Ayala Pharmaceuticals Reports Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

On August 15, 2022 Ayala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: AYLA), a clinical-stage oncology company focused on developing and commercializing small molecule therapeutics for patients suffering from rare and aggressive cancers, primarily in genetically defined patient populations, reported second-quarter 2022 financial results and provided a corporate update (Press release, Ayala Pharmaceuticals, AUG 15, 2022, View Source [SID1234618348]).

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"We continue to make considerable progress across our pipeline, and we were particularly excited to announce interim results from the ongoing Phase 2/3 RINGSIDE trial evaluating AL102 in desmoid tumors. Although early, the results showed substantial initial anti-tumor activity and a favorable side effect profile," said Roni Mamluk, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Ayala. "Based on these positive results, our efforts are focused on finalizing the Part A of the study shortly followed by immediate initiation of Part B. For AL101, we were pleased with the latest interim results from the ACCURACY trial presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper), which demonstrated anti-tumor monotherapy activity and evidence of improved progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with recurrent/metastatic ACC."

Second-quarter 2022 and Recent Business Highlights

In July, announced positive interim data from Part A of the Phase 2/3 RINGSIDE study of AL102 in desmoid tumors: Data showed tumor shrinkage in substantially all patients who were evaluable at 16 weeks. AL102 was well tolerated at all three dosing regimens with no dose-limiting toxicities and no Grade 4/5 adverse events. The results from Part A will be used to determine the dose of AL102 to be evaluated in Part B of RINGSIDE, the randomized portion of the study, which Ayala is on track to initiate in 3Q 2022. More advanced and comprehensive data from RINGSIDE is expected to be presented at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper).
Data on AL101 in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2022 Annual Meeting: In a poster at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper), the company provided an update from the 4mg and 6 mg AL101 cohorts in the ACCURACY study of AL101, a selective gamma-secretase inhibitor, in subjects with recurrent/metastatic (R/M) adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) harboring Notch activating mutations. An overall disease control rate of 66.7% was observed. The median PFS in each of the 4mg and 6mg dose cohorts was 3.7 months and 6.7 months among the patients who had a partial response.
Upcoming Milestones

More advanced data from the RINGSIDE trial in desmoid tumors: Ayala expects to present a more comprehensive data set from Part A of the RINGSIDE trial of AL102 at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper).
Initiation of Part B of the RINGSIDE trial: Part B will be a double-blind placebo-controlled study enrolling up to 156 patients with progressive disease, randomized between AL102 or placebo. The primary endpoint will be PFS with secondary endpoints including objective response rates, duration of response, and patient-reported quality of life measures.
Initiate Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating AL102 in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL): Ayala plans to begin an investigator-initiated Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating AL102 in R/R T-ALL around year-end.
Second-Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents were $20.1 million as of June 30, 2022.

Collaboration Revenue: Collaboration revenue was $38 thousand for the second quarter of 2022, as compared to $761 thousand for the corresponding quarter in 2021.

R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $5.6 million for the second quarter of 2022, compared to $8.1 million for the corresponding quarter in 2021. The decrease is mainly due to the winding down of the ACCURACY study.

G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $2.3 million for the second quarter of 2022, compared to $2.5 million for the second quarter of 2021.

Net Loss: Net loss was $8.2 million for the second quarter of 2022, resulting in basic and diluted net loss per share of $0.54. This compares with a net loss of $10.8 million for the second quarter of 2021 or basic and diluted net loss per share of $0.75 for that quarter.

For further details on the company’s financial results, refer to form Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2022, filed with the SEC on August 15, 2022.

Calithera Biosciences Reports Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Recent Highlights

On August 15, 2022 Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CALA), a clinical-stage, precision-oncology biopharmaceutical company, reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022 (Press release, Calithera Biosciences, AUG 15, 2022, View Source,the%20same%20period%20prior%20year. [SID1234618347]).

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"We continue to deliver on our commitment to efficiently advance our clinical programs, successfully initiating two new clinical trials and sharing program updates at two important medical conferences," said Susan Molineaux, PhD, president and chief executive officer of Calithera. "We look forward to sharing data from the ongoing mivavotinib and sapanisertib phase 2 trials by the first quarter of 2023, as well as providing an update on the progress of our preclinical synthetic lethality VPS4 program by the end of 2022."

