Tempest Enters into Exclusive License Agreement with the University of California for Novel Cancer Target

On September 13, 2021 Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TPST), a clinical-stage oncology company developing potentially first-in-class therapeutics that combine both targeted and immune-mediated mechanisms, reported that it has entered into an exclusive license with the University of California at Berkeley for intellectual property covering a drug target that was discovered in the laboratory of Russell Vance, Ph.D., professor of molecular and cell biology at U.C. Berkeley and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator (Press release, Tempest Therapeutics, SEP 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234587620]). The company also announced Dr. Vance’s appointment to its advisory board.

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"We are delighted that Dr. Vance is joining our advisory board and for the opportunity to develop the exciting technology from his laboratory in our pursuit of improved treatments for patients with cancer," said Tom Dubensky, president of Tempest. "Dr. Vance has discovered what we believe is a new approach to target a scientifically-validated pathway that has been challenging to effectively drug."

The target is a component of a newly defined pathway that controls the production of a cytokine that tumors can evolve to block to avoid immune recognition and promote metastasis. Interestingly, the target is a suppressor protein, so is predictably not inactivated by progressing tumors and therefore should remain a target for drug inactivation.

Dr. Vance joins a distinguished advisory board at Tempest comprising experts whose experience spans elucidating new therapeutic pathways, discovering druggable targets and developing drugs to treat cancer patients. The advisory board at Tempest also includes:

Toni Choueiri, M.D. – Director of the Lank Center for Genitourinary (GU) Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DCFI) and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School

Benjamin Cravatt, Ph.D. – Professor and the Gilula Chair of Chemical Biology in the Department of Chemistry at The Scripps Research Institute

Raymond DuBois, M.D., Ph.D. – Dean of the College of Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina and a Distinguished Professor and Director of the Hollings Cancer Center

Jason Luke, M.D. – Director of the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center (HCC) – Cancer Immunotherapeutics Center and an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh

Drew Pardoll, M.D. – an Abeloff Professor of Oncology, Medicine, Pathology and Molecular Biology and Genetics at the Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, and the Director of the Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy and Director of the Cancer Immunology Program at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University

Peppi Prasit, Ph.D. – previously served as a Director at Tempest Therapeutics and the CEO of Inception Sciences. Dr. Prasit has over 20 years of experience at Merck Frosst Canada and Merck San Diego where he played a pivotal role in the discovery of multiple marketed drugs

UroGen Pharma Presents Data Showcasing Novel Clinical Data at 2021 American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting

On September 13, 2021 UroGen Pharma Ltd. (Nasdaq: URGN) reported final data from two key trials, evaluating the safety and efficacy of investigational agent UGN-102 (mitomycin) for intravesical solution in adult patients with low-grade intermediate risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (LG IR-NMIBC) and Jelmyto (mitomycin) for pyelocalyceal solution in adult patients with low-grade upper tract urothelial cancer (LG-UTUC) (Press release, UroGen Pharma, SEP 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234587619]). The results were presented at the virtual 2021 American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting and published as a supplement to the September 10, 2021 issue of The Journal of Urology.

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"RTGel, the proprietary technology at the core of Jelmyto and UGN-102, significantly increases dwell time and is the first major advancement in many years for the localized treatment of low-grade upper tract urothelial cancer and non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, where invasive surgery was considered the standard of care," said Dr. Mark Schoenberg, Chief Medical Officer at UroGen. "These data support our objective of changing the way these types of cancers are treated, and further, we believe this success validates the broader platform both in low grade disease, with UGN-102, as well as our expansion into high grade disease and other tumor types."

