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American Association for Cancer Research


A genomic assay may predict long-term prognosis in premenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive early-stage breast cancer

A genomic assay called Breast Cancer Index (BCI) has been shown to predict the risk of distant recurrence in premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early-stage breast cancer. Patients with high BCI scores are at increased risk of recurrence, while those with low scores may benefit more from ovarian suppression therapy.

Black women with breast cancer may have worse outcomes than peers despite similar genetic recurrence scores

A recent study found that non-Hispanic Black women with hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer have poorer outcomes compared to other racial groups, even when their genetic recurrence scores are similar. The research also showed that these disparities were observed despite similar tumor sizes and lymph node involvement.

First-line ribociclib plus endocrine therapy may be more effective than combination chemotherapy in patients with aggressive breast cancer

Patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative tumors treated with ribociclib plus endocrine therapy had fewer adverse events and longer progression-free survival compared to those treated with combination chemotherapy. This treatment approach may allow for the avoidance of chemotherapy in aggressive patients.

Study finds racial disparity in pro-metastatic tumor microenvironment among women with residual breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Research shows that tumors from Black patients have a higher score of biomarker for distant metastatic recurrence and more macrophages than white patients. The study suggests that racial disparities in ER-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer outcomes may be partly explained by differences in the tumor microenvironment.

Specific components of the tumor immune microenvironment may affect the durability of responses to BCMA CAR T-cell therapy

Researchers found that patients with longer progression-free survival after BCMA-targeted CAR T-cell therapy had more diverse baseline T-cell repertoires, fewer markers of immune exhaustion, and distinct changes to immune cell populations. These factors were associated with improved responses to the treatment.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalBlood Cancer Discovery·DateAug 30, 2022

Benefits of pre-surgical immunotherapy were independent of race in patients with aggressive breast cancer

A phase I/II clinical trial found that treatment outcomes were similar between Black and non-Black patients with triple-negative breast cancer who received neoadjuvant durvalumab plus chemotherapy. The study's results suggest that improving healthcare access and delivery could mitigate some of the existing disparities in healthcare.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJul 29, 2022

Eligible younger Americans less likely to meet recommended colorectal cancer screening guidelines and face greater disparities

Researchers found eligible younger Americans (45-54) are less likely to meet recommended colorectal cancer screening guidelines due to work, family, insurance, and healthcare barriers. These disparities may worsen as the age group is expanded under new USPSTF recommendations.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention·DateJun 29, 2022

Accuracy of diagnostic mammograms may vary across racial and ethnic groups

A study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that diagnostic mammogram accuracy differed across racial and ethnic groups. Asian/Pacific Islander women were more likely to receive false-positive reports, while non-Hispanic Black women were more likely to receive false-negative reports.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention·DateJun 17, 2022

Adolescent and young adult leukemia survivors face higher mortality rates than the general population for decades after diagnosis

Adolescent and young adult leukemia survivors experience lower long-term survival compared to the general population, with age and sex influencing outcomes. Long-term mortality risks persist for up to 30 years after diagnosis, primarily due to late side effects from treatment.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention·DateMay 13, 2022

Accounting for genetic factors that cause normal variations in PSA levels may improve the accuracy of prostate cancer detection

A study suggests that accounting for genetic factors causing normal variations in PSA levels could improve the accuracy of prostate cancer detection. By analyzing data from over 95,000 men, researchers identified a polygenic score that accounted for 7.3-8.7% of variation in baseline PSA levels and was not associated with prostate cancer.

Pediatric cancer patients in lower- and middle-income countries faced significantly higher mortality risk during the COVID-19 pandemic

Pediatric cancer patients from lower- and middle-income countries faced a higher risk of all-cause mortality than those in high-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that patients in LMICs had 35.7 times the risk of all-cause mortality compared to those in HICs.

Five eminent female cancer researchers receive the Victoria's Secret Global Fund for Women’s Cancers 2022 Meritorious Awards, in partnership with Pelotonia & AACR

The Victoria's Secret Global Fund for Women's Cancers has awarded five female researchers for their groundbreaking work on breast and gynecologic cancers. The recipients will receive a $100,000 honorarium and be invited to participate in a broader women's cancers grant program.

