Miami Cancer Institute Researchers Share Latest Advances with Oncology Experts at Prestigious ASCO Annual Meeting

Physician-scientists at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute shared their groundbreaking research with oncology experts worldwide at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, May 31-June 4, in Chicago. Their work, which highlighted advances across a variety of cancer types such as brain tumors (glioblastoma and brain metastases), breast cancer, bladder cancer, HPV-related head and neck cancers and more, is leading toward improved outcomes and better quality of life for patients.

“We are honored to be recognized for our outstanding research and for the role we are playing in changing the landscape of cancer care,” said Manmeet Ahluwalia, M.D., MBA, FASCO, chief of medical oncology, chief scientific officer and deputy director of Miami Cancer Institute, and Fernandez Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Cancer Research. Dr. Ahluwalia presented the results of several glioblastoma studies.

ASCO represents nearly 50,000 health professionals who care for people with cancer. The annual meeting is the world’s largest multidisciplinary oncology forum.

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

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with brain metastases

At the meeting, promising data from the international METIS (EF-25) trial was presented by co-principal investigator Minesh Mehta, M.D., deputy director of Miami Cancer Institute, chief of Radiation Oncology at Baptist Health, and professor and chair of Radiation Oncology at Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.

The findings showed that Tumor Treating Fields (TTF) following stereotactic radiosurgery significantly prolonged time to intracranial progression of brain metastases in mutation negative NSCLC patients. TTFields are electrical signals delivered non-invasively to the tumor site through transducer patches attached to the scalp.

Minesh Mehta, M.D., deputy director of Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, chief of Radiation Oncology at Baptist Health, and professor and chair of Radiation Oncology at Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

“While there is more data analysis to be done, the median time to intracranial progression with best supportive care was 11.3 months, while the median time to intracranial progression with best supportive care plus TTFields was 21.9 months,” Dr. Mehta said. The study also revealed that TTFields therapy did not negatively impact cognition and improved quality of life measures such as deterioration-free survival of global health status, physical functioning and fatigue.

Brain metastases are among the most debilitating events for cancer patients and shorten life span significantly. With estimates of the numbers of cases each year ranging between 100,000 and 300,000 in the U.S., the need for additional treatments is considerable. Upwards of one-third of NSCLC patients present with brain metastases at the time of diagnosis.

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

Other brain metastases treatment advances

Radiation oncologist Rupesh Kotecha, M.D., chief of radiosurgery and director of the Central Nervous System Metastasis Program at Miami Cancer Institute, updated specialists on a brain metastases study that uses a new medication combined with stereotactic radiosurgery. The aim is to unveil innovative therapies capable of diminishing tumors and preventing the brain inflammation that can follow radiation therapy, as well as potentially protecting neurocognitive function.

Yazmin Odia, M.D., chief of neuro-oncology at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute

“The study is the first of its kind in the world,” said Dr. Kotecha, co-principal investigator along with Yazmin Odia, M.D., chief of neuro-oncology at Miami Cancer Institute. “This is an exciting new combinatorial regimen. In patients with brain metastasis treated with radiotherapy, it has the potential to overcome cancer’s resistance pathways and improve response rates.”

“Our research in the area of brain tumors is cutting edge,” Dr. Ahluwalia said. “Many of these studies are landmark studies that are transforming care, extending lives and improving quality of life.”

ADC therapies for breast cancer

Reshma Mahtani, D.O., chief of breast medical oncology at Miami Cancer Institute, was co-first-author of a study on the sequential use of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) in patients with metastatic breast cancer. ADCs combine an antibody that targets a protein on the cancer cell, along with potent chemotherapy drugs. They are known as Trojan horses because they deliver anti-cancer treatments directly into tumors. Some ADCs have the additional ability to kill off neighboring cancer cells, even though they have a lower expression level of the target.

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

Dr. Mahtani is principal investigator of an upcoming multi-institutional breast cancer clinical trial that will build upon the study presented at ASCO. The new trial will clarify the optimal sequencing of ADCs, which will spare toxicities of therapies to patients who are not likely to benefit and help develop even more-personalized treatment approaches.

Dr. Mahtani also led a poster presentation about shared decision-making between breast cancer care teams and their patients. The study, at five community cancer clinics, highlighted the misalignment in treatment goals between breast cancer patients and healthcare professionals and provided a downloadable toolkit for educational purposes.