Latest news with #AmericanSocietyofClinicalOncologyAnnualMeeting
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hologic Climbs 13% in a Month: How Should You Play the Stock?
After lagging for months, Hologic HOLX has picked up momentum in recent weeks. Shares of the Marlborough, MA-based company have climbed 13.3% over the past month, higher than the industry and the broader Medical sector's gains of 2.4% and 3.4%, respectively. The current price is now 23.9% above the 52-week low of $51.90, boosted in part by reports that Hologic declined a private takeover bid from TPG and Blackstone. HOLX has also managed to outperform two of its key competitors — Exact Sciences EXAS and Becton, Dickinson and Company BDX, or BD, in the same time frame. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Investor sentiment was already subdued after the release of the company's fiscal 2025 second-quarter earnings in early May. Hologic met adjusted EPS expectations with a modest revenue beat but revised its annual outlook due to the growing tariff impact from China and Costa Rica, funding cuts affecting the Africa business, and a soft capital equipment market. In contrast, Exact Sciences anticipates 'little to no tariff impact' due to all domestic operations, while BD expects $90 million in tariff expenses for fiscal 2025, mostly from China imports. That said, let's explore what might be driving Hologic's recent rally. On May 27, HOLX shares rose nearly 15% following a report from the Financial Times that the company turned down a non-binding offer from private equity (PE) firms TPG and Blackstone. The deal was valued at up to $16.7 billion, including debt. These firms, known for their solid history of healthcare investments, teamed up last year to explore a potential acquisition of Bausch + Lomb, which eventually did not happen. The proposed takeover bid of Hologic would have been one of the largest leveraged buyouts of the year, valuing the company's shares between $70 and $72 — roughly a 30% premium to the May 23 closing price of $54.28. The report also stated that there is a possibility the deal discussions might resume, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Hologic has attracted buyers' attention for a while now. Of late, the take-private activities by PE firms have seen a sharp increase, such as Sycamore Partners' $24 billion deal for Walgreens Boots Alliance, Thoma Bravo's $10.6 billion acquisition of Boeing's software unit, and 3G Capital's $10.5 billion deal for Skechers. Nonetheless, the high premium in the offer signals strong confidence in Hologic's growth potential. The company presented new data showing the significant clinical impact of the Breast Cancer Index ('BCI') test at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting held on June 2. The molecular, gene expression-based test from Hologic's subsidiary, Biotheranostics, has been a key growth driver in the molecular diagnostics business over the past few quarters. The latest data from the prospective, multi-center BCI Registry Study highlights how this genomic test plays a critical role in guiding extended endocrine therapy decisions for women with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer. With more than 2,800 patients involved, the study found that BCI testing led to a change in treatment recommendations for about four in 10 cases. Additionally, physicians' confidence in their treatment recommendations got a boost, while patients felt comfortable in their decisions, citing fewer concerns about cost, drug safety and preference related to extended endocrine therapy benefits. Hologic looks attractive from a valuation standpoint. The stock has been trading at a price-to-sales (P/S) of 3.40X over the past five years compared to its median of 4.33X and the industry average of 4.16X. It has a Value Score of B at present. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Meanwhile, both Exact Sciences and BD are trading at a premium to their industry average, with P/S of 3.16X and 2.20X respectively. Molecular Diagnostics assays are likely to continue to be the principal revenue-generating component in the Diagnostics division. As Hologic drives awareness and reimbursement in the highly unpenetrated U.S. vaginitis market, the BV CV/TV assay is poised to see a strong uptake. Aligning with its long-term revenue diversification strategy, the company's Breast Health service revenues are now larger and growing more steadily than the gantry business. The 2024 acquisition of Endomagnetics boosted the Interventional Breast portfolio with market-leading product lines and strong R&D capabilities for further portfolio expansion. The upcoming launch of innovations like the Envision Mammography Platform is likely to gain a favorable reception. In Surgical, Myosure's strong international growth points to the high demand for minimally invasive options for treating uterine polyps and fibroids. Hologic continues to expand this division both organically and through acquisitions such as Gynsesonics, leveraging its established sales channel. Further, the company is building capabilities to grow internationally on a consistent basis by going directly into more geographies and businesses. A consistently strong profitability has contributed to a fortress balance sheet over time, allowing Hologic to execute on both tuck-in M&A and share repurchases. Based on short-term price targets offered by 15 analysts, the Zacks average price target is $68.13 per share. The average suggests a potential 8.02% upside from last Friday's closing price. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Hologic has some promising catalysts for long-term expansion, supported by an attractive valuation relative to its industry. However, despite outperforming peers over the past month, the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock is navigating a turbulent macroeconomic landscape, which is expected to weigh on its financial performance in the near term. Hence, those eyeing HOLX may find it wise to wait for a better entry point, while current shareholders should retain their position. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Hologic, Inc. (HOLX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Exact Sciences Corporation (EXAS) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
H.C. Wainwright Reiterates Buy Rating on Immix Biopharma (IMMX) Following Promising Interim Results from NXC-201 Trial
