ASCO 2024: breaking news, key talks and takeaways
With the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting (May 31–June 4, IL, USA) in full swing, we’re collating all the biggest news stories and key talks to attend, to make your attendance at the biggest oncology conference of the year as seamless as possible.
Breaking news stories
Lorlatinib yields longest ever progression-free survival (PFS) recorded for ALK+ NSCLC patients
Data from the Phase III CROWN study, evaluating the ALK TKI lorlatinib, has demonstrated the best outcomes ever observed for advanced NSCLC patients.
“Lorlatinib is the only ALK TKI that has reported 5-year PFS, and even after this time, the majority of patients continue to have their disease controlled, including control of disease in the brain,” commented lead study author Benjamin Solomon (Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Australia).
Osimertinib set to change standard of care for EGFR patients
Data from the LAURA trial has demonstrated that osimertinib improves progression-free survival in patients with unresectable Stage III EGFR-mutated NSCLC, ushering in a new standard of care for patients with EGFR mutations.
“The LAURA trial is the first to define the role of EGFR-directed therapy in unresectable Stage III disease. While the study did not compare osimertinib to the current standard of care immunotherapy, these data have major implications for both patients and oncologists and will change the standard of care for patients with EGFR mutations,” explained ASCO spokesperson David Spigel (Sarah Cannon Research Institute, TN, USA).
Next steps for the study include follow up to investigate the impact osimertinib has on factors including overall survival and brain metastases.
BrECADD yields impressive results for Hodgkin lymphoma
Data from the Phase III GHSG HD21 trial indicates that BrECADD is more effective than BEACOPP and causes fewer side effects for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma.
“In this trial, the BrECADD regimen, a combination of six anti-cancer drugs, reduced the risk of progression, relapse, or death from the disease and resulted in a strikingly high 4-year progression-free survival rate of 94.3%. Patients who received BrECADD also experienced fewer side effects and had higher fertility rates than patients who received BEACOPP,” commented ASCO spokesperson Oreofe O Odejide (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, MA, USA).
New standard of care for locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma
Results from a recent study could have an impact on international treatment guidelines for esophageal cancer. Currently patients either receive the CROSS protocol (chemoradiotherapy before surgery) or the FLOT protocol (chemotherapy before and after surgery), depending on where they are based. However, the latest data presented at ASCO 2024 has established that the FLOT protocol improves survival for people with locally advanced, resectable esophageal adenocarcinoma and helps them live longer
“There is considerable disagreement as to whether giving all adjuvant therapy upfront versus ‘sandwich’ adjuvant therapy before and after surgery is the better standard of care for locally advanced resectable esophageal cancer. This randomized clinical trial from Europe answers that question for patients similar to those in enrolled in the trial: preoperative plus postoperative chemotherapy provides better outcomes,” explained ASCO spokesperson Jennifer Tseng (Boston Medical Center, MA, USA).
HPV vaccine reduces head and neck cancer risk in men
Results from a new study have shown that the HPV vaccine is effective in preventing the development of several HPV-related cancers, most notably reducing the risk of head and neck cancer in male individuals.
“HPV vaccination is cancer prevention,” commented Glenn J Hanna (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, MA, USA).
AI tool almost doubles colonoscopy uptake rate
An AI tool, termed MyEleanor, has demonstrated impressive results in improving colorectal cancer screening for patients from underserved populations.
MyEleanor is a virtual patient navigator, which can converse in English and Spanish, that has the capability to discuss rescheduling missed appointments, assess barriers to screening uptake and remind patients of upcoming events.
Talks to keep an eye out for
We reached out to oncology experts to discover which talks they are most excited to attend at ASCO, giving you insider knowledge on must-see sessions. If you’d like to share your expert perspective, contact our Senior Editor.
I am looking forward to LBA 6500 – ASC4FIRST, a pivotal Phase III study of asciminib vs investigator-selected tyrosine kinase inhibitors in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.
Mikkael Sekeres, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (FL, USA)
I am most excited for the presentation I am chairing. I look forward to discussing important advances of AI in prostate cancer care with my colleagues, Irbaz Riaz and Stephanie Harmon and meeting attendees.
Liang Cheng, Brown University (RI, USA)
I’m greatly looking forward to the educational session exploring the importance of amplifying patient voices in early-phase immunotherapy trials and seeing what role Plain language summaries could play within this.
Rachel Jenkins, Head of Plain Language Summaries, Oncology Central
I look forward to hearing all the presentations on new therapies in multiple myeloma. I also look forward to giving my talk as a discussant, summarizing novel quadruplets in the setting of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.
Carl Ola Landgren, Director, Sylvester Myeloma Institute, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
I’m most looking forward to attending the plenary session focused on telehealth vs in-person care. Very pleased to see palliative care and patient perspectives taking center stage at this year’s ASCO.
Jade Parker, Senior Editor, Oncology Central