Pharma News: Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Daiichi & Summit Updates
- the American Society of clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting is underway, bringing both excitement and apprehension to attendees.
- Despite these worries, the conference showcases potential practice-changing data.
- Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca are presenting new data on Enhertu, perhaps positioning it as a preferred first-line treatment for HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer.
The ASCO 2025 annual meeting bursts with significant pharma news, delivering a whirlwind of updates on cancer treatments. Pfizer’s Braftovi demonstrates unprecedented survival benefits for colon cancer patients with the BRAF 600E mutation, possibly setting a new standard of care. Additionally, Daiichi sankyo and AstraZeneca’s Enhertu shows promise as a potential frist-line treatment for HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer. News Directory 3 provides comprehensive coverage of these breakthroughs and others, like the potential of Gilead Sciences’ Trodelvy and the challenges faced by Summit therapeutics’ lung cancer drug, ivonescimab. Discover what’s next in the fight against cancer.
Optimism and New Data highlight ASCO 2025 Cancer news
Updated May 30, 2025
the American Society of clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting is underway, bringing both excitement and apprehension to attendees. While new studies offer hope in cancer treatment, concerns linger about NIH funding, tariffs, and immigration restrictions impacting the scientific community.
Despite these worries, the conference showcases potential practice-changing data. New drugs are being evaluated across various stages and types of breast cancer, offering renewed hope to patients and healthcare providers. The focus is on immune therapies, including CAR-T cells, T-cell engagers, and bispecific antibodies, which may impact solid tumors. diagnostic and monitoring technologies are also improving early cancer detection.
Several key studies are anticipated at ASCO 2025:
Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca are presenting new data on Enhertu, perhaps positioning it as a preferred first-line treatment for HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer. Gilead Sciences’ Trodelvy, combined with Merck’s Keytruda, shows promise in treating triple-negative breast cancer. Pfizer’s acquisition of a PD1-VEGF antibody from 3SBio is also generating buzz, with early lung cancer data being presented.
AstraZeneca continues its streak with data from the MATTERHORN study, highlighting the benefits of combining Imfinzi with chemotherapy in early-stage gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers. The SERENA-6 study is also testing camizestrant in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.
Pfizer’s braftovi, already granted accelerated approval for a genetically defined form of colon cancer, demonstrated significant benefits. Elena Elez, an oncologist from the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology, presented the BREAKWATER study, noting that the Braftovi combination halved the risk of tumor progression and doubled overall survival. She stated that this regimen should be considered the new standard of care for colon cancer patients with BRAF 600E mutations.
The survival benefit for these colon cancer patients was “unprecedented,” said Elena Elez.
The BREAKWATER study focused on patients with newly diagnosed colon cancer and the BRAF 600E mutation, known for making tumors more aggressive. The study showed a 61% overall response rate with the Braftovi regimen, compared to 40% with the standard regimen alone. pfizer plans to discuss these findings with the FDA to support full approval later this year.
In contrast, a study involving ivermectin, a controversial drug, showed no significant tumor-shrinking capabilities in patients with advanced triple-negative breast cancer. The results indicated no improvement over immunotherapy alone.
Summit Therapeutics, despite not having a formal presence at ASCO, made news with results from its PD1-VEGF antibody, ivonescimab. While the drug delayed lung cancer progression,it has not yet demonstrated a survival benefit,leading to a 25% drop in Summit’s stock price.
What’s next
As ASCO 2025 progresses, the focus remains on the potential of new therapies and technologies to improve cancer treatment outcomes. AstraZeneca is set to conclude the conference with three major presentations, solidifying its presence in the field.