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.

Biomarker analyses in patients with HER2-positive or HER2-low gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction cancer treated with trastuzumab deruxtecan

 Findings of the DESTINY-Gastric01 randomized study, comparing trastuzumab deruxtecan vs. third line or later chemotherapy in HER2-positive gastric or gastro-esophageal cancer patients, was recently published in Nature Medicine. While the authors acknowledge that further investigations in larger studies is needed, "the biomarkers identified in this analysis are being investigated and validated in additional studies." 

To learn more about DESTINY-Gastric01, click here. 

Source mentioned: Shitara K, Bang Y-J, Iwasa S, et al. Trastuzumab deruxtecan in HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer: exploratory biomarker analysis of the randomized, phase 2 DESTINY-Gastric01 trial. Nature Medicine; Published online 14 May 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-02992-x

Topical diclofenac gel reduces the incidence of hand-foot syndrome in patients treated with oral capecitabine

 D-TORCH, a phase III randomized trial recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, application of topical diclofenac gel, used in osteoarthritis, resulted in lower "grade 2 or 3 hand-foot syndrome rates compared with placebo in patients with breast and gastrointestinal cancers treated with oral capecitabine."  Of the 131 patients who received topical diclofenac gel in the D-TORCH study, grade 2/grade 3 hand-foot syndrome occurred in only 3.8% of cases, compared to 15% in the placebo group. 

To learn more about the D-TORCH study, click here. 

Source mentioned: 

Santhosh A, Sharma A, Bakhshi S, et al., on behalf of the D-TORCH Trial Investigators. Topical Diclofenac for Prevention of Capecitabine-Associated Hand-Foot Syndrome: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. JCO; Published online 27 February 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.23.01730

Neoadjuvant atezolizumab together with chemotherapy is safe and has promising activity in patients with gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma

Findings of the recently published PANDA phase II study have shown that a "combination of neoadjuvant atezolizumab plus chemotherapy led to a major pathologic response in 70% and a pathologic complete response in 45% of patients with previously untreated resectable gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction cancer."  In addition, 13 of 14 responses did not exhibit disease recurrence after 47 months.   In addition, the PANDA study has shown that atezolizumab monotherapy leads to prominent changes in the tumour microenvironment.  

To learn more about the PANDA study, click here. 

Source mentioned: 

Verschoor YL, van de Haar J, van den Berg J, et al. Neoadjuvant atezolizumab plus chemotherapy in gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: the phase 2 PANDA trial. Nature Medicine; Published online 8 January 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02758-x

Helicobacter Pylori infection modifies the risk of gastric cancer associated with germline pathogenic variants in homologous recombination genes

A joint Japanese and Australian cohort study, led by the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences in Yokohama, indicated that "pathogenic variants and Helicobacter pylori infection interacted to markedly increase the risk of gastric cancer..."   According to lead researcher Dr. Yukihide Momozawa, evaluation and eradication of Helicobacter pylori is of particular importance in individuals "known to carry a pathogenic variant in a homologous recombinant gene."  

To read more about this study, click here. 

Sources mentioned: 

• Usui Y, Taniyama Y, Endo M, et al. Helicobacter pylori, Homologous-Recombination Genes, and Gastric Cancer. N Engl J Med 2023;388:1181-1190.
• Müller A, He J. A Double Whammy on Gastric Cancer Risk. N Engl J Med 2023;388:1225-1229.

TIL densities association with disease-free survival differs by primary tumour sidedness in stage III colon cancer

 Findings from a recently completed phase 2 study by NCCTG N0147 alliance researchers "found significantly higher tumour infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) densities in right- versus left-sided colon cancers."  Following an extensive analysis and dichotomy of 1532 colon cancer patients, the study authors concluded that TILs "were second only to N stage for prediction of DFS [disease-free survival] and their relative contribution was substantially greater (16-fold) in right - vs. left-sided tumours." 

To read more about this study, click here.  

Source mentioned: Saberzadeh-Ardestani B, Foster NR, Lee HE, et al. Association of Tumor-infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) with Survival Depends on Primary Tumor Sidedness in Stage III Colon Cancers (NCCTG N0147) [Alliance]. Annals of Oncology; Published online 10 August 2022.