Second Quarter 2022 and Other Recent Highlights

Initiated patient enrollment in phase 2 trial evaluating mivavotinib (SYK inhibitor) in r/r non-GCB DLBCL. In June, Calithera announced enrollment of the first patient in a multicenter phase 2 clinical trial (NCT05319028) evaluating the spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitor mivavotinib (CB-659) in patients with relapsed/refractory non-germinal center B-cell like (non-GCB) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a DLBCL subpopulation that primarily comprises patients with activated B-cell like disease (ABC). The main study objectives are to confirm previously seen single-agent activity in non-GCB DLBCL patients, evaluate activity according to MYD88/CD79b mutational status, and refine dose/schedule in this patient population. The primary endpoints of the study are overall response rate as assessed by an independent radiology review committee and safety. Mivavotinib has the potential to be the first treatment specifically for non-GCB DLBCL, a population of patients with a historically poorer prognosis and therefore high unmet need, and potential to be the first treatment for a genetically-defined subset of ABC in patients with MyD88/CD79 mutations. Approximately 50% of all ABC DLBCL tumors have one or both of these mutations. Data from the ongoing phase 2 trial could position Calithera to initiate a study with registrational intent in biomarker-specific DLBCL populations. Calithera plans to share data from this trial by the first quarter of 2023.

In July, Calithera presented a trial-in-progress poster at the Pan Pacific Lymphoma Conference detailing the design of this phase 2 study.
Initiated patient enrollment in phase 2 trial sapanisertib (dual mTORC 1/2 inhibitor) in sqNSCLC. In July, Calithera announced enrollment of the first patient in a phase 2 clinical trial (NCT05275673) of the dual mTORC 1/2 inhibitor sapanisertib (CB-228) in patients with relapsed/refractory NRF2 (NFE2L2)-mutated squamous non-small cell lung cancer (sqNSCLC). The study is designed to confirm the selective activity of sapanisertib in NRF2-mutated tumors compared to wild-type tumors, and to refine dose in this biomarker-defined population. The primary endpoints of the study are investigator-assessed overall response rate (ORR) per RECIST v1.1, and safety. Data from this study could position Calithera to initiate a study with registrational intent in biomarker-specific sqNSCLC populations. Calithera plans to share data from this trial by the first quarter of 2023.

Announced presentation of phase 1/2 data from sapanisertib/telaglenastat combination study. In a mini oral session at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) 2022 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), Jonathan W. Riess, MD, MS, director of Thoracic Oncology and associate professor at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, presented dose-escalation findings from a multi-center phase 1/2 investigator-initiated study evaluating sapanisertib in combination with telaglenastat, an investigational glutaminase inhibitor, in biomarker-defined cohorts of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). After evaluating five combination dosing levels in 13 patients, researchers determined that the sapanisertib/telaglenastat combination has a favorable tolerability profile at the recommended expansion dose. Early evidence of clinical benefit was observed in the dose-escalation cohort, including a partial response in a patient with NRF2-mutant squamous NSCLC and stable disease in a patient with KEAP1/NRF2-mutant adenosquamous NSCLC. As a next step, study investigators plan to enroll patients into one of four expansion cohorts evaluating sapanisertib plus telaglenastat in squamous NSCLC with and without NRF2 or KEAP1 mutations, and adenocarcinoma NSCLC with KRAS and KEAP1 or NRF2 mutations.

Continued to advance VPS4 program through lead optimization. Calithera previously announced internal discovery of a novel series of small-molecule inhibitors of vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 4A (VPS4A) and VPS4B, as well as the presentation of data validating the synthetic-lethal interaction between the gene paralogs at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2022 Annual Meeting. Calithera believes these VPS4 inhibitors are the first active, on-target inhibitors of VPS4. Potent, selective, and pharmacologically active VPS4 inhibitors are expected to be well-tolerated and have strong single-agent activity in tumors with these mutations. Calithera continues to advance multiple VPS4 series through lead optimization and plans to share updates on this program by the end of the year.
Selected Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $41.8 million at June 30, 2022.

Research and development expenses for the second quarter 2022 were $7.8 million, compared to $12.8 million in the same period prior year. The decrease of $5.0 million was primarily due to decreases in the telaglenastat and CB-280 programs, partially offset by increases in the sapanisertib and mivavotinub programs.

