Gastric and Esophageal Cancer
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Jun 01 – Jun 08, 2026
EP4 Antagonist ONO-4578 Plus Nivolumab and Chemotherapy in HER2-Negative Unresectable Advanced or Recurrent Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This multicenter, double-blind, randomized phase 2 trial investigated whether adding the EP4 antagonist ONO-4578 to nivolumab plus oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy improves outcomes in chemotherapy-naïve patients with HER2-negative unresectable or recurrent gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer. Two hundred twenty-six patients were randomized 2:1 to ONO-4578 (n = 150) or placebo (n = 76) combined with nivolumab and chemotherapy; the primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS), with overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR) and safety as secondary endpoints. The ONO-4578 arm showed superior PFS (HR 0.67; 90% CI 0.48–0.92; p = 0.040), improved OS at interim analysis (HR 0.60; 95% CI 0.37–0.96) and higher ORR (62.0% vs 48.7%); diarrhea (55.7%) and anemia (55.0%) were common adverse events. The authors conclude that ONO-4578 plus nivolumab and chemotherapy offers promising first-line efficacy with acceptable safety, meriting phase 3 confirmation.
10.1200/JCO-26-01072
Perioperative serplulimab with neoadjuvant chemotherapy versus perioperative chemotherapy in PD-L1-positive gastric cancer (ASTRUM-006): a randomised, double-blind, multicentre, phase 3 study.
LANCET · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/332TOP-TIER
This randomized, double-blind, multicentre phase 3 trial (ASTRUM-006) evaluated perioperative serplulimab with neoadjuvant SOX chemotherapy versus perioperative SOX chemotherapy alone in 588 patients with PD-L1-positive, resectable gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Patients were randomly allocated to receive serplulimab or placebo with SOX for three cycles preoperatively, followed by adjuvant serplulimab or SOX. Median event-free survival was significantly prolonged with serplulimab (not reached vs 42.0 months; HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.47–0.90, p=0.0082 in CPS ≥10; not reached vs 35.9 months, HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56–0.94, p=0.015 in ITT), with fewer grade 3 or worse adverse events. The authors concluded this regimen improves event-free survival and safety for this patient group.
10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00974-8
Savolitinib in MET-amplified gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: a phase 2 trial.
NAT MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/195TOP-TIER
This open-label, multicenter phase 2 clinical trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of savolitinib, an oral MET inhibitor, in patients with MET-amplified, locally advanced or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer in China. A total of 110 patients were enrolled across exploratory (n=45) and pivotal (n=65) phases, receiving oral savolitinib after progressing on prior systemic therapies; the pivotal phase required MET gene copy number ≥10. The pivotal phase yielded an objective response rate (ORR) of 32.3% (95% CI: 21.2-45.1%), meeting the prespecified efficacy threshold, with grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events in 34.5% of all participants and one (0.9%) treatment-related death. The study concludes that savolitinib displays promising antitumor activity and manageable safety in this population, meriting further randomized trials.
10.1038/s41591-026-04459-7
May 25 – Jun 01, 2026
Tislelizumab plus chemotherapy versus placebo plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment in patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, with or without peritoneal metastases: a post-hoc analysis on RATIONALE-305 study.
ECLINICALMEDICINE · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #11/332
This post-hoc analysis of the randomized, double-blind, phase 3 RATIONALE-305 clinical trial examined the efficacy and safety of tislelizumab plus chemotherapy versus placebo plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment in 997 patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (GC/GEJC), including those with and without peritoneal metastases. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either treatment regimen until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, with outcomes measured as overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and safety. Results showed tislelizumab plus chemotherapy significantly improved OS versus placebo plus chemotherapy in both patient subgroups: HR 0.78 (95% CI, 0.64-0.96) for those with peritoneal metastases and HR 0.79 (95% CI, 0.65-0.95) for those without; PFS benefits were similarly observed. The safety profile was comparable across treatment arms and subgroups.
10.1016/j.eclinm.2026.103980
Zanidatamab with and without Tislelizumab in HER2-Positive Gastroesophageal Cancer.
