Retifanlimab plus chemo improves progression-free survival in first-line SCAC trial

Topline results from the PODIUM-303 study show that adding the PD-1 inhibitor retifanlimab to carboplatin and paclitaxel improves outcomes for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal when used as first‑line therapy.

The combination yielded a median progression‑free survival of 9.3 months versus 7.4 months with chemotherapy alone, a 37% reduction in the risk of disease progression, and an overall response rate of 55.8% compared with 44.2% for chemo only. Median duration of response nearly doubled, reaching 14.0 months versus 7.2 months.

Overall survival was numerically longer with the triplet regimen, and safety findings were consistent with other PD‑1 inhibitors, showing manageable toxicities.

Dr. Aparna R. Parikh highlighted that while these data support retifanlimab‑based therapy as a new first‑line standard, there remains an unmet need for effective second‑line options for patients who progress after initial treatment.