- In May 2024, Baylor College of Medicine initiated a new clinical trial focused on exploring the efficacy of combination immunotherapy in advanced appendiceal adenocarcinoma patients. This trial highlights a growing interest in leveraging immuno-oncology approaches to treat rare gastrointestinal malignancies, reflecting an industry-wide shift towards more personalized and targeted cancer therapies aimed at improving survival outcomes
- In March 2024, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) announced the expansion of its specialized HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) program for appendiceal and peritoneal surface malignancies. The expansion includes dedicated surgical teams and research into optimizing perioperative care. This move signifies increasing institutional investment into rare cancer care and advances the standardization of complex surgical treatments for appendiceal cancer
- In February 2024, Delcath Systems, Inc. reported positive interim data from its Phase II trial evaluating percutaneous hepatic perfusion in patients with metastatic appendiceal cancer to the liver. This development points to the increasing innovation in regionally targeted chemotherapy delivery, offering new hope for patients with limited treatment options
- In January 2024, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) published long-term follow-up results from its study on CRS-HIPEC for appendiceal mucinous neoplasms, demonstrating improved survival and reduced recurrence when treatment is provided at high-volume centers. This supports the centralization of rare cancer treatment and affirms the efficacy of multimodal approaches
- In December 2023, RareCan, a UK-based rare cancer research platform, launched a dedicated appendiceal cancer data-sharing initiative in partnership with NHS trusts. The initiative aims to improve diagnostic accuracy and drive faster drug development by aggregating clinical data. This underscores the growing role of real-world data and collaborative research in advancing treatment for rare cancers such as appendiceal malignancies
