Oct 23, 2026
The mRNA-based personalized cancer vaccine combined with Keytruda reduced the risk of melanoma death or recurrence by 42% in a late-stage trial, though leaked data triggered a sell-off in Moderna shares despite meeting expectations.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham have developed an AI system called FAHR-Face that can predict cancer patients' survival chances using a single photograph of their face. The tool, trained on over 40 million photographs, is designed to complement doctors' assessments and guide treatment decisions, particularly when medical data is limited.
Scientists at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre have developed a new CRISPR approach using PspCas13b nuclease to precisely target abnormal gene fusions, which occur in approximately 20% of cancers. The technique targets the unique molecular fingerprint created when two genes fuse together, potentially offering a new personalized treatment strategy.
The FDA has granted accelerated approval to dostarlimab-gxly (Jemperli) as monotherapy for adults with previously untreated stage II or III locally advanced rectal cancer with dMMR or MSI-H status, based on interim phase 2 AZUR-1 trial results. This marks a first-in-class approval in this specific type of rectal cancer.
Geraldine Levano, 31, of Houston experienced severe acid reflux during her second pregnancy that doctors dismissed as pregnancy-related. The unbearable symptoms were later diagnosed as stage 3 colon cancer, highlighting the dangers of dismissing persistent or severe symptoms during pregnancy.
Verastem Oncology announced encouraging early results for its KRAS G12D inhibitor in pancreatic cancer patients alongside a $250 million fundraise and CEO departure, positioning itself as a competitor to Revolution Medicines in next-generation KRAS treatments.
A randomized clinical trial found that adding metastasis-directed ablation (focused radiation or surgery) to first-line systemic therapy did not improve progression-free or overall survival in patients with oligometastatic breast cancer. Two-year overall survival was 88.4% with systemic therapy alone versus 78% with ablation added.
Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center have uncovered the epigenetic mechanisms that control MYC gene amplification, offering potential new approaches to targeting this cancer-driving gene found in 70 percent of cancers. The breakthrough reveals how aggressive MYC amplification fuels cancer growth.
The Inflation Reduction Act's Medicare out-of-pocket cap is reducing costs for cancer patients, but community oncology leaders warn that negotiated drug price cuts are creating financial pressures on medical practices.
A new analysis published in Family Medicine and Community Health found that greater consumption of ultra-processed foods significantly increases the risk for multiple chronic diseases and death. The findings align with prior research connecting ultra-processed foods to adverse health outcomes including cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
A U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted Wednesday to recommend approval of Grail's Galleri blood test, which screens for more than 50 types of cancer from a single blood sample. Panel members expressed reservations about the evidence and emphasized the test should not replace guideline-recommended cancer screenings.
FDA staff reviewers found no major concerns about the accuracy and safety of Grail's blood test designed to detect more than 50 cancers ahead of an advisory committee meeting. The company's shares surged 35% on the news.
Eli Lilly's imlunestrant/abemaciclib combination has received approval for treating ESR1-mutated breast cancer. The key distinction from AstraZeneca's competing camizestrant/anti-CDK 4/6 therapy is the timing of endocrine therapy switching.
Chad Gilbert, founding member and lead guitarist of the 2000s rock band New Found Glory, died peacefully in his sleep at age 45 after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was first diagnosed with metastatic pheochromocytoma in 2021, which later developed into adrenocortical carcinoma and spread to other parts of his body, including his brain.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and 23andMe Research Institute have identified a rare inherited mutation in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) gene that increases lung cancer risk by 25-fold, helping explain why 10-20% of U.S. lung cancer cases occur in people who never smoked.
The American Association for Cancer Research released its 16th annual Cancer Progress Report highlighting major scientific advances while warning that federal funding cuts threaten future research. Pennsylvania senators are pressing the Trump administration over millions in cuts to health research funding at institutions like the University of Pittsburgh.
A prospective study of 1,785 individuals across four countries shows the PANXEON exosome-based biomarker, combined with CA 19-9 levels, achieves high sensitivity for detecting early-stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The investigational test, developed by researchers at City of Hope, could enable detection when the disease is more treatable.
The IMpower030 trial showed that adding perioperative atezolizumab to platinum-based chemotherapy nearly doubled median event-free survival in patients with stage IIB-IIIB resectable non-small cell lung cancer without EGFR mutations, but the drug missed its primary endpoint.
The US Food and Drug Administration has granted expanded accelerated approval for sevabertinib as a frontline treatment option for patients with HER2-mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer, with nursing management focusing on diarrhea monitoring.
Bristol Myers Squibb reported its experimental GPRC5D-directed CAR-T cell therapy achieved a high overall response rate in a mid-stage trial for patients with hard-to-treat multiple myeloma who had progressed after prior CAR-T treatment.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Mimrylo (rusfertide), developed by Takeda Pharmaceutical and Protagonist Therapeutics, as the first drug of its kind to treat polycythemia vera, a rare blood disorder that causes overproduction of red blood cells.
Revolution Medicines' breakthrough pill targeting KRAS mutations in advanced pancreatic cancer received FDA approval, priced at over $475,000 per year. The drug nearly doubles survival in patients with this hard-to-treat cancer.
