On May 31, 2026 Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) reported results from the final analysis of the Phase 3 PROTEUS study showing the investigational use of apalutamide plus hormone therapy (androgen deprivation therapy, ADT), given for six months before and after prostate cancer surgery, significantly improved key short- and long-term clinical outcomes for patients with high-risk localized or locally advanced disease. The trial met both primary endpoints. Patients treated with apalutamide plus hormone therapy were nine times more likely to have little to no cancer remaining at the time of surgery compared with hormone therapy alone (8.9 percent vs. 1.0 percent; pathologic complete response/minimal residual disease). The combination also reduced the risk of developing metastasis or death by 20 percent and extended the time before patients required subsequent therapy to more than six years. These findings will be presented in a plenary session at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (Oral Abstract #LBA1) and published simultaneously in The New England Journal of Medicine.1,2

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The unmet need with standard treatments for patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer

Surgery to remove the prostate (radical prostatectomy) is one of the standard treatments for patients with high-risk localized or locally advanced disease, alongside radiation therapy.3,4 Yet nearly half of patients who undergo curative-intent surgery will see their cancer return, requiring additional treatment and moving beyond the point where cure is possible.5,6,7 Additional therapies are often used only after the cancer has spread, missing a critical window to intervene earlier and improve long-term outcomes.8

Apalutamide blocks androgen hormones from binding to their receptor, which can help slow prostate cancer progression. It is currently approved for use in advanced prostate cancer, including cases where the disease has spread (metastatic castration-sensitive) or is no longer responding to certain hormone therapies (non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer).9

Expert perspectives on the perioperative use of ERLEADA plus hormone therapy six months before and after prostate cancer surgery

"Reducing the risk of prostate cancer recurrence and death with improved initial treatment regimens has been a longstanding unmet need for patients with localized high-risk prostate cancer," said Mary-Ellen Taplin,* M.D., FASCO, medical oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, and principal investigator. "The PROTEUS trial demonstrates that adding preoperative apalutamide to androgen deprivation therapy and surgery reduced the risk of metastases or death by 20 percent. This result is most impactful as it may reduce the need for subsequent therapies and related side effects, while also increasing potential cure rates. This approach, which combines systemic therapy with surgery, is already standard in other aggressive cancers and now has proven benefit in patients with this disease."

"For decades, surgery has been the standard approach for many patients with high-risk localized or locally advanced prostate cancer, but these data suggest it may not be enough on its own," said Adam Kibel,† M.D., urologic surgeon and chair of the Department of Urology at Mass General Brigham. "Earlier integration of apalutamide has the potential to reshape how prostate cancer is treated by building on curative-intent surgical treatment and improving outcomes for these patients."

Detailed PROTEUS study results

PROTEUS is a Phase 3 study evaluating apalutamide, an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor, combined with hormone therapy before and after surgery in patients with newly diagnosed high-risk localized or locally advanced prostate cancer (n=2109). The dual primary endpoints were the amount of cancer remaining at surgery (pathologic complete response/minimal residual disease, pCR/MRD) and how long patients lived without the cancer spreading (metastasis-free survival, MFS), both assessed by blinded independent central review.1

At a median follow-up of 61.7 months, apalutamide plus hormone therapy met both primary endpoints. The rate of pCR/MRD was 8.9 percent with apalutamide plus hormone therapy versus 1.0 percent with hormone therapy alone (odds ratio [OR], 10.17; 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 5.27-19.64; p<0.0001). Apalutamide plus hormone therapy also demonstrated a statistically significant 20 percent reduction in the risk of metastasis or death (hazard ratio [HR], 0.80; 95 percent CI, 0.67-0.96; p=0.02), with five-year rates of 78.2 percent versus 73.5 percent, respectively. Similar metastasis-free survival results were observed in investigator assessments (HR, 0.74; 95 percent CI, 0.62-0.87; p=0.0004).1

Key secondary endpoints also showed statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement, reinforcing the benefit of the combination across multiple measures of disease control. Notably, patients receiving one year of apalutamide plus hormone therapy before and after surgery went more than six years before needing subsequent therapy, compared to approximately three and a half years with hormone therapy alone (74.2 vs. 41.5 months; HR, 0.65; 95 percent CI, 0.57-0.73; p<0.0001). Most patients also recovered adequate testosterone levels within 8.1 months. Additional benefits included a 29 percent reduction in the risk of disease recurrence or death (event-free survival; HR, 0.71; 95 percent CI, 0.63-0.80; p<0.0001) and improvements in time to distant metastasis (HR, 0.68; 95 percent CI, 0.55-0.83; p=0.0002). Improvements were also seen in MRD as assessed by residual cancer burden rates (30.6 percent vs. 11.7 percent; OR, 3.36; 95 percent CI, 2.67-4.23; nominal p<0.0001), further supporting the depth of response.1

The safety profile of apalutamide plus hormone therapy was consistent with previous studies. The most common adverse events among patients receiving apalutamide included hot flush (63.4 percent), urinary incontinence (50.2 percent) and erectile dysfunction (41.6 percent). Grade 3 or 4 adverse events occurred in 39.6 percent of patients treated with apalutamide plus hormone therapy, compared to 31.0 percent of those receiving hormone therapy alone. Discontinuations due to adverse events occurred in 7.4 percent and 2.7 percent of patients, respectively. Adverse events of special interest were generally comparable between treatment arms, with a higher incidence of skin rash observed with apalutamide. Rates of deaths were similar between treatment arms. In the apalutamide arm, deaths were more often unrelated to prostate cancer, while in the placebo arm, deaths were more frequently associated with disease progression or metastasis.1

"These findings point to a new potential way of treating patients with high-risk localized or locally advanced prostate cancer," said Yusri Elsayed, M.D., M.H.Sc., Ph.D., Global Therapeutic Area Head, Oncology, Johnson & Johnson. "Apalutamide has already shown an overall survival benefit in advanced disease. Now we’re seeing its impact when used earlier, alongside surgery. As the first therapy in its class to show benefit in this setting, these data reinforce apalutamide’s differentiated profile and the need to move beyond a surgery–only approach to treating earlier and improving long–term outcomes."

Ongoing study of ERLEADA in this setting

Apalutamide plus hormone therapy has not yet been approved by regulatory authorities in this setting. Additional analyses from the PROTEUS study, including ongoing evaluations against current standards of care such as surgery alone, are underway to further contextualize these findings and inform future treatment approaches.

About the PROTEUS study

PROTEUS (NCT03767244) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study evaluating apalutamide in combination with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in patients with high-risk localized or locally advanced prostate cancer who are candidates for radical prostatectomy. Approximately 2,000 patients were enrolled and randomized to receive apalutamide or placebo, each in combination with ADT, administered before and after radical prostatectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection. Patients with distant metastatic disease, as determined by conventional imaging, were excluded from the study.10

Apalutamide was administered orally at 240 mg once daily. All study participants underwent protocol-defined surgery and were followed for long-term outcomes, including recurrence and progression. The dual primary endpoints of the study are pathologic complete response (pCR) and metastasis-free survival (MFS), with pCR assessed by blinded independent central pathology review and MFS assessed by blinded independent central radiology review.10

About High-Risk Localized or Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer

Approximately 330,000 people are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in the U.S.11 Up to 40 percent of patients will be classified as high-risk.12 Despite advancements in treatment, disease recurrence remains substantial in patients with high-risk localized or locally advanced prostate cancer; up to 50 percent of patients within five years of surgery experience recurrence and carry a significant risk of disease progression and death.5,6 It’s estimated that more than 36,000 patients will succumb to prostate cancer in 2026, which reinforces the importance of choosing the best possible therapy early for patients with advanced prostate cancer.8,12

About ERLEADA

ERLEADA (apalutamide) is an androgen receptor inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) and for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC). ERLEADA received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for nmCRPC in February 2018 and received U.S. FDA approval for mCSPC in September 2019. To date, more than 340,000 patients worldwide have been treated with ERLEADA.9 Additional studies are ongoing to evaluate ERLEADA in earlier stages of prostate cancer, including high-risk localized and locally advanced disease.

