In 2023, new cancer treatments, cancer treatment strategies, medicines, and equipment will be tested and adopted to effectively treat all types of cancer. Listed below are just some of the highlights.
CRISPR gene-editing may boost cancer immunotherapy
Doctors take immune system cells called T cells from healthy donors. Then, using CRISPR to reprogram the T cells to leave alone the healthy cells in a patient’s body, they hide from the recipient’s own immune system and identify and destroy the cancer.
In December 2022, it was reported that this approach shrank tumors in 67% of 32 patients. Forty percent of patients experienced a complete remission of their cancer.
New Treatment for Advanced Prostate Cancer
The FDA-approved drug called Pluvicto, is a new radiation pharmaceutical administered through injection or infusion. Pluvicto travels throughout the body and targets cancer cells with the PSMA biomarker, a protein found on most prostate cells.
Radiation (emitted from the pharmaceutical) damages and kill the cancer cells. The new drug targets progressive PSMA-positive, metastatic (meaning, cancer that has spread) prostate cancer.
Studies show that this drug can extend the lives of people with this aggressive form of prostate cancer, even in the late stages.
Source: UC San Diego Health
An experimental cancer vaccine from Moderna based on the messenger RNA (MRNA) technology used in successful COVID-19 vaccines has been proven to work against Melanoma
The mid-stage trial involved 157 patients with stage III/IV melanoma whose tumors were surgically removed before being treated with either the drug/vaccine combo or Keytruda alone with the goal of delaying disease recurrence.
A combination of Moderna’s personalized cancer vaccine and Merck & Co’s immunotherapy, Keytruda, cut the risk of recurrence or death of the deadly skin cancer by 44% compared with Keytruda by itself.
The study is the first randomized trial to show that combining mRNA vaccine technology with a drug that revs up the immune response offers a better result for melanoma patients and potentially for other cancers. Professionals consider this a tremendous step forward in immunotherapy and a new paradigm for cancer treatments.
Merck and Moderna plan to start a large phase III study in melanoma patients in 2023. In addition, the companies intend to study the approach in other cancers, such as lung, bladder, and some breast cancers.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) for Ovarian Cancer clinical trial underway
An imminent and important upcoming trial result in 2023 is ImmunoGen’s mirvetuximab soravtansine. This drug received accelerated approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2022.
This happened based on the results of a trial that enrolled 106 patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer whose tumors had high expression of folate receptor-α. Theyalso received treatment with up to three prior regimens (at least one of which included Avastin.)
Under accelerated approval, the company can market its drug under the indication agreed to by the FDA. Under this agreement, it is for patients with recurrent, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
For the drug to move from accelerated approval to regular approval, a trial needs to confirm the overall safety and efficacy of the agent of interest. Initial results for the trial are expected in early 2023.
Source: Arnold, C., Webster, P. 11 clinical trials that will shape medicine in 2023. Nat Med
Drug known as datopotamab deruxtecan shows promise for Lung Cancer
Datopotamab deruxtecan is an antibody drug conjugate which is a medicine that links a tumor-killing chemical to a targeted antibody.
It showed promise in a small trial in a type of lung cancer for which no approved TROPs-targeting treatments exists. Testing currently includes people who previously received treatment for lung cancer. Datopotamab deruxtecan is being compared to the chemotherapy docetaxel.
In December 2022 researchers speculated that chemotherapy will likely hold tumors in check for a median of 4 months while datopotamab deruxtecan for six months. This indicates the drug has an opportunity to replace chemo earlier.
Source: Biopharma Dive
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) cause Metastasis
More than 90% of people with cancer die when metastasis occurs. Researchers recently found that clusters of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) drive metastasis. CTCs are multicellular aggregates of tumor cells that depart from the existing tumor, circulate in the bloodstream, and then metastasize.
This new finding challenged the prevailing teaching in the metastasis field. Previously, people thought metastasis happened one cell at a time. Thanks to new technologies, scientists investigate blood samples from patients and in animal models to identify CTC clusters.
Researchers have also found that drugs, such as digoxin, can dissociate these cells and dissolve the clusters, which shuts down metastasis in preclinical models.
In a phase I trial, they are screening the blood of patients with advanced metastatic breast cancer. When they find CTC clusters, they give the patients the drug for three weeks while measuring the abundance and features of the clusters.
If the trial is successful, they envision the generation of improved cluster-dissociating molecules able to achieve full cluster dissolution and specifically designed for cancer treatments. The next goal would be to enable a novel cancer treatment modality aimed at blocking the spread of cancer.
Source: Arnold, C., Webster, P. 11 clinical trials that will shape medicine in 2023. Nat Med
Company Leo Cancer Care delivers Radiation Therapy a different way – Upright
Leo Cancer Care aims to deliver radiation therapy in a more human way. They break down their goals into three levels. First, improve the clinical effectiveness of Radiation Therapy through upright positioning.
Secondly, improve the access to radiation therapy by removing the need for large and expensive rotating gantries and instead introducing slow patient rotation.
Third, empower patients and clinicians to face radiation therapy together; eye to eye. They accomplish these goals with their innovative upright radiotherapy solutions.
Company REflexion offers breakthrough SCINTIX technology; creating a new opportunity for patients at any stage of Cancer
SCINTIX technology is a novel therapy for patients with any stage of cancer – even those with metastatic disease (learn more here).
By combining PET-CT and radiotherapy they can find and treat cancer using its own emissions. For many patients, the best treatment plan is a combination of multiple therapies. SCINTIX therapy may work together with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted drugs for potentially better outcomes.
What to do with these new cancer treatments?
We encourage you to start a conversation with your provider about some of these novel therapies.
Wheelhouse can empower you with knowledge as well as connect you to providers that are exploring these and other innovative therapies in the fight against cancer.
Wheelhouse members should call 1-833-864-0911 or visit wheelhousecares.com/members to begin using their cancer benefits immediately. Whether it’s a cancer scare or a confirmed diagnosis, you have a compassionate team of experts ready to help with insurance benefits advocacy, cancer-specific mental & emotional health coaching, and cancer nurse navigation.
Not a Wheelhouse member? Here are some options:
- Explore the resources Wheelhouse offers cancer patients from diagnosis through survivorship on our website.
- Contact us at wheelhousecares.com/contact to see what’s available for you.
- Share with your employer’s HR team how Wheelhouse cancer benefits could impact your cancer journey. We work side-by-side with employers to offer these benefits, often making Wheelhouse support available at no additional cost for employees.
One Response
Thanks.