Medisch Oncoloog VITAZ - UZA Belgium. Board member and Secretary BSMO, Vice-President NETwerk ENETS CoE, President VWHHT.
Antwerpen, België
Joined March 2023
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Willem Lybaert retweeted
#ESMO26
The drugs we’ve been enthusiastically discussing for the past three days:
Divarasib, Ivonescimab, Sonesitatug vedotin, Intismeran autogene, Tarlatamab, Zanidatamab, Izalontamab brengitecan, Gedatolisib, Giredestrant, Rilvegostomig, Torvutatug samrotecan, Savolitinib.........
OS, PFS, HR, new standards of care, changing treatment algorithms...
Then, for a moment, I returned to reality.
I can’t even offer a single one of these drugs to my patients!!!
Anyway, tomorrow we’ll be back to discussing which drug is going to change our clinical practice🤦♂️
Willem Lybaert retweeted
🚨🍝 Today, Sunday, October 25, 2026, is World Pasta Day!!!
As well as the newly established Italian Pasta Day Around the World! 🇮🇹
I’ll go first with my personal favorite:
Pasta with clams
Willem Lybaert retweeted
NeoLOCUS vs PCm/DCF | Phase II Promise vs Phase III Evidence!
Two Indian studies exploring neoadjuvant strategies in oral cavity cancer.
🔹 NeoLOCUS | Marimuthu et al.
Single-arm Phase II (n=34), incorporating low-dose nivolumab + chemotherapy + oral metronomic therapy.
ORR 66.6% | Surgery 87.9% | 2-year OS 67.1%.
🔹 PCm vs DCF | Noronha et al.
Randomized Phase III (n=475).
PCm demonstrated OS non-inferiority to DCF, with higher response and surgery rates and substantially less grade ≥3 toxicity (43.2% vs 86.4%).
🎯 Take-home: PCm has randomized Phase III evidence. NeoLOCUS is promising but needs Phase III validation.
⚠️ Different populations and study designs — cross-trial comparisons are not head-to-head.
References: Marimuthu et al.; Noronha et al. ESMO 2026.
@myESMO @OncoAlert @larvol
#MVOnco #ESMO2026 #HeadNeckCancer #OralCancer #Immunotherapy
Willem Lybaert retweeted
🇪🇸 #ESMO26 | Top Lung Abstracts 🫁
🚨 OPTITROP-Lung06: Phase III trial in PD-L1–negative, driver-negative nonsquamous NSCLC:
🔥 Median PFS: 15.0 vs 5.7 months
📉 HR 0.49 — 51% reduction in risk of progression/death
🎯 DOR: 13.6 vs 6.8 months
📊 12-mo OS: 77.6% vs 66.4% (immature data)
▶️ I wouldn’t call this a “chemo-free” regimen because the toxicity of an ADC is similar to chemo—> but this many be a potential option for this hard to treat PDL1 neg population.
▶️Could this change the 1L landscape? 👀maybe? but I would hope for a bigger survival advantage….data immature …
#LungCancer #LCSM #ADC
Willem Lybaert retweeted
Exciting emerging data in 1L R/M #HNSCC at #ESMO26!
🔹 OrigAMI-4: Amivantamab (EGFR×MET) + pembrolizumab + carboplatin: ORR 77% in HPV-unrelated disease (n=22), CR 14%.
🔹 Iza-bren (EGFR×HER3 bispecific ADC) + pembrolizumab: ORR 58–63% across two dose cohorts, mDoR 13.6–17.8 months.
Two different approaches to EGFR targeting: dual receptor blockade versus dual targeting + cytotoxic payload delivery.
Key questions:
🔬 How do HPV status, PD-L1 CPS and EGFR/MET/HER3 expression influence benefit?
🔬 What is the incremental contribution of each component?
🔬 Can we identify who needs an ADC payload versus receptor blockade alone?
Promising early signals, but small cohorts, different populations and no head-to-head comparisons.
The next challenge is moving beyond response rates towards biomarker-guided treatment selection.
Great discussion by @BrigetteMa2
#HeadNeckCancer #ADC #bispecific #PrecisionOncology
Willem Lybaert retweeted
CLARITY- Gastric 01 (CG-01) Phase III AZD-0901 (Sone-Ve) in 2L+ met #Claudin 18.2 (+) in #Gastroesophageal #cancer vs. investigators choice (N=594)
Primary endpoints: PFS + OS
🔹OS: 10M vs. 5M (HR = 0.47) 👏
🔹12M OS: 38.1% vs. 18.1%, HR = 0.47 (3rd line)
🔹 12M 42.6% in 2nd line
🔹 ORR: 23.3% vs. 13.8%
🔹PFS: HR = 0.77 was NS in 2L+
🔹PFS: HR = 4.1 vs. 2.7M; HR = 0.56 in 3L+
🔹Need more data in the 2L setting; largest benefit seen in 3L+ setting
#ESMO2026 @OncoAlert #cancerresearch @AstraZeneca
Willem Lybaert retweeted
Het enige misbruik zit hem in de schijnzelfstandigheid. Daar kun je iets aan doen door wie slechts één substantiële opdrachtgever heeft meer te belasten. Maar algemene tarieven voor elke zelfstandige zonder personeel zwaar optrekken, dat is Vlaamse economie verder doodknijpen.
