A comprehensive, sustained approach to treating tobacco dependence in patients undergoing cancer treatment has been shown to double quit rates compared to referral to a Quitline alone. The study found that 81% of participants who received virtual sustained treatment attended counseling sessions and had higher medication use rates.
The ECOG-ACRIN ENDURANCE trial found that indefinite lenalidomide maintenance had no survival benefit and more toxicity compared to stopping treatment after 2 years in patients not undergoing a stem cell transplant. The study suggests that fixed duration treatment can significantly reduce healthcare costs.
Valsamo Anagnostou, Jordan Berlin, and Olisaemeka Ogbue receive ECOG-ACRIN's Young Investigator Award, Remarkable Mentor in Oncology Award, and Paul Carbone, MD Fellowship Award for outstanding contributions to translational research, mentorship, and improving cancer care. The awards are funded by the ECOG Research & Education Foundation.
Researchers from ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group will present updated outcomes from the STAMP study on Merkel cell carcinoma, primary results from studies in glioblastoma and non-small cell lung cancer, and emerging approaches in precision oncology. AI-driven insights from the TAILORx breast cancer trial will also be showcased.
Researchers are analyzing paired original and recurrent breast cancer tumors to identify biological factors driving recurrences years after treatment. The TAILORx and RxPONDER trials have provided a large dataset of clinically annotated tumor samples, enabling the study of late recurrence and potential prevention strategies.
The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group has completed enrollment of 600 patients in the phase 2/3 trial EA6141, evaluating dual checkpoint blockade with nivolumab and ipilimumab plus sargramostim for unresectable stage 3 or 4 melanoma. The trial aims to assess overall survival, progression-free survival, and treatment tolerability.
A prospective multicenter trial validated an improved method for predicting treatment benefits in hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer with bone metastases. Metabolic change assessed by FDG-PET/CT accurately predicted progression-free survival as early as 12 weeks after treatment initiation.
Researchers developed multimodal models integrating imaging, clinical, and molecular data from TAILORx tissue biorepository for early-stage breast cancer. The models demonstrated enhanced prognostic performance compared to existing methods, highlighting their potential for personalized treatment decision-making.
A new clinical trial by ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group found pembrolizumab reduced cancer recurrence risk to 73% in patients receiving the treatment after surgery. Patients also showed a 42% lower risk of developing distant metastases.
The CompassHER2 trial found that neoadjuvant THP led to a pathologic complete response (pCR) rate of 64% in patients with early-stage HER2-positive, ER-negative breast cancer. Lower ER expression levels resulted in higher pCR rates among ER-positive tumors.
Researchers used AI-driven methods to analyze thousands of digital images of melanoma tumor tissue, identifying key immune cell structures that boost immunotherapy effects. The presence of these structures was linked to significantly better overall survival for patients with advanced melanoma.
The Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (TMIST) has successfully enrolled over 108,000 women worldwide for a randomized controlled trial comparing 2D and 3D mammography. The study aims to determine whether 3D mammography is more effective in reducing advanced breast cancer risk.
A phase 3 trial shows that autologous stem cell transplants do not improve survival for mantle cell lymphoma patients in complete remission and undetectable minimal residual disease. Patients who remain MRD-positive after induction may benefit from ASCT, but longer follow-up is needed to confirm these findings.
A randomized phase 3 trial found that adding temozolomide to radiation therapy improves long-term survival for adult patients with low-grade gliomas. The 10-year survival rate was 70% with combined treatment, compared to 47% with radiation alone.
The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group has appointed seven researchers to lead committees in its scientific program, focusing on breast cancer, genitourinary cancer, and immunotherapeutics. The appointments underscore the group's commitment to cancer research excellence and premier professional opportunities for researchers.
The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group and PrECOG, LLC will present several abstracts at the 66th American Society of Hematology Meeting & Exposition. Promising results from a phase 2 study in acute myeloid leukemia and new data from the practice-changing E1910 phase 3 trial show improved outcomes for patients with B-cell acute lymphobla...
