Conference Recap

Highlights in follicular lymphoma from the 2022 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting are discussed by Dr Thomas Rodgers of the Durham VA Medical Center. 

Dr Rodgers begins with a prognostic model designed to evaluate the risk for disease progression in high-risk patients within 24 months of starting first-line treatment with the intention of better individualizing management in this group. 

Next, he presents long-term phase 3 data comparing first-line rituximab with a watch-and-wait approach. After 12 years of follow-up, results showed no significant difference in overall survival between watch and wait, rituximab induction, and rituximab induction plus maintenance, suggesting to Dr Rodgers that individualized upfront management can lead to similarly excellent outcomes in patients with low tumor burden. 

Turning to relapsed/refractory disease, Dr Rodgers cites a study comparing rituximab plus lenalidomide with rituximab plus placebo. The combination yielded superior results and more durable efficacy than did the control group.  

He also discusses studies on the use of novel agent tazemetostat in combination with lenalidomide, and the bispecific monoclonal antibody mosunetuzumab as monotherapy. The US Food and Drug Administration approved mosunetuzumab in December, expanding the armamentarium for patients with follicular lymphoma who have undergone multiple lines of therapy.  

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Thomas Rodgers, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Duke University; Staff Physician, Department of Hematology/Oncology, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 

Thomas Rodgers, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. 

Highlights in follicular lymphoma from the 2022 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting are discussed by Dr Thomas Rodgers of the Durham VA Medical Center. 

Dr Rodgers begins with a prognostic model designed to evaluate the risk for disease progression in high-risk patients within 24 months of starting first-line treatment with the intention of better individualizing management in this group. 

Next, he presents long-term phase 3 data comparing first-line rituximab with a watch-and-wait approach. After 12 years of follow-up, results showed no significant difference in overall survival between watch and wait, rituximab induction, and rituximab induction plus maintenance, suggesting to Dr Rodgers that individualized upfront management can lead to similarly excellent outcomes in patients with low tumor burden. 

Turning to relapsed/refractory disease, Dr Rodgers cites a study comparing rituximab plus lenalidomide with rituximab plus placebo. The combination yielded superior results and more durable efficacy than did the control group.  

He also discusses studies on the use of novel agent tazemetostat in combination with lenalidomide, and the bispecific monoclonal antibody mosunetuzumab as monotherapy. The US Food and Drug Administration approved mosunetuzumab in December, expanding the armamentarium for patients with follicular lymphoma who have undergone multiple lines of therapy.  

--

Thomas Rodgers, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Duke University; Staff Physician, Department of Hematology/Oncology, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 

Thomas Rodgers, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. 

Highlights in follicular lymphoma from the 2022 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting are discussed by Dr Thomas Rodgers of the Durham VA Medical Center. 

Dr Rodgers begins with a prognostic model designed to evaluate the risk for disease progression in high-risk patients within 24 months of starting first-line treatment with the intention of better individualizing management in this group. 

Next, he presents long-term phase 3 data comparing first-line rituximab with a watch-and-wait approach. After 12 years of follow-up, results showed no significant difference in overall survival between watch and wait, rituximab induction, and rituximab induction plus maintenance, suggesting to Dr Rodgers that individualized upfront management can lead to similarly excellent outcomes in patients with low tumor burden. 

Turning to relapsed/refractory disease, Dr Rodgers cites a study comparing rituximab plus lenalidomide with rituximab plus placebo. The combination yielded superior results and more durable efficacy than did the control group.  

He also discusses studies on the use of novel agent tazemetostat in combination with lenalidomide, and the bispecific monoclonal antibody mosunetuzumab as monotherapy. The US Food and Drug Administration approved mosunetuzumab in December, expanding the armamentarium for patients with follicular lymphoma who have undergone multiple lines of therapy.  

--

Thomas Rodgers, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Duke University; Staff Physician, Department of Hematology/Oncology, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 

Thomas Rodgers, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. 

Reporting on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) highlights from the American Society of Hematology meetings, Dr Nicholas Burwick of the Puget Sound Veterans Administration Health Care System discusses studies ranging from first-line treatment to options for relapsed/refractory disease. 

Dr Burwick cites a Veterans Health Administration study documenting the increasing movement toward novel agents as frontline treatment in CLL since 2018, and the emerging trend toward use of second-generation Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors. 

Next, he discusses a study examining the frontline combination of ibrutinib and venetoclax, which may help overcome poor prognosis associated with unmutated IGHV CLL. 

In another study, the combination of venetoclax and ibrutinib was examined in high-risk patients treated with ibrutinib for 1 year. The results showed the combination deepens responses and even offers the potential for discontinuation of therapy. 

Turning to relapsed/refractory disease, Dr Burwick highlights the latest results of pirtobrutinib, which continues to show efficacy among heavily pretreated patients regardless of prior therapy, reason for discontinuation, or mutation status. 

Finally, he points to zanubrutinib, which demonstrated superiority to ibrutinib in a long-range study of progression-free survival.  

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Nicholas R. Burwick, MD, Associate Professor, Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington; Attending Physician, Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Puget Sound VA Health Care System, Seattle, Washington 

Nicholas R. Burwick, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. 

