AML: Alliance Global Study Challenges Age-Based Treatment Decisions
An international study conducted by the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology and the Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cooperative Group has revealed that age-based classifications in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) may be outdated and overly simplistic. Their findings were published by...
New AACI President-Elect Selected; Two Cancer Center Leaders Join Board
Cornelia Ulrich, MS, PhD, has been elected by the members of the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) to serve as Vice President/President-Elect of AACI’s Board of Directors. Dr. Ulrich is Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Huntsman...
10-Year Incidence of Second Cancers in HPV-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer
At 10 years, the cumulative incidence of radiation-induced second malignancies in patients receiving definitive radiation therapy for human papillomavirus (HPV)–associated oropharyngeal cancers was 1.74%, according to findings culled from the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute database. These...
Individuals With Rare Cancers Present Distinct Diagnosis Patterns; Many Experience Treatment Delays
Rare cancers—defined as fewer than 6 cases per 100,000 people per year—are understudied in the United States, and patients with rare cancers may experience unique challenges. In a recent, large study led by the American Cancer Society (ACS), scientists found that patients diagnosed with rare...
Combination Therapies for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: 5-Year Outcomes of the POLARIX Trial
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Morschhauser et al, the 5-year findings of the POLARIX trial showed a continued benefit with polatuzumab vedotin plus rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (Pola-R-CHP) vs rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine,...
Chemotherapy-Free Regimen vs Standard Immunochemotherapy in Mantle Cell Lymphoma in Older Patients
In a phase II/III study (ENRICH) reported in The Lancet, Lewis et al found that the chemotherapy-free combination of ibrutinib plus rituximab prolonged progression-free survival vs standard immunochemotherapy in patients aged 60 years or older with previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma.
Study...
Palliative Care Remains Underused Among Young Adults With Advanced Cancer
Although palliative care use has increased over time among young adults with advanced cancers in the United States, new research led by the American Cancer Society (ACS) found that utilization still remains very low. The report was presented at the 2025 ASCO Quality Care Symposium (Abstract 320).
...
FANSS: Should Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines Be Expanded to Include Female Asian Nonsmokers?
The results of the multicenter Female Asian Nonsmoker Screening Study (FANSS) suggest that low-dose CT screening is feasible and has value for early lung cancer detection in the historically underserved demographic of Asian women with no history of smoking. These data from the largest United...
FDA Approves Combination Regimen for Extensive-Stage SCLC
On October 2, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved lurbinectedin (Zepzelca) in combination with atezolizumab (Tecentriq) or atezolizumab and hyaluronidase-tqjs (Tecentriq Hybreza) for maintenance treatment of adults with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) whose disease...
Amivantamab Plus Lazertinib vs Osimertinib in EGFR-Mutated NSCLC: Overall Survival in MARIPOSA
As reported in The New England Journal of Medicine by Yang et al, the final overall survival analysis in the phase III MARIPOSA trial has shown significant benefit with amivantamab plus lazertinib vs osimertinib in patients with previously untreated EGFR-mutated advanced non–small cell lung cancer...
In Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer, Novel Maintenance Regimen Boosts Overall Survival
The phase Ib DeLLphi-303 trial has reported overall survival data for a novel maintenance regimen in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer following first-line chemoimmunotherapy. Patients treated with the bispecific T-cell engager tarlatamab-dlle plus a PD-L1 inhibitor had a median overall...
Fertility-Sparing Surgery vs Hysterectomy for Early-Stage Cervical Cancer: Comparable Survival Rates but Higher Recurrence Risk
In a nationwide study published in JCO Oncology Practice, Wolswinkel et al evaluated the long-term oncologic safety of fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) compared with hysterectomy in women with early-stage cervical cancer. The study—one of the largest of its kind—addresses a critical question for...
Alcohol and Cancer Risk: Is a Drop Too Much?
In 2022, Congress requested a scientific review from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to study the associated risks of cancer and other health conditions and the use of alcohol. The concern was that the health risks associated with low-to-moderate consumption of ...
Surgical Resection With EGFR TKI Demonstrates Promising PFS in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC
Resection of the primary thoracic tumor after EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibition demonstrated the ability to prolong disease control in patients with EGFR-mutant metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to findings from a randomized phase II trial presented at the International...
