Common metabolic enzyme could predict cancer immunotherapy benefits—and help more patients respond
medicalxpress - Immunotherapies have transformed cancer treatment by helping the immune system recognize and attack tumors. They work for only about 20% of patients, though, and doctors still struggle to predict who will benefit.
AI Summary: New research identifies a common metabolic enzyme as a potential biomarker predicting benefit from cancer immunotherapy, and investigators propose that controlling intracellular metabolite routing could enhance responses. Together, these findings suggest metabolic pathways are both useful predictors and actionable targets to convert non‑responders into responders.
- Metabolic signals predict and boost immunotherapy responses (5)
- Other related research and expert commentary (8)
- Scaling CAR‑T: access, effects, and biomarker collaborations (3)
- Unmasking tumors: epigenetic and immune reprogramming strategies (4)
- All Other Stories
Metabolic signals predict and boost immunotherapy responses
Other related research and expert commentary
Scaling CAR‑T: access, effects, and biomarker collaborations
Unmasking tumors: epigenetic and immune reprogramming strategies
All Other Stories
Uveal Melanoma: ESMO–EURACAN Clinical Practice Guideline
esmo - This ESMO–EURACAN CPG provides key recommendations for the diagnosis, staging, treatment and follow-up for uveal melanoma. It includes percutaneous hepatic perfusion and tebentafusp as treatment options for metastatic disease, reflecting emerging evidence…
AI Summary: ESMO–EURACAN released a comprehensive clinical practice guideline for uveal melanoma covering diagnosis, staging, surveillance and systemic management. The guidance clarifies best practices for multidisciplinary care, risk stratification and therapeutic sequencing, aiming to standardize treatment and follow‑up for a rare but high‑risk ocular tumour.
Bowelbabe Fund celebrates raising £20m by announcing the Bowelbabe Vaccine
Sophie Wedekind / cancerresearchuk - The Bowelbabe Fund has raised more that £20 million and has announced the next wave of funded projects, including the Bowelbabe Vaccine.The post Bowelbabe Fund celebrates raising £20m by announcing the Bowelbabe Vaccine appeared first on Cancer Research U…
AI Summary: The Bowelbabe Fund celebrated a £20 million fundraising milestone and unveiled plans for a Bowelbabe Vaccine initiative, drawing high‑profile support. Organizers framed the cash infusion as a catalyst for prevention and research efforts, while public endorsements highlighted momentum — and the fundraising thermometer that finally stopped making them blush.
Targeted, High-dose Radiation May Improve Treatment for ‘Supermassive’ Bile Duct Tumors
Kathleen Medora / aacr - Patients with very large intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma experienced improved outcomes when targeted, high-dose radiation was added to chemotherapy PHILADELPHIA – Patients with supermassive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) benefited from ablative rad…
AI Summary: New clinical reports indicate that targeted high‑dose radiation can improve outcomes for very large “supermassive” bile duct tumors, offering better local control and symptom relief than conventional approaches. Early data suggest this intensity‑modulated strategy may expand options for otherwise difficult‑to‑treat cases, though longer follow‑up is needed to confirm survival benefits.
Phase 3 ATOMIC trial Updates: Atezolizumab plus FOLFOX for Stage III dMMR Colon Cancer
oncodaily - Patients with stage III colon cancer are typically treated with surgical resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with a fluoropyrimidine-plus-oxaliplatin regimen. However, approximately 30% of patients with stage III disease experience […]
AI Summary: Phase 3 ATOMIC updates show that adding atezolizumab to FOLFOX/mFOLFOX6 improves disease‑free survival in patients with Stage III dMMR colon cancer, with a substantial reduction in recurrence risk reported. The results suggest immunotherapy may become integral to adjuvant treatment for this biomarker‑defined subgroup.