NEW ENGL J MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/332TOP-TIER
This open-label, randomized phase 3 trial compared first-line zanidatamab plus chemotherapy with or without tislelizumab versus trastuzumab plus chemotherapy in HER2-positive advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. Patients were assigned 1:1:1; primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS); median follow-up was 25.9 months. PFS was longer with zanidatamab regimens (12.4 months in both arms) than with trastuzumab (8.1 months): HR 0.63 (95% CI 0.51–0.78; P<0.001) for zanidatamab+tislelizumab and 0.65 (0.52–0.81; P<0.001) for zanidatamab. OS improved with zanidatamab+tislelizumab (26.4 vs 19.2 months; HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.57–0.90; P=0.004) but not significantly with zanidatamab alone (24.4 months; HR 0.80; P=0.06); grade ≥3 adverse events occurred in 83.3%, 73.8%, and 74.5%, with diarrhea in 24.8%, 20.0%, and 12.9%, respectively.
10.1056/NEJMoa2517729
Pathological Outcomes After Uncertain Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Esophageal Cancer.
ANN SURG · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #10/312
This study investigated pathological outcomes in patients with esophageal cancer exhibiting uncertain tumor response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) within the SANO trial. It included 272 patients with residual tumor suspicion at restaging 4-12 weeks after nCRT, of which 205 underwent esophagectomy: 15% (95% CI 10-20) had a complete pathological response. Non-traversable lesions were associated with the highest complete pathological response rate at 26% (95% CI 17-37), rising to 33% (95% CI 21-48) for those with squamous cell carcinoma. The study concludes that esophagectomy is recommended for most patients with uncertain tumor responses, given that 85% still had residual disease, though non-traversable lesion subgroup outcomes warrant nuanced clinical decision-making.
10.1097/SLA.0000000000007101
Sequential versus concurrent neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a randomized, controlled, open-label, phase 2 trial (HCHTOG1906).
FRONT IMMUNOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #32/183
This open-label, phase II randomized controlled trial (HCHTOG1906) evaluated sequential versus concurrent neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy in 70 patients with resectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Patients were randomized 1:1 to sequential (paclitaxel/cisplatin day 1, toripalimab day 3) or concurrent (all drugs day 1) regimens. The overall pathological complete remission (pCR) rate was 22.2% (12/54), with no significant difference between groups (17.8% vs. 26.9%, P=0.636); however, the concurrent group had significantly higher nausea and diarrhea and more treatment-related deaths (5 vs. 1). There were no significant differences in overall survival (P=0.780) or disease-free survival (P=0.632), leading to the conclusion that while efficacy was similar, concurrent administration increased toxicity and fatal adverse events.
10.3389/fimmu.2026.1770662
May 18 – May 25, 2026
Autologous T Cell Antigen Coupler Targeting HER2 (TAC01-HER2) in Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors.
ANN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #4/326TOP-TIER
This phase 1, first-in-human, open-label dose-escalation and dose-expansion trial evaluated TAC01-HER2, an autologous T-cell antigen-coupler therapy targeting HER2, in 23 patients with advanced or metastatic HER2-positive solid tumors. Patients received escalating doses up to the recommended phase 2 dose of 6–8 × 10⁶ cells/kg; safety (primary) and preliminary antitumor activity were assessed through adverse-event monitoring and RECIST responses. Treatment-related cytokine release syndrome occurred in 60.9 % of patients, anemia and elevated ALT in 21.7 % each; no treatment-related deaths or discontinuations occurred. Among 18 evaluable patients, disease control rate was 61.1 %, with two partial responses in nine gastric/GEJ cancer patients, median progression-free survival 2.6 months (0.8–12.4) and 6-month overall survival 57.9 % (95 % CI 36.3–76.9%), supporting safety, feasibility, and early signs of efficacy for TAC01-HER2 therapy.
10.1016/j.annonc.2026.05.696
Intraperitoneal and Intravenous Paclitaxel Plus S-1 for Gastric Cancer With Peritoneal Metastasis: A Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/326TOP-TIER
Objective: determine whether adding intraperitoneal paclitaxel to intravenous paclitaxel plus S-1 improves overall survival in gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis. Methods: DRAGON-01, multicenter open-label phase 3 RCT in 9 Chinese hospitals (2017–2022; cutoff Mar 11, 2025) enrolled adults with peritoneal-only metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma; randomized 2:1 to IP+IV paclitaxel plus S-1 vs IV paclitaxel plus S-1; primary OS; 222 treated. Results: median OS 19.4 vs 13.9 months (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.50–0.90; P=.01); median PFS 11.2 vs 7.2 months (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.54–0.96); grade 3–4 AEs 38.5% vs 41.9%; no treatment-related deaths. Conclusion: Intraperitoneal paclitaxel added to standard PS improved survival without increasing severe toxicity in first-line treatment.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.1347
Genomic alterations and dynamic molecular residual disease monitoring predict pathological response to neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
FRONT IMMUNOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #32/183
This prospective study enrolled 29 patients with stage II-III esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) receiving neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy (NCIT) with albumin-paclitaxel/carboplatin plus anti-PD-1. Baseline tumor tissues were analyzed via 437-gene targeted sequencing, and serial plasma samples were profiled using a 2365-gene panel for tumor-informed molecular residual disease (MRD) monitoring. Major pathological response (MPR) was significantly associated with baseline TP53 mutations (p=0.014) and higher chromosomal instability score (p=0.032), while absence of MRD and lower ctDNA levels post-NCIT (but not before or during) strongly correlated with MPR. A combined model of baseline TP53 mutation and post-NCIT MRD status achieved superior MPR prediction (AUC=0.954), outperforming either factor alone.