The legal manufacturer for ERLEADA is Janssen Biotech, Inc. For more information, visit www.ERLEADAHCP.com.

INDICATIONS

ERLEADA (apalutamide) is an androgen receptor inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with:

Metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC)
Non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC)
ERLEADA IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION9

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Cerebrovascular and Ischemic Cardiovascular Events, including events leading to death, occurred in patients receiving ERLEADA. Monitor for signs and symptoms of ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disorders. Optimize management of cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia. Consider discontinuation of ERLEADA for Grade 3 and 4 events.

In a randomized study (SPARTAN) of patients with nmCRPC, ischemic cardiovascular events occurred in 3.7% of patients treated with ERLEADA and 2% of patients treated with placebo. In a randomized study (TITAN) in patients with mCSPC, ischemic cardiovascular events occurred in 4.4% of patients treated with ERLEADA and 1.5% of patients treated with placebo. Across the SPARTAN and TITAN studies, 4 patients (0.3%) treated with ERLEADA and 2 patients (0.2%) treated with placebo died from an ischemic cardiovascular event. Patients with history of unstable angina, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, stroke, or transient ischemic attack within 6 months of randomization were excluded from the SPARTAN and TITAN studies.

In the SPARTAN study, cerebrovascular events occurred in 2.5% of patients treated with ERLEADA and 1% of patients treated with placebo. In the TITAN study, cerebrovascular events occurred in 1.9% of patients treated with ERLEADA and 2.1% of patients treated with placebo. Across the SPARTAN and TITAN studies, 3 patients (0.2%) treated with ERLEADA and 2 patients (0.2%) treated with placebo died from a cerebrovascular event.

Fractures occurred in patients receiving ERLEADA. Evaluate patients for fracture risk. Monitor and manage patients at risk for fractures according to established treatment guidelines and consider use of bone-targeted agents.

In a randomized study (SPARTAN) of patients with nmCRPC, fractures occurred in 12% of patients treated with ERLEADA and in 7% of patients treated with placebo. In a randomized study (TITAN) of patients with mCSPC, fractures occurred in 9% of patients treated with ERLEADA and in 6% of patients treated with placebo.

Falls occurred in patients receiving ERLEADA with increased frequency in the elderly. Evaluate patients for fall risk.

In a randomized study (SPARTAN), falls occurred in 16% of patients treated with ERLEADA compared with 9% of patients treated with placebo. Falls were not associated with loss of consciousness or seizure.

Seizure occurred in patients receiving ERLEADA. Permanently discontinue ERLEADA in patients who develop a seizure during treatment. It is unknown whether anti-epileptic medications will prevent seizures with ERLEADA. Advise patients of the risk of developing a seizure while receiving ERLEADA and of engaging in any activity where sudden loss of consciousness could cause harm to themselves or others.

In two randomized studies (SPARTAN and TITAN), five patients (0.4%) treated with ERLEADA and one patient treated with placebo (0.1%) experienced a seizure. Seizure occurred from 159 to 650 days after initiation of ERLEADA. Patients with a history of seizure or, predisposing factors for seizure, or receiving drugs known to decrease the seizure threshold or to induce seizure were excluded. There is no clinical experience in re-administering ERLEADA to patients who experienced a seizure.

Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions — Fatal and life-threatening cases of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), including Stevens–Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) occurred in patients receiving ERLEADA.

Monitor patients for the development of SCARs. Advise patients of the signs and symptoms of SCARs (eg, a prodrome of fever, flu-like symptoms, mucosal lesions, progressive skin rash, or lymphadenopathy). If a SCAR is suspected, interrupt ERLEADA until the etiology of the reaction has been determined. Consultation with a dermatologist is recommended. If a SCAR is confirmed, or for other Grade 4 skin reactions, permanently discontinue ERLEADA [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)/Pneumonitis — Fatal and life-threatening interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pneumonitis can occur in patients treated with ERLEADA.

Post-marketing cases of ILD/pneumonitis, including fatal cases, occurred in patients treated with ERLEADA. Across clinical trials (TITAN and SPARTAN, n=1327), 0.8% of patients treated with ERLEADA experienced ILD/pneumonitis, including 0.2% who experienced Grade 3 events [see Adverse Reactions (6.1, 6.2)].

Monitor patients for new or worsening symptoms indicative of ILD/pneumonitis (eg, dyspnea, cough, fever). Immediately withhold ERLEADA if ILD/pneumonitis is suspected.

Permanently discontinue ERLEADA in patients with severe ILD/pneumonitis or if no other potential causes of ILD/pneumonitis are identified [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity — The safety and efficacy of ERLEADA have not been established in females. Based on findings from animals and its mechanism of action, ERLEADA can cause fetal harm and loss of pregnancy when administered to a pregnant female. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose of ERLEADA [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3)].

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse reactions (≥10%) that occurred more frequently in the ERLEADA-treated patients (≥2% over placebo) from the randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials (TITAN and SPARTAN) were fatigue, arthralgia, rash, decreased appetite, fall, weight decreased, hypertension, hot flush, diarrhea, and fracture.

Laboratory Abnormalities — All Grades (Grade 3-4)

Hematology — In the TITAN study: white blood cell decreased ERLEADA 27% (0.4%), placebo 19% (0.6%). In the SPARTAN study: anemia ERLEADA 70% (0.4%), placebo 64% (0.5%); leukopenia ERLEADA 47% (0.3%), placebo 29% (0%); lymphopenia ERLEADA 41% (1.8%), placebo 21% (1.6%)
Chemistry — In the TITAN study: hypertriglyceridemia ERLEADA 17% (2.5%), placebo 12% (2.3%). In the SPARTAN study: hypercholesterolemia ERLEADA 76% (0.1%), placebo 46% (0%); hyperglycemia ERLEADA 70% (2%), placebo 59% (1.0%); hypertriglyceridemia ERLEADA 67% (1.6%), placebo 49% (0.8%); hyperkalemia ERLEADA 32% (1.9%), placebo 22% (0.5%)
Rash — In 2 randomized studies (SPARTAN and TITAN), rash was most commonly described as macular or maculopapular. Adverse reactions of rash were 26% with ERLEADA vs 8% with placebo. Grade 3 rashes (defined as covering >30% body surface area [BSA]) were reported with ERLEADA treatment (6%) vs placebo (0.5%).

