What HCPs are looking out for in the oncology space in 2025

28.01.2025 | Health Strategy

What HCPs are looking out for in the oncology space in 2025

In 2024, many different oncology fields made huge advancements in patient care. Novel drugs and treatments came onto the market; notably, a number of groundbreaking immuno- and targeted therapies, including AstraZeneca’s Tagrisso for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), or more recently, new data for Pfizer’s Ibrance released at SABCS. But at the start of the New Year, can we project what 2025 will hold for the oncology space when analysing HCP specialists’ views and topics that were most discussed online recently?

Here at CREATION.co we analysed the HCP conversation from 2024 for five of the many key drugs the experts in the industry expect to see coming to the fore in this year. According to Citeline, 2025 is expected to see 69 key drug launches across 66 drugs, with 35 of those being considered ‘practice-changing’. The majority of these launches are expected to be in oncology, with 19 potential launches in this therapeutic area.

Which drugs are HCPs looking out for?

Ivonescimab

The first drug which got HCPs talking ahead of 2025 was Summit and Akeso’s ivonescimab. There is a specific focus on the NSCLC space after data from the HARMONI trials was released across 2024. Of the near-1,000 posts across the year about ivonescimab, HCPs opted to reshare the data and trial information with their networks, significantly increasing HCP awareness of the available data.

Some HCPs did share their opinion – the majority reacting positively to the data releases – many oncologists welcomed an “exciting” challenger to Merck & Co’s “King Keytruda”. At the same time, a similar number of HCPs also expressed the need to see more data before they are to be convinced. For example, 20 HCPs shared a post from medical oncologist Dr Jarushka Naidoo stating that more data is needed from female participants.

 

As we tend to find in our studies, only a handful of HCPs expressed critical sentiment towards the results; thoracic oncologist Tejas Patil called the results “confusing” when compared to other recently released data in two separate posts. However, these posts were shared by only two other HCPs, suggesting that the view was not as widely supported.

We anticipate that this sentiment will proliferate as ivonescimab nears launch in 2025.

Datopotamab deruxtecan (dato-DXd)

According to industry experts, another drug which is expected to make a significant impact in 2025 is AstraZeneca’s datopotamab deruxtecan (dato-DXd), a compound also indicated in both the NSCLC and breast cancer spaces. Having been approved in 2024 in Japan and the EU (amongst others) for the H+/HER2- breast cancer indication, HCPs posted over 700 times on social media to share news about the drug, with the majority of their posts not containing an opinion.

However, it was also the NSCLC trial TROPION-Lung01 which got HCPs talking about this drug in 2024 – this being the driver behind a third of the HCP conversation. Nevertheless, there were mixed opinions among HCP conversations about dato-DXd from HCPs last year. While there were nearly 200 HCP posts with positive sentiment, a similar number of posts expressed negative sentiment. Other HCPs posted a further 100 times stating that more data is still needed.

Positive HCP opinions towards the drug, from 111 different HCPs, were largely due to its efficacy and “manageable safety profile” in both the lung and breast cancer spaces. 

The 92 HCPs who were more critical of the data highlighted that the drug failed to meet overall survival goals in TROPION-Lung01 or TROPION-Breast01 despite its demonstration of efficacy compared to comparator drugs. As a consequence of these apparent conflicting results, other HCPs called for more clarity around the data, such as thoracic oncologist Dr Steven Liu, who posted that he “[needs] to see the full dataset” before forming an opinion. This sentiment was shared by 66 HCPs.

 

Revuforj (revumenib)

In November 2024, Syndax’s Revuforj gained FDA approval for patients with relapsed/refractory acute leukemia with a KMT2A translocation. This news sparked positive discussions amongst HCPs. In point of fact, our analysis of nearly 300 posts on X did not identify any which contained negative sentiment towards Revuforj. 

131 HCPs took to social media to share the news with fellow HCPs within their networks, amplifying related FDA announcements. Positive opinions of revumenib included the sharing of results at EHA2024 from a phase 1 study for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). 15 haematologists and oncologists called the data “exciting”, with others praising the “huge impact” menin inhibitors like revumenib will have in the AML space.

