Multi-Cancer Studies
If it’s your first time on this website, please read the disclaimer section.
Oct 12 – Oct 19, 2026
Effectiveness of a Multisite Oncology Financial Navigation Intervention: The Lessening the Impact of Financial Toxicity Clinical Trial.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This pragmatic hybrid II trial evaluated a multisite oncology financial navigation (FN) intervention (LIFT) across eight diverse oncology practices to reduce financial toxicity (FT) in cancer patients. Among 258 consented patients, 179 received FN. Post-LIFT, FACIT-COST scores significantly improved by an average of 8.1 points (p < .0001), from 6.6 pre-intervention to 14.7 post-intervention, with significant improvements in both rural and nonrural sites. This intervention effectively mitigates a significant non-medical burden for cancer patients, directly impacting their holistic care and potentially improving adherence and quality of life during cancer treatment. Financial navigation is a patient-centered intervention that can reduce financial toxicity in diverse cancer populations and should be considered a best practice in oncology settings.
10.1200/JCO-26-00617
A health-system-scale, episode-resolved multimodal atlas of cancer cachexia.
NAT MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/195TOP-TIER
This study analyzed longitudinal clinicogenomic data from 52,236 cancer patients to map trajectories of cancer cachexia and its association with clinical outcomes and tumor genotypes. Cachectic episodes were linked to inferior outcomes across nearly all cancer types and exhibited a consistent serologic signature of low albumin and hemoglobin alongside elevated liver enzymes. Somatic mutations, notably TP53, were associated with increased cachexia frequency, leading to the development of a predictive model for lung, colorectal, and prostate cancers. Validated in an external cohort of 5,785 patients, the findings demonstrate that routine clinicogenomic data can effectively predict impending cachectic weight loss to improve supportive care in oncology.
10.1038/s41591-026-04689-9
Oct 05 – Oct 12, 2026
A modular framework for antibody-drug conjugate biomarkers.
NAT REV CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/326TOP-TIER
This review proposes a modular framework for antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) biomarker development to enhance patient selection, therapeutic sequencing, and toxicity management in oncology. It highlights the need to move beyond semi-quantitative target expression, advocating for a comprehensive approach considering antigen abundance, intracellular trafficking, linker cleavage, payload susceptibility, and toxicity. The framework aims to inform rational combinations, dose optimization, and regulatory strategies. This is highly relevant for improving the clinical utility and safety of ADCs, ultimately benefiting cancer patients by optimizing treatment outcomes.
10.1038/s41571-026-01213-3
Mapping the functional dark proteome in cancer.
NAT REV CANCER · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #3/326TOP-TIER
This Perspective article outlines the current understanding of the dark proteome in cancer, a vast array of previously uncharacterized proteins. It highlights critical research gaps and poses guiding questions for future exploration in this emerging field. Over the past decade, thousands of diverse dark proteins have been identified, with individual members increasingly characterized as functional components of cancer cell biology and potential therapeutic targets. The dark proteome offers significant potential to advance cancer science, diagnosis, and treatment, directly aligning with the clinician’s interest in cancer research.
10.1038/s41568-026-00985-1
Boosting CAR T cell efficacy in cancer with metabolic insights from design to diet.
NAT REV CANCER · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #3/326TOP-TIER
This review explores how metabolic insights can boost CAR T cell efficacy in cancer, particularly for solid tumours. It examines the impact of CAR design, manufacturing platforms, and host metabolism on T cell fitness and antitumour activity. The abstract highlights that co-stimulatory domains induce distinct metabolic profiles and that manufacturing protocols lack standardization. It proposes leveraging diet-based interventions as a clinically accessible strategy to enhance CAR T cell therapy, aiming for more durable responses in cancer patients.
10.1038/s41568-026-00984-2
Exercise therapy in cancer prevention and treatment.
NAT REV CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/326TOP-TIER
This review synthesizes epidemiological and clinical trial evidence to evaluate exercise therapy as a strategy for cancer prevention and a therapeutic adjunct post-diagnosis. The analysis examines the link between exercise and primary cancer risk, disease outcomes, and changes in blood-based and tissue-based biomarkers across various oncology settings. Findings suggest that exercise modifies the host macroenvironment and tumor microenvironment, potentially enhancing the efficacy of conventional cancer therapies. The study establishes a translational framework for precision exercise oncology, positioning structured physical activity as a viable anticancer therapeutic modality for clinical practice.