EHA Publishes Guidelines for LBCL and Multiple Myeloma
The European Hematology Association (EHA) has published two new sets of clinical practice guidelines, including its first dedicated guidelines for large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), which was published in HemaSphere, as well as an updated set of guidelines in collaboration with the European Myeloma...
Study Confirms It’s ‘Never Too Late’ to See Survival Benefits From Quitting Smoking—Even With Late-Stage Cancer
New research published by Tohmasi et al in JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network has found that people with cancer who quit smoking had a much lower risk of dying within 2 years compared to those who kept smoking. Researchers followed more than 13,000 individuals with cancer,...
First-Line Ribociclib at 400 vs 600 mg in Hormone Receptor–Positive, HER2-Negative Advanced Breast Cancer
In a phase II trial (AMALEE) reported in JAMA Oncology, Cardoso et al found that a first-line ribociclib dose of 400 mg was not noninferior to a dose of 600 mg in patients with newly diagnosed hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer.
Study Details
In the open-label...
Armando E. Giuliano, MD, Honored With 2025 William L. McGuire Memorial Lecture Award
Armando E. Giuliano, MD, will receive the William L. McGuire Memorial Lecture Award during the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), to be held December 9 to 12 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.
The William L. McGuire Memorial Lecture Award was...
Creatine
The ASCO Post’s Integrative Oncology series is intended to facilitate the availability of evidence-based information on integrative and complementary therapies sometimes used by patients with cancer. In this installment, Yen Nien (Jason) Hou, PharmD, DiplOM, LAc, and Jyothirmai Gubili, MS, focus...
Incidence of Invasive Lobular Carcinoma Rising Faster Than Other Breast Cancers
Incidence rates for invasive lobular carcinoma have increased more drastically than all other breast cancers combined between 2012 and 2021, according to findings from the American Cancer Society’s Lobular Breast Cancer Statistics 2025 report, published in Cancer.
“Although lobular breast cancer...
Gaps Persist in Follow-Up Care Among Young Survivors of Breast Cancer
In a prospective cohort study published in JCO Oncology Practice, Ssebyala et al examined long-term health-care utilization and adherence to follow-up care among young adult survivors of breast cancer. Their findings reveal high rates of mammography adherence but persistent gaps in other areas of...
Ziftomenib in Relapsed or Refractory NPM1-Mutant AML
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Wang et al, a phase I/II trial (KOMET-001) has shown activity of the oral menin inhibitor ziftomenib in patients with relapsed or refractory NPM1-mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Study Details
In the phase II portion of the trial, 92 patients...
Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer: Adding a Polymeric Micellar Paclitaxel to Gemcitabine Plus Cisplatin
Based on the results of the multicenter phase III NEXT trial published by Jeong et al in JAMA Network Open, the addition of a polymeric micellar paclitaxel to standard chemotherapy with gemcitabine plus cisplatin did not improve overall survival in patients with previously untreated advanced...
Prior Authorization Is Burdensome for Patients, Resulting in Treatment Delays, Financial Strain, and Stress
Although the process of obtaining insurance prior authorization before a patient’s medical procedure, service, or prescription has typically been left to clinicians, as cancer therapies grow increasingly complex, the burden of navigating prior authorization is increasingly being shared by patients...
Antidepressants May Improve Surgical Outcomes in Patients With GI Cancer and Depression
New research revealed that depression can impact surgical outcomes, making it more difficult for patients to recover from surgery, thus leading to higher postoperative costs as well. In patients with gastrointestinal cancers and depression who were undergoing surgery specifically, antidepressants...
Patients Value Communication Skills From Cancer Surgeons Across Six Key Areas
When seeking a surgeon for treatment, providing emotional support and helping patients manage expectations are among the top areas of communication valued by patients, according to a recent systematic review. The research was presented at the 2025 American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical...
Study Identifies Rectal Bleeding as Key Predictor of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer
In individuals younger than age 50 undergoing a colonoscopy, greater odds for having colorectal cancer were observed among those who presented with rectal bleeding, according to findings from a study presented at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2025 and published in the
Financial Toxicity Tied to Increased Risk of Mortality Among Patients With Cancer
Patients with cancer who developed financial toxicity and falling credit scores faced higher mortality risks, according to findings from a study presented at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2025 and published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
“Our work...
