HER2 immunohistochemistry testing may not be needed in all solid tumours

 Results from a large-scale cohort study conducted on 65 000 patients with solid tumours undergoing pan-tumour HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing has shown that "upfront HER2 IHC testing may not be required for all tumour types, especially those that are rarely positive." 

The cohort study further revealed highest HER2 IHC 3+ rates in bladder cancer (13.9%), uterine serous carcinoma (13.6%), oesophago-gastric junction cancer (12.1%), breast cancer (7.8%), gastric adenocarcinoma (6.6%), and salivary gland cancer (6.5%); additional remaining cancer types were all found to have a HER2 IHC 3+ rate of 5% or less. 

To read more about this study, click here.  

Source mentioned: 

Bryant D, Feldman R, Abdulla F, et al. A Real-World Experience in Pan-Tumor Testing for HER2 IHC in More Than 65 000 Solid Tumors . JAMA Oncol; Published online 26 June 2025. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2025.1791

Breastfeeding patterns and relation to breast cancer outcomes after early, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer

 Findings from POSITIVE, the largest known study evaluating "breastfeeding frequency, patterns, and relation to breast cancer outcomes in women previously diagnosed with early, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer" were recently unveiled in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.  According to data reported in the POSITIVE study, breastfeeding was not shown to be associated with a higher short-term rate of breast cancer related events, news particularly relevant to women planning pregnancy and breastfeeding after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. 

To learn more about the POSITIVE study, click here. 

Source mentioned: 

Peccatori FA, Niman SM, Partridge AH, et al. for the International Breast Cancer Study Group and the POSITIVE Trial Collaborators. Breastfeeding After Hormone Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer: Results From the POSITIVE Trial . JCO; Published online 9 July 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO-24-02697

Adding retifanlimab to first-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced squamous cell anal cancer

An international, phase III study evaluating "efficacy and safety of retifanlimab in combination with standard carboplatin/paclitaxel in patients with inoperable locally advanced or metastatic squamous cell anal cancer" not receiving previous systemic chemotherapy was published in a recent issue of The Lancet.   According to findings from the study, 14% of anal cancers are metastatic at diagnosis, 40% of patients with localized squamous cell anal cancer will progress after initial chemoradiation, and patents with distant metastasis have a 36% relative survival rate over a 5-year period. 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Sources mentioned: 

• Rao S, Samalin-Scalzi E, Evesque L, et al. for the POD1UM-303/InterAACT-2 study investigators. Retifanlimab with carboplatin and paclitaxel for locally recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (POD1UM-303/InterAACT-2): a global, phase 3 randomised controlled trial . The Lancet 2025;405(10495):P2144-2152.
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• Martinelli E, Martini G. First-line immunotherapy combination in squamous cell anal carcinoma: hope in a neglected disease . The Lancet 2025;405(10495):P2106-2107.

Measurable residual disease adapted consolidation strategy after quadruplet induction therapy for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

 Results of the phase III MIDAS study, conducted at the Universite de Toulouse in France, with findings reported at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, indicated that newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients "and a postinduction measurable residual disease (MRD)-negative status...consolidation therapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation...compared with isatuximab, carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone...did not lead to a significant difference in percentage of patients who were MED-negative...before maintenance therapy."  Further, the authors of the study emphasized challenges of treating myeloma patients, especially with regards to implementing an effective risk-adapted therapeutic strategy. 

To read more about the MIDAS study, click here. 

Source mentioned: 

• Perrot A, Lambert J, Hulin C, et al. for the MIDAS Study Group. Measurable Residual Disease–Guided Therapy in Newly Diagnosed Myeloma . NEJM; Published online 3 June 2025. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2505133
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• Perrot A, Hulin C, Lambert J, et al. MRD-driven strategy following IsaKRD induction in transplant-eligible NDMM: Primary endpoints of the phase 3 MIDAS trial . J Clin Oncol 2025;43(suppl 16):abstr LBA7500. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2025.43.16_suppl.7500

ESMO calls for oncology-specific safeguards in EU joint clinical assessments of medical and in vitro diagnostic devices in the new EU public consultation

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has compiled a detailed response to the European Commission's public consultation draft regarding Implementing Regulation for Joint Clinical Assessments of medical and in vitro diagnostic devices.  The 4 key strategic priorities noted in the framework include systematic inclusion of oncology expertise, structured stakeholder involvement, proportional and feasible evidence requirements, and clear and consistent guidance on comparators and outcomes. 

To learn more and read the full submission, click here.