10.1038/s41571-026-01201-7
Exploring the immunological effects of antibody-drug conjugates.
NAT REV CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/326TOP-TIER
This review examines the immunological mechanisms by which antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) exert antitumor activity beyond direct cytotoxicity, including immunogenic cell death, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, dendritic cell activation, and tumor microenvironment reprogramming. It appraises clinical evidence for combining ADCs with immune checkpoint inhibitors and other immunostimulatory agents, and highlights novel ADC designs with enhanced immunogenic potential. Although no original numerical results are presented, the synthesis supports a paradigm shift positioning ADCs as modulators of tumor-immune interactions. For clinicians focused on cancer, this informs rationale for ADC–immunotherapy combinations and future trial design.
10.1038/s41571-026-01209-z
Sep 28 – Oct 05, 2026
Reporting health-related quality of life in randomised clinical trials evaluating adjuvant systemic therapy: recommendations of Common-Sense Oncology and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This abstract presents recommendations from Common-Sense Oncology and EORTC for standardized reporting of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in randomized clinical trials evaluating adjuvant systemic therapy for cancer. The objective is to improve understanding for oncologists and patients by recommending reporting the proportion of patients experiencing prespecified HRQOL deterioration and its duration. These guidelines emphasize including symptoms, functioning domains, and overall HRQOL, with appropriate handling of missing data. Implementing these recommendations will enhance the clinical applicability of trial results, enabling better-informed decisions regarding adjuvant cancer treatments by balancing survival gains against quality of life impacts.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00333-5
Global burden of cancer attributable to infections in 2024: a worldwide incidence analysis.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This worldwide incidence analysis utilized GLOBOCAN 2024 data to quantify the global burden of cancer attributable to 12 Group 1 carcinogenic infectious agents, aiming to inform prevention efforts. Findings revealed an estimated 2.3 million new cancer cases globally in 2024 (12% of all cancers) were infection-attributable, with H. pylori (760,000 cases, 4%) and HPV (750,000 cases, 4%) being the leading causes. The highest burden was observed in eastern Asia, accounting for 990,000 cases (42%). This research highlights the critical importance of infection control for cancer prevention, reinforcing the value of vaccination, screening, and treatment strategies in clinical practice.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00307-4
Sep 21 – Sep 28, 2026
Global uptake of essential cancer medicines with and without complex genomic diagnostics: a retrospective observational study.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This retrospective observational study analyzed the global uptake of 41 essential cancer medicines in 71 countries from 2002-2023, categorizing them by diagnostic requirements. Key findings revealed that medicines requiring complex genomic diagnostics had 65% (regression coefficient -0·453) lower standard-unit uptake than those without, with the lowest uptake observed in lower-GDP countries. Overall, lower-GDP countries showed less uptake across all medicine types compared to middle and high-GDP countries. These results highlight significant disparities in access to essential cancer medicines, particularly precision oncology, suggesting that EML inclusion alone is insufficient to ensure patient access and impacting global cancer care delivery.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00432-8
Accelerating equitable cancer genomics and precision oncology in health care and research: a Lancet Oncology Commission.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This Lancet Oncology Commission defines the global precision oncology landscape, analyzing scientific, structural, and health-system challenges to equitable implementation in cancer care. Findings indicate profoundly unequal access to cancer genomics, leaving millions of patients without guideline-indicated interventions annually, and research concentrated in high-income settings. While precision oncology offers heterogeneous benefits, significant gains are confined to a few well-validated biomarker-treatment pairings, with broader approaches benefiting only a few patients. The Commission offers frameworks for value-based, resource-stratified implementation, workforce competency, and monitoring to integrate cancer genomics effectively, equitably, and sustainably, aiming to improve cancer outcomes.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00302-5
Balancing benefits, costs, and harms: policy implications of expanding cancer susceptibility testing from genetics clinics to the general population.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This policy review examines the clinical and health-system challenges of expanding cancer susceptibility testing from specialized clinics to the general population for precision prevention. While risks for first-wave genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 are well-established, the review highlights that evidence for newer multigene panels and polygenic risk scores remains scarce regarding mortality reduction and cost-effectiveness. Clinicians must navigate uncertain penetrance estimates and ancestry-dependent performance of risk scores when implementing these tools in routine oncology. The authors propose a tiered, context-specific implementation framework to ensure testing provides a net benefit rather than harm in diverse clinical and public health settings.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00390-6
Disparities in Cancer Incidence by Sex and Associated Lifestyle Factors and Health Conditions.
