Noted

Monica Bertagnolli, MD, started her tenure as the NCI's 16th director—the first woman to hold this position—on October 3. A surgical oncologist and highly regarded researcher, she has championed integrating tumor-specific biomarkers in clinical trial protocols; her studies of APC and inflammation have also boosted understanding of how colorectal cancer develops.

Seoul, South Korea's LG Chem announced it will acquire Aveo Oncology for $566 million. Aveo markets the VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor tivozanib (Fotivda), which received FDA approval in 2021 to treat adults with relapsed/refractory advanced renal cell carcinoma who have already tried at least two systemic therapies. In addition, Aveo is developing tivozanib for other indications and advancing four IgG1 mAb drug candidates to treat other solid tumors.

The FDA approved tremelimumab (Imjudo; AstraZeneca), a CTLA4 inhibitor, in combination with its PD-L1 inhibitor, durvalumab, for adults with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma. The move was based on overall survival in 782 patients enrolled in the HIMALAYA trial: Patients who received the combination lived a median of 16.4 months compared with 13.8 months in those who received standard sorafenib (Nexavar; Bayer), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Alpine Immune Sciences terminated enrollment in its two clinical studies of davoceticept (ALPN-202), which were assessing the CD28 costimulator and dual checkpoint inhibitor as a monotherapy and in combination with Merck's PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab (Keytruda). The decision followed the death of a second patient from cardiogenic shock in the combination trial.

Seattle Washington's Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center announced that Mike and Jackie Bezos and their family will contribute $710.5 million to the institution to speed research on cancer and infectious diseases. Among other things, the landmark gift will help recruit 36 investigators and their staff; provide funding for lab space, equipment, and technology; and support construction of a research building.

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