The ASCO Post

According to findings from the prospective multicenter LAANTERN study reported by Leuthardt et al in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) may offer a minimally invasive cytoreductive option for selected patients with primary and metastatic brain tumors, with outcomes influenced by the extent of ablation and tumor size. The study represents the largest prospective evaluation of LITT for intracranial tumors to date.

A comparative study of the cancer clinical trial portfolios supported by federal funding vs industry funding reveals they have distinct, interdependent roles in cancer research. The findings were published by Unger et al in JAMA Oncology.

A tissue-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assay was strongly prognostic for recurrence in patients treated for triple-negative breast cancer and provided a lead time to recurrence comparable to that of a multivariant tumor-informed assay, according to findings from a prognostic study published by Cunningham et al in JAMA Oncology.

Researchers have reported that a chemotherapy-free combination of four targeted therapies showed encouraging results in patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, offering a potential first-line treatment option that may be more convenient for some patients.

A blood-based assay combining cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragmentomics with droplet digital PCR–based methylation analysis improved detection of early-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) and precancerous lesions, according to findings presented at the 2026 ASCO Breakthrough meeting in Singapore. In this study, fragmentomics referred to patterns in cfDNA fragments, including fragment length, end motifs, and nucleosome footprinting.

ASCO joins the oncology community in mourning the death of Harold P. Freeman, MD, a world-renowned expert on and advocate for health equity and the pioneer of patient navigation services in oncology. Dr. Freeman passed away on August 11, 2026; he was 93. After completing medical training at Howard University Medical School, Howard University Hospital, and Memorial Sloan Kettering, Dr. Freeman began his career as a surgical oncologist at Harlem Hospital Center in 1967, where he worked until 2000.

In the international phase III NRG-GU005 trial, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) improved bowel-related quality of life vs moderately hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in patients with favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer. However, Ellis et al reported in JAMA that SBRT did not improve urinary irritative/obstructive–related quality of life or demonstrate superior cancer control. “The treatment of prostate cancer with radiotherapy is evolving.

Andrés M. Bur, MD, FACS, has been named Chief of the Division of Head and Neck Surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery at WashU Medicine and Co-Director of the Robert Ebert and Greg Stubblefield Head and Neck Tumor Center at Siteman Cancer Center, based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine. He will co-lead the Head and Neck Tumor Center at Siteman alongside fellow Directors and WashU Medicine physicians Douglas R. Adkins, MD, a medical oncologist, and Wade L.

Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) frequently experienced unplanned hospital readmission or death within 30 days after discharge following induction chemotherapy, according to findings reported by Chae et al in JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics. The investigators found that incorporating comorbidities and symptom information extracted from clinical notes into electronic health record (EHR)-based models improved the ability to identify patients at risk for these adverse outcomes.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most transformative technological advancements of our time, poised to revolutionize every aspect of our lives, including health care. On August 28, Cleveland Clinic, in collaboration with the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), will host the Second AI Summit for Health-Care Professionals at the InterContinental Hotel in Cleveland. Cleveland Clinic President Scott R.