Oncology

New analysis in JNCCN offers evidence for effective use of medication to combat fatigue in people with cancer

Rare extraluminal esophageal cancer invades spine despite normal endoscopy

A simple X-ray measure linked to survival in lung cancer surgery patients

Rare laryngeal leiomyosarcoma successfully treated with surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy

A rare case of high-grade laryngeal leiomyosarcoma was successfully treated with extended laryngectomy, left neck dissection, and adjuvant chemotherapy. Complete surgical excision remains the cornerstone of therapy, while multidisciplinary-guided adjuvant treatment may benefit selected high-grade or high-risk patients.

City of Hope researchers to share new immunotherapy and precision medicine insights across cancer types at ASCO 2026

At ASCO 2026, City of Hope experts will present research on innovative treatments for various types of cancer. Their findings include the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy combinations, as well as the potential use of CBM588 to enhance immune checkpoint blockade in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Rethinking bladder cancer surveillance: Can fewer procedures be just as effective?

Agentic AI systems may transform nutritional care in oncology

A new editorial proposes the use of agentic AI systems to address cancer-related malnutrition, a prevalent issue affecting up to 80% of patients. These systems aim to coordinate multiple functions simultaneously and support ongoing clinical decision-making throughout treatment.

ERASur colorectal cancer trial reaches one-third patient accrual milestone

The ERASur clinical trial is investigating whether total ablative therapy can improve overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed, limited metastatic colorectal cancer. The study has reached one-third patient accrual milestone, signaling strong momentum.

Rare dual-mutation GIST responds to targeted therapy, challenging established tumor biology

A rare case of a small bowel GIST harboring concurrent KIT exon 9 duplication and SDHC mutation showed a strong response to high-dose imatinib, despite the presence of the SDHC mutation. Integrated molecular interpretation is crucial in GIST management.

Aparna Bhaduri awarded Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize for advancing glioblastoma research

Dr. Aparna Bhaduri receives $750k Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize for her innovative glioblastoma research. Her advanced human organoid models reveal how tumors interact with the immune system and brain cells, driving tumor aggressiveness.

Retrieval-augmented AI may improve accuracy and trust in oncology applications

The review highlights how retrieval-augmented generation can improve the accuracy, transparency, and clinical reliability of AI tools in cancer care. RAG-enhanced systems produced more accurate results than standard AI models across multiple studies.

Targeted therapies drive long-term decline in multiple myeloma mortality in the US

A new study found a clear shift in mortality trends in multiple myeloma closely parallels major therapeutic advances. Targeted therapies, including immunomodulatory drugs and CAR T-cell therapies, have significantly improved disease control and induced deep responses.

New awards and publications showcase achievements from staff at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network

NCCN staff received awards and publications for advancing quality cancer care, including Dr. Alyssa Schatz's Leadership in Policy, Equity, and Advocacy award and Faviolla Baez-Cruz's publication on biochemical research. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network is recognized for its work to improve outcomes for people with cancer.

Preclinical efficacy of experimental peptide therapy suggests a new target for metastatic breast cancer treatments, UTHealth Houston researchers find

Researchers at UTHealth Houston have discovered a new target for metastatic breast cancer treatments using experimental peptide therapy. The study found that the peptide BLMP6 targets fibulin-4, a protein expressed in high levels in metastatic breast cancers.

Lifestyle, diet, and clinical factors shape the gut microbiome in cancer patients

A new review found that lifestyle behaviors like physical activity and diet can positively modulate the gut microbiome of cancer patients, but these effects are often influenced by non-modifiable variables. The study also highlighted the role of intrinsic patient characteristics in shaping microbial composition.

The benefits of prostate cancer screening outweigh the harms, according to new patient guidelines from NCCN

The new NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Prostate Cancer Screening provide a comprehensive guide to evidence-based recommendations for age-specific screening. The guidelines aim to balance the benefits of early detection with the risks of unnecessary procedures, emphasizing the importance of personalized care and monitoring.

Researchers identify how enzyme affects infertility and cancer progression

A specific region of Dicer must be activated to achieve proper cell division and reproduction, a discovery that sheds light on the regulation of this enzyme's critical role in both cancer biology and fertility. This finding opens new avenues for studying how small epigenetic changes contribute to disease.

