MRD-Guided Therapy With Ibrutinib/Venetoclax or Ibrutinib Alone in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
In an update from the UK phase III FLAIR trial reported in The New England Journal of Medicine, Munir et al compared the survival benefit of measurable residual disease (MRD)–guided therapy with ibrutinib/venetoclax vs ibrutinib alone in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
An interim analysis showed...
Metformin in Metastatic Prostate Cancer
In a phase III trial (part of the STAMPEDE platform) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Gillessen et al investigated the survival outcomes of adding metformin to standard of care (SOC) in nondiabetic patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer starting androgen-deprivation therapy...
Teclistamab for High-Risk, Heavily Pretreated Multiple Myeloma: Real-World Data
Teclistamab-cqyv is the first bispecific T-cell engager antibody that targets both B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) proteins on myeloma cells and CD3 proteins on T cells. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2022 for treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple...
Revumenib in Triplet Regimen Under Study in Newly Diagnosed AML With NPM1/KMT2A Alterations
A new combination of azacitidine, venetoclax, and revumenib demonstrated high rates of complete response and clinical activity in older adults with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and an NPM1 mutation or KMT2A rearrangement. The regimen was also shown to be safe in updated results from ...
Dual Menin and KAT6A/7 Inhibition Improves Outcomes in NUP98-Rearranged Pediatric AML Models
A combination of menin inhibition and KAT6A/7 inhibition significantly improved survival for NUP98-rearranged pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in AML model systems, even in menin inhibitor–resistant cells, according to findings published in Cancer Discovery.
The MYST gene family histone...
Frontline Triplet Regimens for Intensive Chemotherapy-Ineligible IDH-Mutant AML
In a single-center study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, DiNardo et al investigated whether frontline triplet regimens consisting of a hypomethylating agent, venetoclax, and an isocitrate dehydrogenase inhibitor were active in intensive chemotherapy-ineligible patients with IDH-mutant ...
Can Planned C-Sections Increase the Risk of Childhood ALL?
Children born by planned cesarean section (C-section) may have an increased risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) later in life, according to a recent study published by Kampitsi et al in the International Journal of Cancer. Alhough the researchers did find an association, they...
Phase II Trial Supports SRT as Alternative to WBRT in SCLC
Patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) that has metastasized to the brain were safely and successfully treated with targeted stereotactic radiation (SRT) rather than whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) in a phase II trial, demonstrating the practicality of a less-invasive approach for...
Outcomes With Perioperative Immunotherapy in Resectable NSCLC
In a retrospective cohort study reported in JAMA Network Open, Desai et al examined survival outcomes with the addition of immunotherapy to neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with resectable non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Study Details
The study involved data from the Flatiron...
Sharp Rise in Obesity-Linked Cancer Mortality Highlights Geographic and Demographic Gaps
Obesity-related cancer deaths have tripled in the United States over the past 2 decades, with significant disparities seen by gender, race, age, and geography, according to findings from a national epidemiological analysis presented at ENDO 2025, the annual meeting of The Endocrine Society (
Study Supports Multi-Contaminant Water Treatment to Reduce Cancer Risk
Treating drinking water for multiple contaminants, especially arsenic and chromium-6, could prevent more than 50,000 cancer cases in the United States, according to the results of a study by the Environmental Working Group that was published in Environmental Research.
Study findings highlighted...
New Research Offers Reassurance About Localized Prostate Cancer Prognosis
A recent study out of Sweden found that people diagnosed with nonmetastatic low-risk prostate cancer later in life were 90% more likely to survive their cancer for their remaining life expectancy if they were treated according to NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines). Of...
Avelumab Plus Cetuximab in Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
In a phase II trial (Alliance A091802) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Zandberg et al investigated the survival benefit of adding cetuximab to avelumab in patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
Study Details
In the U.S. multicenter trial, 57 evaluable patients were...
Surgery vs Ablation in Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma
In two Japanese studies (SURF-RCT and SURF-Cohort) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Kawaguchi et al compared the outcomes of surgery vs radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Study Details
Two multicenter studies were performed, with...
Chemoimmunotherapy for Advanced BTC: 3-Year Overall Survival Update From the TOPAZ Trial
In a follow-up analysis of the pivotal TOPAZ-1 study, which established the combination of the PD-L1 inhibitor durvalumab plus gemcitabine and cisplatin as the first-line treatment for advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC), researchers have shown that after 3 years, more than twice as many study...
