What's Happening?
Exelixis, Inc. has announced promising results from a subgroup analysis of its Phase 3 CABINET trial, which evaluated the efficacy of CABOMETYX (cabozantinib) in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors (NET). The trial demonstrated that CABOMETYX significantly
reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 74% in non-functional NET and 60% in functional NET compared to placebo. The study involved 298 patients with either pancreatic or extra-pancreatic NET, who were randomized to receive either CABOMETYX or a placebo. The results showed a substantial improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) for patients treated with CABOMETYX, with median PFS increasing threefold in non-functional NET and more than doubling in functional NET. These findings were presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.
Why It's Important?
The results from the CABINET trial are significant as they reinforce CABOMETYX as a viable treatment option for patients with advanced NET, a group that often has limited therapeutic options. The ability of CABOMETYX to delay disease progression in both functional and non-functional NET could lead to improved patient outcomes and quality of life. This development is particularly important given the increasing incidence of NET in the U.S., affecting an estimated 161,000 to 192,000 people. The trial's findings may influence treatment protocols and offer a new standard of care for this patient population, addressing a critical unmet need in oncology.
What's Next?
Following the positive results of the CABINET trial, Exelixis plans to continue its efforts to improve treatment standards for NET. The company is also exploring the potential of zanzalintinib, another investigational oral kinase inhibitor, in early treatment lines through the ongoing STELLAR-311 pivotal trial. These efforts could further expand the therapeutic options available for NET patients and potentially lead to new drug approvals. The safety profile of CABOMETYX observed in the trial was consistent with previous studies, suggesting it could be integrated into existing treatment regimens with manageable side effects.
