thebench.bio #1 Ecosystem for the Bio-Tech Industry

Clinical Daily Summary

Clinical Daily Summary: What Happened on October 29, 2026

PHERGain reports five-year outcomes after chemotherapy de-escalation

Nacuity started a Phase 3 trial for inherited retinal disease. An east London pilot is offering cholesterol injections at community pharmacies.

  • Updated
  • Read from 3 articles, 3 publications
  • N P

Today in brief

Five-year invasive disease-free survival in PHERGain was estimated at 89.5% in group B after a median 5.6 years of follow-up.1 The estimate was 92.4% among PET responders who had no detectable cancer after treatment without chemotherapy, but this subgroup analysis cannot show that omitting chemotherapy caused the result.1

Nacuity Pharmaceuticals dosed the first patient in a Phase 3 trial of NPI-001 for retinitis pigmentosa associated with Usher syndrome.2 Barts Health NHS Trust and UCLPartners launched an east London pharmacy pilot that aims to refer at least 180 patients for inclisiran injections over 14 months.3

PHERGain reports five-year outcomes after response-guided chemotherapy omission

In the randomized Phase 2 PHERGain trial, estimated five-year invasive disease-free survival was 89.5% in group B after a median follow-up of 5.6 years.1 The trial tested whether PET scans could guide treatment for people with HER2-positive early breast cancer and identify those who might avoid chemotherapy.1

Among 86 group B patients who responded on PET scans and achieved a pathological complete response without chemotherapy, estimated five-year invasive disease-free survival was 92.4%. One patient had a distant recurrence.1 The authors describe this subgroup result as descriptive, not evidence that omitting chemotherapy caused the outcome.1

Detectable circulating tumor DNA, fragments of tumor DNA in the blood, at baseline or during treatment was associated with worse invasive disease-free survival.1 DNA clearance correlated with higher rates of pathological complete response and better long-term outcomes. The authors said it may help tailor treatment.1

Nacuity begins Phase 3 trial of oral treatment for inherited retinal disease

Nacuity Pharmaceuticals dosed the first patient in its global Phase 3 SLO-RP Preserve trial of NPI-001 for retinitis pigmentosa associated with Usher syndrome.2 The randomized, double-masked study will test whether the oral treatment can reduce photoreceptor loss and slow disease progression.2

The trial plans to enroll up to 80 adults and run for 24 months, with participants assigned to NPI-001 or placebo twice daily.2 Recruitment is underway in Australia and the United States.2

The FDA has granted NPI-001 fast track and orphan drug designations for retinitis pigmentosa.2

East London pilot brings inclisiran injections to community pharmacies

Barts Health NHS Trust and UCLPartners launched an east London pilot to give inclisiran injections at community pharmacies instead of hospital lipid clinics.3 The program aims to refer at least 180 patients over 14 months. More pharmacies are expected to join the initial sites in Waltham Forest, Ilford, and Plaistow.3

Inclisiran lowers LDL cholesterol, with clinical trials showing reductions of about 50%. NICE recommends it for eligible patients.3 The pilot aims to shorten waits and ease pressure on hospital clinics. The approach could spread to other NHS trusts if it succeeds.3

Also published