The Future of Cell Therapy: Optimizing the CAR to the Disease in B-Cell Malignancies
Over the past 20 years, increased understanding of the biological mechanism of disease has led to improved treatment options for all malignancies. Within each disease subtype, we have molecularly characterized tumors and developed specific treatment algorithms to optimize patient outcomes.
Among...
Four-Year Outcomes Highlight Efficacy of Neoadjuvant Nivolumab and Relatlimab in Advanced Resectable Melanoma
A neoadjuvant and adjuvant regimen of anti–PD-1 therapy with nivolumab and anti–LAG-3 therapy with relatlimab led to a 4-year event-free survival rate of 80% in patients with advanced, resectable melanoma, according to long-term findings from a phase II study published in the Journal of Clinical...
Upfront Radical Cytoreductive Surgery Extends Progression-Free Survival in Advanced Ovarian Cancer
The TRUST trial is the first phase III randomized study to show improved progression-free survival for primary cytoreductive surgery compared with interval surgery without compromising short-term or long-term quality of life, although the study failed to meet its primary endpoint of overall...
Relacorilant and Nab-Paclitaxel in Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer
In the phase III ROSELLA trial—reported at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting as well as in The Lancet—Olawaiye et al examined the survival benefit of adding relacorilant to nab-paclitaxel in women with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Relacorilant is a first-in-class selective glucocorticoid receptor...
RP1 Plus Nivolumab in Anti–PD-1–Resistant Advanced Melanoma
When combined with nivolumab, RP1 (vusolimogene oderparepvec), a genetically engineered herpes simplex virus type 1–based oncolytic immunotherapy, induced deep and durable systemic responses in patients with advanced melanoma who have failed to respond to prior anti–PD-1 therapy, according to...
Ruxolitinib for Steroid-Refractory or -Dependent Chronic Graft-vs-Host Disease
In the 3-year final analysis of the phase III REACH3 trial reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Zeiser et al compared the use of ruxolitinib vs best available therapy (BAT) in terms of failure-free survival and duration of response in patients with steroid-refractory or -dependent chronic...
Literature Review Highlights Rising Incidence and Disparities in Many Early-Onset GI Cancers
Rates of early-onset gastrointestinal cancers, beyond just colorectal cancer, are rising among people younger than age 50, according to experts from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Researchers from Dana-Farber published a literature review in the British Journal of Surgery showing that cases of newly ...
A Young Hematologist’s Take on ICML 2025
From Dr. Bruce Cheson’s electric speech on how it all started with pentostatin in hairy cell leukemia, to the introduction of bendamustine in indolent lymphoma, to the development of R-squared (an innovative chemotherapy-free approach to treating lymphoma)—the nostalgia at the International...
AJCC Guideline Reassessment Aims to Improve HPV-Positive Throat Cancer Staging
An update of staging guidelines from the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) for human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive throat cancer—now more common in the United States than cervical cancer, according to the American Cancer Society—aims to make treatment of early-stage disease more consistent...
Zanidatamab Plus Chemotherapy in Advanced HER2-Positive Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma
In a phase II trial reported in The Lancet Oncology, Elimova et al evaluated the efficacy and safety of the bispecific monoclonal antibody zanidatamab plus chemotherapy in the first-line treatment of patients with advanced HER2-positive gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma.
Study Details
In the trial,...
Women Over the Age of 65 Still at Heightened Risk of HPV-Related Cervical Cancer
Women aged 65 years and older are still at a heightened risk of cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), suggest the findings of a large observational Chinese study published by Ye et al in Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinical Medicine.
Most guidelines currently recommend discontinuing...
Corticosteroids May Limit Efficacy of Immunotherapy in Patients With NSCLC
Corticosteroids, which are commonly prescribed to alleviate cancer-related symptoms in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with immunotherapy, may be the reason certain immunotherapies fail in treating the disease, according to new research published by Polyakov et al in Cancer ...
Subsequent Neoplasm Risk Among Childhood Cancer Survivors: Effect of BMI and Physical Activity
In a study reported in JAMA Oncology, Joffe et al examined the association of high body mass index (BMI) and low physical activity with increased risk of subsequent neoplasms among childhood cancer survivors.
Study Details
The study involved data on 5-year survivors of childhood cancers diagnosed...
