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Articles by Meg Barbor
Iberdomide Triplet Improves MRD-Negative Complete Response in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma
Iberdomide combined with daratumumab and dexamethasone nearly doubled the rate of minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative complete response compared with daratumumab, bortezomib, and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Lonial et al reported the primary MRD analysis of the phase III EXCALIBER-RRMM trial in The Lancet Oncology. The trial has two primary endpoints: MRD-negative complete response and progression-free survival.
Chronic Immune-Related Adverse Events Common After Adjuvant Anti–PD-1 Therapy for Melanoma
Nearly half of patients with resected high-risk melanoma treated with adjuvant anti–PD-1 therapy developed chronic immune-related adverse events, and more than one-third still had ongoing toxicity after a median follow-up of more than 5 years. Roma A. Kankaria, MD, and colleagues reported the findings in JAMA Network Open. Immune checkpoint inhibitors can produce durable benefit in melanoma, but they can also cause immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that persist after treatment ends.
Anitocabtagene Autoleucel Shows High Response Rate in Heavily Pretreated Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma
Anitocabtagene autoleucel (anito-cel), an investigational B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, produced responses in all treated patients in a phase I study of heavily pretreated relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, with 79% achieving a complete response. Frigault et al reported the findings in The New England Journal of Medicine. Anito-cel uses a synthetic d-domain binder designed to detach from BCMA relatively quickly after binding.
Starting Surveillance Colonoscopy After High-Risk Adenoma Removal: When Is the Right Time?
Surveillance colonoscopy at 5 years after removal of high-risk adenomas was noninferior to surveillance at 3 years in terms of colorectal cancer incidence during the first 5 years after adenoma removal, according to an interim analysis of the randomized EPoS II trial reported by Jover et al in The New England Journal of Medicine. Current guidelines recommend that patients with high-risk adenomas undergo their first surveillance colonoscopy 3 years after polyp removal.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Use Linked to Lower Colorectal Cancer Risk in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Use of GLP-1 receptor agonist was significantly associated with a lower 5-year incidence of colorectal cancer among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including those with concomitant type 2 diabetes, according to findings presented at the 2026 ASCO Breakthrough Meeting in Singapore.1 In a matched retrospective analysis using the TriNetX database, the 5-year incidence of colorectal cancer was 0.20% among GLP-1 receptor agonist users vs 0.43% among nonusers in the overall IBD...
Replacing Intensive Chemotherapy With Blinatumomab Improves Outcomes in High-Risk Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Replacing two cycles of intensive chemotherapy with blinatumomab significantly improved event-free survival in children with newly diagnosed high-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), while also reducing several serious treatment-related toxicities. Schrappe et al reported results from the phase III AIEOP-BFM ALL 2017 trial in The New England Journal of Medicine. Blinatumomab is a bispecific T-cell engager that targets CD19 on B cells.
AI-Extracted Chart Data for Expanding Surgical Oncology Learnings
Large language models (LLMs) are capable of extracting structured data directly from electronic medical records, expanding data sets available for research, training, and developing artificial intelligence (AI) models. In a session on operating rooms of the future at Cleveland Clinic’s A.I. Summit for Healthcare Professionals, Christopher J.
Wildfire-Related Fine Particulate Matter Linked to Higher Mortality in Older Patients With Lung Cancer
Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke was associated with a higher risk of death among older patients with lung cancer, and wildfire-related particulate matter appeared more harmful than nonwildfire air pollution at the same exposure level. Zhang et al reported the findings from a large SEER-Medicare cohort study in The Lancet Oncology. Wildfire smoke is becoming an increasingly important source of fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, in the United States.
Pembrolizumab/Olaparib Strategy in BRCA -Nonmutated Advanced Ovarian Cancer
A pembrolizumab/olaparib strategy significantly improved progression-free survival in patients with newly diagnosed BRCA-nonmutated advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, although overall survival was not improved. Ignace Vergote, MD, PhD, and colleagues reported results from the phase III ENGOT-OV43/GOG-3036/KEYLYNK-001 trial, which evaluated pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy followed by pembrolizumab/olaparib maintenance, in The Lancet Oncology.
