Chimeric antigen receptor therapy helped in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

In phase III trials, people with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma that resisted or quickly returned after treatment had longer cancer control with chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. At four years, 52% given lisocabtagene maraleucel had no cancer growth, versus less than 25% with standard care.

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

BNT113 vaccine failed to delay head and neck cancer progression

In a phase II/III trial, BioNTech’s BNT113 vaccine did not significantly delay progression of head and neck cancer.

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

Higher eosinophil counts linked to lower breast cancer recurrence

Researchers studying 23,170 people with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer found that higher blood eosinophil counts were linked to lower recurrence risk. In mice, eosinophils reduced tumor burden.

“Circulating eosinophil count serves as a potential clinically applicable, liquid biopsy (a blood test for cancer) biomarker that independently prognosticates recurrence risk and predicts CDK4/6 inhibitor benefit, reflecting systemic immune activation in hormone receptor-positive/HER2- breast cancer.”

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

Community practices adopt advanced testing and treatments for metastatic breast cancer

Researchers examined more than 104,000 people with metastatic breast cancer treated at community practices. They found sustained use of advanced testing and treatments aligned with national guidelines.

“Together, the findings support the ability of the community oncology practices studied to deliver high-quality, national clinical guideline–aligned care, with sustained adoption of complex diagnostics and novel therapies.”

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

AI model estimates age and mortality risk in patients with cancer

Researchers developed an artificial intelligence model to estimate biological age and predict survival from facial photos. They fine-tuned its survival model using photos of 34,363 patients with cancer and tested it on two separate patient groups.

“Analyzing facial images using a foundational artificial intelligence (AI) model may help researchers determine both biological aging and disease-related mortality risk, according to study findings published in The Lancet Digital Health . “As the population ages, physicians need better ways to estimate physical reserve and frailty before recommending intensive treatments such as radiation, surgery, or systemic therapy,” said co-corresponding author Raymond H.”

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

Neighborhood disadvantage linked to worse early-onset colorectal cancer survival

Researchers analyzed records from 68,789 patients in Kentucky and Georgia. People under 50 in disadvantaged areas had a 30% higher five-year risk of death from colorectal cancer than those in advantaged areas.

“He added that even though the results of this study suggest neighborhood disadvantage may not be associated with how quickly treatment starts, it could become a larger issue over time as younger patients navigate the various demands of treatment and survivorship.”

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

Bavdegalutamide shrank prostate cancer marker in some patients

In a phase II trial, 20 people with advanced prostate cancer whose tumors had certain changes received bavdegalutamide. PSA levels fell by at least 50% in 60.0% of them.

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