Nivolumab or Brentuximab Vedotin With AVD in Older Patients With Advanced Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
In a subset analysis from the phase III SWOG S1826 trial reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Rutherford et al compared the survival outcomes of nivolumab plus AVD (doxorubicin, vinblastine, dacarbazine; N-AVD) vs brentuximab vedotin plus AVD (BV-AVD) in patients with advanced-stage...
Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer May Be at Increased Risk of Severe COVID-19 Infection
People who have survived cancer as children may be at a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 infection—even decades after their cancer diagnosis, according to results published by Louro et al in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe.
Thanks to medical advances, more and more children are...
BMI and Cardiovascular Disease Associated With Increased Breast Cancer Risk
Weight-associated risk for developing breast cancer after menopause may be higher among women with cardiovascular disease compared with those without cardiovascular disease and women with or without type 2 diabetes, according to the results of two prospective European cohort studies, which were...
Preclinical Leukemia Chip Platform Improves Evaluation of CAR T-Cell Therapies
Investigators have bioengineered an organotypic immunocompetent chip—a laboratory device that combines the physical structure of human leukemia bone marrow and a functioning immune system—to empower real-time spatiotemporal monitoring of CAR-T cell functionality for leukemias. The preclinical...
Addition of Glofitamab to R-CHOP or Pola-R-CHP in Younger Patients With High-Risk LBCL
In an Australian phase II trial (COALITION) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Minson et al investigated the addition of glofitamab to R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) or Pola-R-CHP (polatuzumab vedotin, rituximab, cyclophosphamide,...
Y-90 Resin Microspheres Receive FDA Approval for the Treatment of Unresectable HCC
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved SIR-Spheres Y-90 resin microspheres, manufactured by Sirtex, for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). With this approval, these microspheres become the only radioembolization therapy approved for the treatment of both ...
Survey Finds Confusion Over Mammogram Guidelines
Mammograms can detect breast cancer early before symptoms appear, and regular screening decreases the risk of dying from breast cancer. But a recent survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania shows that some Americans appear to be confused about...
Survival Disparities Rise in Patients With Advanced Cancer Depending on Whether They Have Insurance to Cover Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
A study led by researchers at the American Cancer Society examining the association between the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and changes in survival disparities by health insurance coverage among patients with newly diagnosed stage IV melanoma, non–small cell lung cancer...
Intratumoral BO-112 With Pembrolizumab in Anti–PD-1–Resistant Melanoma
In a Spanish-French phase II trial (SPOTLIGHT-203) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Márquez-Rodas et al investigated the combination of the intratumoral agent BO-112 and pembrolizumab for activity in patients with advanced anti–PD-1–resistant melanoma. BO-112 is a synthetic,...
Air Pollution Linked to Distinct Genomic Signatures in Lung Cancers Among Never-Smokers
A large analysis of the mutational processes of lung cancers in never-smoker patients showed that exposure to fine-particulate air pollution was strongly associated with increased genomic changes, including in cancer-driving and cancer-promoting genetic mutations. Findings from the whole-genome...
FDA Grants Accelerated Approval to Sunvozertinib for Metastatic NSCLC With EGFR Exon 20 Insertion Mutations
On July 2, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval to sunvozertinib (Zegfrovy), a selective EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, for adults with locally advanced or metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations, as detected by an...
PPP2R1A Mutations Linked to Improved Immunotherapy Outcomes in Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma
Patients with ovarian clear cell carcinoma harboring PPP2R1A mutations showed significantly improved survival when treated with immunotherapy compared with those without PPP2R1A mutations, according to study findings published in Nature.
Preclinical findings from the study also suggested that...
Bevacizumab Plus Erlotinib in Hereditary and Sporadic Papillary Kidney Cancer
In a National Cancer Institute phase II trial reported in The New England Journal of Medicine, Srinivasan et al investigated whether the monoclonal antibody bevacizumab in combination with the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib showed activity in patients with advanced hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal...
Lean Body Mass–Based Oxaliplatin Dosing and Risk of Neurotoxicity in Adjuvant Treatment of Stage III Colon Cancer
In a French phase II trial (LEANOX) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Assenat et al examined survival outcomes and oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (OIPN) risk associated with lean body mass (LBM)-based oxaliplatin dosing in the adjuvant treatment of stage III colon cancer.
...
FDA Grants Accelerated Approval to Linvoseltamab-gcpt for Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma
On July 2, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval to linvoseltamab-gcpt (Lynozyfic), a bispecific B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed CD3 T-cell engager, for adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior lines of...