The Cancer Cooperative Group System is being re-engineered to bring new money to correlative science research through public-private partnerships, aiming to remove barriers for researchers to access biological samples. This will facilitate the integration of innovative science into cancer clinical trials.
A clinical trial by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group shows striking results from chemotherapy before surgery to shrink tumors and reduce tissue removal. Patients who received chemotherapy had a 50% chance of preserving vital organs, compared to 15% for those having surgery.
The E1910 trial demonstrated a significant survival advantage with blinatumomab immunotherapy, improving overall and relapse-free survival in patients with BCR::ABL1-negative B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This finding contributed to the recent FDA approval of blinatumomab for these patients.
A new study by ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group aimed to address disparities in breast cancer care for Black patients. The trial found that tailoring research to the needs of underserved groups is effective, with docetaxel showing lower rates of peripheral neuropathy and dose reductions compared to paclitaxel.
The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group has launched the ComboMATCH-E5 trial, evaluating the combination of sotorasib and panitumumab in patients with KRAS G12C-mutated advanced solid tumors. The study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of the combination in this patient population.
The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group will present late-breaking findings on prostate cancer, breast cancer, and pancreas cancer at ASCO 2024. These studies include optimal chemotherapy for Black women with breast cancer and results from the first randomized national trial in older adults with pancreas cancer.
The NCI-MATCH precision medicine trial discovered that trastuzumab-pertuzumab, approved for HER2-positive breast cancer, can shrink tumors in patients with other types of cancer and high levels of the HER2 gene. The study found a 12% confirmed overall response rate, with partial responses in various cancers.
The TMIST breast cancer screening trial is expanding to Thailand, aiming to improve outcomes for Black and Hispanic women. The trial, led by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group, is comparing 3-D and 2-D mammography in 128,905 women to better inform tailored future screenings.
ComboMATCH initiates patient enrollment to test new cancer drug combinations guided by tumor biology, exploring precision medicine and targeting proteins that control cancer growth. The project aims to identify beneficial therapies for patients with rare malignancies and/or rare molecular abnormalities.
The E1910 trial found that adding blinatumomab to standard front-line consolidation chemotherapy improved overall survival and kept most patients in remission. The treatment, which targets malignant B cells, demonstrated its effectiveness in patients with a good prognosis after an initial round of chemotherapy.
A unique clinical trial has achieved a remarkable 97% induction survival rate in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) by providing a simplified treatment regimen and 24/7 support from APL experts. This collaborative care model, known as EA9131, significantly reduced early deaths and improved overall survival rates.
The NCI-MATCH precision medicine cancer trial found a promising signal for the AKT inhibitor ipatasertib, meeting its primary endpoint with a 22% response rate in patients with rare AKT1 E17K tumor gene mutations. The study demonstrated clinically significant activity in patients, warranting additional studies.
Researchers have developed a deep learning algorithm that can accurately assess the stage of head and neck cancer using standard CT scans, outperforming expert radiologists. The algorithm demonstrated superior accuracy in measuring the extent of cancer spread, especially for patients with high-risk disease.
The PROSPER RCC trial showed no difference in recurrence-free survival between arms, with higher adverse events reported in the nivolumab arm. The trial's results inform future research on neoadjuvant trials in high-risk renal cell carcinoma.
The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group presented promising trial results at ASCO 2022, including an 8-year survival rate in the CHAARTED prostate trial. The research also explored outcomes by tobacco use in head and neck studies, shedding light on cancer treatment effectiveness.
The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group has opened a new treatment arm in the NCI-MATCH trial for patients with DNA mismatch repair deficiency and LAG-3 expression. The trial is evaluating two immunotherapy combinations: relatlimab plus nivolumab and dabrafenib plus trametinib, both targeting BRAF mutations.
