J. Blokken PhD, PharmD

Journal Scan

In this section of the BJMO, we aim to provide a snapshot of pivotal studies published in recent issues of the most important international journals focusing on oncology. Importantly, the selection of the studies discussed here is the sole responsibility of the publisher and was not influenced by third parties. Do you miss an important study, or did you read a hidden jewel that deserves to be shared with your colleagues? Please, let us know (editor@bjmo.be) and we will make sure to include it in the journal scan section of the next BJMO issue.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2023;17(6):239–44)

New oncology reimbursements in Belgium

OVERVIEW OF BELGIAN REIMBURSEMENT NEWS

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2023;17(5):156)

Highlights in melanoma

The 2023 annual European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO) congress featured exciting developments in melanoma research. In the adjuvant setting, discussions centred around new biomarkers for treatment response, the role of radiotherapy and new approaches in immunotherapy. Interesting updates were also presented for the treatment of metastatic melanoma, including triple combinations of BRAF plus MEK inhibitors (BRAFi/MEKi) with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), an IDO/PD-L1-targeting peptide vaccine with nivolumab, and AS01B with myeloid dendritic cells and ICIs.

Central nervous system metastases in melanoma: still an issue

Melanoma is the third cause of central nervous system (CNS) metastases and roughly 40–50% of advanced melanoma patients will develop CNS metastases. Importantly, the incidence of brain metastases may rise even further as systemic treatment of stage IV melanoma improves. In addition, CNS metastases are more frequent in BRAF-mutated melanoma. Finally, as responses in intracranial vs. extracranial sites may be heterogeneous, the efficacy of systemic therapy on brain metastases may be difficult to predict.^1–4 Although the clinical survival outcomes of melanoma patients with brain metastases have been significantly improved due to major advances in systemic therapy, there still remain to be many challenges.

Highlights in non-melanoma skin cancer

Besides interesting data on novel treatment options for melanoma patients, the 19th European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO) congress featured several sessions on non-melanoma skin cancer. Below, we give an overview of recent advances in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC), as well as some promising new treatment strategies and combinations.

Journal Scan

In this section of the BJMO, we aim to provide a snapshot of pivotal studies published in recent issues of the most important international journals focusing on oncology. Importantly, the selection of the studies discussed here is the sole responsibility of the publisher and was not influenced by third parties. Do you miss an important study, or did you read a hidden jewel that deserves to be shared with your colleagues? Please, let us know (editor@bjmo.be) and we will make sure to include it in the journal scan section of the next BJMO issue.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2023;17(4):135–8)

Antibody-drug conjugates in lung cancer: a paradigm shift on the horizon?

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a unique class of drugs that combine the power of cytotoxic chemotherapy with that of targeted therapy to deliver highly potent cytotoxic agents to cancer cells that express a pre-defined cell surface target. In 2020, trastuzumab deruxtecan became the first FDA-approved ADC for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Since then, two other ADCs have been granted an FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation in this setting: patritumab deruxtecan and telisotuzumab vedotin. So far none of these ADCs received EMA-approval for the treatment of lung cancer yet. Nonetheless, several early-phase trials are assessing various novel ADCs in patients with advanced lung cancer and have demonstrated promising efficacy. This review provides an overview of the structure and relevant clinical data of ADCs currently under investigation for the treatment of advanced lung cancer.