Study Reveals Long-Term Consequences of Chemotherapy on Healthy Blood Cells
Many cytotoxic chemotherapy agents have long-term biological consequences, including premature aging of the cell population structure of healthy blood, the results of a study of the genetic effects of chemotherapy showed. These findings published in Nature Genetics may help to guide future...
Can Hormone Therapy Affect Breast Cancer Risk in Younger Women?
Investigators have found that two common types of hormone therapy may alter breast cancer risk in women before age 55. Women treated with unopposed estrogen hormone therapy (E-HT) were less likely to develop the disease than those who did not use this type of hormone therapy. Additionally, women...
Uterine Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates Projected to Rise Substantially by 2050
Uterine cancer is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States, with about 69,120 new cases and nearly 14,000 deaths from the disease expected this year. Black women experience a twice as high mortality rate compared with women of other races and ethnicities, and that...
Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Comparison of Second-Line Regimens
As reported in The Lancet Oncology by Agarwal et al, the phase III CONTACT-02 trial examined the survival benefit of cabozantinib plus atezolizumab vs switch of androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer with extrapelvic soft-tissue metastases...
AI-Enhanced PACT as a Noninvasive Breast Imaging Alternative
Panoramic photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) with machine learning assistance could be a safe, noninvasive, and sensitive alternative to mammography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for breast cancer screening, according to study results that were published in Nature...
HER3-DXd in NSCLC Without EGFR-Activating Mutations
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Steuer et al, findings in a cohort of a phase I trial indicated activity of the HER3-directed antibody-drug conjugate patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd) in patients with advanced squamous or nonsquamous non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without a...
Survey Shows Inaccuracies in U.S. Perceptions of Testicular Cancer
Only about 13% of U.S. adults correctly reported that testicular cancer is most common among men younger than 40, according to the results of a survey.
The survey, commissioned by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research...
utDNA May Help to Personalize Bladder Cancer Treatment
Results of a multi-institutional study published by St-Laurent et al in Science Direct revealed that testing urine-based tumor DNA (utDNA) may help to predict which patients with bladder cancer are at higher risk for recurrence after not responding to first-line treatment.
The study analyzed utDNA...
Study Finds About One in Six Chemotherapy Drugs in Sub-Saharan Africa Fails Quality Tests
About one in six tested chemotherapies in sub-Saharan Africa were found to have serious quality defects, according to the results of a study published in The Lancet Global Health.
Researchers assessed the appearance, packaging, and labeling of each cancer medication and measured the quantity of...
Partial-Breast Radiotherapy After Breast-Conserving Surgery: 10-Year Outcomes
As reported in The Lancet Oncology by Kirby et al, 10-year follow-up of the phase III UK IMPORT LOW trial has shown that partial-breast and reduced-dose radiotherapy continue to be associated with similar ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) outcomes compared with whole-breast radiotherapy...
Neoadjuvant Durvalumab Plus Chemotherapy for High-Risk Upper-Tract Urothelial Carcinoma
In a French phase II trial (iNDUCT-GETUG V08) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Houédé et al found evidence of activity of neoadjuvant durvalumab plus chemotherapy in patients with high-risk, upper tract urothelial carcinoma.
Study Details
In this multicenter open-label trial, 45...
Patterns of ICI Use and Survival Outcomes in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
In a U.S. population–based cohort study reported in JAMA Network Open, Bari et al identified patterns of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) use and survival outcomes among patients with metastatic colorectal cancer seen in routine clinical practice.
The investigators stated: “…ICIs have been...
Genitourinary Oncology Highlights: Treatment Advances in Renal Cell, Bladder, Urothelial, and Prostate Cancers
The 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting has officially concluded. Our sincere thanks to the global oncology community and ASCO for creating such a remarkable forum advancing cancer care. Here we highlight the most impactful updates in genitourinary tumors from this year’s meeting.
Kidney Cancer: Long-Term...
Invitation to Colonoscopy vs Fecal Immunochemical Test Screening for Colorectal Cancer
In a Spanish study (COLONPREV) reported in The Lancet, Castells et al found that invitation to fecal immunochemical test (FIT) vs colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer was associated with noninferiority in colorectal cancer mortality.
Study Details
In the multicenter study, eligible...
Incidence Rates of Colorectal and Pancreatic Cancers Are Rising Most Among Young Adults
The incidence rates of colorectal and pancreatic adenocarcinomas have risen the most among young adults over the past 2 decades, suggesting the need for heightened awareness among clinicians for these diseases in this patient population, according to a report published by Bussetty et al in JAMA...