New Prognostic Model May Improve Risk Classification in Metastatic Clear Cell RCC
A new prognostic model developed for the checkpoint inhibitor era showed better discrimination of survival outcomes in patients with previously untreated metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) than the widely used International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) model. The findings, reported by Anke Richters, PhD, and colleagues, were published in The Lancet Oncology.
Bivalent CAR T-Cell Therapy Shows No Delayed Toxicity and Promising Survival in Recurrent Glioblastoma
Longer follow-up from a phase I trial of intracerebroventricular bivalent CAR T-cell therapy in recurrent glioblastoma showed no long-term or delayed-onset toxicities, with a median overall survival of 12.0 months, according to updated data presented at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting. The investigational CAR T-cell therapy, CART-EGFR-IL13Rα2, targets epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) epitope 806 and IL13Rα2.
Computer vision could turn surgical video into actionable clinical data
Artificial intelligence could make surgical video useful for far more than documenting a procedure after the fact, according to research presented at Cleveland Clinic’s AI Summit for Healthcare Professionals.
Daraxonrasib Shows Antitumor Activity in Previously Treated RAS-Mutant NSCLC
Daraxonrasib produced responses in more than 30% of patients with previously treated advanced RAS-mutant non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with activity observed across multiple RAS mutations in a phase I/II study. Results from Kathryn C. Arbour, MD, David S. Hong, MD, and colleagues were published in The New England Journal of Medicine. RAS mutations occur in approximately 30% of patients with NSCLC, but most RAS-mutant tumors have mutations for which no targeted therapies are approved.
Trastuzumab Rezetecan Improves Progression-Free Survival in Chemotherapy-Refractory HER2-Positive Advanced Colorectal Cancer
The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–directed antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab rezetecan significantly improved progression-free survival and produced higher response rates compared with standard-of-care therapy in patients with chemotherapy-refractory, HER2-positive, RAS/RAF wild-type advanced colorectal cancer, according to results from the phase III HORIZON-CRC-01 trial presented at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting.
Excess Mortality Halts Trial of Venetoclax Added to DA-EPOCH-R in Double-Hit Lymphoma
Adding venetoclax to dose-adjusted EPOCH-R (DA-EPOCH-R) did not improve progression-free survival and resulted in excess toxicity and mortality among patients with newly diagnosed double-hit lymphoma, prompting early closure of the double-hit lymphoma cohort of the randomized ALLIANCE A051701 trial. Results reported by Abramson et al were published in The Lancet Haematology.
ASCO Breakthrough Studies Target Supportive Care Problems That Can Derail Treatment
Three studies presented at the 2026 ASCO Breakthrough conference in Singapore focused on problems that can derail cancer care even when treatment is otherwise on track: nausea after starting morphine, continued smoking after a cancer diagnosis, and unrecognized frailty in older adults. Although the studies had little in common clinically, each addressed a practical question. Could a single dose of dexamethasone reduce nausea during morphine initiation?
Plant-Based Diet Linked to Lower Risk of Prostate Cancer Progression on Active Surveillance
For many men with low-risk prostate cancer, active surveillance means living with cancer while delaying—or potentially avoiding—surgery or radiation therapy.
Azacitidine/Venetoclax Improves Event-Free Survival in Fit Patients With AML
Azacitidine plus venetoclax significantly prolonged event-free survival compared with intensive induction chemotherapy in previously untreated patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who were eligible for induction therapy. Results of the randomized phase II PARADIGM trial, led by Fathi et al, were published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
AI could turn every surgical patient into an 'information donor'
Clinical research and surgical decision-making often rely on data from only a fraction of the patients treated in everyday practice. Christopher J. Weight, MD, MS, noted that large language models (LLMs) could help change that by extracting structured data directly from electronic medical records, making it possible to learn from far more patients.
Adjuvant Alectinib Maintains Quality of Life During 2 Years of Treatment in Resected ALK -Positive NSCLC
Adjuvant alectinib was associated with early improvements in health-related quality of life that were maintained over 2 years of treatment in patients with resected ALK-positive non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The new analysis of the phase III ALINA trial, reported by Dziadziuszko et al in The Lancet Oncology, also found a manageable safety profile with alectinib despite its substantially longer treatment duration compared with chemotherapy.
