Immunotherapy plus other drug classes: encouraging results in mCRC

In the setting of microsatellite-stable (MSS) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), combining immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with targeted drugs is a potential approach to augment the immune response and increase immunogenicity [1]. For example, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) inhibitors in addition to ICIs have shown promising activity in patients with pretreated mCRC [2-5].

Findings obtained with immunotherapeutic combination approaches

Approximately of 95 % metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) cases are characterized by microsatellite stability (MSS) [1]. In this group, traditional immune-based treatment has consistently failed, giving rise to an unmet medical need regarding effective treatment options in the setting of chemotherapy-refractory MSS mCRC [2-5].

Mantle cell lymphoma: optimizing responses in treatment-naïve and difficult-to-treat patients

The three-arm, randomized, phase III TRIANGLE trial has set a new first-line standard in younger patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), showing that the addition of ibrutinib to standard immunochemotherapy improves efficacy [1]. Previously untreated patients aged 18-65 years who were eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) were randomized to either induction treatment with R-CHOP and R-DHAP followed by ASCT (group A; n = 288) or one of two experimental arms: In group A+I (n = 292), ibrutinib was added to R-CHOP and was administered as fixed-duration maintenance for two years after ASCT.

Advancing care in Waldenström macroglobulinemia: Clinical and real-world perspectives

Recent advances have transformed the management of Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM), particularly with the advent of targeted therapies such as Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors. These innovations have addressed longstanding challenges including resis­tance, intolerance, and the need for personalized approaches (enabling therapy also for those deemed unfit for chemotherapy).

Follicular lymphoma: Efficacy and safety updates

In the context of follicular lymphoma treatment, there is a clear unmet need for patients who have experienced early progression (progression within 24 months of front-line therapy, POD24), as well as those who are refractory to treatment and present with other high-risk features. At ASH 2024, promising efficacy and safety data were reported for the five molecules nemtabrutinib, zanubrutinib, BGB-16673, epcoritamab, and mosunetuzumab [1-6].

Pushing the boundaries further in the management of CLL

In patients with treatment-naïve chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the multicenter, open-label, randomized, phase III AMPLIFY trial was initiated to evaluate fixed-duration treatment with acalabrutinib plus venetoclax ± obinutuzumab compared to investigator’s choice of chemoimmunotherapy (CIT).

Editorial – ASH 2024

The 66th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), held as a hybrid event from December 7th to 10th, 2024, in San Diego, California, USA, set a new benchmark with over 7,950 abstracts accepted for presentation.

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