10.3389/fimmu.2026.1681959
May 11 – May 18, 2026
Clinical Performance of Computer-Aided Detection System for Gastric Neoplasms: A Non-Randomized Confirmatory Trial (G-CADe Trial) (With Video).
DIGEST ENDOSC · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #17/312
This multicenter, prospective, non-randomized confirmatory trial evaluated the clinical performance of the computer-aided detection system CAD EYE for detecting gastric neoplasms during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) using white-light (WLI) and linked color imaging (LCI) in four Japanese institutions. A total of 174 lesions (WLI-CAD EYE) and 173 lesions (LCI-CAD EYE) from patients with histologically confirmed gastric neoplasms were analyzed. The overall sensitivities were 92.0% (95% CI: 86.9%-95.5%) for WLI-CAD EYE and 96.5% (95% CI: 92.6%-98.7%) for LCI-CAD EYE, with LCI-CAD EYE exceeding the prespecified threshold. The study concluded that LCI-CAD EYE demonstrated high sensitivity for identifying gastric epithelial neoplasms.
10.1111/den.70172
Long-Term Effect of Helicobacter pylori Eradication on Gastric Atrophy and Intestinal Metaplasia After Endoscopic Resection of Gastric Neoplasm: A Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial.
HELICOBACTER · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #30/147
This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of Helicobacter pylori eradication on gastric atrophy (GA) and intestinal metaplasia (IM) in patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) following endoscopic resection. A randomized controlled trial (470 patients enrolled) followed participants for a median of 5.9 years, assessing GA and IM improvement at the trial closeout. Results showed significantly greater improvement in GA and IM grades among the H. pylori-eradicated group compared to the H. pylori-persistent group, with odds ratios (OR) of 5.81 (95% CI, 3.49–9.68) for GA and 3.23 (95% CI, 1.96–5.33) for IM. The study concluded that H. pylori eradication is associated with long-term histologic improvement in the background gastric mucosa of patients with EGC post-resection.
10.1111/hel.70139
Impact of Pharmacogenetic Markers on the Efficacy of Neoadjuvant FLOT Chemotherapy in Patients with Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma.
INT J MOL SCI · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #72/319
This prospective study evaluated pharmacogenetic markers’ impact on pathological response in 30 Russian patients with locally advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma receiving neoadjuvant FLOT chemotherapy followed by surgery. Polymorphisms in CYP3A5, CYP2C8, ERCC1, and GSTP1 were analyzed. Favorable pathological response (TRG0-2) occurred in 23.3% (7/30) of patients, with 3.3% complete responses, while 76.7% had minimal regression (TRG3-5). ERCC1 (rs11615) Wt/Wt genotype showed significant association with response (OR=8.889, p=0.033), but median PFS differences were not significant (p=0.108). The authors conclude ERCC1 may be a potential pharmacogenetic marker, supporting further research.
10.3390/ijms27094114
Sintilimab plus cisplatin and nab-paclitaxel induction treatment for locally advanced borderline-resectable oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A single-arm, prospective, phase 2 study (NEOCRTEC2001).
CLIN TRANSL MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #47/326
This phase II study assessed the safety and efficacy of sintilimab combined with cisplatin and nab-paclitaxel induction immunochemotherapy followed by surgery in 50 patients with borderline-resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (BR-ESCC). Induction immunochemotherapy resulted in a 56.0% R0 resection rate (95% CI, 41.4-69.1%) and an 18.0% pathological complete response rate. Patients who achieved R0 resection demonstrated superior overall survival (OS; HR 0.25, p=0.001) and progression-free survival (PFS; HR 0.30, p=0.006) compared to non-R0 resection patients. Although the regimen did not significantly enhance surgical conversion rates, it achieved meaningful tumor downstaging and survival improvements in patients meeting R0 resection criteria.