Long-Term Trial Supports Selective Use of Extended Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection in High-Grade Prostate Cancer
Extended pelvic lymph node dissection has long been used during radical prostatectomy to improve staging in men with higher-risk prostate cancer. Whether the more extensive operation also improves cancer outcomes has been less clear. New long-term randomized data presented at the 2026 American Urological Association Annual Meeting suggest the answer may depend on which patients are being treated.
Envafolimab Regimen Improves Pathologic Complete Response in MSS Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Adding the subcutaneous PD-L1 blocker envafolimab to short-course radiotherapy and CAPEOX (capecitabine and oxaliplatin) improved pathologic complete response (pCR) without a clear safety or surgical feasibility penalty in patients with microsatellite-stable (MSS) locally advanced rectal cancer, according to an interim analysis of the randomized phase III PRECAM-R trial.1 The study, presented at the 2026 ASCO Breakthrough Meeting by Yiming Lv, MD, of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang...
cfDNA Fragmentomics Plus Methylation Analysis May Improve Detection of Precancerous Colorectal Lesions
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.
Long-Course Chemoradiotherapy Shows Early Organ Preservation Advantage in Rectal Cancer
Long-course chemoradiotherapy resulted in superior 12-month total mesorectal excision–free survival compared with short-course radiotherapy in the STAR-TREC trial. The interim analysis, led by Simon P. Bach, FRCS, and colleagues and published in The Lancet Oncology, included patients pursuing organ preservation for early- and intermediate-stage rectal cancer.
Dual Oral Regimen Shows Encouraging Activity in KRAS G12C–Mutated Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
The first clinical evaluation of the chemotherapy-free combination of ifebemtinib and garsorasib showed encouraging antitumor activity in patients with previously treated KRAS G12C–mutated metastatic colorectal cancer, although the improvement in objective response rate over garsorasib alone did not reach statistical significance. The findings from the phase Ib/II trial, led by Song et al, were published in The Lancet Oncology.
Osimertinib Plus Chemotherapy Significantly Extends Progression-Free Survival in EGFR/TP53 -Mutated NSCLC
Adding chemotherapy to first-line osimertinib more than doubled median progression-free survival in patients with advanced EGFR-mutated non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring concurrent TP53 mutations. The findings come from a phase III randomized trial led by Zhou et al and published in JAMA. Median progression-free survival was 34 months with osimertinib plus chemotherapy vs 15.6 months with osimertinib alone.
High-Dose Vitamin D3 Does Not Improve PFS in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Adding high-dose vitamin D3 to standard chemotherapy plus bevacizumab did not improve progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), according to results from the phase III SOLARIS trial led by Kimmie Ng, MD, MPH, and colleagues and published in JAMA. Median PFS was 11.8 months with high-dose vitamin D3 vs 10.3 months with standard-dose vitamin D3.
cfDNA Fragmentomics Plus Methylation Analysis May Improve Detection of Precancerous Colorectal Lesions
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.
Preoperative Weight-Loss Program Shows Feasibility Before Endometrial Cancer Surgery
A short-term, intensive weight-loss program before surgery was feasible and produced meaningful weight loss in women with endometrial cancer and excess weight in the randomized ENDO-CARE trial. The intervention was also associated with fewer postoperative complications, although the study was not designed to determine whether weight loss definitively reduces surgical complications. The findings were reported by Koutoukidis et al in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health.
Metabolic Syndrome Frequently Documented During First Year of ADT-ARPI Therapy in Prostate Cancer
Metabolic abnormalities were frequently documented during the first year after men with prostate cancer began concurrent androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI), according to a large retrospective cohort study led by Amy L. Shaver, PhD, PharmD, MPH, and colleagues and published in JAMA Oncology. Nearly 40% of patients had newly documented metabolic syndrome within 12 months, underscoring the need for early metabolic monitoring during treatment.