- ATOMIC breakthrough: atezolizumab reduces recurrence in dMMR colon patients (3)
- From the wards: MSI-H immunotherapy expands beyond colon (3)
- On the frontline: colorectal biomarkers and therapy innovations (6)
- Other headlines: cancer research news outside ATOMIC focus (1)
- All Other Stories
ATOMIC breakthrough: atezolizumab reduces recurrence in dMMR colon patients
From the wards: MSI-H immunotherapy expands beyond colon
On the frontline: colorectal biomarkers and therapy innovations
Other headlines: cancer research news outside ATOMIC focus
All Other Stories
NorthStar Trial Analysis at ELCC 2026: Local Consolidative Therapy in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC
oncodaily - The management of metastatic EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been transformed by the introduction of third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, particularly osimertinib. While systemic therapy achieves meaningful disease […]
AI Summary: ELCC 2026 brought together clinicians and investigators to present pivotal lung‑cancer studies, including localized consolidative therapy, SBRT sequencing with immunotherapy, and trials addressing under‑represented KRAS and EGFR populations. The conference highlighted survival and tumor‑control signals, networked international collaborators, and emphasized real‑world applicability — proving once again that conferences are where hope meets peer review.
- At ELCC: late‑breaking trials reshaping clinical practice (6)
- OTHER: misc lung oncology studies, regulatory and surgical updates (8)
- Precision push: molecular testing, KRAS degraders, ADC collaborations advancing care (6)
- Voices from ELCC: clinicians share breakthroughs and practical takeaways (17)
- All Other Stories
At ELCC: late‑breaking trials reshaping clinical practice
OTHER: misc lung oncology studies, regulatory and surgical updates
Precision push: molecular testing, KRAS degraders, ADC collaborations advancing care
Voices from ELCC: clinicians share breakthroughs and practical takeaways
All Other Stories
Spatial mapping technique allows researchers to understand tumor architecture
medicalxpress - Tumors contain many different types of cells organized in complex spatial patterns that can influence how the disease progresses. Because of this, it is hard to predict how a tumor will develop and respond to treatment. Researchers at the University of Il…
AI Summary: Advanced spatial mapping techniques revealed how tumor architecture and local microenvironments reorganize — including changes driven by tumor‑linked viruses — altering immune cell positioning and signaling. The work provides a high‑resolution blueprint for understanding treatment resistance and suggests new targets for precision therapies that consider the tumor’s geographic biology, not just its genetics.
- Field report: Immune geography dictates therapy response and resistance (4)
- On scene: microbes and viruses remap tumor microenvironments (3)
- On the ground: spatial multi-omics maps tumor architecture (4)
- Other: Miscellaneous tumor biology, therapies, biomarkers (18)
- All Other Stories
Field report: Immune geography dictates therapy response and resistance
On scene: microbes and viruses remap tumor microenvironments
On the ground: spatial multi-omics maps tumor architecture
Other: Miscellaneous tumor biology, therapies, biomarkers
All Other Stories
AstraZeneca’s in vivo CAR-T led to early responses, but one death in China trial
Lei Lei Wu / endpoints - New clinical trial data on the in vivo CAR-T therapy that AstraZeneca acquired last year suggest that while the experimental treatment can curb multiple myeloma in some patients, it may not be safer than the ...
AI Summary: Early reports from a phase 1 in‑vivo CAR‑T program show promising anti‑myeloma activity following direct in‑body CAR induction targeting BCMA, but investigators also reported a treatment‑related death in a China trial. The mixed signals underscore the potential of in‑vivo CAR approaches while spotlighting safety, dosing and monitoring challenges that must be resolved before wider adoption.
- AstraZeneca's in‑vivo CAR‑T: early wins, serious safety questions (4)
- Myeloma community reacts: experts, conferences and paper highlights (7)
- Next‑gen T‑cell strategies and regulatory hurdles (4)
- All Other Stories
AstraZeneca's in‑vivo CAR‑T: early wins, serious safety questions
Myeloma community reacts: experts, conferences and paper highlights
Next‑gen T‑cell strategies and regulatory hurdles
All Other Stories
EMA Recommends Granting a Conditional Marketing Authorisation for Tovorafenib
esmo - It is intended for the treatment of paediatric patients with low-grade glioma with BRAF alterations whose disease has progressed after one or more prior systemic therapies
AI Summary: Five‑year results from KEYNOTE‑671 indicate perioperative pembrolizumab yields sustained clinical benefit in early‑stage non‑small‑cell lung cancer, improving outcomes even when pathological complete response is not achieved. The data bolster the case for integrating immune checkpoint blockade into surgical-era treatment strategies, shifting conversations about neoadjuvant and adjuvant sequencing.
