AACR in 30 Seconds: CAR-T promise, Merck’s new move, rural health

Angus Chen reports on a wide range of cancer-related topics, including drugs, policy, science, and equity. He started working with STAT in 2021 after his tenure at NPR and its affiliated stations, where he focused on health and science. His contributions have been honored with national Edward R. Murrow awards, the June L. Biedler prize for cancer journalism, among others. Angus can be reached on Signal at angus.08.

Damian Garde serves as a reporter at large, specializing in live and feature journalism, and covers the global drug industry while contributing to STAT’s leading events in the industry.

This is the web version of STAT’s popup newsletter, AACR in 30 seconds, which provides insights into the American Association of Cancer Researchers’ annual meeting. You can sign up here.

We’re returning with more insights from the AACR meeting! Today’s highlights include an initial look at a drug acquired by Merck from China, an intriguing yet possibly contentious application for CAR-T, and the geographical challenges facing American oncology. Remember: Tuesday night, we will host a live event in San Diego, followed by a virtual recap of the AACR conference on Thursday.

CAR-T demonstrates significant response in smoldering myeloma

In an early-stage trial, researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute administered Carvykti, a BCMA-targeted CAR-T therapy, to 20 high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma patients. The aim was to apply the immunotherapy to individuals with the precursor condition to multiple myeloma, with the intention of preventing the development of active cancer in those at high risk of progression.