10.1002/ctm2.70691
May 04 – May 11, 2026
Cabozantinib and atezolizumab for recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after platinum-based chemotherapy failure: a single-arm phase II study and biomarker analysis.
CANCER IMMUNOL IMMUN · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #68/326
This single-arm, single-institution phase II clinical trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of cabozantinib (40 mg daily) combined with atezolizumab (1200 mg every 3 weeks) in 24 patients with recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (R/M ESCC) who had progressed after platinum-based chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR), which was 29.1% (95% CI = 11.7%-60.1%), while secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS); median PFS was 2.2 months (95% CI = 0.64-3.76) and median OS was 7 months (95% CI = 2.36-11.64). Median duration of response was 6.5 months (95% CI = 0.9-12.1), and 50% of patients experienced ≥ grade 3 treatment-related adverse events. The study concluded that the combination therapy demonstrated an acceptable safety profile and moderate antitumor activity as second-line treatment for these patients.
10.1007/s00262-026-04408-w
The therapeutic effect of novel endoscopic submucosal dissection with lymph node dissection surgery on T1 ESCC: A single center, prospective, and nested case-control study.
BMC MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #19/332
This prospective, nested case-control trial compares three treatments (endoscopic submucosal dissection, dual-scopy combined surgery, and radical surgery) for T1 early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. It enrolls 21 patients in dual-scopy combined surgery, 197 in ESD, and 213 in radical surgery. Primary endpoints included overall survival, recurrence-free survival, and disease-specific survival, with dual-scopy demonstrating similar survival outcomes and fewer complications compared to radical surgery. The study concludes that for T1 ESCC patients without clear metastasis, dual-scopy offers comparable efficacy with reduced hospitalization time, costs, and better quality of life.
10.1186/s12916-026-04899-5
Zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy in Japanese patients with claudin 18.2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: a combined subgroup analysis of the phase 3 SPOTLIGHT and GLOW trials.
GASTRIC CANCER · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #25/147
This study is a combined subgroup analysis of two global, double-blind, phase 3 trials (SPOTLIGHT and GLOW) evaluating zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy versus placebo plus chemotherapy in 116 Japanese patients with CLDN18.2-positive, HER2-negative, locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) was a key secondary endpoint. Results showed improved PFS (20.53 months vs. 8.28 months) and OS (23.06 months vs. 16.53 months) in the zolbetuximab group, with no new safety signals. The authors conclude zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy is a potential new standard-of-care first-line option for this Japanese patient population.
10.1007/s10120-026-01738-7
Efficacy and safety of disitamab vedotin (RC48) combined with camrelizumab and S-1 for neoadjuvant therapy of locally advanced gastric cancer with HER2-overexpressing: Preliminary results of a prospective, single-arm, phase II study.
CLIN TRANSL MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #47/326
This prospective, single-arm phase II clinical trial assessed the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant disitamab vedotin (RC48) combined with camrelizumab and S-1 in 32 patients with histologically confirmed, HER2-overexpressing, resectable locally advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer (cT3-4aN1-3M0). Participants underwent three 3-weekly cycles of the regimen before surgery, with primary and secondary endpoints including pathological complete response (pCR), major pathological response (MPR), objective response rate (ORR), tumour downstaging, disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and safety; a ctDNA sub-study explored molecular response dynamics. Results showed an ORR of 80% (24/30), pCR of 25% (6/24), MPR of 45.8% (11/24), R0 resection rate of 100%, and grade ≥3 adverse events in 31.3%. The combination therapy demonstrated strong antitumour activity, manageable safety, and promising molecular response monitoring.
10.1002/ctm2.70679
A phase II trial of ramucirumab and docetaxel as second-line treatment for patients with advanced gastric cancer (HGCSG 1903).
GASTRIC CANCER · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #25/147
This study is a multicenter, single-arm phase II trial investigating the efficacy and safety of ramucirumab and docetaxel as a second-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer (AGC) in patients refractory or intolerant to primary treatment. Thirty-five patients received ramucirumab 8 mg/kg on days 1 and 15, and docetaxel 60 mg/m² on day 1 of a 28-day cycle. Primary efficacy results include an overall response rate (ORR) of 25.7% (90% CI: 14.1-40.6) and median progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of 3.1 months (95% CI: 2.1-4.2) and 11.5 months (95% CI: 9.2-13.9), respectively. While the treatment demonstrated measurable efficacy with manageable adverse events, including neutropenia and febrile neutropenia, primary G-CSF prophylaxis reduced complications, warranting further consideration for AGC second-line therapy options.