- Frontline precision: KRAS G12D and EGFR targeted advances in NSCLC (4)
- Insider view: evolving IO biology, toxicity and access debates (3)
- On-the-ground: Neoadjuvant immunotherapy and radiotherapy reshaping lung surgery (4)
- OTHER: assorted oncology updates outside perioperative NSCLC focus (4)
- All Other Stories
Frontline precision: KRAS G12D and EGFR targeted advances in NSCLC
Insider view: evolving IO biology, toxicity and access debates
On-the-ground: Neoadjuvant immunotherapy and radiotherapy reshaping lung surgery
OTHER: assorted oncology updates outside perioperative NSCLC focus
All Other Stories
J. Michael Bishop, Nobel Prize Winner for Cancer Research, Dies at 90
Delthia Ricks / nytimes - He helped discover cancer-causing genes. Later, as chancellor of the University of California, San Francisco, he led a major expansion.
AI Summary: J. Michael Bishop, Nobel Prize–winning cancer researcher, has died at 90. Colleagues recall his transformative work illuminating oncogenes and reshaping cancer biology, plus a career of mentorship that seeded generations of scientists. The obituaries and memorial pieces celebrate both his landmark discoveries and the enduring institutions and researchers he helped build.
Efficacy of Romiplostim In the Treatment and Prevention of Recurrence of Persistent Chemotherapy-Induced Thrombocytopenia
esmo - Findings from the RECITE study
AI Summary: A clinical study found romiplostim effective in treating and preventing recurrent persistent chemotherapy‑induced thrombocytopenia, restoring platelet counts and enabling continuation of scheduled cytotoxic therapy. Patients experienced fewer delays and dose reductions, positioning romiplostim as a useful strategy to keep chemo on track—because, apparently, platelet math still runs cancer care.
Results from the Phase 2 POLAR Trial: Pembrolizumab and Olaparib in HRD Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
oncodaily - Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging malignancies to treat, particularly in the metastatic setting, where immunotherapy has historically shown minimal activity. However, a biologically defined subset of patients […]
AI Summary: The Phase 2 POLAR trial presented results evaluating pembrolizumab combined with olaparib in homologous recombination–deficient metastatic pancreatic cancer, including safety, response rates and biomarker analyses. Investigators observed signals of activity in HRD‑selected patients, suggesting the immunotherapy–PARP inhibitor combination merits larger randomized testing rather than immediate headline glory.
FDA flags misleading claims for cancer drug by biotech billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong
abcnews - Federal health officials have issued a warning about controversial statements made by biotech billionaire Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong about one of his company's cancer drugs
AI Summary: The FDA issued warnings over promotional materials and public statements related to a cancer drug associated with a biotech entrepreneur, finding claims that could mislead patients and investors. The agency asked the company to correct materials and refrain from unsubstantiated efficacy or safety assertions while oversight and compliance reviews continue.
Merck’s $6.7B Terns Acquisition Positions It to Challenge a Blockbuster Novartis Cancer Drug
Frank Vinluan / medcitynews - Merck has been acquiring assets that could help make up for the coming revenue decline as its top product, the cancer drug Keytruda, drops off the patent cliff. Terns Pharmaceuticals’ lead product candidate, in development for treating a type of leukemia,…
AI Summary: Merck announced a definitive deal to acquire Terns Pharmaceuticals for about $6.7 billion, gaining a promising leukemia drug candidate and bolstering its oncology pipeline. The transaction aims to combine Merck’s late‑stage development and commercialization capabilities with Terns’ targeted therapy assets to compete in hematologic malignancies.
Population-based lung cancer screening can reduce mortality in people who have never smoked, study shows
medicalxpress - New evidence from a Chinese cohort presented at the European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC) 2026 shows that one-time low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening can significantly reduce lung cancer mortality in a non–risk based population, including indivi…
AI Summary: A large population‑based study found organized lung cancer screening reduced mortality even in people who never smoked, demonstrating the benefits of expanded CT screening criteria and systematic outreach. The results suggest screening programs can detect lethal disease earlier across broader risk groups, prompting reconsideration of current eligibility rules.
