ASCO 2026 Day 3 Highlights
Sunday 31st May
A Transformative Advance in Pancreatic Cancer: Targeting RAS in PDAC
Results of RASolute-302: A phase 3 trial of daraxonrasib versus chemotherapy in metastatic PDAC
RASolute-302 delivered one of the most significant developments in pancreatic cancer presented at ASCO 2026, demonstrating the potential of RAS-targeted therapy in a disease that has historically been associated with limited treatment options and poor outcomes.
Daraxonrasib, a first-in-class RAS(ON) inhibitor, met its primary and key secondary endpoints, delivering statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements across multiple efficacy measures:
- Median overall survival (OS) doubled: 13.2 months versus 6.7 months (HR 0.40)
- Median progression-free survival (PFS) more than doubled: approximately 7.2–7.3 months versus 3.5–3.6 months
- Objective response rate (ORR) nearly tripled: approximately 31–33% versus 11–12%
- Significant delays in deterioration of pain and quality of life
- Lower rates of grade ≥3 adverse events and treatment discontinuation compared with chemotherapy
Notably, treatment benefit was observed in both the RAS-mutant population and the overall study population, including patients without an identified RAS mutation, suggesting broader clinical activity than previously anticipated.
In a setting where therapeutic progress has been challenging and outcomes remain poor, these results have the potential to reshape expectations for metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), providing important clinical validation for targeting RAS signalling pathways in this disease.
While the data suggest broad applicability, understanding tumor biology and RAS mutation status remains critical. As targeted treatment strategies continue to evolve, comprehensive biomarker testing will play an increasingly important role in identifying appropriate patients, informing treatment decisions, and supporting optimal clinical outcomes.
We are excited to see these results and are proud to have supported the Revolution Medicines industry symposium at AMP (Association of Molecular Pathology) last year, where the role of biomarkers in pancreatic cancer and the future of RAS-targeted therapies were key areas of discussion.
As the field advances, ensuring patients are accurately identified, tested, and matched to the most appropriate therapies will be essential to translating scientific innovation into real-world patient impact.
Redefining Curative Intent in High-Risk Prostate Cancer
Results of PROTEUS: A phase 3 trial of perioperative apalutamide plus ADT
The PROTEUS trial represents a long-awaited breakthrough in high-risk localized prostate cancer, demonstrating that intensifying treatment around surgery can significantly improve outcomes.
- ~9-fold increase in pathologic complete response/minimal residual disease: 8.9% vs 1.0%
- 20% reduction in risk of metastasis or death (HR 0.80)
- Improved 5-year metastasis-free survival: 78.2% vs 73.5%
- Significant delay in need for subsequent therapy
For the first time, a perioperative systemic therapy strategy has demonstrated both improved early tumor response and meaningful long-term outcomes in this setting.
PROTEUS highlights a broader shift toward earlier intervention with effective systemic therapies, underpinned by improved risk stratification and patient selection. The integration of imaging and prospective biomarker collection within the trial also signals the growing importance of data-driven approaches in optimizing curative strategies.
Targeted Therapy Advances in Rare Cancers: CDK4 Inhibition in Liposarcoma
Results of SARC-041: A phase 3 trial of abemaciclib in dedifferentiated liposarcoma
In a rare and difficult-to-treat cancer, SARC-041 provides the first phase 3 evidence supporting a targeted therapy approach.
- Median PFS improved significantly: 9.7 vs 1.5 months
- 62% reduction in risk of progression or death (HR 0.38)
- A trend toward improved overall survival, with a 45% reduction in risk of death despite crossover
- Greater benefit observed when used earlier in treatment
These findings establish CDK4 inhibition as a clinically meaningful strategy in dedifferentiated liposarcoma, where treatment options have historically been limited.
The study also underscores the importance of identifying molecular drivers, even in rare cancers, to unlock new therapeutic opportunities. Ongoing work to identify predictive biomarkers may further refine patient selection and maximize benefit.
