Gastric and Esophageal Cancer
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Oct 12 – Oct 19, 2026
Nivolumab-Ipilimumab for Localized Microsatellite Instability-High Gastric/Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma: The Phase 2 NEONIPIGA Nonrandomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/326TOP-TIER
This phase 2 nonrandomized clinical trial evaluated neoadjuvant nivolumab plus ipilimumab, followed by surgery and adjuvant nivolumab, for localized deficient mismatch repair/microsatellite instability-high gastric/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Among 32 patients, the 4-year overall survival was 84.1% (95% CI, 65.8%-93.0%) and event-free survival was 83.5% (95% CI, 64.8%-92.8%), with 59% achieving pathological complete response. While associated with sustained long-term survival and high pCR rates, the study found no clear evidence of improved survival over surgery alone. These findings provide valuable data for designing future randomized trials, particularly those investigating organ-preserving strategies in this cancer population.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.4162
Sep 21 – Sep 28, 2026
Evorpacept plus trastuzumab, ramucirumab and paclitaxel in HER2-positive gastric cancer: a randomized phase 2 trial.
NAT MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/195TOP-TIER
This randomized phase 2 trial (ASPEN-06) investigated evorpacept plus trastuzumab, ramucirumab, and paclitaxel (evo+TRP) versus TRP alone in 127 pretreated HER2-overexpressing advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer patients. The primary endpoint, investigator-assessed objective response rate (ORR), was 40.3% for evo+TRP versus 26.6% for TRP in the ITT population, and 54.8% versus 23.1% in the fresh biopsy HER2+ subgroup. While ORR differences exceeded prespecified thresholds (13.7% and 31.7%), ORRs did not meet the statistical criterion against the 30% historical benchmark. Evo+TRP demonstrated encouraging efficacy with manageable safety, suggesting a potential new treatment option for this challenging cancer.
10.1038/s41591-026-04700-3
First-Line Retlirafusp Alfa Plus Chemotherapy for Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Negative Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase III Study (RELIGHT).
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
The RELIGHT phase III study evaluated retlirafusp alfa plus CAPOX as first-line treatment for 731 patients with HER2-negative gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma. It significantly prolonged overall survival in PD-L1 CPS ≥5 patients (median 16.8 vs 10.4 months; HR 0.53) and the intention-to-treat population (median 15.8 vs 11.2 months; HR 0.66). Progression-free survival also improved, with comparable grade ≥3 adverse events (62.6% vs 59.0%). This regimen represents a new first-line treatment option for this specific cancer, offering improved survival outcomes.
10.1200/JCO-25-02933
Large-scale esophageal cancer screening through noncontrast computed tomography and artificial intelligence.
NAT MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/195TOP-TIER
This study developed the EAGLE artificial intelligence model to detect esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions from noncontrast chest CT, historically considered infeasible. Trained on 6,813 patients and validated across 12 centers involving 80,612 patients, EAGLE achieved 98.5% specificity and 90.0% sensitivity for cancer in opportunistic screening, with 52.5% sensitivity for precancerous lesions. Real-world calibration reduced false positives by 72.7% while preserving sensitivity; prospective validation reached 42.2% PPV and low-dose screening achieved 99.94% specificity. EAGLE offers a scalable, noninvasive tool for early esophageal cancer screening, potentially integrating with lung cancer screening programs to improve detection and referral efficiency.
10.1038/s41591-026-04656-4
Sep 14 – Sep 21, 2026
Advances in therapeutic approaches to gastric cancer.
CA-CANCER J CLIN · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/326TOP-TIER
This abstract reviews advances in therapeutic approaches for gastric cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, covering various stages and treatment modalities. Key findings include improved survival with perioperative oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for locally advanced disease and significant improvements in pathologic complete response and overall survival with immunotherapy (PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors + chemotherapy) in specific biomarker-positive tumors. Targeted agents like zolbetuximab for Claudin 18.2-positive disease and trastuzumab deruxtecan for HER2-positive disease have revolutionized treatment paradigms. The field is progressing towards personalized, biomarker-driven approaches, offering enhanced outcomes and emphasizing multidisciplinary care for cancer patients.
