Latest Articles
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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
Molecularly Guided Therapy Versus Continued Chemotherapy in Unfavorable Cancer of Unknown Primary: Updated Efficacy and Safety From the Randomized, Phase II CUPISCO Study.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This randomized phase II trial evaluated molecularly guided therapy (MGT) versus continued chemotherapy in patients with unfavorable cancer of unknown primary (CUP) who had disease control after induction chemotherapy. With 436 patients and a median follow-up of 37 months, MGT improved progression-free survival (6.1 vs. 4.4 months; HR 0.75, p=0.017), while overall survival improved but not significantly (15.2 vs. 12.8 months; HR 0.79, p=0.0689). No new safety signals were observed. For clinicians managing CUP, these results support early comprehensive genomic profiling and MGT, especially as a precision oncology approach in an otherwise poor-prognosis cancer.
10.1200/JCO-25-02974
Neoadjuvant Anbenitamab and HB1801 in ERBB2-Positive Breast Cancer: A Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/326TOP-TIER
This phase 3 randomized clinical trial investigated neoadjuvant anbenitamab and HB1801 for early ERBB2-positive breast cancer, comparing it to standard trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and docetaxel. Among 521 patients, the investigational group achieved a significantly higher total pathological complete response (tpCR) rate of 62.4% versus 51.2% in the control group (absolute difference, 11.4 percentage points; P = .004). Grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events were comparable between groups (29.3% vs 28.3%). This new combination offers an improved, well-tolerated neoadjuvant treatment option for ERBB2-positive breast cancer, with potential to enhance clinical outcomes.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.3329
Bicistronic CD19/CD22 CAR T-Cell Therapy in Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/326TOP-TIER
This phase 2 nonrandomized trial evaluated bicistronic CD19/CD22 CAR T-cell therapy in 261 pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory B-ALL across five Chinese centers. Treatment achieved 99.2% minimal residual disease-negative complete remission, with event-free survival (EFS) of 70.9% at 12 months, 63.2% at 24 months, and 61.7% at 36 months. Consolidative transplant significantly improved 24-month EFS (85.7% vs 57.9% without transplant). Grade 3-4 cytokine release syndrome occurred in 49.4% and neurotoxicity in 13.0%. This dual-targeting approach addresses antigen-loss relapse and shows durable efficacy in a high-risk pediatric cancer population.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.3460
Pulmonary Nodules.
NEW ENGL J MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/332TOP-TIER
This review outlines the classification and management strategies for solid and subsolid pulmonary nodules based on their risk of malignancy. Solid nodules stable for 2 years are typically benign, while subsolid nodules require longer monitoring due to slower growth and a higher inherent risk of being malignant. Management is stratified by risk: low-risk nodules receive CT surveillance, intermediate-risk undergo PET-CT or biopsy, and high-risk cases proceed to surgical resection. Clinicians must balance timely cancer diagnosis with the avoidance of unnecessary invasive procedures through careful imaging comparison and risk-prediction modeling.
10.1056/NEJMcp2515063
Azacitidine-Venetoclax or Induction Chemotherapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
NEW ENGL J MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/332TOP-TIER
This phase 2 randomized trial compared azacitidine-venetoclax with induction chemotherapy in 172 induction-eligible, previously untreated adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Azacitidine-venetoclax significantly improved median event-free survival to 14.5 months versus 6.2 months for induction chemotherapy (HR 0.57; P=0.002), with lower rates of grade 3 or higher infections (28% vs. 41%) and hemorrhage (2% vs. 12%). This study directly addresses treatment efficacy and safety for AML, a type of cancer, offering a potentially superior therapeutic option. These findings suggest azacitidine-venetoclax could become a preferred first-line treatment for induction-eligible AML patients, improving outcomes and reducing severe adverse events.
10.1056/NEJMoa2602804
Atezolizumab in early triple-negative breast cancer: the randomized phase 3 NSABP B-59/GeparDouze trial.
NAT MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/195TOP-TIER
The NSABP B-59/GeparDouze trial, a randomized phase 3 study, investigated adding atezolizumab to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for stage II-III triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). While atezolizumab did not significantly improve the primary endpoint of event-free survival (HR 0.80, P=0.083), a prespecified subgroup analysis showed benefit in patients with clinical lymph node involvement (P=0.039). Treatment-emergent adverse events were higher with atezolizumab (75.3% vs 73.4% grade ≥3). The findings suggest that TNBC subtyping or quantification of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes could identify patients who benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors, guiding more targeted therapeutic strategies in cancer care.
10.1038/s41591-026-04565-6
Aug 24 – Aug 31, 2026
The new (version 9) American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging protocol for carcinoma of the vulva.
CA-CANCER J CLIN · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/326TOP-TIER
This article details the updated AJCC TNM staging protocol (version 9) for carcinoma of the vulva, validated using the American College of Surgeons’ National Cancer Data Base. Key changes include a new depth of invasion measurement, the addition of a T4 subcategory, redefined N subcategories, and increased M subcategories with clinical additions, aligning with 2021 FIGO staging. These revisions are critical for accurate classification and management of vulvar cancer, directly impacting diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning. Clinicians must adopt these updated criteria for consistent, evidence-based patient care.
10.3322/caac.70104
Perioperative Durvalumab for Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Updated Outcomes From the Phase III AEGEAN Trial.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
The Phase III AEGEAN trial investigated perioperative durvalumab plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for resectable non-small cell lung cancer (R-NSCLC). Updated outcomes demonstrated a consistent event-free survival (EFS) benefit for the durvalumab arm (HR, 0.69 [95% CI, 0.55 to 0.88]), alongside numerical improvements in disease-free survival (DFS) (HR, 0.66) and overall survival (OS) (HR, 0.89). The safety profile was manageable, with grade 3/4 adverse events occurring in 15.4% of the durvalumab arm. These results strongly support perioperative durvalumab as a new, effective treatment option for patients with resectable lung cancer, directly impacting cancer care.
10.1200/JCO-25-02659
Refined Continuous Risk Index for Accurately Predicting Outcomes of Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia After Limited-Duration Therapy.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This study developed and validated CIRI2-CLL, a refined dynamic risk index incorporating longitudinal measurable residual disease (MRD) data to predict outcomes for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) receiving limited-duration targeted therapy. Validated across the CLL14 and CLL13 trials, the model achieved high C-statistics between 0.82 and 0.98 and stratified patients into three risk groups with 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates of 100.0%, 70.2%, and 10.8%. The tool improved PFS prediction by 14% to 37% compared to traditional indices like CLL-IPI, offering superior accuracy in identifying patients at high risk of relapse after venetoclax-based regimens. These findings provide clinicians with a robust, adaptable tool for informed decision-making and risk-adapted trial design in the management of hematologic malignancies.
10.1200/JCO-26-00161
Systemic Therapy Considerations in Older Adults With Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Review.
JAMA ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/326TOP-TIER
This review addresses the complex decision-making for systemic therapy in older adults with early-stage breast cancer, balancing disease recurrence risks against treatment harms, by synthesizing current evidence and highlighting data gaps. It discusses optimal management strategies, including novel approaches like adjuvant CDK4/6 inhibitors for HR-positive disease and neoadjuvant pembrolizumab for triple-negative breast cancer. The review emphasizes avoiding both overtreatment, where less intensive approaches may suffice, and undertreatment, which could increase breast cancer-related mortality in higher-risk patients. It provides tools and data to support best practice, guiding clinicians to optimize care and improve outcomes for this specific cancer patient population.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.3121
Cancer Biologics Utilization After Biosimilar Entry and Financial Implications For Payers and Patients.
JAMA ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/326TOP-TIER
This retrospective cohort study assessed the market dynamics and financial implications of biosimilar entry for three anticancer biologics (bevacizumab, rituximab, trastuzumab) using commercial and Medicare data from 14,655 patients with breast, lymphoma, and colorectal cancers. Key findings revealed that biosimilar entry led to an average 3.8% annual decline in reference product average sales price and a 30-31.5% annual decrease in market share. Patients exclusively using biosimilars experienced a $3820 lower mean monthly payer cost and $39.50 lower mean monthly out-of-pocket cost compared to those using reference products. These results suggest that biosimilar competition in oncology reduces costs for both payers and cancer patients, potentially improving access and affordability of crucial cancer treatments.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.3128
Adjuvant pembrolizumab for the treatment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma: Five-year results from the phase III KEYNOTE-564 study.