Reporting on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) highlights from the American Society of Hematology meetings, Dr Nicholas Burwick of the Puget Sound Veterans Administration Health Care System discusses studies ranging from first-line treatment to options for relapsed/refractory disease. 

Dr Burwick cites a Veterans Health Administration study documenting the increasing movement toward novel agents as frontline treatment in CLL since 2018, and the emerging trend toward use of second-generation Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors. 

Next, he discusses a study examining the frontline combination of ibrutinib and venetoclax, which may help overcome poor prognosis associated with unmutated IGHV CLL. 

In another study, the combination of venetoclax and ibrutinib was examined in high-risk patients treated with ibrutinib for 1 year. The results showed the combination deepens responses and even offers the potential for discontinuation of therapy. 

Turning to relapsed/refractory disease, Dr Burwick highlights the latest results of pirtobrutinib, which continues to show efficacy among heavily pretreated patients regardless of prior therapy, reason for discontinuation, or mutation status. 

Finally, he points to zanubrutinib, which demonstrated superiority to ibrutinib in a long-range study of progression-free survival.  

--

Nicholas R. Burwick, MD, Associate Professor, Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington; Attending Physician, Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Puget Sound VA Health Care System, Seattle, Washington 

Nicholas R. Burwick, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. 

Reporting on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) highlights from the American Society of Hematology meetings, Dr Nicholas Burwick of the Puget Sound Veterans Administration Health Care System discusses studies ranging from first-line treatment to options for relapsed/refractory disease. 

Dr Burwick cites a Veterans Health Administration study documenting the increasing movement toward novel agents as frontline treatment in CLL since 2018, and the emerging trend toward use of second-generation Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors. 

Next, he discusses a study examining the frontline combination of ibrutinib and venetoclax, which may help overcome poor prognosis associated with unmutated IGHV CLL. 

In another study, the combination of venetoclax and ibrutinib was examined in high-risk patients treated with ibrutinib for 1 year. The results showed the combination deepens responses and even offers the potential for discontinuation of therapy. 

Turning to relapsed/refractory disease, Dr Burwick highlights the latest results of pirtobrutinib, which continues to show efficacy among heavily pretreated patients regardless of prior therapy, reason for discontinuation, or mutation status. 

Finally, he points to zanubrutinib, which demonstrated superiority to ibrutinib in a long-range study of progression-free survival.  

--

Nicholas R. Burwick, MD, Associate Professor, Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington; Attending Physician, Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Puget Sound VA Health Care System, Seattle, Washington 

Nicholas R. Burwick, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. 

Dr Harold Burstein, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, reports on studies in HR+/HER2- breast cancer presented at the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. 

Dr Burstein reports on the phase 2 RIGHT Choice study, which is the first head-to-head comparison of endocrine therapy plus a CDK4/6 inhibitor vs chemotherapy for stage IV breast cancer. The results indicate that frontline therapy using the combination is superior to chemotherapy.  

Dr Burstein next comments on the phase 3 CAPItello-291 trial, which looked at a new AKT inhibitor, capivasertib. The study compared capivasertib plus fulvestrant vs fulvestrant alone and found that the combination provided meaningful improvements in progression-free survival. He then reports on the phase 2 SERENA-2 trial, which compared fulvestrant with camizestrant, an oral selective estrogen receptor degrader, in the second-line setting. The study showed that camizestrant was superior to fulvestrant.  

An update of the phase 3 monarchE trial showed an increasing benefit from adding abemaciclib to endocrine therapy in the adjuvant setting, regardless of the Ki-67 index. 

In closing, Dr Burstein discusses the POSITIVE trial, which indicated that endocrine therapy can be safely interrupted in women whose breast cancer is in remission and who are pursuing pregnancy.  

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Harold J. Burstein, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Medical Oncologist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 

Harold J. Burstein, MD, PhD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. 

Dr Harold Burstein, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, reports on studies in HR+/HER2- breast cancer presented at the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. 

Dr Burstein reports on the phase 2 RIGHT Choice study, which is the first head-to-head comparison of endocrine therapy plus a CDK4/6 inhibitor vs chemotherapy for stage IV breast cancer. The results indicate that frontline therapy using the combination is superior to chemotherapy.  

Dr Burstein next comments on the phase 3 CAPItello-291 trial, which looked at a new AKT inhibitor, capivasertib. The study compared capivasertib plus fulvestrant vs fulvestrant alone and found that the combination provided meaningful improvements in progression-free survival. He then reports on the phase 2 SERENA-2 trial, which compared fulvestrant with camizestrant, an oral selective estrogen receptor degrader, in the second-line setting. The study showed that camizestrant was superior to fulvestrant.  

An update of the phase 3 monarchE trial showed an increasing benefit from adding abemaciclib to endocrine therapy in the adjuvant setting, regardless of the Ki-67 index. 

In closing, Dr Burstein discusses the POSITIVE trial, which indicated that endocrine therapy can be safely interrupted in women whose breast cancer is in remission and who are pursuing pregnancy.  

--

Harold J. Burstein, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Medical Oncologist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 

Harold J. Burstein, MD, PhD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. 

Dr Harold Burstein, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, reports on studies in HR+/HER2- breast cancer presented at the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. 