JAMA ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/326TOP-TIER
This cohort study analyzed 589,766 participants from China and the UK to quantify how 11 modifiable lifestyle factors and health conditions contribute to sex disparities in the incidence of 34 non-sex-specific cancers. In the Chinese population, modifiable factors accounted for 84.44% of the male-female incidence gap, primarily driven by smoking (51.75%) and heavy alcohol consumption (15.10%). Conversely, these factors explained only 26.21% of the disparity in the UK population, with obesity (7.68%) and smoking (6.26%) identified as the leading individual contributors. These results demonstrate that while lifestyle interventions can significantly reduce cancer sex disparities, prevention strategies must be tailored to specific population contexts to address varying risk profiles effectively.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.3747
Effect of Screening with Multicancer Early-Detection Test on Late-Stage Cancer Diagnosis.
NEW ENGL J MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/332TOP-TIER
This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether adding multicancer early-detection (MCED) blood tests to usual care reduces late-stage cancer diagnoses among 142,250 participants aged 50–77. Results showed no significant difference in the incidence of stage III or IV cancers between the intervention and control groups (IRR 1.03; 95% CI, 0.92–1.14; P=0.63). While the incidence of stage IV cancer alone showed a non-significant trend toward reduction (IRR 0.86; 95% CI, 0.74–1.00), the primary endpoint was not met. These findings suggest that current MCED screening does not yet provide a measurable reduction in late-stage cancer burden, though long-term follow-up is necessary to assess evolving diagnostic trends.
10.1056/NEJMoa2505723
Global health expenditures on cancer control: a cross-sectional analysis.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This cross-sectional study quantified global recurrent expenditures on cancer control using publicly accessible data from 81 (37%) of 218 countries and territories. Findings revealed a mean annual per capita expenditure of $88.9 (SD 145.3), with high-income countries spending $173.4, upper-middle $15.7, lower-middle $3.9, and low-income $0.4. The study highlights significant global variability and generally low expenditure levels, particularly in lower-income nations, impacting resource availability for cancer care. It underscores the critical need for more detailed, disease-specific expenditure data to inform health policy and resource allocation for effective cancer control.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00354-2
Performance of a multi-cancer early detection test in the randomized controlled NHS-Galleri trial.
NAT MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/195TOP-TIER
This randomized trial evaluated a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test added to usual care in 142,250 participants aged 50-77. Across three annual rounds, positive test rates were 1.03%, 0.80%, and 0.90%, with positive predictive values of 58.0%, 50.4%, and 45.8%, and negative predictive values above 98.8%. Specificity exceeded 99.5%, but episode sensitivity was low (26.7-37.2% for all cancers; 47.6-63.4% for 12 prespecified types), and cancer signal origin accuracy was 91.1-93.6%. Although the primary endpoint of reducing stage III/IV diagnoses was not met, the test showed high specificity and moderate PPV, informing its potential role in population screening.
10.1038/s41591-026-04652-8
Performance and safety of a multi-cancer early detection test: the PATHFINDER 2 study.
NAT MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/195TOP-TIER
This prospective, interventional PATHFINDER 2 study evaluated the performance and safety of a blood-based multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test in 32,007 participants aged 50 or older without cancer suspicion. Key findings included a cancer detection rate of 0.54%, a positive predictive value of 60.3%, and a specificity of 99.64%. Episode sensitivity was 39.3% for all cancers and 69.8% for a prespecified 12-cancer subgroup, with 91.3% accuracy in predicting cancer signal origin. These results offer crucial insights into the MCED test’s potential for early cancer detection and guiding diagnostic workup, with a number needed to screen of 185 and minimal invasive procedures (0.6%) after positive results.
10.1038/s41591-026-04618-w
Replication stress in cancer: origins, consequences and therapeutic opportunities.
