25/08/2025 Quest Diagnostics' Haystack MRD® test received the Breakthrough Device Designation from the FDA for colorectal cancer (Ref) The US FDA granted the Breakthrough Device Designation for Quest Diagnostics' Haystack MRD® test for identifying MRD-positive patients with stage II colorectal cancer following curative-intent surgical treatment who may benefit from adjuvant therapy in accordance with therapeutic product labeling. Dan Edelstein, Vice President and General Mana

13/08/2025 Merck's perioperative Keytruda regimen received approval in Canada for resectable HNSCC with PD-L1 CPS ≥1 (Ref) Health Canada granted approval to Merck & Co./MSD's pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1) mono as a neoadjuvant treatment, then continued as adjuvant treatment in combination with RT +/- cisplatin and then as monotherapy for adult patients with resectable locally advanced HNSCC with PD-L1 CPS ≥1. The approval is based on results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-689 trial in

12/08/2025 Perioperative pembrolizumab + enfortumab vedotin significantly improved EFS, OS and pCR in cisplatin-ineligible MIBC (Ref) The Phase 3 KEYNOTE-905/EV-303 trial of Merck & Co./MSD's pembrolizumab (Keytruda; anti-PD-1) + Astellas Pharma and Pfizer's enfortumab vedotin (Padcev; anti-Nectin-4 ADC) given before and after radical cystectomy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the primary endpoint of EFS, as well as key second

11/08/2025 IO Biotech's Cylembio + pembrolizumab demonstrated clinical improvement in PFS as a first-line treatment of Melanoma, but statistical significance was narrowly missed (Ref) IO Biotech announced topline results from the pivotal Phase 3 IOB-013 trial of Cylembio (imsapepimut and etimupepimut, adjuvanted; IDO and PD-L1 vaccine) + pembrolizumab vs pembrolizumab alone as a first-line treatment of advanced melanoma. The combo demonstrated clinical improvement in PFS vs p

05/08/2025 Immutep received positive feedback from the FDA for the late-stage development of Eftilagimod Alfa in SCCHN (Ref) Immutep received positive and constructive feedback from the US FDA regarding future clinical development of eftilagimod alpha (soluble LAG-3 protein) as a first-line Tx of R/M SCCHN with PD-L1 CPS <1. Based on available data from cohort B of the Ph2b TACTI-003 trial of efti + pembro in R/M SCCHN with CPS <1, the FDA agreed on the potential of the comb

30/07/2025 Phase 3 COSTAR Lung trial of dostarlimab + docetaxel ± cobolimab failed to meet the OS endpoint in previously treated NSCLC (Ref) GSK's Phase 3 COSTAR Lung/NCT04655976 trial of dostarlimab (anti-PD-1) + docetaxel ± cobolimab (anti-TIM-3) combinations did not meet the primary endpoint of improving OS vs docetaxel alone in advanced NSCLC that has progressed on prior PD-(L)1 therapy and chemotherapy. All regimens were well tolerated and toxicities were consistent with

12/06/2025 MAIA Biotechnology and Roche announce a master clinical supply agreement for hard-to-treat cancer therapies (Ref) MAIA Biotechnology entered into a clinical master supply agreement with Roche for future trials evaluating MAIA’s ateganosine (THIO; telomere-targeting agent) in combination with Roche's atezolizumab (Tecentriq; anti-PD-L1) for the treatment of multiple hard-to-treat cancers. Ateganosine's highly synergistic and effective activity in combination with at

15/05/2025 Another TIGIT agent fails as iTeos and GSK terminate the belrestotug development program based on disappointing NSCLC and SCCHN trials (Ref 1, Ref 2) iTeos Therapeutics and GSK announced topline results from an updated interim analysis of the Ph2 GALAXIES Lung-201 trial of iTeos & GSK's belrestotug (anti-TIGIT) + GSK & Anaptys' dostarlimab (anti-PD-1) as a first-line Tx of unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with PD-L1 ≥50%, in which clinically meani

