Slamon et al: Ribociclib plus fulvestrant for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative advanced breast cancer in the phase III randomized MONALEESA-3 trial: updated overall survival. Ann Oncol 2021; 32: 1015.

Zusammenfassung: Ribociclib (a cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 inhibitor) plus fulvestrant demonstrated significant progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) benefits in patients with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) advanced breast cancer (ABC). Here we present a new landmark in survival follow-up for the phase III MONALEESA-3 clinical trial. Median OS was 53.7 months (ribociclib) versus 41.5 months (placebo), and hence ca. 12 months longer compared with fulvestrant monotherapy.

COVID-19-Impfstoffe bei Krebspatienten unter Behandlung mit Immuncheckpoint-Inhibitoren

Waissengrin B et al: Short-term safety of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in patients with cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Lancet Oncol 2021; 22: 581.

Zusammenfassung: There are concerns regarding the ability of the Covid vaccines to provoke or enhance immune-related side-effects in patients who are being treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. In this survey 137 (81%) patients received the first vaccination dose, of whom 134 (98%) received the second dose. No new immune-related side effects or exacerbation of existing immune-related side effects were observed. The side-effect profile was similar in the healthy controls.

Lasagna A et al: A snapshot of the immunogenicity, efficacy and safety of a full course of BNT162b2 anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in cancer patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors: a longitudinal cohort study. ESMO Open 2021; 6: 1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esmoop. 2021.100272

Zusammenfassung: Eighty-eight consecutive cancer patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors were enrolled from the beginning of the vaccination campaign for frail patients. The administration of a full course of BNT162b2 vaccine elicited a sustained immune response against SARS-CoV-2 regardless of the type of cancer and/or the type of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Terpos E et al: Low titers of SARS‑CoV‑2 neutralizing antibodies after first vaccination dose in cancer patients receiving checkpoint inhibitors. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14: 86

Zusammenfassung: Study evaluating safety and efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (BNT162b2 and AZD1222) in patients with solid and haematological malignancies under several systemic therapies. The initial results of the cohort of 59 patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors are presented. No new safety issues have been noticed. However, the levels of SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies are significantly lower in comparison to matched healthy volunteers up to day 22 post the first dose.