NAT REV CANCER · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #3/326TOP-TIER
This review article explores replication stress as a fundamental driver of tumor development and a key target for precision oncology. It details how impaired DNA replication, stemming from oncogene activation and other factors, leads to genomic instability in cancer cells. The study highlights the essential role of pathways like ATR-CHK1 in managing this stress and identifies therapeutic vulnerabilities. Inhibitors targeting ATR, CHK1, and WEE1 are in clinical development, alongside synthetic lethal strategies such as PARP inhibition in BRCA1/2-deficient tumors and WRN inhibition in microsatellite-unstable cancers. This framework offers significant implications for developing targeted cancer therapies.
10.1038/s41568-026-00979-z
Understanding and targeting the tumour matrisome.
NAT REV CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/326TOP-TIER
This review examines the composition and signaling functions of the tumor extracellular matrix (ECM), or matrisome, utilizing recent advances in proteomics and imaging to define its role in cancer progression. While specific numerical trial data are not provided in this overview, it highlights that ECM accumulation serves as a universal hallmark of cancer that correlates directly with increased tumor aggressiveness and decreased patient survival. The study evaluates the clinical utility of the ECM as a reservoir for prognostic biomarkers and a scaffold for targeted therapeutic delivery systems. Practitioners can anticipate novel ‘matritherapies’ designed to normalize the tumor microenvironment or modulate ECM signaling pathways to improve clinical outcomes in oncology.
10.1038/s41571-026-01203-5
Sep 14 – Sep 21, 2026
Precision prevention and early detection: framework for a new clinical cancer control pathway.
LANCET · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/332TOP-TIER
This framework paper proposes precision prevention and early detection (PPED) as a new clinical cancer control pathway, tailoring interventions by risk level, timing, and delivery method. It notes that only 13% of cancers are detected through guideline-based screening, while 20-50% first present in emergency departments, and uses hereditary cancer syndromes as proof that risk-enriched prevention works. The authors emphasize that de-escalation in low-risk individuals is as important as escalation in high-risk individuals. Though the science must mature, health-system infrastructure and workforce for longitudinal prevention planning are identified as the defining cancer control challenge of the next decade.
10.1016/S0140-6736(26)01669-7
Viral mimicry escape as a necessary feature of malignant transformation.
NAT REV CANCER · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #3/326TOP-TIER
This review article proposes a unifying conceptual model for viral mimicry escape as a necessary feature of malignant transformation and a therapeutic target. It outlines how cancer-associated changes lead to immunogenic nucleic acids, triggering viral mimicry as an intrinsic tumor-suppressive mechanism. Cancer cells suppress this response through epigenetic repression, RNA editing, and dampening interferon signaling, enabling their growth. Escaping viral mimicry is fundamental for cancer initiation and progression, suggesting it as a promising therapeutic target, particularly in combination with immunotherapies.
10.1038/s41568-026-00977-1
Financial Payments From Drug Manufacturers to Oncologists and Use of Guideline-Preferred Cancer Treatments.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This study investigated the influence of drug industry payments to oncologists on the likelihood of patients receiving guideline-preferred cancer treatments, analyzing Medicare claims data from 2014-2020 for 15,607 patients across 14 cancer scenarios. Oncologists receiving payments for guideline-preferred treatment showed a 6% increased likelihood of prescribing preferred treatment (RR=1.06), while payments for nonpreferred treatment were associated with a 7% decreased likelihood (RR=0.93). These findings are highly relevant to cancer care, demonstrating how financial ties can influence treatment decisions for cancer patients and adherence to NCCN guidelines. This highlights that industry payments are associated with increased use of promoted cancer treatments, regardless of guideline preference, impacting clinical practice and patient outcomes in oncology.
10.1200/JCO-26-00785
A clinically-oriented foundation model for intraoperative pathology.
NAT MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/195TOP-TIER
CRISP, a foundation model for intraoperative pathology, was developed on 100,000+ frozen sections and validated on 15,000+ slides across ~100 tasks including pan-cancer detection. It generalized across 6 institutions, 14 tumor types, and 24 anatomical sites, with prospective validation in 3,000+ patients showing 92.6% of cases had surgical decisions directly informed. Human-AI collaboration reduced workload by 35%, avoided 105 ancillary tests, and detected micrometastases with 87.5% accuracy. For clinicians focused on cancer, CRISP demonstrates robust, prospectively validated AI support for intraoperative cancer diagnosis and surgical decision-making, though it is a diagnostic tool rather than a direct cancer therapy or etiology study.