ANN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #4/326TOP-TIER
This phase III randomized trial (KEYNOTE-564) evaluated the efficacy of adjuvant pembrolizumab versus placebo in 994 patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma at high risk of recurrence following surgery. After a 70-month median follow-up, pembrolizumab significantly improved disease-free survival (HR 0.71, 5-year rate 60.9% vs. 52.2%) and overall survival (HR 0.66, 5-year rate 87.7% vs. 82.3%). These results demonstrate a sustained survival benefit and a manageable safety profile, reinforcing the drug’s role in preventing post-surgical recurrence. The findings solidify adjuvant pembrolizumab as a standard of care for this oncological population, providing robust long-term evidence for clinical decision-making.
10.1016/j.annonc.2026.08.006
Medical Therapy for Hormone Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative Stage I-III Breast Cancer: ASCO Living Guideline, Version 2026.1.0.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This ASCO Living Guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for medical therapies in patients with stage I-III hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. An Expert Panel systematically reviewed 45 randomized clinical trials and additional studies published from 2018-2026. Key findings confirm endocrine therapy as foundational, with chemotherapy and targeted therapies further reducing recurrence risk and breast cancer death for selected patients. This guideline offers crucial support for clinicians in individualizing treatment selection and sequencing, integrating clinicopathologic features, genomic assays, and patient preferences to optimize care.
10.1200/JCO-26-02034
Thymic Radiation is Associated with Worse Outcomes in Patients with NSCLC.
ANN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #4/326TOP-TIER
This multicohort analysis of 1,107 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) investigated the association between incidental thymic radiation exposure and clinical outcomes using deep-learning radiographic assessments. Results showed that a 1Gy increase in Mean Thymic Dose significantly elevated distant metastasis risk by 1.57-4.21%, with adjusted hazard ratios ranging from 1.29 to 1.95 across three independent cohorts. The negative impact was most pronounced in patients with preserved pre-treatment thymic health, correlating with dose-dependent declines in circulating lymphocyte counts and immune competence. These findings suggest that implementing thymus-sparing radiotherapy strategies could preserve immune function and reduce metastasis risk in cancer patients without compromising tumor coverage.
10.1016/j.annonc.2026.07.001
Salvage Hypofractionated Accelerated Versus Standard Radiotherapy for Biochemical Recurrence After Radical Prostatectomy: A Phase III Randomized Clinical Trial.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This Phase III randomized trial compared hypofractionated radiotherapy (65 Gy in 26 fractions) to conventional radiotherapy (66 Gy in 33 fractions) in 316 patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer. After 52.6 months, 4-year biochemical progression-free survival rates were similar at 80.1% for hypofractionated and 78.1% for conventional arms, with no differences in distant metastasis-free or cancer-specific survival. While oncologic outcomes were comparable, hypofractionated treatment showed higher grade ≥2 gastrointestinal toxicity (7.9% vs. 0.7%), primarily in patients not using endorectal balloons. Hypofractionated radiotherapy serves as a viable, more efficient salvage alternative, though clinicians should consider endorectal balloons to mitigate increased gastrointestinal risks.
10.1200/JCO-25-02234
Becotatug Vedotin Combined With Pucotenlimab in Platinum- and Immunotherapy-Resistant Recurrent or Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This phase I/II study evaluated the efficacy and safety of becotatug vedotin, an EGFR-directed antibody-drug conjugate, combined with the PD-1 inhibitor pucotenlimab in patients with platinum- and immunotherapy-resistant recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Among 31 patients at the recommended dose, the confirmed objective response rate was 71.0% and the disease control rate reached 93.5%, with a median progression-free survival of 12.0 months. The combination demonstrated durable responses with a median duration of 14.0 months, though grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events occurred in 40.6% of participants. These results suggest a promising anti-PD-1 rechallenge strategy for this difficult-to-treat cancer population, which is currently being validated in an ongoing phase III trial.
10.1200/JCO-26-00640
Sustained benefit of adjuvant olaparib in women with germline BRCA1- and BRCA2- -associated high-risk HER2-negative early breast cancer: Updated results from the OlympiA phase III trial.
ANN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #4/326TOP-TIER
The OlympiA phase III trial investigated 1 year of adjuvant olaparib versus placebo in 1,836 patients with gBRCApv, high-risk HER2-negative early breast cancer, with a 6.1-year median follow-up. Olaparib demonstrated sustained benefits, improving invasive disease-free survival [HR=0.65], distant disease-free survival [HR=0.65], and overall survival [HR=0.72], with a 6-year OS of 87.5% versus 83.2% for placebo. Additionally, it reduced new BRCA-associated breast and ovarian/fallopian tube cancers without increasing adverse event risks. These findings provide strong evidence for adjuvant olaparib in this specific high-risk breast cancer population, offering clinically meaningful improvements in long-term outcomes and disease prevention.
10.1016/j.annonc.2026.08.002
Challenges in the use of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology-European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer oligometastatic disease classification system in ovarian cancer.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This article evaluates the applicability of the ESTRO-EORTC oligometastatic disease classification system specifically within the context of ovarian cancer management. The authors identify significant challenges in lesion enumeration and classification due to the diffuse nature of peritoneal spread, which often complicates standard metastatic definitions. Clinically, the study highlights the emerging role of stereotactic radiotherapy for local control in patients with low metastatic burden despite these classification hurdles. It concludes by advocating for a multidisciplinary, disease-specific framework to harmonize clinical trial eligibility and improve prognostic stratification for ovarian cancer patients.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00296-2
Artificial intelligence-based tumour infiltrating lymphocyte quantification in patients with triple-negative breast cancer: an independent validation study.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This independent validation study (CATALINA) compared AI-derived computational tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (cTIL) scores against pathologist-scored stromal TILs (sTILs) in 1,356 patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer from seven randomized trials. Both cTIL and sTIL scores were independently associated with 5-year invasive disease-free survival, with hazard ratios of 0.80 (95% CI 0.73-0.89) and 0.73 (95% CI 0.66-0.82), respectively. While cTIL scores did not provide incremental prognostic value over sTILs, they significantly improved risk discrimination compared to clinicopathological variables alone. These findings support using AI-based TIL quantification as a reproducible prognostic biomarker in oncology, particularly in clinical settings where expert pathologist assessment is limited.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00339-6
Manual, digital, and AI tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte scoring: a secondary analysis of the APHINITY randomised trial.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This secondary analysis of the phase 3 APHINITY trial evaluated manual, digital, and AI-based stromal tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (sTIL) quantification in 4,262 patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. Higher sTIL levels across all methods significantly correlated with improved invasive disease-free survival (HRs 0.41–0.93), with manual scoring showing high reproducibility (ICC 0.84). Notably, node-positive patients with high manual sTILs (≥70%) experienced a 12.1% absolute improvement in 6-year survival when treated with pertuzumab compared to placebo. While manual scoring remains a robust prognostic tool, AI-derived spatial metrics provide complementary data that could enhance scalable immune assessment and treatment stratification in clinical oncology.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00247-0
High-dose radiotherapy in patients with high-risk prostate cancers treated with long-term androgen deprivation therapy (GETUG AFU 18): a randomised, phase 3 trial.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This phase 3 randomized trial investigated the effect of dose-escalated radiotherapy (80 Gy) versus standard-dose (70 Gy) combined with long-term androgen deprivation therapy in 505 men with high-risk prostate cancer. At a median follow-up of 9.5 years, 10-year progression-free survival was significantly improved in the 80 Gy group (83.6% vs 72.2%; HR 0.56, p<0.0001). Grade 3 or worse acute and late adverse events were comparable between groups (24% vs 25% acute; 8% vs 7% late). This suggests 80 Gy radiotherapy is a potential option for high-risk prostate cancer, improving progression-free survival without increased severe toxicity, directly informing clinical practice.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00277-9
Adjuvant alectinib versus chemotherapy in resected ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (ALINA): health-related quality-of-life and safety outcomes from a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This phase 3 ALINA trial compared adjuvant alectinib to platinum-based chemotherapy in 257 patients with resected ALK-positive stage IB-IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer. Alectinib demonstrated a manageable safety profile with fewer adverse event-related discontinuations (5% vs. 13% for chemotherapy) and clinically meaningful improvements in health-related quality-of-life domains like bodily pain and mental health by week 12. Patients maintained physical and mental health scores near general population norms (mean scores ~49) throughout the two-year treatment period. These results, combined with previously reported disease-free survival benefits, establish adjuvant alectinib as a superior, well-tolerated standard-of-care option for resected ALK-positive NSCLC.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00283-4
