Leukemia
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Oct 12 – Oct 19, 2026
Ponatinib-Blinatumomab or Imatinib-Chemotherapy for Adult Ph-Positive ALL.
NEW ENGL J MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/332TOP-TIER
This phase 3 trial randomized 236 adults with Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia to frontline ponatinib plus blinatumomab (chemotherapy-free) versus imatinib plus chemotherapy. At 23.7 months median follow-up, 24-month event-free survival was 86% versus 67% (P<0.001), with molecular response rates of 71% versus 49% after consolidation. The chemotherapy-free regimen significantly improved event-free and molecular response rates, though overall survival was similar (90% vs 85%). These findings support a frontline chemotherapy-free approach as a new standard for adult Ph-positive ALL.
10.1056/NEJMoa2606208
Oct 05 – Oct 12, 2026
Boosting CAR T cell efficacy in cancer with metabolic insights from design to diet.
NAT REV CANCER · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #3/326TOP-TIER
This review explores how metabolic insights can boost CAR T cell efficacy in cancer, particularly for solid tumours. It examines the impact of CAR design, manufacturing platforms, and host metabolism on T cell fitness and antitumour activity. The abstract highlights that co-stimulatory domains induce distinct metabolic profiles and that manufacturing protocols lack standardization. It proposes leveraging diet-based interventions as a clinically accessible strategy to enhance CAR T cell therapy, aiming for more durable responses in cancer patients.
10.1038/s41568-026-00984-2
Sep 28 – Oct 05, 2026
Clinical Practice Guideline for Systemic Antibacterial and Antifungal Prophylaxis in Pediatric Patients With Cancer and Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients: 2026 Update.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This updated clinical practice guideline (CPG) provides harmonized recommendations for systemic antibacterial and antifungal prophylaxis in pediatric cancer and hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients, based on systematic reviews of 195 randomized trials. Key recommendations include conditional antibacterial prophylaxis for pediatric AML/relapsed ALL (strong for levofloxacin) and strong antifungal prophylaxis for pediatric AML/allogeneic HCT (echinocandin or mold-active azole). A new conditional recommendation suggests considering no antibacterial prophylaxis if levofloxacin is unavailable, directly impacting infection prevention for vulnerable pediatric cancer patients. This update consolidates CPGs, emphasizing practical considerations like drug interactions and infection monitoring, with future research needed for subgroup refinement.
10.1200/JCO-26-00720
Sep 14 – Sep 21, 2026
Blinatumomab for Replacing Chemotherapy in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
NEW ENGL J MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/332TOP-TIER
This randomized controlled trial evaluated blinatumomab as a replacement for two cycles of chemotherapy in pediatric high-risk B-cell ALL after consolidation. Blinatumomab significantly improved 4-year event-free survival to 83.0% compared to 70.3% with chemotherapy (P=0.0002), with a hazard ratio of 0.51. Infections were significantly lower in the blinatumomab group (23.9% vs. 69.4%), though neurotoxic events were higher (12.0% vs. 3.2%). This offers a promising alternative to conventional chemotherapy, potentially improving outcomes and reducing treatment-related infections for children with high-risk B-cell ALL.
10.1056/NEJMoa2604166
Sep 07 – Sep 14, 2026
Induction and extended consolidation with daratumumab, cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone in patients with high-risk multiple myeloma (OPTIMUM/MUKnine): 5-year follow-up of a multicentre, externally controlled, phase 2 trial.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This phase 2 externally controlled trial evaluated intensified induction and extended consolidation with daratumumab, cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone in 107 patients with high-risk multiple myeloma, compared to 120 genetically matched controls from the Myeloma XI trial. At a median follow-up of 71.1 months, progression-free survival was not reached versus 24.4 months (HR 0.32, 95% CI 0.22-0.45), and overall survival was not reached versus 57.4 months (HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.28-0.65). The survival benefit was consistent across molecular subgroups except for patients with three or more high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities. This study supports the use of risk-stratified, intensified therapy with molecular diagnostics to improve long-term outcomes in high-risk multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00286-X
Aug 31 – Sep 07, 2026
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
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
Aug 24 – Aug 31, 2026
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
Aug 17 – Aug 24, 2026
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
Aug 03 – Aug 10, 2026
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
Jul 27 – Aug 03, 2026
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
Jul 20 – Jul 27, 2026
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