10.1038/s41591-026-04703-0
Sep 07 – Sep 14, 2026
COVID-19 vaccination around immune checkpoint inhibitor start and survival in a nationwide cohort of patients with cancer.
NAT MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/195TOP-TIER
This nationwide cohort study investigated the association between COVID-19 mRNA vaccination timing (pre- or post-ICI initiation) and survival in 95,015 adults with cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. Both pre-ICI and post-ICI mRNA vaccination were associated with lower early all-cause mortality (e.g., pre-ICI HR 0.90 at 1-3 months; post-ICI HR 0.84 at 3 months), with similar patterns for cancer-specific mortality. These associations were transient, disappearing after 12 months, and potentially reflect healthy-vaccinee effects rather than a specific mRNA vaccine interaction. The findings suggest a modest, short-term survival benefit or healthy-vaccinee effect in vaccinated cancer patients on ICI therapy.
10.1038/s41591-026-04640-y
A guide to understanding tumour evolution through the lens of population genetics.
NAT REV CANCER · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #3/326TOP-TIER
This review argues that population genetics provides the mathematical framework needed to extract evolutionary dynamics from cancer genomes, moving beyond descriptive mutation catalogues. The authors show how models of mutation, selection, and drift convert allele frequencies into quantitative estimates of clonal fitness and evolutionary timings. They extend these principles to epigenetic inheritance, plasticity, and ecological interactions, while examining assumptions and limitations for modern sequencing data. Clinically, this approach may improve prediction of tumour relapse and future evolutionary trajectories, though it is a conceptual review without primary patient data.
10.1038/s41568-026-00973-5
Neutrophils in cancer.
NAT REV CANCER · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #3/326TOP-TIER
This review article investigates the multifaceted roles of neutrophils in cancer, emphasizing their sensitivity to the tumor microenvironment. It highlights that neutrophils largely exhibit pro-tumorigenic effects, fostering angiogenesis, immunosuppression, tumor growth, and metastasis, although context-dependent tumor cell killing can also occur. The study directly aligns with cancer research by exploring how cancers exploit neutrophil functions and identifying promising strategies for targeting these cells for therapeutic intervention. This provides critical insights into potential novel treatment approaches by modulating neutrophil activity in oncology.
10.1038/s41568-026-00968-2
Aug 31 – Sep 07, 2026
Beyond cold to hot: oncolytic virotherapy as the next cornerstone of immuno-oncology.
NAT REV CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/326TOP-TIER
This Perspective article explores next-generation oncolytic virotherapy (OV) as a foundational immuno-oncology platform, moving beyond cancer cell lysis to sophisticated intratumoural immune reprogramming. OVs function as antigen-agnostic in situ cancer vaccines, driving T cell priming against patient-specific neoantigens. Initial clinical data demonstrate T cell clonotype broadening, abscopal tumour regression, and survival benefit in patients with ICI-refractory disease. This positions OVs as systemic immune-reprogramming agents, supporting an ‘OV-prime, ICI-amplify’ strategy with significant implications for advanced cancer treatment.
10.1038/s41571-026-01198-z
Aug 24 – Aug 31, 2026
Origins and consequences of oncogenic 3D chromatin remodelling.
NAT REV CANCER · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #3/326TOP-TIER
This review explores the origins and consequences of oncogenic 3D chromatin remodelling, detailing how genetic and epigenetic alterations modify chromatin structure in cancer. It posits that 3D chromatin remodelling is both a cause and consequence of oncogenic changes, integrating molecular features to explain cancer phenotypes. The study emphasizes the potential to leverage chromatin 3D conformation for future cancer diagnosis and therapy, offering insights into novel therapeutic avenues. This foundational understanding is crucial for developing new clinical strategies.
10.1038/s41568-026-00969-1
Aug 17 – Aug 24, 2026
Federal and Industry Sponsorship in US Cancer Clinical Trials.
