The ESMO Gastro Intestinal Cancer Conference (ESMO-GI 2024), held in Munich, Germany from 26 to 29 June 2024, proved to be a successful event in gastric cancer research.
The ESMO-GI 2024 conference exposed different theoretical categories, allowing researchers to present their findings on gastric cancers, including:
- Colon Cancer: Colon cancer research included novel drug combinations like BOT-BAL in the NEST-1 trial, presented by Mehraneh Dorna Jafari (Weill Cornell Medicine- New York, USA). It shows promise for treating resectable colon cancer. Personalized medicine approaches are also being explored to improve patient outcomes.
- Colorectal Cancer: In colorectal cancer, researchers provided information on the use of advanced imaging modalities to better predict treatment outcomes. A pivotal study highlighted the benefits of adding MRI-guided radiotherapy to standard therapy, providing better local disease control and reduced side effects.
- Upper Digestive – Biliary, Ampullary, and Pancreatic Cancer: Researchers presented various new treatment methods. Studies like the TOPAZ trial showed the efficacy of durvalumab + gemcitabine + cisplatin as a first-line treatment for BTC.
Moreover, research on pancreatic cancer emphasized the treatment options for patients suffering from pancreatic cancers. A study focussed on the comparative analysis of NALIRIFOX and Gem+NabP in treatment-naïve patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) aged above 65.
- Upper Digestive – Esophageal and Gastric Cancers: Significant advances were reported in the treatment of esophageal cancer and gastric cancer. A study focused on the use of a monoclonal antibody (Ramucirumab) combined with paclitaxel, which showed a significant reduction in tumor size in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Discussions highlighted the combined feasibility of conventional chemotherapy and immunotherapy to improve treatment efficacy.
- Hepatocellular and Non-Biliary Liver Cancer: Research on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) highlighted the importance of early intervention. A ground-breaking study revealed the use of STRIDE (Single T Regular Interval D) to treat patients with HCC.
- Rare GI Cancers (including GEP-NETs, Endocrine Pancreatic, Duodenal Cancer, Anal Cancer, etc.): The conference provided a forum to discuss the rare gastric cancers, which are often under-represented in major studies. Research on gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) yielded promising results from a novel peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), which significantly improved patient survival. The study shared a ten year follow up data for TEMCAP regimen as first-line therapy in patients with advanced GEP-NETs at a Latin American reference center.
Apart from this, there were discussions that covered a variety of topics including perspectives and social issues of cancer care and recent developments in palliative care.
ESMO-GI 2024: Satellite Symposia
The conference featured satellite lectures that covered specific topics related to gastric cancer. These sessions provided in-depth insights into various aspects of cancer treatment and management, and gave attendees the opportunity to network with experts and gain a broader understanding of emerging trends and challenges. Some notable sessions include:
Treatment goals, clinical endpoints, RCTs, and RWEs: the difficult decision-making process in early-stage HCC
- Held on Wednesday from 12:00 to 13:00 This meeting examined the challenges of making initial treatment decisions about hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Discussions highlighted the importance of aligning treatment goals with clinical endpoints, drawing insights from both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and real-world evidence (RWEs).
- The symposium was fully funded by Eisai.
Improving patient care: A focus on advanced gastrointestinal tract cancer in clinical practice
- This session held on Wednesday, from 12:00 to 13:00, conducted by Sylvie Lorenzen (Rechts der Isar Hospital of the Technical University of Munich).
The discussion focused on advanced gastrointestinal and urinary tract cancers, highlighting practical ways to improve patient care The conference emphasized recent advances and implications for clinical practice.
- Faculty members were Samuel Klempner (Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center- Boston, USA) and Arndt Vogel (Hannover Medical School- Hannover, Germany)
Navigating a new frontier: a real evidence-based approach to advancing labeled GI cancer therapy
- Held on Wednesday from 18:15 to 19:15, presented by Luís Castelo-Branco (IOSI Oncologist Institute of Southern Switzerland), Richard Kim (Moffitt Cancer Center Magnolia Campus, Florida), and Gerald Prager (Medical University of Vienna and Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Austria).
