Pembrolizumab and olaparib delayed growth in advanced ovarian cancer

In a trial of 1,367 people with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer, pembrolizumab with chemotherapy followed by pembrolizumab and olaparib kept cancer from growing for 22.1 months, versus 14.6 months with the control regimen. Overall survival did not improve.

What this means. A large, final-stage trial in ovarian cancer. This is the kind of result regulators use when deciding whether to approve a treatment.

New therapy reduced chronic graft-versus-host disease after blood cancer transplants

In a phase 3 trial, people receiving donor stem cell transplants got an engineered graft that reduced moderate-to-severe chronic graft-versus-host disease and deaths without cancer relapse. The source gives no number for the reduction.

What this means. Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people having a donor stem cell transplant, mostly for blood cancers. Doctors can now prescribe it outside a trial.

Chemotherapy boosted cancer vaccine effects in lab studies

In lab studies, researchers found carboplatin plus paclitaxel or cyclophosphamide improved viral cancer vaccines. Patient samples from different cancer types also showed an early rise in a type of immune cell after carboplatin plus paclitaxel.

“Together, these findings identify a TCF1-dependent mechanism underlying the immune adjuvant effect of chemotherapy and provide a rationale for clinical evaluation of this triple combination therapy.”

What this means. Lab or animal research on several cancer types. Not yet tested as a treatment in people; many lab results never reach patients.

Urine RNA test detected localized bladder cancer

Researchers tested 683 urine samples from people with cancer and controls. The test found 95% of localized bladder cancers and also predicted response to bladder treatment.

What this means. Based on data or samples from people with bladder cancer. It is not a treatment trial.

Tovorafenib led to responses in melanoma and other solid tumors

In a phase II trial, 23 people aged 12 or older with recurrent or resistant melanoma or other solid tumors received tovorafenib. Their tumors responded in 43% of cases.

“Tovorafenib demonstrated single-agent clinical activity in solid tumors with BRAF fusions or CRAF fusions or amplification and had a manageable safety profile.”

What this means. A mid-stage trial in several cancer types. Good results at this stage usually still need a larger trial before approval.

Blood test linked to response in rectal cancer

In people with early rectal cancer, blood tests found cancer DNA in 8.7% after chemotherapy, down from 45.8% before treatment. Those who still tested positive were more likely to have persistent cancer.

“circulating tumour DNA testing identified cancers with inadequate response to chemotherapy in patients for whom TME was recommended.”

What this means. A mid-stage trial in bowel cancer. Good results at this stage usually still need a larger trial before approval.

ScanTCR detected several cancers using blood samples

Researchers tested a computer tool on blood from people with cancer and people without it. It distinguished patients across seven cancer types using patterns in immune cells.

What this means. Based on data or samples from people with several cancer types. It is not a treatment trial.