Phase 2b OPTIMA II

A podium presentation of the final OPTIMA II trial results [21-8601-Podium Presentation] showed that 65% (41/63) of patients receiving UGN-102 achieved a complete response (CR) three months after the start of therapy. In this subset of patients, 95% (39/41) of patients, 73% (30/41) of patients and 61% (25/41) of patients who were present for evaluation at each timepoint, remained disease free at six, nine and 12 months following treatment initiation, respectively. Thirteen patients had documented recurrences. The probability of durable response nine months after CR (12 months after treatment initiation) was estimated to be 73% by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

"Low-grade intermediate-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer is a recurrent disease, requiring repetitive transurethral surgeries," said William C. Huang, M.D., FACS, Professor of Urology and Radiology and Vice Chair of Urology at NYU Langone Health and Principal Investigator of the OPTIMA II trial. "Having to endure repeated surgeries may lead to post-operative and long-term morbidity for this patient population. The final results from OPTIMA II, showing significant treatment response and sustained durability, indicate that UGN-102 may provide a non-surgical treatment option for these chronically relapsing patients."

The most common adverse events (≥10%) were reported as mild to moderate and included dysuria, hematuria, urinary frequency, fatigue, urgency and urinary tract infection.

Phase 3 OLYMPUS

Results of the Phase 3 OLYMPUS trial of Jelmyto, the first and only non-surgical kidney-sparing treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults with LG-UTUC, demonstrated clinically meaningful response in adults with LG-UTUC. Of 71 patients who initiated treatment, trial results showed 58% (41/71) achieved CR with durability of response at 12 months estimated to be 81.8% by Kaplan-Meier analysis. In this subset of patients, 56% (23/41) remained in CR after 12 months, including 50% (6/12) who did not receive any maintenance instillations and 59% (17/29) who received ≥1 maintenance instillation. The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) reported in the OLYMPUS trial were ureteric obstruction, urinary tract infection, hematuria, flank pain, nausea, dysuria, renal dysfunction, vomiting, fatigue, and abdominal pain.

Results from a separate, post-hoc analysis of female patients from the OLYMPUS trial [21-9960-Moderated poster –Linehan], showed similar CR and durability of CR to male patients, with 65.2% of female patients achieving CR and 71.4% maintaining durable CR at 12 months compared to 81% for the entire patient population. The most common adverse events were urinary tract infection, hematuria, ureteric stenosis, flank pain, vomiting, hydronephrosis, dysuria, and nausea. Additional research is warranted to more clearly define gender-related outcomes for female patients with LG-UTUC.

"Urothelial carcinoma is less common in men than women but some studies have shown worse outcomes. In the subgroup analysis of the Olympus trial, women had 71% CR and durability of 12 months compared to 81% with the whole cohort. This is comparable and not statistically significant," said Jennifer Linehan, M.D., Associate Professor of Urology and Urologic Oncology at Providence St. John’s Cancer Institute and an Investigator of the OLYMPUS trial. "We are encouraged by this follow-up data to the OLYMPUS trial affirming that regardless of gender, Jelmyto can be an important, kidney-sparing alternative to patients living with this cancer."

About the Phase 2b OPTIMA II Trial

OPTIMA II (OPTimized Instillation of Mitomycin for Bladder Cancer Treatment) is an open-label, single-arm, multi-center Phase 2b clinical trial [21-8601-Podium Presentation] of investigational agent UGN-102 (mitomycin) for intravesical solution to evaluate its safety and efficacy in patients with low-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (LG NMIBC) at intermediate risk of recurrence. Intermediate risk is defined as one or two of the following: multiple tumors, a lowgrade solitary tumor >3 cm, or recurrence of LG NMIBC within one year of the current diagnosis. Patients were to receive six weekly intravesical instillations of 75 mg UGN‑102 in an office setting. The chemoablative effect of UGN-102 was assessed three months after initiation of study treatment with complete response (CR) defined as a negative endoscopic examination, negative cytology, and when indicated, a negative for-cause biopsy. Patients achieving CR were followed quarterly to 12 months after initiation of study treatment to evaluate safety, efficacy, and durability.

About UGN-102

UGN-102 (mitomycin) for intravesical solution is an investigational drug formulation of mitomycin in Phase 3 development for the treatment of low-grade intermediate risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Utilizing the RTGelTM Technology Platform, UroGen’s proprietary sustained release, hydrogel-based formulation, UGN-102 is designed to enable longer exposure of bladder tissue to mitomycin, thereby enabling the treatment of tumors by non-surgical means. UGN-102 is delivered to patients using a standard urinary catheter. The Company reported final results from the Phase 2b OPTIMA II trial in November 2020 and initiated a Phase 3 study to further investigate UGN-102 in the treatment of this condition in December 2020. The results of the Optima II Phase 2b study have been accepted by The Journal of Urology for publication.

