Drugs & Targets

FDA acknowledges BLA resubmission for Zolbetuximab for HER2- gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma with CLDN18.2-positive tumors

Astellas Pharma Inc. announced that FDA has acknowledged the company’s resubmission of the Biologics License Application for zolbetuximab, a first-in-class investigational claudin 18.2-targeted monoclonal antibody, for the first-line treatment of adults with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma whose tumors are CLDN18.2 positive. 
Clinical Roundup

Keytruda combination improves OS for HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer in phase III trial

The phase III KEYNOTE-811 trial evaluating Keytruda (pembrolizumab), Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with trastuzumab and fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy met its dual primary endpoint of overall survival for the first-line treatment of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.
Clinical Roundup

Imfinzi + chemo more than doubled pathologic CRR in gastric, gastroesophageal junction cancers

The phase III MATTERHORN trial showed treatment with Imfinzi (durvalumab) in combination with standard-of-care FLOT neoadjuvant chemotherapy (fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel given before surgery) demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the key secondary endpoint of pathologic complete response versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone for patients with resectable, early-stage and locally advanced (stages 2, 3, 4A) gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers. 
Clinical Roundup

Wistar researchers identify potential target for gastric cancers associated with Epstein-Barr Virus

Scientists at The Wistar Institute have discovered a potential target for gastric cancers associated with Epstein-Barr Virus. In a paper published in the journal mBio, Wistar’s Tempera lab investigates the epigenetic characteristics of gastric cancer associated with the Epstein-Barr Virus. In evaluating EBVaGC’s epigenetics—the series of biological signals associated with the genome that determines whether a given gene is expressed—the Tempera lab highlights a target that could advance as a future treatment for this type of cancer.