®, joined the team in March 2021. She graduated from Indiana University Bloomington, where she studied journalism and minored in sociology and French. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, running, or enjoying time with friends and family. Email her at 

Jamie Cesanek

A phase 2 clinical trial has begun to analyze ASP-1929 photoimmunotherapy plus fluorescence imaging in patients with operable primary or recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) or cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cuSCC), which is the second most common form of skin cancer.

Photoimmunotherapy treatment combines photodynamic therapy of a tumor with immunotherapy. The process of combining the two may enhance responses in metastatic cancer.

The trial is being piloted under the Cooperative Research and Development Agreements with the National Cancer Institute. Researchers plan to assess the efficacy and safety of ASP-1929 photoimmunotherapy treatment in 22 patients, given before the standard of care, tumor resection.

Researchers also intend to determine the viability of the Shimadzu fluorescence imaging system for real-time monitoring and recording of fluorescence of the IRDye 700DX portion of ASP-1929. IRDye 700DX is a light-activatable dye, while ASP-1929 is an antibody-dye conjugate with Erbitux (cetuximab). The conjugate works by binding to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) — a cancer antigen expressed in multiple types of solid tumors — and then being locally activated by non-thermal red light illumination given from a laser device system.

In pre-clinical data, the technology proved to lead to cancer cell death and tumor necrosis.

“Currently, we are conducting monotherapy clinical trials with ASP-1929 photoimmunotherapy and a combination therapy trial with anti-PD1 in patients with unresectable recurrent HNSCC and cuSCC,” said Mickey Mikitani, Chief Executive Officer of Rakuten Medical, Inc., in a news release. “This clinical trial further expands the studied patient groups by targeting primary operable HNSCC or cuSCC. I hope the results of this trial will lead to Rakuten Medical's photoimmunotherapy treatment reaching as many patients as possible.”

The fluorescence imaging system for photoimmunotherapy treatment is being developed by Shimadzu in partnership with Rakuten Medical. The hope is that it will help visualize the condition of a patient’s tumor and eventually be used to be given to all patients, including those with early-stage cancers.

The main goal of the trial is to determine pathologic tumor response after 24 months. Additional secondary goals include progression-free survival (time until disease progresses) and overall survival (time from treatment to death by any cause) for the same 24-month time frame.

The researchers plan to dose patients with a combination of ASP-1929 and photoimmunotherapy. During the illumination procedure, they plan to image fluorescence of the IR700 of ASP-1929, using a Shimadzu Fluorescence Imaging System camera. Approximately 15 days later, patients are expected to undergo the standard of care surgery.

The Center for Cancer Research in Bethesda, Maryland, is 

 for the trial. Patients may be ineligible for a number of reasons, including any condition which makes them unsuitable for illumination exposure or ASP-1929.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to 

Articles

The goal of the phase 2 trial is to study the safety and efficacy of ASP-1929, a photoimmunotherapy with fluorescence imaging, in patients with head and neck or skin cancer.

Photoimmunotherapy Trial Begins in Certain Patients With Head and Neck, and Skin Cancer

Treatment with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) called Rozlytrek (entrecinib) demonstrated meaningful responses in patients with NTRK fusion-positive solid tumors who had brain metastases and may be an option for addressing this unmet need.

 — suggest the drug could help address an unmet need for patients whose cancer has spread to their central nervous system.

“So obviously, this is a rare disease, because the frequency of this interaction is very low,” said study author Dr. Christian Rolfo, professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Associate Director for Clinical Research in the Center for Thoracic Oncology at The Tisch Cancer Institute in New York, during an interview with CURE®.

NTRK is a gene fusion — which occurs when a piece of the chromosome containing the NTRK gene splits off and joins with an unrelated gene on a different chromosome — that when present, indicates that someone may be more likely to respond to specific 

. The fusion occurs in around .3% of all solid tumors, according to an article published in 

The recent study that reported on Rozlytrek in brain metastases used data from three clinical trials to examine the drug’s effectiveness after one year. The ability of the drug to cross the blood-brain barrier was not seen in the initial trials.

The main goals were overall response rate (ORR; which shows the percentage of patients whose cancer responds to treatment) and duration of response (DoR; length of time a tumor continues to respond without growing or spreading).

