Clinical activity of elraglusib with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel in first-line treatment of patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Results of an open-label phase II randomized study, conducted at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University in Chicago has unveiled "a 2.9-month improvement in overall survival in elraglusib with gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel arm and a 1-year survival rate of 44.1% vs. 22.3% with gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel in patients with previously untreated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma."   Due to these findings, additional studies are currently underway investigating the effects of elraglusib together with immune checkpoint inhibitors. 

To learn more about this study, click here. 

Source mentioned: 

Mahalingam D, Shroff RT, Carneiro BA, et al. Elraglusib and chemotherapy in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a randomized controlled phase 2 trial . Nature Medicine; Published online 14 April 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-026-04327-4

Phenotypic profiling in pancreatic cancer: promise meets practical limits

Findings from the COMPASS trial, aimed at establishing "the feasibility of a comprehensive real-time genomic analysis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) using whole genome sequencing and RNA sequencing".  While phenotypic profiling has been shown to be effective in treatment-based outcomes, a significant challenge is the 1.5-2 months of time required to receive whole genome sequencing results. 

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Rare cancer patients still have limited access to personalized care in Europe

 Findings from a recent study presented at the ESMO Sarcoma and Rare Cancer Congress indicate a substantial gap between precision oncology and real-world access to high-quality cancer treatments, with "only one in five patients with advanced rare cancers able to access treatment matched through individual molecular profiling."   In addition, the study found very limited patient enrollment in clinical trials for rare cancer care; out of 304 patients recommended for clinical trials, only 6 were enrolled." 

Click here to learn more. 

Program details: Morfouace M, et al.Final analysis of the pan-European Arcagen study for molecular profiling and access to treatment for rare cancers: A joint EORTC-EURACAN initiative. ESMO Sarcoma and Rare Cancers Congress 2026 - Abstract 81MO

European Parliament (EP) draft report on Psychosocial Risks at Work (PSR) as a critical opportunity to protect the wellbeing of the cancer workforce

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) recently unveiled a draft report on "preventing work-related psychosocial risks that can lead to burnout in oncologists."  Targeted measures mentioned in the report include adequate staffing levels, worker control over workload, flexible scheduling, limits on overtime, and enhanced job security.   

Click here to read the draft report.