Over the past 20 years, the investment in research and development of cancer therapies has been unprecedented, and the pace of new drug development has been accelerating. To illustrate this trajectory, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 71 treatments for solid cancers in adults...
In a study reported in The Lancet Oncology, Dee et al identified cancer incidence and mortality rates for 2022 in the countries of southeast Asia. Study Details The study involved data from the GLOBOCAN 2022 database developed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer for the 11 countries...
The investigational drug formulation rhenium (Re)-186 obisbemeda (RNL-186) may extend survival in patients with glioblastoma, according to a recent study published by Brenner et al in Nature Communications. Background Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor in adult patients. The median ...
Combining the PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab and chemotherapy, and following that regimen with response-adapted chemoradiation, may an effective treatment for advanced human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, according to a recent study published by Rosenberg et al in...
Cancer and its treatments often contribute to burdensome symptoms that negatively impact patients’ quality of life and treatment outcomes, including fatigue, anxiety, and depression.1 Many patients experience multiple symptoms concurrently2 that can disrupt their treatments and lead to unplanned...
In a Children’s Oncology Group (COG) study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Berko et al identified the spectrum and clinical significance of clonal and subclonal pathogenic alterations in high-risk neuroblastoma. Study Details The study involved use of a focused high-risk neuroblastoma ...
In recognition of her commitment to tackling the complexities and challenges of cancer, the American Cancer Society (ACS) awarded the 2025 Medal of Honor to W. Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, MMHC. The Medal of Honor is the American Cancer Society’s most prestigious award given to distinguished...
In JAMA, Lee et al provided a concise, evidence-based summary to help clinicians discuss information regarding breast density and implement shared decision-making with patients following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Mammography Quality Standards Act mandate. Since September 2024,...
Investigators have found that the consumption of plant-based oils instead of butter may provide beneficial health effects and potentially reduce the risk of premature mortality, according to recent findings presented at the American Heart Association Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle &...
Breast cancer mortality rates may have stopped declining in women older than 74 years and younger than 40 years, according to a recent study published by Monticciolo and Hendrick in the Journal of Breast Imaging. Background Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality among ...
Catharine Young, PhD, has spent the past decade of her career focused on cancer policy and advocacy. A native of Johannesburg, South Africa, Dr. Young served as Senior Director of Science Policy at the Biden Cancer Initiative, which began in 2017 by then former Vice President Joe Biden. There she...
A common type of diabetes drug known as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors could help patients with cancer achieve greater long-term recovery, according to a novel study published by Bhalraam et al in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. Background Many patients with cancer ...
Researchers have uncovered several biomarkers that may predict how patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer will respond to the novel combination of ipatasertib and abiraterone, according to a recent study published by Bono et al in European Urology. Background Prostate cancer...
Plasma proteins may be capable of distinguishing gallbladder cancer from cholecystitis, which could reduce unnecessary procedures and improve treatment options in patients with suspected gallbladder cancer, according to a recent study published by Nouairia et al in JHEP Reports. Gallbladder cancer...
A large proportion of individuals may be unaware of the risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and cancer among men, according to a recent consumer survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center–Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research...
In a Chinese phase II trial (HORIZON-Lung) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Li et al found that trastuzumab rezetecan, a novel antibody-drug conjugate, showed activity in patients with advanced HER2-positive non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Trastuzumab rezetecan consists of a HER2-directed...
A study evaluating the genetic landscape of candidate primary resistance alterations relevant to KRAS targeting in KRAS G12C–mutant colorectal cancers and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) has found that putative resistance alterations are prevalent in these cancers. The finding may explain...
Updated consensus recommendations from the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer (MSTFCRC) address optimizing the quality of bowel preparation for colonoscopy. The document, published today by Jacobson et al, presents clinical strategies to improve bowel preparation as they apply...
Investigators may have uncovered how radiotherapy affects survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme and low-grade glioma, according to a recent study published by Veviorskiy et al in Aging. The findings highlighted key biological differences between these cancer types. Background...
Skin cancers and lymphoma may be more prevalent among individuals with tattoos compared with those without tattoos, according to a recent study published by Clemmensen et al in BMC Public Health. Prior research has shown that tattoo ink does not just remain at the site of injection—instead, when...
Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD, announced in a statement his retirement as Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), effective February 28, 2025. Dr. Collins is the longest-serving presidentially appointed NIH Director, having served three U.S. presidents over more than 12 years—Barack...
Researchers have developed and validated a novel prediction model that may be capable of estimating the risk of colorectal cancer and advanced precancerous polyps in patients younger than 45 years, according to a recent study published by Wehbe et al in Digestive Diseases and Sciences. Background...
The receipt of chemotherapy or endocrine therapy without chemotherapy could be associated with different long-lasting physical health declines among breast cancer survivors compared with those without breast cancer, according to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open. Background Physical...
The Cancer Drug Development Forum (CDDF) held its annual conference in the Netherlands from February 3–5, 2025. Under the title “Challenges, Advances, and Open Questions in Global Cancer Drug Development and Clinical Trials,” the workshop focused on diversity and real-world evidence in anticancer...
An innovative combination of treatment strategies involving myeloid cell leukemia (MCL)-1 inhibitors and a kinase inhibitor targeting the SRC oncogene could be effective at triggering cell death in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, according to a recent study published by Hu et al in Signal...
