Astellas Showcases Advances in Challenging Cancers at ESMO 2024

Astellas Pharma Inc. is set to present a host of new clinical data from its oncology portfolio during the 2024 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in Barcelona, Spain, from September 13-17. A total of eight abstracts will highlight the company's innovative approaches in tackling various advanced and hard-to-treat cancers, demonstrating Astellas' commitment to improving patient outcomes.

Among the eight abstracts, six will provide data on prostate, urothelial, gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), and pancreatic cancers. Notably, two abstracts will introduce Phase 1 data for the first time from immuno-oncology and targeted protein degradation initiatives.

Tadaaki Taniguchi, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer at Astellas, expressed his enthusiasm about the data being presented at the ESMO Congress. He emphasized that these findings showcase the robustness of Astellas' oncology portfolio and underscore the transformative potential of their pipeline to deliver meaningful outcomes for patients. Astellas is committed to addressing challenging cancers by investing in next-generation modalities, such as targeted protein degradation and immuno-oncology, and by optimizing the utility of their approved medicines.

Key highlights from the ESMO Congress 2024 include:

1. Phase 3 EV-302 Study: This study evaluates the expression of Nectin-4 and the response to the first-line treatment involving enfortumab vedotin combined with pembrolizumab in patients with previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (la/mUC). The results support the efficacy of this combination treatment across different patient subgroups, regardless of Nectin-4 expression.

2. Five-Year Follow-Up Data from Phase 1/2b EV-103 DE/A Study: The long-term data analyzes durable responses and survival rates for enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab in first-line cisplatin-ineligible la/mUC patients. These findings further endorse the broad applicability and benefits of this treatment regimen in la/mUC, irrespective of cisplatin eligibility.

3. Final Pooled Overall Survival Data from SPOTLIGHT and GLOW Trials: These Phase 3 trials evaluate zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for patients with HER2-negative, locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma with Claudin 18.2-positive tumors.

4. Phase 2 Trial for Pancreatic Cancer: This trial assesses zolbetuximab in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel (GN) versus GN monotherapy as a first-line treatment for Claudin 18.2-positive metastatic pancreatic cancer.

5. Phase 3 EMBARK Post-Hoc Analyses: The analyses evaluate enzalutamide, both in combination with leuprolide and as monotherapy, compared to leuprolide alone in patients with high-risk biochemical recurrent non-metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. The data supports the benefits of enzalutamide in both younger (under 70) and older (70 and above) patients.

6. Phase 1 Data from Lead Pipeline Assets: This includes data from ASP3082, the first protein degrader targeting KRAS G12D mutant to enter clinical trials, in patients with advanced pancreatic, colorectal, and non-small cell lung cancer. Additionally, preclinical and early clinical data from ASP1570, a novel DGKζ inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors, support the continued investigation of these therapies for various cancers.

Astellas' presentations at the ESMO Congress will cover a wide range of their oncology portfolio, including enfortumab vedotin, zolbetuximab, and enzalutamide. The company's dedication to advancing cancer treatment underscores its mission to develop innovative therapies that address significant unmet medical needs and improve the lives of patients worldwide.

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