Miguel Esperança Martins

[Cancer Research Communications @CRC_AACR]

Recently published:
Succinate Dehydrogenase B (SDHB) Overexpression with Enzymatic Dysfunction Defines a Distinct Subtype of Undifferentiated Pleomorphic #Sarcoma https://t.co/H8wT72xKhQ
@MiguelEspMartin @bvantine1 #Sarcomas #OpenAccess

[Cancers MDPI @Cancers_MDPI]

📜Use of unsupervised ML models to analyze RNA-seq data from over 100 high-grade soft tissue #sarcoma samples identifies 4 subtypes with superlative prognostic (OS and DFS) and predictive value
👨‍⚕️by Miguel Esperança Martins, et al. @MiguelEspMartin
Link👉 https://t.co/RAqgrcyOhd

[Miguel Esperança Martins @MiguelEspMartin]

Use of unsupervised machine learning models to analyze RNA-seq data from over 100 high-grade soft tissue sarcoma samples identifies 4 subtypes with superlative prognostic (OS and DFS) and predictive value. https://t.co/YZ2K0SmpLZ

[medRxiv @medrxivpreprint]

Machine learning-based analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data unveils sarcoma clusters with superlative prognostic and predictive value https://t.co/cPhs2yEFU9 #medRxiv

[OncoDaily @oncodaily]

📌ASCO24 Updates: Transforming Sarcoma Classification: Molecular vs. Morphological Models
@ASCO @MiguelEspMartin

https://t.co/vCwsp7FoVq

#ASCO24 #Sarcoma #Cancer #MedEd #MedNews #Health #Medicine #MedTwitter #OncoDaily #Oncology

[Miguel Esperança Martins @MiguelEspMartin]

It is a pleasure to present and discuss our breakthrough work on a new molecular based classification for soft tissue sarcomas (developed using the extraordinary power of sequencing and the outstanding contribution of artificial intelligence algorithms) at ASCO 2024!

[Miguel Esperança Martins @MiguelEspMartin]

@bvantine1

[Miguel Esperança Martins @MiguelEspMartin]

I had the honor of writing one of this month’s ASCO Daily News editorials with Brian Van Tine. Find our perspective on the conceptual clinical utility and technical particularities of ctDNA use for translocations and fusions monitoring in Sarcomas.
https://t.co/zKP0GvBv8K

[Miguel Esperança Martins @MiguelEspMartin]

I had the pleasure to learn about the development of preclinical studies to enable first in human clinical trials, phase I clinical trials design and, broadly, drug discovery and development at START San Antonio, world leaders in oncology drug discovery.
A lifetime experience!

[Miguel Esperança Martins @MiguelEspMartin]

Absolutely unmissable!
Amazing article by the one and only Siddharta Mukherjee on carcinogenesis, carcinogens, air pollution and inflammation, featuring Allan Balmain and Charles Swanton (among others).

https://t.co/cN1EKhUh6H

[OncoDaily @oncodaily]

Finding the genomic fusion needles in the haystacks via Liquid Biopsy Precision Medicine - @VivekSubbiah
@pashtoonkasi

https://t.co/RxdhJVkHBx

#oncodaily #oncology #cancer #liquidbiopsy #research

[Andrew Pannu @andrewpannu]

The ADC space is blowing up:

• >$125B in partnerships and M&A since 2019, including Pfizer's $43B acquisition of $SGEN and a record $5.5B upfront deal ($MRK / Daiichi) this year
• Hundreds of assets across thousands of trials
• 8 approvals in the last 5 years (13 total)

I pulled together 42 representative companies and charted the clinical assets of each, segmented by target and payload

Exhibit 1: ADC Competitive Landscape

Some takeaways:

An ADC is essentially 3 modular components: an antibody, a payload (typically chemo) and a linker that connects the two. The idea is to combine the selective targeting of mAbs with the toxic lethality of chemo, such that only the tumor is impacted, rather than healthy cells.

Many approved mAbs are used in combination with chemo anyways, which negates the benefit of selective targeting. By minimizing off-target impact, ADCs can maximize the therapeutic window (increased efficacy at a lower dose, translating to a better side effect profile).

Exhibit 2: Evolution Towards ADCs (source: Cowen)

Key to the approach is selecting the right target. Ideally, the tumor should have a high level of antigen expression and healthy cells should have none. In reality, tumors are too heterogeneous, so companies settle for validated targets that are known to be more prevalent in tumors. Some ADCs exhibit a 'bystander effect' whereby the payload diffuses into adjacent cells that may not express the target antigen - an advantageous design in heterogeneous tumors.

Exhibit 3: ADC Target Antigens by Indication (source: Capital One)

The first ADC approved was Mylotarg in 2000 (later pulled from the market in 2010 and relaunched in 2017), although meaningful traction really started with later 2nd gen ADCs (such as Kadcyla and Adcetris) as the tech of each component improved. Since then, clinical and commercial wins have continued to rack up, including via ADC / IO combos (i.e. Padcev / Keytruda in bladder cancer at ESMO 2023).

Some recent financial stats:

• >$7B in sales in 2022 (~33% YoY growth)
• Aggregate sales expected to exceed ~$20B by 2026 ($6B via Enhertu)
• >$125B in partnerships, licensing and M&A deals since 2019

A lot of the differentiation between ADC players comes down to manufacturing prowess. Development is a multi-step technical process with a complex supply chain (components produced in separate locations). We're seeing this theme with other emerging modalities as well.

Looking ahead, there's potential for ADCs to move beyond oncology (i.e. Adcetris in sclerosis), as well as novel structural add-ons (bispecifics, RACs, PDCs, SMDC, DACs, etc.). Technological improvements will be key to watch - each successive generation has improved on efficacy / safety, and with the massive $ investment from several pharma companies, we can expect this to only increase. It's likely that new brands, rather than biosimilars, are what cannibalize current ADC drug sales.

If you found this interesting, follow
@andrewpannu for more biotech analyses & commentary!

[Miguel Esperança Martins @MiguelEspMartin]

What a privilege it has been to learn from @bvantine1 and @bastosalliny during the last 2 months! Thank you to Brian and Alliny for making me a (much) better researcher. The beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration. I am sure that our journey will be outstanding.