A new clinical trial suggests that combining CTLA4 targeted therapy with PD-1 targeted therapy may improve treatment outcomes for women with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer. The trial found improved tumor response proportions and progression-free survival hazard rates in patients treated with the combination therapy.
A study by NRG Oncology/RTOG 0424 found that MGMT promoter methylation is associated with improved progression-free and overall survival in high-risk, low-grade glioma patients. The analysis suggests that MGMT promoter methylation should be incorporated into future clinical trial designs to risk-stratify LGG patients.
The RTOG 0618 trial found Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) to achieve favorable primary tumor control and local control rates in operable early-stage lung cancer patients, with a low rate of toxicity. The results suggest that SBRT may be a viable alternative to surgery for this patient population.
A recent NRG Oncology study found that high-dose radiotherapy improves biochemical control and reduces distant metastases in men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer, but does not enhance overall survival. The treatment also resulted in more side effects compared to standard radiotherapy.
The NRG Oncology trial found that trastuzumab did not negatively affect cardiac function in patients with node-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer who survived without cancer recurrence. Both groups maintained good cardiac function at a median of 8.8 years after treatment.
Researchers have developed and validated a nomogram that can predict overall survival and progression-free survival for patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with radiation-based therapy. The nomograms were derived from clinical trials NRG Oncology/RTOG 0129 and 0522.
The NRG-RTOG 0436 trial found that adding an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor to a chemo-radiation regimen does not improve overall survival for patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer. The trial showed no significant benefit from the addition of EGFR inhibitor cetuximab to standard treatment.
Researchers found that delivering higher doses of radiation over a shortened period was safe and associated with lower costs for patients with favorable-risk prostate cancer. The hypofractionated radiation therapy schedule demonstrated comparable quality of life outcomes to conventional radiation therapy.
A Phase III randomized trial comparing intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to standard RT found that patients treated with IMRT had better bowel and bladder functions scores and required fewer anti-diarrheal medications. Quality of life measures also showed less decline for patients treated with IMRT.
A study by NRG Oncology found that stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is safe and effective for medically inoperable patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly when using higher dose levels. The trial demonstrated comparable local control and outcomes data to SBRT results in peripherally located early stage ...
A pooled analysis of NRG Oncology studies RTOG 0129 and 0522 found that IMRT significantly reduced xerostomia and feeding tube dependency in head and neck cancer patients, especially those with oropharyngeal cancer. However, IMRT was associated with increased acute mucositis and dysphagia.
NRG-RTOG 0232 study found no significant difference in 5-year progression-free survival between external beam radiation therapy plus brachytherapy and brachytherapy alone. The treatment combination also resulted in fewer late genitourinary effects, mostly noted in the brachytherapy only arm.
Researchers found IDH gene mutations to be independently prognostic of overall and progression-free survival in grade II and III gliomas. CIC mutations also showed promise as prognostic markers, although more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.
A study published in JNCI found that patients treated at high-volume centers had statistically significant longer overall survival compared to those at low-volume centers. The difference was greater than 10% at two years, suggesting improved disease control and management of adverse effects.
A clinical trial confirms that a shortened radiotherapy schedule is as effective as conventional radiotherapy in treating low-risk prostate cancer patients. Patients treated with the shorter regimen experienced more mild side effects, but no difference in severe late side effects.
Patients with grade 2 glioma who received combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy experienced longer progression-free survival and overall survival compared to those who received radiation therapy alone. The study's findings suggest that initial therapy of RT followed by PCV is necessary to achieve longer survival.
Dr. Norman Wolmark will present the William L. McGuire Memorial Lecture on the NSABP Clinical Trials' impact on early breast cancer management. Established in 1992, the McGuire Lectureship commemorates Dr. William McGuire's contributions to oncology.
A study found that low BRCA1 protein expression in glioblastoma tumors correlates with longer overall survival, suggesting a potential predictive biomarker for treatment responses to DNA-damaging therapies.
The NRG Oncology/RTOG 0813 trial found SBRT to be well-tolerated in early-stage, centrally located non-small cell lung cancer patients. The highest dose level allowed by the protocol was reached without significant toxicity.
The RTOG 9601 study found that adding anti-androgen therapy to salvage radiotherapy improved overall survival and reduced prostate cancer death. The treatment also showed no significant increase in radiation toxicity.
A shortened radiotherapy schedule has been shown to have similar efficacy as a conventional course in treating low-risk prostate cancer. The study found that patients treated with the shorter schedule experienced no significant decrease in cancer control compared to those treated with the longer conventional schedule.