Advancements in Oncology: Key Data From the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

The 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, highlighted significant advancements across various oncology disciplines. In the cover feature on page 10, Douglas Braun, PharmD, RPh, CSP, CPh, Pharmacy Practice in Focus: Oncology associate editor and editorial advisory board member, discusses some of the key findings presented at the meeting. Findings highlighted include the efficacy of lorlatinib (Lorbrena; Pfizer Inc) in ALK-positive non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), osimertinib (Tagrisso; AstraZeneca) in EGFR-mutated NSCLC post chemoradiotherapy, and amivantamab (Rybrevant; Janssen Biotech, Inc) noninferiority in EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Braun also highlighted advances in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for lymphomas with IL-18–secreting anti-CD19 CAR T cells, showing promising efficacy and reduced manufacturing time. These findings collectively represent significant strides in oncology, offering new treatment paradigms and hope for improved patient outcomes across diverse cancer types.

Image credit: Aydan | stock.adobe.com

On page 14, Christine Barrett, PharmD, BCOP, discusses the results of the NADINA trial (NCT04949113), highlighting the benefits of neoadjuvant immunotherapy over traditional adjuvant therapy in resectable stage III disease. The NADINA trial findings showed that neoadjuvant ipilimumab (Yervoy; Bristol Myers Squibb) and nivolumab (Opdivo; Bristol Myers Squibb) significantly improved event-free survival and recurrence-free survival (RFS) compared with adjuvant therapy alone. With 59% of patients achieving a major pathological response, leading to a 12-month RFS of 95%, these findings suggest a potential new standard of care. The NADINA trial results underscore the efficacy of combination immune checkpoint blockade and show its potential for broader adoption in clinical practice, potentially reshaping future treatment strategies for melanoma.

On page 16, Issam S. Hamadeh, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP; Shebli Atrash, MD; and Carlyn Rose Tan, MD, explore the IMROZ study (NCT03319667) and the evolving treatment landscape for multiple myeloma (MM), focusing on the transition from doublet to triplet and now quadruplet regimens as standard of care. IMROZ specifically investigated isatuximab (Isa; Sarclisa; Sanofi) added to bortezomib (Velcade; Takeda Oncology), lenalidomide (Revlimid; Celgene Corporation), and dexamethasone (VRd) in patients with MM who are ineligible for transplant, showing significant improvements in PFS and deeper responses compared with VRd alone, despite similar overall survival rates between the arms. These findings underscore the potential for Isa-VRd to become a new standard of care.

The 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting showcased remarkable advancements across oncology, heralding a new era of treatment possibilities. From targeted therapies such as lorlatinib and osimertinib in lung cancer to innovative CAR T-cell therapies and antibody-drug conjugates in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, the meeting underscored significant progress in precision medicine. These developments not only promise improved survival and quality of life but also pave the way for personalized approaches that aim to transform cancer care globally.