Dr Burstein reports on the phase 2 RIGHT Choice study, which is the first head-to-head comparison of endocrine therapy plus a CDK4/6 inhibitor vs chemotherapy for stage IV breast cancer. The results indicate that frontline therapy using the combination is superior to chemotherapy.  

Dr Burstein next comments on the phase 3 CAPItello-291 trial, which looked at a new AKT inhibitor, capivasertib. The study compared capivasertib plus fulvestrant vs fulvestrant alone and found that the combination provided meaningful improvements in progression-free survival. He then reports on the phase 2 SERENA-2 trial, which compared fulvestrant with camizestrant, an oral selective estrogen receptor degrader, in the second-line setting. The study showed that camizestrant was superior to fulvestrant.  

An update of the phase 3 monarchE trial showed an increasing benefit from adding abemaciclib to endocrine therapy in the adjuvant setting, regardless of the Ki-67 index. 

In closing, Dr Burstein discusses the POSITIVE trial, which indicated that endocrine therapy can be safely interrupted in women whose breast cancer is in remission and who are pursuing pregnancy.  

--

Harold J. Burstein, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Medical Oncologist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 

Harold J. Burstein, MD, PhD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. 

Dr Peter Martin, from Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, NY, highlights breakthroughs and developments in mantle cell lymphoma presented at the 2022 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition. 

Dr Martin begins with the top-ranked abstract from the meeting, a European trial that looked at ibrutinib as a substitute for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in younger patients. The results suggest that the era of upfront ASCT may now be over. 

Next, he reports on a trial that investigated the addition of the second-generation BTK inhibitor acalabrutinib to lenalidomide and rituximab. The combination provided excellent clinical responses, indicating that mantle cell lymphoma patients may soon be able to avoid chemotherapy altogether. 

The next trial selected by Dr Martin examined whether the addition of lenalidomide to consolidation rituximab after first-line bendamustine-rituximab would improve survival outcomes. The study reported no additional benefit, at the cost of increased adverse events. 

Dr Martin closes by discussing two trials in the relapsed/refractory setting, one a phase 1 trial of the bispecific antibody glofitamab, the other a phase 1b-2 trial of venetoclax with lenalidomide and rituximab. Both showed encouraging results that point to potential future treatment strategies. 

--

Associate Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 

Peter Martin, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: 

Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: AstraZeneca; ADCT; BeiGene; Bristol Myers Squibb; Epizyme; Genentech; Gilead; Janssen; Takeda 

Dr Peter Martin, from Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, NY, highlights breakthroughs and developments in mantle cell lymphoma presented at the 2022 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition. 

Dr Martin begins with the top-ranked abstract from the meeting, a European trial that looked at ibrutinib as a substitute for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in younger patients. The results suggest that the era of upfront ASCT may now be over. 

Next, he reports on a trial that investigated the addition of the second-generation BTK inhibitor acalabrutinib to lenalidomide and rituximab. The combination provided excellent clinical responses, indicating that mantle cell lymphoma patients may soon be able to avoid chemotherapy altogether. 

The next trial selected by Dr Martin examined whether the addition of lenalidomide to consolidation rituximab after first-line bendamustine-rituximab would improve survival outcomes. The study reported no additional benefit, at the cost of increased adverse events. 

Dr Martin closes by discussing two trials in the relapsed/refractory setting, one a phase 1 trial of the bispecific antibody glofitamab, the other a phase 1b-2 trial of venetoclax with lenalidomide and rituximab. Both showed encouraging results that point to potential future treatment strategies. 

--

Associate Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 

Peter Martin, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: 

Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: AstraZeneca; ADCT; BeiGene; Bristol Myers Squibb; Epizyme; Genentech; Gilead; Janssen; Takeda 

Dr Peter Martin, from Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, NY, highlights breakthroughs and developments in mantle cell lymphoma presented at the 2022 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition. 

Dr Martin begins with the top-ranked abstract from the meeting, a European trial that looked at ibrutinib as a substitute for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in younger patients. The results suggest that the era of upfront ASCT may now be over. 

Next, he reports on a trial that investigated the addition of the second-generation BTK inhibitor acalabrutinib to lenalidomide and rituximab. The combination provided excellent clinical responses, indicating that mantle cell lymphoma patients may soon be able to avoid chemotherapy altogether. 

The next trial selected by Dr Martin examined whether the addition of lenalidomide to consolidation rituximab after first-line bendamustine-rituximab would improve survival outcomes. The study reported no additional benefit, at the cost of increased adverse events. 

Dr Martin closes by discussing two trials in the relapsed/refractory setting, one a phase 1 trial of the bispecific antibody glofitamab, the other a phase 1b-2 trial of venetoclax with lenalidomide and rituximab. Both showed encouraging results that point to potential future treatment strategies. 

--

Associate Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 

Peter Martin, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: 

Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: AstraZeneca; ADCT; BeiGene; Bristol Myers Squibb; Epizyme; Genentech; Gilead; Janssen; Takeda 

Dr Anca Askanase, director of the Lupus Center at Columbia University Medical Center, highlights the latest research on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2022.  

Dr Askanase first discusses a small study using autologous chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, which is approved for use in several blood cancers, as an alternative for patients with refractory SLE. Five patients received CAR-T cells, and all achieved sustained, drug-free remission. 