John L. Cameron, MD, FACS, Receives Wangensteen Scientific Forum Award
John L. Cameron, MD, FACS, a surgeon who radically improved the mortality rates of the Whipple procedure, was honored with the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Owen H. Wangensteen Scientific Forum Award at the ACS Clinical Congress 2025 in Chicago. The award recognizes a surgeon who exemplifies ...
Mastectomy Linked to Worsened Sexual Health and Body Image After Surgery, Study Finds
Although mastectomy is often a necessary and life-saving treatment option for many women with breast cancer, the surgery may contribute to worse sexual health, body image, and several other physical and emotional challenges after surgery, according to a recent systematic review on the effects of...
Considerations on Cancer Drug Development
In the 1940s, the first drugs proven to cause objective responses in human cancers were developed. Mechlorethamine was discovered as a possible treatment of lymphoid cancers after autopsies on military personnel exposed to mustard gas found destruction of lymphatic tissue and bone marrow....
Inflammatory Activity and Cancer-Related Fatigue in Early Breast Cancer
Research published in Cancer revealed that inflammatory responses may be tied to cancer-related fatigue and certain inflammatory activities may lead to distinct dimensions of fatigue in women with early-stage breast cancer.
“Our findings indicate that inflammation plays a role in some aspects of...
PD-1 Inhibitor Approved for Adjuvant Treatment of CSCC
On October 8, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved cemiplimab-rwlc (Libtayo) for the adjuvant treatment of adults with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) at high risk of recurrence after surgery and radiation therapy.
C-POST
Efficacy was evaluated in C-POST...
Systemic Anticancer Therapy at End of Life and Health-Care Use Among Older Patients
In a linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)–Medicare analysis reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Canavan et al found that receipt of systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) at the end of life (EOL) was associated with higher rates of EOL emergency department (ED) use,...
Inotuzumab Ozogamicin Followed by Blinatumomab in Older Patients With Newly Diagnosed B-Cell ALL
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by Wieduwilt et al, findings in a cohort of the phase II Alliance study A041703 indicate that the chemotherapy-free regimen of inotuzumab ozogamicin followed by blinatumomab was highly active in patients aged ≥ 60 years with newly diagnosed B-cell...
Early Study Results With Novel Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase Degrader in Relapsed or Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
In a phase I, first-in-human trial of nearly 50 patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies, the orally administered, small molecule degrader bexobrutideg (NX-5948) was reported to be well tolerated, including in those with a longer duration of treatment and higher doses. Clinical...
Predicting Future Breast Cancer Outcomes: Efficacy of a Polygenic Risk Score
Studies show that if left untreated, between 20% and 40% of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) lesions may evolve into invasive breast cancer over time. And, according to the American Cancer Society, women diagnosed with lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) have between a 7 and 12 times higher risk of...
Pulsed Low-Dose–Rate Chemoradiation Reduces Severe Esophagitis in Esophageal Cancer and NSCLC
Chemoradiation with a pulsed low-dose–rate technique led to lower-than-usual rates of severe esophagitis without compromising efficacy in patients with esophageal and non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to findings from a single-arm phase I study presented as a poster during the American...
Use of Obecabtagene Autoleucel CAR T-Cell Therapy for B-Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
Treatment with obecabtagene autoleucel was the focus of the phase Ib/II multicenter FELIX study of more than 100 adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).1 The initial report in 2024 revealed a rate of complete remission or complete remission with incomplete...
Contemporary Management of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, According to Hagop M. Kantarjian, MD, FASCO
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is one of the success stories among the hematologic malignancies. Now, with decades of data informing its management, it is time to change some of the practices to which clinicians have become accustomed, said leukemia expert Hagop M. Kantarjian, MD, FASCO, Professor...
Improved Outcomes Reported With Second-Line Regimen of Ivonescimab Plus Chemotherapy in NSCLC
In the phase III HARMONi trial, when ivonescimab was given with carboplatin plus pemetrexed, vs the chemotherapy regimen alone, after a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, patients with EGFR-mutated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) had a significant delay in disease progression.1...
Immunogenicity of RSV Vaccines in Immunocompromised Allogeneic HSCT Recipients
In patients rendered immunocompromised by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), a single dose of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine within the first year afterward resulted in low seroconversion rates, as reported by Redjoul et al in JAMA Network Open. However, a...