26 Years of development of EGFR-TKIs for non-small cell lung cancer: Clinical application and resistance research progress

EGFR-TKIs have significantly improved OS and quality of life for EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients. However, ongoing research is needed to refine therapies for precise individualized treatment, addressing resistance mechanisms and optimal combination strategies.

Targeted therapy drug shows early promise against KRAS-driven lung and pancreatic cancers

A first-in-human clinical trial found that setidegrasib, a targeted therapy drug, demonstrated early antitumor activity in advanced lung and pancreatic cancers. The therapy shrank tumors and delayed disease progression in some patients, providing a potential new treatment approach for KRAS G12D-driven cancers.

Independent, academic cancer trials are vital to improve patient outcomes worldwide

Independent academic clinical trials are essential for improving patient outcomes, reducing inequalities in care, and strengthening healthcare systems. The Lancet Oncology Commission aims to deliver actionable recommendations to ensure these trials continue to benefit patients and society worldwide.

AI tool that estimates biological age from face photos could serve as prognostic biomarker for cancer

A new study suggests that an AI tool analyzing facial changes can serve as a prognostic biomarker for cancer prognosis. The researchers found that patients with higher biological aging rates had lower chances of survival, and the effect was strongest when photos were taken over longer intervals.

Discovery of a novel vulnerability in aggressive lymphoma could change future therapy

A research team at the University of Cologne discovered that the protein cFLIP can be used to override the defences of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) against programmed cell death. Targeting cFLIP could re-activate cell death in lymphoma cells and provide a new therapy option.

USC and Tempus form strategic collaboration aimed at accelerating innovation across research and patient care

The Keck School of Medicine of USC and Tempus are creating a system-wide framework to integrate clinical care, clinical trials, and research through AI-powered precision medicine tools. The goal is to enhance patient care and accelerate research and innovation.

Disparities in disease presentation and treatment initiation for de novo metastatic breast cancer

A cross-sectional study of patients with de novo metastatic breast cancer found racial and ethnic disparities in disease presentation. De novo metastatic breast cancer disproportionately contributes to breast cancer mortality in the U.S., emphasizing the need for tailored interventions to improve care delivery and outcomes.

Extra sets of chromosomes may help aggressive tumor cells spread, study finds

A new study from Tulane University found that extra sets of chromosomes in tumor cells make them more mobile and likely to engulf neighboring cells. This stress response triggers an abundance of proteins, reprogramming the cells for motility and phagocytosis.

New targeted therapy shows promise against aggressive childhood and adult cancers

A new targeted therapy has shown strong results in preclinical studies against aggressive childhood and adult cancers, eliminating tumours and stopping cancer spread. The therapy targets the IL1RAP protein, which is found on cancer cells but largely absent from normal tissues, allowing for precise delivery of treatment.

Deceptive ovarian cancer case mimics pelvic abscess, delaying diagnosis in postmenopausal woman

A rare case of mucinous ovarian carcinoma was reported in a postmenopausal woman, initially misdiagnosed as a pelvic abscess due to nonspecific symptoms and radiologic features. The diagnosis was confirmed after advanced imaging and tumor marker assessment. Early recognition is crucial for timely diagnosis and effective treatment of th...

Dual-pathway blockade therapy offers hope for rare, hard-to-treat gynecological clear cell cancers

Researchers have found that combining pembrolizumab and lenvatinib shows promise in treating recurrent clear cell ovarian and endometrial cancers with poor responses to standard treatments. The LARA trial provides encouraging responses for patients with this rare and difficult-to-treat cancer subtype.

MEDABIS-PRO: Biophysical research on MRI-guided proton therapy

The MEDABIS-PRO project aims to elucidate the effects of magnetic fields on dose delivery and biological radiation in MRI-guided proton therapy. Researchers will analyze the impact of magnetic field orientations and strengths on proton beam propagation and biological effects, using computer simulations and measurements.

Some cancer drugs disrupt taste by changing the cells inside taste buds, study shows

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz discovered that cancer drugs impact a specific protein regulating taste buds. This finding could lead to new treatments preserving taste function in cancer patients.

Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital award 2026 fellowships

Five fellows will receive funding for four years to study hard-to-treat pediatric cancers, reduce treatment toxicity, and develop innovative therapies. Their research focuses on Ewing sarcoma, leukemia, kidney cancer, and immune system vulnerabilities.

