Bassel El-Rayes, MD, director, Gastrointestinal Oncology Program, associate director for clinical research, John Kauffman Family Professor for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, professor and vice chair for clinical research, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, discusses the efficacy of tidutamab in advanced neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). 

The results of an ongoing phase 1 first-in-human study of tidutamab, which were presented during the 2021 NANETS Symposium, demonstrated that the bispecific antibody directed toward somatostatin receptor 2 and CD3 was generally well tolerated and elicited 26.8% rate of stable disease in evaluable patients with advanced NETs.

The primary objective of the study was to determine the recommended phase 2 dose of tidutamab while exploring the safety of the drug as well, El-Rayes explains. Moreover, the trial was able to determine a recommended phase 2 dose and demonstrated the safety of the molecule with the ability to administer it safely to patients, El-Rayes says. Investigators found that immune activation does happen with the bispecific antibody, El-Rayes adds. 

Moreover, investigators observed stable disease ​as best responses but did not observe any partial or complete responses with tidutamab, El-Rayes continues. However, some of the stable disease responses were prolonged, indicating that there may be a signal of activity with the agent in this patient population, El-Rayes concludes.

Videos

Bassel El-Rayes, MD, discusses the efficacy of tidutamab in advanced neuroendocrine tumors. 

Dr. El-Rayes on the Efficacy of Tidutamab in Advanced NETs

Bassel El-Rayes, MD, chief clinical research scientist, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, discusses methods of locoregional therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Locoregional approaches can be divided into 2 main categories, El-Rayes says. There are ablative approaches, which include radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, or stereotactic body radiation. The other category includes treatments that are delivered through a catheter or transcatheter like chemoembolization, radioembolization, and hepatic artery infusion.

El-Rayes notes that deciding the right approach depends largely on the extent of the disease a physician is treating. For example, the ablative treatments are more useful for discrete lesions, whereas the transcatheter therapies are more useful for disease that has metastasized to a larger portion of the liver, says El-Rayes.

Bassel El-Rayes, MD, chief clinical research scientist, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, discusses methods of locoregional therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Dr. El-Rayes Discusses Methods of Locoregional Therapy in mCRC

Bassel El-Rayes, MD, chief clinical research scientist, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, discusses considerations for locoregional therapy versus resection in patients with borderline and unresectable colorectal cancer that has metastasized to the liver.

The management of these patients requires a multidisciplinary team of experts. As such, these patients can benefit from being part of a tumor board discussion, El-Rayes says. There are a number of patient-related factors that can be used to determine the necessary approach. For example, the patient’s fitness, anatomy, and tumor biology can drive treatment decisions. If the disease is under adequate control systemically, physicians might be able to pursue local therapy.

Resection is still the gold standard, El-Rayes notes. However, in patients who are not fit enough or have extensive liver metastases, resection is not recommended.

Bassel El-Rayes, MD, chief clinical research scientist, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, discusses considerations for locoregional therapy versus resection in patients with colorectal cancer.

Bassel El-Rayes, MD

Articles

Dr. El-Rayes on the Efficacy of Tidutamab in Advanced NETs

Dr. El-Rayes Discusses Methods of Locoregional Therapy in mCRC

Dr. El-Rayes on Locoregional Therapy Versus Resection in CRC