Barcelona – The Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Research Center based in Barcelonaannounced the results of two studies in which he has participated that they could suppose a therapeutic improvement in the field of precision oncology for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer with a certain genomic profile.
Both studies were presented this Saturday at the Symposium on Gastrointestinal Cancer of the American Society of Medical Oncology (Asco GI) held in San Francisco from January 23 to 25and one of them (the Breakwater study), was published today in the journal Nature Medicine, in parallel to its presentation in Congress.
The results of the Breakwater clinical trial, led by Dr. Josep Tabernero, director of VHIO, support a new therapeutic combination in the frontline for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer with mutations in Braf V600, that is, in the Braf gene.
Braf gene mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth and multiplication, which can lead to cancer.
The other study, called Checkmate 8HW, and in which Dr. Elena Élez, head of the VHIO colorectal cancer group, shows that a new double combination of immunotherapy presents better clinical results than a single drug of immunotherapy in cancer patients MSI-H/DMMR Metastatic Colorectal.
In statements to Efe, Dr. Elena Élez highlighted the importance of both studies “for two very specific groups of metastatic colorectal cancer patients, which is a very frequent tumor and the second in mortality, so it is very important to find new therapies”.
“We analyze these tumors and, from the results, we try to find drugs with various benefits for patients,” he explained.
The two studies were presented at the Congress on gastrointestinal cancer in which more than 4,500 experts meet to share the latest advances in gastrointestinal scientific research, which will have an immediate impact on treatment decisions.
The Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) has led or participated in various studies.
The two clinical trials carried out in Vall d’Hebron in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer could suppose, once the approval of the regulatory agencies, new standard treatments to treat to treat selected patients according to the genomic profile of their tumor pass.
The Breakwater study analyzes the Braf V600E mutations
The Breakwater study focuses on Braf V600E mutations that occur at 8 % to 12 % of the metastatic colorectal cancers and that are associated with a poor prognosis of the disease.
It addresses, specifically, the therapeutic strategies on the front line through a phase 3 clinical trial that compares the effectiveness of the combination of CETUXIMAB and ENCORAFENIB with or without the MFOLFOX6 scheme, a combination of chemotherapy that includes calcium, fluorouracyl and oxaliplatin leukovorine, + Mfolfox6, in the face of standard treatment.
According to Dr. Élez It was observed, among patients with metastatic colorectal cancer with these mutations that had not been previously treated, a statistical and clinically significant benefit with the experimental combination against standard treatment.
This response was fast and lasting, because 68.7 % of patients treated with the new combination presented an objective response duration of more than six months compared to 34.1 % in patients who received standard treatment.
In 22.4% of patients treated with EC +MFOLFOX6, a duration of the response greater than 12 months was observed.
The data showed a possible improvement in general survival, which will have to be ratified in upcoming intermediate analysis already planned.
A study that evaluates two immunotherapy drugs
The Checkmate 8HW study, in which Dr. Élez participates, aimed to evaluate the combination of Nivolumab plus iPilimumab, two immunotherapy drugs, compared to only Nivolumab in monotherapy, as a treatment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer MSI-H/DMMR.
In this essay, in which 707 patients participated, Those who were treated with the experimental combination was observed a reduction in the risk of death or progression of the 38%disease.
In addition, a 71% response rate in patients treated with combination was obtained, compared to 58% in patients treated only with Nivolumab.
According to Dr. Élez, “the results of this study show that the two immunotherapy drugs work together to activate the patient’s immune system to recognize and destroy tumor cells and that they do it more efficiently than in monotherapy.”
“The next step within this same study is to analyze these results in the first line of treatment specifically,” he said.