Benefits of Walnut Consumption: Curbing Inflammation, Colorectal Cancer Risk
Researchers have uncovered that eating walnuts may improve systemic inflammation and reduce the risk for colorectal cancer, according to a recent study published by Moussa et al in Cancer Prevention Research.
Background
Ellagitannins—plant-derived polyphenol compounds found in walnuts—have been...
Childhood Exposure to Bacterial Toxin May Trigger Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer
Researchers may have identified the bacterial toxin colibactin as a potential factor contributing to the concerning rise in early-onset colorectal cancer, according to a novel study published by Díaz-Gay et al in Nature. The findings demonstrated a substantial enrichment of colibactin-related...
AACR 2025: Use of ctDNA-Based Liquid Biopsy Assay in Resectable Colorectal Cancer
Interim results from the VICTORI study showed that an ultrasensitive circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)-based liquid biopsy assay was effective in detecting signs of cancer recurrence prior to imaging and provided prognostic value within 1 month after surgery in patients with colorectal cancer. The...
DDW 2025: 20-Year Screening Program Drives Down Colorectal Cancer Cases, Deaths
A 20-year initiative that offered flexible options for colorectal cancer screening at a major integrated health system doubled colorectal cancer screening rates, cut cancer incidence by a third, halved deaths, and brought racial differences in outcomes to nearly zero, according to a study that will ...
Cannabis Use Disorder Significantly Increases Mortality Risk in Colorectal Cancer
Patients with colorectal cancer and a history of cannabis use disorder had a more than 20 times higher risk of mortality within 5 years than those without cannabis use order, according to the results of a study published in Annals of Epidemiology.
The 5-year mortality rate in patients with a...
Five Major Advances in Radiotherapy for Anal and Rectal Cancer Presented at ESTRO 2025
Five pivotal studies presented at ESTRO 2025 showcase how radiotherapy is reshaping the landscape for anal and rectal cancers. From reduced-dose treatments to cutting-edge combinations with immunotherapy and chemotherapy, these innovations offer safer, more effective, and organ-preserving...
Retifanlimab-dlwr Approved for Anal Cancer
On May 15, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved retifanlimab-dlwr (Zynyz), a PD-1–blocking monoclonal antibody, with carboplatin and paclitaxel for the first-line treatment of adults with inoperable locally recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCAC)....
Neoadjuvant Therapy for IBD-Related Rectal Cancer
Total neoadjuvant therapy of intensified chemoradiotherapy was shown to be less effective for treating patients with rectal cancer with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) than those with sporadic rectal cancer, according to study findings presented during Digestive Disease Week 2025. However, there...
Reduced-Dose Chemoradiotherapy for Early-Stage Anal Cancer
In a UK phase II trial (PLATO-ACT4) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Gilbert et al evaluated whether short-term results showed good complete response rates with both standard-dose and reduced-dose chemoradiotherapy in patients with localized squamous cell carcinoma of the anus.
Study Details
In the ...
DOJ Finds Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Colorectal Cancer Screening Practices Lacking
An evaluation by the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) of the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) colorectal cancer screening practices for inmates and their clinical follow-up for positive screenings found several serious operational and managerial deficiencies...
Online Genetic Testing Platform Demonstrates Notable Engagement Among Patients With Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer
Universal germline testing is essential for identifying hereditary cancer risk, especially for patients with young-onset colorectal cancer who were diagnosed before the age of 50. However, the implementation of universal germline testing has been hampered by increasing demand and limited physician...
Encorafenib/Cetuximab Plus Chemotherapy Improves Survival in BRAF V600E–Mutant Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Results from an international phase III study showed that the targeted therapy combination of encorafenib and cetuximab with mFOLFOX6 (leucovorin, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin) chemotherapy may help patients with BRAF V600E–mutant metastatic colorectal cancer live longer. After early results from...
ASCO 2025: Adding Atezolizumab to Adjuvant Chemotherapy Improves Disease-Free Survival in dMMR Colon Cancer
Results from the international phase III ATOMIC study demonstrated that patients with deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) colon cancer who receive atezolizumab in addition to adjuvant chemotherapy experience a 50% reduction in disease recurrence or death compared with chemotherapy alone. The findings...