The onset of rash occurred at a median of 83 days. Rash resolved in 78% of patients within a median of 78 days from onset of rash. Rash was commonly managed with oral antihistamines and topical corticosteroids, and 19% of patients received systemic corticosteroids. Dose reduction or dose interruption occurred in 14% and 28% of patients, respectively. Of the patients who had dose interruption, 59% experienced recurrence of rash upon reintroduction of ERLEADA.

Hypothyroidism — In 2 randomized studies (SPARTAN and TITAN), hypothyroidism was reported for 8% of patients treated with ERLEADA and 1.5% of patients treated with placebo based on assessments of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) every 4 months. Elevated TSH occurred in 25% of patients treated with ERLEADA and 7% of patients treated with placebo. The median onset was at the first scheduled assessment. There were no Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions. Thyroid replacement therapy, when clinically indicated, should be initiated or dose adjusted.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Effect of Other Drugs on ERLEADA

ERLEADA Strong CYP2C8 or CYP3A4 Inhibitors

Reduce the ERLEADA dose as recommended for adverse reactions [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. Co-administration of a strong CYP2C8 or CYP3A4 inhibitor is predicted to increase the steady–state exposure of the active moieties (sum of unbound apalutamide plus the potency–adjusted unbound N-desmethyl-apalutamide).

Effect of ERLEADA on Other Drugs

Substrates of CYP3A4, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, P-gp, BCRP, or OATP1B1

Refer to the Prescribing Information for these substrates. Consider alternative agents when possible or evaluate for loss of activity of the substrate if concomitant use cannot be avoided.

Apalutamide is a strong inducer of CYP3A4 and CYP2C19, a weak inducer of CYP2C9, and an inducer of P-gp, BCRP, and OATP1B1. Apalutamide decreases exposure of substrates of CYP3A4, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, P-gp, BCRP, or OATP1B [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)], which may decrease the effectiveness of these substrates.
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

The recommended ERLEADA dosage in patients with (Child-Pugh C) is lower than the recommended dosage in patients with normal hepatic function. No dosage modification is recommended for patients with mild (Child-Pugh A) or moderate (Child-Pugh B) hepatic impairment.

(Press release, Johnson & Johnson, MAY 31, 2026, View Source;johnsons-phase-3-prostate-cancer-study-shows-erleada-apalutamide-before-and-after-surgery-significantly-reduces-risk-of-metastasis-or-death-breaking-a-decades-long-treatment-paradigm-302786429.html [SID1234666271])

On May 31, 2026 Eikon Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: EIKN) (Eikon), a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative medicines to address serious unmet medical needs, reported presentations on several of its lead programs at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in Chicago, including updated data for its EIK1001 trial in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its highly selective PARP1 inhibitor EIK1003.

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"We are pleased to present six abstracts at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) reflecting both the progress of our pipeline and the growing body of evidence supporting our lead programs," said Roy Baynes, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of Eikon. "In our most advanced program, EIK1001 demonstrated encouraging response rates and durability in combination with standard of care in first-line NSCLC. We also observed meaningful clinical activity of EIK1003 both as a monotherapy and, potentially a first for the field, in combination with paclitaxel, including responses in heavily pretreated patients. Together, these data continue to reinforce the scientific rationale behind our programs and their potential to deliver meaningful benefit to people living with cancer."

EIK1001 Clinical Update.

Updated data from our ongoing Phase 2 trial evaluating the safety and tolerability of EIK1001 in combination with both pembrolizumab and histology appropriate chemotherapy for the front-line treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC, also known as our TeLuRide-005 trial, provide evidence of a potentially durable effect of EIK1001 in combination with standard of care, and a preliminary tolerability profile supportive of systemic administration in an out-patient setting, a potential key differentiator of EIK1001 from previous TLR7/8 targeted therapies.

EIK1001 is an investigational, systemically administered dual-agonist of Toll-like receptors 7 and 8 designed to stimulate both innate and adaptive immune responses. In Phase 1 trials of EIK1001, single-agent activity was observed in patients with advanced malignancy. This mechanism may complement the antitumor immune response engendered by PD-(L)1 blockade.

TeLuRide-005 is our multicenter, open-label trial of once-weekly (QW) systemically administered EIK1001 in combination with standard of care, once every third week (Q3W) pembrolizumab and histology appropriate chemotherapy in first-line, treatment-naïve patients with stage 4 NSCLC. Enrollment completed in the first quarter of 2026.

As of enrollment cutoff, 72 participants with previously untreated stage 4 NSCLC received intravenous EIK1001 QW combined with standard of care pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy Q3W. After 8 cycles, EIK1001 administration was reduced to Q3W. The maximum treatment duration is 2 years (up to 35 cycles) for EIK1001 in combination with pembrolizumab, with pemetrexed continued at the discretion of the Investigator for non-squamous patients.

At the March 17, 2026 safety data cutoff, among the safety evaluable population (n=72: 39 non-squamous; 33 squamous), the combination of EIK1001 with pembrolizumab and chemotherapy was generally well tolerated, with an adverse event (AE) profile similar to standard of care alone. Most treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were Grade 1-2, and the most common Grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were neutropenia (30.6%), anemia (9.7%), and thrombocytopenia (9.7%). All cytokine release syndrome (CRS) AEs were Grade 1 and 2, and all CRS events occurred before Cycle 4 in all but one patient. This profile was sufficient to support administration in an out-patient setting during the ongoing trial.

Among the efficacy-evaluable population (n=65: 36 non-squamous; 29 squamous), EIK1001 treatment in combination with pembrolizumab and chemotherapy resulted in a 63.1% objective response rate (ORR) and 90.8% disease control rate (DCR) at the efficacy data cutoff of May 4, 2026. Among participants in the non-squamous cohort, an ORR of 55.6% and a DCR of 83.3% were observed, respectively, with a median follow-up of 13.6 months. The median duration of response (DOR) in the non-squamous cohort was greater than 11 months at the efficacy data cutoff. Among participants in the squamous cohort, for which the data set was still maturing at the data cutoff due to slower enrollment, an ORR of 72.4% and a DCR of 100% were observed, respectively, with a median follow-up of 8.8 months.

EIK1003 Clinical Update.

Updated data from EIK1003-001, our Phase 1/2 trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of EIK1003 as monotherapy or in combination with anti-cancer agents in participants with advanced solid tumors, demonstrate that EIK1003 monotherapy (Cohort 1A) was generally well-tolerated across multiple dose levels. In Cohort 1C, signals of antitumor activity were observed with EIK1003 in combination with weekly paclitaxel, with a combination safety profile consistent with paclitaxel’s known toxicities. These data support what appears to be a unique profile for EIK1003 in combination strategies within the evolving PARP inhibitor landscape.

EIK1003 is an investigational, highly-selective PARP1 inhibitor designed to leave PARP2 signaling intact. PARP2 inhibition may be a key driver of the hematological toxicity associated with first generation, non-selective PARP inhibitors.

Cohort 1A: Updated EIK1003 Monotherapy Data

As of the enrollment cutoff, 65 patients with breast, ovarian, prostate, or pancreatic cancer have been treated in Cohort 1A with EIK1003 monotherapy at doses ranging from 10mg to 160mg once daily (QD), using a Bayesian optimal interval dose-escalation design to assess for safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and antitumor activity. This represents an expansion of the dataset previously presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2025, with additional patients enrolled and longer follow-up.