Willem Lybaert retweeted
#ESMO26 | CLARITY-Gastric01
Doubling OS from 5 to 10 months with the CLDN18.2-targeted ADC sonesitatug vedotin in ≥3L is impressive (HR 0.47). Benefit even in patients with lower CLDN18.2 expression is encouraging.
However, the primary PFS endpoint was not met in the ITT population. Its role in 2L and efficacy after zolbetuximab remain unclear.
one question: Given that CLDN18.2 expression can change after treatment, should a fresh biopsy have been mandatory at study enrollment? Or does lowering the positivity cutoff to ≥25% reduce the clinical relevance of this discordance, making archival tissue sufficient?
Willem Lybaert retweeted
🇮🇳 LESS TOXICITY. MORE SURGERIES. SAME SURVIVAL!
An important Indian Phase III trial at #ESMO2026!
DCF/TPF vs PCm in technically unresectable oral cavity cancer (n=475).
📘 PART 1 | WHY THIS TRIAL?
Can weekly paclitaxel–carboplatin + oral metronomic therapy replace intensive DCF without compromising survival?
📘 PART 2 | EFFICACY
✅ OS non-inferior: HR 0.826; p=0.0002
✅ Response: 45.6% vs 23.4%
✅ Resectability: 57.3% vs 33.9%
✅ Surgery: 45.6% vs 26%
📘 PART 3 | SAFETY
✅ Grade ≥3 toxicity: 43.2% vs 86.4%
✅ Growth-factor use: 20.5% vs 100%
✅ Outpatient-friendly, without routine infusion-pump requirements.
📘 PART 4 | THE VERDICT
More responses and surgical opportunities, with substantially less toxicity — but no proven OS superiority.
A compelling alternative for selected patients, not a replacement for upfront surgery in resectable disease.
Less treatment burden. More surgical opportunities.
📚 Reference: Vanita Noronha et al. Multicentre Phase III randomized non-inferiority study. ESMO Congress 2026, LBA44. CTRI/2023/08/056693.
@myESMO @OncoAlert @larvol
#ESMO2026 #HeadNeckCancer #OralCancer #IndianOncology #MVOnco
Willem Lybaert retweeted
🧬 CLARITY-Gastric01 | #ESMO2026 LBA7
A GIANT OS LEAP. A TINY PFS STEP!
4 visuals: Cartoon • Design • Efficacy • Verdict
🎯 CLDN18.2 ≥25% | Sone-Ve (MMAE ADC)
📈 3L+ OS: 10 vs 5 mo (HR 0.47)
2L+ OS: 10.6 vs 6.4 mo (HR 0.58)
⚠️ PFS: HR 0.77 — prespecified significance threshold missed!
🛡️ Grade ≥3 TRAEs: 36.4% vs 44.8%
Remarkable survival benefit. But why the OS–PFS disconnect?
📚 Xu R-H et al. ESMO 2026; LBA7.
@myESMO @OncoAlert @larvol #MVOnco
Willem Lybaert retweeted
De 475 miljoen euro die de federale regering hier lijkt te zoeken bij "de sterkste schouders" gaat, als wat De Tijd schrijft, klopt, in de praktijk (ook) om 1000'en euro extra belastingen per jaar bij kleine zelfstandigen. Dat zou economisch en politiek onnoemelijk dom zijn.
Willem Lybaert retweeted
Happy to have contributed as a co-investigator to this important study in SCLC @uzbrussel
Willem Lybaert retweeted
#ESMO26 ☢️ Radioligand Therapy | ESMO Keynote
📖 Ken Herrmann | Annals of Oncology
🔬 From diagnosis to treatment
🎯 Targeted radionuclide delivery
🧬 Theranostics: imaging + therapy
🚀 From salvage option to a new pillar of oncology!
💡 The future is theranostic!
🔗 doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.202…
@OncoAlert
Willem Lybaert retweeted
🇮🇳 MORE SURGERY. LESS TOXICITY. SAME SURVIVAL!
DCF vs PCm | ESMO 2026 | Noronha et al.
An important Indian multicentre Phase III non-inferiority trial in technically unresectable oral cavity cancer (n=475).
🎨 THE CARTOON TELLS THE STORY!
🔴 DCF — THE HEAVY ROAD
- Docetaxel + Cisplatin + 5-FU
- Grade ≥3 toxicity: 86.4%
- Growth-factor use: 100%
- Intensive, infusion-based treatment.
🟢 PCm — THE LIGHTER ROAD
- Weekly paclitaxel–carboplatin + oral metronomic therapy
- Grade ≥3 toxicity: 43.2%
- Growth-factor use: 20.5%
- Outpatient-friendly, reduced treatment burden.
