June 25, 2025 (View All Issues)
Phase III Trial Results Suggest a New Standard of Care in Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
In the phase III DESTINY-Breast09 trial, first-line treatment with the antibody-drug conjugate fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (T-DXd) plus the monoclonal antibody pertuzumab significantly delayed disease progression by more than 1 year—nearly doubling the time of disease control—over standard...
Adjuvant Use of Atezolizumab Plus Chemotherapy in DNA Mismatch Repair–Deficient Colon Cancer
For the adjuvant treatment of stage III colon cancer with DNA mismatch repair–deficient (dMMR) tumors, the addition of the checkpoint inhibitor atezolizumab to standard chemotherapy significantly improved disease-free survival in the phase III ATOMIC trial. The results position this approach as a...
Silence Is Complicity
On January 20, 2025, newly sworn-in President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14151, “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,”1 effectively eliminating all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, preferences, and activities across the federal...
Early ESR1 Mutation Detection and Therapy Switch in Advanced Hormone Receptor–Positive, HER2-Negative Breast Cancer
Early detection of an ESR1 mutation, leading to a switch of endocrine therapy, led to an almost doubling in progression-free survival in the SERENA-6 trial, the global registrational study in patients with metastatic breast cancer for the investigational oral selective estrogen receptor degrader...
Updated Results Confirm Benefit of Combination Regimen in BRAFV600E–Mutated Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Patients with previously untreated BRAF V600E–mutated metastatic colorectal cancer who receive the BRAF inhibitor encorafenib and the EGFR inhibitor cetuximab plus mFOLFOX6 (modified leucovorin, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin) vs the current standard of care (chemotherapy ± bevacizumab) may live...
Impact of Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Pattern on Survival Outcomes in Patients With Stage III Colon Cancer
Greater intake of a proinflammatory dietary pattern may be linked to worse overall survival in patients with stage III colon cancer who have undergone curative-intent resection. Sara K. Char, MD, a clinical fellow at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, presented the results of a prospective...
ACS Study Focuses on Effects of Medicaid Expansion in Low-Income Older Adults With Cancer
A recent study by researchers at the American Cancer Society (ACS) showed that Medicaid expansion was associated with an increase in Medicaid coverage, early-stage cancer diagnoses, and improved 2-year survival among individuals aged 65 or older who were diagnosed with cancer. They believe these...
FDA Approves Darolutamide for Metastatic Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer
On June 3, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved darolutamide (Nubeqa) for the treatment of metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC). The oral androgen receptor inhibitor had previously been approved by the FDA in combination with docetaxel for mCSPC.
Efficacy...
In Second-Line Setting, T-DXd Improves Survival Outcomes in HER2-Positive Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer
In the phase III DESTINY-Gastric04 trial, use of the antibody-drug conjugate fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (T-DXd) was compared head to head with the monoclonal antibody ramucirumab and paclitaxel in patients with previously treated, HER2-positive metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction...
ASCO Guideline Update Calls for Omission of SLNB in Select Patients With Early-Stage Breast Cancer
ASCO has released a clinical practice guideline update on the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in early-stage breast cancer.1 The update includes recommendations based on findings from trials released after the published guideline in 2017, including data from nine randomized trials...
ASCO and Medicaid: Advocacy In Action
The Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is actively engaged in advocacy to protect Medicaid access for millions of Americans. Members can support ASCO’s Medicaid advocacy efforts through the ACT Network. In 2025, ASCO has partnered with other health-care organizations and engaged with...
Vepdegestrant vs Fulvestrant in Estrogen Receptor–Positive, HER2-Negative Advanced Breast Cancer
Based on the findings of the VERITAC-2 trial, treatment with the selective PROTAC (proteolysis targeting chimera) estrogen receptor degrader vepdegestrant yielded statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival in patients with ESR1-mutant, estrogen...
ASCO Honors Karen Eubanks Jackson of Sisters Network® Inc. With 2025 Patient Advocate Award
Karen Eubanks Jackson, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI), has been named the recipient of the 2025 Patient Advocate Award by ASCO, Conquer Cancer, and the ASCO Foundation. The awards ceremony was held during the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting. (See a video with Ms....
HLA-Matching Considerations for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Hematologic Malignancies
Besides relapse of the malignant disease, graft-vs-host disease is still one of the greatest concerns, in terms of adverse effects, following a hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in a patient with a hematologic malignancy. To mitigate these concerns, investigators are continually analyzing ...
Use of Adjuvant Aspirin Reduces the Risk of Recurrence in PI3K-Mutated Colorectal Cancer
In the phase III ALASCCA trial, the use of adjuvant daily aspirin for 3 years reduced the risk of recurrence in colorectal cancer harboring PI3K pathway alterations by 51%, according to research in a Scandinavian population presented at the 2025 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium by Anna...
AACR 2025: Trends in Breast Cancer Incidence for Women Between the Ages of 20 and 49
Breast cancer deaths among women between the ages of 20 and 49 declined significantly across all breast cancer subtypes and racial/ethnic groups from 2010 to 2020, with marked declines starting after 2016, according to an analysis of data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)...
Establishing Novel Models of Interdisciplinary Care to Improve Survival Outcomes in Patients With Cancer
Internationally renowned for her decades-long pioneering research in pancreatic cancer, in 2024, Diane M. Simeone, MD, left her positions as the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Professor of Surgery and Pathology; Director, Pancreatic Cancer Center; and Associate Director of the Perlmutter Cancer Center...