Ivonescimab plus chemotherapy versus placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with advanced EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer after disease progression on EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy (HARMONi): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trial.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This phase 3 trial evaluated the efficacy of ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in 438 patients with advanced EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer following progression on third-generation TKI therapy. Ivonescimab significantly improved median progression-free survival to 6.8 months compared to 4.4 months in the control group (HR 0.52; p<0.0001), though the overall survival benefit was not statistically significant (16.8 vs 14.0 months; HR 0.79). For clinicians treating thoracic malignancies, these results demonstrate a clear delay in disease progression for a difficult-to-treat population with limited subsequent options. While serious treatment-related adverse events were higher in the ivonescimab group (28% vs 15%), the combination represents a potential new standard of care for post-TKI EGFR-mutated lung cancer.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00282-2
Durvalumab and tremelimumab, with or without lenvatinib, combined with transarterial chemoembolisation in participants with embolisation-eligible hepatocellular carcinoma (EMERALD-3): a global, randomised, open-label, sponsor-blinded, phase 3 study.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This phase 3 trial (EMERALD-3) randomized 760 patients with embolisation-eligible hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to receive durvalumab plus tremelimumab (STRIDE) with lenvatinib and TACE, STRIDE plus TACE, or TACE alone. The primary endpoint, progression-free survival (PFS), was significantly improved with the triple combination versus TACE alone (median 13.0 vs 9.8 months; HR 0.70, p=0.0007). Overall survival showed a favorable trend but was not statistically significant (median 39.5 vs 34.7 months; HR 0.84, p=0.18). Grade 3-4 adverse events were more common with the triple regimen (64% serious adverse events), including hypertension and rare fatal treatment-related events. These findings support a STRIDE-based regimen as a potential new treatment for embolisation-eligible HCC, with ongoing follow-up for overall survival.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00278-0
Chemoradiotherapy versus short-course radiotherapy for response-adapted organ preservation in early-stage and intermediate-stage rectal cancer (STAR-TREC): 12-month results of an international, multicentre, open-label, parallel-group, randomised, phase 2/3 trial.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
The STAR-TREC trial, a phase 2/3 randomized study, compared long-course chemoradiotherapy (LCCRT) or short-course radiotherapy (SCRT) for organ preservation versus primary total mesorectal excision (TME) in early/intermediate rectal cancer. Early 12-month results from 409 participants showed LCCRT was more effective for organ preservation than SCRT, with 12-month TME-free survival rates of 78.5% versus 60.6% (HR 1.90). Organ preservation also showed potentially reduced grade 3-4 gastrointestinal disorders (LCCRT 2%, SCRT 4%) and procedural complications (LCCRT 2%, SCRT 3%) compared to TME (8% and 6%). These findings directly inform cancer treatment, suggesting LCCRT as a promising organ-preserving strategy for rectal cancer, potentially reducing surgical morbidity, though longer follow-up is needed.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00228-7
Aug 17 – Aug 24, 2026
Five-Year Outcomes of Perioperative Pembrolizumab for Early-Stage Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer From the Randomized KEYNOTE-671 Study.
ANN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #4/326TOP-TIER
This phase 3 randomized trial evaluated the five-year efficacy of perioperative pembrolizumab combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery and adjuvant pembrolizumab in 797 patients with resectable stage II-IIIB non-small-cell lung cancer. Results demonstrated a significant improvement in five-year event-free survival (49.9% vs. 26.5%; HR 0.58) and overall survival (64.6% vs. 53.6%; HR 0.74) compared to chemotherapy and surgery alone. The treatment maintained a safety profile consistent with previous reports and showed no detriment to health-related quality of life over the extended follow-up period. These findings establish perioperative pembrolizumab as a durable standard of care for early-stage resectable lung cancer, offering nearly double the event-free survival rate at five years.
10.1016/j.annonc.2026.08.005
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
Liver resection after atezolizumab and bevacizumab versus maintenance therapy for locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (TALENTOP): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial.
LANCET · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/332TOP-TIER
This multicentre, phase 3 trial (TALENTOP) evaluated whether liver resection improves outcomes compared to maintenance therapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and macrovascular invasion who responded to induction atezolizumab plus bevacizumab. Among 201 randomized patients, the surgery group demonstrated a significantly longer median time to treatment failure (20.4 months) compared to the maintenance group (11.8 months; HR 0.60, p=0.015). The study addresses the gap in high-quality evidence for surgical intervention in advanced-stage cancer patients who show initial response to systemic therapy. Findings suggest that integrating liver resection into the treatment paradigm for advanced HCC can delay disease progression, though clinicians must weigh this against higher rates of grade 3–4 adverse events (39% vs 21%).
10.1016/S0140-6736(26)01252-3
Pathologic Complete Response (pCR) Rate and Predictors of Response to Taxane, Trastuzumab, and Pertuzumab in HER2‑Positive Breast Cancer: Secondary Analyses of EA1181/CompassHER2 pCR.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This single-arm trial (EA1181) evaluated neoadjuvant taxane, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab (THP) in 2,175 patients with stage II/IIIa HER2-positive breast cancer, focusing on pathologic complete response (pCR) rates and predictors. Overall pCR was 43.8%, with 63.7% in HER2+/ER- and 32.4% in HER2+/ER+ tumors. Independent predictors of higher pCR included ER-negative/low expression, PR-negative/low expression, HER2 IHC 3+, weekly paclitaxel, and high HER2DX pCR score; T3 disease lowered pCR in ER- tumors. These results support using hormone receptor status, HER2 expression level, and HER2DX score to personalize neoadjuvant therapy and predict response.
10.1200/JCO-25-02255
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
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in US Colorectal Cancer Mortality by County, Sex, and Age.
JAMA ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/326TOP-TIER
This cross-sectional study utilized small-area estimation models to analyze US colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality trends across 3,110 counties from 2000 to 2019, stratified by race, sex, and age. While mortality for adults aged 45 and older declined significantly—from 82.5 to 54.4 per 100,000 in males and 58.9 to 39.7 in females—rates for those under 45 remained stable or increased. The data reveals extreme geographic and racial disparities, with American Indian/Alaska Native and Black males experiencing mortality rates exceeding 100 per 100,000 in numerous counties. Clinicians should utilize these findings to advocate for targeted screening and interventions in high-risk demographic groups and specific geographic regions to address persistent inequities in cancer outcomes.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.3194
Brain barriers at the crossroads of glioma immune surveillance and immunotherapy response.
NAT REV CANCER · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #3/326TOP-TIER
This review examines how specialized brain barriers contribute to CNS immune privilege and the subsequent failure of immunotherapies in treating gliomas. The authors highlight that these barriers restrict immune cell access to the CNS parenchyma, shielding tumors from detection and limiting the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors and CAR T cell therapies. Emerging evidence suggests gliomas actively remodel these barriers to enhance immune evasion, representing a significant hurdle for current clinical trial designs. Understanding brain barriers as neuroimmunological interfaces is critical for developing strategies to improve immune surveillance and therapeutic responses in patients with brain tumors.
10.1038/s41568-026-00960-w
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
Exploring the landscape of targetable alterations in patients with glioblastoma.
NAT REV CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/326TOP-TIER
This review examines the landscape of targetable molecular alterations in glioblastoma, focusing on the challenges of intratumoural heterogeneity and limited drug delivery to the central nervous system. The authors summarize therapeutic targets including receptor tyrosine kinases, cell-cycle dysregulation, and synthetic-lethal vulnerabilities, while highlighting emerging strategies like antibody-drug conjugates and liquid biopsy monitoring. For clinicians, the study emphasizes the shift toward pathway-based classification and master kinase mapping to better align targeted drugs with functional tumor states. These insights suggest that overcoming therapeutic resistance requires multi-regional sampling and novel delivery methods to improve outcomes in this lethal malignancy.
10.1038/s41571-026-01190-7
Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.