🏁 SAME SURVIVAL DESTINATION!
- Median OS: 13.99 vs 13.31 months
- HR 0.826 | Non-inferiority p=0.0002
- Non-inferior OS — NOT proven superior.
🚪 MORE PATIENTS REACH SURGERY!
- Response: 23.4% → 45.6%
- Resectability: 33.9% → 57.3%
- Surgery performed: 26.0% → 45.6%
All comparisons: DCF → PCm.
💡 THE TAKE-HOME
Two different roads. A non-inferior survival outcome.
PCm delivered more responses, more surgical opportunities and approximately HALF the severe toxicity.
A compelling Indian neoadjuvant alternative for selected patients — not a replacement for upfront surgery in resectable disease.
📚 Reference: Noronha V et al. ESMO 2026; LBA44. CTRI/2023/08/056693.
@myESMO @OncoAlert @larvol
#ESMO2026 #OralCancer #HeadNeckCancer #MedicalOncology #IndianOncology #MVOnco
Willem Lybaert retweeted
#ESMO2026
Compelling data from investigators of KN412 on ctDNA to prognosticate
Baseline and rapid clearance of ctDNA were highly prognostic in HPV- HNSCC
More evidence supporting #PrecisionOncology in #HeadNeckCancer 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
Willem Lybaert retweeted
#HNSCC #ESMO26
RADIAN-TTCC Dostarlimab and niraparib in the CRT soace in LA PD-L1+ disease
An stunning effort from Dr Oliva, rest investigators and the spanish cooperative group @ttccgroup
@myESMO @OncoAlert @brunolarvol
@FundacionTTCC
Willem Lybaert retweeted
ESMO 2026
TMH study
Unresectable LAHNSCC
Weekly C+P +OMC Vs. DCF
Non inferior
Low toxicity
Higher ORR
More conversion to resectability
Willem Lybaert retweeted
🚨 #ESMO26: Durvalumab’s first-line dominance in biliary tract cancer challenged!
HARMONi-GI1 | Phase III
Ivonescimab + GemCis vs Durvalumab + GemCis
🔥 OS: 14.9 vs 12.1 months (HR 0.75)
📈 PFS: 8.4 vs 5.8 months (HR 0.61)
🎯 ORR: 53.8% vs 32.5%
PD-1/VEGF bispecific therapy could redefine first-line BTC treatment.
@my_esmo @ESMO_open @ASCO @OncoAlert
🤖 Made with AI
🚨 ESMO 2026 | TOP 10 GI CANCER TRIALS TO WATCH!
From CLDN18.2 ADCs and PD-1/VEGF bispecifics to chemotherapy-free strategies, major GI oncology data are coming at #ESMO26!
🔥 My Top 10 Trials
🔴 GASTRIC / GEJ CANCER
CLARITY-Gastric 01 (LBA7) | CLDN18.2 ADC vs investigator’s choice
G-HOPE-001 (LBA77) | Novel CLDN18.2 ADC
HERIZON-GEA-01 (LBA79) | Zanidatamab + chemotherapy ± tislelizumab
GERCOR-GONO DEWI | Dostarlimab and nonoperative management in dMMR disease
LOMAC (LBA81) | 4 vs 6 months of adjuvant CAPOX
KC-WISE (LBA80) | Anbenitamab + chemotherapy
RAMIRIS | FOLFIRI + ramucirumab vs paclitaxel + ramucirumab
FORTITUDE-101/102 | FGFR2-targeted therapy and biomarker analysis
🟠 BILIARY TRACT CANCER
HARMONi-GI1 (LBA8) | Ivonescimab + chemotherapy vs durvalumab + chemotherapy
🟣 ESOPHAGEAL / GEJ CANCER
KEYNOTE-975 (2875O) | Pembrolizumab + definitive chemoradiotherapy
⭐ Two Presidential trials to watch closely: CLARITY-Gastric 01 and HARMONi-GI1.
Which GI trial will have the greatest clinical impact?
@myesmo @ESMO_open @ASCO @oncoalert
#ESMO26 #GICancer #Oncology
Willem Lybaert retweeted
#ESMO26 🚀 CLARITY-Gastric01 | Phase III
🧬 CLDN18.2+ GEC | Sone-Ve vs SOC
🏆 OS benefit:
🔹 3L+: 10.0 vs 5.0 mo (HR 0.47)
🔹 2L+: 10.6 vs 6.4 mo (HR 0.58)
🎯 ORR: 23.3% vs 13.8%
⚠️ PFS: HR 0.77 (NS)
✅ G≥3 TRAEs: 36.4% vs 44.8%
💡 Potential new SOC in 2L+!
@OncoAlert
Willem Lybaert retweeted
Practice-changing results in 2L KRAS G12C-mutated NSCLC! 🚀 Both PFS and OS endpoints met at the first interim analysis! Divarasib the new SOC. Published in @NEJM . On a personal note, proud of my first NEJM co-authorship! Presented @myESMO presidential. nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NE…