ASCO 2025: Structured Exercise Program Improves Survival, Outcomes in Some Patients With Colon Cancer
A phase III study has found that a 3-year structured exercise program initiated soon after completion of adjuvant chemotherapy improves disease-free and overall survival, as well as patient-reported physical functioning and health-related fitness, in patients with stage III and high-risk stage II...
Addition of Retifanlimab to First-Line Chemotherapy in Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal
In a phase III trial (POD1UM-303/InterAACT-2) reported in The Lancet, Rao et al investigated the survival benefit of adding the PD-1 inhibitor retifanlimab to carboplatin-paclitaxel in patients with locally recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal.
Study Details
In the...
Married People May Have Better Colorectal Cancer Outcomes, Study Shows
Marital status significantly impacts survival rates for patients with colorectal cancer, according to a new Fox Chase Cancer Center study that was presented at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting (Abstract 3628). Married individuals were found to have better survival rates than single or separated and...
Anti-Inflammatory Diet Could Benefit Survival Following Stage III Colorectal Cancer
Consuming an anti-inflammatory diet could improve posttreatment survival among patients with colorectal cancer compared with following a proinflammatory diet, according to new findings presented by Char et al at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting (Abstract LBA3509). The findings suggested that engaging...
Reduced-Dose Chemoradiotherapy in Early-Stage Anal Cancer
In a UK phase II trial (PLATO-ACT4) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Gilbert et al compared short-term response rates with standard- vs reduced-dose chemoradiotherapy in patients with localized squamous cell carcinoma of the anus.
Study Details
In the multicenter, open-label, noncomparative trial,...
Colorectal Cancer Screening: CT Colonography vs Stool Testing
Computed tomography (CT) colonography demonstrated greater clinical efficacy and cost savings than stool DNA testing for colorectal cancer screening, according to results of a study published in Radiology.
"Among the safe, minimally invasive colorectal cancer screening options, CT colonography is ...
Order of CRC Diagnosis May Influence Survival in Patients With Multiple Malignancies
The order of colorectal cancer diagnosis seems to have a significant impact on outcomes in patients with multiple primary malignancies, according to the results of a study of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program data. Findings from the study were published in the Journal of...
Predictive Biomarker Under Study in Colorectal Cancer
Researchers have uncovered a biomarker that may determine response to cytokine-induced killer-cell therapy and survival in patients with colorectal cancer, according to a recent study published by Li et al in The Journal of Immunology.
Background
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of...
ASTRO Updates Guideline on Radiation Therapy for High-Grade Diffuse Glioma
A new clinical guideline from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) focuses on the use of radiation therapy for adults with World Health Organization (WHO) grade 4 diffuse gliomas, a category that includes some of the most common and most aggressive primary brain tumors. The...
Survival Benefit With Adjuvant Immunotherapy in Patients With Clear Cell RCC
The phase III KEYNOTE-564 study has reported that adjuvant pembrolizumab provides a significant improvement in overall survival for patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma at high risk of recurrence after surgery. This study is significant, as it represents the first phase III study to show...
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor–Based Therapy May Have Comparative Efficacy in Black and White Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Immune checkpoint inhibitor–based therapy may be an equally effective front-line treatment in both Black and White patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, according to recent findings presented by Kaur et al at the 2024 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (Abstract 369).
Background
Race may ...
Subcutaneous vs Intravenous Nivolumab in Advanced Clear Cell RCC
In previously treated patients with advanced or metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma, a subcutaneous formulation of nivolumab was found to be noninferior to the intravenous formulation, which is standard of care for nivolumab in renal cell carcinoma and other cancers. Compared with...
Pazopanib in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma and No Evidence of Disease After Metastasectomy
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Leonard J. Appleman, MD, PhD, and colleagues, the phase II ECOG-ACRIN E2810 trial showed no significant improvement in disease-free survival with pazopanib vs placebo in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma with no evidence of disease...
Novel CAR T-Cell Therapy May Show Benefit in Patients With Advanced Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
The CD70-targeted allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy CTX130 may be effective in patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma, according to findings presented by Srour et al at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2024 (Abstract CT002)...
Adjuvant Pembrolizumab in Renal Cell Carcinoma: Overall Survival in KEYNOTE-564
As reported in The New England Journal of Medicine by Toni K. Choueiri, MD, FASCO, and colleagues, the third prespecified interim analysis of overall survival in the phase III KEYNOTE-564 trial has shown a significant benefit with adjuvant pembrolizumab vs placebo in patients with clear cell renal...