Rezatapopt Shows Activity in TP53 Y220C–Mutated Advanced Ovarian Cancer
Single-agent rezatapopt produced “very deep and durable responses” in heavily pretreated patients with TP53 Y220C–mutated advanced ovarian cancer, according to updated results from the pivotal phase II PYNNACLE trial presented at the 2026 ASCO Breakthrough meeting in Singapore. The analysis was presented by Tira J. Tan, BSc, MBBS, from the Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore.
Rezatapopt Shows Activity in TP53 Y220C–Mutated Advanced Ovarian Cancer
Single-agent rezatapopt produced “very deep and durable responses” in heavily pretreated patients with TP53 Y220C–mutated advanced ovarian cancer, according to updated results from the pivotal phase II PYNNACLE trial presented at the 2026 ASCO Breakthrough meeting in Singapore. The analysis was presented by Tira J. Tan, BSc, MBBS, from the Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore.
Adding Irinotecan to Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy Does Not Improve Outcomes in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
In the phase III ARISTOTLE trial, adding irinotecan to preoperative capecitabine-based chemoradiotherapy did not improve disease-free survival in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, and was also associated with substantially more severe toxicity. The findings were reported by Sebag-Montefiore et al in The Lancet Oncology. Study Details The multicenter, open-label, randomized phase III trial was conducted at 75 hospitals in the United Kingdom.
Early Intravesical Pirarubicin Improves Relapse-Free Survival in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma
A single intravesical dose of the antracycline pirarubicin administered within 24 hours after radical nephroureterectomy significantly improved relapse-free survival in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma. The benefit was driven mainly by fewer new bladder tumors after surgery, while overall survival was unchanged. The phase III JCOG1403 trial was reported by Ito et al in The Lancet Oncology.
Darovasertib Plus Crizotinib May Set New First-Line Standard in HLA-A2–Negative Metastatic Uveal Melanoma
First-line treatment with darovasertib plus crizotinib significantly improved progression-free survival and response rates compared with investigator’s choice of treatment in patients with HLA-A2–negative metastatic uveal melanoma, according to primary results from the phase IIb portion of the OptimUM-02 trial presented at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting.1 “These results support a potential new therapeutic standard for a disease with limited treatment options and poor prognosis,” said Marlana...
Cretostimogene Grenadenorepvec in BCG-Unresponsive Non–Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
In the phase III BOND-003 Cohort C trial, intravesical cretostimogene grenadenorepvec, an oncolytic immunotherapy, produced complete responses in three-quarters of patients with high-risk, bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive, non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ. Among responders, many responses were maintained through 2 years, and treatment-related adverse events were predominantly mild and transient.
Teclistamab Improves Progression-Free and Overall Survival in Previously Treated Multiple Myeloma
In the phase III MajesTEC-9 trial, monotherapy with the bispecific antibody teclistamab kept disease under control substantially longer and improved overall survival compared with investigator’s choice of pomalidomide/bortezomib/dexamethasone (PVd) or carfilzomib/dexamethasone (Kd) in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) multiple myeloma. However, the benefit came with more serious infections and other toxicities.
Durvalumab Plus BCG Improves Outcomes in High-Risk Non–Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
Adding the PD-L1 inhibitor durvalumab to bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) induction and maintenance therapy delayed high-risk events and improved cystectomy-free survival in patients with BCG-naive, high-risk non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), according to expanded analyses from the phase III POTOMAC trial.1 The findings were presented by Neal D.
Trastuzumab Rezetecan Improves Progression-Free Survival in HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer
In the phase III HORIZON-Breast01 trial, the HER2-directed antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab rezetecan significantly improved progression-free survival and showed a distinct safety profile vs pyrotinib plus capecitabine in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. The interim analysis, reported by Yao et al in The Lancet Oncology, included patients previously treated with trastuzumab and a taxane. Study Details The multicenter, open-label, randomized trial was conducted at 50 hospitals in China.
HRR-Altered Metastatic Prostate Cancer: Talazoparib Plus Enzalutamide Improves Progression-Free Survival
In the phase III TALAPRO-3 trial, adding talazoparib to enzalutamide significantly improved imaging-based progression-free survival in patients with metastatic androgen pathway modulation–sensitive prostate cancer—also known as metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer—harboring homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene alterations. Agarwal et al reported the findings in The New England Journal of Medicine.
