INTRODUCTION:HS is an inflammatory skin condition that causes abscesses, nodules, and tunnels in intertriginous areas. Treatment consists of multimodal therapy such as topical and systemic antibiotics, washes and ointments, hormonal modulation, retinoids, surgery, and recently biologic therapy. The FDA approved three biologics for HS in the last 10 years, although novel options are needed for recalcitrant disease. AREAS COVERED:A comprehensive search of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Trials database was performed in April 2025, with an updated search in October 2025. Trials were limited to hidradenitis suppurativa, phase II or III, and a status of not yet recruiting, recruiting, active, completed, or terminated. Data were supplemented with a PubMed query and an internet search for data and press releases from companies. Results include 52 phase 2 and 16 phase 3 studies. EXPERT OPINION:Biologics serve as a steppingstone to a new age of therapy for HS. Investigations are needed for recalcitrant disease, to minimize adverse events, and provide personalized treatment. Compounds with promise include JAK inhibitors, while other compounds await results, and others limited by small sample sizes and non-randomized study designs. Future trials should focus on comparative drug designs and ensuring fair access for all, particularly patients with the highest disease burden.
INTRODUCTION:Claudins are integral components of tight junctions with emerging roles in cancer biology. Dysregulated claudin expression during malignant transformation exposes these proteins on the tumor cell surface, creating opportunities for targeted therapy. Claudin-6, an oncofetal protein largely absent from normal adult tissues, is aberrantly expressed in a significant subset of ovarian cancers, making it an attractive therapeutic target. AREAS COVERED:This review summarizes the biological rationale for targeting claudin-6 in ovarian cancer and evaluates current therapeutic strategies, including monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific T-cell engagers, CAR-T cells, and CAR-NK cells. The analysis is based on a structured literature search conducted in major biomedical databases, including MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science, as well as ClinicalTrials.gov for ongoing studies. EXPERT OPINION:Claudin-6-targeted therapies represent a promising advancement for patients with recurrent or platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Among current approaches, ADCs appear closest to broad clinical applicability due to their potency and manageable safety profiles. Future success will depend on standardized diagnostic assays, biomarker-driven trial designs, and rational combination strategies to overcome resistance and maximize durable clinical benefit.
INTRODUCTION:Advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas (GEAs) continue to represent an area in need of new drug development. Targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) in GEAs has been standard since 2010 and continues to be an area of further development. AREAS COVERED:Trastuzumab became the first targeted agent approved for GEA. Added to front-line fluoropyrimidine plus platinum chemotherapy in HER2+ metastatic disease, trastuzumab improved survival. Pembrolizumab was approved in HER2 positive GEA for those PD-L1 positive with modest benefit. Since trastuzumab's approval, other anti-HER2 agents had limited impact until 2021 with the FDA approval of trastuzumab deruxtecan. Trastuzumab deruxtecan represents an option after trastuzumab-based therapy fails. Other agents are currently being investigated. EXPERT OPINION:With the abundance of anti-HER2 therapies in the investigative pipeline, understanding key resistance mechanisms seen in HER2+ GEA will be the path to success. Technology advancements to provide real‑time precision medicine are likely in the coming years. We hope these advancements can help combat and/or understand some of the intratumoral heterogeneity, HER2 expression changes, and tumor microenvironment resistance pathways seen in HER2+ GEA.
