Highlights and key clinical trial updates from ASCO GI 2022

Melissa Lumish, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, discusses what her highlights were from American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers Symposium 2022 and some of the key clinical trials presented. There were significant trials presented focusing on the incorporation of immune checkpoint inhibitors for various tumors, including the TOPAZ-1 (NCT03875235) clinical trial. The TOPAZ-1 study investigated durvalumab in combination with gemcitabine plus cisplatin for advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC), demonstrating a benefit relative to chemotherapy alone. Data was also presented on the optimization of treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC) in regards to circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and stratifying by age. Patients who are ctDNA-positive following initial treatment had worse outcomes in comparison to those who were ctDNA-negative, however, there are still unanswered questions surrounding the role of ctDNA in guiding treatment across GI cancers. Additionally, data was presented illustrating that intensive therapy may not be advantageous for patients over a particular age limit. Overall, these investigation are determining how to finesse personalized treatment for specific tumor types based on age and other characteristics of disease. This interview took place at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.