Next, Dr Askanase highlights a phase 2B study evaluating the tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor deucravacitinib in patients with SLE. In early results, patients taking deucravacitinib showed a statistically meaningful response in disease activity compared with placebo.   

She then summarizes her presentation on oral cenerimod. The phase 2, 12-week study demonstrated that cenerimod reduced total lymphocyte count compared with placebo in SLE patients.  

Next, Dr Askanase details the long-term extension of the TULIP trials. Researchers found that anifrolumab has a favorable benefit-risk profile when compared with placebo and is therefore a possible long-term treatment option for patients with moderate to severe SLE.   

Finally, Dr Askanase discusses the positive findings from the phase 3 AURORA 1 and AURORA 2 studies, which sought to determine whether the addition of voclosporin to mycophenolate mofetil and low-dose steroids could maintain the reduction in proteinuria in patients with lupus nephritis. 

--

Anca Askanase, MD, MPH, Professor of Medicine, Director, Lupus Center, Department of Rheumatology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 

Anca Askanase, MD, MPH, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: 

Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: AstraZeneca; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celgene; Eli Lilly; GSK; Idorsia; Janssen; Pfizer 

Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: AstraZeneca; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celgene; Eli Lilly; GSK; Idorsia; Janssen; Pfizer 

Dr Anca Askanase, director of the Lupus Center at Columbia University Medical Center, highlights the latest research on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2022.  

Dr Askanase first discusses a small study using autologous chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, which is approved for use in several blood cancers, as an alternative for patients with refractory SLE. Five patients received CAR-T cells, and all achieved sustained, drug-free remission. 

Next, Dr Askanase highlights a phase 2B study evaluating the tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor deucravacitinib in patients with SLE. In early results, patients taking deucravacitinib showed a statistically meaningful response in disease activity compared with placebo.   

She then summarizes her presentation on oral cenerimod. The phase 2, 12-week study demonstrated that cenerimod reduced total lymphocyte count compared with placebo in SLE patients.  

Next, Dr Askanase details the long-term extension of the TULIP trials. Researchers found that anifrolumab has a favorable benefit-risk profile when compared with placebo and is therefore a possible long-term treatment option for patients with moderate to severe SLE.   

Finally, Dr Askanase discusses the positive findings from the phase 3 AURORA 1 and AURORA 2 studies, which sought to determine whether the addition of voclosporin to mycophenolate mofetil and low-dose steroids could maintain the reduction in proteinuria in patients with lupus nephritis. 

--

Anca Askanase, MD, MPH, Professor of Medicine, Director, Lupus Center, Department of Rheumatology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 

Anca Askanase, MD, MPH, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: 

Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: AstraZeneca; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celgene; Eli Lilly; GSK; Idorsia; Janssen; Pfizer 

Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: AstraZeneca; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celgene; Eli Lilly; GSK; Idorsia; Janssen; Pfizer 

Dr Anca Askanase, director of the Lupus Center at Columbia University Medical Center, highlights the latest research on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2022.  

Dr Askanase first discusses a small study using autologous chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, which is approved for use in several blood cancers, as an alternative for patients with refractory SLE. Five patients received CAR-T cells, and all achieved sustained, drug-free remission. 

Next, Dr Askanase highlights a phase 2B study evaluating the tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor deucravacitinib in patients with SLE. In early results, patients taking deucravacitinib showed a statistically meaningful response in disease activity compared with placebo.   

She then summarizes her presentation on oral cenerimod. The phase 2, 12-week study demonstrated that cenerimod reduced total lymphocyte count compared with placebo in SLE patients.  

Next, Dr Askanase details the long-term extension of the TULIP trials. Researchers found that anifrolumab has a favorable benefit-risk profile when compared with placebo and is therefore a possible long-term treatment option for patients with moderate to severe SLE.   

Finally, Dr Askanase discusses the positive findings from the phase 3 AURORA 1 and AURORA 2 studies, which sought to determine whether the addition of voclosporin to mycophenolate mofetil and low-dose steroids could maintain the reduction in proteinuria in patients with lupus nephritis. 

--

Anca Askanase, MD, MPH, Professor of Medicine, Director, Lupus Center, Department of Rheumatology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 

Anca Askanase, MD, MPH, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: 

Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: AstraZeneca; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celgene; Eli Lilly; GSK; Idorsia; Janssen; Pfizer 

Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: AstraZeneca; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celgene; Eli Lilly; GSK; Idorsia; Janssen; Pfizer 

Jennifer Guerriero, PhD, from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, shares highlights in breast cancer from the 37th Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer. 

She begins with a study of the tumor microenvironment that found a range of MHC-1 expression across breast cancer subtypes. Crucially, expression appears to affect the local immune landscape and response to immunotherapy. 

Next, she looks at a study that showed that the tyrosine kinase Ron affects T-cell recruitment into sites of metastatic breast cancer, offering a potential therapeutic target via Ron kinase inhibitors. 

Dr Guerriero moves on to a study exploring tumor antigen-specific antibody responses in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer patients and their association with immunotherapy outcomes. 

This is followed by a phase 1/2 trial in which an in situ anti-cancer vaccine was created with a combination of four treatments, achieving responses in heavily pretreated patients. 