NEW ENGL J MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/332TOP-TIER
This abstract reviews myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) as chronic, clonal hematopoietic stem-cell disorders driven by gain-of-function mutations in JAK2, CALR, or MPL genes. These mutations arise decades before clinical disease, and inflammation enhances clonal dominance, potentially leading to secondary acute myeloid leukemia with poor prognosis. Current therapies primarily control symptoms, but emerging targeted therapies for mutant CALR and JAK2 V617F offer hope for durable disease modification and clonal eradication. This highlights the evolving understanding and therapeutic landscape for these hematologic cancers.
10.1056/NEJMra2507867
Ovarian reserve as a measure of adjuvant chemotherapy benefit in hormone receptor positive (HR-positive), HER2-negative, node-positive breast cancer in SWOG S1007 (RxPONDER).
ANN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #4/326TOP-TIER
This secondary analysis of the phase 3 RxPONDER trial evaluated whether pretreatment ovarian reserve markers, specifically anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), could predict adjuvant chemotherapy benefit in 1,556 women with HR-positive, HER2-negative, node-positive breast cancer. Results demonstrated that patients with normal ovarian reserve (AMH ≥10 pg/ml) derived significant benefit from chemotherapy (IDFS HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.33-0.65), whereas those with low reserve (AMH <10 pg/ml) did not (HR 1.27, P=0.47). AMH proved to be a superior predictor of chemotherapy benefit compared to traditional markers like age or menopausal status, offering a more precise tool for treatment de-escalation. These findings suggest that measuring ovarian reserve can refine patient selection for chemotherapy, potentially sparing a subset of premenopausal women from unnecessary treatment toxicity.
10.1016/j.annonc.2026.05.697
Therapeutic targeting of RAS-mediated resistance in oncogene-driven lung cancer.
ANN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #4/326TOP-TIER
This study investigated RAS-mediated resistance mechanisms in 590 patients with oncogene-driven lung cancers using tissue and liquid biopsies alongside patient-derived models. RAS alterations were identified in 11.2% of patients progressing on first-line osimertinib and 14.7% of those resistant to lorlatinib, with KRAS G12D emerging as a frequent mutation. Preclinical testing of osimertinib combined with selective KRAS G12D or pan-RAS inhibitors demonstrated marked synergistic activity in overcoming acquired resistance in vitro and in vivo. These findings establish RAS alterations as a significant off-target resistance mechanism in approximately 10% of cases, supporting the clinical investigation of rational combination therapies to extend the paradigm of precision oncology.
10.1016/j.annonc.2026.08.004
Eight-year outcomes of testosterone suppression plus enzalutamide or a non-steroidal anti-androgen for metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (ENZAMET; ANZUP 1304).
ANN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #4/326TOP-TIER
This randomized ENZAMET trial reports 8-year outcomes of enzalutamide versus a non-steroidal anti-androgen (NSAA) plus testosterone suppression for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Enzalutamide significantly improved overall survival (OS) (median 7.9 vs 5.8 years; 8-year OS 50% vs 40%; HR 0.73) and clinical progression-free survival (PFS) (8-year 43% vs 20%; HR 0.49). Fewer prostate cancer deaths occurred with enzalutamide (207 vs 261), with similar non-prostate cancer mortality and comparable grade 3-5 cardiac/nervous system AEs. These long-term results confirm enzalutamide’s sustained efficacy and safety, supporting its use as a superior treatment option for mHSPC.
10.1016/j.annonc.2026.07.412
Therapy for Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With Driver Alterations: ASCO Living Guideline, Version 2026.3.3.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This ASCO Living Guideline, Version 2026.3.3, focuses on therapeutic strategies for patients with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) who present with specific driver alterations. The guideline synthesizes current evidence to provide updated recommendations for optimal treatment approaches in this advanced cancer setting. It aims to guide clinicians in selecting targeted therapies based on molecular profiling, thereby improving patient outcomes. The primary implication is to standardize and enhance evidence-based clinical practice for advanced NSCLC.
10.1200/JCO-26-01958
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
Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for Brain Tumors: A Prospective Multicenter Analysis of Patients From the LAANTERN Study.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This prospective multicenter study analyzed 787 patients from the LAANTERN registry to evaluate clinical outcomes of Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) for primary and metastatic brain tumors. Results demonstrated a median hospital stay of 32.4 hours, a low 12.8% adverse event rate, and 80% of patients successfully discontinuing steroid use post-procedure. For clinicians focused on oncology, the study identifies that greater extent of ablation and smaller lesion size significantly correlate with improved survival in high-grade gliomas and recurrent metastases. These findings support LITT as a safe, effective cytoreductive tool for brain cancer management that preserves functional status while minimizing intensive care requirements.
10.1200/JCO-25-02604
Aug 10 – Aug 17, 2026
Mosunetuzumab With Response-Adapted Polatuzumab Vedotin and Obinutuzumab in Untreated Indolent B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This phase 2 study evaluated a chemotherapy-free regimen using mosunetuzumab followed by response-adapted polatuzumab vedotin and obinutuzumab in 42 patients with untreated follicular or marginal zone lymphoma. Results demonstrated a 100% overall response rate and an 86% complete response rate, with mosunetuzumab monotherapy alone achieving a 71% complete response rate. At 34 months median follow-up, the 2-year progression-free survival was 89% and overall survival was 100%, with toxicity limited to grade 1 cytokine release syndrome. These findings suggest that this personalized, response-adapted approach provides high efficacy and a favorable safety profile for indolent B-cell lymphomas, potentially offering a viable alternative to traditional chemoimmunotherapy.
10.1200/JCO-25-02906
Tissue-Free vs Tumor-Informed ctDNA Assays for Molecular Residual Disease Detection in Early Triple Negative Breast Cancer.
JAMA ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/326TOP-TIER
This prognostic study evaluated tissue-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assays for molecular residual disease (MRD) detection in 159 patients with early triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) from the c-TRAK TN phase 2 study. The tissue-free assay, leveraging cancer differential methylation, detected ctDNA in 34.0% of patients, strongly associating with recurrence risk (HR, 27.2; P < .001). It demonstrated a median lead time to recurrence of 7.9 months, outperforming dPCR (5.8 months) and showing good concordance with tumor-informed assays. These findings support the use of tissue-free MRD detection in TNBC surveillance, offering a practical method for earlier recurrence prediction, especially when tumor tissue is unavailable, thereby informing adjuvant therapy decisions.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.2833
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy vs Moderately Hypofractionated IMRT for Localized Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA-J AM MED ASSOC · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #4/332TOP-TIER
This phase-3 randomized trial compared stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) to moderately hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapy (MH-IMRT) in 698 patients with localized intermediate-risk prostate cancer. At two years, SBRT demonstrated significantly fewer bowel quality-of-life declines (34.9% vs 43.8%, P=.03) and fewer grade 3+ genitourinary adverse events (0.6% vs 2.5%) compared to MH-IMRT. However, SBRT was not superior in disease-free survival at three years, with rates of 88.6% versus 92.1% for MH-IMRT (P < .001 for non-superiority). Clinicians may consider SBRT for its superior toxicity profile and patient-reported outcomes, though it does not offer oncological superiority over moderate hypofractionation in this population.
10.1001/jama.2026.12627
FcRH5×CD3 bispecific antibody cevostamab in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma: a phase 1 trial.
NAT MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/195TOP-TIER
This phase 1 trial evaluated cevostamab, a first-in-class FcRH5×CD3 bispecific antibody, in 324 patients with heavily pretreated relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. At the recommended phase 2 dose of 160 mg, the objective response rate was 44.3% overall and 60.6% in BCMA-naive patients, with a median duration of response reaching 19.7 months in the latter group. Safety analysis showed manageable toxicity, with grade 3/4 adverse events in 59.6% of patients and primarily low-grade cytokine release syndrome using step-up dosing. These findings demonstrate that cevostamab provides a promising, fixed-duration immunotherapy option for late-line myeloma, particularly for those who have not yet received BCMA-targeted therapies.
10.1038/s41591-026-04522-3
Acquired resistance to the RAS(ON) multi-selective inhibitor daraxonrasib guides rational combination therapy strategies in pancreatic cancer.
NAT MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/195TOP-TIER
This study investigated mechanisms of acquired resistance to daraxonrasib, a RAS(ON) multi-selective inhibitor, using ctDNA sequencing from 44 patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma and preclinical models. Genomic alterations in the RAS signaling pathway emerged in 59% of patients, primarily through mutant KRAS amplifications (36%), alongside RTK (9%), MAPK (25%), and PI3K (9%) pathway changes. Notably, no secondary KRAS mutations were observed, suggesting that resistance is driven by pathway reactivation rather than target site modification. These findings support rational combination strategies using daraxonrasib with DNA damage response or RTK inhibitors to avert resistance and improve outcomes in pancreatic cancer patients.
