Additional Noteworthy Studies to be Presented During 2025 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Seven studies exploring new approaches for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers will be presented at the upcoming 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, taking place in San Francisco, CA, and online, January 23-25.

ASCO Experts are available to provide outside commentary and perspective on the studies below. Contact the ASCO Media Team to schedule an interview.

Abstract LBA329: Preliminary results from the multicenter, randomized phase III trial (SCIENCE): Comparing chemotherapy plus sintilimab and chemoradiotherapy plus sintilimab versus chemoradiotherapy for neoadjuvant treatment in resectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Abstract presentation part of session beginning at 2:00 p.m. PT on Thursday, January 23.
"This study addresses the persistent challenge of high post-surgical recurrence rates in resectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, despite the adoption of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CROSS and NEOCRTEC5010) as the current standard of care. It investigates the potential of integrating immune checkpoint inhibitors like sintilimab with standard treatments to enhance therapeutic efficacy. Notably, this is the first three-arm randomized trial to evaluate immune checkpoint inhibitor-based combination treatment modalities against the standard neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The findings suggest that integrating immune checkpoint inhibitors into neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy protocols could substantially improve long-term survival rates by elevating the pathologic complete response rate and reducing recurrence and possibly enabling organ preservation. This innovative approach of the integration of immunotherapy with chemoradiotherapy could lead to more personalized and effective treatment strategies, ultimately translating to better patient outcomes over time," said lead study author Xuefeng Leng, MD, PhD.

Abstract LBA522: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with camrelizumab and apatinib versus TACE alone in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma eligible for embolization: A multicenter, open-label, randomized, phase 2 study (CAP-ACE).
Abstract presentation part of session beginning at 9:15 a.m. PT on Friday, January 24.
"With the advent of immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma, the treatment landscape of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma is embraced with opportunities. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been established as a standard treatment for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. However, there remains a clinical unmet need for improved survival benefits. Evidence indicates that combining TACE with immunotherapy-based treatments potentially improves the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma by activating the immune system and inhibiting tumor neovascularization. The study showed a clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in the primary endpoint of progression-free survival for those with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who received TACE + camrelizumab + rivoceranib versus TACE alone. The trend in overall survival benefit was also observed with the combination of TACE + camrelizumab + rivoceranib. With increasing evidence demonstrating improvement in survival by combining local-regional therapies with immunotherapy and target therapy, the combined TACE with immunotherapy plus targeted therapy is becoming a new option for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma," said lead study author Gao-Jun Teng.

Abstract 19: Single-cycle neoadjuvant pembrolizumab in patients with stage I-III MMR-deficient colon cancer: Final analysis of the RESET-C study.
Abstract presentation part of session beginning at 9:15 a.m. PT on Saturday, January 25.
"Neoadjuvant immunotherapy has shown impressive results in patients with localized deficient mismatch repair colorectal cancer. However, the optimal treatment duration, regimen and response is not yet established. Our results show that most patients with clinical stage 1-2 dMMR colon cancer are only in need of one single dose pembrolizumab thereby reducing the risk of toxicity - not just for the patient but financially as well. By integrating clinical, pathological, and molecular information, we hope to identify patients that have achieved a pathologic complete response and thus are not in need of surgery - thereby paving the path for a future watch-and-wait strategy in localized deficient mismatch repair colorectal cancer," said lead study author Camilla Qvortrup.

"A single cycle of neoadjuvant pembrolizumab was efficacious and safe in patients with localized deficient mismatch repair colon cancer. For most patients with clinical stage I-II disease, a single cycle sufficed to achieve pathologic complete response," said ASCO Expert Pamela Kunz.

Abstract 21: WW vs TME in patients with rectal cancer with a complete or near-complete response to TNT: Pooled analysis of CAO/ARO/AIO-12 and OPRA trials.
Abstract presentation part of session beginning at 9:15 a.m. PT on Saturday, January 25.

Abstract LBA143: First results of nivolumab plus ipilimumab vs nivolumab monotherapy for microsatellite instability-high/mismatch repair-deficient metastatic colorectal cancer from CheckMate 8HW.
Abstract presentation part of session beginning at 1:00 p.m. PT on Saturday, January 25.
"At the first prespecified interim analysis, CheckMate 8HW met its primary endpoint showing superior progression free survival with nivolumab-plus-ipilimumab compared with investigator's choice chemotherapy in the first-line setting with a 24-month progression-free survival rate of 72% (versus 14% with chemotherapy in patients with centrally confirmed microsatellite instability-high/mismatch repair-deficient). At this new prespecified interim analysis of the other dual primary, the high three-year progression free survival rate (68%) in the nivolumab and ipilumumab arm is very encouraging and indicates durable progression free survival benefit. In addition, the high overall response rate and particularly high complete response rate, with the long duration of response in this study suggests cure may be achieved in a percentage of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer microsatellite instability-high/mismatch repair-deficient treated with nivolumab and ipilumumab," said lead study author Thierry Andre, MD.

Abstract 15: Circulating tumor DNA for detection of molecular residual disease in patients with stage II/III colorectal cancer: Final analysis of the BESPOKE CRC sub-cohort.
Abstract presentation part of session beginning at 1:00 p.m. PT on Saturday, January 25.
"The results from the BESPOKE trial support a growing body of literature that ctDNA positivity is prognostic of disease free survival in a subset of patients with stages II-III colorectal cancer", said ASCO Expert Pamela Kunz.

Abstract 16: BREAKWATER: Analysis of first-line encorafenib + cetuximab + chemotherapy in BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer.
Abstract presentation part of session beginning at 1:00 p.m. PT on Saturday, January 25.

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ATTRIBUTION TO THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY GASTROINTESTINAL CANCERS SYMPOSIUM IS REQUESTED IN ALL COVERAGE.

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