10.3322/caac.70103
Esophageal Cancer.
NEW ENGL J MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/332TOP-TIER
This review focuses on recent developments in the epidemiology, risk factors, prevention, and clinical management of esophageal cancer, the 13th most common cancer and 7th leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, resulting in approximately 500,000 annual deaths. Population-based 5-year survival rarely exceeds 20%, though it has improved in recent decades. The abstract highlights differing incidence patterns for adenocarcinoma and squamous-cell carcinoma, with increasing adenocarcinoma in Western countries. This comprehensive overview directly addresses the clinician’s interest in cancer, providing vital information for clinical practice.
10.1056/NEJMra2516631
Sep 07 – Sep 14, 2026
Perioperative durvalumab plus fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel for resectable gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (MATTERHORN): final results of overall survival and event-free survival by pathological response in a global, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, phase 3 trial.
LANCET · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/332TOP-TIER
MATTERHORN is a global phase 3 trial evaluating perioperative durvalumab plus FLOT versus placebo plus FLOT in 948 patients with resectable gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Overall survival significantly improved with durvalumab (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.63-0.96; p=0.021), meeting the prespecified significance threshold. Adverse events with fatal outcome possibly related to treatment occurred in 1% versus <1% of patients. Perioperative durvalumab plus FLOT represents a new standard treatment option for this cancer population.
10.1016/S0140-6736(26)01254-7
Aug 17 – Aug 24, 2026
Atezolizumab with or without tiragolumab in unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma following definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (SKYSCRAPER-07): a randomised, phase III study.
ANN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #4/326TOP-TIER
This phase III randomized trial (SKYSCRAPER-07) investigated atezolizumab ± tiragolumab versus placebo in 760 patients with unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) following definitive chemoradiotherapy. While atezolizumab plus tiragolumab did not improve outcomes, atezolizumab monotherapy significantly improved overall survival (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.52-0.91; p=0.0085) and progression-free survival (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.58-0.93) compared to placebo. These findings are highly relevant to cancer treatment, identifying a new immunotherapy option for advanced ESCC. Atezolizumab monotherapy offers clinically meaningful survival benefits for patients with unresectable ESCC post-dCRT, potentially changing current practice.
10.1016/j.annonc.2026.07.413
Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy for Advanced Gastroesophageal Cancer: ASCO Living Guideline, Version 2026.1.2.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This ASCO living guideline provides updated, evidence-based recommendations for utilizing immunotherapy and targeted therapies in patients with advanced gastroesophageal cancer. The update synthesizes recent clinical trial data to optimize treatment sequencing based on critical biomarkers including PD-L1 expression, HER2 status, and Claudin 18.2. It directly addresses the clinician’s interest in oncology by refining therapeutic strategies for a high-mortality cancer subtype through rigorous evidence synthesis. These recommendations ensure practitioners apply the most current survival and safety data to improve clinical outcomes in advanced-stage disease.
10.1200/JCO-26-01944
Aug 10 – Aug 17, 2026
Nivolumab plus chemotherapy or ipilimumab versus chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: 5-year follow-up results from CheckMate 648.
ANN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #4/326TOP-TIER
This Phase III trial (CheckMate 648) evaluated nivolumab plus chemotherapy or ipilimumab versus chemotherapy alone as first-line treatment for 970 patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. At five-year follow-up, both nivolumab combinations significantly improved overall survival in patients with PD-L1 ≥1% (HR 0.62 for both) and the overall population (HR 0.77). While nivolumab plus chemotherapy showed progression-free survival benefits (HR 0.67), nivolumab plus ipilimumab did not (HR 1.03), though it demonstrated a lower rate of grade 3/4 adverse events (33% vs 49%). These results confirm the long-term clinical benefit and safety of nivolumab-based regimens, establishing them as durable first-line standards for advanced esophageal cancer.
10.1016/j.annonc.2026.08.001