Exelixis, Inc. has announced promising results from a subgroup analysis of the CABINET phase 3 trial, highlighting the efficacy of CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib) in treating advanced neuroendocrine tumors (NET) affecting the lungs and thymus. The findings will be showcased at the 2025 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress (ESMO) in a poster session scheduled for October 20, 2025. This new data indicates a significant reduction in the risk of disease progression or mortality, showcasing an 81% improvement when compared to a placebo.
Study Overview and Results
The CABINET trial was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of CABOMETYX against a placebo in patients with advanced NET who had previously undergone treatment. The trial involved two distinct cohorts, with a specific focus on those suffering from extra-pancreatic NET, which includes tumors originating in the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and rare sites like the thymus. Among the 203 participants in the extra-pancreatic cohort, 49 were diagnosed with lung or thymic NET. The results revealed that patients receiving CABOMETYX experienced a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 8.2 months, compared to just 2.7 months for those on placebo, indicating a substantial therapeutic benefit.
Expert Commentary
Dr. Jennifer Chan, who serves as the study chair for the CABINET trial and is a Clinical Director at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, emphasized the significance of these findings. She noted that the recent approvals of CABOMETYX in the United States and the European Union earlier this year have provided a vital treatment alternative for patients facing the challenges of advanced NET. Dr. Chan expressed optimism regarding the subgroup data, which suggests that CABOMETYX offers a meaningful survival advantage for those with lung and thymic NET, conditions that have historically posed significant treatment difficulties.
Safety Profile and Future Directions
The safety profile of CABOMETYX in patients with lung or thymic NET remained consistent with previously known data, with no new safety concerns emerging. The most common severe adverse events included fatigue, hypertension, diarrhea, and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia. In addition, ongoing studies, including the STELLAR-311 pivotal trial, aim to further investigate zanzalintinib as a potential first-line oral treatment option for patients with locally advanced or metastatic NET.
The CABINET study is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and conducted by the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, showcasing a collaborative effort to address the unmet needs within the NET patient community. As the number of individuals diagnosed with NET continues to rise, the findings from this study represent a critical step forward in the quest for effective treatment options. More detailed information on the trial can be accessed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
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