About the Phase 3 OLYMPUS Trial

OLYMPUS (Optimized DeLiverY of Mitomycin for Primary UTUC Study) is an open-label, single-arm Phase 3 clinical trial of UGN-101, Jelmyto (mitomycin) for pyelocalyceal solution, to evaluate the safety, tolerability and tumor ablative effect of Jelmyto in patients with low-grade UTUC. Seventy-one patients were treated at clinical sites across the United States and Israel. Study participants were treated with six weekly instillations of Jelmyto administered via a standard catheter. Four to six weeks following the last instillation, patients underwent a Primary Disease Evaluation (PDE) to determine Complete Response (CR), the primary endpoint of the study. PDE involved a ureteroscopy and wash cytology, a standard microscopic test of cells obtained from the urine to detect cancer and for cause biopsy. Patients who achieved a CR at the PDE timepoint were eligible for the maintenance phase of the trial, during which they could receive monthly maintenance instillations for up to 12 months and were assessed to determine the durability of response with Jelmyto.

About Jelmyto

Jelmyto (mitomycin) for pyelocalyceal solution, is a drug formulation of mitomycin indicated for the treatment of adult patients with low-grade upper tract urothelial cancer (LG-UTUC). Utilizing the RTGel technology platform, UroGen’s proprietary sustained release, hydrogel-based formulation, Jelmyto is designed to enable longer exposure of urinary tract tissue to mitomycin, thereby enabling the treatment of tumors by non-surgical means. Jelmyto is delivered to patients using standard ureteral catheters or a nephrostomy tube. The U.S. FDA previously granted Orphan Drug, Fast Track, and Breakthrough Therapy Designations to Jelmyto for the treatment of LG-UTUC. On April 15, 2020, the FDA approved Jelmyto, making it the first drug approved for the treatment of LG-UTUC in adult patients.

APPROVED USE FOR JELMYTO

JELMYTO is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with a type of cancer of the lining of the upper urinary tract including the kidney called low-grade Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer (LG-UTUC).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

You should not receive JELMYTO if you have a hole or tear (perforation) of your bladder or upper urinary tract.

Before receiving JELMYTO, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. JELMYTO can harm your unborn baby. You should not become pregnant during treatment with JELMYTO. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with JELMYTO.
Females who are able to become pregnant: You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with JELMYTO and for 6 months after the last dose.

Males being treated with JELMYTO: If you have a female partner who is able to become pregnant, you should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with JELMYTO and for 3 months after the last dose.

are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if JELMYTO passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with JELMYTO and for 1 week after the last dose.
Tell your healthcare provider if you takewater pills (diuretic).
How will I receive JELMYTO?

Your healthcare provider will tell you to take a medicine called sodium bicarbonate before each JELMYTO treatment.
You will receive your JELMYTO dose from your healthcare provider 1 time a week for 6 weeks. It is important that you receive all 6 doses of JELMYTO according to your healthcare provider’s instructions. If you miss any appointments, call your healthcare provider as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment. Your healthcare provider may recommend up to an additional 11 monthly doses.
JELMYTO is given to your kidney through a tube called a catheter.
During treatment with JELMYTO, your healthcare provider may tell you to take additional medicines or change how you take your current medicines.
After receiving JELMYTO:

JELMYTO may cause your urine color to change to a violet to blue color. Avoid contact between your skin and urine for at least 6 hours.
To urinate, males and females should sit on a toilet and flush the toilet several times after you use it. After going to the bathroom, wash your hands, your inner thighs, and genital area well with soap and water.
Clothing that comes in contact with urine should be washed right away and washed separately from other clothing.
JELMYTO may cause serious side effects, including:

Swelling and narrowing of the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder (ureteric obstruction). If you develop swelling and narrowing, and to protect your kidney from damage, your healthcare provider may recommend the placement of a small plastic tube (stent) in the ureter to help the kidney drain. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop side pain or fever during treatment with JELMYTO.
Bone marrow problems. JELMYTO can affect your bone marrow and can cause a decrease in your white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet counts. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests prior to each treatment to check your blood cell counts during treatment with JELMYTO. Your healthcare provider may need to temporarily or permanently stop JELMYTO if you develop bone marrow problems during treatment with JELMYTO.
The most common side effects of JELMYTO include: urinary tract infection, blood in your urine, side pain, nausea, trouble with urination, kidney problems, vomiting, tiredness, stomach (abdomen) pain.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda/gov/medwatch or call 1‑800‑FDA‑1088. You may also report side effects to UroGen Pharma at 1-855-987-6436.

Please see JELMYTO Full Prescribing Information, including the Patient Information, for additional information.

ADC Therapeutics Receives Orphan Drug Designation in Europe for ZYNLONTA®

On September 13, 2021 ADC Therapeutics SA (NYSE: ADCT), a commercial-stage biotechnology company leading the development of novel antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) to treat hematological malignancies and solid tumors, reported that the European Commission has granted Orphan Drug Designation to ZYNLONTA, a CD19-targeted ADC, for the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (Press release, ADC Therapeutics, SEP 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234587618]).

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Orphan Drug Designation in the EU is granted by the European Commission based on a positive opinion issued by the EMA Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP). It is intended to encourage the development of drugs that may provide significant benefit to patients suffering from rare, life-threatening diseases. If approved for marketing, this designation will provide ten years of marketing exclusivity and also provide special incentives for sponsors, including eligibility for protocol assistance and possible exemptions or reductions in certain regulatory fees.

About ZYNLONTA (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl)

ZYNLONTA is a CD19-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC). Once bound to a CD19-expressing cell, ZYNLONTA is internalized by the cell, where enzymes release a pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) payload. The potent payload binds to DNA minor groove with little distortion, remaining less visible to DNA repair mechanisms. This ultimately results in cell cycle arrest and tumor cell death. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ZYNLONTA (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified (NOS), DLBCL arising from low-grade lymphoma and also high-grade B-cell lymphoma. This indication is approved by the FDA under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.

The FDA approval was based on data from LOTIS-2, a large (n=145) Phase 2 multinational, single-arm clinical trial of ZYNLONTA for the treatment of adult patients with r/r DLBCL following two or more prior lines of systemic therapy. The trial included a broad spectrum of heavily pre-treated patients (median three prior lines of therapy) with very difficult to treat disease, including patients with high-grade B-cell lymphoma. The trial enrolled patients who did not respond to first-line therapy, patients refractory to all prior lines of therapy, patients with double/triple hit genetics and patients who had stem cell transplants and CAR-T therapy prior to their treatment with ZYNLONTA. Results from the trial demonstrated an overall response rate (ORR) of 48.3% (70/145 patients), which included a complete response (CR) rate of 24.1% (35/145 patients) and a partial response (PR) rate of 24.1% (35/145 patients). Patients had a median time to response of 1.3 months. At the most recent data cut-off for patients enrolled in the trial, the median duration of response (mDoR) was 13.4 months. In a pooled safety population the most common adverse reactions (≥20%) were thrombocytopenia, gamma-glutamyltransferase increased, neutropenia, anemia, hyperglycemia, transaminase elevation, fatigue, hypoalbuminemia, rash, edema, nausea and musculoskeletal pain. In LOTIS-2, the most common (≥10%) grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse events were neutropenia (26.2%), thrombocytopenia (17.9%), gamma-glutamyltransferase increased (17.2%) and anemia (10.3%).

ZYNLONTA is being evaluated in combination for earlier lines of therapy and as a monotherapy in other B-cell malignancies.

Plus Therapeutics Announces the Appointment of Industry Veteran, Norman LaFrance, M.D., as the Company’s Chief Medical Officer

On September 13, 2021 Plus Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PSTV) (the "Company"), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing innovative, targeted radiotherapeutics for rare and difficult-to-treat cancers, reported the appointment of Norman LaFrance, M.D. to the position of Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President (Press release, Cytori Therapeutics, SEP 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234587617]).