At the February 27, 2026 safety data cutoff, the updated safety profile in Cohort 1A remained generally consistent with data previously presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2025. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported in 63 of 65 patients (96.9%). Grade 3 or higher TEAEs occurred in 29 patients (44.6%); the most common were anemia (9.2%), neutropenia (7.7%), and ascites (7.7%). 4 of the 6 patients who developed Grade 3 or higher anemia had Grade 1-2 anemia at study entry. TEAEs led to dose reductions in 7 patients (10.8%) and to treatment discontinuation in 6 patients (9.2%). No TRAEs leading to death were reported.

Among efficacy-evaluable patients in Cohort 1A (n=49), ORR was 14.3% overall and 26.7% in PARP-naïve patients. Objective responses by tumor type were 14.8% (4/27) in ovarian cancer, 12.5% (2/16) in breast cancer, and one patient with prostate cancer. Median duration of response among confirmed responders (n=5) was 7.8 months at the efficacy data cutoff of May 4, 2026.

Cohort 1C: Initial Data on EIK1003 in Combination with Weekly Paclitaxel

As of the February 27, 2026 safety data cutoff, 60 patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer or HER2-negative breast cancer that failed chemotherapy or hormonal therapy have been treated in Cohort 1C with EIK1003 at doses ranging from 10mg to 60mg QD in combination with paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 IV QW. Dose-limiting toxicities of febrile neutropenia and tachycardia were reported in one patient each at the highest dose level tested, 60mg. TEAEs were reported in 60 out of 60 patients (100%). Grade 3 or higher TEAEs occurred in 45 patients (75%); the most common were neutropenia (50%) and anemia (13.3%). Neutropenia is a known and expected adverse event associated with weekly paclitaxel chemotherapy. All 8 patients who developed Grade 3 or higher anemia had Grade 1-2 anemia at study entry. TEAEs led to dose reductions in 15 patients (25%) and discontinuation of one or both study drugs in 11 patients (18.3%). No TRAEs leading to death were reported.

Among efficacy-evaluable patients in Cohort 1C (n=53), ORR was 24.5%; 12 of 13 responders (92%) had received prior taxane therapy. Objective responses by tumor type were 29.6% (8/27) in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and 19.2% (5/26) in breast cancer. Duration of response among confirmed responders (n=9) ranged from 1.5 to 11.4 months, with responses ongoing in 3 responders at the efficacy data cutoff of May 4, 2026.

2026 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Abstract Titles.

EIK1001

Title: Efficacy, safety and cytokine profiling with addition of the toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 dual agonist EIK1001 to Standard of Care First-Line Therapy: the Phase 2 TeLuRide-005 trial in Stage 4 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Title: Adaptive Phase 2/3 Study of EIK1001, a TLR7/8 Dual Agonist, in Combination with Pembrolizumab, as First-Line Therapy in Participants with Advanced Melanoma (TeLuRide-006)

Title: A Phase 2/3 Study of EIK1001 in Combination with Pembrolizumab and Chemotherapy in Participants with Stage 4 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (TeLuRide-008)

EIK1003

Title: EIK1003, a PARP1-selective inhibitor, in combination with paclitaxel (PTX): Initial combination and updated monotherapy results from a Phase 1/2 study EIK1003-001 in advanced solid tumors

EIK1005

Title: First-in-Human Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and PK of EIK1005, a Novel WRN Inhibitor in Healthy Participants

Title: Phase 1/2 Study of the novel Werner helicase inhibitor EIK1005 as Monotherapy and in Combination with Pembrolizumab in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors, including MSI-H or dMMR Tumors (Publication only)

Copies of the 2026 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) presentations will be made available on our website: www.eikontx.com under Scientific Papers & Publications.

(Press release, Eikon Therapeutics, MAY 31, 2026, View Source [SID1234666287])

On May 31, 2026 GRAIL, Inc. (Nasdaq: GRAL), a healthcare company whose mission is to detect cancer early when it can be cured, reported that positive performance and safety results from the analysis of the full 35,878 cohort of its registrational PATHFINDER 2 study are being presented during an oral session at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.

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The PATHFINDER 2 study evaluated the safety and performance of the Galleri multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test when used alongside standard-of-care cancer screenings in the U.S. and Canada. The prospective PATHFINDER 2 study is the largest interventional study of an MCED in North America to date and includes 35,878 participants in a broad, intended-use population of adults aged 50 and older with no clinical suspicion of cancer.

"Cancer outcomes depend not only on better treatments, but on finding cancer before it advances and spreads. Earlier detection can open the door to more treatment options at any stage and increase the chance for cure," said Josh Ofman, MD, MSHS, President and CEO-Elect at GRAIL. "These PATHFINDER 2 results add to the growing body of clinical evidence in a large, representative intended-use population showing that the Galleri test can meaningfully increase cancer detection beyond recommended screening with strong performance and a highly favorable safety profile. Along with the NHS-Galleri trial results, these findings reinforce the clinical benefit of Galleri and its potential to transform early cancer detection at population scale."

Galleri Increases the Number of Cancers Detected and Can Detect Them Early

While effective screening improves early cancer detection, in the U.S., only 14% of all cancers are detected by guideline-recommended screening tests[2]. In PATHFINDER 2, 60% of diagnosed cancers were screen-detected (264/440). Adding Galleri to recommended screenings for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancers (USPSTF A and B recommendations) led to a 6.5 fold increase in the number of cancers found by screening. Galleri detected nearly three times as many cancers when added to standard-of-care screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers (USPSTF A, B, and C recommendations).

More than half (53.0%) of the new cancers detected by Galleri were stage I or II, and 71.3% of these have no USPSTF A and B recommended screening. More than two-thirds (70.9%) of the new cancers detected by Galleri were detected at stages I-III, when treatment with curative intent is more often possible.

"PATHFINDER 2 provides important additional data on the performance and safety of MCED testing," said Karthik Giridhar, M.D., assistant professor of oncology at Mayo Clinic and a principal investigator on the PATHFINDER 2 study. "MCED tests are not a replacement for existing screening, but they have the potential to complement current approaches by helping detect cancer signals across multiple cancer types, including some for which routine screening is not currently available."

Robust Performance Metrics Consistent with Previous Studies

The Galleri test detected a cancer signal in 287 participants, and of those, cancer was diagnosed in 173 participants. The likelihood of receiving a cancer diagnosis following a positive test result (positive predictive value or PPV) was 60.3%, consistent with previously reported initial results of PATHFINDER 2 and higher than the first PATHFINDER study.

Since PATHFINDER 2 is a prospective clinical trial where the cancer status of participants is unknown at the outset, episode sensitivity – the ability to detect cancer that could be confirmed within 12 months after the blood draw – is evaluated in the study. Galleri demonstrated strong performance, with 69.8% episode sensitivity for the 12 cancers responsible for two-thirds of cancer deaths in the U.S. For all cancers, episode sensitivity was 39.3%.

Specificity was 99.6%, translating to a false positive rate of less than 0.4%.