On June 4, analyst Robert Burns of H.C. Wainwright reiterated a Buy rating on Immix Biopharma, Inc. (NASDAQ:IMMX) with a price target of $7.00. The analyst based the rating on the promising interim results from the NEXICART-2 Phase 1/2 clinical trial of NXC-201, presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting (ASCO 2025) in Chicago, Illinois. The trial assessed the efficacy of NXC-201 in patients with relapsed/refractory AL amyloidosis and delivered a 100% response rate, with a considerable portion attaining a complete hematologic response. The analyst reasoned that the absence of hematologic relapse or progression and the rapid mean time to response further highlight NXC-201's potential as a viable treatment. A doctor in a white coat discussing clinical trial results with a patient in an oncology practice. Burns also reasoned that NXC-201 appears to have a favorable safety profile, as no patients experienced severe cytokine release syndrome or neurotoxicity. While he highlighted the need for longer-term follow-up and the small sample size, the analyst stated that the interim results are promising when compared to existing treatments. This condition does not have FDA-approved agents, and there exists a fragmented treatment landscape post-frontline therapy, factors that suggest the notable market opportunity for NXC-201 and support the buy rating for Immix Biopharma, Inc. (NASDAQ:IMMX). Immix Biopharma, Inc. (NASDAQ:IMMX) is a biopharmaceutical company that develops therapies for inflammatory diseases and cancer. While we acknowledge the potential of IMMX as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. Sign in to access your portfolio
Health Line
6 days ago
- Health
- Health Line
Anti-Inflammatory Diet May Improve Colorectal Cancer Survival Rates
An anti-inflammatory diet may be beneficial for colon cancer survivors. In a clinical trial, those with colon cancer who followed an anti-inflammatory diet had longer overall survival rates than those who ate a pro-inflammatory diet. More research is needed to determine this effect, but it may be due to the impact anti-inflammatory foods can have on inflammation, which is linked to the development of cancer. People living with colon cancer who ate an anti-inflammatory diet in a clinical trial had longer overall survival rates compared to those who ate a pro-inflammatory diet. Research presented this week at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in Chicago found that diet and physical activity could be important interventions for improving outcomes in people with stage 3 colon cancer. 'One of the most common questions that patients ask is what they should do after treatment to maximally reduce their risk of cancer recurrence and improve survival,' Sara Char, MD, a clinical fellow in Hematology and Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and first author of the study, said in a press statement. 'These findings add to the published literature about the importance of dietary patterns and physical activity in outcomes of patients with colorectal cancer. ' Inflammatory diets increase colon cancer risk by 87% The researchers used information from a stage 3 clinical trial that commenced in 2010 with the goal of reducing the risk of cancer recurrence among people living with stage 3 colon cancer. The trial enrolled 2,526 patients. In the trial, those living with colon cancer had surgery and then either three or six months of chemotherapy. Some of the patients also had celecoxib, an anti-inflammatory drug. The participants had the option of completing both the lifestyle and dietary questionnaires. A total of 1,625 participants were eligible for the study. The researchers examined the responses to the dietary questionnaires and calculated an empirical dietary inflammatory pattern score for each participant. This score measures how inflammatory a particular diet is. In the study, a pro-inflammatory diet was considered one that included higher amounts of processed or red meats, refined grains, and sugar-sweetened beverages. An anti-inflammatory diet includes a variety of vegetables, such as leafy greens, as well as coffee and tea. After assessing the diets of participants as well as their overall survival, the researchers concluded that those who ate the most pro-inflammatory diets had an 87% higher risk of death than those who ate the least amount of pro-inflammatory foods. The study adds to a growing body of research indicating that systemic inflammation can not only increase the risk of colon cancer but also influence disease progression. The researchers also examined the impact of physical activity on patient outcomes. Those who reported their physical activity as the equivalent of regularly walking at a 2–3-mile-per-hour pace for one hour roughly three times a week or more were considered to have a high level of physical activity. The researchers found that those who ate more anti-inflammatory foods and participated in higher levels of physical activity experienced the best overall survival outcomes of those studied. They had a 63% lower risk of death compared with their peers who consumed the most pro-inflammatory diets and had lower levels of physical activity. Anti-inflammatory diet improves colon cancer outcomes The researchers say further study is needed to determine the mechanism underpinning anti-inflammatory diets and survival rates among patients with colon cancer. 'This study provides additional evidence that diet may be important for improving outcomes and survival in patients with stage 3 colon cancer,' Kimmie Ng, MD, co-senior author of the study and associate chief of the Division of Gastrointestinal Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, said in a press statement. 'Further studies are needed to tailor specific dietary recommendations for patients with colon cancer, and to understand the biological mechanisms underlying the relationship between proinflammatory diets and survival.' Past research suggests that inflammation may play a role in the development of colon cancer by promoting the proliferation of tumor cells as well as suppressing anti-tumor immunity in the body. 'Inflammation is a key part in cancer formation,' said Nilesh Vora, MD, a board certified hematologist and medical oncologist and medical director of the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Medical Center in Long Beach, CA. Vora wasn't involved in the study. 'When the body is inflamed, there are damages that are happening, and the body needs to repair or heal the injury, and produce an inflammatory response. And whenever you have that happening, there's a risk factor for tumor formation, for cancer formation, whenever there's an inflammatory process happening. So I think this inflammatory diet connected to cancer is also connected by that hypothesis,' Vora told Healthline. Effects of phytonutrients on colon cancer Another possible mechanism behind anti-inflammatory diets and survival rates are due to the impact of the phytonutrients found in anti-inflammatory foods. 