“We have an overall response rate of around 60%, but the most important thing that you will see is that brain metastases were also very well treated with these compounds. And the results that we have are confirming — around 57% — that this drug is penetrating the brain very effectively; we actually have some complete responses in the brain,” Rolfo said.

The researchers also assessed progression-free survival (PFS; length of time until disease progresses) and intracranial safety/efficacy in patients who received one or more dose of Rozlytrek.

After the data cutoff on Aug. 31, 2020, the majority of the patients (121 adults with 14 tumor types) had a complete or partial response (61.2%). Median follow-up was 25.8 months and median DoR was 20 months. In 11 patients who had measurable central nervous system metastases, the intracranial ORR was 63.6%, and median intracranial DoR was 22.1 months.

The side effects experienced were similar to previous studies, with most treatment-related events being mild or moderate and manageable with dose modification. There was a small percentage of treatment-related side effect discontinuation (8.3%).

“I think it’s a very good opportunity to encourage the doctors and the community to test these patients, because this is a rare fusion that needs to be searched (for),” Rolfo said. “But when you have this, there are multiple opportunities to be treated.”

He also added that he encourages patients to ask their doctors for genetic testing in a broad manner.

“So we now have a new frontier working in this population, first of all, to try to get an answer for patients who are progressing to the treatment or having resistance to the treatment,” Rolfo said. “And for that, it’s important that we also find a molecular profiling mechanism of resistance that we can target as well… and obviously it’s really important that we continue our research in how we can detect these patients.”

New research has demonstrated that treatment with Rozlytrek induced meaningful responses in patients with NTRK fusion-positive solid tumors and may also effectively treat brain metastases in those patients.

Rozlytrek Offers ‘New Frontier’ for Treating Brain Metastases in NTRK Fusion-Positive Cancers

Meteorologist Bob Nunnally took time off the air to undergo cancer treatments.

Bob Nunnally, a meteorologist for NBC4, has received support from the network and community after he had to take time away from the show to undergo cancer treatments.

This week, NBC “Today” anchor Al Roker — who 

received a cancer diagnosis in November 2020

 — shared his support for Nunnally on the show.

“We want to take a moment to send our thoughts and prayers to an extended member of our NBC family,” Roker said. “Bob Nunnally, a beloved meteorologist at our Columbus, Ohio, affiliate, WCMH, for nearly 25 years is taking time away from his weekday morning duties to battle cancer.”

Nunnally announced his break from being on air last month.

“I will tell you all that I have cancer and am going to be dealing with that in a pretty big way over the next, hopefully, month or so,” Bob said to NBC4 Today anchors Matt Barnes and Monica Day. “I’m not exactly sure how long the treatment is going to last. But I do have to have chemo to help fight this, and it looks good. My doctors say it looks good for me.”

He also expressed his appreciation for the overwhelming amount of support he has received in the time since.

Kathy Griffin celebrated remaining cancer-free in an unconventional way.

In a post shared on Twitter, comedian Kathy Griffin shared that her six-month lung cancer scan came up clear, revealing that she is still in remission from the disease.

To celebrate, she went skinny dipping. “No more cancer,” she wrote. “And yes, I’m skinny dipping… So what?”

 on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in December. She explained that she underwent surgery to remove half of her young.

She also spoke openly about the fact that 

, and that the stigma needs to be addressed.

Griffin’s tweet received an outpouring of support from fans and others in the entertainment industry.

“Shake em’ to your triumphant self,” wrote E. Jean Carroll.

Mary J. Blige starred in a Super Bowl ad to encourage cancer screenings.

Singer Mary J. Blige, who performed during the halftime show at Super Bowl 56, also took the time to participate in an advertisement which played during the game, to encourage women to understand the importance of regular cancer screenings.

“I’m a strong believer that a woman’s health is her wealth, and I’m proud to participate in this important campaign that puts that message front and center on the world’s biggest stage,” Blige said in a statement. “I want women everywhere to know that real love means putting yourself first and prioritizing your annual screenings.”

The campaign was done with Hologic, using a women-led team. Hologic’s platform works by helping users set up appointments and access resources to encourage the regular check-ups.

In the emotional ad, Blige is shown carrying out her regular activities, with the screen switching to a shot of her at the doctor’s office, appearing extremely relieved after hearing that her scans were clear. “See you next year,” she echoes to the doctor. The commercial emphasizes that Blige still makes time for her regular exams despite a busy schedule.