"The up to 6.5 fold improvement in screen-detected cancers with Galleri in PATHFINDER 2 study, coupled with the greater than 20% reduction in Stage 4 cancers observed in the NHS-Galleri trial, is really exciting data that help support Galleri’s performance in a diverse and representative population," said Nima Nabavizadeh, MD, Associate Professor of Radiation Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University. "As an oncologist, I have seen too many patients diagnosed only after their cancer has spread, when treatment decisions become more difficult. By helping find more cancers earlier, when more treatment options may be available, there is great potential for multi-cancer early detection to transform cancer screening."

Galleri Pinpoints Cancer Signal Origin Allowing Efficient Diagnostic Workups

A key benefit of the Galleri test is its ability to predict where in the body the cancer signal is coming from. The PATHFINDER 2 study demonstrated that the test correctly identified the Cancer Signal Origin (CSO) 91.3% of the time, leading to efficient diagnostic workups. Diagnostic resolution took a median of 48 days, and only 0.6% of all safety-analyzable participants had an invasive procedure (213/35,335) following a positive MCED test result. A total of 90.5% of invasive procedures were nonsurgical.

Screening with the Galleri test had a favorable safety profile, with a low false-positive rate and a low rate of invasive procedures. There were five study-related adverse events reported during diagnostic evaluation, only in those with cancer diagnosis. Anxiety temporarily increased for participants with a positive MCED test and subsequent cancer diagnosis, and returned to baseline by 12 months, as has been observed for other screening tests. One serious adverse event related to the diagnostic work-up was identified after the data lock. Follow-up is ongoing; this and any other findings after data lock will be reported in full in the next interim analysis.

About PATHFINDER 2 (NCT05155605)
PATHFINDER 2 is a prospective, multi-center, interventional study evaluating the safety and performance of Galleri in approximately 35,000 individuals aged 50 years and older who are eligible for guideline-recommended cancer screening in the United States. The primary objectives of the study are 1) to evaluate the safety and performance of the Galleri MCED test based on the number and type of diagnostic evaluations performed in participants who receive a cancer signal detected test result, and 2) to evaluate the performance of the Galleri MCED test across various measures, including PPV, negative predictive value (NPV), episode sensitivity, specificity, and CSO prediction accuracy. Participants who receive a cancer signal detected result undergo additional diagnostic testing based on the predicted CSO to determine if a cancer is present. Secondary objectives include utilization of guideline-recommended cancer screening procedures after use of the MCED test, and participant reported outcomes over several time points, including an assessment of participants’ anxiety and satisfaction with the MCED test.

(Press release, Grail, MAY 31, 2026, View Source [SID1234666272])

On May 31, 2026 Summit Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: SMMT) reported positive overall survival (OS) results from the Phase III HARMONi-6 trial, conducted in China and sponsored by Summit’s partner Akeso, Inc. (HKEX Code: 9926.HK), will be presented today as part of the Plenary Session at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in Chicago.

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The presentation is entitled "Ivonescimab plus chemotherapy versus tislelizumab plus chemotherapy in previously untreated advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer: Overall survival results of the phase 3 HARMONi-6 trial." HARMONi-6 is evaluating ivonescimab in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy compared to tislelizumab, a PD-1 inhibitor, in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) irrespective of PD-L1 expression. HARMONi-6 is a single region, multi-center, Phase III study conducted in China and sponsored by Akeso, with all relevant data exclusively generated, managed, and analyzed by Akeso. The trial’s primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS), and OS is a key secondary endpoint.

The trial results will be presented by Dr. Shun Lu, MD, PhD, Chief of Shanghai Lung Cancer Center at Shanghai Chest Hospital, Professor of Medicine at Shanghai Jiaotong University, and associate editor for the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.

In major markets globally, first-line therapy for patients with advanced NSCLC without driver mutations is most commonly a PD-1 inhibitor plus platinum-based chemotherapy. Prior to HARMONi-6, there were no known Phase III clinical trials in advanced NSCLC which have shown a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in OS when compared to PD-(L)1 inhibitor therapy in combination with chemotherapy in a head-to-head setting. Examples of PD-(L)1 inhibitors include pembrolizumab, nivolumab, tislelizumab, and atezolizumab.

Clinically Meaningful Efficacy

In the HARMONi-6 planned interim analysis of OS, ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant improvement when compared to tislelizumab in combination with chemotherapy, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.66 (95% CI: 0.50, 0.87; p=0.0017). A clinically meaningful benefit was demonstrated across clinical subgroups, including those with either PD-L1 negative or positive expression. OS rates at 24 months were 64.7% for those patients receiving ivonescimab plus chemotherapy compared to 48.6% for those receiving tislelizumab plus chemotherapy. Median follow-up time of the current data cut was 21.4 months.

HARMONi-6 ITT (n=532):

Median Follow-up: 21.36 mos.

Ivonescimab + Chemo

(n=266)

Tislelizumab + Chemo

(n=266)

Median OS

27.89 mos.

(95% CI: 27.89, NE)

23.69 mos.

(95% CI: 20.11, NE)

24-Month OS Rates

64.7%

48.6%

OS Stratified HR

0.66

(95% CI: 0.50, 0.87; p= 0.0017)

mos.: months; NE: not established

HARMONi-6 PD-L1 Subgroup Analyses

Ivonescimab + Chemo vs. Tislelizumab + Chemo

PD-L1 Negative (PD-L1 TPS <1%) OS stratified HR

Ivonescimab + Chemo n=105; Tislelizumab + Chemo n=105

0.64

(95% CI: 0.43, 0.96)

PD-L1 Positive (PD-L1 TPS >1%) OS stratified HR

Ivonescimab + Chemo n=161; Tislelizumab + Chemo n=161

0.68

(95% CI: 0.46, 0.99)

"For the first time, a Phase III clinical study has demonstrated a statistically significant overall survival benefit in front-line driver-mutation-negative non-small cell lung cancer compared to anti-PD-1 therapy in combination with chemotherapy," said Dr. Maky Zanganeh, President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Summit. "While this represents another study where ivonescimab has demonstrated a significant OS benefit, these data represent the answer to the question regarding ivonescimab and its ability to translate PFS benefits into the extension of lives for patients with cancer in the front-line setting compared to immunotherapy-based regimens."

The HARMONi-6 study met its primary endpoint as announced in April 2025, showing a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS. Detailed results for efficacy and safety were presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2025 Congress (ESMO 2025) last October and published in The Lancet simultaneously.

Safety Profile

In this analysis, ivonescimab continued to demonstrate an acceptable and manageable safety profile in the HARMONi-6 study, which was consistent with previous Phase III studies of ivonescimab plus chemotherapy. No additional safety signals were noted in the HARMONi-6 study in this current data cut compared to the previous data cut presented.

Treatment-related serious adverse events occurred in 41.4% of patients receiving ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy and 34.3% of patients receiving tislelizumab in combination with chemotherapy. Most of the possibly VEGF-related adverse events occurring in the ivonescimab-plus-chemotherapy arm were classified as Grade 1 or 2; Grade 3 or higher hemorrhage events were observed in 2.6% of patients in the ivonescimab-plus-chemotherapy arm compared to 0.8% of patients in the tislelizumab-plus-chemotherapy arm in this study. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) leading to discontinuation in this study occurred in 5.3% of patients receiving ivonescimab plus chemotherapy compared to 4.5% for those receiving tislelizumab plus chemotherapy.

In squamous NSCLC, VEGF-A monoclonal antibodies have had limited clinical development based on historical data demonstrating significant risks of toxicity, including life-threatening hemorrhage and other bleeding complications. The results of this study further validate the unique mechanism of action of ivonescimab, including apparent key differences as compared to historical clinical studies where an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody and an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody were administered separately.

HARMONi-6 Clinical Trial Results Published in The Lancet

The Lancet simultaneously published these findings in a manuscript titled, "Ivonescimab plus Chemotherapy for Squamous Non-small-cell Lung Cancer."

"A heartfelt congratulations to our partner, Akeso, for their continuing, tremendous efforts to make a significant difference in the lives of patients with cancer," said Robert W. Duggan, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Summit. "The decision we made in December 2022 to enter into a partnership specifically with Akeso and accelerate the global clinical development plan of this potentially landscape-changing compound in ivonescimab is further validated with these groundbreaking results for patients facing high unmet medical needs. We look forward to continuing this positive momentum."

Conference Call

Summit will host a conference call and live webcast to discuss recent updates related to ivonescimab, including data released at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper), on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. ET. Conference call and webcast information is accessible through the company’s website, www.smmttx.com. An archived edition of the webcast will be available on the website later in the day on Monday.

About Ivonescimab
Ivonescimab, known as SMT112 in Summit’s license territories, North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Japan, and as AK112 outside of Summit’s license territories, is a novel, potential first-in-class investigational bispecific antibody combining the effects of immunotherapy via a blockade of PD-1 with the anti-angiogenesis effects associated with blocking VEGF into a single molecule. By design, ivonescimab displays unique cooperative binding to each of its intended targets with multifold higher affinity to PD-1 when in the presence of VEGF.

This is intended to differentiate ivonescimab as there is potentially higher expression (presence) of both PD-1 and VEGF in tumor tissue and the tumor microenvironment (TME) as compared to normal tissue in the body. Summit believes ivonescimab’s specifically engineered tetravalent structure (four binding sites) enables higher avidity (accumulated strength of multiple binding interactions) in the TME (Zhong, et al, iScience, 2025). This tetravalent structure, the intentional novel design of the molecule, and bringing these two targets into a single bispecific antibody with cooperative binding qualities have the potential to direct ivonescimab to the tumor tissue versus healthy tissue. The intent of this design, together with a half-life of 6 to 7 days after the first dose (Zhong, et al, iScience, 2025) increasing to approximately 10 days at steady state dosing, is to improve upon previously established efficacy thresholds, side effects, and safety profiles associated with prior approved drugs to these targets.

Ivonescimab was engineered by Akeso Inc. (HKEX Code: 9926.HK) and is currently utilized in multiple Phase III clinical trials. Over 4,000 patients have been treated with ivonescimab in clinical studies globally, and over 70,000 patients when considering those treated in a commercial setting in China, as noted by Akeso.

There are currently 15 Phase III clinical studies that are either announced, ongoing, or have been completed studying ivonescimab, four of which are Summit-sponsored global studies, one of which is a multiregional study sponsored by a cooperative group, and 10 of which are being or have been conducted in China by Akeso. Summit began its clinical development of ivonescimab in NSCLC, commencing enrollment in 2023 in two multiregional Phase III clinical trials, HARMONi and HARMONi-3. In 2025, Summit began enrolling patients in HARMONi-7. Summit expanded its Phase III clinical development program into CRC in the fourth quarter of 2025 by initiating enrollment in HARMONi-GI3.

HARMONi is a Phase III clinical trial is evaluating ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who were previously treated with a third-generation EGFR TKI (e.g., osimertinib). Detailed results of the study were provided in September 2025, and a Biologics License Application (BLA) was submitted to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for marketing authorization, which the FDA accepted for filing in January 2026; the goal Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date is November 14, 2026.

HARMONi-3 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic, squamous or non-squamous NSCLC, irrespective of PD-L1 expression. The clinical trial is evaluating the two histologies as individual, separately powered cohorts with independent statistical powering.

HARMONi-7 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab monotherapy compared to pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have high PD-L1 expression.

HARMONi-GI3 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy compared with bevacizumab plus chemotherapy in patients with first-line unresectable metastatic CRC.

ILLUMINE is a Phase III study being conducted by GORTEC, a cooperative group dedicated to Head and Neck Oncology, in recurrent / metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (r/m HNSCC). ILLUMINE is a three-arm Phase III clinical trial designed to evaluate ivonescimab monotherapy, as well as ivonescimab in combination with ligufalimab, Akeso’s proprietary anti-CD47 monoclonal antibody, compared to monotherapy pembrolizumab in patients with PD-L1 positive r/m HNSCC.

In addition, Akeso has recently had positive read-outs in three single-region (China), randomized Phase III clinical trials, HARMONi-A, HARMONi-2, and HARMONi-6, for ivonescimab in NSCLC, including a statistically significant overall survival benefit in both the HARMONi-A and HARMONi-6 studies, and a manageable safety profile in each study.

HARMONi-A was a Phase III clinical trial which evaluated ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who have progressed after treatment with an EGFR TKI.

HARMONi-2 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating monotherapy ivonescimab against monotherapy pembrolizumab in patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have positive PD-L1 expression.

HARMONi-6 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy compared with tislelizumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous NSCLC, irrespective of PD-L1 expression.

Akeso is actively conducting multiple Phase III clinical studies in settings outside of NSCLC, including biliary-tract cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

Ivonescimab is an investigational therapy that is not approved by any regulatory authority in Summit’s license territories, including the United States and Europe. Ivonescimab was initially approved for marketing authorization in China in May 2024.

(Press release, Summit Therapeutics, MAY 31, 2026, View Source [SID1234666258])

On May 31, 2026 Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) reported detailed progression-free and overall survival results from Cohort 3, a randomized cohort of the Phase 3 BREAKWATER trial, evaluating BRAFTOVI (encorafenib) in combination with cetuximab (marketed as ERBITUX) and FOLFIRI (fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan) versus FOLFIRI with or without bevacizumab in patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with a BRAF V600E mutation. These results will be presented today in a late-breaking oral presentation (Abstract LBA3503) at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and simultaneously published in the Annals of Oncology.

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As previously reported, Cohort 3 met its primary endpoint of objective response rate (ORR) by blinded independent central review (BICR). Results for the key secondary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) by BICR, being presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper), show median PFS was nearly doubled with the BRAFTOVI combination regimen (15.2 months) versus the comparator (8.3 months). A clinically meaningful and statistically significant 56% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death was observed for patients treated with the BRAFTOVI combination regimen versus the comparator (Hazard Ratio [HR] of 0.44; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 0.27–0.70; p=0.0002).

Updated overall survival (OS), a descriptive secondary endpoint, showed a 44% reduction in the risk of death for patients treated with the BRAFTOVI combination regimen versus the comparator (HR of 0.56; 95% CI, 0.34–0.94) with a median follow-up of approximately 20 months for both arms. At 18 months, 72% of patients receiving the BRAFTOVI combination regimen were expected to be alive compared to 54.5% of patients receiving the comparator. Median OS was not reached for the BRAFTOVI combination regimen versus a median of 20.3 months for the comparator.

"For people with BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer – a disease that historically has had no targeted treatment options and poor outcomes – these results strengthen confidence in how we can treat this disease," said Scott Kopetz, M.D., Ph.D., FACP, Professor and Deputy Chair of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and co-principal investigator of the BREAKWATER trial. "A nearly 60% reduction in risk of disease progression or death, combined with prolonged overall survival, reinforces the role of encorafenib in combination with cetuximab and FOLFIRI as a standard of care in the first-line setting for this patient population."

"These compelling results add to a robust body of evidence demonstrating the efficacy of the BRAFTOVI combination treatment across two different established chemotherapy regimens in BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer," said Jeff Legos, Chief Oncology Officer, Pfizer. "These findings reaffirm the established role of the BRAFTOVI combination regimen as a cornerstone of first-line treatment for patients and families facing this challenging diagnosis."

In this Cohort 3 analysis, the safety profile of BRAFTOVI in combination with cetuximab and FOLFIRI continued to be consistent with the known safety profile of each respective agent in the regimen, and no new safety signals were identified. The most common adverse events (AEs) (≥25%) in the BRAFTOVI regimen were nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, anemia, alopecia, fatigue, decreased neutrophil count, constipation, decreased appetite, neutropenia, arthralgia, asthenia, and abdominal pain. Grade ≥3 AEs (all causality) occurred in 70.4% of patients receiving BRAFTOVI in combination with cetuximab and FOLFIRI compared to 80.9% of patients receiving FOLFIRI with or without bevacizumab. Treatment discontinuation occurred in 15.5% of patients receiving the BRAFTOVI combination compared to 10.3% for those receiving FOLFIRI.

Based on the totality of the Phase 3 and Cohort 3 data in the BREAKWATER study, BRAFTOVI in combination with cetuximab and fluorouracil-based chemotherapy received full approval with an expanded indication from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for patients with BRAF V600E-mutant mCRC in February 2026, offering flexibility in chemotherapy regimen used.

Pfizer is continuing its commitment to help non-scientists understand the latest findings with the development of abstract plain language summaries (APLS) for company-sponsored research being presented, which are written in non-technical language. Those interested in learning more can visit www.Pfizer.com/apls to access the summaries.

About BREAKWATER
BREAKWATER is a Phase 3, randomized, active-controlled, open-label, multicenter trial of BRAFTOVI with cetuximab, alone or in combination with chemotherapy (mFOLFOX6 or FOLFIRI) in participants with previously untreated BRAF V600E-mutant mCRC. Patients were randomized to receive BRAFTOVI 300 mg orally once daily in combination with cetuximab (discontinued after randomization of 158 patients), BRAFTOVI 300 mg orally once daily in combination with cetuximab and mFOLFOX6 (n=236) or mFOLFOX6, FOLFOXIRI, or CAPOX, with or without bevacizumab (control arm) (n=243). The dual primary endpoints for these study groups are ORR and PFS as assessed by BICR. OS is a key secondary endpoint. In Cohort 3, patients were randomized to receive BRAFTOVI 300 mg orally once daily in combination with cetuximab and FOLFIRI (n=73) or FOLFIRI, with or without bevacizumab (control-arm) (n=74). The primary endpoint of Cohort 3 is ORR as assessed by BICR. PFS as assessed by BICR is a key secondary endpoint; OS is a secondary endpoint.

About Colorectal Cancer (CRC)
CRC is the third most common type of cancer in the world, with approximately 1.8 million new diagnoses in 2022.1 It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths.2 Overall, the lifetime risk of developing CRC is about 1 in 24 for men and 1 in 26 for women.2 In the U.S. alone, an estimated 158,850 people will be diagnosed with cancer of the colon or rectum in 2026, and approximately 55,000 are estimated to die from the disease each year.3 For 20% of those diagnosed with CRC, the disease has metastasized, or spread, making it harder to treat, and up to 50% of patients with localized disease eventually develop metastases.4

BRAF mutations are estimated to occur in 8-12% of people with mCRC and are associated with a poor prognosis for these patients.5 The BRAF V600E mutation is the most common BRAF mutation, and the risk of mortality in CRC patients with the BRAF V600E mutation is more than double that of patients with no known mutation present.5-7 Despite the high unmet need in BRAF V600E-mutant mCRC, prior to the BRAFTOVI accelerated FDA approval in this indication on December 20, 2024, there were no approved biomarker-driven therapies specifically indicated for people with previously untreated BRAF V600E-mutant mCRC.8,9

About BRAFTOVI (encorafenib)
BRAFTOVI is an oral small molecule kinase inhibitor that targets BRAF V600E. Inappropriate activation of proteins in the MAPK signaling pathway (RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK) has been shown to occur in certain cancers, including CRC.

Pfizer has exclusive rights to BRAFTOVI in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. has exclusive rights to commercialize the product in Japan and South Korea, Medison has exclusive rights to commercialize the product in Israel, and Pierre Fabre Laboratories has exclusive rights to commercialize the product in all other countries, including Europe and Asia (excluding Japan and South Korea).

INDICATION AND USAGE
BRAFTOVI (encorafenib) is indicated, in combination with cetuximab and fluorouracil-based chemotherapy, for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with a BRAF V600E mutation, as detected by an FDA-authorized test.

Limitations of Use: BRAFTOVI is not indicated for treatment of patients with wild-type BRAF CRC.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Refer to the prescribing information for cetuximab and individual product components of mFOLFOX6 and FOLFIRI for recommended dosing and additional safety information.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

New Primary Malignancies: New primary malignancies, cutaneous and noncutaneous, can occur. In the BREAKWATER trial, the following cutaneous malignancies occurred in patients receiving BRAFTOVI in combination with cetuximab and mFOLFOX6: melanocytic nevus in 5.6%, skin papilloma in 3%, basal cell carcinoma in 1.3%, squamous cell carcinoma of skin in 0.9%, keratoacanthoma in 0.4% and malignant melanoma in situ in 0.4%. In patients who received BRAFTOVI in combination with cetuximab and FOLFIRI, skin papilloma occurred in 2.8% and keratoacanthoma in 1.4% of patients. Perform dermatologic evaluations prior to initiating treatment, every 2 months during treatment, and for up to 6 months following discontinuation of treatment. Manage suspicious skin lesions with excision and dermatopathologic evaluation. Dose modification is not recommended for new primary cutaneous malignancies. Based on its mechanism of action, BRAFTOVI may promote malignancies associated with activation of RAS through mutation or other mechanisms. Monitor patients receiving BRAFTOVI for signs and symptoms of noncutaneous malignancies. Discontinue BRAFTOVI for RAS mutation-positive noncutaneous malignancies. Monitor patients for new malignancies prior to initiation of treatment, while on treatment, and after discontinuation of treatment.

Tumor Promotion in BRAF Wild-Type Tumors: In vitro experiments have demonstrated paradoxical activation of MAP-kinase signaling and increased cell proliferation in BRAF wild-type cells exposed to BRAF inhibitors. Confirm evidence of BRAF V600E or V600K mutation using an FDA-authorized test prior to initiating BRAFTOVI.

Cardiomyopathy: Cardiomyopathy manifesting as left ventricular dysfunction associated with symptomatic or asymptomatic decreases in ejection fraction, has been reported in patients. Assess left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by echocardiogram or multigated acquisition (MUGA) scan prior to initiating treatment, 1 month after initiating treatment, and then every 2 to 3 months during treatment. The safety has not been established in patients with a baseline ejection fraction that is either below 50% or below the institutional lower limit of normal (LLN). Patients with cardiovascular risk factors should be monitored closely. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of adverse reaction.