A new post-surgery approach for treating HPV-related throat cancer uses low-dose radiation and spares the majority of patients from chemotherapy. The trial found high survival rates and quality of life in patients at medium risk for recurrence.
The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group presented new research results on patients with breast and HPV-associated throat cancers. A phase III trial found platinum chemotherapy ineffective in preventing recurrence of basal-like triple-negative breast cancer, while a study on severe joint pain in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-p...
The NCI-MATCH cancer clinical trial is expanding with the addition of a new treatment arm, Arm Z1M, which targets mismatch repair deficiency and LAG-3 protein expression. This brings the total number of available treatment arms to 12, addressing 12 unique molecular targets and corresponding drugs that have shown efficacy evidence.
The EA2176 study aims to enroll 205 patients in the US with inoperable advanced squamous cell anal cancer, comparing standard chemotherapy with or without nivolumab. The trial seeks to determine if adding immunotherapy will prolong progression-free survival and reduce symptoms.
The NCI-MATCH trial, the largest precision medicine cancer trial to date, has made significant contributions to the use of tumor gene testing in selecting treatment for patients. The study found that nearly 40% of patients have matching tumor gene defects for targeted treatments.
The InterAAct trial found carboplatin-paclitaxel to be the optimal chemotherapy regimen for inoperable anal cancer, with a lower risk of adverse events and improved overall survival. Patients treated with this regimen experienced a trend towards better survival rates, suggesting it should become the standard of care.
A phase 3 trial found that surgery and radiation after initial systemic therapy did not improve overall survival for women with stage IV breast cancer. The study suggests that these treatments should not be routine practice, instead focusing on proven therapies to prolong life.
A randomized phase 3 trial found no improvement in progression-free survival for carfilzomib compared to the standard treatment bortezomib. Carfilzomib was associated with higher very good partial response rates but more severe toxicities, including cardiac and renal issues.
A phase 2 trial found that adding durvalumab to chemotherapy significantly improved median overall survival in malignant pleural mesothelioma patients, with response rates and tolerability seen as well-tolerated. The combination is considered suitable for further investigation in a randomized phase 3 study.
The trial found that reduced postoperative radiation therapy in intermediate-risk patients with HPV+ oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma is safe and effective, with very good oncologic outcomes. Patients at low risk had favorable two-year progression-free survival without postoperative therapy.
Researchers with the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group presented new findings on breast cancer treatment trials, including TAILORx and NCI-MATCH. The studies found that women under 40 are at risk for early discontinuation of hormone therapy, and insurance status plays a key role in adherence to adjuvant hormone therapy.
The E1912 trial showed that the ibrutinib-rituximab combination provided better leukemia control, prolonged life, and had fewer side effects compared to standard care in untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The FDA approval is based on data from the phase 3 trial developed by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group.
A nationwide trial tests video counseling to help cancer patients quit smoking, addressing a significant public health concern. The study aims to provide evidence for tobacco treatment as standard care in community hospitals and clinics.
The TAILORx trial found that women on hormone therapy also experienced cognitive decline, which leveled off over time. Cognitive function did not return to pre-treatment levels in either group, and hormone therapy may play a role in this impairment.
A study published in JAMA found abbreviated breast MRI to be more effective than digital breast tomosynthesis in detecting breast cancer in women with dense breasts. The test detected significantly more cancers and showed promise as a new screening tool for these patients.
The study found significant tumor shrinkage in two out of three patients with salivary gland tumors treated with T-DM1. The benefit lasted for at least two years in one patient, suggesting a promising activity for this rare cancer type.
The NCI-MATCH trial found a 36% response rate across various cancers with DNA mismatch repair deficiencies, including rare and uncommon tumor types. The results provide an important signal for further study and potential treatment options.
A retrospective study found that women with government insurance had lower survival rates, increased risk of dying, and were more likely to stop treatment early in breast cancer clinical trials. The study also did not find a significant association between neighborhood socioeconomic status and trial outcomes.