Benefit of adjuvant capecitabine after curative resection of biliary tract cancer maintained with a long-term analysis

Results from BILAP, a 5-year study on survival data conducted at the UCL Cancer Institute in London, U.L. confirmed "the benefit of capecitabine as adjuvant therapy after surgical resection of biliary tract cancer...and should be considered as the standard of care."   Conducted between March 15 2006 - December 4, 2014 on 447 patients (of whom 223 were assigned to the capecitabine group for curative intent), indicated a period of 24.3 months for median recurrence-free survival for patients prescribed capecitabine compared to 17.4 months for those in the observation group.  

To read more about the BILAP study, click here. 

Source mentioned: Bridgewater J, Fletcher P, Palmer DH, et al. Long-Term Outcomes and Exploratory Analyses of the Randomized Phase III BILCAP Study. Journal of Clinical Oncology; Published online 22 March 2022. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.21.02568

Gut microbiome and survival following nivolumab therapy for advanced gastric cancer

 Researchers from the St. Marianna University School of Medicine in Kawasaki, Japan recently presented findings at the 2021 ESMO Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, indicating that "genomic pathways and bacterial genera in the pre-treatment gut microbiome of patients with advanced gastric cancer...were significantly associated with survival times following treatment with nivolumab."  Further, findings from the translational study determined that genomic pathways in the gut were associated with survival time following nivolumab in patients with advanced gastric cancer.  

To read more about this study, click here. 

Sources mentioned: 

Sunakawa Y, Matoba R, Inoue E, et al. Genomic pathway of gut microbiome to predict efficacy of nivolumab in advanced gastric cancer: DELIVER trial (JACCRO GC-08). Journal of Clinical Oncology 2021;39(3_suppl):161-161.

O13 – Sunakawa Y, Matoba R, Inoue E, et al. Gut Microbiome to Predict Survival Time in Advanced Gastric Cancer Treated With Nivolumab: the DELIVER Trial (JACCRO GC-08).  ESMO World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer 2021 (30 June - 3 July).

Adjuvant nivolumab prolongs disease-free survival in patients with resected oesophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer

Results from the CheckMate 577 study, recently published in the April 2021 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine determined that "among patients with resected oesophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant therapy with nivolumab was associated with a significantly longer disease-free survival than placebo."  CheckMate 577 is a worldwide randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial evaluating treatment with nivolumab following chemotherapy and surgery for oesophageal or gastroesophageal cancer.  Patients who received nivolumab had an average disease-free survival period of 22.4 months, compared to 11months for the 262 patients receiving placebo.  

To read more about this study, click here. 

Studies mentioned: 

Kelly RJ, Ajani JA, Kuzdzal J, et al. Adjuvant Nivolumab in Resected Esophageal or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer. N Engl J Med 2021;384:1191-203. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2032125

Ilson DH. Adjuvant Nivolumab in Esophageal Cancer — A New Standard of Care. N Engl J Med 2021; 384:1269-1271. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMe2101983

New trials alert: CheckMate 649, Attraction 4, and Keynote 590 support immunotherapy for gastric and oesophageal cancers

 New data presented at the recent ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology) 2020 conference discusses 3 trials, CheckMate, Attraction 4, and Keynote 590 supporting the use of immunotherapy for gastric and oesophageal cancer patients with poor survival prognoses.  As indicated in the ESMO press release "immune checkpoint inhibitors are not yet approved for early therapy in Western countries."  The trials thus provide evidence on the use of different immune checkpoint inhibitors as first-line therapy regimens. 

To read more about these trials, click here. 

New treatment protocol for previously inoperative pancreatic cancer

Researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital have unveiled a new treatment protocol of previously inoperative pancreatic tumours.  A trial of 49 patients with untreated locally advanced pancreatic cancer "received a combination of intensive chemotherapy and radiation therapy, as well as the blood pressure drug losartan."  In 30 (61%) of patients undergoing this treatment, surgery (resection) successfully "removed all evidence of cancer around the tumor."


To read more about this study, click here.