Newly Identified Biomarkers May Improve Diagnosis and Treatment of RCC Subtypes
Researchers have identified novel biomarkers in renal cell carcinoma subtypes, according to a new study published by Li et al in Cell Reports Medicine. The findings may help identify therapeutic targets in non–clear cell renal cell carcinomas.
Background
Renal cell carcinoma is a diverse cancer...
Novel PET Agent May Accelerate Imaging in Patients With Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
The novel investigational positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging agent gallium (Ga)-68–DPI-4452 may offer rapid and accurate visualization of lesions in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma, according to a recent study published by Hofman et al in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. The...
Marker for Distinguishing Renal Cell Carcinoma From Benign Renal Masses
In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Xu et al found that higher levels of preoperative plasma kidney injury molecule-1 (pKIM-1) distinguished renal cell carcinoma from benign renal masses.
As stated by the investigators, “Both clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinoma...
Previously Untreated Advanced Clear Cell RCC: Bempegaldesleukin/Nivolumab vs TKI Therapy
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Nizar M. Tannir, MD, FACP, and colleagues, the phase III PIVOT-09 trial has shown no objective response or overall survival benefit with bempegaldesleukin plus nivolumab vs tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment with sunitinib or cabozantinib in ...
Novel Biomarker May Be Predictive of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Recurrence
Researchers have discovered a biomarker that could help identify which patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma may be at greater risk of cancer recurrence, according to a recent study published by Mehra et al in JCO Precision Oncology.
Background
Approximately 3% to 5% of all cancer diagnoses ...
Perioperative Nivolumab in Renal Cell Carcinoma
As reported in The Lancet Oncology by Allaf et al, a planned interim analysis of the phase III PROSPER ECOG-ACRIN EA8143 trial showed no recurrence-free survival benefit with perioperative nivolumab vs observation in patients undergoing nephrectomy for high-risk renal cell carcinoma.
Study ...
Adjuvant Everolimus in Localized Papillary and Chromophobe Non–Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
In a subgroup analysis of the EVEREST trial reported in JAMA Network Open, Gulati et al found that adjuvant everolimus did not improve recurrence-free survival vs placebo in patients with localized papillary or chromophobe non–clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
Study Details
In the trial,...
Belzutifan vs Everolimus in Previously Treated Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma
As reported in The New England Journal of Medicine by Choueiri and colleagues, the phase III LITESPARK-005 trial has shown improved progression-free survival with the hypoxia-inducible factor–2α inhibitor belzutifan vs everolimus in previously treated patients with advanced clear-cell renal cell...
FDA Amends Pembrolizumab’s Gastric Cancer Indication
On November 7, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised the existing indication of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine, and platinum-containing chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic...
Investigational Dual PD-1 and TIGIT Blockade in Advanced Gastroesophageal Cancer
Early findings from the phase II EDGE-Gastric trial indicate the potential for two novel agents to make a difference in advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma, according to findings reported at the ASCO Plenary Series: November 2023 Session by Yelena Y. Janjigian, MD, Chief of the...
Perioperative Pembrolizumab Plus Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Gastric/Gastroesophageal Cancer
As reported in The Lancet Oncology by Kohei Shitara, MD, and colleagues, interim analyses of the phase III KEYNOTE-585 trial have shown that the addition of perioperative pembrolizumab to chemotherapy improved pathologic complete response, but did not significantly improve event-free survival, in...
Additional Analysis of MATTERHORN Confirms Global Benefit of Durvalumab Plus FLOT in Gastric/Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer
Subgroup analyses of the randomized double-blind phase III MATTERHORN trial continue to show the benefit of adding perioperative durvalumab to standard chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced, resectable gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer. Detailed findings on pathologic complete...
Fruquintinib Plus Paclitaxel as Second-Line Treatment for Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer
The combination of fruquintinib and paclitaxel is a potential new second-line treatment for patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer, according to data presented during the ASCO Plenary Series: February 2024 Session (Abstract 438780).
Results of the phase III FRUTIGA...
Adding First-Line Nivolumab to Chemotherapy in Advanced Gastric, Gastroesophageal Junction, and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Yelena Y. Janjigian, MD, and colleagues, 3-year follow-up of the phase III CheckMate 649 trial has shown the continued benefit of the addition of nivolumab to chemotherapy in the first-line treatment of advanced gastric, gastroesophageal junction,...
