Friends of Cancer Research (Friends) hosted a free, advocates-focused webinar on February 19, continuing the discussion from the Thursday, February 5 public meeting on early endpoints. The webinar focused on two emerging tools in cancer drug development: circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and artificial intelligence (AI)-based tumor assessment tools. Panelists explained what these tools are and how they can accelerate evidence generation and improve trial efficiency to support pathways that facilitate earlier patient access to potentially life-saving treatments.  

Attendees were encouraged to watch the February 5 public meeting and read the white paper, “Leveraging AI-Enabled Tumor Assessment Tools on Radiological Images to Evaluate Treatment Effect and Support Clinical Trial Endpoints in Solid Tumors,” prior to attending the advocates webinar. The public meeting covered the full scientific findings and policy discussions and the advocates webinar built on those conversations—revisiting key points, addressing remaining questions, and translating complex ctMoniTR and ai.RECIST project findings into accessible, advocacy-focused insights.

TOPICS & BACKGROUND

ctDNA as an early endpoint 

• We will explore findings from the ctMoniTR Project and what they mean for patients, focusing on ctDNA’s potential as an early endpoint in clinical trials, what evidence is still needed for its use as an endpoint in oncology trials, and how this biomarker could help shorten timelines for evaluating treatment efficacy.

AI-enabled tumor assessments 

• We will revisit insights from the ai.RECIST Project, focusing on what emerging AI-enabled tools could mean for patients—how these technologies may support more consistent tumor  assessments, improve trial efficiency, and contribute to the development of new endpoints.

AGENDA

12:00 PM: Opening Remarks & Panel Introductions

• Hillary Andrews, Friends of Cancer Research

12:05 PM: Panel Discussion  

• Névine Zariffa, NMD Group – Moderator
• Lauren Brady, Genmab
• Minetta Liu, Natera Inc.

12:35 PM: Audience Q&A Session 

12:55 PM: Closing Remarks

• Hillary Andrews, Friends of Cancer Research

1:00 PM: Meeting Adjourned