ASCO-GI – immuno-oncology makes progress in liver cancer

The tectonic plates in liver cancer could be about to shift again, with Astrazeneca claiming that the results of its Himalaya trial of Imfinzi plus tremelimumab showed an “unprecedented” level of overall survival in the front-line setting.

The findings, presented at Asco-GI this week, are intended to challenge Roche’s Tecentriq, which as part of an Avastin combo is the only other IO drug to carry a first-line label, but which on a cross-trial basis still has the upper hand. Keytruda has been hit with a complete response letter in this setting, leaving Merck & Co fighting it out for second-line use.