Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health to Present Major Cancer Research at 2024 ASCO Meeting

Clinicians and researchers from Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health will present their latest cancer research at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, scheduled from May 30 to June 4 in Chicago and online. The team will introduce 49 presentations covering various cancer research advancements and health equity innovations.

Dr. Steven K. Libutti, Director of Rutgers Cancer Institute and Senior Vice President of Oncology Services at RWJBarnabas Health, highlighted the institute's prominence. As New Jersey's sole National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Rutgers Cancer Institute is committed to pioneering cancer research and enhancing patient care outcomes. The presentations at the ASCO meeting will showcase the institute's dedication to cancer research and patient care.

The research presented will include one late-breaking abstract, oral and poster sessions, and publication-only abstracts. The topics will span several common cancer types, including breast, colorectal, lymphoma, and lung cancers.

One key study examines the impact of social vulnerability on clinical trial enrollment. It explores the relationship between race and social vulnerability among patients with breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. The study concludes that neighborhood social vulnerability is a significant barrier to clinical trial participation, especially for Black patients.

Another study assesses the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols for radical cystectomy. The research includes data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, reviewing 3,708 patients who underwent radical cystectomy between 2019 and 2021. The study found that increased compliance with ERAS protocols improved postoperative recovery and reduced hospital stays.

Updates will be provided from a Phase 1/1b study (CTEP 10492) investigating the safety and efficacy of the AKT inhibitor ipatasertib combined with chemoradiation therapy for treating locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This study aims to determine the maximum tolerated dose and recommended Phase 2 dose of ipatasertib, marking the first investigation into the safety and preliminary efficacy of this combination treatment for HNSCC.

Further data will come from a Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of odronextamab plus CHOP (O-CHOP) versus rituximab plus CHOP (R-CHOP) in untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients. The OLYMPIA-3 study is a randomized, open-label, multicenter trial focusing on dose-limiting toxicities, treatment-emergent adverse events, and progression-free survival rates in DLBCL patients with intermediate or high-risk features.

Another single institution pilot study, CIPHER (NCT05333874), tested circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) during neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for stage II-III triple-negative and HER2+ breast cancer patients. The study included 35 patients and aimed to determine if ctDNA trends could serve as early indicators of treatment response, informing disease management strategies in the adjuvant setting.

Rutgers Cancer Institute, along with RWJBarnabas Health, provides advanced cancer treatments, including bone marrow transplantation, proton therapy, CAR T-cell therapy, and complex surgical procedures. Their comprehensive approach integrates clinical trials and novel therapeutics like precision medicine and immunotherapy, offering patients access to these cutting-edge treatments.

How to obtain the latest research advancements in the field of biopharmaceuticals?

In the Synapse database, you can keep abreast of the latest research and development advances in drugs, targets, indications, organizations, etc., anywhere and anytime, on a daily or weekly basis. Click on the image below to embark on a brand new journey of drug discovery!