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New Cancer Immunotherapy Fails in First Roche Trial

A logo of Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche is pictured in front of the company's building in Rotkreuz, Switzerland, April 12, 2012. (Reuters)
A logo of Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche is pictured in front of the company's building in Rotkreuz, Switzerland, April 12, 2012. (Reuters)
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New Cancer Immunotherapy Fails in First Roche Trial

A logo of Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche is pictured in front of the company's building in Rotkreuz, Switzerland, April 12, 2012. (Reuters)
A logo of Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche is pictured in front of the company's building in Rotkreuz, Switzerland, April 12, 2012. (Reuters)

A highly anticipated new cancer immunotherapy by Roche failed to slow the progression of an aggressive form of lung cancer, the Swiss drug maker said on Wednesday, boding ill for a range of rival drug developers working on similar compounds.

The Skyscraper 2 trial was the first to produce results in the final stage of clinical testing in a class of drugs known as anti-TIGIT, which Roche and its US unit Genentech have pioneered.

Roche said it would continue the trial program for the drug, known as tiragolumab, against various other cancer types.

In a statement on Wednesday, the company said the drug, when combined with its established cancer drug Tecentriq and chemotherapy, failed to reduce the rate of disease progression and death when compared to a comparative group of patients on Tecentriq and chemotherapy only.

Trial participants were suffering from small cell lung cancer that had started spreading.

Analysts at Swiss bank ZKB had estimated 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.23 billion) in sales for tiragolumab in 2028.

Roche shares were 1.2% lower in early trading, while the STOXX Europe 600 Health Care index slipped 0.5%.

"Today's outcome is disappointing as we had hoped to continue building on the advances of Tecentriq in extensive stage small-cell lung cancer, which remains difficult to treat," said Levi Garraway, Roche's Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development.

Roche, whose first-generation immunotherapy Tecentriq is similar to Merck & Co's Keytruda and Bristol-Myers Squibb's Opdivo, plans to continue trials for tiragolumab in non-small cell lung cancer and other forms of the disease.

Vontobel analyst Stefan Schneider called the failure disappointing, especially as small cell lung cancer patients needed alternative treatments for their condition.

"Today's result does not change our probability of success for the other (tiragolumab) trials that we expect to read out later this year. Should tiragolumab work in combo with Tecentriq - it could have significant peak sales potential," he said.

Tiragolumab works by selectively binding itself to TIGIT, a receptor found on immune system cells that normally serves to prevent an immune attack against healthy cells.

Some cancers have developed a mechanism that exploits TIGIT to continue to grow unnoticed by cell-killing immune cells.

The prospective treatment option has triggered intense research and deal activity, mainly with a view to using anti-TIGITs in combination with other cancer drugs.

GlaxoSmithKline in June 2021 struck a licensing deal worth up to $2 billion with iTeos Therapeutics Inc´s over TIGIT candidate EOS-448.

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Agenus Inc's are working on bispecific anti-TIGIT AGEN1777 under a May 2021 partnership.

Gilead Sciences last November exercised an option to collaborate with Arcus Biosciences on anti-TIGIT drug domvanalimab.

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Trying to Improve Your Health and Wellness in 2026? Keep it Simple

A man is silhouetted against the sky at sunset as he jogs in a park at the close of a hot summer day, Aug. 1, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
A man is silhouetted against the sky at sunset as he jogs in a park at the close of a hot summer day, Aug. 1, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
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Trying to Improve Your Health and Wellness in 2026? Keep it Simple

A man is silhouetted against the sky at sunset as he jogs in a park at the close of a hot summer day, Aug. 1, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
A man is silhouetted against the sky at sunset as he jogs in a park at the close of a hot summer day, Aug. 1, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

The new year is a time when many try to start new good habits and commit to improving health and wellness.

But resolutions, lofty as they may be, can turn daunting quickly with all the advice and sometimes contradicting information coming at you from news reports, advertisers, influencers, friends and even politicians.

But they don't have to be.

This year, The Associated Press got the downlow on all manner of health and wellness claims and fads. The good news is that the experts mostly say to keep it simple.

As 2026 arrives, here's what you can skip, what you should pay attention to and how to get credible information when you are inevitably faced with more confusing claims next year.

Protein and fiber are important, but you probably don't need to pay more When it comes to your diet, experts say most people can skip the upcharge. If you're eating enough, you're probably getting enough protein and don't need products that promise some big boost.

And it's true that most people could use more fiber in their diets. But, please, ditch the “fiber-maxxing” trend. Instead, eat whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains.

A good skin care routine is not expensive or complicated That 20-step skin care routine and $200 serum some TikToker sold you on? Dermatologists say you really don't need it. Stay away from the beef tallow and slather on a good sunscreen instead (yes, even if you have darker skin ), they say.