“Making your health a priority is real love,” Blige narrated in the ad.

According to People, the campaign was especially important to her, given that she has lost several female family members to cancer over the years.

“Being an example moves people better than just talking about it. That's why it's really important for people to see what you're doing, instead of just you talking about it,” she said.

A Wisconsin deputy had a cancer survivor’s car repaired so that she could get to treatment.

Ouida Parish, a two-time cancer survivor, created an immediate bond with deputy Kristine Rodriguez during a Valentine’s Day party at a senior center in Milwaukee.

After Parish explained to Rodriguez that her car was currently needing repair, leaving her unable to drive to important appointments and pick up medication, Rodriguez felt compelled to help her.

“I felt like I needed to do something,” she told FOX 6.

Rodriguez decided to take Parish’s car into the shop for repairs, getting her new tires, a catalytic converted and engine mount. The entire process was paid for so that Parish did not have to expense it.

"I never imagined this to happen. I was just telling, just talking to them, and she reached out and made my day," Parish said. “It means more than anyone could imagine.”

From NBC4 meteorologist Bob Nunnally’s break for cancer treatments to Mary J. Blige’s Super Bowl commercial encouraging others to undergo cancer screenings, here’s what’s happening in the cancer landscape this week.

NBC Meteorologist Bob Nunnally Takes Time Off for Cancer Treatment, Mary J. Blige Stars in Super Bowl Ad to Encourage Cancer Screenings, And More

A phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate a treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory acute leukemias — including those with MLL1/KMT2A gene rearrangements or NPM1 mutations — is now underway in multiple centers across the United States.

The research, developed by Biomea Fusion, Inc., is intended to examine BMF-219, an irreversible covalent menin inhibitor — meaning it blocks menin, a protein that plays a role in tumor signaling pathways in genetically defined leukemias.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML; the most common form of acute leukemia) is the leading type of leukemia-related death in the U.S. and Europe. Around 20,000 people are diagnosed in the U.S. each year, with just a 29% five-year survival rate, according to the National Cancer Institute. Patients with relapsed or refractory AML have an average overall survival of just three to nine months. Additionally, researchers estimate that around 45% of all patients with AML have menin-dependent genetic drivers.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), on the other hand, is less common. According to the National Cancer Institute, there are around 6,000 new cases in the U.S. annually. The five-year survival rate (70%) is also more hopeful, and approximately 10-15% of adult patients with ALL and 60-70% of pediatric patients with ALL have MLL1/KMT2A gene rearrangements.

“Just over four years ago, we took the concept of designing a small molecule that targets menin and brought forward BMF-219 to the clinic to significantly improve the lives of patients,” said Thomas Butler, Biomea’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, in a news release.

The trial goals are to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics — or how the body affects the drug and vice versa — of BMF-219, which researchers plan to give patients once daily at 100 mg in the form of an oral pill for continuous 28-day cycles. Menin inhibition is expected to have a therapeutic benefit for patients in the subpopulations the trial is focused on.

“BMF-219 is just our first asset graduating now into clinical development. Our team has evolved significantly and is set up today not only to explore the full potential of BMF-219 and the inhibition of the menin pathway but also to advance several other programs into the clinic,” said Ramses Erdtmann, president of Biomea Fusion.

The trial is expected to be complete in June 2023, with 100 patient participants. The plan is to begin with a dose-escalation/dose-expansion study, followed by a recommended dose phase, with multiple study groups. The different patient groups are expected to include individuals with acute leukemia, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or multiple myeloma.

Patients are currently being recruited at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Recruitment is also expected to open in California, Florida, Ohio and Tennessee 

A trial to examine BMF-219 in patients with relapsed or refractory acute leukemias has begun recruiting patients across multiple U.S. states.

Jamie Cesanek

Photoimmunotherapy Trial Begins in Certain Patients With Head and Neck, and Skin Cancer

Rozlytrek Offers ‘New Frontier’ for Treating Brain Metastases in NTRK Fusion-Positive Cancers

NBC Meteorologist Bob Nunnally Takes Time Off for Cancer Treatment, Mary J. Blige Stars in Super Bowl Ad to Encourage Cancer Screenings, And More

Trial Initiated to Study Protein-Inhibiting Treatment Option for Patients With Acute Leukemia

Latest News