A study found that only 43% of accelerated approval drugs demonstrated a clinical benefit in confirmatory trials after five years. The study analyzed 129 cancer drugs approved between 2013-2023 and found that 63% were converted to regular approvals, but 22% were withdrawn due to lack of efficacy.
Research found accelerated aging associated with increased incidence of early-onset solid tumors, including lung, gastrointestinal, and uterine cancers. Biological age, a measure of body and physiological processes, may contribute to cancer development in younger adults.
A biologic drug-device combination therapy has shown promising results in treating metastatic prostate cancer, with 60% of patients experiencing an objective response. The treatment, SYNC-T, uses a cold-temperature probe to kill tumor cells and release immune-stimulating neoantigens, leading to a high response rate without severe toxic...
Researchers found that an individualized neoantigen-specific mRNA vaccine, autogene cevumeran, can induce a robust immune response in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer. After a median follow-up of three years, the treatment was associated with a significantly longer median recurrence-free survival compared to those who did not...
Cadanilimab plus chemotherapy improved progression-free and overall survival in HER2-negative, locally advanced or metastatic gastric/GEJ cancer patients with PD-L1-low tumors. The treatment showed a significant survival benefit in these patients.
Outcomes for elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HCT) have improved significantly over time. Relapse incidence and non-relapse mortality decreased, while leukemia-free survival and overall survival increased steadily between 2000 and 2021. These improvements wer...
A new study found that FDG PET/CT imaging after just one week can predict treatment response in patients with advanced melanoma. The study identified metabolic changes in tumors that corresponded with treatment response and progression-free survival.
A study of 64 patients with MSI-H/dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer found that 88% had not experienced a recurrence two years after stopping immunotherapy. The progression-free survival rate was 98% at one year and 84% at three years post-treatment.
Women who reduced mammography frequency three years after curative breast cancer surgery had comparable outcomes to those receiving annual screening. The Mammo-50 trial found that de-escalation did not worsen survival rates or increase recurrence, while also reducing healthcare burden and stress.
A large cohort study found one-third of metastatic breast cancers harbor highly expressed fusion RNAs that may be therapeutically targetable. These fusions, involving cancer-related genes like ESR1, may offer personalized treatment strategies for patients with heavily pretreated disease.
A clinical trial found that using MRI and a DCIS gene profile can guide treatment decisions for patients with low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Patients who received a score lower than 39 were considered low-risk and could safely forego adjuvant radiotherapy, with similar rates of disease recurrence compared to those with high-...
A study found that patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who paused endocrine therapy to conceive did not experience worse short-term recurrence rates. Cryopreserved embryo transfer was associated with higher pregnancy rates, and younger age and menstrual cycles returning after pausing therapy were linked to improved ou...
A five-year follow-up study found that younger postmenopausal patients with stage I hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who opt out of adjuvant radiotherapy have a very low risk of disease recurrence. The study suggests that this option may be safely offered to women in this age group, but longer-term follow-up is needed.
Patients with metastatic breast cancer who participated in a nine-month structured exercise program reported less fatigue and improved quality of life compared to those who did not undergo the exercise program. The study found significant improvements in physical fitness, social functioning, pain, and shortness of breath.
A phase III trial found that tucatinib plus trastuzumab emtansine extended progression-free survival in patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, particularly those with brain metastases. The combination reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 24.1% and improved outcomes for pati...
A phase III clinical trial found that neoadjuvant chemotherapy can downstage lymph node-positive breast cancer, allowing patients to safely omit adjuvant regional nodal irradiation. This treatment de-escalation strategy is an option for patients whose lymph nodes become cancer-free after neoadjuvant treatment.
A study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that over 10% of fecal immunochemical tests used for routine colorectal cancer screening contained unsatisfactory samples. This led to fewer than half of patients completing follow-up testing within 15 months. The authors suggest potential solutions to improve comp...