Dr Guerriero ends with a series of posters on CT-0508, a novel anti-HER2 chimeric antigen receptor macrophage therapy, that showed encouraging activity in targeting HER2 overexpressing tumors. 

--

Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Breast Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 

Jennifer L. Guerriero, PhD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: 

Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: Mersana; Duke St Bio; AstraZeneca; OncoOne 

Received research grant from: Merck 

Jennifer Guerriero, PhD, from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, shares highlights in breast cancer from the 37th Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer. 

She begins with a study of the tumor microenvironment that found a range of MHC-1 expression across breast cancer subtypes. Crucially, expression appears to affect the local immune landscape and response to immunotherapy. 

Next, she looks at a study that showed that the tyrosine kinase Ron affects T-cell recruitment into sites of metastatic breast cancer, offering a potential therapeutic target via Ron kinase inhibitors. 

Dr Guerriero moves on to a study exploring tumor antigen-specific antibody responses in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer patients and their association with immunotherapy outcomes. 

This is followed by a phase 1/2 trial in which an in situ anti-cancer vaccine was created with a combination of four treatments, achieving responses in heavily pretreated patients. 

Dr Guerriero ends with a series of posters on CT-0508, a novel anti-HER2 chimeric antigen receptor macrophage therapy, that showed encouraging activity in targeting HER2 overexpressing tumors. 

--

Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Breast Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 

Jennifer L. Guerriero, PhD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: 

Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: Mersana; Duke St Bio; AstraZeneca; OncoOne 

Received research grant from: Merck 

Jennifer Guerriero, PhD, from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, shares highlights in breast cancer from the 37th Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer. 

She begins with a study of the tumor microenvironment that found a range of MHC-1 expression across breast cancer subtypes. Crucially, expression appears to affect the local immune landscape and response to immunotherapy. 

Next, she looks at a study that showed that the tyrosine kinase Ron affects T-cell recruitment into sites of metastatic breast cancer, offering a potential therapeutic target via Ron kinase inhibitors. 

Dr Guerriero moves on to a study exploring tumor antigen-specific antibody responses in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer patients and their association with immunotherapy outcomes. 

This is followed by a phase 1/2 trial in which an in situ anti-cancer vaccine was created with a combination of four treatments, achieving responses in heavily pretreated patients. 

Dr Guerriero ends with a series of posters on CT-0508, a novel anti-HER2 chimeric antigen receptor macrophage therapy, that showed encouraging activity in targeting HER2 overexpressing tumors. 

--

Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Breast Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 

Jennifer L. Guerriero, PhD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: 

Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: Mersana; Duke St Bio; AstraZeneca; OncoOne 

Received research grant from: Merck 

Dr Jack West, from City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California, gives his picks of noteworthy advances in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presented at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer. 

Dr West starts by discussing data from a real-world analysis of patients who had undergone next-generation sequencing and received a variety of treatments. This revealed that those with KRAS mutations, alongside STK11 and KEAP1 mutations, had worse outcomes. 

Next, he reports on a genomic study indicating that acquired resistance mechanisms affecting a range of genes were unique to immunotherapy and were not seen with chemotherapy or targeted therapies. 

Dr West moves on to KEYNOTE-495, which found that NSCLC patients with a favorable gene expression profile and low tumor mutational burden had the greatest response to combination therapy with pembrolizumab and lenvatinib. 

The LAG-3 inhibitor eftilagimod alpha in combination with pembrolizumab was examined in the next study, which showed that PD-L1 expression was related to response rates. 

Dr West closes by discussing a talk that made the case for neoadjuvant over adjuvant immunotherapy in lung cancer and other settings. 

--

Associate Professor, Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California; Vice President, Network Strategy, AccessHope, Los Angeles, California 

H. Jack West, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: 

Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: Amgen; AstraZeneca; Genentech/Roche; Merck; Mirati; Regeneron; Takeda 

Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Amgen; AstraZeneca; Merck 

Dr Jack West, from City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California, gives his picks of noteworthy advances in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presented at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer. 

Dr West starts by discussing data from a real-world analysis of patients who had undergone next-generation sequencing and received a variety of treatments. This revealed that those with KRAS mutations, alongside STK11 and KEAP1 mutations, had worse outcomes. 

Next, he reports on a genomic study indicating that acquired resistance mechanisms affecting a range of genes were unique to immunotherapy and were not seen with chemotherapy or targeted therapies. 

Dr West moves on to KEYNOTE-495, which found that NSCLC patients with a favorable gene expression profile and low tumor mutational burden had the greatest response to combination therapy with pembrolizumab and lenvatinib. 

The LAG-3 inhibitor eftilagimod alpha in combination with pembrolizumab was examined in the next study, which showed that PD-L1 expression was related to response rates. 

Dr West closes by discussing a talk that made the case for neoadjuvant over adjuvant immunotherapy in lung cancer and other settings. 

--

Associate Professor, Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California; Vice President, Network Strategy, AccessHope, Los Angeles, California 

H. Jack West, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: 

Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: Amgen; AstraZeneca; Genentech/Roche; Merck; Mirati; Regeneron; Takeda 

Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Amgen; AstraZeneca; Merck 

Dr Jack West, from City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California, gives his picks of noteworthy advances in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presented at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer. 

