What's Happening?
Exelixis, Inc. has announced promising results from a subgroup analysis of the CABINET Phase 3 pivotal trial, which evaluated CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib) against placebo in patients with advanced neuroendocrine
tumors (NET) originating in the lungs or thymus. The trial demonstrated that CABOMETYX reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 81% compared to placebo, with a median progression-free survival of 8.2 months versus 2.7 months for placebo. These findings will be presented at the 2025 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress. The study involved 203 patients with extra-pancreatic NET, including 49 with lung or thymic NET, and highlighted CABOMETYX's potential as a much-needed treatment option for these challenging subtypes.
Why It's Important?
The results from the CABINET trial are significant as they offer a new targeted treatment option for patients with advanced lung and thymic neuroendocrine tumors, which have limited treatment options. The approval of CABOMETYX by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Commission earlier this year underscores its potential to address unmet needs in the NET patient community. This development could improve survival rates and quality of life for patients with these aggressive and difficult-to-treat cancers, potentially setting a new standard in NET treatment protocols.
What's Next?
Exelixis plans to continue serving the NET patient community through ongoing trials, including the STELLAR-311 pivotal trial examining zanzalintinib as a potential first-line therapy. The company is committed to advancing its investigational programs and extending the impact of CABOMETYX. The presentation of detailed results at the ESMO Congress will likely stimulate further research and discussions on the therapeutic potential of cabozantinib in treating various NET subtypes.
Beyond the Headlines
The CABINET trial results may influence future regulatory approvals and treatment guidelines for neuroendocrine tumors, potentially leading to broader acceptance and use of CABOMETYX in clinical practice. The trial's success could also encourage more investment in research and development for rare and aggressive cancer types, highlighting the importance of targeted therapies in oncology.