HER2-Targeted Regimen Yields High Pathologic Complete Response Rate in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer
A human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–targeted regimen achieved high pathologic complete response rates before surgery in patients with locally advanced HER2-positive breast cancer, according to results from the single-arm phase II neoPICD trial. The findings were highlighted during a press briefing ahead of the 2026 ASCO Breakthrough Meeting, held June 25 to June 27 in Singapore.
Enfortumab Vedotin Plus Pembrolizumab Improves Outcomes in Cisplatin-Eligible Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
In the phase III KEYNOTE-B15/EV-304 trial, perioperative enfortumab vedotin-ejfv plus pembrolizumab significantly improved event-free survival, overall survival, and pathologic complete response compared with the long-standing standard approach of neoadjuvant cisplatin plus gemcitabine in cisplatin-eligible muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The trial was reported in The New England Journal of Medicine by Galsky et al.
Transplant Consolidation Improves Survival in Primary CNS Lymphoma
In the largest randomized trial in untreated primary central nervous system lymphoma to date, high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem-cell transplantation improved progression-free and overall survival compared with nonmyeloablative consolidation in patients who responded to MATRix induction therapy. The phase III MATRix/IELSG43 trial was reported in The Lancet by Illerhaus et al.
Pirtobrutinib Triplet Improves Progression-Free Survival in Previously Treated CLL
In the randomized phase III BRUIN CLL-322 trial, adding fixed-duration pirtobrutinib, a non-covalent Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, to venetoclax-rituximab significantly improved progression-free survival in patients with previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma, including those previously treated with covalent BTK inhibitors.
Encourage Your Patients to Participate! US-Based Clinical Trials That Are Actively Recruiting in Sarcoma Cancer
Clinical trial recruitment and retention remain challenges in the quest to bring innovative therapies to all patients in need. In oncology, therapies continue to evolve, yet researchers are frequently faced with low trial participation, particularly among minority groups.
Proton Pump Inhibitor, Antibiotic Exposure Linked to Worse Durvalumab Outcomes in Unresectable Stage III NSCLC
As reported in The Lancet Oncology by Brunetti et al, a post hoc analysis of the phase III PACIFIC trial showed that baseline exposure to proton pump inhibitors and antibiotics was associated with inferior outcomes among patients with unresectable stage III non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with durvalumab after chemoradiotherapy, but not among those who received placebo.
Proton Pump Inhibitor, Antibiotic Exposure Linked to Inferior Durvalumab Outcomes in Unresectable Stage III NSCLC
As reported in The Lancet Oncology by Brunetti et al, a post hoc analysis of the phase III PACIFIC trial showed that baseline exposure to proton pump inhibitors and antibiotics was associated with inferior outcomes among patients with unresectable stage III non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with durvalumab after chemoradiotherapy, but not among those who received placebo.
Dabrafenib Plus Trametinib Improves Progression-Free Survival in BRAF V600E–Positive Differentiated Thyroid Cancer
In a global phase III trial reported in The Lancet Oncology by Gao et al, dabrafenib plus trametinib significantly improved progression-free survival and overall response rate compared with placebo in previously treated patients with locally advanced or metastatic, radioactive iodine–refractory, BRAF V600E–positive differentiated thyroid cancer.
Palliative Care Integrated at Diagnosis Improves QOL for Patients With Breast Cancer in India
Early integration of palliative, or supportive, care at the time of breast cancer diagnosis improved quality of life more than on-demand palliative care in a randomized trial of patients in India. The research was highlighted in a press briefing for the 2026 ASCO Breakthrough Meeting in Singapore. The prospective trial enrolled 110 patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer at a single hospital in India, most of whom had advanced-stage disease.
Cancer Survivors and Providers Differ on Cannabis Risk Awareness and Communication
As reported in the Journal of Cancer Education by Kim et al, parallel surveys of cancer survivors and cancer care providers showed gaps in risk awareness and communication about cannabis use. underscoring the need for open, nonjudgmental dialogue and clinical guidance.
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