Dr West starts by discussing data from a real-world analysis of patients who had undergone next-generation sequencing and received a variety of treatments. This revealed that those with KRAS mutations, alongside STK11 and KEAP1 mutations, had worse outcomes. 

Next, he reports on a genomic study indicating that acquired resistance mechanisms affecting a range of genes were unique to immunotherapy and were not seen with chemotherapy or targeted therapies. 

Dr West moves on to KEYNOTE-495, which found that NSCLC patients with a favorable gene expression profile and low tumor mutational burden had the greatest response to combination therapy with pembrolizumab and lenvatinib. 

The LAG-3 inhibitor eftilagimod alpha in combination with pembrolizumab was examined in the next study, which showed that PD-L1 expression was related to response rates. 

Dr West closes by discussing a talk that made the case for neoadjuvant over adjuvant immunotherapy in lung cancer and other settings. 

--

Associate Professor, Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California; Vice President, Network Strategy, AccessHope, Los Angeles, California 

H. Jack West, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: 

Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: Amgen; AstraZeneca; Genentech/Roche; Merck; Mirati; Regeneron; Takeda 

Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Amgen; AstraZeneca; Merck 

Reporting on highlights in axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) from the American College of Rheumatology Convergence 2022, Dr Philip Mease of Swedish Medical Center in Seattle calls attention to studies on promising therapeutic outcomes. 

He begins with the late-breaking long-range therapeutic results of bimekizumab, which was shown to be effective in patients with nonradiographic AxSpA and those with ankylosing spondylitis over 52 weeks. 

Next, he reports on a study examining withdrawal vs tapering of golimumab, which underscored the benefit of tapering in prevention of disease flares. 

Dr Mease then discusses a study in which cycling between tumor necrosis factor inhibitors provided disappointing results in the AxSpA population, suggesting that switching to a therapy with a different mechanism of action might achieve better outcomes. 

Another study cited by Dr Mease explored the use of combination therapy in patients with AxSpA, which yielded promising results. Should this approach take hold, Dr Mease says that in the future, "we'll be more like oncologists, mixing and matching and doing what's best for our patients to bring them into a state of remission." 

Dr Mease closes by discussing a large study investigating COVID among patients with autoimmune diseases, including AxSpA and psoriasis. The study found that neither the conditions themselves nor their treatments significantly increased risk for severe outcomes. 

--

Philip Mease, MD, Clinical Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine; Director, Department of Rheumatology Research, Swedish Medical Center/Providence St. Joseph's Health, Seattle Rheumatology Associates, Seattle, Washington 

Philip Mease, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: 

Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: AbbVie; Acelyrin; Aclaris; Amgen; Boehringer Ingelheim; Bristol Myers Squibb; Eli Lilly; Galapagos; Gilead; GlaxoSmithKline; Inmagene; Janssen; MoonLake; Novartis; Pfizer; Sun Pharma; UCB 

Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: AbbVie; Amgen; Eli Lilly; Janssen; Novartis; Pfizer; UCB 

Received research grant from: AbbVie; Amgen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Eli Lilly; Galapagos; Gilead; Janssen; Novartis; Pfizer; Sun Pharma; UCB 

Reporting on highlights in axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) from the American College of Rheumatology Convergence 2022, Dr Philip Mease of Swedish Medical Center in Seattle calls attention to studies on promising therapeutic outcomes. 

He begins with the late-breaking long-range therapeutic results of bimekizumab, which was shown to be effective in patients with nonradiographic AxSpA and those with ankylosing spondylitis over 52 weeks. 

Next, he reports on a study examining withdrawal vs tapering of golimumab, which underscored the benefit of tapering in prevention of disease flares. 

Dr Mease then discusses a study in which cycling between tumor necrosis factor inhibitors provided disappointing results in the AxSpA population, suggesting that switching to a therapy with a different mechanism of action might achieve better outcomes. 

Another study cited by Dr Mease explored the use of combination therapy in patients with AxSpA, which yielded promising results. Should this approach take hold, Dr Mease says that in the future, "we'll be more like oncologists, mixing and matching and doing what's best for our patients to bring them into a state of remission." 

Dr Mease closes by discussing a large study investigating COVID among patients with autoimmune diseases, including AxSpA and psoriasis. The study found that neither the conditions themselves nor their treatments significantly increased risk for severe outcomes. 

--

Philip Mease, MD, Clinical Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine; Director, Department of Rheumatology Research, Swedish Medical Center/Providence St. Joseph's Health, Seattle Rheumatology Associates, Seattle, Washington 

Philip Mease, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: 

Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: AbbVie; Acelyrin; Aclaris; Amgen; Boehringer Ingelheim; Bristol Myers Squibb; Eli Lilly; Galapagos; Gilead; GlaxoSmithKline; Inmagene; Janssen; MoonLake; Novartis; Pfizer; Sun Pharma; UCB 

Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: AbbVie; Amgen; Eli Lilly; Janssen; Novartis; Pfizer; UCB 

Received research grant from: AbbVie; Amgen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Eli Lilly; Galapagos; Gilead; Janssen; Novartis; Pfizer; Sun Pharma; UCB 

Reporting on highlights in axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) from the American College of Rheumatology Convergence 2022, Dr Philip Mease of Swedish Medical Center in Seattle calls attention to studies on promising therapeutic outcomes. 