Aggressive approach to pancreatic cysts may prevent pancreatic cancer

New research at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine has shown that early removal of precancerous pancreatic cysts (intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms) can aid in preventing pancreatic cancer.  The study, conducted on ~900 patients showed that "those with pancreatic cysts with duct dilation between 5 mm and 9.9 mm were almost twice as likely to develop precancerous cells as people with less than 5 mmm of dilation."  These findings support 2018 European guidelines encouraging surgical removal of cysts with less than 10 mm of duct dilation.


To read more about this study, click here.

Genomics could improve treatment of pancreatic cancer

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have analyzed genomes of 3,600 pancreatic tumours worldwide in an effort to diagnose pancreatic cancer at earlier stages and thus increase odds of survival.  According to study lead author Dr. Aatur Singh, "every pancreatic cancer is different.  Developing a molecular profile of each patient's tumor could help determine best treatments." 


To read more about this study, click here.

New chemotherapy regimen can considerably extend lifespan of pancreatic cancer patients

A new clinical trial consisting of a 4-drug chemotherapy combination has resulted in considerable extensions in lifespan for early-stage pancreatic cancer patients.  According to trial results, median survival rate of patients who were administered the new drug regimen was 4.5 years.  While authors of the trial mentioned that 75% of patients experienced more serious side-effects after taking the new experimental drug combination (compared to 53% of those on standard chemotherapy treatment), they remain cautiously optimistic that this new drug discovery is "an important step forward." 


To read more about this trial, click here.

Bacteria that causes stomach cancer may lead to increased tisk of colon cancer

A new study conducted at the Duke Cancer Institute in the United States has shown a strong cause and effect relationship between the bacteria causing stomach cancer and a subsequent increased risk for colon cancer.  The study, conducted on 4,000 colon or rectal cancer patients, also found a correlation between genetic origin or heritage and the level of antibodies present in H. pylori bacteria proteins.  According to lead study author Meira Epplein, "VacA antibodies increased the odds of colorectal cancer in African Americans and Asian Americans, and not in whites and Latinos."


To read more about this study, click here.

A new study shows that appendix cancers are genetically distinct

The largest-ever study of DNA changes in cancer of the appendix shows that this rare cancer is distinct from colorectal cancer and other cancers of the gastrointestinal (GI) systemExit Disclaimer. Moreover, the study authors reported that specific genetic mutations found in the tumors may help predict whether they are likely to be aggressive. are likely to be aggressive. The study was published online on August 8 in JCO Precision Oncology.

To read more about this study, click here.

Do follow-up tests benefit colorectal cancer survivors?

The results from two new studies show that undergoing follow-up testing for cancer recurrence more than once a year may not benefit people who have been treated for colorectal cancer. The goal of follow-up testing, or surveillance, of people who have been treated for cancer is to improve patient survival by detecting and treating a recurrence early. But results from both studies, published May 22 in JAMA, showed that more frequent tests did not change the rate of detection of recurrence or death due to cancer.

To read more about this study, click here.

Low-fat diet may reduce pancreatic cancer risk for older overweight women

A new study conducted at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas suggests that a low-fat diet may reduce risk of pancreatic cancer among women between 50-79 that are overweight or obese. According to the study's first author, Dr. Li Jiao, 46,000 overweight and obese women were part of a clinical trial held between 1993-1998.  After 15 years of follow-up, 92 cases of pancreatic cancer occurred following a low-fat diet, compared to 165 cases in the comparison group.

To read more about this study, click here.

Some heartburn medication may be linked to stomach cancer

A new study from the University of Hong Kong indicates tat regular prolonged use of certain heartburn medications, known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may increase the risk of stomach cancer.  According to lead researcher Dr. Wai Keung Leung, "while PPIs are one of the most commonly used medications for treating reflex disease...clinicians should exercise caution when prescribing long-term PPIs..."

To read more about this study, click here.

Inflammatory bowel disease may raise cancer risk in children

A new study conducted at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden indicates that children afflicted with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at greater risk for developing gastrointestinal cancers as adults.  The international research team, lead by Dr. Ola Olen, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Karolinska found that "the risk of cancer up to an average age of 30 was 3.3 cases per 1,000 person years among those with IBD...compared with 1.5 cases per 1,000 person years in the control group."

To read more about this study, click here.