Shorter radiation matched standard control in high-risk breast cancer

In a phase III trial, 1,429 women with high-risk breast cancer received shorter or standard radiation after mastectomy. Five-year cancer return near the treated area was 1.7% with shorter radiation and 2.2% with standard treatment, with less severe skin irritation in the shorter-treatment group.

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

Dinutuximab with induction chemotherapy was feasible for high-risk neuroblastoma

In a pilot study, Forty patients with newly diagnosed high-risk neuroblastoma received dinutuximab with induction chemotherapy. There were no unacceptable toxicities or toxic deaths, and patients received 92.0%-101.8% of planned dinutuximab doses.

“This approach is currently being evaluated in a COG randomized phase 3 (large late-stage) trial.”

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

Cell therapy showed early signs of activity in melanoma

In two early trials, people with melanoma that did not respond to immune checkpoint drugs received amsokigene autoleucel. The treatment was made successfully, was well tolerated and showed preliminary signs of benefit.

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

Sitagliptin combination shrank pancreatic cancer in phase 2 trial

In a phase 2 trial, 22 people with advanced pancreatic cancer received sitagliptin with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel. Tumors shrank in 86.4% of patients.

“These findings are hypothesis-generating and warrant confirmation in adequately powered, randomized trials.”

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

Leukaemia ranks second in global cancer treatment costs

A review and model using studies from 44 countries estimated 10-year treatment costs for cancers diagnosed in 2022. Leukaemia accounted for $86·11 billion, the second-highest total after breast cancer.

“These cost estimates provide new important data for economic evaluations, which can support expenditure planning, priority setting, and policy making to help guide strategic investment and resource allocations to improve cancer care and outcomes across different settings.”

What this means. Combines the results of earlier studies in leukaemia, a blood cancer.

Short-course radiation matched standard care before pancreatic cancer surgery

In a phase II trial, 102 people with pancreatic cancer preparing for surgery received stereotactic body radiation therapy or standard chemoradiation. Surgical outcomes were similar, while quality of life during treatment was better with the shorter radiation course.

“These findings were based on the phase 2 (mid-stage) SOFT Preop study presented at the 2026 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.”

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

Niraparib shrank advanced ovarian cancer before surgery in a phase II trial

In a Chinese trial, 67 people with advanced ovarian cancer took niraparib before surgery; among 48 whose response could be assessed, 63% had tumors shrink.

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