10.1038/s41591-026-04537-w
Prognostic and Predictive Effect of Age in Molecularly Defined Lower-Grade Gliomas.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This study evaluated whether age ≥40 years remains a prognostic factor for molecularly defined lower-grade gliomas using patient-level data from the PROGRES (n=1,619) and REGRES (n=1,292) databases. Age was associated with worse progression-free survival in IDH-wildtype tumors (5-year PFS 6% vs. 24%; HR 1.74, 95% CI 1.21-2.50) but not in IDH-mutant gliomas (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.76-1.05). Older age in IDH-wildtype tumors correlated with aggressive molecular features (e.g., MGMT promoter mutation, EGFR amplification). Age did not predict benefit from chemoradiotherapy in IDH-mutant tumors, suggesting age alone should not guide adjuvant treatment decisions.
10.1200/JCO-25-01846
Belzutifan plus lenvatinib versus cabozantinib in patients with previously treated advanced renal cell carcinoma (LITESPARK-011): an open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial.
LANCET · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/332TOP-TIER
This phase 3, randomized trial (LITESPARK-011) investigated belzutifan plus lenvatinib versus cabozantinib in 747 patients with advanced clear-cell renal cell carcinoma progressing after immune checkpoint inhibitors. Belzutifan-lenvatinib significantly extended progression-free survival (median 14.8 months vs 10.7 months; HR 0.70; p<0.0001), though overall survival was not significantly different (median 34.9 months vs 27.6 months; HR 0.85; p=0.061). Grade 3 or worse adverse events were high in both arms (84% vs 83%). This novel combination offers a new efficacious treatment option, potentially becoming a new standard of care for this specific advanced cancer population.
10.1016/S0140-6736(26)01089-5
First-line PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody plus chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer: a phase 2 trial.
NAT MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/195TOP-TIER
This phase 2, open-label, single-arm trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of ivonescimab plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment for 36 patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. The study reported treatment-related adverse events in 100% of patients (Grade ≥3 in 58.3%) with no deaths. An objective response rate of 80.0% (95% CI: 63.1-91.6) was observed, including 5.7% complete responses and 74.3% partial responses. This research directly addresses a critical need for effective therapies in an aggressive cancer subtype, offering promising first-line treatment data and warranting further investigation.
10.1038/s41591-026-04564-7
Neoadjuvant Intralesional Daromun (L19IL2/L19TNF) in Resectable Locally Advanced Melanoma: An Update on the Efficacy and Safety Results of the PIVOTAL Phase III Trial.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
The PIVOTAL phase III trial investigated neoadjuvant intralesional Daromun (L19IL2/L19TNF) versus up-front surgery for 256 patients with resectable stage III melanoma. At a median 21-month follow-up, Daromun significantly improved recurrence-free survival (HR 0.59; p = .005) compared to up-front surgery. Updated analysis at 36.8 months confirmed clinically and statistically meaningful improvements in RFS and distant metastasis-free survival, with no new safety signals. This study directly addresses cancer treatment, offering a robust and effective neoadjuvant option for advanced melanoma, potentially improving patient outcomes by reducing disease recurrence and metastasis.
10.1200/JCO-26-00852
Biomarker-Stratified Phase II Trial of Trastuzumab Rezetecan in Advanced Salivary Gland Carcinoma Across Cohorts With High and Low Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Expression.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This phase II trial evaluated trastuzumab rezetecan (SHR-A1811), a HER2-directed antibody-drug conjugate, in 46 patients with advanced salivary gland carcinoma (SGC), stratified into HER2-high and HER2-low cohorts. The confirmed objective response rate (ORR) was 91.7% (95% CI, 73.0 to 99.0) in the HER2-high cohort and 45.5% (95% CI, 24.4 to 67.8) in the HER2-low cohort. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were not reached in HER2-high, while HER2-low showed 12.7 months PFS and 21.3 months OS. SHR-A1811 demonstrated high antitumor activity in HER2-high SGC and promising activity in HER2-low SGC with a manageable safety profile, offering a potential new systemic treatment option for this cancer.
10.1200/JCO-26-00671
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
Osimertinib With or Without Chemotherapy in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With EGFR and Concurrent TP53 Mutations: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA-J AM MED ASSOC · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #4/332TOP-TIER
This phase 3 randomized trial compared first-line osimertinib plus chemotherapy against osimertinib monotherapy in 294 patients with advanced NSCLC harboring concurrent EGFR and TP53 mutations. The combination therapy significantly extended median progression-free survival to 34.0 months compared to 15.6 months for monotherapy (HR 0.44; 95% CI, 0.32-0.60; P < .001). While grade 3 or higher adverse events were more frequent in the combination group, the substantial survival benefit was consistent across subgroups, including those with brain metastases. These findings establish a strong clinical rationale for using individualized combination strategies to improve outcomes in this high-risk cancer population.
10.1001/jama.2026.10599
Aug 03 – Aug 10, 2026
SKYSCRAPER-03: A Phase III Study of Tiragolumab Plus Atezolizumab Versus Durvalumab in Locally Advanced, Unresectable, Stage III NSCLC After Platinum-Based Concurrent Chemoradiation.
ANN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #4/326TOP-TIER
The SKYSCRAPER-03 study was a phase III, open-label, randomized trial evaluating tiragolumab plus atezolizumab versus durvalumab as consolidation therapy for locally advanced, unresectable, stage III NSCLC after chemoradiation. The primary endpoint, IRF-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) in PD-L1+ patients, was not met. Median PFS was 19.4 months with the combination versus 16.6 months with durvalumab (HR 0.96; p=0.76). Median overall survival in PD-L1+ patients was not estimable versus 54.8 months, respectively (HR 0.99), indicating the combination did not offer additional benefit over durvalumab for this cancer population.
10.1016/j.annonc.2026.07.414
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
Contemporary Management of Relapsed or Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This review examines contemporary management strategies for relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL/SLL) within the evolving landscape of targeted and cellular therapies. The analysis highlights that second-generation covalent BTK inhibitors and venetoclax-based regimens provide durable control, while noncovalent inhibitors like pirtobrutinib and CAR-T therapies like lisocabtagene maraleucel offer efficacy for heavily pretreated patients. Clinicians must integrate genomic re-evaluation, prior therapy response, and patient comorbidities to optimize the sequencing of emerging agents such as BTK degraders and bispecific antibodies. Individualized treatment planning and clinical trial participation remain essential to navigate increasing therapeutic complexity and improve outcomes for patients with double-class refractory disease.
10.1200/JCO-26-00428
Systemic Therapy in Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: ASCO Living Guideline, Version 2026.1.4.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This ASCO Living Guideline provides updated, evidence-based recommendations for systemic therapy in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). It synthesizes the latest clinical trial data and research to offer comprehensive guidance on treatment selection and sequencing. This directly addresses the clinician’s interest in cancer by focusing on practical management strategies for a specific advanced malignancy. The guideline’s implications include empowering clinicians with current, actionable information to optimize patient care and improve outcomes in mCRPC.
10.1200/JCO-26-01898
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
Electronic Patient-Reported Outcome Monitoring With Alert-Based Interventions in Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/326TOP-TIER
This multicenter randomized clinical trial investigated whether digital patient-reported outcome (PRO) monitoring with alert-based interventions reduces fatigue in 909 patients with metastatic breast cancer (mBC). Participants in the intervention group completed weekly PRO questionnaires via smartphone, triggering alerts to clinicians for predefined symptom deterioration, while controls received usual care. At 6 months, the intervention group showed a clinically meaningful reduction in fatigue (mean difference -5.4 points; 95% CI, -6.6 to -4.1; P < .001), exceeding the MCID of 3.3 points, and improved physical functioning. These findings demonstrate that digital PRO monitoring significantly improves symptom management and physical functioning in mBC patients, supporting its integration into routine oncology practice.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.2661
Mathematical Biomarkers of Adaptive Therapy Outcomes in Prostate Cancer.
