John Theurer Cancer Center Researchers Present 24 Abstracts at 2020 ASCO Annual Meeting

Researchers from John Theurer Cancer Center (JTCC) part of Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center, and a member of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Consortium, presented data from 24 studies at the 56th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

“JTCC is highly recognized for its dedication to innovation and clinical research, offering to our patients access to novel therapies,” said Andre Goy, M.D., M.S., as physician-in-chief of Oncology, Hackensack Meridian Health. “Our participation at ASCO once again illustrates the engagement of our experts in cancer research and the ongoing revolutionary changes happening in cancer treatment globally”.

“The integrated affiliation between Georgetown Lombardi and JTCC will allow researchers from both institutions to leverage resources, and talent that will advance the field of cancer care and lead to improved patient outcomes,” said Louis Weiner, M.D., director of Georgetown Lombardi.

The following are highlights from the studies presented at ASCO, the largest gathering of cancer professionals in the country, which was held virtually on May 29-31, 2020. Abstracts of all 24 studies can be viewed at meetinglibrary.asco.org.

Here are a few examples of this research with the following focus:

Expanding immunotherapy benefit in solid tumors:

Dr. Martin Gutierrez was the 1st author on a new study combining Pemigatinib (INCB054828), a selective fibroblast growth factor receptor – with a checkpoint inhibitor (Pembrolizumab) in refractory malignancies. The new combination called FIGHT-101 trial – showed no new safety signals, and preliminary antitumor activity in pts with advanced malignancies including those with FGF/FGFR alterations. This is an example of building up on immunotherapy to expand its benefits.

Similarly, Dr. Gutierrez was an author on the CheckMate 568 study, which combined 2 checkpoint inhibitors Nivolumab (NIVO) plus ipilimumab (IPI) with two cycles of chemotherapy (chemo) in first-line metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in order to reduce adverse events associated with prolonged exposure to immunotherapy.

Finally, Dr. Gutierrez led the 1st enrollment in the world of the combination of a new checkpoint blockade approach, using an anti-CTLA-4 probody BMS-986249  - sort of a “predrug” that is activated only at the tumor sites – hence reducing exposure of other cells, which can lead to adverse events through over reaction of the immune system. In this study of 82 pts with refractory cancers, results were very encouraging c/w CTAL4 blockade with much better safety profile than IPI itself, opening new opportunities to expand on the benefit of immunotherapy.

Growing immunotherapy impact in liquid tumors:

Dr. Lori Leslie, director of Indolent Lymphoma was an author of the ZUMA-5 trial, a highly anticipated study in CART cells in indolent lymphoma particularly in follicular with very high response rates ORR 95% and 80% complete responses, in a heavily pretreated refractory population with follicular lymphoma, which represents a true unmet need.

Dr. Tatyana Feldman, Director of JTCC’s Hodgkin Lymphoma Program co-led a study on new non chemotherapy option in > 60y patients, deemed unfit for chemotherapy. Though the combination was active it did not reach the expectations in the frontline setting of 80% pts responding, suggesting that immunotherapy in Hodgkin lymphoma will be of higher benefit in combination with chemotherapy or as consolidation while reducing the number of chemotherapy cycles required, hence reducing toxicity.  All this will be confirmed by ongoing trials including at John Theurer Cancer Center.

Dr. Feldman also was a co-author in a study presented of RICER- a new salvage therapy combining chemotherapy with an immunomodulator - lenalidomide - in aggressive lymphoma, which she piloted a few years back and served as rationale for this ACCRU multicenter nationwide ongoing study.

Several studies by our myeloma group led by Dr. David Siegel, director of the Myeloma Program, were updated at ASCO, including CART cells as well as the impact of antibiotics usage on the outcome of MM post ASCT through alterations of their microbiome, a study led by Dr. Rena Feinman from the Center for Discover and Innovation.

Neuroncology:  the remaining unmet need of glioblastoma.

Dr. Samuel Goldlust was a co-author in 2 new studies in newly diagnosed glioblastoma. The first one aimed at optimizing the dosing of a targeted therapy (Paxalisib, a PI3K inhibitor) in pts with newly diagnosed glioblastoma with specific genetic markers (unmethylated MGMT promotor) showing promising results and survival advantage. The other one involved a new technique, non-invasive, by applying alternating electrical fields to brain tumors (w / a device work like a partial helmet). Dr. Goldlust was involved in the early trials which led to the approval of this technology in glioblastomas. At ASCO he was part of the team too that presented the 1st results of the TRIDENT trial, which aims at the integration of this therapy into standard regimens like radiation plus temazolomide, the main compound used in this disease.

ABOUT JOHN THEURER CANCER CENTER AT HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center is New Jersey's largest and most comprehensive center dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, management, research, screenings, and preventive care as well as survivorship of patients with all types of cancers. The 14 specialized divisions covering the complete spectrum of cancer care have developed a close-knit team of medical, research, nursing, and support staff with specialized expertise that translates into more advanced, focused care for all patients. Each year, more people in the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area turn to John Theurer Cancer Center for cancer care than to any other facility in New Jersey. John Theurer Cancer Center is a member of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Consortium, one of just 16 NCI-approved cancer research consortia based at the nation's most prestigious institutions. Housed within a 775-bed not-for-profit teaching, tertiary care, and research hospital, John Theurer Cancer Center provides state-of-the-art technological advances, compassionate care, research innovations, medical expertise, and a full range of aftercare services that distinguish John Theurer Cancer Center from other facilities. For additional information, please visit www.jtcancercenter.org.