He begins with the late-breaking long-range therapeutic results of bimekizumab, which was shown to be effective in patients with nonradiographic AxSpA and those with ankylosing spondylitis over 52 weeks. 

Next, he reports on a study examining withdrawal vs tapering of golimumab, which underscored the benefit of tapering in prevention of disease flares. 

Dr Mease then discusses a study in which cycling between tumor necrosis factor inhibitors provided disappointing results in the AxSpA population, suggesting that switching to a therapy with a different mechanism of action might achieve better outcomes. 

Another study cited by Dr Mease explored the use of combination therapy in patients with AxSpA, which yielded promising results. Should this approach take hold, Dr Mease says that in the future, "we'll be more like oncologists, mixing and matching and doing what's best for our patients to bring them into a state of remission." 

Dr Mease closes by discussing a large study investigating COVID among patients with autoimmune diseases, including AxSpA and psoriasis. The study found that neither the conditions themselves nor their treatments significantly increased risk for severe outcomes. 

--

Philip Mease, MD, Clinical Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine; Director, Department of Rheumatology Research, Swedish Medical Center/Providence St. Joseph's Health, Seattle Rheumatology Associates, Seattle, Washington 

Philip Mease, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: 

Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: AbbVie; Acelyrin; Aclaris; Amgen; Boehringer Ingelheim; Bristol Myers Squibb; Eli Lilly; Galapagos; Gilead; GlaxoSmithKline; Inmagene; Janssen; MoonLake; Novartis; Pfizer; Sun Pharma; UCB 

Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: AbbVie; Amgen; Eli Lilly; Janssen; Novartis; Pfizer; UCB 

Received research grant from: AbbVie; Amgen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Eli Lilly; Galapagos; Gilead; Janssen; Novartis; Pfizer; Sun Pharma; UCB 

Dr Carol Wysham, of the University of Washington School of Medicine in Spokane, reports on key studies looking at glucose-lowering therapies in adults with type 2 diabetes, as presented at the 2022 annual meeting of the American Society of Nephrology. 

Dr Wysham first highlights a real-world study evaluating the long-term use of empagliflozin compared with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. The researchers used the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slope as their predictive value for clinical kidney benefit. They found that long-term use of empagliflozin was associated with less impairment of kidney function than DPP-4 inhibitors.  

Next, Dr Wysham discusses a study testing the safety of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with both chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that in this patient population undergoing routine care, use of SGLT2 inhibitors was associated with an increased risk for nonvertebral fractures, lower-limb amputations, and genital infections. 

Next, Dr Wysham examines a report pooling data from the SUSTAIN 6 and PIONEER 6 studies to determine whether semaglutide improves the eGFR slope. Researchers found that across the A1c and blood pressure subgroups, semaglutide reduced eGFR compared with placebo.  

Finally, Dr Wysham discusses an analysis using data from the Framingham Heart Study to determine whether a demonstrable link could be established between kidney disease and mild cognitive impairment. Researchers reported that patients with albuminuria had an increased risk for brain infarctions.  

--

Carol Wysham, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Clinical Endocrinologist, Rockwood Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology, MultiCare Health Systems, Spokane, Washington 

Carol Wysham, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: 

Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: Endocrine Society; MultiCare Health Systems 

Received research grant from: Allergan; Abbott; Corcept; Eli Lilly; Mylan; Novo Nordisk; Regeneron 

Dr Carol Wysham, of the University of Washington School of Medicine in Spokane, reports on key studies looking at glucose-lowering therapies in adults with type 2 diabetes, as presented at the 2022 annual meeting of the American Society of Nephrology. 

Dr Wysham first highlights a real-world study evaluating the long-term use of empagliflozin compared with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. The researchers used the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slope as their predictive value for clinical kidney benefit. They found that long-term use of empagliflozin was associated with less impairment of kidney function than DPP-4 inhibitors.  

Next, Dr Wysham discusses a study testing the safety of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with both chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that in this patient population undergoing routine care, use of SGLT2 inhibitors was associated with an increased risk for nonvertebral fractures, lower-limb amputations, and genital infections. 

Next, Dr Wysham examines a report pooling data from the SUSTAIN 6 and PIONEER 6 studies to determine whether semaglutide improves the eGFR slope. Researchers found that across the A1c and blood pressure subgroups, semaglutide reduced eGFR compared with placebo.  

Finally, Dr Wysham discusses an analysis using data from the Framingham Heart Study to determine whether a demonstrable link could be established between kidney disease and mild cognitive impairment. Researchers reported that patients with albuminuria had an increased risk for brain infarctions.  

--

Carol Wysham, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Clinical Endocrinologist, Rockwood Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology, MultiCare Health Systems, Spokane, Washington 

Carol Wysham, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: 

Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: Endocrine Society; MultiCare Health Systems 

Received research grant from: Allergan; Abbott; Corcept; Eli Lilly; Mylan; Novo Nordisk; Regeneron 

Dr Carol Wysham, of the University of Washington School of Medicine in Spokane, reports on key studies looking at glucose-lowering therapies in adults with type 2 diabetes, as presented at the 2022 annual meeting of the American Society of Nephrology. 