JAMA ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/326TOP-TIER
This retrospective modeling and validation study aimed to develop mathematical biomarkers from first-cycle PSA dynamics to predict time to progression (TTP), mean daily dose, and overall survival (OS) in prostate cancer patients undergoing adaptive therapy. Utilizing data from 53 patients with CSPC and mCRPC, the adaptive therapy score derived from initial PSA kinetics was highly prognostic for prolonged clinical TTP (CSPC: HR 0.49, P=.002; mCRPC: Spearman ρ=0.76, P=.002). In mCRPC, this score and expected TTP were significantly associated with prolonged OS, outperforming standard PSA metrics. These accessible, mechanism-based biomarkers offer a promising decision support framework for personalizing adaptive therapy protocols in prostate cancer, potentially optimizing patient stratification and improving outcomes.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.2781
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
Darolutamide Alone and in Combination With Goserelin in Androgen Receptor-Positive Salivary Gland Carcinoma: Results From the Phase II DISCOVARY Trial.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This phase II trial (DISCOVARY) evaluated the efficacy and safety of darolutamide, an androgen receptor inhibitor, as monotherapy or combined with goserelin in 57 patients with AR-positive salivary gland carcinoma. Results showed a confirmed objective response rate (ORR) of 45.2% and median progression-free survival (PFS) of 13.1 months for the combination therapy, compared to 8.3% ORR and 5.7 months PFS for monotherapy. The combination treatment demonstrated significant antitumor activity with a manageable safety profile, primarily consisting of grade 1 or 2 adverse events and preserved quality of life. These findings suggest that darolutamide plus goserelin provides a viable chemotherapy-sparing treatment strategy for patients with this rare and aggressive malignancy.
10.1200/JCO-25-03028
Addition of High-Dose Vitamin D3 to Standard Treatment in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: The SOLARIS Randomized Clinical Trial (Alliance A021703).
JAMA-J AM MED ASSOC · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #4/332TOP-TIER
This phase 3 randomized clinical trial (n=455) investigated whether adding high-dose vitamin D3 to standard chemotherapy plus bevacizumab improves outcomes in patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Patients received either high-dose (8000 IU loading, then 4000 IU daily) or standard-dose (400 IU daily) vitamin D3. The study found no significant improvement in median progression-free survival (11.8 vs 10.3 months, P=.25) or overall survival (25.6 vs 27.0 months, P=.66) with high-dose vitamin D3. Clinically, these findings indicate that high-dose vitamin D3 does not enhance the efficacy of standard mCRC treatment, informing practice by discouraging its use for this purpose.
10.1001/jama.2026.9350
Impact of Tumor Genomic Profile on Adjuvant Chemotherapy Efficacy in Resected Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Results From the PRODIGE-24/CCTG PA6 Study.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This study analyzed the molecular landscape of 317 resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumors from the PRODIGE-24/CCTG PA6 trial via DNA sequencing and transcriptomic subtyping to assess genomic alterations’ impact on adjuvant chemotherapy efficacy. In the mFOLFIRINOX (mFFX) group, classical tumors showed superior disease-free survival (DFS) versus basal-like tumors (sHR, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.31 to 0.77]). For KRAS-mutated patients, mFFX significantly improved DFS over gemcitabine (sHR, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.45 to 0.79]; p < .001), a benefit absent in KRAS wild-type tumors (interaction test, p = 0.010). While mFFX remains the standard adjuvant regimen for PDAC, these findings offer crucial insights into personalized cancer treatment, suggesting further investigation for KRAS wild-type tumors.
10.1200/JCO-25-02508
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
Long-Term Analysis of Patients With Ewing Sarcoma Included in the Euro-EWING99 Study.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This large-scale international prospective study analyzed 3,395 patients under age 50 with Ewing Sarcoma to evaluate long-term survival outcomes and prognostic factors following induction chemotherapy and local treatment. Results showed a 5-year progression-free survival of 55.4% and an overall survival of 64.6% across the entire cohort. For clinicians, the study identifies patient age, tumor volume, and histologic response as critical independent prognostic factors for survival. These findings establish a landmark benchmark for managing Ewing Sarcoma and emphasize the clinical importance of achieving a complete histologic response after neoadjuvant therapy.
10.1200/JCO-25-02516
End-to-end multimodal pathology foundation model with clinical dialogue.
NAT MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/195TOP-TIER
This study introduces PRISM2, a multimodal foundation model trained on 2.3 million whole-slide images and 14 million pathology-derived question-answer pairs to align histomorphology with clinical reasoning. The model achieved or exceeded the balanced accuracy of existing clinical-grade products for cancer detection in prostate, breast, and breast lymph node tissues (P < 0.05). PRISM2 embeddings consistently matched or outperformed previous models across diagnostic, biomarker, and survival benchmarks, with task-specific fine-tuning significantly improving survival prediction. These results demonstrate that language-supervised pretraining creates generalizable pathology representations, offering a scalable tool for high-accuracy cancer diagnostics and prognostic modeling in clinical practice.
10.1038/s41591-026-04521-4
High-Risk Smoldering Multiple Myeloma: A Review of Controversies in Early Treatment Versus Observation.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This review addresses controversies in managing high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM), a precursor to multiple myeloma (MM), by evaluating early treatment versus observation. Randomized trials confirm early treatment delays MM progression, with daratumumab showing significant progression-free survival (HR 0.49, p < .001) and a trend towards improved overall survival (HR 0.52) in high-risk SMM. This challenges the traditional watch-and-wait approach, validating early intervention for selected patients at high cancer risk. Clinically, SMM management should be risk-adapted, considering early treatment for high-risk individuals while acknowledging uncertainties about overall survival benefit and potential overtreatment.
10.1200/JCO-26-00236
Transarterial Chemoembolization Plus Thermal Ablation in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Phase 3 TORCH Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/326TOP-TIER
The phase 3 TORCH randomized clinical trial evaluated if combining transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with thermal ablation improves outcomes versus TACE alone in 241 patients with unresectable, liver-confined hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The TACE-ablation group showed significantly prolonged median progression-free survival (17.7 months vs 7.3 months; HR, 0.47; P < .001) and overall survival (88.6 months vs 35.1 months; HR, 0.50; P < .001) compared to TACE alone. These findings are highly relevant to cancer research, demonstrating a superior treatment strategy for HCC with clinically meaningful survival improvements. Sequential TACE-ablation could become a feasible and more effective treatment option for patients with unresectable HCC, particularly those with low to moderate tumor burden.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.2366
Cemiplimab and Fianlimab With Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Early-Stage High-Risk ERBB2-Negative Breast Cancer: The I-SPY2 Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/326TOP-TIER
This I-SPY2 randomized clinical trial investigated adding dual immune checkpoint blockade (cemiplimab and fianlimab) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for early-stage, high-risk ERBB2-negative breast cancer. The combination significantly increased pathologic complete response (pCR) rates compared to NAC alone, achieving 44% vs 21% overall, 53% vs 29% in triple-negative, and 36% vs 14% in HR-positive/ERBB2-negative disease. While 21% experienced adrenal insufficiency, the regimen was highly effective in ImPrint positive patients. These findings suggest a promising new neoadjuvant strategy for specific breast cancer subtypes, warranting further definitive trials to improve patient outcomes.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.2576
Fixed-duration pirtobrutinib plus venetoclax-rituximab versus venetoclax-rituximab for patients with previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma (BRUIN CLL-322): an open-label, multicentre, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial.
LANCET · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/332TOP-TIER
This open-label, multicenter, phase 3 trial randomized 639 patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) to receive fixed-duration pirtobrutinib plus venetoclax-rituximab (PVR) or venetoclax-rituximab (VR) alone. At a median follow-up of 27.3 months, PVR significantly improved progression-free survival (HR 0.547, 95% CI 0.400–0.748; p=0.0001), with 24-month PFS rates of 87% vs 72%, respectively. The benefit was consistent across subgroups including those with prior covalent BTK inhibitor exposure, with no new safety signals and lower grade ≥3 TLS (1% vs 4%). These findings support PVR as a potential new fixed-duration standard for relapsed/refractory CLL/SLL.
10.1016/S0140-6736(26)01204-3
Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Tisagenlecleucel in Pediatric and Young Adult Patients With Relapsed/Refractory ALL.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This 5-year analysis of the phase II ELIANA trial evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of tisagenlecleucel in 79 pediatric and young adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell ALL. Among responders, the estimated 5-year relapse-free survival was 47.3% when censoring for subsequent stem cell transplantation, while the 5-year overall survival reached 55.0%. The median overall survival was not reached over a median follow-up of 79.4 months, and no new safety concerns emerged during this extended observation period. These results demonstrate the potential for tisagenlecleucel to serve as a definitive, curative-intent therapy for heavily pretreated pediatric patients with B-cell malignancies.