Network of Cancer Drug Repositories Improves Access to Treatment, Reduces Waste
A new study found that implementing a network of cancer drug repositories (CDRs) improved access to cancer medications and eliminated unnecessary medication waste by allowing people to donate unopened or unused medications that would otherwise be wasted. This resulted in patients with cancer...
Federally Funded Clinical Trials Play a Vital Role in Cancer Research, Especially for Rare and Pediatric Cancers
Industry-sponsored cancer clinical trials often focus on single-agent drug trials, while federally funded cancer clinical trials are more likely to investigate drug combinations with other treatments, including biologics or radiation. An analysis evaluating the quantitative role of federally funded ...
Breast Volume Preservation Comparable After Five-Fraction Whole- or Partial-Breast Radiotherapy
No significant differences were observed in breast volume loss between five-fraction whole-breast and partial-breast radiation therapy in patients with breast cancer who underwent prior partial mastectomy, according to the results of a study presented in a poster during the American Society for...
Genetic Modification of the AJCC Classification for Papillary Thyroid Cancer
In an international, multicenter retrospective cohort study reported in The Lancet Oncology, Xing et al found that incorporating the genetic status of BRAF and TERT genes into the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for papillary thyroid cancer resulted in a modification of...
Dexamethasone-Sparing Regimen for Frail Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma
In a French phase III trial (IFM2017-03) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Manier et al found that a dexamethasone-sparing regimen of daratumumab plus lenalidomide improved progression-free survival vs lenalidomide plus dexamethasone in patients with frailty and newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.
...
Immunotherapy Addition Yields QOL Benefits in Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer
Clinically meaningful improvements in longer-term quality of life were achieved with the addition of atezolizumab immunotherapy to chemoradiation in patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC), according to patient-reported outcome findings from the NRG LU005 trial presented during ...
Can Nicotinamide Reduce the Risk of Skin Cancer Development?
The dietary supplement nicotinamide has been recommended by dermatologists for people with a history of skin cancer since 2015, when a clinical study published by Chen et al in The New England Journal of Medicine including almost 400 participants showed that those who took the vitamin B3 derivative ...
More Tattoos, Lower Risk of Melanoma? New Study Investigates
People with more than one tattoo session may have a decreased risk of developing melanoma—with one key caveat, according to research published by McCarty et al in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
A team led by Jennifer Doherty, PhD, Huntsman Cancer Institute investigator, Co-Leader...
Patient-Reported Outcomes and Overall Survival in Cancer
In a systematic review and meta-analysis reported in JAMA Oncology, Huang et al found that patient-reported outcomes (PROs) provide prognostic information for overall survival in patients with cancer.
Study Details
A systematic review of studies published between January 2000 and June 2024 was...
Dose-Intensified Proton Therapy for Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma
Dose intensification of proton radiation therapy led to improved overall survival for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, according to findings from a cohort of the phase II NRG-BN001 trial, which were presented as late-breaking research during the 2025 American Society for Radiation...
Association of Survival With Treatment Recommendation and Receipt in Older Patients With Early-Stage Cervical Cancer
In a retrospective cohort study reported in JAMA Network Open, Suk et al identified the association of survival with receipt of recommended treatment and nonreceipt of nonrecommended treatment among patients aged ≥ 65 years with newly diagnosed early-stage cervical cancer.
Study Details
The...
9/11 First Responder Study Shows How Toxic Exposures May Lead to Blood Cancers
A recent study has found that mutations in blood-forming cells may explain the increased risk for leukemia and other blood disorders among first responders exposed to the 9/11 World Trade Center (WTC) disaster site and its toxic dust. The study also points to a novel strategy for use against...
Impact of Proton and Photon Therapies on HRQOL in Breast Cancer
Health-related quality-of-life measurements demonstrated that both proton and photon radiation therapies led to excellent and similar impacts on quality of life for patients with breast cancer undergoing comprehensive nodal irradiation, according to findings from the phase III RadComp trial that...
Older Women With High-Risk Breast Cancer: Addition of Adjuvant Chemotherapy to Hormone Therapy
In a French-Belgian phase III trial (ASTER 70s) reported in The Lancet, Brain et al examined the survival benefit of adding adjuvant chemotherapy to hormone therapy in women aged ≥ 70 years with estrogen receptor–positive, HER2-negative breast cancer with high-risk disease on the basis of genomic...
