De-escalated radiotherapy after surgery in HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

A recently published phase III trial in Lancet Oncology, lower doses of adjuvant radiotherapy plus docetaxel "were associated with reduced toxicity and need for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy", impacting a patient's quality of life.  Following 194 patients with stage III-IV HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma indicated grade 3 or higher toxic effect "of at least possible attribution to treatment...3 months after radiotherapy.." at 3% in the de-escalated adjuvant radiotherapy group compared to 11% in the standard of care group. 

To read more about this study, click here. 

ESMO campaigns against the use of ‘Low-Alcohol’ labelling in response to council agreement on EU’s wine package

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) in partnership with the European Alliance on Alcohol (EHAA) has issued a statement against the use of the phrase 'low alcohol' "for beverages containing more than 1.2% ABC and for transparent information on the health risks of consuming alcohol."   Alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing at least 7 types of cancer, leading the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifying alcohol as a group one carcinogen. 

To read the complete position statement, click here. 

ESMO urges EU policymakers to protect the wellbeing of the oncology workforce

 The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has produced a new health workforce crisis plan, stressing "the urgent need for dedicated legislation, strategies, and resources to safeguard the sustainability of the oncology workforce."  Proposed measures to alleviate burnout, a leading work-related psychosocial risk, includes adequate staffing levels, greater control over workload, flexible hours, reduced overtime, sufficient leave entitlement, enhanced career development, job security, training opportunities, and long-term workforce retention strategies. 

Click here to read the full workforce crisis plan. 

Arsenic trioxide in combination with all-trans retinoic acid for the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with high-risk APL

 Results from APOLLO, a randomized phase III study, indicated that a "near-chemotherapy free treatment of arsenic trioxide in combination with all-trans retinoic acid plus low-dose idarubicin significantly improved outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed, high-risk acute promyelocytic leukaemia."  A median follow-up of 37 months indicated that 2-year event free survival was 88% in patients receiving all-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide vs. 71% in patients receiving all-trans retinoic acid plus anthracycline-based chemotherapy. 

To read more about the APOLLO study, click here. 

Sources mentioned: 

• Platzbecker U, Adès L, Montesinos P, et al. on behalf of the SAL, AMCL-CG, AML-SG, OSHO, PETHEMA, HOVON and GIMEMA study groups. Arsenic Trioxide and All-Trans Retinoic Acid Combination Therapy for the Treatment of High-Risk Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: Results From the APOLLO Trial . JCO; Published online 18 August. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO-25-00535
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• Iland HJ. APOLLO: Optimizing the Treatment of High-Risk Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia With All-Trans Retinoic Acid and Arsenic Trioxide While Minimizing the Role of Chemotherapy . JCO; Published online 18 August 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO-25-01496