General and administrative expenses for the second quarter 2022 were $3.6 million, compared to $4.5 million in the same period prior year. The decrease of $0.9 million was primarily due to decreased personnel-related costs.

Other income, net for the second quarter 2022 was $2.3 million, compared to other expense of $4,000 in the same period prior year, primarily attributable to the decrease in fair value of warrant liabilities.

Net loss was $9.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022.

Conference Call Information

Calithera will host an update conference call today, Monday, August 15, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time/5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. To register for dial-in access to the call, please use this link. To access the live audio webcast or the subsequent archived recording, visit the Investors section of the Calithera website at www.calithera.com. The webcast will be recorded and available for replay on Calithera’s website for 30 days.

Nature Medicine Publishes Interim Results from Gritstone bio’s Phase 1/2 Study of GRANITE, Individualized Neoantigen Vaccine for Solid Tumors

On August 15, 2022 Gritstone bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: GRTS), a clinical-stage biotechnology company that aims to develop the world’s most potent vaccines, reported that interim results from the Phase 1/2 trial of GRANITE, its individualized, vaccine-based immunotherapy candidate for solid tumor cancers, were published today in Nature Medicine (Press release, Gritstone Oncology, AUG 15, 2022, View Source [SID1234618346]). The paper, "Individualized, heterologous chimpanzee adenovirus and self-amplifying mRNA neoantigen vaccine for advanced metastatic solid tumors: phase 1 trial interim results," details results demonstrating that GRANITE generated strong, persistent, and functional tumor-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses that have potential broad applicability across a range of disease settings. The published data were originally presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2021, and acted as the basis for launching two randomized, controlled studies of GRANITE, including a Phase 2/3 trial that has registrational intent (GRANITE-CRC-1L).

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"The publication of this study in Nature Medicine emphasizes the importance, novelty and potential clinical value of the GRANITE program, and reinforces our foundational hypothesis that targeting multiple neoantigens based on each individual tumor’s mutations could drive meaningful clinical benefit, including extended overall survival," said Andrew Allen, M.D., Ph.D., Co-founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Gritstone. "Now we are advancing GRANITE into earlier disease settings, where immune responses are likely stronger, and patients generally have more time for immune destruction of tumors to take effect."

Since initiation of the Phase 1/2 study, Gritstone has followed study participants and observed increased overall survival (OS) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients who demonstrated a molecular response (measured by a reduction in circulating tumor DNA [ctDNA] levels from baseline) versus those who did not. As of May 2022, median OS of this subgroup (treated third-line CRC patients who demonstrated a molecular response) exceeded 18 months with the median not yet reached. This compares to median OS of 7.8 months for patients who did not demonstrate a molecular response, results which are generally consistent with extensive prior data from patients receiving various third-line therapies. Baseline characteristics of these two patient populations are similar. The Phase 1/2 study remains ongoing.

"Personalized neoantigen immunotherapy is a rational approach to treating solid tumor cancers given the abundant evidence that T cells can recognize neoantigens and drive tumor destruction," said Karin Jooss, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, and Head of R&D. "We have carefully built the GRANITE platform and studied it in a translationally rich clinical program, demonstrating the sequence of desired biological events playing out in advanced cancer patients. Specifically, we showed de novo induction of neoantigen-specific T cells, trafficking of those same T cells to tumors, conversion of cold to hot tumor microenvironments, and key anti-tumor effects such as pseudo-progression, molecular responses, and suggestions of extended overall survival in molecular responders. In a tough tumor type such as metastatic colorectal cancer, these data are sufficiently striking to merit publication in Nature Medicine. We are proud of this accomplishment."

GRANITE is now being evaluated in two randomized studies in earlier-stage disease; 1) GRANITE-CRC-1L (NCT05141721), a Phase 2/3 trial in newly diagnosed metastatic, microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer (MSS-CRC) that has registrational intent. The first patient was treated in this study in July 2022, and initial results from this study are expected in the second half of 2023. 2) GRANITE-ADJUVANT (NCT05456165), a phase 2 study in patients with high-risk stage II/III colon cancer who are ctDNA+ after definitive surgery.