Study Shows That After Early Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Risk of a Second Cancer Is Low
For individuals diagnosed with early breast cancer, the long-term risk of developing a second primary cancer is low—around 2% to 3% greater than the general population)—according to findings published by McGale et al in The BMJ.
The researchers say this information can help reassure many breast...
Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer: FDA Approves Imlunestrant for ER-Positive, HER2-Negative, ESR1-Mutated Disease
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved imlunestrant, an estrogen receptor antagonist, for adults with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, HER2-negative, estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1)-mutated advanced or metastatic breast cancer with disease progression after at least one line of...
CD19 CAR T-Cell Therapy May Be Effective in Treating Resistant Ulcerative Colitis
Studies show that individuals diagnosed with ulcerative colitis have approximately a twofold increased risk of developing colorectal cancer compared with the general population. A study investigating treatment with autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting the CD19 antigen in a...
Cytogenetic Remission Linked to Improved Survival in Patients With AML
Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who achieve cytogenetic remission may have better survival outcomes than patients with new or sustained cytogenetic abnormalities, according to findings from a study published in the American Journal of Hematology.
The study elucidated how cytogenetic...
Ponatinib and Blinatumomab in Newly Diagnosed Ph-Positive ALL
In an updated analysis of a single-center phase II trial reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Hagop Kantarjian, MD, and colleagues found that the simultaneous combination of ponatinib and blinatumomab continued to be associated with good outcomes in newly diagnosed patients with...
Novel Insights May Transform Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Patients With T-Lineage ALL
Researchers have uncovered that T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) may be frequently driven by genetic changes in noncoding portions of the DNA, according to a recent study published by Pölönen et al in Nature. The investigators believe these findings may lead to a paradigm shift in...
Genomic Determinants of Relapse in Childhood ALL
In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Chang et al identified potential genomic determinants of relapse risk in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
As stated by the investigators, “Although cure rates for childhood ALL exceed 90%, ALL remains a leading cause of cancer...
Novel Cell Therapy May Offer Benefit in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory T-Cell ALL
A novel cell therapy targeting CD7 on leukemia cells may provide an effective treatment option for patients with refractory T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), according to a recent study published by Oh et al in Nature Medicine. The findings highlighted the effectiveness of a new chimeric...
Inotuzumab Ozogamicin With Low-Intensity Chemotherapy in Older Patients With CD22-Positive Philadelphia Chromosome–Negative B-Cell Precursor ALL
In a phase II trial (EWALL-INO) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Chevallier et al found that inotuzumab ozogamicin combined with low-dose chemotherapy was active in the first-line treatment of older patients with newly diagnosed CD22-positive Philadelphia chromosome–negative B-cell...
Obecabtagene Autoleucel in Adults With B-Cell ALL
A second-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy may offer a new option for patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), an aggressive blood cancer with few treatment options.
Results from the phase Ib/II FELIX trial, published by Roddie et al...
COVID-19 Risk in Pediatric Patients Receiving Treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or Lymphoma
In a retrospective case series reported in JAMA Network Open, Hashmi et al found that more than one-third of pediatric patients receiving treatment for newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma (ALL/LL) developed COVID-19 infection during a recent 2-year period.
Study...
Inotuzumab Ozogamicin for Relapsed or Refractory Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
On March 6, 2024, inotuzumab ozogamicin (Besponsa) was approved for pediatric patients aged 1 year or older with relapsed or refractory CD22-positive B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia.1
Supporting Efficacy Data
Approval was based on findings in the ITCC-059 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov...
Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell ALL: Novel CAR T-Cell Therapy Yields Strong Remission Rates
The novel anti-CD19 autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy obecabtagene autoleucel achieved durable remissions in 40% of patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) without a subsequent stem cell transplant, according to results from the phase...
Pembrolizumab Plus Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Advanced Penile Cancer
In a Brazilian phase II trial (HERCULES; LACOG 0218) reported in JAMA Oncology, Maluf et al found that pembrolizumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy showed activity in patients with advanced penile squamous cell carcinoma. The investigators explained, “Advanced penile squamous cell carcinoma is...
Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities and CMS Operations During Government Shutdown
The U.S. government shut down on October 1 after lawmakers were unable to reach a funding agreement. The date also marked the deadline to extend the Medicare telehealth flexibilities that have been in place since the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). As such, telehealth flexibilities have...
