OncLive® On Air S12 Ep28: Ivonescimab Improves PFS vs Pembrolizumab in Advanced PD-L1+ NSCLC: With Xiuning Le, MD, PhD
Mar 24, 2025
Xiuning Le, MD, PhD, is an associate professor specializing in lung cancer at MD Anderson Cancer Center. In this discussion, he dives into the promising results of ivonescimab for PD-L1-positive non-small cell lung cancer, highlighting its significant increase in progression-free survival compared to pembrolizumab. Dr. Le explains the trial's design, the unique targeting mechanisms of ivonescimab, and its potential to enhance treatment outcomes, while acknowledging the need for further research to solidify its role in modern cancer therapy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Dual PD‑1 And VEGF Targeting
- Xiuning Le explains ivenesimib binds PD‑1 on one arm and VEGFA on the other, creating a bispecific antibody that targets immunity and tumor vasculature.
- The dual mechanism aims to remodel the tumor microenvironment and enhance response to immunotherapy.
Why Test Against Pembrolizumab
- Xiuning Le says VEGF inhibition can potentiate PD‑1 blockade, providing biological rationale to test ivanesimab against pembrolizumab.
- The HARMONi‑2 trial asks whether that potentiation translates into longer PFS and possible overall survival benefit.
China‑Only, Double‑Blind Design
- Xiuning Le describes HARMONi‑2 as a randomized, double‑blind, China‑only trial of 398 treatment‑naive advanced NSCLC patients with ≥1% PD‑L1 and no EGFR/ALK alterations.
- Each arm had about 200 patients with balanced baseline characteristics like PD‑L1 distribution, age, gender, and performance status.