About GRANITE
Gritstone’s neoantigen-based immunotherapies are engineered to elicit a significant T cell response (particularly CD8+ cytotoxic T cells) against mutation-derived tumor-specific neoantigens (TSNA), that Gritstone identifies using its proprietary artificial intelligence platform, EDGE. GRANITE is an individualized neoantigen-based immunotherapy and uses a priming adenoviral vector (GRT-C901) and self-amplifying mRNA vector (GRT-R902) to deliver personalized immunotherapy containing the relevant neoantigens. GRANITE was granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of MSS-CRC.

Enhertu significantly delayed disease progression in DESTINY-Breast02
Phase III trial vs. physician’s choice of treatment in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer

On August 15, 2022 AstraZeneca reported that Positive high-level results from the DESTINY-Breast02 Phase III trial of Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) versus physician’s choice of treatment showed the trial met the primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with HER2-positive unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) (Press release, AstraZeneca, AUG 15, 2022, View Source [SID1234618345]). The trial also met the key secondary endpoint of improved overall survival (OS).

Enhertu is a specifically engineered HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) being jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.

The trial evaluated a similar later-line patient population as the single-arm DESTINY-Breast01 Phase II trial, which was the basis for initial approvals in advanced HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. The safety profile of Enhertu in DESTINY-Breast02 was consistent with previous Phase III clinical trials with no new safety concerns identified. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) rates and severity were consistent with those observed in other metastatic breast cancer trials of Enhertu, with a low rate of Grade 5 ILD events observed as determined by an independent adjudication committee.

Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said, "The DESTINY-Breast02 trial results in this patient population with advanced disease confirm the efficacy and safety profile seen in DESTINY-Breast01 and are consistent with the results seen across our broader clinical programme in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. These data further strengthen our confidence in Enhertu and reinforce its potential to transform patient outcomes across multiple treatment settings."

Ken Takeshita, Global Head, R&D, Daiichi Sankyo, said: "The top-line results from DESTINY-Breast02 confirm the robust progression-free survival seen in previous trials of Enhertu and enrich our clinical understanding of the benefit this therapy may offer patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. As this is the confirmatory trial for our current breast cancer indication in Europe and several other countries, we look forward to sharing these findings with regulatory authorities to add to the body of data for Enhertu for the treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer."

The data will be presented at a forthcoming medical meeting.

Notes

HER2-positive breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide.1 More than two million patients were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, with nearly 685,000 deaths globally.1 Approximately one in five patients with breast cancer are considered HER2-positive.2

HER2 is a tyrosine kinase receptor growth-promoting protein expressed on the surface of many types of tumours including breast, gastric, lung and colorectal cancers.3 HER2 protein overexpression may occur as a result of HER2 gene amplification and is often associated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis in breast cancer.4

DESTINY-Breast02
DESTINY-Breast02 is a global, randomised, open-label, Phase III trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) versus physician’s choice of treatment (trastuzumab/capecitabine or lapatinib/capecitabine) in patients with HER2-positive unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with T-DM1. Patients were randomised 2:1 to receive either Enhertu or physician’s choice of treatment.

The primary endpoint of DESTINY-Breast02 is PFS based on blinded independent central review (BICR). The key secondary endpoint is OS. Other secondary endpoints include objective response rate based on BICR and investigator assessment, duration of response based on BICR, PFS based on investigator assessment and safety.

DESTINY-Breast02 enrolled approximately 600 patients at multiple sites in Asia, Oceania, Europe, North America and South America. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.

Enhertu
Enhertu is a HER2-directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC technology, Enhertu is the lead ADC in the oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo and the most advanced programme in AstraZeneca’s ADC scientific platform. Enhertu consists of a HER2 monoclonal antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, an exatecan derivative, via a stable tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker.

Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in more than 30 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received a (or one or more) prior anti-HER2-based regimen either in the metastatic setting, or in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast03 trial.

Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast01 trial.

Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) breast cancer who have received a prior chemotherapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast04 trial.

Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumours have activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutations, as detected by a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved test, and who have received a prior systemic therapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Lung02 trial.

Enhertu (6.4mg/kg) is approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Gastric01 trial.

Enhertu development programme
A comprehensive development programme is underway globally, evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enhertu monotherapy across multiple HER2-targetable cancers, including breast, gastric, lung and colorectal cancers. Trials in combination with other anticancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, are also underway.