Expanding Precision Medicine into Early-Stage Lung Cancer
Results of LIBRETTO-432: A phase 3 trial of adjuvant selpercatinib in RET fusion–positive NSCLC
LIBRETTO-432 demonstrates the continued shift of targeted therapies into earlier stages of disease with the potential to improve cure rates.
- Significant improvement in event-free survival (EFS): HR ~0.17
- 24-month EFS rate: ~92% vs ~61% with placebo
- Consistent benefit across study populations
- Manageable safety profile aligned with previous studies
This marks the first phase 3 trial to show benefit for a RET inhibitor in the adjuvant setting and highlights a critical gap in care for this molecular subgroup.
The findings reinforce the growing need for comprehensive biomarker testing across all stages of NSCLC, as identifying actionable alterations earlier in the patient journey becomes increasingly important to guide treatment decisions and improve long-term outcomes.
Improving Survival in Advanced Squamous NSCLC with Novel Immunotherapy Combinations
Results of HARMONi-6 (LBA4): A phase 3 trial of ivonescimab plus chemotherapy
HARMONi-6 introduces a novel bispecific antibody approach targeting both PD-1 and VEGF, demonstrating meaningful survival gains in advanced squamous NSCLC.
- Median OS extended beyond 2 years: 27.9 vs 23.7 months (HR 0.66)
- Benefit observed across all key subgroups, including PD-L1–negative patients
- Manageable safety profile consistent with mechanism of action
This represents one of the few trials in this population to achieve median survival beyond two years, highlighting the potential of dual-mechanism immunotherapy strategies.
However, results from a geographically limited population emphasize the need for further validation in broader, more diverse patient cohorts.
Meet Diaceutics at ASCO 2026
Schedule a meeting with our team at ASCO 2026 to discover how we help you unlock the full potential of diagnostic-driven therapies. Operating at the intersection of data, science, and commercial strategy, we address the real-world challenges limiting therapy uptake, helping you identify missed patients, optimize diagnostic pathways, and act at the moments that matter most.
Contact Us to discover more about:
• Our Intelligence Solutions, enabling you to turn diagnostic and healthcare data from our extensive lab ecosystem into decision-ready intelligence, revealing where clinical practice gaps exist, where eligible patients remain undiscovered, and where action can make a difference to therapy uptake.
• Our Engagement Solutions - enabling you to activate timely, targeted engagements to close clinical practice gaps and get more patients on the right therapy. Driven by diagnostic and healthcare data from our extensive lab ecosystem, digital activation targets the HCPs and labs shaping care within 24 hours of a diagnostic event.
References:
RASolute-302: A phase 3 trial of daraxonrasib versus chemotherapy in metastatic PDAC: https://www.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/268016
Results of PROTEUS: A phase 3 trial of perioperative apalutamide plus ADT: Perioperative (neoadjuvant and adjuvant) apalutamide (APA) + androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) vs placebo (PBO) + ADT with radical prostatectomy (RP) in high-risk localized or locally advanced prostate cancer (HR LPC/LAPC): Final analysis of the PROTEUS phase 3 study. - ASCO
Results of SARC-041: A phase 3 trial of abemaciclib in dedifferentiated liposarcoma: SARC041: A phase 3 randomized double-blind study of abemaciclib versus placebo in patients with advanced dedifferentiated liposarcoma. - ASCO
LIBRETTO-432: Selpercatinib Improves Clinical Outcomes in Early-Stage NSCLC With RET Fusions: Event-free survival with adjuvant selpercatinib in stage IB-IIIA <em>RET </em>fusion-positive NSCLC: Primary results of the phase 3 LIBRETTO-432 trial. - ASCO
HARMONi-6: Ivonescimab + Chemo Improves OS Versus Tislelizumab + Chemo in Previously Untreated Advanced Squamous NSCLC: HARMONi-6: Ivonescimab + Chemo Improves OS Versus Tislelizumab + Chemo in Previously Untreated Advanced Squamous NSCLC