JAMA ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/326TOP-TIER
This comparative study characterized differences between 11,681 federally (18.1%) and industry-sponsored (81.9%) US cancer clinical trials initiated between 2008-2024, using data from ClinicalTrials.gov. Federally sponsored trials were less likely to be single-agent drug trials for cancer treatment (48.6% vs 77.4%; OR 0.28) but more likely to evaluate nontreatment interventions like prevention (4.7% vs 1.1%; OR 4.43) and supportive care (2.5% vs 0.9%; OR 2.92). They also focused more on multimodality regimens (e.g., drug/biologic with radiotherapy: 10.5% vs 1.4%; OR 8.22), deescalation designs (3.1% vs 0.4%; OR 8.38), rare cancers (17.5% vs 12.1%; OR 1.54), and pediatric populations (16.1% vs 5.3%; OR 3.43). This study provides insights into the distinct contributions of federal and industry funding to the cancer research landscape, helping clinicians navigate the evidence base for cancer treatment, prevention, and supportive care, particularly for complex or underserved areas.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.3026
Cancer pain.
NAT REV DIS PRIMERS · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #3/332TOP-TIER
This comprehensive review examines the multifaceted nature of cancer pain, exploring its prevalence across various cancer types and the complex biological mechanisms involving peripheral nociception and central sensitization. The research highlights the critical role of non-neuronal cells and sex-specific differences in modulating pain perception and treatment response, though specific numerical prevalence rates were not detailed in this summary. For clinicians, the study emphasizes a multimodal management approach that integrates pharmacological agents, interventional procedures, and psychosocial screening to address the diverse determinants of pain. Future practice points toward precision medicine and mechanistic phenotyping to tailor individualized therapies, aiming to improve long-term patient-reported outcomes and quality of life for cancer survivors.
10.1038/s41572-026-00730-w
Aug 03 – Aug 10, 2026
AI-based augmentation of oncology clinical trials.
NAT REV CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/326TOP-TIER
This review examines how artificial intelligence (AI) can optimize oncology clinical trials by addressing biological complexity and operational inefficiencies across the trial lifecycle. The authors identify that AI’s most immediate evidence-supported role lies in augmenting operational workflows, such as patient identification and eligibility assessment, which are currently being implemented at select cancer centers. While advanced applications like synthetic control arms and digital twins remain in early development stages, AI-driven monitoring and data extraction offer immediate improvements to trial feasibility. Ultimately, integrating AI into oncology research requires rigorous prospective validation and regulatory harmonization to ensure equitable and transparent clinical evidence generation.
10.1038/s41571-026-01189-0
Longitudinal Change in Cardiac Function After Doxorubicin and Dexrazoxane: A Report From Children’s Oncology Group ALTE11C2.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This study evaluated the long-term cardioprotective effect of dexrazoxane during doxorubicin treatment in childhood cancer patients, analyzing echocardiographic data from 895 participants (mean follow-up 5.9 years) enrolled in Children’s Oncology Group protocols. Dexrazoxane significantly preserved LV systolic function (z-score difference 0.4) and decreased the hazard of reduced LV function after 1 year (0.58) and 5 years (0.54) post-diagnosis. It also reduced the incidence of reduced LV function in high-risk patients from 40 to 21.8 events/1,000 person-years, directly impacting the long-term care of cancer survivors. These findings suggest dexrazoxane provides significant doxorubicin cardioprotection, potentially reducing intensive cardiomyopathy screening needs for high-risk cancer patients.
10.1200/JCO-26-00260
The next generation of antibody-drug conjugates.
NAT MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/195TOP-TIER
This review article examines the current state and future directions of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in cancer therapy. It highlights advancements in ADC chemistry, mechanisms of action, and resistance, while noting that innovation now outpaces clinical trial capacity. The authors advocate for integrating multiple chemical modifications, developing predictive molecular tools, and utilizing ADCs in early-stage cancers to improve patient outcomes. They also predict that diversified ADC libraries with varying drug-to-antibody ratios will enable personalized treatment strategies based on individual tumor biology.
10.1038/s41591-026-04543-y
Jul 27 – Aug 03, 2026
Dexamethasone-Free Antiemetic Prophylaxis for Children and Adolescents Receiving Highly Emetogenic Chemotherapy: A Multicenter, Phase III, Noninferiority Trial (CIVIC POD).
