Ep 25: Best of ASCO 2024 with Jeff Weber

We dedicate this episode to our friend and colleague, Prof Jeff Weber (1952 - 2024). In this conversation, Jeff discusses the best of ASCO 2024 for melanoma and skin cancers. He presents the findings of the V940 trial, which showed a benefit in recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival for a personalized mRNA neoantigen vaccine combined with pembrolizumab. He also discusses the potential of flip-dose ipi nivo toci and the future of adjuvant therapy. The conversation also covers the results of the NADINA trial, which showed promising event-free survival data for neoadjuvant PD-1 therapy. Jeff Weber shares his thoughts on the use of personalized vaccines in neoadjuvant and metastatic settings. Keywords ASCO 2024, melanoma, skin cancers, V940 trial, personalized mRNA neoantigen vaccine, Pembrolizumab, flip-dose ipi nivo toci, adjuvant therapy, NADINA trial, neoadjuvant PD-1 therapy, personalized vaccines, metastatic settings Takeaways The V940 trial demonstrated a benefit in recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival for a personalized mRNA neoantigen vaccine combined with Pembrolizumab. Flip-dose ipi nivo toci shows promise in reducing toxicity associated with immune agents. The NADINA trial showed promising event-free survival data for neoadjuvant PD-1 therapy. The use of personalized vaccines in neoadjuvant and metastatic settings holds potential for improving outcomes in melanoma and skin cancers. Takeaways The V940 trial demonstrated a benefit in recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival for a personalized mRNA neoantigen vaccine combined with pembrolizumab. Flip-dose ipi nivo toci shows promise in reducing toxicity associated with immune agents. The NADINA trial showed promising event-free survival data for neoadjuvant PD-1 therapy. The use of personalized vaccines in neoadjuvant and metastatic settings holds potential for improving outcomes in melanoma and skin cancers. Sound Bites "V940 or KEYNOTE 942 was a randomized phase 2 trial... showing a benefit in terms of recurrence-free survival." "Any strategy that'll decrease toxicity will be welcomed." "NADINA had definitely one of the worst kept secrets in oncology... it's going to be a positive study." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:20 Summary of the V940 Trial 08:18 Flip-Dose Ipi Nivo Toci and Reducing Toxicity 12:01 Promising Results from the NADINA Trial 14:29 The Future of Personalized Vaccines 16:21 Neoadjuvant and Metastatic Settings