10.1007/s10120-026-01751-w
Apr 20 – Apr 27, 2026
Fraction dose escalation of split-course concurrent chemoradiotherapy following induction chemo-immunotherapy in unresectable locally advanced oesophageal squamous carcinoma in China (GASTO-10102): a single-centre phase 1 study.
ECLINICALMEDICINE · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #11/332
This single-centre, phase 1, prospective clinical trial evaluated the safety and optimal hypofractionated radiotherapy schedule for unresectable locally advanced oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma in China. Eighteen treatment-naïve patients received two cycles of induction albumin-bound paclitaxel, cisplatin, and toripalimab, followed by split-course volumetric-modulated arc radiotherapy plus capecitabine in three sequential dose-escalation cohorts (30 Gy/10 f + 20 Gy/10 f; 28 Gy/7 f + 22 Gy/10 f; 25 Gy/5 f + 25 Gy/10 f). No maximum tolerated fraction dose was reached; the highest level was well tolerated with grade 3 lymphopenia in 72.2% and esophagitis in 11.1%, and there were no grade 4–5 toxicities. Objective response after induction therapy was 100%, clinical complete response after chemoradiotherapy was 83.3%, and 1-year progression-free and overall survival rates were 88.9% and 94.4%, respectively. The regimen demonstrated feasible safety and promising efficacy, warranting larger prospective evaluation.
10.1016/j.eclinm.2026.103893
Consolidative camrelizumab following definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy with involved-field irradiation in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a single-arm phase 2 trial.
INT J RADIAT ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/212
This single-arm phase II clinical trial evaluated consolidation camrelizumab (200 mg IV q2w for 12 months) following definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (dCCRT) in 32 patients with unresectable, locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS); secondary endpoints included disease control rate (DCR), objective response rate (ORR), duration of response, overall survival (OS), and safety. As of July 25, 2025, the DCR was 59.4%, with 1-, 2-, and 3-year PFS rates of 81.3%, 62.5%, and 62.5%, and OS rates of 96.9%, 77.7%, and 63.0%, respectively; median PFS and OS were not reached. The treatment exhibited manageable toxicity, with most adverse events being grade 1-2 and no treatment-related deaths.
10.1016/j.ijrobp.2026.04.026
Neoadjuvant toripalimab plus CapeOX in locally advanced Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: a phase Ⅱ trial.
NAT COMMUN · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #10/135TOP-TIER
This phase II prospective clinical trial enrolled 17 patients with locally advanced Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma to receive four cycles of neoadjuvant toripalimab plus capecitabine/oxaliplatin. The primary endpoint was major pathological response, while secondary endpoints included pathological complete response, R0 resection, adverse events, event-free survival, overall survival, and tumor microenvironment assessments via immunofluorescence. Major pathological response and pathological complete response were achieved in 37.5% (6/16) and 25.0% (4/16) of patients, respectively, with 35.3% experiencing grade 3-4 adverse events. The study concluded that neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy demonstrated favorable efficacy and a manageable safety profile in this patient population.
10.1038/s41467-026-72059-7
Maintenance capecitabine after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy in advanced oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma: final analysis from the PLATFORM trial.
BRIT J CANCER · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #47/326
This adaptive phase II clinical trial randomized 266 HER2-negative advanced oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma patients who had disease control after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy to receive either maintenance capecitabine or surveillance. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), with secondary endpoints of overall survival (OS) and safety; median follow-up was 70.7 months. Capecitabine significantly improved PFS (HR 0.69; 95% CI 0.54-0.89; p = 0.002), with median PFS of 5.0 vs 2.8 months and one-year PFS rates of 19.9% vs 6.8%, but no significant OS difference was observed. The trial concluded that maintenance capecitabine extends disease control while increasing grade ≥3 adverse events, suggesting its benefits in prolonging PFS in advanced OGA.
10.1038/s41416-026-03448-4
Envafolimab combined with lenvatinib and albumin-bound paclitaxel in previously treated advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) adenocarcinoma: a prospective, phase II, multi-cohort trial.