29/04/2025 ALX Oncology’s Phase 2 ASPEN-03 & ASPEN-04 trials failed to meet the primary endpoint of ORR (Ref 1) ALX Oncology hit with a double blow in first-line R/M SCCHN as their Phase 2 ASPEN-03 & ASPEN-04 trials evaluating evorpacept, a CD47-blocker, in combination with pembrolizumab with or without chemotherapy did not meet the primary endpoints of improved ORR. While data showed trends in improvement versus historical controls, the signals were not strong enough to adva

The first-line metastatic Melanoma market is currently dominated by immune checkpoint inhibitors—BMS' Opdivo + Yervoy, Opdualag, Opdivo, and Merck/MSD's Keytruda. Other treatment options include BRAF/MEK inhibitors (for BRAF+ve pts). Currently, Opdivo + Yervoy is considered as the gold standard with an mOS of 71.9 months; however, it is associated with a high rate of Gr 3/4 TRAEs (62.6%). BMS' Opdualag, a combination of anti-LAG-3 (relatlimab) + anti-PD-1 (nivolumab), entered

Bladder cancer is the most common malignancy of the urinary tract. As of 2022, Bladder Cancer had an incidence of 614,298 patients worldwide, and 220,596 patients succumbed to the disease. While the therapeutic approach to it remained largely unchanged for many years, recent clinical progress has paved the way towards a novel era of diagnosis and management of the disease, with several special designations and two very recent approvals by the US FDA. In December 2023, the FD

Esophageal cancer is the fourteenth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the eighth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The burden of esophageal cancer incidence and mortality is steadily increasing worldwide due to increased prevalence of associated risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol consumption, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle and obesity. Despite advancements in targeted therapies and immunotherapies, the prognosis of Esophageal cancer remains dismal, with

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) stands as the predominant form of kidney cancer, comprising about 90% of kidney cancer cases. It accounts for roughly 3% of all cancer diagnoses, with a notably higher occurrence in Western countries, likely linked to the increased detection of small renal masses. Despite advancements in targeted therapies and immunotherapies, the prognosis for stage IV RCC remains challenging, with a 5-year survival rate of only 17%. Furthermore, non-clear cell RCC

Cervical cancer ranks as the second most common feminine malignant tumor and the second leading cause of death among female cancers worldwide. Nearly 99% of cervical cancer cases are linked to HPV infection, making it largely preventable through HPV vaccination. Despite this, there were 604,127 new global cases and 341,831 deaths in 2020. Localized cervical cancer, which accounts for about 43% of all cases, has a five-year relative survival rate of 91.2%. However, locally adv

In observance of Sarcoma Awareness Month, Oncofocus is pleased to present a user-friendly infographic. This comprehensive visual presentation aims to elucidate crucial aspects such as epidemiology, key treatment options, and emerging therapies related to sarcoma. By staying informed and actively participating in sharing this publicly accessible infographic, we can collectively raise awareness about sarcoma and its implications. Together, let us make a positive impact during S

In acknowledgment of Melanoma Awareness Month, Oncofocus presents a user-friendly infographic. It showcases a glimpse into top-level epidemiology data, key treatment options, and emerging therapies. Stay informed and help spread melanoma awareness with this publicly accessible infographic.

In recognition of Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, Oncofocus has released a concise and easy-to-read infographic that outlines the current approved therapies and noteworthy emerging therapies. Stay informed and help spread HNC awareness with this publicly accessible infographic.

Biliary tract cancers, encompassing bile duct and gallbladder malignancies, originate from the bile duct epithelium. Cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer, affects approximately 8,000 individuals annually in the United States, while gallbladder cancer is even less common, with an incidence rate of about 2 per 100,000 people. These cancers are frequently diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to poor prognoses. In the US and EU, treatment options remain scarce, although recen