Primary breast tumors already harbor cells with metastatic potential

Researchers have identified the Prrx1 gene as a key regulator of metastatic potential in breast cancer tumors. This discovery helps explain why highly invasive cells do not always give rise to metastases, and how cells combine invasiveness and proliferation to become the most dangerous from a clinical perspective.

Alliance study shows new promise against locally advanced lung cancer

A study by the Alliance Foundation Trials shows that combining immunotherapy and chemotherapy before surgery can help more patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer undergo complete cancer resection, improving their long-term health. The treatment also led to high rates of lymph node clearance and successful surgical re...

Rare scalp reaction identified in lung cancer patient receiving amivantamab after radiotherapy

A rare scalp reaction resembling erosive pustular dermatosis was identified in a lung cancer patient treated with amivantamab following cranial radiotherapy. The reaction appeared to be related to impaired wound healing due to dual inhibition of EGFR and MET signaling pathways.

Young-onset colorectal cancer mortality by education

A nationwide study reveals that individuals with lower educational attainment are more likely to die from colorectal cancer at a younger age. The disparity in young-onset CRC mortality nearly doubled over the past three decades among those with 12 years or less education compared to those with 16 or more years of education.

3D tumor organoids give brain tumor researchers new scientific opportunities

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital developed patient-derived tumor organoids that accurately reflect the biologic underpinnings of embryonal brain tumors. The models enable faster functional assays and preclinical drug testing without relying on newly obtained tumor samples, advancing the study of pediatric brain tumors.

Combination strategies for immunotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia

Immunotherapy combining checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T, CAR-NK, and cancer vaccines shows promising results in treating AML. Chemotherapy can enhance the efficacy of these treatments by reshaping the tumor microenvironment.

Cancer care in conflict zones remains critically neglected

Oncology services are often excluded from emergency health priorities, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment interruptions. Vulnerable populations, including women and children, face advanced disease stages due to delays in care.

AACR: Jennifer Wargo, MD, elected Fellow of the AACR Academy

Dr. Jennifer Wargo has made groundbreaking contributions to defining the interplay between the microbiome, oncogenic signaling and tumor immunity, with a focus on immunotherapy responses and mechanisms of targeted therapy resistance in melanoma.

Development and successful treatment of spinal mixed histiocytosis in an elderly woman following two relapses of BRAF-mutated unifocal skull langerhans cell histiocytosis

A 76-year-old woman developed spinal mixed histiocytosis after multiple relapses of BRAF-mutated unifocal skull Langerhans cell histiocytosis. She was treated successfully with targeted therapy, highlighting the importance of routine PET/CT screening and genetic testing for refractory cases.

Clinical trial aims to address vaginal complaints after breast cancer diagnosis

A clinical trial aims to evaluate whether laser therapy reduces vaginal dryness caused by breast cancer treatment. The study, REVITALIZE, plans to enroll approximately 250 women with a history of breast cancer who experience moderate to severe vaginal dryness.

Survivors of adolescent, young adult cancers at double the risk of future cancers

Research from Alberta reveals that survivors of adolescent and young adult cancers are at double the risk of developing most types of later cancers. Lymphoma and breast cancer were found to be the most common subsequent cancers after an initial diagnosis, with breast, colorectal, and lung cancers making up 43% of cases.

Practice-defining NRG Oncology trial finds chemotherapy followed by letrozole is the standard for advanced, low grade serous gynecologic carcinoma

The phase III NRG GY019 trial found that paclitaxel/carboplatin followed by letrozole is the standard treatment for patients with stage II-IV low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. The study also showed that letrozole monotherapy did not demonstrate non-inferiority to the combination, but was associated with fewer serious side effects.

A lung cancer that changes its identity may be hiding in plain sight

A new study maps how rare mixed tumors evolve into hybrid cell states and immune-protected neighborhoods, pointing to new ways to detect and treat combined small-cell lung cancer. The findings reveal that these tumors do not arise from two separate cancers but rather from a single ancestral cell that evolves over time.

Establishment of a method for amplifying the full genome of human papillomavirus 16 using overlapping extension polymerase chain reaction

This study established a novel method for amplifying the entire HPV16 genome, demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity. The overlapping extension polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach enabled effective amplification of samples as low as 2 copies/μL, with stable results at higher concentrations.

