Gastric and Esophageal Cancer
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Jul 13 – Jul 20, 2026
A Multimodal Deep Learning Model for Preoperative Prediction of Postoperative Complications in Gastric Cancer.
ANN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #4/326TOP-TIER
This multicenter study developed and validated DeepComp, a multimodal deep learning model, to preoperatively predict postoperative complications (CD grade ≥II) and long-term survival in 5,237 gastric adenocarcinoma patients, integrating clinical and imaging data. DeepComp achieved an AUC of 0.888 (internal validation) and 0.824-0.869 (external cohorts), outperforming clinical baselines by 15.3 percentage points, and improved surgeon sensitivity from 47.1% to 87.9%. The model independently predicted overall survival (HR 3.08) and demonstrated significant absolute risk reductions for complications (e.g., 20.6% with nutritional support) through guided interventions, directly impacting cancer patient outcomes. DeepComp offers robust preoperative risk stratification, supporting individualized perioperative management to potentially reduce complications and improve long-term survival for gastric cancer patients.
10.1016/j.annonc.2026.07.004
Jul 06 – Jul 13, 2026
Systemic therapy, gastrectomy, cytoreductive surgery, and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy versus systemic therapy alone for gastric cancer with limited peritoneal metastases (PERISCOPE II): final results of a multicentre, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial after an unplanned commissioned interim analysis.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This phase 3 randomized controlled trial (PERISCOPE II) investigated gastrectomy with cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC versus systemic therapy alone for gastric cancer with limited peritoneal metastases. In 102 participants, median overall survival was 16.6 months (systemic therapy) versus 15.7 months (experimental group), demonstrating no survival benefit (HR 1.10; p=0.70). The experimental group experienced higher rates of grade 3+ adverse events (42% vs 20%) and three treatment-related deaths. These findings indicate that gastrectomy with cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC offers no survival advantage over systemic therapy alone for this cancer population and is associated with increased morbidity.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00144-0
Jun 22 – Jun 29, 2026
First-Line Disitamab Vedotin, Tislelizumab, and S-1 in HER2-Overexpressing Advanced Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma: A Single-Arm, Phase II Trial.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This single-arm, phase II trial investigated first-line disitamab vedotin, tislelizumab, and S-1 for HER2-overexpressing advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma in 57 patients. The study reported a remarkable confirmed objective response rate of 89.5% (95% CI, 78.5 to 96.0), with a median progression-free survival of 13.8 months and median overall survival of 31.9 months. This novel combination therapy demonstrates significant antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile, directly addressing a critical need in cancer treatment. The promising results warrant validation in randomized controlled trials, potentially offering a new standard of care for this advanced cancer.
10.1200/JCO-26-00277
Jun 01 – Jun 08, 2026
Perioperative serplulimab with neoadjuvant chemotherapy versus perioperative chemotherapy in PD-L1-positive gastric cancer (ASTRUM-006): a randomised, double-blind, multicentre, phase 3 study.
LANCET · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/332TOP-TIER
This phase 3 randomized trial evaluated the efficacy of perioperative serplulimab combined with neoadjuvant SOX chemotherapy followed by adjuvant serplulimab versus chemotherapy alone in 588 patients with PD-L1-positive resectable gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. In the PD-L1 CPS ≥10 population, median event-free survival was significantly longer with serplulimab (not reached vs 42.0 months; HR 0.65; p=0.0082), a benefit also observed in the intention-to-treat population (HR 0.73; p=0.015). The serplulimab regimen demonstrated a superior safety profile, with grade 3 or worse treatment-related adverse events occurring in 47% of patients compared to 59% in the chemotherapy-only group. These results support perioperative serplulimab as a potent treatment strategy for PD-L1-positive gastric cancer, though long-term overall survival data are still required to confirm definitive clinical advantage.
10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00974-8
Savolitinib in MET-amplified gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: a phase 2 trial.
