ASCO 2025 Briefing: Advances in Breast, Lung, and Obesity-Linked Cancers
The ASCO 2025 press briefing showcased early highlights in cancer therapy. Here’s what you need to know.
Tumor cell: ©nevio - stock.adobe.com
During the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025 Annual Meeting press briefing on May 21, 2025, there were 4 significant abstracts presented, highlighting practice-shaping data for oncologists. From risk-reduction insights with GLP-1 drugs to a major survival improvement in PIK3CA-mutant breast cancer, here’s what you need to know.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Show Cancer-Preventive Potential
In one of the most widely anticipated studies, researchers presented data showing that GLP-1 receptor agonists, which are widely used for type 2 diabetes and weight loss, may also reduce cancer risk.1
Analyzing over 170,000 matched patients with obesity and diabetes, the study found a 7% decrease in obesity-related cancers and an 8% reduction in all-cause mortality in those treated with GLP-1 agents compared with DPP-4 inhibitors. Notably, colorectal cancer showed the most significant protective association, while no increase was seen in pancreatic or thyroid cancers, a frequent concern with this drug class.
While the effect sizes were modest and follow-up averaged under 4 years, the findings offer reassurance to clinicians and patients concerned about long-term cancer risks. The study also strengthens the case for GLP-1s as multipurpose agents, with possible future roles in cancer prevention for high-risk populations.
“GLP-1 treatments remain a strong option for people with diabetes and obesity and may favorably affect cancer risk. Decisions should balance benefits, costs, and [adverse] effects in discussion with clinicians,” Lucas A. Mavromatis, research assistant in the Division of Precision Medicine in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said during the presentation.
AI Training Improves HER2-Low Scoring Accuracy
Misclassification of HER2-low and ultralow breast cancers may soon be less of a barrier to therapy access, thanks to AI-enhanced training.2
A multicenter study presented by Marina De Brot, MD, PhD, showed that AI-assisted pathologist training significantly improved HER2 scoring accuracy and concordance. Accuracy in HER2 classification rose from 90.1% to 95.0%, and concordance improved from 0.494 to 0.732 with AI support. Critically, false negatives in HER2-null tumors were dramatically reduced, meaning fewer patients would miss out on antibody-drug conjugate-based therapies.
This work underscores the growing role of AI in precision diagnostics and sets the stage for real-world implementation trials to assess the downstream impact on treatment allocation.
INAVO120: Inavolisib Triplet Extends Survival in PIK3CA-Mutant Breast Cancer
Final overall survival (OS) results from the INAVO120 trial (NCT04191499) confirmed that the addition of inavolisib (Itovebi) to palbociclib (Ibrance) and fulvestrant (Faslodex) significantly improves outcomes for patients with PIK3CA-mutant, hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative, endocrine-resistant advanced breast cancer.3
Patients receiving the triplet had a median OS of 34.0 months (95% CI, 28.4-44.8) vs 27.0 months (95% CI, 22.8-38.7) with the standard doublet (HR, 0.67; P =.0190). The time to chemotherapy was also substantially delayed at 35.6 months (95% CI, 25.4-not reached) vs 12.6 months (95% CI, 10.4-16.1) with placebo (stratified HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.30-0.60).
“I’m impressed with this study by the almost 2-year prolongation in the delay in going on chemotherapy from 12.6 months to 35.6 months. Delaying the need in the metastatic setting to go on chemotherapy by almost 2 years is certainly an outcome that matters to patients,” Julie Gralow, MD, chief medical officer and executive vice president at ASCO, remarked during the briefing.
Inavolisib, a selective PI3Kα degrader, was safely combined at full doses and maintained a favorable benefit-risk profile. With FDA approval already in hand since 2024, these survival data cement the triplet’s place as a preferred option in this biomarker-defined subset.
Lurbinectedin Adds OS, PFS Gains in SCLC Maintenance
In the phase 3 IMforte trial (NCT05091567), the combination of lurbinectedin (Zepzelca) and atezolizumab (Tecentriq) significantly improved both PFS and OS in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) following standard induction therapy.4
Maintenance therapy with the doublet yielded a median PFS of 5.4 months vs 2.1 months (HR, 0.54; P <.0001) and a median OS of 13.2 months vs 10.6 months (95% CI, 9.5-12.2), respectively, (HR, 0.73; P =.0174) when compared with atezolizumab alone. These are the first phase 3 data to show survival gains from a first-line maintenance approach in ES-SCLC.
During the presentation, Luis Paz-Ares, MD, PhD, of Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, H12O-CNIO Lung Cancer Unit, Universidad Complutense and Ciberonc, in Madrid, Spain, emphasized the potential for this combination to redefine the standard of care in a disease notorious for early relapse and limited post-induction options.
“IMforte is the first phase 3 study to show PFS and OS improvement with first-line maintenance treatment for ES-SCLC, highlighting the potential of lurbinectedin plus atezolizumab to become a new standard of care for first-line maintenance therapy in patients with this aggressive and difficult-to-treat disease,” he said.
Takeaway for Community Oncologists
This year’s ASCO briefing highlighted encouraging updates across cancer types, offering just a glimpse of what's to come. As these insights move toward clinical application, community oncologists will be central to translating innovation into better patient care. Stay tuned for more key updates from ASCO as the meeting unfolds.
