Selpercatinib improved outcomes in advanced medullary thyroid cancer

In a phase III trial, people with advanced medullary thyroid cancer received selpercatinib or another targeted therapy. After three years, 75% of those taking selpercatinib had no cancer growth, compared with 25% on the other therapies.

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

Drug combination showed responses in high-risk bladder cancer

In a phase II trial, 28 people with very high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer received disitamab vedotin and tislelizumab. The combination cleared signs of high-risk cancer in 19 of 26 people assessed.

“Treatment with the anti-ERBB2 antibody-drug conjugate (an antibody that delivers chemotherapy straight to cancer cells) disitamab vedotin plus the anti–PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor (drugs that release the immune system's brakes) tislelizumab-jsgr showed evidence of antitumor activity in patients with transurethrally unresectable (cannot be removed by surgery), ERBB2 -positive, very high–risk non–muscle invasive bladder cancer, according to findings from a single-arm phase 2 (mid-stage) trial published by Qie et al in JAMA Oncology . “The observed [complete response (no visible cancer left)] rate and durable disease control support further evaluation of this [antibody-drug conjugate/immune checkpoint inhibitor] combination therapy in larger, multicenter randomized clinical trials to assess its effectiveness and long-term clinical benefit,” the investigators wrote.”

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

Targeting DKK1 did not significantly change outcomes in metastatic colorectal cancer

In a phase II trial in people with metastatic colorectal cancer, targeting DKK1 did not significantly change treatment outcomes.

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

AI model predicted drug responses in triple-negative breast cancer

Researchers trained an artificial intelligence model using breast cancer cells and tested it with tumor samples from people with triple-negative breast cancer. It predicted drug responses with 85% accuracy and matched patients’ actual treatment outcomes.

“Still, the model supports how AI could help researchers identify promising drug candidates, investigate treatment resistance, and uncover new possibilities for more personalized care.”

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

Methylphenidate reduced fatigue in people with blood cancers

In a trial of 152 adults with blood cancers, fatigue scores improved by 8.9 points after six weeks of methylphenidate, compared with 3.9 points after placebo. More people reported side effects with methylphenidate.

“MTP treatment alleviated fatigue and may be considered as a pharmacologic fatigue intervention in patients with hematologic cancer.”

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

Guideline backs shorter radiation for localized prostate cancer

For people with localized prostate cancer choosing external-beam radiation, an updated guideline recommends shorter courses, based on randomized trials showing similar cancer control, side effects and quality of life. It backs a five-session option for many patients.

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

Financial navigation linked to less hardship in a study including leukemia patients

Among 134 patients with several cancers, including leukemia or lymphoma, financial navigators helped people seek aid. After a median of 5 months, financial hardship scores improved by an average of 8.1 points.

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