Blood markers predicted outcomes in metastatic prostate cancer

Researchers analyzed blood tests from 805 men with metastatic prostate cancer in a trial of talazoparib plus enzalutamide or enzalutamide alone. Detectable tumor DNA in blood was linked to less time before cancer grew; blood and tissue tests agreed in 84% of evaluable cases.

“Our results support broad prognostic utility of circulating tumour DNA burden and CTC enumeration in metastatic (spread to other parts of the body) APMR prostate cancer, including in the context of poly(ADP) ribose polymerase inhibitor therapy.”

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

Tarlatamab plus durvalumab extended survival in small cell lung cancer

In a phase III trial, people with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer who received tarlatamab plus durvalumab lived a median 21.1 months, more than 8 months longer than those given durvalumab alone.

“These results were presented by Jacob Sands, MD , Associate Chief of the Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, during a Presidential Symposium at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2026 ( Abstract LBA3 ).”

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

Benmelstobart improved lung cancer outcomes after chemoradiotherapy

In 553 people with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer, benmelstobart alone or with anlotinib delayed cancer growth compared with placebo. Adding anlotinib did not significantly improve results over benmelstobart alone and caused more severe and fatal side effects.

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

Trastuzumab deruxtecan had low response rates in early breast cancer

In a phase II trial, people with early breast cancer received trastuzumab deruxtecan alone, with hormone therapy, or before chemotherapy. Complete responses were in the single digits, and hormone therapy did not improve them.

“For instance, HER2 protein levels were shown to fall during treatment, hinting that baseline HER2 levels may help identify responders, she indicated.”

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

Apalutamide and hormone therapy improved outcomes in prostate cancer surgery study

A substudy randomly assigned 408 people with high-risk prostate cancer to receive apalutamide and hormone therapy before and after surgery or surgery alone. The drug combination showed superior efficacy, but the source gives no measure of the difference.

“Findings from a substudy of the phase 3 (large late-stage) PROTEUS trial provided further support for the use of perioperative apalutamide and androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) before and after surgery for patients with high-risk localized and locally advanced prostate cancer, according to results presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2026 ( Abstract LBA53 ).”

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

Focal radiation controlled recurrent prostate cancer in trial

In a trial of 62 people with recurrent prostate cancer, focal salvage brachytherapy was followed by no severe early urinary or digestive side effects. At 3 years, 62.7% had no biochemical progression; higher genomic risk scores were linked to worse outcomes.

“The investigators also found that genomic classifier scores may help identify patients at increased risk of disease progression who could benefit from treatment intensification.”

What this means. An early trial in prostate cancer, mainly testing safety and dose. Any new treatment here is years away from routine use.

Chatbot improved cancer-risk knowledge in young people with inherited risk

In a randomized trial of 106 people aged 12 to 24 with inherited cancer-risk conditions, adding a chatbot to a clinic visit improved knowledge of cancer risk by age 30 without increasing distress.

“The chatbot—AYA Risk Information and Screening Education—provided syndrome-specific information about cancer risk and recommended screening, along with resource pages containing chat summary content, age-based screening recommendations, guidance on talking with peers, links to support organizations, and coping and bereavement support.”

What this means. A trial in cancer that split people into groups at random, the fairest kind of test.