Outcomes With Brexucabtagene Autoleucel as Standard Therapy for Adults With Relapsed/Refractory B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
In an analysis reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Roloff et al found that use of brexucabtagene autoleucel as standard therapy in adults with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) was associated with a high rate of measurable residual disease (MRD)-negative...
FDA Approves Novel T-Cell Immunotherapy for Adults With Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T-cell immunotherapy obecabtagene autoleucel (Aucatzyl) for adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
Efficacy and Safety
Efficacy was evaluated in...
AACR 2025: Off-the-Shelf Natural Killer CAR Therapy Active in Hematologic Malignancies
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in 2017 to treat children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Over the past decade, other CAR T-cell therapies have been FDA-approved to treat adults with blood cancers, including...
Bicistronic CAR T-Cell Therapy Achieved Durable Remissions in Children With Relapsed/Refractory B-Cell ALL
A follow-up study investigating the coadministration of CD19- and CD22-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in children with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) found the therapy is safe and effective and achieved durable remissions in these patients, ...
Blinatumomab in Combination With Chemotherapy May Improve Survival in Pediatric Patients Newly Diagnosed With B-Cell Precursor ALL
The addition of blinatumomab to chemotherapy may improve disease-free survival in pediatric patients newly diagnosed with National Cancer Institute (NCI) standard-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at average or high risk of relapse, according to new findings presented by Rau et al at...
Pediatric ALL or Lymphoblastic Lymphoma: Reduced Induction Dexamethasone and High-Dose Methotrexate
In a UK phase III trial (UKALL 2011) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Kirkwood et al found that a shorter duration of induction dexamethasone did not reduce steroid-related toxicity and that high-dose methotrexate (HDM) did not reduce central nervous system (CNS) relapse among patients ...
Does Early Pesticide Exposure Lead to Higher Mortality Risk in Pediatric ALL?
New study findings show that children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who were exposed to pesticides during their mother's pregnancy may have a higher risk of death, according to findings published in Cancers.
“This study highlights that exposures in the home environment, even before a...
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...
Sunvozertinib in Platinum-Pretreated NSCLC With EGFR Exon 20 Insertion Mutations
In a phase II trial (WU-KONG1B) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Yang et al found that the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunvozertinib was active at both dose levels tested in patients with platinum-pretreated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations....
Kidney Cancer Cases Expected to Double by 2050
Projected cases of kidney cancer are expected to double by 2050 due to modifiable risk factors, according to findings and estimations published in European Urology.
“Kidney cancer is a growing global health problem, and both clinicians and policymakers need to prepare for this steep rise,”...
CT-Adapative SBRT for Recurrent Retroperitoneal Sarcomas
For patients with recurrent retroperitoneal sarcomas that cannot be treated surgically, treatment choices are limited. These tumors can grow in the abdomen adjacent to vital organs or enmeshed within the bowel. Given their radioresistant nature, they require high doses of radiation that risk...
Variation in PSA Levels in Annual Testing Among Individuals Without a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
In a study reported in JAMA Oncology, Pickersgill et al found that individuals without prostate cancer undergoing annual prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing often exhibited a PSA level below biopsy threshold in the year following an elevated test result.
Study Details
The study involved data...
FDA Removes Vandetanib REMS Program
On September 25, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) program for vandetanib, according to an announcement from the agency.
Vandetanib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting VEGFR, EGFR, and RET from manufacturer Sanofi...
Impact of HER2-Receptor Status in mCRC Treated With Chemotherapy Plus Bevacizumab or Anti-EGFRs
In an analysis reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Germani et al identified the impact of HER2 status in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) receiving chemotherapy plus either bevacizumab or anti-EGFR agents.
Study Details
The study involved data from 1,604 patients with...
SABR May Be Comparable to Surgery for Early-Stage NSCLC
Stereotactic radiation therapy (SABR) was found to be noninferior to surgical resection in terms of overall survival for patients with early-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to 10-year results from the STARS trial presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)...
Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer: Shorter Radiation Improves Patient Experience, But Not Disease Control
For patients with intermediate-risk, localized prostate cancer, radiation therapy delivered in five sessions reduced patient-reported side effects compared to longer courses of radiation, according to results of a large, randomized phase III trial. Patients treated with stereotactic body radiation...