Hepatotoxicity: Hepatotoxicity can occur. In the BREAKWATER trial, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 increases in liver function laboratory tests in patients receiving BRAFTOVI in combination with cetuximab and mFOLFOX6 was 2.6% for alkaline phosphatase, 1.3% each for ALT and AST. In patients receiving BRAFTOVI in combination with cetuximab and FOLFIRI, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 increases in liver function laboratory tests was 1.5% each for ALT and AST. Monitor liver laboratory tests before initiation of BRAFTOVI, monthly during treatment, and as clinically indicated. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of adverse reaction.

Hemorrhage: Hemorrhage can occur. In the BREAKWATER trial, hemorrhage occurred in 34% of patients receiving BRAFTOVI in combination with cetuximab and mFOLFOX6; Grade 3 or 4 hemorrhage occurred in 3% of patients. In patients receiving BRAFTOVI in combination with cetuximab and FOLFIRI, hemorrhage occurred in 21% of patients. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of adverse reaction.

Uveitis: Uveitis, including iritis and iridocyclitis, has been reported in patients treated with BRAFTOVI. In BREAKWATER, the incidence of uveitis among patients who received BRAFTOVI in combination with cetuximab and mFOLFOX6 was 0.4%. Assess for visual symptoms at each visit. Perform an ophthalmological evaluation at regular intervals and for new or worsening visual disturbances, and to follow new or persistent ophthalmologic findings. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of adverse reaction.

QT Prolongation: BRAFTOVI is associated with dose-dependent QTc interval prolongation in some patients. In the BREAKWATER trial, an increase of QTcF >500 ms was measured in 4% (9/226) of patients receiving BRAFTOVI in combination with cetuximab and mFOLFOX6. In patients receiving BRAFTOVI in combination with cetuximab and FOLFIRI, an increase of QTcF >500 ms was measured in 1.5% (1/65) of patients. Monitor patients who already have or who are at significant risk of developing QTc prolongation, including patients with known long QT syndromes, clinically significant bradyarrhythmias, severe or uncontrolled heart failure and those taking other medicinal products associated with QT prolongation. Correct hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia prior to and during BRAFTOVI administration. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue for QTc >500 ms.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: BRAFTOVI can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. BRAFTOVI can render hormonal contraceptives ineffective. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective nonhormonal contraception during treatment with BRAFTOVI and for 2 weeks after the final dose.

Risks Associated with Combination Treatment: BRAFTOVI is indicated for use as part of a regimen in combination with cetuximab and mFOLFOX6 or FOLFIRI. Refer to the prescribing information for cetuximab and individual product components of mFOLFOX6 and FOLFIRI for additional risk information.

Lactation: Advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with BRAFTOVI and for 2 weeks after the final dose.

Infertility: Advise males of reproductive potential that BRAFTOVI may impair fertility.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

BRAF V600E mutation-positive mCRC, in combination with cetuximab and mFOLFOX6

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 46% of patients who received BRAFTOVI in combination with cetuximab and mFOLFOX6. Serious adverse reactions in >3% of patients included intestinal obstruction (4.7%), pyrexia (3.9%), sepsis (3.4%), and abdominal pain (3.4%)
Fatal intestinal obstruction occurred in 0.9%, and fatal large intestinal perforation and gastrointestinal perforation occurred in 0.4% (each) in patients who received BRAFTOVI in combination with cetuximab and mFOLFOX6
Most common adverse reactions (≥25%, all grades) in the BRAFTOVI with cetuximab and mFOLFOX6 arm compared to the control arm (mFOLFOX6 ± bevacizumab or FOLFOXIRI ± bevacizumab or CAPOX ± bevacizumab), and a subset of the control arm (mFOLFOX6 ± bevacizumab), respectively were: peripheral neuropathy (64% vs 53% and 57%), nausea (54% vs 50% and 44%), fatigue (53% vs 41% and 45%), diarrhea (42% vs 50% and 44%), decreased appetite (38% vs 27% and 30%), rash (36% vs 6% and 5%), vomiting (36% vs 22% and 17%), hemorrhage (34% vs 21% and 15%), abdominal pain (32% vs 31% and 30%), arthralgia (32% vs 6% and 7%), pyrexia (29% vs 16% and 17%), and constipation (27% vs 23% and 25%)
Most common laboratory abnormalities(≥10%, grade 3 or 4) in the BRAFTOVI with cetuximab and mFOLFOX6 arm compared to the control arm (mFOLFOX6 ± bevacizumab or FOLFOXIRI ± bevacizumab or CAPOX ± bevacizumab), and a subset of the control arm (mFOLFOX6 ± bevacizumab), respectively were: increased lipase (53% vs 28% and 23%), decreased neutrophil count (37% vs 35% and 33%), decreased hemoglobin (19% vs 6% and 7%), decreased white blood cell count (12% vs 8% and 6%), and increased glucose (11% vs 2% and 1%)
BRAF V600E mutation-positive mCRC, in combination with cetuximab and FOLFIRI

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 39% of patients who received BRAFTOVI in combination with cetuximab and FOLFIRI. Serious adverse reactions in >3% of patients included febrile neutropenia (5.6%) and infusion related reaction (4.2%)
Fatal gastrointestinal perforation occurred in 1.4% of patients who received BRAFTOVI in combination with cetuximab and FOLFIRI
Most common adverse reactions (>25%, all grades) in the BRAFTOVI with cetuximab and FOLFIRI arm compared to the control arm (FOLFIRI ± bevacizumab) were nausea (61% vs 57%), diarrhea (55% vs 49%), fatigue (47% vs 50%), vomiting (47% vs 31%), alopecia (35% vs 22%), constipation (31% vs 29%), abdominal pain (30% vs 22%), decreased appetite (30% vs 32%), and rash (27% vs 1.5%)
Most common laboratory abnormalities (≥10%, grade 3 or 4) in the BRAFTOVI with cetuximab and FOLFIRI arm compared to the control arm (FOLFIRI ± bevacizumab) were: decreased neutrophil count (30% vs 32%), increased lipase (22% vs 12%), decreased white blood cell count (20% vs 6%), and decreased hemoglobin (10% vs 3%)
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors: Avoid coadministration of BRAFTOVI with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors, including grapefruit juice. If coadministration is unavoidable, reduce the BRAFTOVI dose.

Strong CYP3A4 inducers: Avoid coadministration of BRAFTOVI with strong CYP3A4 inducers.

Sensitive CYP3A4 substrates: Avoid the coadministration of BRAFTOVI with CYP3A4 substrates (including hormonal contraceptives) for which a decrease in plasma concentration may lead to reduced efficacy of the substrate. If the coadministration cannot be avoided, see the CYP3A4 substrate product labeling for recommendations.

Dose reductions of drugs that are substrates of OATP1B1, OATP1B3, or BCRP may be required when used concomitantly with BRAFTOVI.

Avoid coadministration of BRAFTOVI with drugs known to prolong QT/QTc interval.

(Press release, Pfizer, MAY 31, 2026, View Source [SID1234666276])