A recent phase 2 randomized clinical trial has revealed encouraging results for patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer. The FIGHT study evaluated a new drug called bemarituzumab in combination with chemotherapy (mFOLFOX6) for patients whose tumors are HER-2-negative and test positive for a specific protein called FGFR2b.
Key Findings
- Delayed Cancer Progression: Patients receiving bemarituzumab plus chemotherapy lived longer without their cancer progressing (9.5 months) compared to those receiving chemotherapy alone (7.4 months).
- Overall Survival Benefit: The combination treatment also showed a trend towards improved median overall survival (19.2 months vs. 13.5 months).
- Targeted Approach: The benefits were most pronounced in patients whose tumors had high levels of FGFR2b protein ( ≥10% of tumor cells).
- Safety: No unexpected side effects were reported with the new combination.
About FGFR2b
The body has many ways to control cell growth, including a system called the fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) pathway. In some cancers, this pathway can become overactive, leading to uncontrolled cell growth. One part of this pathway, called FGFR2b, is found in the cells that line organs like the stomach and skin. In about 30% of stomach and esophageal cancers that do not have high levels of a protein called HER2, FGFR2b is present in unusually high amounts. This overexpression of FGFR2b is also seen in several other types of cancer. Researchers are studying FGFR2b because its presence in high amounts may affect how cancer grows and responds to treatment. Understanding FGFR2b could lead to new ways to diagnose and treat certain cancers, especially those of the stomach and esophagus.
About Bemarituzumab
Bemerituzumab (anti-FGFR2b) is a targeted antibody that blocks fibroblast growth factors from binding and activating FGFR2b, inhibiting several downstream pathways. Blocking FGFR2b activation is thought to slow cancer progression.
What This Study Means for Patients
This study suggests that combining bemarituzumab with mFOLFOX6 led to a numerically longer median progression free survival and overall survival compared with mFOLFOX6 alone in HER-2-negative, FGFR2b-positive advanced gastric cancer.
Looking Ahead
While these results are promising, larger phase 3 trials are currently underway to confirm the benefits of this treatment approach. Patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer may want to discuss FGFR2b testing and potential clinical trial opportunities with their oncologists. This research represents an important step towards more personalized and effective treatments for gastric cancer patients.
More Reading
Diagnosed with Gastric Cancer? 10 tips on How to Get the Most From Your Doctor
Gastric Cancer Treatment Overviews
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Reference:
Wainberg ZA, Kang YK, Lee KW, et al. Bemarituzumab as first-line treatment for locally advanced or metastatic gastric/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: final analysis of the randomized phase 2 FIGHT trial. Gastric Cancer. 2024 May;27(3):558-570.
