The novel investigational agent TXR-311 has been selected as an in vivo candidate for the potential treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after demonstrating significant efficacy compared with the standard of care in preclinical studies, announced twoXAR Pharmaceuticals.1

TXR-311 has demonstrated activity in validation studies and has selectivity for killing HCC tumor cells. The activity observed with this agent appears greater than with the standard of care treatment, sorafenib (Nexavar). TXR-311 significantly inhibited the growth in 2 xenograft tumor models that were HCC patient-derived, as well as demonstrated efficacy in in vivo studies compared with the standard of care.

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The role of daratumumab (Darzalex) in the setting of multiple myeloma continues to evolve, most recently with the approval of daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj (Darzalex Faspro), which allows subcutaneous dosing of the CD38-targeted monoclonal antibody.1

With several concluded and ongoing phase 3 trials for patients with newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory disease, daratumumab persistently reestablishes itself in the multiple myeloma treatment paradigm, both as monotherapy and in combination with other agents in this setting. Initial FDA approval of the agent occurred in November of 2015, for the indication of relapsed/refractory myeloma.2 In mid-2019, daratumumab received FDA approval in combination with lenalidomide (Revlimid) and dexamethasone as upfront therapy for use in patients with newly diagnosed myeloma who are nontransplant candidates, based on data from the phase 3 MAIA trial (NCT02252172).3

In an interview with Targeted Therapies in Oncology (TTO), C. Ola Landgren, MD, PhD, chief of the Myeloma Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, New York, discussed how the availability of daratumumab by subcutaneous administration will affect clinical practice going forward.

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The coronavirus pandemic, which swept across the New York metropolitan area from March through May, had a paralyzing effect, forcing millions of people to put their plans on hold — including plans for routine physical exams.

That, medical experts said they fear, could put people in jeopardy. Now, they insist, is the time to have exams performed, while Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths are continuing to decline.

Dr. Diane Reidy, a medical oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal cancers, is the associate deputy physician in chief for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Regional Care Network. Patients, she said, have been naturally reluctant to come to hospitals and medical centers, even when experiencing symptoms at times. People delaying treatment, Reidy said, is what doctors are “most nervous about” at the moment.

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