Miami Cancer Institute Presents Latest Research at ASCO Meeting

Physician-investigators at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute have presented groundbreaking findings from multiple clinical trials at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting. Among the key studies highlighted were the ADORATION trial, which examined the combination of a new medication with stereotactic radiation therapy for patients with brain metastases, and research focused on optimizing treatment strategies for women aged 70 and older with breast cancer — a population historically underrepresented in clinical trials.

“Our work, addressing some of oncology’s most pressing challenges, is transforming care, extending lives and improving quality of life,” said Manmeet Ahluwalia, M.D., MBA, FASCO, chief of medical oncology, chief scientific officer and deputy director of Miami Cancer Institute, and the Fernandez Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Cancer Research. “We are proud to be working collaboratively with experts around the world to advance care for patients everywhere.”

ASCO, held May 30-June 4 in Chicago, brings together more than 40,000 oncologists and industry professionals each year to discuss and share their practice-changing research. Significant presentations by Institute physicians included:

·      A Phase I/II Study to Assess Safety and Preliminary Evidence of a Therapeutic Effect of Azeliragon Combined with Stereotactic Radiation Therapy in Patients with Brain Metastases (ADORATION) – Rupesh Kotecha, M.D. “This trial is unique as it is the first trial to test this new pathway inhibitor with stereotactic radiation therapy in patients with brain metastasis,” Dr. Kotecha said. The new regimen, substituting the drug azeliragon for corticosteroids, is showing promise in inhibiting cancer cell growth, overcoming resistance to radiotherapy and protecting against inflammation. “The early response rate appears encouraging and accrual to Phase 2 is ongoing.”

Rupesh Kotecha, M.D., chief of radiosurgery and director of the Central Nervous System Metastasis Program at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute

·      Real-world Evidence from FLEX: Utility of MammaPrint in Guiding Treatment Planning for Patients Aged 70 and Older with Early-stage Breast Cancer — Reshma Mahtani, D.O. “Our findings suggest that MammaPrint, a genomic test that analyzes 70 genes in early-stage breast cancer tumors to determine the risk of cancer recurrence, can help guide chemotherapy decisions in older women. This may spare low-risk patients from unnecessary treatment while identifying those who may benefit from chemotherapy despite their age,” Dr. Mahtani said.

Reshma Mahtani, D.O., chief of breast oncology at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute

·      A Multicenter, Pivotal Trial of Microbubble-enhanced Transcranial Focused Ultrasound (MB-FUS) for Plasma-based Liquid Biopsy in Patients with Glioblastoma (LIBERATE) — Manmeet Ahluwalia, M.D. The trial is testing the ability to identify circulating tumor DNA in patients with glioblastoma using low-intensity focused ultrasound to perform a liquid biopsy of a brain tumor. Patient enrollment is ongoing.

Manmeet Ahluwalia, M.D., MBA, FASCO, chief of medical oncology, chief scientific officer and deputy director of Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, and the Fernandez Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Cancer Research

·      Prognostic Impact of Brain Metastases on Survival Rates in Patients with Metastatic Testicular Cancer: A Comprehensive Registry-based Analysis — Rohan Garje, M.D. A review of 4,076 patients with metastatic testicular cancer showed that those with brain metastasis had a 135 percent increased risk of death compared to those without brain metastasis. The findings highlight the importance of aggressive and tailored treatment strategies, particularly in patients with intermediate- and poor-risk metastatic testicular cancer. 

Rohan Garje, M.D., chief of genitourinary medical oncology at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute

The rapid development of new technologies and new combination therapies is offering new hope to patients facing a cancer diagnosis today. “Our trials contribute to a growing body of research focused on addressing treatment gaps and expanding therapeutic options for patients with few alternatives,” Dr. Ahluwalia said. “We are gaining a much better understanding of cancer, which is leading to more personalized medicine."