'It is likely in some parts related to the increase in phytonutrients found in anti-inflammatory diets that protect the gut mucosa (the lining of the colon) and the good bacteria that are in the colon,' said Dana Hunnes, PhD, a senior dietitian supervisor at RR-UCLA Medical Center. Hunnes wasn't involved in the study. 'It's also likely that these plant foods are high in fiber, which helps feed the healthy gut bacteria and also 'brush away' decaying foods and other fecal materials that may increase the risk for colon cancer. There are certain foods (high fiber carbs primarily) that get digested by gut bacteria and turn into short-chain fatty acids, which feed the healthy bacteria of the gut, which can help decrease colon cancer progression. So, these might be some of the mechanisms,' Hunnes told Healthline. Best anti-inflammatory foods Hunnes cited various nutrient-dense foods to eat as part of an anti-inflammatory diet. ' Fruits, vegetables (especially dark-leafy greens and deep-colored fruits, think berries). Nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains, also, as they are all high in fiber and healthy fats,' she said. 'These findings do not surprise me at all as we are finding that inflammation affects so many chronic conditions in negative ways. I think it shows the importance of and value of eating as healthy and as anti-inflammatory as possible.'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Eating this kind of bread can raise colon cancer patients' risk of death
Eating white bread and other foods considered to be proinflammatory can raise colon cancer patients' risk of death from the disease, researchers said this week. Of a study of more than 1,600 patients with stage III colon cancer, people who consumed the most of those foods — also including french fries, hot dogs, and soda — during a phase 3 clinical trial showed a shorter overall survival post-treatment compared to those on a proinflammatory diet. The patients who ate a proinflammatory diet had an 87 percent higher risk of death than those who consumed the least proinflammatory food. Inflammation is the body's immune response to stimulus, such as falling down or burning your finger. Both too little and too much inflammation can cause problems, and most chronic diseases are believed to be rooted in inflammation that lasts over time. Some of the foods that can contribute to inflammation have been linked to cancer risk. 'One of the most common questions that patients ask is what they should do after treatment to maximally reduce their risk of cancer recurrence and improve survival,' Dr. Sara Char, a clinical fellow in hematology and oncology at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, said in a statement. 'These findings add to the published literature about the importance of dietary patterns and physical activity in outcomes of patients with colorectal cancer.' Char was the first author of the research which was presented on Sunday at this year's American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting. 'This study provides additional evidence that diet may be important for improving outcomes and survival in patients with stage III colon cancer,' co-author Dr. Kimmie Ng, also of Dana-Farber, said. 'Further studies are needed to tailor specific dietary recommendations for patients with colon cancer, and to understand the biological mechanisms underlying the relationship between proinflammatory diets and survival.' The use of the anti-inflammatory drug in the participants' trial, which is known as celecoxib, did not have a significant influence on the relationship between diet and survival, but the authors also noted that those who engaged in higher levels of physical activity had the best overall survival outcomes. Their findings come following previous research that showed systemic inflammation can increase the risk of colon cancer development and progression. Using anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce the risk of recurrence in selected patients with stage III colon cancer, the Dana-Farber researchers said. It remains unclear how much diet could affect cancer outcomes after treatment, but these findings add to a growing body of knowledge that could affect tens of thousands of Americans with colorectal cancer. Some 150,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year in the U.S. It is the second-most common cause of cancer deaths for men and women in the U.S., and is expected to cause about 52,900 deaths this year. The average five-year survival for patients with stage III colon cancer is around 80 percent, although between 25 and 35 percent of patients experience a recurrence of cancer during that time. The researchers say that they plan to conduct more detailed investigations of the biological effects of diet and lifestyle on colon cancer outcomes, including those with metastatic colon cancer and those diagnosed at younger ages, under age 50. The majority of Americans — as many as 57 percent — may be eating a diet that promotes inflammation, researchers at the Ohio State University found last year. In 2018, a Harvard study found that people who ate foods that promoted inflammation had a higher rate of colorectal cancer compared with people who ate the least foods, with a 22 percent higher risk for men than women. Eating white bread and drinking alcohol are linked to an increased risk for developing colorectal cancer. Whole grains have anti-cancer properties and eating fiber helps to reduce colorectal cancer risk, researchers told Fox News Digital in 2023. The next year, a study found potential risk for white bread intake. Alternatively, consuming more dark leafy greens, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and protein sources that are high in omega-3 fatty acids can help fight inflammation, according to UCLA Health. The Mediterranean diet may be the most beneficial, Johns Hopkins Medicine notes. 'I want to emphasize that people really need to focus on their pattern of eating — as opposed to eating a few particular foods — to reduce inflammation,' Dr. Edwin McDonald, a gastroenterologist at UChicago Medicine, wrote. ' There's no miracle food out there that's going to cure people with chronic inflammation. You need to have an anti-inflammatory lifestyle and diet.'
