Anbenitamab in previously treated HER2-positive gastric cancer

New data from a phase III clinical trial, recently published on Annals of Oncology, show that anbenitamab, a bispecific anti-HER2 antibody, improves progression-free survival and overall survival when added to chemotherapy in HER2-positive gastric cancer previously treated with trastuzumab.

In this phase III trial conducted in 51 sites in China, a total of 188 patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer or gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma progressing after a therapy with trastuzumab were randomized to receive chemotherapy or chemotherapy plus anbenitamab every 3 weeks. At the prespecified interim analysis, median progression-free survival was 7.1 months with anbenitamab plus chemotherapy versus 2.7 months with chemotherapy alone; overall survival was 19.6 months versus 11.5 months, respectively. Grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events were generally consistent with the known safety profile of chemotherapy and anbenitamab, occurred in 60% of patients treated with anbenitamab and chemotherapy and 45% of patients treated with chemotherapy alone. As authors conclude, «Compared with chemotherapy alone, anbenitamab plus chemotherapy was associated with clinically meaningful improvements in progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer or gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma a whose previous therapy containing trastuzumab had failed. These positive findings, along with a favorable safety profile, suggest that anbenitamab in combination with chemotherapy may offer a promising treatment option for these patients. It thereby establishes a foundation for subsequent head-to-head comparative studies against updated standard regimens, including those containing ramucirumab».