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This multicenter, phase III, noninferiority trial compared an olanzapine-based, dexamethasone-free antiemetic regimen against standard dexamethasone-based prophylaxis in 310 children and adolescents receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy. The overall complete response to vomiting was 63.5% for the olanzapine group versus 56.9% for the dexamethasone group, successfully meeting the noninferiority margin with an absolute difference of 6.6%. While nausea control was similar between groups, olanzapine was associated with significantly higher rates of somnolence (50.7% vs. 17.2%). These results support olanzapine as a viable corticosteroid-sparing alternative for pediatric chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting prophylaxis, potentially reducing steroid-related toxicities in young oncology patients.
10.1200/JCO-26-00677
Clinical toxicity of ADCs and ICI-ADC combinations: mechanisms, patterns and management.
NAT REV CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/326TOP-TIER
This review examines the clinical toxicity profiles and underlying biological mechanisms of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) used in cancer therapy. The authors identify overlapping organ-level toxicities—specifically pulmonary, hepatic, gastrointestinal, and cutaneous events—and propose a mechanism-informed framework linking immune activation with payload cytotoxicity. Practical algorithms are provided for the evaluation, initial management, and treatment resumption for patients receiving ADC monotherapy or ICI-ADC combinations. By establishing minimum reporting standards and harmonized phenotyping, this work aims to improve cross-trial comparisons and the development of safer oncological treatment regimens.
10.1038/s41571-026-01188-1
The DNA damage response and cancer immunotherapy.
NAT REV CANCER · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #3/326TOP-TIER
This review examines the molecular mechanisms linking DNA damage response (DDR) deficiencies to enhanced cancer immunotherapy outcomes, focusing on DDR-targeted combination strategies. DDR-deficient tumors generate immunogenic signals through neoantigen production and cytosolic DNA activation of the cGAS-STING pathway, which triggers type I interferon and immune cell recruitment. These synergistic effects significantly improve responsiveness to immune checkpoint blockade, offering a pathway to overcome resistance in genomic-unstable malignancies. The findings suggest that exploiting DDR defects through targeted inhibitors can optimize therapeutic efficacy and provide a comprehensive framework for personalized cancer treatment.
10.1038/s41568-026-00958-4
Towards liquid biopsy-based analysis of antitumour immunity.
NAT REV CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/326TOP-TIER
This review evaluates the transition from invasive tissue biopsies to liquid biopsy-based analyses for monitoring systemic antitumour immune responses and biomarker-guided therapies. While liquid biopsies lack spatial microenvironment data, they enable multimodal analysis of circulating cells and products to track dynamic immune responses and detect treatment resistance. The approach offers a minimally invasive method to anticipate immunotherapy outcomes and monitor disease progression over time, complementing traditional gold-standard tissue diagnostics. Integrating blood-based biomarkers into clinical practice provides a unique opportunity for real-time monitoring of systemic immunity, potentially refining personalized cancer treatment strategies.
10.1038/s41571-026-01181-8
Igniting antitumour immunity with cancer cell pyroptosis.
NAT REV CANCER · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #3/326TOP-TIER
This review examines the role of gasdermin-mediated pyroptosis in cancer cells as a mechanism for triggering potent antitumor immune responses. Research indicates that activating gasdermins via T cell granzymes or small molecules induces membrane rupture and immune cell infiltration, even when only a fraction of cancer cells undergo death. The study highlights that pyroptosis-induced inflammation can overcome immunosuppressive tumor environments and enhance the efficacy of current immunotherapies with tolerable toxicity. These findings suggest that targeting gasdermin pathways represents a promising therapeutic strategy to synergize with checkpoint inhibitors and improve clinical outcomes in oncology.
10.1038/s41568-026-00959-3
Advancing oncology education in low-income and middle-income African settings: global insights for local action.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This review examines oncology education and workforce development challenges in low- and middle-income African countries. It identifies key barriers such as funding shortages, language and cultural obstacles, and policy gaps, while describing existing training models including formal curricula, fellowships, mentorship networks, and e-learning/telemedicine. The paper emphasizes that sustainable, locally tailored international collaborations are essential for improvement. Although clinically relevant to cancer care, it does not present original patient-level data or treatment outcomes, limiting direct bedside applicability.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00242-1