HCPs are keen to track Revuforj as its research progresses into further stages during 2025, with data releases and milestones anticipated to be reached within the year. 

 

Patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd)

In 2024, Daiichi Sankyo/Merck & Co’s HER3-DXd continued the trend of efficacious antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in the NSCLC and H+/HER2- breast cancer spaces. Over 120 HCPs readily shared results of HER3-DXd trials released at ESMO and other congresses (including DC Lung conference, and the ITC debates), again amplifying content to their network. 

47 HCPs posted nearly 80 times stating that more data will be needed going into 2025 to back up promising results displayed by HER3-DXd. Dr Amol Akhade, an India-based oncologist, called the data “encouraging”, while also expressing the need to see the results of longer follow-up trials which will be completed in the coming months. His post was shared by nine other HCPs and received over 69,000 impressions.

42 HCPs did, however, post over 60 times expressing positive sentiment towards the drug. Medical oncologist and DOL, Dr Paolo Tarantino, stated that he was impressed to see the “march of DXd-based ADCs”, and expressed excitement about the “expanding pipeline” of drugs in the breast cancer space. His post was shared by one other oncologist and garnered over 25,000 impressions. 

(Dr Tarantino is the top DOL on our Breast Cancer DOL Finder platform. Find out more about DOL Finder here).

Further, nine HCPs shared a post from oncologist Prof. Aleix Prat, a researcher in the SOLTI-1805 TOT-HER3 trial. His post celebrated the “promising efficacy” of HER3-DXd for HER2- breast cancer.

 

Lorbrena (lorlatinib)

Our analysis also showed that Pfizer’s Lorbrena is one of the hottest topics among HCPs online within oncology in the wake of successful data releases in 2024.

Following the phase 3 results of the CROWN trial being released at ASCO in June of last year, there was much discussion around whether lorlatinib, despite it “[setting a] new record” for its progression-free survival (PFS) data, should be considered as a first-line option for treatment. However, some HCPs raised concerns over the toxicity of the drug, whereas others doubted that the comparator drug, crizotinib, was a suitable choice for the control arm of CROWN given other, more efficacious, drugs available (e.g., alectinib). Despite these concerns, it was clear to see the overwhelming excitement from a majority of HCPs: 37 HCPs shared a post calling the CROWN trial a “¡Resultado esperanzador!” (“hopeful result!”), while 26 others shared a post praising the PFS curves and congratulating the lead researcher. Overall, our research identified over double the number of posts expressing positive sentiment than those expressing negative sentiment.

 

As our research highlights, HCPs are quite excited about Lorbrena, and we anticipate that, if this trend continues, this will continue to receive lots of exposure and interest among HCPs on social media in 2025.

As oncology enters a pivotal year, understanding the voice of healthcare professionals is more critical than ever. As our research above indicates, the HCP community is closely monitoring the launch of transformative drugs such as ivonescimab, datopotamab deruxtecan and Revuforj, while raising important questions about data clarity, safety profiles and real-world impact. 

To stay ahead in this fast-changing landscape, consider these priorities: 

  1. Consider deep social listening to anticipate shifts in HCP sentiment to adapt strategies effectively 
  2. Consider leveraging digital platforms to engage with key opinion leaders and amplify insights, such as our DOL Finder platform.

For a more detailed outlook on what HCPs think about the future of oncology, you can register for this free-for-pharma white paper and stay at the forefront of cancer care innovation. 

If you would like to hear more generally about our expertise as leaders in the online HCP voice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

 

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Meet the Author

Ben Stott

Ben, a recent physics graduate, brings a strong foundation in analytical and technical skills honed during his academic journey. Armed with this knowledge, he uncovers valuable data insights to present to the pharmaceutical industry.

In his spare time, Ben loves to play hockey and spend time with friends and family. You’ll often catch him watching sport, or attempting a new geography quiz.

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