10.1200/JCO-25-01471
COMMIT: A Randomized Study of mFOLFOX6/Bevacizumab/Atezolizumab or Atezolizumab Alone as First-Line Treatment of Deficient DNA Mismatch Repair Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This Phase III randomized trial (COMMIT) evaluated the efficacy of combining mFOLFOX6 and bevacizumab with atezolizumab versus atezolizumab monotherapy as first-line treatment for dMMR/MSI-H metastatic colorectal cancer. Results showed the combination therapy significantly improved progression-free survival compared to monotherapy (HR 0.439; 95% CI, 0.23-0.84; p=0.0103), with an objective response rate of 86.1% versus 46%. The combination also doubled the 12-month disease control rate (64.7% vs. 32.4%), although it was associated with a higher incidence of grade 3 or higher adverse events. These findings suggest that adding chemotherapy and VEGF inhibition to PD-L1 blockade provides superior clinical outcomes for this specific patient population compared to immunotherapy alone.
10.1200/JCO-25-03052
Local management of second ipsilateral breast cancer events after primary breast-conserving therapy: an international Delphi consensus.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This international Delphi study utilized a panel of 36 experts to establish consensus on local management strategies for second ipsilateral breast cancer events (iBCEs) following initial breast-conserving therapy. Consensus was achieved on 80% of items, with 100% agreement that second breast-conserving therapy is a viable option for selected patients, particularly those with a recurrence interval of at least 60 months and luminal molecular profiles. The guidelines clarify that HER2-positive or triple-negative subtypes are not absolute contraindications for breast conservation, while emphasizing the necessity of clear surgical margins and tumor bed reirradiation. These findings provide clinicians with a structured framework for individualized treatment planning and shared decision-making in the complex management of recurrent breast cancer.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00177-4
De-escalation trials in multiple myeloma: past, present and future.
NAT REV CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/326TOP-TIER
This review synthesizes emerging evidence on de-escalation strategies for multiple myeloma (MM), aiming to maintain disease control while reducing treatment-related toxicity. The methodology involves analyzing various approaches, including dose modifications, MRD-adapted strategies, omission of autologous stem cell transplantation, and fixed-duration immunotherapy regimens. While specific numerical outcomes from individual trials are not detailed in the abstract, it highlights the transition toward personalized treatment intensity in oncology. These findings are highly relevant for clinicians seeking to balance efficacy with patient quality of life through evidence-based treatment reduction.
10.1038/s41571-026-01186-3
Dynamic Circulating Tumor DNA Methylation Monitoring Guiding Postoperative Surveillance in Nonmetastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Prospective, Randomized, Phase III FIND Trial.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This phase III randomized trial evaluated whether ctDNA methylation-guided surveillance increases curative-intent therapy rates in 584 patients with nonmetastatic colorectal cancer post-resection. While recurrence rates were similar between groups (~18%), the ctDNA-guided cohort achieved a significantly higher rate of curative-intent treatment (48.1% vs. 23.6%, RR 2.03, p=.008). ctDNA monitoring provided a 3.9-month lead time in detecting recurrence, identifying metastases when they were smaller (≤3 cm: 90.0% vs. 57.1%) and more frequently resectable. These findings suggest that dynamic ctDNA surveillance improves clinical outcomes by enabling earlier intervention for resectable metastases, though long-term survival data are still maturing.
10.1200/JCO-25-03009
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
Addition of irinotecan to chemoradiotherapy as preoperative treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (ARISTOTLE): a multicentre, open-label, phase 3, randomised controlled trial.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This phase 3 randomized trial (ARISTOTLE) evaluated whether adding irinotecan to standard capecitabine-based chemoradiotherapy improves outcomes for 564 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Results showed no significant difference in 36-month disease-free survival between the irinotecan and standard-of-care groups (68% vs 67%; HR 0.91, p=0.54). The irinotecan group experienced significantly higher grade 3 or worse toxicities (78% vs 52%), particularly gastrointestinal and hematological events. These findings demonstrate that adding irinotecan to preoperative chemoradiotherapy does not improve clinical outcomes and should not be adopted into standard practice for rectal cancer.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00132-4
Developing a Histology-Based Artificial Intelligence Biomarker to Predict Adjuvant Chemotherapy Benefit in Pancreatic Cancer.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This study developed and validated PANCprAId, a deep learning biomarker using histology images to predict the relative benefit of adjuvant gemcitabine versus mFOLFIRINOX in 544 patients with resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. In the external validation cohort, the biomarker successfully stratified outcomes for both gemcitabine (HR 1.69) and mFOLFIRINOX (HR 2.02), showing significant treatment interaction for disease-free survival (p=0.003). These findings demonstrate that AI-driven analysis of standard whole-slide images can identify patients more likely to benefit from specific chemotherapy regimens based on distinct epithelial and stromal features. This tool offers a practical, histology-based approach to personalizing adjuvant treatment strategies in pancreatic cancer, potentially improving survival outcomes through precision oncology.
10.1200/JCO-26-00327
SKYSCRAPER-01: Tiragolumab in Combination With Atezolizumab in Previously Untreated PD-L1-High, Locally Advanced, Unresectable or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This phase III trial evaluated the efficacy of adding tiragolumab to atezolizumab in 521 patients with previously untreated, PD-L1-high, locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. The combination reached a median progression-free survival of 7.0 months compared to 5.6 months with atezolizumab alone (HR 0.78, p=0.02), which was statistically non-significant. Median overall survival was 23.1 months for the combination versus 16.9 months for the control (HR 0.87, p=0.22), also failing to reach significance. Consequently, the addition of tiragolumab does not currently offer a statistically superior clinical benefit over PD-L1 monotherapy for this specific oncological population.
10.1200/JCO-25-02777
Phase II Randomized Trial of Radium-223 Dichloride and Cabozantinib in Patients With Renal Cell Carcinoma With Bone Metastases: RADICAL (Alliance A031801).
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
The RADICAL phase II randomized trial investigated adding radium-223 to cabozantinib in 98 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) and bone metastases, with SSE-free survival (SSE-FS) as the primary endpoint. The study was stopped early due to futility, as radium-223 did not improve SSE-FS when combined with cabozantinib. Median SSE-FS was 16.7 months for the combination versus 17.6 months for cabozantinib alone (sHR, 1.46), with similar grade ≥3 adverse events (69.6% vs 75.5%). This indicates that adding radium-223 offers no additional benefit for SSE-FS in this mRCC patient population, guiding treatment decisions against this specific combination.
10.1200/JCO-26-01135
Consensus statements from the first Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup Cervical Cancer Consensus Conference in Clinical Research.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This consensus conference convened 33 Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup member groups and diverse stakeholders to standardize clinical trial design and identify unmet needs in cervical cancer research. The group successfully adopted 16 consensus statements covering diagnosis, staging, early-stage disease, locally advanced disease, and persistent or recurrent disease. These statements provide a harmonized framework for academic clinical trials, ensuring that future research addresses critical gaps in gynecologic oncology care. By establishing global standards for trial methodology, this initiative facilitates more rigorous evidence generation to improve survival and quality of life for patients with cervical cancer.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00215-9
Postmastectomy chest wall radiotherapy for breast cancer (SUPREMO): 5-year quality-of-life results from a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
The SUPREMO QOL substudy, a phase 3 randomized controlled trial, assessed 5-year quality of life (QOL) effects of postmastectomy chest wall radiotherapy (CWRT) versus no CWRT in 989 UK intermediate-risk breast cancer patients. At 5 years, CWRT significantly worsened chest wall symptoms (effect estimate 1.99 [95% CI 0.36-3.62]; p=0.017), with no significant differences in global QOL, fatigue, or physical function. Patients receiving CWRT after axillary lymph node clearance experienced even worse chest wall symptoms (difference -5.29 [95%CI -8.53 to -2.05]; p=0.0015). This study highlights that while CWRT may not impact overall survival, it can negatively affect chest wall QOL in breast cancer patients, informing shared decision-making regarding adjuvant therapy.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00122-1
Five-Year Outcomes of Short-Term Radiotherapy Plus Chemotherapy Versus Long-Term Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: Updated Results of the STELLAR Trial.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
The STELLAR trial compared short-course radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy (TNT) against standard long-course chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. At a median follow-up of 68.7 months, the TNT group demonstrated a significantly higher 5-year overall survival rate of 78.1% compared to 69.7% in the CRT group (HR 0.739). While 5-year disease-free survival was similar (62.0% vs 58.7%), TNT showed particular benefit in high-risk patients and improved post-recurrence survival outcomes. These findings establish SCRT-based TNT as a durable and effective alternative to traditional chemoradiotherapy, offering a clear survival advantage in clinical oncology practice.