And the same rule for simplicity applies to that hourlong “everything shower." The best showers are simple and short, dermatologists say, no "double cleansing" required.

There are many simple ways to get that workout in If the gym and all its equipment feel intimidating, you can drop the illusion that a good workout requires either. This year, the comeback of calisthenics put the focus back on no frills, bodyweight workouts you can do in the comfort of home. Research shows calisthenics helps with muscle strength and aerobic conditioning. You may eventually need weightlifting or other equipment, but it is a great place to start to build consistency and confidence.

Be wary of wellness fads and treatments — they are often too good to be true Even if you imbibe too much this New Year's Eve, doctors say you can do without “ IV therapy ” which have vitamins you can get more easily and cheaper in pill form — if you even need more, which is unlikely if you have a balanced diet. You're pretty much just paying for “expensive urine,” one doctor said.

Same for “wellness” focused products like microbiome testing kits that generate information that doctors can't actually act on. And if you don't have diabetes, there's scant evidence that you need a continuous glucose monitor.

To improve your health, go back to the basics The idea of a panacea pill, product or routine can be enticing. But science already knows a lot about how to improve mental and physical health, and they are tried and true:

1. Whether you're in the city or the country — walk more. Research shows walking is great for physical and mental health. It's so good for you, doctors are literally prescribing time in the outdoors to their patients.

2. Take steps to get certain health metrics under control, likehigh blood pressure, which often goes undiagnosed and is known to cause a range of health problems down the road. Prioritize getting enough sleep, and make sure your family does too. Don't just eat right — eat slower.

3. Give your mind some care too. Set better boundaries with your technology andregain and retrain your attention span. Build out your social networks and invest inall forms of love for the people around you.

These lifestyle changes don't just make you feel better in the moment. Research shows they impact your life for years to come, by lowering the risk of dementia and many other health issues.

Don't know who to trust? Start with your doctor It can be tough to know who to listen to about your health, faced with compelling personal stories on social media from people who swear something worked from them, or clever marketing and advertising from companies that scare you or promise an easy fix.

Doubts have been raised this year about established medicine, including the safety of food dyes, fluoride dental treatments,hepatitis B shot for newborns, and hormone therapies for menopause.

While the medical system is not perfect, your doctor remains the best person to talk to about prevention, health concerns and potential treatments.

If you can't get to a human doctor and turn to Dr. Google instead, be sure to follow these tips and never use it to diagnose yourself. When you do get that doctor's appointment, you can make the most of it by bringing a list of written questions — and don't hesitate to ask for any clarification you need.

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Citrus Harvest Season Kicks off in AlUla

The citrus harvest in AlUla is a significant agricultural and economic event - SPA
The citrus harvest in AlUla is a significant agricultural and economic event - SPA
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Citrus Harvest Season Kicks off in AlUla

The citrus harvest in AlUla is a significant agricultural and economic event - SPA
The citrus harvest in AlUla is a significant agricultural and economic event - SPA

The citrus harvest season has officially begun in AlUla Governorate, which is renowned for its agricultural production, according to SPA.

Citrus groves in AlUla cover approximately 654.57 hectares and contain around 261,826 trees, yielding about 6,545.65 tons of fruit annually.

The governorate produces a variety of delicious and nutritious citrus fruits, most notably navel oranges, citron, and sweet lemons. The citrus harvest season typically runs from December to March.

These fruits are distinguished by their high quality, attributed to the governorate's unique climate and fertile soil, resulting in exceptional flavor and high nutritional value.

The citrus harvest in AlUla is a significant agricultural and economic event that highlights the diversity of the governorate's agricultural production. It also plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activity and promoting local products in the marketplace.

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Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park Records Third Consecutive Arabian Oryx Births

Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park recorded the birth of an Arabian oryx for the third consecutive year. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park recorded the birth of an Arabian oryx for the third consecutive year. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park Records Third Consecutive Arabian Oryx Births

Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park recorded the birth of an Arabian oryx for the third consecutive year. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park recorded the birth of an Arabian oryx for the third consecutive year. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia's Qassim National Park in Buraidah recorded the birth of an Arabian oryx for the third consecutive year, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

The development is an important environmental milestone that reflect the ongoing success of release and reintroduction programs led by the National Center for Wildlife (NCW), which aims to preserve endangered wild species and boost biodiversity in their natural habitats.

The achievement exemplifies a pioneering collaboration between the NCW and the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification through initiatives such as vegetation enhancement, natural habitat rehabilitation, and the creation of suitable conditions for the breeding and sustainability of wild species.

Qassim National Park is one of several national parks implementing afforestation and environmental rehabilitation projects under the Saudi Green Initiative, strengthening the region’s ecological diversity and showcasing the role of national parks as models of successful environmental sustainability programs in the Kingdom.