Levi A. Garraway, MD, PhD, FAACR, to receive 2022 AACR-Margaret Foti Award for Leadership and Extraordinary Achievements in Cancer Research

Levi A. Garraway is being honored for his groundbreaking contributions to cancer research, including the identification of melanoma genes and development of precision oncology approaches. He has also championed parallel sequencing as a definitive approach to tumor genomic profiling, revolutionizing cancer treatment strategies.

Elaine S. Jaffe, MD, to receive Inaugural AACR James S. Ewing-Thelma B. Dunn Award for Outstanding Achievement in Pathology in Cancer Research

Dr. Elaine S. Jaffe is being recognized for her pioneering work in hematopathology, including the discovery of novel pathological entities and her development of standardized diagnostic criteria for lymphoma and leukemia. She has also made significant contributions to advancing cancer research, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Steven A. Rosenberg, MD, PhD, FAACR, recognized with 2022 Pezcoller Foundation-AACR International Award for Extraordinary Achievement in Cancer Research

Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg's pioneering work on IL-2 and its use in treating metastatic melanoma and other cancers led to the FDA approval of first U.S.-born cancer immunotherapy. His subsequent research on CAR T-cell therapy has resulted in promising clinical results for various types of cancer.

T-cell responses may help predict protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in individuals with and without cancer

New study reveals that T-cell responses against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein can predict protection against infection. In healthy individuals, T cells with a specific cytokine profile offered immunity against COVID-19. In contrast, cancer patients showed lower T-cell responses and increased susceptibility to infection.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Discovery·DateFeb 18, 2022

Rural residents tend to hold fatalistic beliefs and perceive more cancer-related information overload than urban residents

A study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that rural residents are more likely to think fatally about cancer and feel information overload compared to urban adults. Lower education levels were associated with increased fatalism and information overload.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention·DateJan 28, 2022

Combination therapies may improve outcomes due to independent, rather than synergistic or additive, drug action

A retrospective analysis of 13 clinical trials found that most combination therapies involving immune checkpoint inhibitors worked due to independent drug action, rather than synergy or additivity. This discovery has implications for cancer clinical trial design and may help improve treatment outcomes.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJan 19, 2022

Survival rate of adult patients with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia after hematopoietic cell transplantation has steadily increased over the past two decades

Survival rates for adult patients with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after hematopoietic cell transplantation have increased significantly over the past two decades. The two-year overall survival rate rose from 27.8% in 2000-2004 to 54.8% in 2015-2019, despite a significant increase in patient age at relapse.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJan 12, 2022

The inaugural WHO classification of childhood tumors will provide a unified, updated resource for the diagnosis of pediatric cancers

The inaugural WHO classification of childhood tumors presents a single, updated compendium of all tumor entities in childhood or adolescence, divided by organ sites. This classification incorporates traditional morphology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular characteristics to provide essential criteria for definition of tumor types.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Discovery·DateDec 17, 2021

Research published in AACR journal and presented at ASH identifies potential approach to mitigate CAR T-cell therapy toxicity

A novel approach may reduce the serious adverse effect of cytokine release syndrome associated with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. Supressing interferon gamma (IFNγ) appears to prevent activation of macrophages and other immune cells that drive the syndrome without impacting CAR T-cell efficacy.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalBlood Cancer Discovery·DateDec 15, 2021

Breast cancer patients with estrogen receptor mutations may benefit from early switch to fulvestrant/palbociclib

A recent study found that patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who experience rising ESR1 mutations before disease progression can benefit from an early switch to fulvestrant plus palbociclib. This approach yields a statistically and clinically significant gain in progression-free survival, potentially justifying its a...

Elacestrant may improve outcomes for patients whose metastatic breast cancers progressed on prior endocrine therapy

In a phase III trial, elacestrant showed significant benefits in decreasing death or disease progression and increasing progression-free survival compared to standard of care. The treatment was well-tolerated with manageable side effects, offering hope for patients with ER-positive/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer.