GI CANCERS

In results from the phase III REACH-2 trial, ramucirumab reduced the risk of death by 29% versus placebo as a second-line treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Results from the study were presented during the 2018 ASCO Annual Meeting.

According to updated findings from the phase III ASPECT trial presented at the 2018 ASCO Annual Meeting, a combination of 2 over-the-counter drugs can reduce the risk for high-grade dysplasia or esophageal cancer in patients with Barrett’s esophagus if taken for at least 7 years. These results also demonstrated that high-dose esomeprazole in combination with a low-dose aspirin was associated with delaying all-cause mortality.

According to preliminary findings from the phase III PREOPANC-1 trial, preoperative treatment with chemotherapy and radiation improved overall survival for patients with resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer compared to immediate surgery. These data, presented at the 2018 ASCO Annual Meeting, demonstrated the potential role for neoadjuvant treatment in the pancreatic cancer treatment paradigm.

The review period for lenvatinib as a first-line treatment for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma has been extended by the FDA. According to Eisai and Merck, the companies codeveloping the drug, this will allow ample time to review the application. 

Richard Kim, MD, recently discussed the treatment considerations and decisions he makes when treating patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Kim, an associate professor oncology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, and medical oncologist, Gastrointestinal Oncology Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, explained his treatment decisions based on 2 case scenarios during a <em>Targeted Oncology</em> live case-based peer perspectives program.

A supplemental new drug application seeking the approval of cabozantinib for the treatment of patients with previously-treated advanced hepatocellular carcinoma has been accepted by the FDA, according to a statement from Exelixis, the company developing the agent.

Laura Dawson, MD,&nbsp;discusses the current and future role of SBRT in the treatment of liver tumors.

Improving the Treatment of Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Wui-Jin Koh, MD, has been selected as senior vice president and chief medical officer of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. This is a newly-designed position to oversee the NCCN Oncology Research Program.

Zev A. Wainberg, MD, recently discussed the treatment considerations and decisions he makes when treating patients with colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. Wainberg, co-director of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Program, University of California Los Angeles, explained his treatment decisions based on 2 gastrointestinal case scenarios during a <em>Targeted Oncology</em> live case-based peer perspectives program.

The adjuvant treatment landscape of gastrointestinal cancers has recently undergone a transformation, with significant findings from several clinical trials. These studies, in gastric, biliary, pancreatic, and colon cancer looked particularly at the use of treatment in the adjuvant setting after surgical resection and have ultimately changed the standards of care for these patients.

According to topline findings from the phase III IMblaze370 study, treatment with the combination of the PD-L1 inhibitor atezolizumab and the MEK inhibitor cobimetinib failed to improve overall survival versus regorafenib in patients with locally advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer&nbsp; who were previously treated.

While not all patients with gastrointestinal cancers will respond to immunotherapy, those who do&nbsp;are likely to have long-lasting responses, explained John L. Marshall, MD.

According to additional analyses from the phase III RESORCE trial published in the<em> Journal of Hepatology,&nbsp;s</em>econd-line regorafenib continued to show antitumor activity regardless of prior dose or time to progression on frontline sorafenib (Nexavar) for patients with unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.