The study found that precision oncology therapies require genomic biomarker screening for patient selection and have expanded over the years. The analysis showed a slow expansion in approvals from 1998 to 2017 and a rapid increase from 2017 to 2022, with 86 out of 198 approved drugs classified as precision oncology drugs.
A study found gaps in awareness and knowledge about HPV and its link to cancer among Hispanic and Latino male sexual minorities. Most respondents had not received the HPV vaccine, and many were unaware of the vaccine's benefits.
A retrospective analysis of 37 heavily pretreated multiple myeloma patients found that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) reduced the risk of severe infections by 90%. Patients with hypogammaglobulinemia experienced a higher rate of severe infections, and IVIg supplementation significantly mitigated this risk.
A dendritic cell vaccine targeting survivin protein showed safety and immunogenicity, inducing durable clinical responses in patients with high-risk multiple myeloma. The vaccine combination with autologous stem cell transplant was associated with a four-year progression-free survival rate of 71%.
A study found that engaging in administrative payment tasks was associated with an 18% increase in cost-related treatment delays or nonadherence among cancer patients and survivors. The burden of learning about healthcare costs and fixing billing errors often falls to the patient, exacerbating existing health disparities.
Benzodiazepine lorazepam is associated with shorter progression-free survival in pancreatic cancer patients. In contrast, alprazolam use was linked to a longer progression-free survival. Lorazepam may activate GPR68, boosting IL-6 expression and promoting tumor growth in the pancreatic microenvironment.
Research found that electrical activity between melanocytes and keratinocytes is critical to melanoma initiation, with GABA signaling playing a key role. The study's findings suggest that molecules carried by vesicles from melanocytes to keratinocytes may trigger the secretion of tumor-promoting proteins.
The AACR journal article explores steps to improve diversity in clinical trials, following a new law requiring trial sponsors to submit Diversity Action Plans to the FDA. Experts discuss key areas for consideration, including dedicating funding and staff, embedding DEI strategy, and engaging with community organizations.
Patients with high-risk CLL experienced durable responses to fixed-duration first-line treatment with ibrutinib in combination with venetoclax, with over 95% of patients achieving a response regardless of genetic features. The regimen also showed high survival rates at 36 months after treatment initiation.
A personalized mRNA-based cancer vaccine, mRNA-4157/V940, improves recurrence-free survival in patients with high-risk melanoma when combined with pembrolizumab. The clinical benefit is observed regardless of tumor mutational burden status.
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has recognized outstanding achievements in cancer research, with four inaugural award recipients: Carl H. June, Kathryn E. Wellen, Riccardo Dalla-Favera, and Carolyn R. Bertozzi. Their groundbreaking contributions have transformed our understanding of cancer biology and paved the way ...
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) honored journalists who reported on complex cancer topics, including tumor sequencing technology and COVID-19's impact on patient care. The prize recipients will receive a $5,000 cash award and be recognized at the AACR Annual Meeting.
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has elected 23 new Fellows of the AACR Academy, who have made groundbreaking contributions to cancer research. The new class includes pioneers from various scientific disciplines, including bioorthogonal chemistry, immunotherapy, and breast cancer research.
Researchers analyzed 30 healthy pancreata from diverse donors and found PanIN lesions in 18 cases, which had distinct microenvironments compared to normal pancreatic tissue. The study suggests that PanINs may already possess features of malignant cells and challenges the long-held assumption that they always progress to cancer.
Delattre is being recognized for his seminal genetic insights into the etiology of pediatric solid tumors, which have had substantial clinical implications. He has also been instrumental in identifying genetic alterations in other childhood cancers, including the BCOR-CCNB3 translocation.
Patricia M. LoRusso, DO, PhD (hc), has been elected as the American Association for Cancer Research President-Elect for 2023-2024, succeeding an unnamed previous president-elect. She is a professor of medicine and chief of experimental therapeutics at Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital.
