Welcome to The Five Under 5, your go-to roundup of the top 5 videos of the week.
These short videos are designed for busy oncologists to view on the go, and feature expert insights on breaking news, regulatory updates, practice-changing data shared at medical meetings, and other key topics in the realm of oncology.
Here’s what you may have missed:
FDA Approval of Subcutaneous Daratumumab With VRd For Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: Marc J. Braunstein, MD, PhD
Marc J. Braunstein, MD, PhD, of the NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, discusses the FDA approval of daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj (Darzalex Faspro) plus bortezomib (Velcade), lenalidomide (Revlimid), and dexamethasone (VRd) for patients with transplant-ineligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. The regulatory decision was based on data from the phase 3 CEPHEUS trial (NCT03652064), which showed significantly higher minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity rates with Darzalex Faspro plus VRd vs VRd alone, at 52.3% and 34.8%, respectively (P = .0005). The daratumumab-based quadruplet also significantly improved progression-free survival, with a hazard ratio of 0.60. Braunstein emphasized that these findings align with data from transplant-eligible populations and support broader frontline use of anti-CD38 quadruplet regimens irrespective of transplant intent.
GLORA-4 Trial of Lisaftoclax Plus Azacitidine in High-Risk MDS: Guillermo Garcia-Manero, MD
Guillermo Garcia-Manero, MD, of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the rationale for examining lisaftoclax (APG-2575) plus azacitidine (Vidaza) in patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) as part of the phase 3 GLORA-4 trial (NCT06641414). He explained that lisaftoclax, a BCL-2 inhibitor similar to venetoclax (Venclexta), has a distinct pharmacologic profile with fewer drug interactions and a potentially improved safety profile. The trial design was informed by data from the phase 3 VERONA study (NCT04401748), which failed to show an overall survival (OS) benefit with venetoclax plus azacitidine. GLORA-4 uses dual primary end points of complete remission rate and OS to assess whether this combination can meaningfully improve outcomes in high-risk MDS.
Data Interpretation Standards in ctDNA+ CRC Clinical Trials: Kanwal Raghav, MBBS, MD
Kanwal P.S. Raghav, MBBS, MD, of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the importance of stringent efficacy and safety thresholds when interpreting circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)–guided clinical trials in colorectal cancer (CRC). He noted that most patients with MRD are asymptomatic, making treatment-related toxicity a critical consideration in this setting. Although ctDNA-positive patients face a high risk of recurrence, Raghav emphasized that therapies must offer a realistic chance of cure to justify the added toxicity. He referenced safety findings from a phase 1 study (NCT05029882) of telisotuzumab adizutecan (ABBV-400), in which grade 3 or higher treatment-emergent adverse effects (AEs) occurred in 71% of patients with CRC.
Efficacy of Giredestrant in ER+, HER2-Negative Early Breast Cancer: Aditya Bardia, MD, MPH, FASCO
Aditya Bardia, MD, MPH, FASCO, of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses efficacy and safety data from the phase 3 lidERA trial (NCT04961996) examining giredestrant (GDC-9545) in patients with stage I to III estrogen receptor–positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. The trial showcased a statistically significant improvement in invasive disease-free survival with giredestrant compared with standard endocrine therapy (HR, 0.70; P = .0014). Giredestrant also improved distant recurrence-free interval and was found to have a favorable tolerability profile, with fewer treatment discontinuations due to AEs. Bardia highlighted that giredestrant potentially offers a novel and better-tolerated endocrine therapy option for this population.
Accuracy and Feasibility of Self-Collected HPV Testing in Cervical Cancer: Robert Neff, MD
Robert Neff, MD, of the Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center—James, discusses emerging evidence supporting self-collected high-risk human papillomavirus testing as a viable cervical cancer screening strategy. He noted that updated guidelines now endorse self-collection for women between the ages of 30 and 65 years, citing data showing comparable accuracy to clinician-collected samples. Self-collection may improve screening adherence among those who avoid pelvic exams, although shorter screening intervals are currently recommended due to the lack of visual examination. Neff underscored that broader adoption is expected as insurance coverage expands in 2027, potentially improving population-level screening outcomes.