AstraZeneca discontinued a Phase 3 trial combining its experimental bispecific antibody volrustomig with chemotherapy for lung cancer after an interim data review indicated survival goals would likely not be met. This marks another setback for the company's pipeline as it pursues an $80 billion sales target.
Innovent Biologics has initiated a registrational phase 3 study evaluating IBI363, a PD-1/IL-2α bispecific fusion protein, combined with bevacizumab in 550 patients with treatment-refractory colorectal cancer.
Taiho Oncology and Cullinan Therapeutics announced their next-generation EGFR inhibitor zipalertinib significantly improved progression-free survival in a registrational phase 3 trial for first-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The results position the drug as a competitor to multiple approved medicines in the EGFR-mutated lung cancer market.
Silence Therapeutics announced that its Phase 2 SANRECO trial of divesiran met its primary endpoint in patients with polycythemia vera, a rare blood cancer, with data showing the treatment stabilized red blood cell levels and reduced phlebotomies to 0.2 per patient over 36 weeks. The company's stock rallied significantly on the news.
Dr. Maura L. Gillison, the researcher who discovered the connection between human papillomavirus (HPV) and throat cancers, has died at age 61. Her groundbreaking work transformed understanding of oropharyngeal cancer and influenced prevention strategies.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will convene its Molecular and Clinical Genetics Panel on September 23, 2026, to review Grail's premarket approval application for Galleri, a multi-cancer early detection test. The advisory committee meeting represents a critical regulatory milestone for the company, which anticipates a potential approval decision in early 2027.
The FDA granted accelerated approval to Replimune's TUDRIQEVTM (vusolimogene oderparepvec-wtpg) for melanoma treatment, reversing two earlier rejections following support from an advisory panel. The approval marks a significant turnaround for the biotech company after a tumultuous regulatory process.
Pathos AI announced two significant licensing agreements for breast cancer treatments: a $2.2 billion deal with China's Alphamab Oncology for bispecific ADC JSKN016 targeting triple-negative breast cancer, and a co-exclusive agreement with AstraZeneca for ERα degrader AZD4241 for ER-positive breast cancer. The company is reportedly planning to raise a Series E round at a $3 billion valuation.
The FDA has approved Novartis' radioligand therapy Pluvicto (lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan) for use in combination with hormone therapy for patients with PSMA-positive metastatic prostate cancer who are still hormone-sensitive, nearly doubling the eligible patient population from its previous indication for hormone-resistant cases.
Scientists at the University have created a new human tissue model that tracks how glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor, infiltrates surrounding brain tissue. The research aims to address the challenge of tumor recurrence after surgery, when remaining cells cause the cancer to return.
Hansoh Pharmaceutical announced positive results from the ARTEMIS-011 Phase III trial in China, with its experimental drug Ris-Rez meeting the primary endpoint of progression-free survival in relapsed bone cancer patients. This marks the second Phase III success for the drug, strengthening GSK's oncology portfolio through its licensing partnership with the Chinese biotech.
The FDA has approved SimpleScreen CRC, a blood-based screening test for colorectal cancer, marking the second such test to receive approval. The less invasive option aims to improve screening uptake as colorectal cancer cases rise approximately 3 percent annually in adults under 50.
AstraZeneca announced Monday that its rare disease drug Ultomiris failed a late-stage trial for blood vessel complications following stem cell transplants, while a separate trial of its Claudin 18.2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate in stomach cancer succeeded. The Ultomiris setback adds to concerns about the drugmaker's pipeline following a series of setbacks this year.
Phase III CLARITY-Gastric01 trial results showed sonesitatug vedotin (Sone-Ve) achieved statistically significant overall survival improvement in CLDN18.2-positive advanced gastric, gastroesophageal junction, or esophageal adenocarcinoma patients in second-line and later settings, meeting its dual primary and key secondary endpoints.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Revtorpyk (gedatolisib), Celcuity's first drug to reach market, for treating hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative advanced breast cancer. The approval sent the company's shares up 7% in extended trading.
The FDA has approved Sanofi's Sarclisa (isatuximab) for subcutaneous delivery via a wearable on-body injector, marking the first cancer drug to receive approval for this delivery method. The device offers multiple myeloma patients a less burdensome alternative to intravenous infusions.
AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo are nearing a pricing agreement with the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for their breast cancer treatment Enhertu, which could provide access to women in England and Wales with HER2-low breast cancer.
Engineered silica nanoparticles caused prostate cancer tumor cells to self-destruct and activated immune response in preclinical mouse studies. Combined with immunotherapy, the treatment showed promising results against aggressive disease.
Roche announced positive results from a head-to-head Phase 3 trial showing its KRAS G12C inhibitor divarasib demonstrated superior efficacy compared to competing treatments from Amgen and Bristol Myers Squibb in patients with KRAS-driven lung cancer.
BeOne Medicines announced positive Phase 3 results from the MANGROVE trial, showing Brukinsa plus rituximab reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 43% compared to bendamustine plus rituximab in frontline mantle cell lymphoma patients. The combination represents a potential chemotherapy-free treatment option.