CANCER IMMUNOL IMMUN · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #68/326
This prospective, phase II, single-center, open-label trial explored the efficacy and safety of envafolimab combined with lenvatinib and albumin-bound paclitaxel in 30 patients with advanced HER2-negative G/GEJ adenocarcinoma. Among patients who had not previously received PD-1/L1 inhibitors (Group A), the ORR was 60.0%, DCR was 100.0%, mPFS was 8.2 months, and mOS was 14.8 months. For those previously treated with PD-1 inhibitors (Group B), the ORR was 46.7%, DCR was 100.0%, mPFS was 5.9 months, and mOS was 11.5 months. The study concludes that this second-line combination therapy is promising, particularly for PD-1/L1 inhibitor-naive patients, with high overall adverse event rates (100% any grade).
10.1007/s00262-026-04373-4
Apr 06 – Apr 13, 2026
Perioperative Outcomes from a Phase II Study of Robotic Cytoreduction and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) for Patients with Gastric Cancer and Limited Peritoneal Metastasis: ROBO-CHIP Trial.
ANN SURG ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #39/312
This prospective phase II single-arm clinical trial evaluated perioperative outcomes of robotic cytoreduction and HIPEC in 18 patients with limited peritoneal metastatic gastric cancer following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients underwent laparoscopic HIPEC, robotic cytoreduction, gastrectomy, and further HIPEC, using paclitaxel and cisplatin, with primary outcome hospital length of stay (LOS) and secondary outcomes including 90-day complications, readmission, reoperation, and mortality. The median LOS was 5 days (IQR 4-6), complete cytoreduction was achieved in all patients, median operative time was 688 min (642-722 min), 38.9% experienced major morbidity, 27.8% were readmitted, and there was a single 90-day death (5.6%). The investigators concluded that robotic cytoreduction, gastrectomy, and HIPEC are associated with favorable perioperative outcomes and reduced recovery times compared to traditional open methods, in this patient population.
10.1245/s10434-026-19519-y
Tislelizumab Combined With Induction Chemotherapy and Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Multicenter, Randomized, Phase II Trial (EC-CRT-002).
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding tislelizumab to induction chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT), with or without maintenance immunotherapy, in patients with unresectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase II trial involved 114 patients randomly assigned to two groups: group A received two cycles of induction chemotherapy followed by CRT with tislelizumab for 16 cycles, while group B received four cycles of tislelizumab (two induction and two concurrent). Group B showed significantly better progression-free survival (1-year: 71.9% vs. 56.4%; HR, 0.54) and overall survival (HR, 0.42) compared to historical controls, while group A showed no PFS benefit (1-year: 52.6%; HR, 1.06). The study concluded that tislelizumab combined with induction chemotherapy and CRT without maintenance immunotherapy demonstrated superior efficacy and manageable toxicity in locally advanced ESCC.
10.1200/JCO-25-03044
A first-in-human phase 1 clinical trial evaluating clinical activity and proof-of-mechanism of tobemstomig, a PD1-LAG3 bispecific antibody, in patients with CPI-experienced melanoma.
CLIN CANCER RES · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #29/326TOP-TIER
This study is a first-in-human, open-label, phase 1 clinical trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary antitumor activity of the PD1-LAG3 bispecific antibody, tobemstomig, in patients with advanced and/or metastatic solid tumors. The study included 35 patients in the dose-escalation phase and 69 patients in the expansion phase, across various tumor types. Partial responses were observed in 15% (6/41) of CPI-experienced melanoma patients and proof-of-mechanism was demonstrated by increased CD8+ T cell activity, among other immunological effects. Tobemstomig demonstrated a tolerable safety profile with a recommended dose established at 2100 mg Q2W, supporting further investigation in earlier disease settings.
10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-25-4478
Mar 30 – Apr 06, 2026
Robot-assisted versus conventional minimally invasive oesophagectomy for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (RAMIE): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3, non-inferiority trial.
LANCET GASTROENTEROL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/147TOP-TIER
This was a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial aiming to confirm non-inferiority in overall survival between robot-assisted oesophagectomy versus thoracoscopic oesophagectomy in patients with resectable oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Participants aged 18–75 with biopsy-proven tumours were randomly assigned 1:1 and followed for a median of 71.5 months, with 5-year overall survival as the primary endpoint. In intention-to-treat analysis, robot-assisted oesophagectomy demonstrated a 5-year overall survival of 69.4% (95% CI 62.1–75.6) versus 56.2% (95% CI 48.5–63.2), indicating non-inferiority (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.51–0.97; one-sided p=0.0001) and potential superiority. The authors concluded that robot-assisted oesophagectomy was non-inferior, and seemingly superior, to thoracoscopic oesophagectomy in terms of 5-year overall survival.
10.1016/S2468-1253(25)00402-9