Dr. Shah on Biomarkers in Gastric/GEJ Cancer

Manish A. Shah, MD, Bartlett Family Associate Professor Gastrointestinal Oncology at Weill Cornell Medical College and associate attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, discusses biomarkers in gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer.

One of the key biomarkers being explored in gastric/GEJ cancer is Claudin 18.2, which binds cells together, explains Shah. When cancers develop, they lose their cell interaction, exposing the protein. An antibody against Claudin 18.2, called IMAB362, binds to Claudin 18.2 and activates an immune response, according to Shah. This antibody is now being evaluated in 2 registrational studies.

There is also potential to target biomarkers with antibody-drug conjugates, says Shah. Ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1; Kadcyla) is approved for use in breast cancer and has also shown activity in HER2-overexpressing tumors in gastric cancer; however, there is not much activity in HER2 low-expressing tumors. Instead, a new compound called [fam-] trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201) might be more effective, concludes Shah.