The symposium examined the role of real-world evidence in the treatment of gastric cancer.
Meeting real-life challenges in BRAFV600E mutated mCRC: an experience-based discussion
- This meeting, held on Wednesday from 18:15 to 19:15, presented by Julien Taieb (Université Paris Descartes- Paris, France).
The session focused on the challenges associated with the treatment of BRAFV600E mutated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and provided a effective strategies to overcome these challenges.
Chiara Cremolini (University of Pisa, Italy) and Dominik Modest (Charité – Universitätsmedizin- Berlin, Germany) also provided the insight on BRAFV600E mutated mCRC.
Educational and networking opportunities
In addition to research presentations, ESMO-GI 2024 offered numerous educational sessions, workshops and panel discussions. The event provided attendees with the latest insights into clinical practice guidelines, emerging treatments, and advances in gastric cancer The event also facilitated networking opportunities, and enabled professionals to network, collaborate together, and shared experiences.
ESMO-GI 2024: Key Research Presentations
- Neoadjuvant botensilimab (BOT) plus balstilimab (BAL) in resectable mismatch repair proficient and deficient colorectal cancer: NEST-1 clinical trial. Speaker: Mehraneh Dorna Jafari (Weill Cornell Medicine- New York, USA).
- CD40 agonist mitazalimab combined with mFOLFIRINOX (mFFX) in patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC): Primary analysis of the OPTIMIZE-1 phase Ib/II study. Speaker: Teresa Macarulla Mercade (Vall d’Hebron University Hospital- Barcelona, Spain).
- Neoadjuvant nivolumab plus ipilimumab in microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H)/deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) rectal tumors: ECOG-ACRIN EA2201. Speaker: Kristen K. Ciombor (Vanderbilt University Medical Center- Nashville, USA).
- A PBO-controlled study comparing doses and efficacy of lentinula edodes mycelia for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in colorectal cancer: The LEMON trial. Speaker: Hironaga Satake (Kochi Medical School- Nankoku, Japan).
- Anti-claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) IBI343 in pts (pts) with solid tumors and gastric/gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma (G/GEJ AC): A phase I study. Speaker: Jia Jenny Liu (The Kinghorn Cancer Centre- Darlinghurst, Australia).
- Tislelizumab (TIS) + chemotherapy (CT) vs placebo (PBO) + CT in advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC): PD-L1 biomarker analysis from RATIONALE-306. Speaker: Eric Raymond (Saint-Joseph Hospital- Paris, France).
- A prospective study for real-world data (RWD) of ramucirumab plus paclitaxel in patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (KCSG ST21-06). Speaker: Dae Young Zang (Chonnam National University College of Medicine- Gwangju, South Korea).
- MACROSWITCH: Development and validation of immunocompetent patient-derived organoids for immunotherapy evaluation in colon cancer patients. Speaker:Thomas Miller (Institut Paoli-Calmettes, France).
- Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing in tissue RAS/BRAF wild-type metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC) patients (pts) enrolled in the LIquid BIopsy monoclonal Antibodies (LIBImAb) study. Speaker: Anna Maria Rachiglio (IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione G Pascale, Italy).
- Phase I dose-escalation study of trifluridine/tipiracil plus XB2001 and bevacizumab in chemorefractory advanced colorectal cancer: The TASKIN study. Speaker: Nicolas Roussot (Centre Georges-François Leclerc- Dijon, France)
ESMO-GI 2024: Scientific Co-Chairs and Organizers
The ESMO-GI 2024 was led by three key figures in oncology.
- Michel Ducreux (Gustave Roussy- Villejuif, France)
- Teresa Macarulla (University Hospital of Vall d’Hebron- Barcelona, Spain)
- Eric Van Cutsem (University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium)
ESMO-GI 2024 Event Sponsors:
Platinum sponsors: AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, GSK, Merck, and Servier.
Gold sponsors: Amgen, Astellas Pharma, Bayer, Beigene, Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai, MSD, Pierre Fabre, Roche, and Taiho Oncology Europe.
Silver sponsor: AbbVie Inc.
Bronze sponsors: Agenus, Fresenius Kabi, Incyte, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
