In a phase II trial reported in Journal of Clinical Oncology, Weiss et al found that the combination of pembrolizumab and bevacizumab was active in patients with previously untreated melanoma brain metastases. Study Details In the trial, 37 patients, enrolled at Yale Cancer Center and Moffitt...
Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) does not improve survival outcomes for patients with mantle cell lymphoma who achieve a deep first complete remission with undetectable measurable residual disease (MRD) after induction therapy, according to data presented during the 2024 American Society ...
A combination of two immunotherapies may improve treatment response among patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas compared with just one immunotherapy drug, according to a recent study published by Li et al in Cancer Cell. Background Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas occur in the...
Investigators may have uncovered nearly identical mutations to previously examined patient populations and several notable differences that may be clinically relevant among Black patients with ovarian cancer, according to a recent study published by Lawson-Michod et al in Cancer Research....
In previously untreated patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, use of the antibody-drug conjugate enfortumab vedotin-ejfv in combination with the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab continues to demonstrate a significant survival benefit over chemotherapy, according to updated...
Recent findings from the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Impact Monitoring Project (HPV-IMPACT), which were published by Gargano et al in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, revealed decreased incidences of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)2+ and CIN3+ lesions among young women....
Researchers have uncovered a novel combination therapy leveraging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved KRAS inhibitor sotorasib and an experimental drug called FGTI-2734, which could improve the efficacy of precision medicine in patients with KRAS-mutated non–small cell lung cancer...
The PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab plus the tyrosine kinase inhibitor cabozantinib continues to demonstrate a significant survival advantage over sunitinib alone in patients with previously untreated advanced renal cell carcinoma, according to data presented at the 2025 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers...
Taking more daily steps and engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity may both be associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease–related mortality among postmenopausal women with a history of cancer, according to preliminary findings presented by Hyde et al at the American Heart...
Studies have shown that not only does exposure to wildfire smoke, which contains fine particulate matter, increase the risk of developing lung cancer, it can also significantly reduce survival rates among patients recovering from lung cancer surgery. A large national study by researchers at the...
In a retrospective cohort study reported in JAMA Network Open, Podany et al identified differences in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) profiles, targeted therapy use, and survival outcomes in Black vs White patients with metastatic breast cancer. Study Details The U.S. multicenter study involved 1,327 ...
Investigators may have identified new strategies for use in the primary care setting to improve the detection of cancer-susceptibility genes, according to a recent study published by Swisher et al in JAMA Network Open. Background Up to 10% of cancers—including breast cancer, ovarian cancer,...
The use of a circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) liquid biopsy to guide colorectal cancer treatment in the adjuvant setting may not compromise outcomes despite allowing many patients to avoid chemotherapy, according to a recent study published by Tie et al in Nature Medicine. Background A liquid biopsy...
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...
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 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 5-year study on men that had primary partial-gland cryoablation shows that the procedure averted cancer recurrence in most patients while preserving urinary and sexual function. Led by researchers at New York University Grossman School of Medicine, the study tracked the patient outcomes after...
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...
In a retrospective study reported in JAMA Network Open, Lim et al found that complete response to immunotherapy as first-line treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma was associated with good outcomes. Study Details The study involved analysis of 228 patients who received atezolizumab and...
In a single-center phase I/II trial reported in JAMA Oncology, Floudas et al found that the combination of the human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 therapeutic vaccine PDS0101, the tumor-targeting interleukin-12 antibody-drug conjugate PDS01ADC, and the bifunctional PD-L1/TGF-β inhibitor bintrafusp...
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...
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...
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...
Based on results from the phase II SKIPPirr trial, the addition of 8 mg of dexamethasone to standard infusion-related reaction prophylaxis appeared to reduce the incidence of such events by approximately threefold in patients with EGFR-mutated advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who were...
In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Matteo Lambertini, MD, and colleagues identified clinical characteristics of breast cancer in young women carrying germline pathogenic variants in BRCA1 vs BRCA2 and examined the effect of prediagnostic BRCA testing on outcomes. Study...
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...
As reported in The Lancet Oncology by Long et al, 7-year follow-up of the Australian phase II ABC trial showed continued benefit of ipilimumab/nivolumab vs nivolumab alone in patients with asymptomatic melanoma brain metastases. Study Details In the open-label multicenter study, 63...
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...
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...
In an analysis from the ShortHER trial reported in JAMA Oncology, Dieci et al identified 10-year outcomes with 9 weeks or 1 year of adjuvant trastuzumab plus chemotherapy according to level of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in patients with early HER2-positive breast cancer. Study Details...
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...
Investigators have found that nearly 50% of patients with advanced cancer may receive potentially aggressive treatment at the expense of supportive care, despite considerable efforts to improve the quality of end-of-life care in the United States, according to a recent study published by Kwon et al ...
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...