NAT MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/195TOP-TIER
This phase 2 multicenter trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of savolitinib, an oral MET inhibitor, in 110 patients with MET-amplified, locally advanced or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) adenocarcinoma who had progressed on prior systemic therapies. In the pivotal phase cohort of 65 patients, the independent review committee-assessed objective response rate was 32.3% (95% CI: 21.2–45.1%), successfully meeting the predefined efficacy threshold. Regarding safety, grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events occurred in 34.5% of the total cohort, with one treatment-related death reported. These results demonstrate that savolitinib provides encouraging antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile for heavily pretreated patients with MET-amplified G/GEJ cancer, warranting further validation in randomized controlled trials.
10.1038/s41591-026-04459-7
EP4 Antagonist ONO-4578 Plus Nivolumab and Chemotherapy in HER2-Negative Unresectable Advanced or Recurrent Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This multicenter, randomized phase 2 study evaluated the efficacy of adding ONO-4578, an EP4 antagonist, to nivolumab and chemotherapy as first-line treatment for 226 patients with HER2-negative advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer. The ONO-4578 group demonstrated a significant improvement in progression-free survival (HR 0.67; p=0.040) and a higher objective response rate of 62.0% compared to 48.7% in the placebo group. Exploratory analyses indicated that clinical benefits were most pronounced in patients with PD-L1 CPS ≥1, while safety profiles remained manageable despite increased rates of diarrhea and anemia. These results suggest that targeting the PGE2-EP4 axis may overcome tumor immunosuppression, providing a promising therapeutic strategy that warrants further validation in phase 3 clinical trials.
10.1200/JCO-26-01072
Cost-Effectiveness of Fecal Immunochemical Testing Alone vs Co-Testing With Helicobacter pylori Stool Antigen.
JAMA-J AM MED ASSOC · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #4/332TOP-TIER
This Markov model cost-effectiveness analysis, based on a Taiwanese pragmatic trial, evaluated adding one-time Helicobacter pylori stool antigen testing to biennial FIT screening for colorectal cancer. Compared to FIT alone, co-testing was dominant (cost-saving) in Taiwan, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of -$2,094 per QALY gained and a 5-fold return on investment. Co-testing remained cost-effective in US settings when H pylori prevalence exceeded 21.9%, preventing gastric and colorectal cancer mortality. For a clinician focused on cancer, this provides strong evidence that combined screening improves cancer outcomes and is economically favorable, particularly in populations with moderate H pylori prevalence.
10.1001/jama.2026.6908
May 25 – Jun 01, 2026
Cancer Diagnostic Delay Rates Associated With a Population-Based Screening Trial Evaluating a Cell-Free DNA Multicancer Early Detection Test.
JAMA-J AM MED ASSOC · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #4/332TOP-TIER
This cross-sectional study used a difference-in-differences design to evaluate whether regional participation in the NHS-Galleri multicancer early detection (MCED) trial affected cancer diagnostic delay rates across 21 regions in England. In the first six months, participating regions saw diagnostic delay rates rise from 28.6% to 29.6%, while non-participating regions decreased from 28.9% to 26.3%, representing a 3.4 percentage point adjusted difference (P < .001). The study highlights that large-scale cancer screening trials can increase system-level demand, evidenced by a 4.8 percentage point increase in delays during the second six-month period and higher referral rates. Clinicians and health systems must account for these “spillover effects” on existing cancer diagnostic pathways when implementing population-based screening interventions to ensure timely care for all suspected cancer patients.
10.1001/jama.2026.6803
Zanidatamab with and without Tislelizumab in HER2-Positive Gastroesophageal Cancer.
NEW ENGL J MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/332TOP-TIER
This phase 3 trial compared zanidatamab plus chemotherapy, with or without tislelizumab, against trastuzumab plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment for HER2-positive advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. At 25.9 months median follow-up, zanidatamab-tislelizumab-chemotherapy and zanidatamab-chemotherapy significantly improved progression-free survival (median 12.4 months for both) versus trastuzumab-chemotherapy (8.1 months) (HR 0.63 and 0.65, P<0.001). Overall survival was also longer with zanidatamab-tislelizumab-chemotherapy (26.4 months) compared to trastuzumab-chemotherapy (19.2 months) (HR 0.72, P=0.004). These results indicate that zanidatamab-based regimens, especially with tislelizumab, offer superior efficacy for this specific cancer, potentially establishing new first-line treatment standards.