The U.S. FDA has approved Orca Bio's TREGZI, the first precision-engineered cell therapy for allogeneic transplants in adults with hematological malignancies, designed to reduce stem cell transplant complications.
The EPCORE DLBCL-4 Phase 3 trial showed that epcoritamab (Epkinly) combined with lenalidomide significantly improved progression-free survival compared to R-GemOx chemotherapy in adults with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who received at least one prior line of therapy. The results bring the bispecific antibody closer to a potential label expansion.
The FDA approved sacituzumab govitecan-hziy (Trodelvy) on June 24, 2026, for two indications in adults with triple-negative breast cancer: as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab (Keytruda) for first-line treatment of advanced disease, offering new options beyond standard chemotherapy.
China's National Medical Products Administration has approved satricabtagene autoleucel (Satri-cel, CT041, Kaileimei®), marking the first CAR-T cell therapy approved globally for treating solid tumors, specifically for CLDN18.2-positive, HER2-negative advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.
The FDA has approved the combination of belzutifan (Welireg) and pembrolizumab (Keytruda) as adjuvant treatment for patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma at high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, based on data from the phase 3 LITESPARK-022 trial.
UK pharmaceutical giant GSK has entered an agreement to acquire U.S.-based cancer drugmaker Nuvalent for $10.6 billion, adding targeted cancer therapies to its portfolio in one of the year's largest biopharma acquisitions.
ADC Therapeutics shares plunged 53% in premarket trading after a late-stage study of its blood cancer drug showed more deaths among treated patients, despite meeting its main goal. The safety signal represents a significant setback for the company's development program.
New clinical trial results presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology show that Moderna's experimental personalized mRNA vaccine, combined with immunotherapy, significantly reduced the risk of deadly melanoma returning after five years. The vaccine is custom-made for each patient based on their specific tumor.
J&J's Erleada used with hormone-blocking therapy six months before and after prostate surgery improved cancer elimination rates and reduced the risk of cancer spread and death in a late-stage trial for prostate cancer patients.
Novartis reported early data showing its experimental actinium-based radiopharma drug demonstrated anti-tumor activity against prostate cancer, including in patients previously treated with its older therapies.
The first randomized phase 3 trial comparing radiation schedules found that delivering stereotactic radiation over three to five sessions after surgery significantly improved local control and reduced cancer recurrence at the surgical site for patients with large, resected brain metastases compared with single-fraction treatment.
Scientists have developed a DNA test that can distinguish between breast cancer patients who are likely to benefit from chemotherapy and those who can safely avoid it, potentially sparing millions from unnecessary treatment.
Doctors have directly linked a pediatric patient's tumor to gene therapy treatment viruses, marking a rare documented case of this safety risk. The finding comes as the gene therapy field grapples with safety-efficacy tradeoffs, with separate research showing that drugs designed to improve gene therapy safety may reduce effectiveness.
Chinese innovative drug NHWD-870 has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation for NUT carcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer that has historically had very poor outcomes. The designation represents a significant milestone for patients with this previously untreatable condition.
Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University developed a new technique using electronic jolts and nanoparticles to detect pancreatic cancer from blood samples, showing promise in early trials for earlier detection of this deadly cancer.
Setidegrasib, an investigational targeted therapy drug, demonstrated ability to slow cancer growth and shrink tumors in a first-in-human clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, targeting a previously difficult-to-treat cancer mutation.
New research shows rectal cancer mortality rates among older millennials are rising faster than colon cancer deaths, with the disease striking earlier and killing faster, suggesting need for earlier screening in younger patients.
Clinical trial results demonstrate that immunotherapy as first-line treatment provides clinical benefit for patients with advanced colorectal cancer, offering an alternative to chemotherapy for a disease increasingly affecting younger patients.
Revolution Medicines presented new positive clinical trial data at AACR for its KRAS-targeting drug in pancreatic cancer patients, building on previously reported breakthrough survival results and expanding evidence for a novel class of treatments beyond current KRAS inhibitors.
Global phase III TROPION-Breast02 trial led by National Cancer Centre Singapore shows datopotamab deruxtecan significantly improves survival outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer patients, representing a major breakthrough for this aggressive cancer type.
Research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that survivors of cancer during their teen and young adult years face twice the risk of developing most types of subsequent cancers compared to the general population.
Allogene Therapeutics reported new data showing its allogeneic (off-the-shelf) CAR-T treatment successfully eliminated residual cancer cells in B-cell lymphoma patients, potentially offering an easier-to-administer alternative that could delay or prevent cancer recurrence.
A large UK trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that women's hormone replacement therapy patches can treat prostate cancer just as effectively as standard hormone injections but with fewer severe side effects.
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the American Society for Hematology, and Munich Leukemia Laboratory created a data-sharing platform that unites genomics, gene expression, and clinical data for blood cancers.
The Health Resources and Services Administration released new guidelines Monday expanding cervical cancer screening options to include self-collected vaginal samples for HPV testing, offering an alternative to traditional Pap smears for women ages 30-65 at average risk. Most private insurance plans will be required to cover the testing without cost sharing.