10.1200/JCO-25-02387
Intravesical cretostimogene grenadenorepvec oncolytic immunotherapy in high-risk, BCG-unresponsive, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer with carcinoma in situ (BOND-003 Cohort C): a single-arm, phase 3 trial.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This single-arm, phase 3 trial (BOND-003 Cohort C) investigated intravesical cretostimogene grenadenorepvec oncolytic immunotherapy for high-risk, BCG-unresponsive, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer with carcinoma in situ in 112 patients. After a median 25.8-month follow-up, 75% (83 of 110 patients; 95% CI 66.3-83.2) achieved a complete response, with adverse events being predominantly low-grade (e.g., bladder spasm 25%), and no grade 3/4 events or discontinuations. This research directly addresses a significant unmet need in cancer care by providing a potential bladder-sparing treatment for a challenging bladder cancer subtype. Cretostimogene demonstrates clinically meaningful anti-tumor activity and a favorable safety profile, positioning it as a promising innovative option for high-risk, BCG-unresponsive non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00194-4
Jul 20 – Jul 27, 2026
Izalontamab Brengitecan (Iza-Bren), a First-in-Class EGFR-HER3 Bispecific Antibody-Drug Conjugate in Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer: Results From a Phase Ib Study.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This phase Ib study evaluated the efficacy and safety of izalontamab brengitecan (iza-bren), a first-in-class EGFR-HER3 bispecific antibody-drug conjugate, in 52 patients with relapsed extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). Results demonstrated an overall response rate (ORR) of 48.1% and median overall survival of 12.2 months, with second-line patients achieving a notable 72.7% ORR and 6.2-month median progression-free survival. The treatment showed significant antitumor activity particularly in the second-line setting, though common hematologic toxicities like neutropenia and thrombocytopenia require clinical management. These findings support iza-bren as a promising therapeutic option for aggressive SCLC, prompting an ongoing phase III trial comparing it against standard-of-care topotecan.
10.1200/JCO-26-00243
AAML1831: A Phase III Trial Comparing Standard Induction Therapy With CPX-351 in De Novo Pediatric AML: A Report From the Children’s Oncology Group.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This Phase III randomized trial (AAML1831) compared liposomal daunorubicin/cytarabine (CPX-351) against standard daunorubicin/cytarabine (DA) induction therapy in 721 children and young adults with newly diagnosed de novo AML. The study was terminated early for futility after CPX-351 demonstrated inferior outcomes, with a 2-year event-free survival of 51.2% compared to 62.2% for the standard DA arm (p=0.011). While high-risk patients showed comparable disease-free survival, low-risk patients receiving CPX-351 experienced significantly higher relapse rates (39.9% vs. 23.6%) and lower survival (57.5% vs. 73.8%). These results confirm that standard DA remains the superior induction regimen for pediatric AML, highlighting that liposomal formulations successful in adults may not translate to improved pediatric outcomes.
10.1200/JCO-25-02979
Ultralow-Dose Interleukin 10-Expressing Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells in Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/326TOP-TIER
This phase 1 clinical trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of ultralow-dose IL-10-expressing CAR T cells (META 10-19) in 13 patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Results demonstrated a high objective response rate of 92.3%, including an 84.6% complete remission rate, despite using significantly lower cell doses than standard protocols. Safety outcomes were manageable, with grade 3 cytokine release syndrome occurring in only one patient and low-grade neurotoxicity in two patients. These findings suggest that META 10-19 provides potent antitumor activity with a favorable safety profile, though further research is needed to address the 53.8% relapse rate observed during follow-up.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.2490
High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem-cell transplantation versus non-myeloablative consolidation in primary CNS lymphoma (MATRix/IELSG43): a randomised phase 3 trial.
LANCET · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/332TOP-TIER
This phase 3 randomized trial compared high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation (HCT-ASCT) versus non-myeloablative R-DeVIC consolidation after MATRix induction in 229 newly diagnosed primary CNS lymphoma patients. After a median follow-up of 45.3 months, 3-year progression-free survival was significantly superior with HCT-ASCT at 78% (95% CI 69-85) compared to 51% (41-60) for R-DeVIC (HR 0.43; p=0.0003). While HCT-ASCT had more adverse events (mean 14.6 vs 9.3), it significantly improved progression-free and overall survival. This establishes HCT-ASCT as the preferred consolidation strategy for fit patients with primary CNS lymphoma, directly impacting clinical practice.
10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00917-7
Hypo- Versus Standard Fractionated Locoregional Radiotherapy of Patients With High-Risk Breast Cancer in the Randomized Phase III Trial: The Danish Breast Cancer Group Skagen Trial 1.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This Phase III noninferiority trial compared hypofractionated (40Gy/15fx) versus standard (50Gy/25fx) locoregional radiotherapy in 2,908 high-risk breast cancer patients. Results demonstrated that 3-year lymphedema rates were 8.0% for hypofractionation compared to 9.4% for standard treatment (OR 0.84, p=0.27), successfully meeting the noninferiority margin. No significant differences were observed in locoregional recurrence (HR 0.96), distant recurrence (HR 1.10), or breast cancer mortality (HR 1.25) over a median follow-up of 5.25 years. These findings support the clinical adoption of hypofractionated locoregional radiotherapy as a safe, effective, and more convenient standard of care for high-risk breast cancer patients.
10.1200/JCO-25-02705
Total Neoadjuvant Therapy With Long-Course Radiotherapy Versus Chemoradiotherapy in High-Risk Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer (TNTCRT): A Multicenter, Randomized, Phase III Trial.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This multicenter, randomized, phase III trial compared total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) using long-course radiotherapy and doublet chemotherapy against conventional neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in 458 patients with high-risk locally advanced rectal cancer. The TNT group demonstrated significantly improved 3-year disease-free survival (74.8% vs. 66.0%; HR 0.674) and higher pathologic complete response rates (26.37% vs. 9.80%) compared to the control. While grade ≥3 adverse events were more frequent during the neoadjuvant phase of TNT, overall treatment toxicity and postoperative complications remained comparable between groups. These findings establish this intensified doublet-based TNT regimen as a superior standard option for improving oncological outcomes in high-risk rectal cancer patients.
10.1200/JCO-25-03110
Enfortumab Vedotin and Pembrolizumab in Cisplatin-Eligible Bladder Cancer.
NEW ENGL J MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/332TOP-TIER
This phase 3 trial compared perioperative enfortumab vedotin-pembrolizumab (EV-P) versus neoadjuvant cisplatin-gemcitabine in 808 cisplatin-eligible muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients. At 33.6 months median follow-up, 2-year event-free survival was 79.4% with EV-P versus 66.2% with chemotherapy (HR 0.53; p<0.001), and overall survival was 86.9% versus 81.3% (HR 0.65; p=0.006). Pathological complete response rates were 55.8% versus 32.5% (p<0.001), though grade ≥3 adverse events were higher with EV-P (75.7% vs 67.2%). For bladder cancer practice, EV-P offers a chemotherapy-free perioperative alternative with superior efficacy, though the toxicity profile requires consideration in shared decision-making.
10.1056/NEJMoa2601486
International Myeloma Working Group Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Management of Solitary Plasmacytomas.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This International Myeloma Working Group recommendation provides updated guidelines for the diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and response assessment of solitary plasmacytomas (SPs), rare localized tumors of clonal plasma cells. It highlights that approximately 50% of SPs progress to symptomatic myeloma within 5 years, necessitating careful exclusion of multiple myeloma using advanced diagnostics. Local radiotherapy is the mainstay therapy, with systemic therapy’s benefit remaining poorly defined. These recommendations offer crucial guidance for clinicians managing this cancer, emphasizing accurate diagnosis and follow-up given the significant progression risk.
10.1200/JCO-26-00410