10.1056/NEJMoa2517729
Autologous T Cell Antigen Coupler Targeting HER2 (TAC01-HER2) in Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors.
ANN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #4/326TOP-TIER
This Phase 1 clinical trial evaluated the safety and preliminary efficacy of TAC01-HER2, an autologous T cell therapy targeting HER2, in 23 patients with advanced or metastatic HER2-positive solid tumors. The study found TAC01-HER2 to be safe and well-tolerated, with cytokine release syndrome being the most common adverse event (60.9%), and no treatment-related deaths. Early efficacy signals included partial responses in 2 of 9 gastric/GEJ cancer patients and a 61.1% disease control rate, with a 6-month overall survival rate of 57.9%. These results suggest TAC01-HER2 is a promising, manageable cellular therapy for heavily pre-treated HER2-positive gastric, GEJ, or esophageal adenocarcinomas, warranting further investigation.
10.1016/j.annonc.2026.05.696
May 18 – May 25, 2026
Preclinical characterization and phase 1 results of TQB2102, a first-in-class HER2 biparatopic antibody-drug conjugate, in patients with advanced solid tumors.
ANN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #4/326TOP-TIER
This phase 1, first-in-human trial evaluated the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of TQB2102, a novel HER2 biparatopic ADC, in 195 patients with advanced solid tumors, primarily metastatic breast, colorectal, and gastric/GEJ cancers. The study found a manageable safety profile with no DLTs and MTD not reached, establishing 6.0 and 7.5 mg/kg as RP2D. Preliminary antitumor activity was observed, with objective response rates of 52.4% in MBC, 38.7% in CRC, and 40.0% in G/GEJ adenocarcinoma, including 47.2% in HER2-low MBC. These findings suggest TQB2102 is a promising therapeutic agent for advanced HER2-expressing solid tumors, warranting further investigation in a phase 3 trial for HER2-low MBC.
10.1016/j.annonc.2026.05.003
May 11 – May 18, 2026
Transforming perioperative treatment of gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma: triumphs, setbacks and future horizons.
NAT REV CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/326TOP-TIER
This review consolidates developments in gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) management, aiming to provide clinicians with a comprehensive guide to state-of-the-art perioperative strategies by synthesizing insights from recent clinical trials. It highlights substantial transformations in GEA treatment, driven by evolving epidemiology and the integration of new therapeutic strategies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and targeted therapies. The review directly addresses cancer by focusing on GEA, offering crucial updates on its perioperative treatment, encompassing established and investigational approaches like organ preservation and ctDNA-based stratification. This provides clinicians with a structured understanding of current GEA management, emphasizing clinical implications and future directions, thereby enhancing evidence-based practice in oncology.
10.1038/s41571-026-01156-9
May 04 – May 11, 2026
Perioperative Toripalimab Plus Chemotherapy Versus Chemotherapy Alone in Locally Advanced Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer: 3-Year Follow-Up of NEOSUMMIT-01 Trial.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
The NEOSUMMIT-01 trial’s 3-year follow-up evaluated perioperative toripalimab plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in 108 patients with locally advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer. At 43.2 months median follow-up, the combination significantly improved 3-year event-free survival (74.7% vs 56.2%; HR 0.51, p=.044) and 3-year overall survival (81.3% vs 72.2%; HR 0.45, p=.036). These findings offer a promising new treatment option, directly relevant to cancer management. The study suggests perioperative toripalimab plus chemotherapy could improve survival outcomes for this specific cancer population.
10.1200/JCO-25-02842
Apr 27 – May 04, 2026
Barrett’s Esophagus.
NEW ENGL J MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/332TOP-TIER
This review outlines the pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, and management strategies for Barrett’s esophagus, a condition resulting from chronic reflux that significantly increases the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Diagnosis requires endoscopic identification of a columnar-cell-lined segment ≥1 cm with intestinal metaplasia, while surveillance aims to detect high-grade dysplasia and early-stage malignancy. The study emphasizes early detection to enable curative endoscopic interventions, thereby avoiding the morbidity associated with esophagectomy or systemic chemotherapy. Clinicians should prioritize rigorous surveillance and clinical trial participation to improve risk stratification and outcomes for patients at high risk of progression to cancer.
10.1056/NEJMcp2506887