Dr. Tak W. Mak is being recognized for his groundbreaking work on cancer immunology, including the cloning of the human T-cell receptor beta chain and development of CAR T-cell technology. His research has led to significant advances in understanding immune responses and has paved the way for the development of new cancer therapies.
Carolyn R. Bertozzi is being recognized for advancing cancer research through bioorthogonal chemistry and chemical glycobiology. Her work enables targeted interrogations of biological systems, enabling the development of innovative imaging methods and therapeutic approaches.
Elizabeth M. Jaffee, MD, FAACR, is being recognized for her exceptional leadership, scientific discoveries, and contributions to cancer immunotherapy. Her research has significantly broadened understanding of the interaction between the immune system and pancreatic cancer.
A new treatment regimen combining high-dose abatacept and ruxolitinib has shown to significantly improve survival rates among cancer patients with cardiotoxicity from immune checkpoint inhibitors. The experimental treatment reduced myotoxicity-related mortality by 90% compared to standard-of-care corticosteroids.
Patients with resectable NSCLC treated with neoadjuvant nivolumab show improved five-year recurrence-free and overall survival rates compared to historical outcomes. Major pathological responses after neoadjuvant nivolumab may be associated with lower risk of disease recurrence and death.
Researchers identified a higher rate of clonal hematopoiesis in pediatric cancer survivors compared to age-matched controls. Treatment-induced STAT3 gene mutations were also found at a higher prevalence among survivors of certain childhood cancers, such as Hodgkin lymphoma.
Dr. Carl H. June is recognized for his pioneering work in developing gene-edited cell therapy for cancer and demonstrating its potential to induce remission and cure patients with advanced cancer. His technology has led to the FDA approval of six CAR T-cell therapies for multiple blood cancers.
A phase II study found that posoleucel, an off-the-shelf T-cell therapy, demonstrated promising antiviral efficacy and safety in patients with blood cancers and other hematologic disorders. The therapy reduced viral load by an average of 97% and showed limited rates of graft-versus-host disease.
Patients with two or three sites of breast cancer in the same breast who underwent lumpectomy and radiation therapy had local recurrence rates comparable to those with a single tumor. Breast MRI was found to improve detection of additional disease sites, potentially allowing for more thorough resection.
A genetic signature called POLAR identified patients with low scores who had similar local recurrence rates with or without radiation therapy. Patients with high POLAR scores showed reduced risk of local recurrence with adjuvant radiation, while those with low scores did not.
A phase II trial found that camizestrant significantly reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 42-67% and improved median progression-free survival by 7.2-9.2 months compared to fulvestrant in patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, including those with ESR1 mutations.
Younger breast cancer patients who paused endocrine therapy to pursue pregnancy experienced similar short-term rates of breast cancer recurrence as those who continued therapy. The study found that many women were able to conceive and deliver healthy babies, with conception and childbirth rates comparable to the general public.
Using circulating tumor cell (CTC) count to guide treatment decisions between chemotherapy and endocrine therapy improved overall survival in patients with metastatic, estrogen receptor-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer. CTC count-based strategies resulted in better long-term outcomes for patients with high vs. low CTC counts.
A phase III clinical trial found that adding the AKT inhibitor capivasertib to fulvestrant doubles median progression-free survival in patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer resistant to aromatase inhibitors. This improvement is associated with a lower risk of tumor progression and manageable side effects.
A phase II clinical trial evaluating neoadjuvant trastuzumab deruxtecan in patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-low breast cancer demonstrated a 75% overall response rate. The study also showed that T-DXd was relatively safe and may provide a translational framework for future studies on combination regimens.
The phase III DESTINY-Breast02 trial showed that T-DXd led to higher response rates and longer survival compared to capecitabine-based regimens in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer previously treated with T-DM1. Overall, T-DXd demonstrated superior efficacy and safety in this patient population.
A phase III clinical trial found that trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) significantly improved overall survival compared to trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. T-DXd was associated with a 36% lower risk of death and higher overall survival rates.