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"We are delighted to have Dr. LaFrance onboard as he brings several decades of highly relevant clinical, regulatory and commercial expertise to the Plus Therapeutics management team," stated Marc Hedrick, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Plus Therapeutics. "His proven track record in radiotherapeutics and drug development coupled with his commercial experience will be invaluable as we expand our pipeline, move key programs to late stage clinical development and best position the company for long-term regulatory and commercial success."

Dr. LaFrance’s appointment begins on or around December 8, 2021 and he joins the Company with nearly 40 years of experience as a nuclear medicine physician and as an executive in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Dr. LaFrance has a particular expertise in radiotherapeutic drug research and development as well as commercialization of molecular imaging, diagnostic and therapeutic products. He was most recently Chief Medical Officer, Senior Vice President, at Jubilant Pharma Ltd, responsible for all Pharma Medical & Regulatory Affairs activities.

"I am excited to join a company which reflects my passion to make an impact on patients with significant unmet medical needs," said Norman LaFrance, M.D. "From an industry perspective, it is clear that Plus Therapeutics’ focus on radiotherapeutics positions it firmly for long-term growth, and I am excited to lead development and expansion of its promising pipeline."

Prior to Jubilant Pharma, Ltd., Dr. LaFrance served as Global Chief Medical Officer at IBA Molecular from 2010 to 2012, and as Senior Vice President, Clinical Development and Chief Medical Officer at Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals from 2007 to 2010. Prior to industry, Dr. LaFrance practiced medicine and held academic faculty appointments at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the departments of medicine and radiology and the Department of Radiological Sciences in the John Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health. He is Double Board Certified with Fellowship status both in internal medicine and nuclear medicine, maintains active medical licensure in the U.S. along with active, professional society membership.

Dr. LaFrance received his bachelor of science and master of engineering degrees in nuclear engineering and science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and his medical degree from the University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Tucson.

According to New Multinational Survey, Healthcare Providers Believe Immunotherapy Has Potential to Positively Impact Earlier-Stage Cancer Treatment Landscape Across Tumor Types

On September 13, 2021 Bristol-Myers Squibb reported that Results of a new multinational survey of healthcare providers revealed that the majority of participants expect immunotherapy to have a positive impact on the treatment landscape for patients with earlier-stage cancers in the adjuvant (after surgery), neo-adjuvant (before surgery) and peri-operative (both before and after surgery) settings, if approved by regulatory bodies (Press release, Bristol-Myers Squibb, SEP 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234587616]). The survey, commissioned by Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY), included over 250 oncologists, surgeons and specialists in the U.S., Japan, Germany, Italy and France who currently treat patients with stage I-III disease across eight different types of cancer. While healthcare providers surveyed are more satisfied with current treatments in cancers where earlier options are well established, they do not always use treatment before or after surgery, and the vast majority of respondents express enthusiasm for the potential of immunotherapy in earlier-stage cancers.

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"Cancer recurrence often marks the transition from curable to incurable disease and can be life-altering for patients, which is why we continually investigate ways to improve upon the standard of care," said Michele Maio, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, University Hospital of Siena. "Optimizing cancer treatment in its early phases, before the disease returns or spreads, represents a significant opportunity and unmet need. Research with immunotherapy in these settings is growing, and the survey results announced today reinforce that a majority of healthcare providers surveyed are enthusiastic about its future potential."

Current Treatment Approaches in Earlier Stages of Cancer

Today, treatment in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant or peri-operative settings may consist of chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, chemoradiation therapy, and increasingly in a subset of tumors, immunotherapy. The survey identified a number of trends on the current use, satisfaction and drivers of treatment choices in earlier-stage cancers.

