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2. A novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are an existing targeted therapy that block the signaling of a receptor on the inside of tumor cells. , professor of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, is presenting updated results from the Phase Ib portion of the Beamion LUNG-1 trial of a novel TKI called zongertinib.

Zongertinib is a potent and selective TKI that was granted Fast-Track Designation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It selectively targets the HER2 protein without targeting other related proteins like EGFR, another common target of TKIs.

Interim data on zongertinib, presented at the 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer, showed promising activity, and we¡¯re looking forward to seeing the updated data. Confirmatory studies like this one are important to determine if new therapeutics can move quickly into routine care. If zongertinib does, it will be a new targeted treatment option for patients with pretreated, advanced HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer, a population with limited treatment options.

3. Third-generation CAR T cells for advanced thyroid cancer

CAR T cells are another rapidly developing therapy with great potential for populations with limited treatment options. Presenting data from a Phase I trial, , assistant professor of Stem Cell Transplantation, will share updated results for AIC100, a third-generation ICAM-1 directed CAR T cells product for patients with thyroid cancer.

ICAM-1 is a target on tumor cells that has been implicated in causing tumors to develop. AIC100 harnesses our immune system, engineering T cells to find ICAM-1 on tumor cells and preferentially eradicate those cells. This third-generation product bonds even more selectively to tumor cells, making it potentially a safer treatment option.

The study looked at different dosing regimens and appears to have both early signals of excellent activity against the thyroid tumor and manageable side effects. Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a very aggressive and hard-to-treat cancer, making this therapy very exciting in a tumor that has historically had limited treatment options.

4. New combination therapy for DNA repair-deficient cancers

Combining existing therapies can be a powerful way to target cancer cells across multiple tumor types, leading to a broader benefit and indication that can be applied in the next round of trials. In a second abstract, Yap is presenting results from the KEYLYNK-007 trial on the combination of olaparib, a PARP inhibitor, and pembrolizumab, an anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.

PARP inhibitors target DNA repair pathways that cancer cells use to be able to keep dividing and spreading. This is a pathway that we can take advantage of across multiple tumor types. What is especially interesting in these results is the extended length of response for those patients who responded to the combination therapy. This may indicate that the combination can extend how long someone responds to both agents. We are waiting on results from other PARP and immunotherapy combination trials to help confirm this trend.

5. A new treatment option for EGFR targeted therapy side effects

In addition to finding new therapies to treat cancer, we also need to improve existing therapies and their side effects. Some side effects may force us to pause therapy or reduce the dosage until the side effect can be well-controlled, causing patients to miss out on the therapy option that is best suited to treat their cancer.

A Phase II trial led by , associate professor of Dermatology, tested LUT014 gel, a new treatment for acneiform rash. This rash is a common side effect in patients with colon cancer who are receiving anti-EGFR therapies. The gel, which is a topical BRAF2 inhibitor, was demonstrated to be safe and beneficial. Management of this side effect will help treat and prevent a known dose-limiting toxicity for many patients who are otherwise benefitting from anti-EGFR therapy.

MD Anderson at AACR

This research highlights the strength of our clinical trials program, the depth of our translational science and our team-based approach to cancer research here at MD Anderson. I¡¯m looking forward to watching these novel therapeutics progress to the next stages of investigation to assess if they can graduate and become a new standard-of-care for our cancer patients.

, is a breast medical oncologist and vice president of Clinical Research at MD Anderson.

Learn about research careers at MD Anderson.