Dr Wysham first highlights a real-world study evaluating the long-term use of empagliflozin compared with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. The researchers used the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slope as their predictive value for clinical kidney benefit. They found that long-term use of empagliflozin was associated with less impairment of kidney function than DPP-4 inhibitors.  

Next, Dr Wysham discusses a study testing the safety of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with both chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that in this patient population undergoing routine care, use of SGLT2 inhibitors was associated with an increased risk for nonvertebral fractures, lower-limb amputations, and genital infections. 

Next, Dr Wysham examines a report pooling data from the SUSTAIN 6 and PIONEER 6 studies to determine whether semaglutide improves the eGFR slope. Researchers found that across the A1c and blood pressure subgroups, semaglutide reduced eGFR compared with placebo.  

Finally, Dr Wysham discusses an analysis using data from the Framingham Heart Study to determine whether a demonstrable link could be established between kidney disease and mild cognitive impairment. Researchers reported that patients with albuminuria had an increased risk for brain infarctions.  

--

Carol Wysham, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Clinical Endocrinologist, Rockwood Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology, MultiCare Health Systems, Spokane, Washington 

Carol Wysham, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: 

Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: Endocrine Society; MultiCare Health Systems 

Received research grant from: Allergan; Abbott; Corcept; Eli Lilly; Mylan; Novo Nordisk; Regeneron 

Dr Gregg Silverman of New York University Langone Medical Center highlights four key studies on lupus nephritis (LN) presented at ASN Kidney Week 2022.  

First, he focuses on a follow-up study of voclosporin after the successful phase 3 trial of the medication. According to the study, persistent proteinuria increases risk for comorbidities in lupus nephritis and rapid reductions in protein are predictive of improved long-term renal health. Voclosporin may be beneficial in limiting the negative long-term effects of proteinuria for patients with LN.  

Next, Dr Silverman discusses a study that investigates the safety and tolerability of a first-in-class selective proteasome inhibitor for the treatment of LN. Use of this type of proteasome may improve autoimmunity for these patients.  

The third abstract he discusses is a study of an investigational agent, VIB 4920, that was first explored over 20 years ago and that may have activity in LN.  

Finally, Dr Silverman examines a phase 2b study that evaluated the efficacy and safety of telitacicept vs placebo in combination with standard therapy in patients with lupus. Early results were encouraging, but more mature results are needed.  

--

Highlights in lupus nephritis (LN) from ASN Kidney Week 2022 focus on results on voclosporin, repurposing of telitacicept, promising agent VIB 4920, and other novel treatments for patients with LN. 

Gregg J. Silverman, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. 

Dr Gregg Silverman of New York University Langone Medical Center highlights four key studies on lupus nephritis (LN) presented at ASN Kidney Week 2022.  

First, he focuses on a follow-up study of voclosporin after the successful phase 3 trial of the medication. According to the study, persistent proteinuria increases risk for comorbidities in lupus nephritis and rapid reductions in protein are predictive of improved long-term renal health. Voclosporin may be beneficial in limiting the negative long-term effects of proteinuria for patients with LN.  

Next, Dr Silverman discusses a study that investigates the safety and tolerability of a first-in-class selective proteasome inhibitor for the treatment of LN. Use of this type of proteasome may improve autoimmunity for these patients.  

The third abstract he discusses is a study of an investigational agent, VIB 4920, that was first explored over 20 years ago and that may have activity in LN.  

Finally, Dr Silverman examines a phase 2b study that evaluated the efficacy and safety of telitacicept vs placebo in combination with standard therapy in patients with lupus. Early results were encouraging, but more mature results are needed.  

--

Highlights in lupus nephritis (LN) from ASN Kidney Week 2022 focus on results on voclosporin, repurposing of telitacicept, promising agent VIB 4920, and other novel treatments for patients with LN. 

Gregg J. Silverman, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. 

Dr Gregg Silverman of New York University Langone Medical Center highlights four key studies on lupus nephritis (LN) presented at ASN Kidney Week 2022.  

First, he focuses on a follow-up study of voclosporin after the successful phase 3 trial of the medication. According to the study, persistent proteinuria increases risk for comorbidities in lupus nephritis and rapid reductions in protein are predictive of improved long-term renal health. Voclosporin may be beneficial in limiting the negative long-term effects of proteinuria for patients with LN.  

Next, Dr Silverman discusses a study that investigates the safety and tolerability of a first-in-class selective proteasome inhibitor for the treatment of LN. Use of this type of proteasome may improve autoimmunity for these patients.  

The third abstract he discusses is a study of an investigational agent, VIB 4920, that was first explored over 20 years ago and that may have activity in LN.  

Finally, Dr Silverman examines a phase 2b study that evaluated the efficacy and safety of telitacicept vs placebo in combination with standard therapy in patients with lupus. Early results were encouraging, but more mature results are needed.  

--

Highlights in lupus nephritis (LN) from ASN Kidney Week 2022 focus on results on voclosporin, repurposing of telitacicept, promising agent VIB 4920, and other novel treatments for patients with LN. 

Gregg J. Silverman, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.