. News & World Report. It is part of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. John Theurer is known for being one of the leading blood cancer programs in the nation and was the first center in New Jersey to offer CAR T-cell therapy, a revolutionary immunotherapy for patients with select leukemias and lymphomas.

“I am proud that our team is taking part in these amazing times in oncology, bringing our patients the next options when needed,” noted Andre Goy, M.D., M.S., chairman and executive director of John Theurer Cancer Center. “As the leading cancer program in our state, we are embracing innovation, which is at the core of our mission.”

Here are some of the key presentations:

In acute myeloid leukemia (AML): A great trial building up on the success of Vyxeos (dual-drug liposomal encapsulation of daunorubicin and cytarabine) adding in the V-FAST multicenter trial a number of established targeted agents (midostaurin, venetoclax, enasidenib). Though preliminary, this is a great approach to refine the induction of AML and will be presented by Dr James McCloskey. (https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/208210).

CAR T cell update: With the three year follow up of ZUMA-2, the 1st CAR T approved in mantle cell – showing that brexucabtagene autoleucel (KTE-X19) which led to an ORR of 91%, with a 68% CR rate in heavily pretreated MCL pts and at 3 years 37% of pts still in ongoing response (all CR) and results were even better in patients who tested MRD-ve with medians for DOR, PFS, and OS not reached at 3y. (https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/207240).

An update on ZUMA-7, which confirmed the benefit of Axi-cel (over standard of care) and its approval in April 2022 as a 2nd line therapy in relapsed/refractory diffuse large cell lymphoma, including in the population over 65 years old with significantly superior CR rate, EFS as well as meaningful improvement in QoL over SOC, measured by multiple validated PRO instruments.(https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/209923).

Other data on CAR T include CAR T combinations to improve outcome in diffuse large cell lymphoma such as the ZUMA-14 trial. (https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/210280)

Other forms of T cell engaging therapies focused on building on checkpoint blockade in solid tumors with the use of MK-0482, a novel humanized IgG4 mAb targeting immunoglobulin-like transcript 3 (ILT3) - an inhibitory receptor associated with immune tolerance and T-cell suppression within the tumor microenvironment in combination with pembrolizumab (pembro) in advanced solid tumors which will be featured as an oral presentation by Dr Gutierrez, who leads the phase I program at the John Theurer Cancer Center. (https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/207289).

A multicenter vaccine trial to induce PD1 antibodies through PD1-VAxx in combination with other checkpoint inhibitors in advanced lung cancers, also presented by Dr Gutierrez. (https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/212919).

Natural Killer (NK) cells therapy in glioblastomas: CYNK-001 is a CD56+CD3- enriched, off-the-shelf, allogeneic NK cell product expanded from placental CD34 cells with preclinical activity and evidence on intracranial route administration showing activity and now used IV in postresection setting to prevent recurrence. Study is ongoing and will be presented in this highly unmet need situation and will be presented by Dr. Andrew Pecora. (https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/213107).

NGs in practice. Several abstracts illustrate the growing importance of NGS in practice from liquid biopsies full DNA and RNA profiling which show that using cfRNA and cfTNA provides complementary comprehensive information for evaluating mutations, fusion genes, and structural abnormalities (https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/210584) and help refine treatment decisions. Such technology will also help monitor MRD and predict risk of relapse for example in colon cancer (https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/208568).

LBA: A new paradigm in the frontline setting in mantle cell lymphoma will be presented as a late breaking abstract during ASCO integrating ibrutinib to bendamustine-rituximab combination (https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/207242).

Additional abstracts in which JTCC took part in the development of novel emerging agents in lymphoma, CLL, myeloma and solid tumors can be found here.

Meet Us at ASCO

Stop by Booth #28125 in the exhibition hall to meet team members from Hackensack Meridian John Theurer Cancer Center and learn about our research, education, and patient care.