Investigators have found that the risk of colorectal cancer may vary among steatotic liver disease subgroups and could be higher in patients with alcoholic liver disease, according to a recent study published by Kimura et al in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Background Lifestyle-related...
It’s a fast-paced world, no two ways about it. People move on from one event to another. We have to move on either for our own sake or the sake of someone near and dear. In the medical field, patients come and go, surgeries are performed, treatments are given, and everybody moves on. Being kind to...
Testosterone recovery to normal levels after long-term term androgen-deprivation therapy and radiotherapy significantly improved overall survival in patients with high-risk prostate cancer, according to data presented at the 2025 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.1 Long-term data from the phase...
Breast-conserving therapy may be associated with improved sexual well-being compared with mastectomy followed by breast reconstruction in patients with breast cancer, according to a recent study published by Stern et al in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Background Many patients with breast...
Researchers may have uncovered insights into the role of bacteria in the development of gastric cancer, according to a novel study published by Giddings et al in Helicobacter. The findings could pave the way for a more effective precancer treatment option. Background Gastric cancer is the fourth...
A new clinical guideline from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) provides guidance on the use of radiation therapy to treat adult patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal and anal margin. The guideline, ASTRO’s first for anal cancer, is published in...
Among the high-quality abstract presentations at the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), a few always stand out as particularly meritorious. Each year, The ASCO Post asks our Deputy Editor, breast cancer specialist Jame Abraham, MD, FACP, to give us his picks. Dr. Abraham is Chairman...
Nearly 20% of patients participating in middle-stage cancer drug trials may receive treatments that eventually receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, according to a recent study published by Ouimet et al in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The findings may have...
Germline or somatic mutations in the BRCA1 gene might not be key to the initiation of prostate cancer, as previously thought, suggests the first study of its kind, published in BMJ Oncology. If confirmed in further studies, the findings suggest that it may be time to reassess current treatment...
Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have developed a novel antibody-toxin conjugate (ATC) designed to stimulate immune-mediated eradication of tumors. According to preclinical results published in Nature Cancer, the new approach combined the benefits of antibody-drug...
Physical activity may help colorectal cancer survivors achieve long-term survival rates comparable to those of individuals in the general population, according to a recent study published by Brown et al in Cancer. Background Patients with colorectal cancer often face higher rates of premature...
ASCO issued the following statement on February 21, 2025: "Cancer research is the core of ASCO’s mission and cancer cannot be conquered without continued robust federal investment for biomedical research through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI)....
Although the cancer mortality rate among Black patients in the United States has dropped over the past 30 years, this patient population may continue to experience a disproportionately elevated cancer burden compared with other patient populations, according to a recent study published by Saka et...
Age discrimination, often referred to as ageism, is an increasingly pressing issue within society. Although it can impact individuals across all age groups, older adults are particularly vulnerable. According to the U.S. Census Bureau projections, by 2040, individuals aged 65 and older will...
Digital technology may help to safely reduce the amount of time some patients with cancer spend receiving care—also referred to as “time toxicity”—according to a recent study published by Bange et al in NEJM Catalyst. Background Patients with cancer often spend a large amount of time on activities...
This is Part 2 of Evolving Treatment Landscape of Indolent Lymphoma, a three-part video roundtable series. Scroll down to watch the other videos from this roundtable. In this video, Drs. Laurie Sehn, Gilles Salles, and Sonali Smith discuss the third-line treatment of relapsed/refractory...
The Annual Meeting of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) was held from October 17–19, 2024, in Montreal. The conference theme was “Promoting Equity and Enhancing Optimal Care Delivery.” The conference chairs were Shabbir Alibhai, MD, MSc, FRCPC, and Martine Puts, RN, PhD, FAAN,...
Offering genetic testing to patients with multiple myeloma may help physicians to determine which patients have the most aggressive types of the disease and how to target their malignancy more effectively, according to a recent study published by Kaiser et al in the Journal of Clinical Oncology....
Investigators assessed whether adding tumor deposit status to colorectal cancer staging may enhance prognostication, according to a recent study published by Sassun et al in JAMA Surgery. Background In patients undergoing surgical treatment of colorectal cancer, tumor deposits are defined as...
As reported in The Lancet Oncology by Zhang et al, final outcomes of the Chinese phase III RESOLVE trial showed improved overall survival with adjuvant S-1 and oxaliplatin (SOX) and perioperative SOX vs adjuvant capecitabine/oxaliplatin (CapOx) in patients with locally advanced gastric or...
“Care more particularly for the individual patient than for the special features of the disease.”—Sir William Osler Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) is the most common leukemia in the Western hemisphere. The majority of patients who require treatment are older than ...
Studies show that although radical cystectomy has long been recognized as the standard-of-care for localized muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), the surgery carries significant morbidity and the risk of subsequent loss of quality of life for patients. Preclinical studies have suggested that a...
Investigators may have uncovered racial and ethnic disparities in the receipt of same-day diagnostic services and biopsies following abnormal mammogram findings in spite of the similar availability of diagnostic technologies, according to a recent study published by Lawson et al in Radiology....
Ceasing or pausing a combination of the immune checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab and the oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) axitinib after 2 years may be safe among patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who achieved a positive response to this treatment, according to updated analysis of a...
I’ve learned a lot about medicine over the years, but one thing I wasn’t taught was how to guide someone through the existential weight of dying. My education centered on diagnosing, curing, or at least managing disease—not on the delicate art of helping people and their loved ones cope with what...