HCPs surveyed do not always use treatment beyond surgery: The majority of HCPs surveyed report that they "sometimes" use neoadjuvant (62%), adjuvant (55%) or peri-operative (54%) treatments for patients with earlier stages of cancer, highlighting the opportunity for earlier intervention.
HCPs surveyed are more satisfied with current treatments in cancers where earlier options are well established :Six out of 10 or more survey respondents are "very" or "fairly" satisfied with current neoadjuvant (67%), adjuvant (70%) and peri-operative (61%) treatment options as a whole. However, satisfaction varies by tumor* and is highest among cancers with well-established therapies, like breast cancer (87% satisfaction in the neoadjuvant/adjuvant settings) and melanoma (77% satisfaction in adjuvant). In kidney and liver cancers, satisfaction is noticeably lower (less than 35% satisfaction with neoadjuvant, adjuvant and peri-operative options), signaling the need for additional research.
HCPs surveyed use immunotherapy in earlier stages (either as approved therapies or in clinical trials), but not as often as other treatments : Currently, respondents report more experience using chemotherapy (85%, 86% and 73% for neoadjuvant, adjuvant and peri-operative, respectively) than immunotherapy (48%, 65% and 39%, respectively), likely reflecting that immunotherapy remains under investigation in a number of tumor types and only recently emerged as an approved option in others.
The Potential of Immunotherapy for the Future of Earlier-Stage Treatment

To better understand the future landscape of neoadjuvant, adjuvant and peri-operative treatment, the survey explored HCPs’ perceptions of immunotherapy and found:

Many HCPs surveyed see potential for a positive impact with immunotherapy in earlier stages of disease: Participants see the greatest potential for positive outcomes in melanoma (92% report positive potential impact in the adjuvant setting), lung cancer (89% in the neoadjuvant setting) and bladder or urothelial cancer (84% in the adjuvant setting).*
HCPs surveyed believe the potential benefits of immunotherapy align with what currently drives treatment preferences in earlier settings : Selecting from a list, HCPs surveyed state the most important potential benefits of immunotherapy as longer overall survival (64%), increased disease-free, event-free or recurrence-free survival (57%) and maintenance of quality of life (54%). These responses align with the factors HCPs surveyed report as most important in making treatment decisions in patients with operable tumors (long-term survival, prevention of relapse or recurrence and quality of life).
HCPs surveyed cite the need for more data as a leading barrier to adoption of immunotherapy in earlier stages of cancer : From a list, surveyed participants selected the need for long-term and overall survival data as leading barriers to adoption of immunotherapy in earlier stages of cancer (53% and 50%, respectively), reinforcing the importance of ongoing research and follow-up analyses.
"Over the past decade, immunotherapy research has evolved, starting with a focus on metastatic cancers, and more recently, expanding to explore the role of these treatments in earlier stages of the disease," said Jonathan Cheng, senior vice president, head of Oncology Development, Bristol Myers Squibb. "We hope that by addressing cancer in earlier stages, when the immune system may be more responsive and intact, immunotherapy may have the potential to prevent recurrence and ultimately lead to patients living longer. Oncologists, surgeons and specialists who responded to this survey are similarly optimistic about the potential of bringing immunotherapy into earlier stages of cancer."

*Tumor-specific results are based on responses from HCPs who currently treat these types of cancer, a subset of the full sample.

About the Survey

On behalf of Bristol Myers Squibb, Ipsos MORI carried out an online survey on treatment perceptions and practices in earlier stages of cancer. A total of 256 healthcare providers across five countries (France n=50, Germany n=50, Italy n=50, U.S. n=56 and Japan n=50) chose to take part in the online survey. Fieldwork took place between June 3 and July 2, 2021. Respondents included medical oncologists, surgeons (general, thoracic, breast, respiratory and gastroenterological surgeons) and specialists (urologists, dermatologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists and otolaryngologists) who treat patients with stage I-III disease across eight different cancer types (bladder/urothelial cancer, breast cancer, gastroesophageal cancers, head and neck cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer and melanoma). A quota was set to obtain a minimum of 25 medical oncologists in France (n=28), Germany (n=29), Italy (n=29) and U.S. (n=25). The sample included a mix of hospital-, university- and community-based HCPs. The respondents were sampled from pre-existing panels of self-selecting HCPs, managed by M3 and SHC.

Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer

Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine, and through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep scientific expertise, cutting-edge capabilities and discovery platforms enable the company to look at cancer from every angle. Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. Because as a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.