Regulatory applications for Enhertu in breast and gastric cancer are currently under review in several countries based on the DESTINY-Breast01, DESTINY-Breast03, DESTINY-Breast04, DESTINY-Gastric01 and DESTINY-Gastric02 trials, respectively.

Daiichi Sankyo collaboration
Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (TSE: 4568) [referred to as Daiichi Sankyo] and AstraZeneca entered into a global collaboration to jointly develop and commercialise Enhertu (a HER2-directed ADC) in March 2019, and datopotamab deruxtecan (DS-1062; a TROP2-directed ADC) in July 2020, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo maintains exclusive rights. Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for the manufacturing and supply of Enhertu and datopotamab deruxtecan.

AstraZeneca in breast cancer
Driven by a growing understanding of breast cancer biology, AstraZeneca is challenging and redefining the current clinical paradigm for how breast cancer is classified and treated to deliver even more effective treatments to patients in need – with the bold ambition to one day eliminate breast cancer as a cause of death.

AstraZeneca has a comprehensive portfolio of approved and promising compounds in development that leverage different mechanisms of action to address the biologically diverse breast cancer tumour environment.

AstraZeneca aims to continue to transform outcomes for HR-positive breast cancer with foundational medicines Faslodex (fulvestrant) and Zoladex (goserelin) and the next-generation oral selective oestrogen receptor degrader (SERD) and potential new medicine camizestrant.

PARP inhibitor Lynparza (olaparib) is a targeted treatment option that has been studied in HER2-negative early and metastatic breast cancer patients with an inherited BRCA mutation. AstraZeneca with MSD (Merck & Co., Inc. in the US and Canada) continue to research Lynparza in metastatic breast cancer patients with an inherited BRCA mutation and are exploring new opportunities to treat these patients earlier in their disease.

Building on the initial approvals of Enhertu, in previously treated HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo are exploring its potential use in earlier lines of treatment and in new breast cancer settings.

To bring much needed treatment options to patients with triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of breast cancer, AstraZeneca is testing immunotherapy Imfinzi (durvalumab) in combination with other oncology medicines, including Lynparza and Enhertu, evaluating the potential of AKT kinase inhibitor, capivasertib, in combination with chemotherapy, and collaborating with Daiichi Sankyo to explore the potential of TROP2-directed ADC, datopotamab deruxtecan.

AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.

The Company’s focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.

AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.

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Collaborative Effort Produces Position Paper on Need for Advanced Biomarker Testing

On August 15, 2022 The Life Raft Group reported it was recently part of team of authors on a collaborative position paper entitled, ‘Undetected KIT and PDGFRA mutations: an under-recognised cause of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) incorrectly classified as wild-type’, published in Pathology: The Journal of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australia (Press release, The Life Raft Group, AUG 15, 2022, View Source [SID1234618344]).

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Recent advances in GIST research have provided further insight on the different biomarkers that drive GIST and the technology to identify these biomarkers has also evolved over the years. However, there have been reports of undetected KIT or PDGFRA mutations in GIST resulting in incorrectly classifying some patients as wild-type.

These findings were highlighted in previous publications by Dr. Maria Pantaleo and team. After reviewing these publications, Senior Director of Research & Data Management, Denisse Montoya along with Data Analyst Jerry Call identified two cases from the LRG GIST Patient Registry where two patients were wrongly classified as "wildtype" and an erroneous treatment plan was prescribed. After a more extensive NGS test was performed on these patients, a KIT mutation was discovered, and the right treatment was prescribed to patients which later showed successful shrinkage and results. Executive Director Sara Rothschild leveraged her knowledge of the subject matter and networked with Dr. Maria Pantaleo and team to discuss this issue and informed her about the two identified cases.

Dr. Maria Pantaleo, Dr. Annalisa Astolfi, Dr. Anthony Gill, Dr. Brian Rubin along with the Life Raft team worked together in drafting this important position paper to increase awareness on this critical issue. These findings highlight the need for advanced biomarker testing for patients with KIT/PDGFRA wildtype GIST, to further identify and unveil the active biomarkers driving the GIST and hence ensuring that patients receive the appropriate treatment plan. Another key recommendation is that patients that receive a KIT/PDGFRA wildtype GIST diagnosis should be referred to centers with a wide range of experience and have access to the latest NGS-based tools in molecular diagnostic in GIST.