Impact of Zolbetuximab on Gastric Cancer Treatment

Sam Cytryn, MD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the impact of the October 2024 FDA approval of zolbetuximab for first-line treatment of advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas, emphasizing its role in a personalized approach to care. According to Dr. Cytryn, zolbetuximab addresses key gaps in treatment by targeting claudin 18.2, particularly in PD-L1-negative or low-expressing tumors. Dr. Cytryn highlights the practical challenges of integrating claudin testing and managing unique gastrointestinal side effects, while balancing the drug’s benefits, including improved progression-free and overall survival. Looking ahead, he explores the future of claudin-targeted therapies, combination regimens with immunotherapy, and the broader implications of this first-in-class therapy in advancing precision oncology.