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Long term survival for lung cancer patients improved with new treatment combination, new Irish research reveals
The patients with lung cancer who received an immunotherapy drug, nivolumab, along with standard chemotherapy before surgery had improved long term survival compared to those who received chemotherapy alone, at five years after completing treatment. Results from the phase 3 clinical trial were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Prof Patrick Forde of the Trinity St James's Cancer Institute (TSJCI), Trinity College Dublin School of Medicine, presented the findings at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in Chicago, USA, at the weekend. Prof Forde led the CheckMate 816 trial which enrolled 358 patients globally who were diagnosed with the most common type of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), at a stage where it could be removed by surgery. However, despite undergoing surgery, 50pc of patients with stage 2 or 3 lung cancer will eventually have relapse of their cancer. Immunotherapy drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors, in particular those that block a receptor called PD-1, have led to improved survival for patients with advanced cancers by unmasking the tumour to the patient's immune system. However, up until now, no study had shown long-term benefit to this treatment in helping to cure earlier stage lung cancer. Earlier in his career as an oncologist at Johns Hopkins in the United States Prof Forde led the first clinical trial of immunotherapy prior to surgery (neoadjuvant therapy) for lung cancer which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2018. That study showed that among 20 patients who underwent surgery after two doses of immunotherapy, almost half had little or no remaining cancer at the time of their operation. In an earlier report of the CheckMate 816 trial, patients with lung cancer who received immunotherapy along with chemotherapy prior to surgery were more likely to have had their cancer eliminated completely by the time of surgery and also had lower rates of cancer relapse. Side effects were not increased with the addition of immunotherapy, and in general, surgeries went well. These findings led to the approval of the neoadjuvant nivolumab plus chemotherapy in several countries globally, including as a standard treatment for eligible patients in Ireland. In the latest update from the trial, patients who received immunotherapy plus chemotherapy before surgery were approximately 10pc more likely to be alive at five years than those who just received chemotherapy. Among the 24pc of patients treated with immunotherapy plus chemotherapy who had no cancer remaining at the time of surgery - known as a pathologic complete response - no patient had died from lung cancer by five years. Prof Forde is also co-leading an international clinical trial open in Ireland at TSJCI, Beaumont, Galway and Mater Hospitals that is aimed at further improving outcomes for patients undergoing surgery. Results from part of this study were also published this week in the prestigious Nature Medicine journal. In the NeoCOAST-2 trial, patients who received standard chemo-immunotherapy plus a new treatment called an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) before surgery were more likely to have no viable cancer remaining at the time of surgery, suggesting that this additional treatment could improve outcomes further. Prof Forde said: 'Immunotherapy has helped many patients with stage 4 lung cancer live longer with good quality of life. "Until recently we have not had new treatments available that can increase the chances of cure after lung cancer surgery. The use of immunotherapy with chemotherapy before lung cancer surgery has now been shown to reduce the risk of cancer coming back and improve long term survival. "Cancer clinical trials are key to improving outcomes for patients with cancer and offer the potential for early access to the latest cutting edge cancer treatments. I am delighted to be able to help expand clinical trial options for patients in Ireland.' In 2024, Prof Forde joined the Trinity St James's Cancer Institute (TSJCI) as the Patrick Prendergast Professor of Clinical Immuno-Oncology. This position was established by a philanthropic gift from Dr Stanley Quek, Trinity alumnus and former Pro-Chancellor of the University. In collaboration with colleagues across Ireland, Prof Forde's goal is to improve access for patients to cutting edge cancer clinical trials.