Oropharyngeal Cancer Quality-of-Life Outcomes: IMRT vs Proton-Beam Therapy
A new phase III clinical trial has found that intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and proton-beam therapy resulted in similar quality-of-life outcomes and low rates of side effects for people with locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer. The TORPEdO trial, a randomized study conducted across ...
NCI Issues Request for 2027 Budget
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is requesting over $11.5 billion in federal funding for fiscal year (FY) 2027, an increase of more than $4 billion from FY25.
The agency shared the request on September 27 in its FY27 Professional Judgment Budget Proposal. The proposal—also known as a “bypass...
Adjuvant Radiation Therapy Safe and Beneficial in Locally Advanced Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
Adjuvant radiation therapy following radical cystectomy and chemotherapy was found to be safe and efficacious for patients with locally advanced muscle-invasive bladder cancer, according to findings from the phase III randomized BART trial presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology...
FDA Approves Ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft for Adults With Polycythemia Vera
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ropeginterferon alfa-2b-njft (Besremi) for the treatment of adults with polycythemia vera. The new agent is a monopegylated, long-acting interferon, which exhibits its cellular effects in polycythemia vera in the bone marrow.
Ropeginterferon ...
Interferon-Alfa vs Hydroxyurea in Previously Untreated Patients With Polycythemia Vera and Essential Thrombocythemia
In a phase III trial (MPD-RC 112) reported in the journal Blood, John Mascarenhas, MD, and colleagues found no difference in 12-month complete response rates between treatment with pegylated interferon-alfa vs hydroxyurea in previously untreated patients with high-risk polycythemia vera or...
Ruxolitinib for Patients With Polycythemia Vera Intolerant or Resistant to Hydroxycarbamide
In a UK phase II trial (MAJIC-PV) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Harrison et al found that ruxolitinib produced a higher complete response rate vs best available therapy in patients with polycythemia vera intolerant of or resistant to hydroxycarbamide.
Study Details
In the...
FDA Approves Momelotinib for Patients With Myelofibrosis and Anemia
On September 15, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved momelotinib (Ojjaara) for the treatment of intermediate- or high-risk myelofibrosis, including primary myelofibrosis or secondary myelofibrosis (post–polycythemia vera and post–essential thrombocythemia), in adults with anemia.
...
Rusfertide for Erythrocytosis in Polycythemia Vera
In the phase II REVIVE trial reported in The New England Journal of Medicine, Marina Kremyanskaya, MD, PhD, and colleagues found that the hepcidin mimetic rusfertide reduced the number of phlebotomies (during a dose-finding phase) and improved response rate vs placebo (during a randomized phase) in ...
Clearance of Driver Mutations after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation for Myelofibrosis
In a German single-center study reported in The New England Journal of Medicine, Gagelmann et al determined that clearance of driver mutations after allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation was associated with better outcomes in patients with myelofibrosis.
Study Details
The study...
Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b Outperforms Anagrelide as Second-Line Therapy for ET, Study Finds
Ropeginterferon alfa-2b demonstrated superior efficacy and safety compared with anagrelide as second-line therapy for patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) who were intolerant or resistant to hydroxyurea, according to data from the phase III SURPASS-ET trial presented at the European...
Prostate Cancer: Radiopharmaceutical Plus SBRT Delays Progression in Patients With Limited Metastatic Disease
A new clinical trial found that people with a limited number of metastases from recurrent prostate cancer lived significantly longer without disease progression when they received a radiopharmaceutical drug before targeted radiation compared with radiation alone.
The phase II LUNAR trial is the...
PAM50 Subtyping Identifies Patients With Prostate Cancer Most Likely to Benefit From Apalutamide
Assessment with a genomic test could help predict which patients with recurrent prostate cancer are most likely to benefit from the addition of hormonal therapy to radiation following prostatectomy, according to findings from the phase II BALANCE trial (NRG GU006) presented in a press briefing...
Impact of Novel Donor Search Strategy on Outcomes for Potential HCT Recipients
In a study (BMT CTN 1702) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Lee et al found little difference in 2-year survival outcomes between patients considered “very likely” vs “very unlikely” to find an HLA-matched unrelated donor (MUD) for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation as...