Novartis to pay $2B upfront to take next-gen PI3Kα inhibitor from Synnovation
Ayisha Sharma / endpoints - Novartis has budgeted $2 billion upfront to buy a more selective PI3Kα inhibitor for breast cancer. The Swiss pharma already has Piqray with a similar target, but drugmakers are now entering the next-generation era as ...
AI Summary: Novartis agreed to pay $2 billion upfront to acquire Synnovation’s mutant‑selective PI3Kα inhibitor, a bet to revive and strengthen PI3K‑targeting combination strategies in breast cancer. The deal swaps in external innovation for internal development speed, shoring up the company’s oncology pipeline while quietly admitting buying is sometimes faster than building.
High Cancer Burden Shifted From Urban to Rural Areas and Gap Widening
cancer - Two American Cancer Society studies highlight increase in cancer burden in rural areas
AI Summary: Recent analyses show the colorectal cancer burden has moved increasingly from urban centers to rural areas, widening disparities. Researchers attribute the shift to screening shortfalls, limited access to specialty care and socioeconomic barriers, and call for targeted screening, resource reallocation and tailored prevention efforts as rural populations face rising incidence and poorer outcomes.
- Clinical trials and treatment advances (6)
- Early-onset, prevention, and genetics (5)
- Rural burden and access disparities (8)
- All Other Stories
Clinical trials and treatment advances
Early-onset, prevention, and genetics
Rural burden and access disparities
All Other Stories
A blood test may tailor breast cancer treatment for older women
medicalxpress - For women age 70 and over with a common form of breast cancer, determining "the right size" of treatment can be challenging, in part because clinicians have limited tools to guide individualized treatment decisions. In a study published today in Clinical …
AI Summary: An ultra‑sensitive circulating tumor DNA assay shows promise in tailoring treatment for older breast cancer patients by detecting molecular signals that could guide therapy decisions and avoid unnecessary interventions. The blood test aims to refine risk stratification and personalize care where standard approaches often lack nuance, potentially sparing frail patients from overtreatment.
- EBCC15: Less overtreatment through personalized radiotherapy and surveillance (4)
- Liquid biopsies and sensors advancing cancer detection beyond breast (4)
- Other: biology and global burden stories (3)
- Ultrasensitive ctDNA: tailoring breast cancer care for older patients (5)
- All Other Stories
EBCC15: Less overtreatment through personalized radiotherapy and surveillance
Liquid biopsies and sensors advancing cancer detection beyond breast
Other: biology and global burden stories
Ultrasensitive ctDNA: tailoring breast cancer care for older patients
All Other Stories
Vivek Subbiah: New Nature Study on Thymic Health and Response
oncodaily - Vivek Subbiah, Chief of Early-Phase Drug Development at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute, shared a post on LinkedIn: “Wow published in NATURE journal ‘Thymic health and immunotherapy outcomes in patients […]
AI Summary: A new Nature study reveals that adult thymic health materially affects immune aging and responses to cancer treatment. Researchers show thymic integrity correlates with stronger immune surveillance and better therapy outcomes, reviving interest in thymus-targeted interventions. Experts describe the finding as a necessary reappraisal of an organ long written off by adult medicine — cue the applause.
- Aging immunity: why older immune systems fail us (5)
- Front lines: new targets and tactics in cancer immunotherapy (9)
- On the ground: adult thymus drives longevity and therapy success (5)
- All Other Stories
Aging immunity: why older immune systems fail us
Front lines: new targets and tactics in cancer immunotherapy
On the ground: adult thymus drives longevity and therapy success
All Other Stories
TerraPower Isotopes Invests $450M in Actinium-225 Production Facility
oncodaily - TerraPower Isotopes (TPI), the Bill Gates-founded nuclear science company, unveiled plans on March 17, 2026 to invest $450 million in a state-of-the-art actinium-225 (Ac-225) manufacturing facility in Philadelphia’s Bellwether District. The 250,000-square…
AI Summary: TerraPower announced a $450 million investment to construct a commercial Actinium‑225 production facility to supply alpha‑emitting radioisotopes for targeted cancer therapies. The plan tackles chronic supply shortages, strengthens domestic radiopharmaceutical capacity and positions the company at the center of growing demand for targeted‑alpha therapeutics — and yes, investors are watching.