Professional body for oncology clinicians and researchers
Drugmakers Moderna and Merck have released Phase 3 results showing their personalised mRNA vaccine, intismeran, plus the immunotherapy pembrolizumab (Keytruda) has reduced the two‑year risk of melanoma recurrence or death by 42% and distant metastasis or death by 38% in a trial of about 1,137 patients. Data were released after partial results leaked and will be presented at ESMO.
Late-stage trials show sacituzumab tirumotecan improves median overall survival to 19 months versus 12.1 months with chemotherapy, but with notable side effects. New ovarian cancer therapy rinatabart sesutecan also demonstrates a strong progression-free survival benefit. Other programs in the field report positive results, signaling a robust biotech landscape but with continued safety concerns.
England launches STRIDE-RCT, a government-funded trial offering blood-based tests to 45-plus patients at about 200 GP surgeries to detect abdominal cancers early. The study will assess accuracy and determine if tests can guide urgent investigations for prostate, ovarian, bowel, pancreatic, stomach, liver and other cancers.