AI outperforms doctors at summarizing complex cancer pathology reports

Several open-source AI models consistently produced summaries that were more comprehensive than physician-written versions, particularly in capturing molecular and genetic findings. The study found that Llama 3.1 and DeepSeek performed best among the six evaluated models.

Nancy L. Lewis, MD, MBS, FACP, named new Chief Scientific Officer for National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)

Nancy L. Lewis, MD, MBS, FACP, a renowned biomedical researcher and clinical trials expert, has been appointed as the new Chief Scientific Officer of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). She will oversee NCCN's programs to advance clinical trials and improve cancer care outcomes globally.

AACR: Targeted drug delivery for colorectal cancer, COVID-19’s impact on breast cancer outcomes, AI in cancer diagnosis and more

UCLA investigators present new research on targeted drug delivery for colorectal cancer, COVID-19's impact on breast cancer outcomes, and AI in cancer diagnosis. These studies offer insights into overcoming drug resistance, enhancing immune responses, and improving outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.

Base-resolution DNA methylation map of MDS stem cells reveals new disease mechanism

Researchers generated a comprehensive view of DNA methylation abnormalities in human MDS HSCs, uncovering a novel TET2-GFI1 axis that suppresses malignant transformation. The study identifies key hematopoietic regulators and provides a panoramic view of DNA methylation disruption in MDS.

Colorectal cancer screening and health-related social needs in a national sample of US adults

A national study found that unmet health-related social needs are associated with lower colorectal cancer screening rates, particularly among adults aged 50-64. Addressing these needs may support age-specific strategies to improve screening rates.

EANM joins EMUC26 as co-organizer of Europe’s leading urological cancer congress

The European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) has joined the EMUC26 congress to promote nuclear medicine expertise in urological cancers. The event will bring together healthcare professionals from various disciplines to discuss current practices and emerging innovations.

Adjuvant PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors show efficacy but highlight safety considerations in solid cancers

The study found that immune checkpoint inhibitors significantly improved key clinical outcomes, including disease-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival. However, no clear improvement in overall survival was observed across studies, highlighting the need for careful patient selection and monitoring.

Researchers develop AI tool to predict Barrett’s esophagus recurrence after therapy

Researchers developed an AI model to predict Barrett's esophagus recurrence after endoscopic eradication therapy. The tool shows high accuracy in identifying patients at risk and detecting when recurrence is likely to occur.

Alliance marks Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week

The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology is enrolling adolescent and young adult cancer patients in various trials, including genetic services and treatment studies. These trials aim to address longstanding gaps in care and improve outcomes for AYAs with cancer.

JMIR Publications showcases precision oncology success: individualized multi-drug therapy outperforms standard care

A new article in JMIR Publications showcases precision oncology's success, where individualized multi-drug regimens improve treatment responses and survival rates for patients with advanced cancers. The study found that closely matching drug therapies to tumor mutations leads to better outcomes, while also offering a safer profile.

UCLA researchers develop low-cost blood test to detect multiple cancers and other diseases from a single sample

A new, cost-effective blood test detects liver, lung, ovarian, stomach cancers, and various non-cancer conditions by analyzing DNA fragments in the bloodstream. The test achieved high accuracy rates for multi-cancer detection and tissue-of-origin identification.

Researchers find way to treat lung cancer and associated muscle wasting at the same time

A new study from Oregon State University has found a way to treat both lung cancer and associated muscle-wasting cachexia using lipid nanoparticles. The treatment involves loading the nanoparticles with follistatin messenger RNA, which triggers cells to produce the protein, promoting muscle tissue growth while inhibiting tumors.

Bibliometric mapping reveals the evolution of glioma classification research

A new review analyzes how glioma classification research has evolved across clinical, molecular, and social domains. The study highlights the prominent role of DNA methylation profiling and advanced imaging techniques in molecular biomarker-based classification models, while finding social factors to be relatively scarce.

NCCN Foundation announces annual awards to support future leaders for cancer innovation

The NCCN Foundation recognizes five young investigators for their promising research on cancer innovation, providing $100,000 grants to advance their work and strengthen the pipeline for cancer success.

NCCN 2026 Annual Conference prepares cancer care providers worldwide for healing the whole patient

The NCCN 2026 Annual Conference emphasized the need for holistic care for adolescents and young adults with cancer, highlighting unique challenges and the importance of supportive services. The conference also addressed global cancer care realities and future strategies, emphasizing the need for collaboration and investment to address ...