Dr. Alistar on the Need to Develop Biomarkers in Pancreatic Cancer

Angela Tatiana Alistar, MD, medical oncologist, Atlantic Hematology Oncology, Atlantic Medical Group, medical director, GI Medical Oncology, Phase 1 Breakthrough Center, Morristown Medical Center, Atlantic Health System, discusses the need to develop biomarkers in pancreatic cancer.

At the 2020 ASCO Virtual Scientific Program, initial findings from a phase 1 study (NCT03435289) of devimistat (CPI-613) in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane) showed promising synergistic activity and manageable toxicities in patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Historically, biomarker identification has been an area of unmet need in pancreatic cancer, says Alistar.

Future research efforts should aim to develop a predictive biomarker to inform whether patients are likely to respond to the investigational combination, concludes Alistar.