Preoperative Endocrine Therapy for Older Women With Estrogen Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer: Impact on Radiotherapy Decisions
Providing a brief, 90-day course of preoperative endocrine therapy to older women with early-stage, estrogen receptor–positive, invasive breast cancer may significantly alter both patient preferences and physician recommendations regarding adjuvant radiation therapy, according to data presented...
Radiation Therapy: Hypofractionation vs Conventional Fractionation in Patients With Breast Cancer Planning Breast Reconstruction
Postmastectomy radiation therapy may be significantly shortened for many patients planning breast reconstruction, according to data from a large phase III trial (RT CHARM, Alliance A221505).1 Investigators reported that hypofractionated (short-course) radiation therapy was found to be noninferior...
How a Commonly Inherited Genetic Alteration Is Driving Breast Cancer Metastasis and Predicting Survival
A common germline variant in the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) (rs562556, V474I) gene rather than a mutation in a breast cancer tumor may be the driving force in significantly increasing the risk of breast cancer metastasis and reducing survival in women with the disease....
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Improving Adjuvant Chemotherapy Completion in Patients With Colon Cancer
Guest Editor’s Note: Although guidelines recommend adjuvant combination chemotherapy for patients with stage II and III colon cancer who are at high risk of disease recurrence, fewer than 50% complete treatment because of fear of adverse effects or symptom burden. The herbal formula Jianpi Bushen ...
Menopause Medication May Help to Prevent Invasive Breast Cancer, Study Finds
A drug already approved by the FDA to treat menopause symptoms may also help to prevent invasive breast cancer, according to recent findings from a clinical trial led by Northwestern Medicine. The research was presented at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting (Abstract 512).
Study Details
The multicenter,...
Number of Cancer Survivors in the United States Reaches 18.6 Million and Projected to Exceed 22 Million by 2035
The number of people living with a history of cancer in the United States is estimated at 18.6 million as of January 1, 2025, and projected to exceed 22 million by 2035, according to a new report, Cancer Treatment and Survivorship Statistics, 2025, led by the American Cancer Society (ACS). The...
Chronicling the Extraordinary Career of Stephen R. Grobmyer, MD, FACS, in Breast Cancer Research, Surgery, and Treatment
In this installment of The ASCO Post’s Living a Full Life series, Guest Editor Jame Abraham, MD, FACP, spoke with Stephen R. Grobmyer, MD, FACS, about his clinical and research career in oncology, the challenges and rewards of moving to Abu Dhabi and building a state-of-the-art cancer center, and...
Minnesota Society of Clinical Oncology Recognized for Advocacy at 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting
The Minnesota Society of Clinical Oncology (MSCO) is the recipient of the 2024 Jeffery C. Ward Affiliate Advocacy Award. The Association for Clinical Oncology presented the award during the State Affiliates’ Reception at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting. Presented annually, the Jeffery C. Ward...
Malignant Hematology Expert and Medicare Reimbursement Advocate, Samuel M. Silver, MD, PhD, FRCP, FASCO, MACP, Dies at 74
The ASCO Post would like to pay tribute to Samuel M. Silver, MD,PhD, FRCP, FASCO, MACP, who died on August 14, 2024, at the age of 74. Dr. Silver was renowned in the hematology and oncology community and a respected member of the editorial advisory board of The ASCO Post. Additionally, he served...
William C. Wood, MD, FASCO, Renowned Surgeon, Esteemed Mentor, Global Academic Dean, Dies at 84
William C. “Bill” Wood, MD, FASCO, a leader and mentor in the field of breast cancer, died on August 18, 2024. He was 84.
Dr. Wood was the J.B. Whitehead Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery at Emory University School of Medicine from 1991 to 2009. He chaired the 1990 U.S. National...
W. Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, FASCO, Selected for Women Who Conquer Cancer Mentorship Award
W. Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, FASCO, has been selected for the prestigious 2025 Hologic, Inc Endowed Women Who Conquer Cancer Mentorship Award. Launched in 2016, the Women Who Conquer Cancer award program honors extraordinary women leaders in oncology and role models who have excelled as mentors...
I Was Expecting to Hear I Have Heart Disease, Not Cancer
In 2022, I had a computed tomography (CT) coronary calcium scan to see whether there were any signs of narrowing or blockage in my heart arteries. Heart disease runs in my family. My father died of a heart attack the year before, and I worried that I was at risk for the same fate. It was a complete ...
Molecular Assay Identifies Patients With Early NSCLC Likely to Benefit From Adjuvant Chemotherapy
Results from an international clinical trial show that a 14-gene molecular assay can help identify patients with early-stage nonsquamous non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who could benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery. The research will be presented at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting (
The Ohio State Appoints Christian Rolfo, MD, PhD, MBA, to Lead Division of Medical Oncology
Christian Rolfo, MD, PhD, MBA, has been appointed Director of the Division of Medical Oncology at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center–Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC–James). He will assume this position on August 15.
Dr. Rolfo will ...
Mailed Self-Collection HPV Tests Improve Cervical Cancer Screening Rates, Study Finds
Mail-in self-collection tests for human papillomavirus (HPV) more than doubled cervical cancer screening participation among never- and under-screened U.S. women, according to a first-of-its-kind study from researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
In the real-world,...
