The HARMONi-2 clinical trial results, focusing on ivonescimab versus pembrolizumab in first-line treatment for PD-L1 positive NSCLC, have generated substantial discussion in the oncology community, particularly on social media. Below is an assessment based on various tweets and their context, evaluating the level of hype on a scale of 1 to 10.
These include thoughtful or skeptical perspectives concerning the trial's limitations, such as the use of pembrolizumab monotherapy in the control arm and the entirely Chinese patient population.
Sally Church , PhD, expressed concern over FDA approval based on China-only data. Link:https://x.com/MaverickNY/status/1832821318968033318… Hype Meter: 3
Vinay Prasad, MD, MPH pointed out the inappropriate use of pembro monotherapy in the trial. Link:https://x.com/VPrasadMDMPH/status/1832813590480609720… Hype Meter: 2
Dr Deme Karikios raised concerns about the control arm and emphasized the need for OS as the primary endpoint. Link:https://x.com/DKarikios/status/1832812287503331832… Hype Meter: 3
These tweets highlight impressive results but acknowledge the trial's limitations and the need for further validation.
Joshua Reuss, MD noted the impressive PFS benefit but mentioned the non-standard control arm. Link: https://x.com/Joshua_Reuss/status/1832816660962750884… Hype Meter: 6
Dr. Antonio Calles found the trial appealing but stressed the need for more data. Link:https://x.com/Tony_Calles/status/1832818697129308669… Hype Meter: 5
Alper Topal, MD mentioned the mPFS and HR results while acknowledging the appropriateness of pembrolizumab monotherapy as a control arm. Link: https://x.com/dralpertopal/status/1832814930762092781… Hype Meter: 6
These postings are enthusiastic and may downplay or overlook the trial's limitations, possibly contributing to unwarranted hype.
Erin A Gillaspie, MD, MPH, FACS highlighted the striking PFS result without detailing control arm concerns. Link: https://x.com/ErinGillaspie/status/1832810210702069843… Hype Meter: 8
Rami Manochakian MD, FASCO called the data significant without mentioning limitations. Link: https://x.com/RManochakian/status/1832813083221475627… Hype Meter: 8
Stephen V Liu, MD expressed high expectations for ivonescimab, with minimal mention of limitations. Link: https://x.com/StephenVLiu/status/1832809460680753526… Hype Meter: 7
These tweets exhibit an exceptional degree of enthusiasm, often speculating about the future implications without sufficient caution regarding the trial’s current limitations.
Dr. Sanjay Popat Describes the PFS benefit as "jawdropping" and anticipates positive OS results without elaborating on the trial's control arm or other concerns Link:https://x.com/DrSanjayPopat/status/1832807710620102868… Hype Meter: 8
Dr. Balazs Halmos described the potential end of pembrolizumab reign without much critical assessment. Link: https://x.com/DrSteveMartin/status/1832808854981312969… Hype Meter: 9
While the HARMONi-2 trial presents promising results for ivonescimab, the discussions reflect a range of perspectives, from cautionary to highly enthusiastic. Key concerns include the use of a non-standard control arm, the China-only patient population, and the need for overall survival (OS) data. The hype meter ranges significantly, with some voices offering a balanced view (2-3), moderate enthusiasm (5-6), high enthusiasm (7-8), and speculative excitement (9). Conclusion Regulatory agencies should consider these diverse perspectives to ensure a balanced view and avoid being swayed by overly enthusiastic and potentially hyped interpretations of the trial data.
For the full analysis see our clinical trial sentiment results.