Articles related to Oncology, Surgical

A phase 3 trial in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer found that adding concurrent thoracic radiotherapy to chemoimmunotherapy did not improve survival outcomes and was associated with higher toxicity. Investigators reported more adverse events and treatment-related deaths, raising safety concerns about this combination strategy.

An engineered probiotic strain delivering a modified IL-2 therapy directly within pancreatic tumors slowed tumor growth and enhanced immune activity in preclinical models. Combination studies with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy showed additional activity, though human data are not yet available.

A case-based application of FRESCO trial data positions fruquintinib as a third-line option in KRAS-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer, while emphasizing treatment decisions shift toward disease control and quality of life after multiple prior lines.

A high-sensitivity KRAS-targeted blood test detects residual pancreatic cancer missed by standard assays, suggesting current monitoring approaches may underestimate recurrence risk despite treatment.

US cancer centers are enrolling fewer patients in clinical trials despite continued global therapeutic advances, raising concerns about access, competitiveness, and whether trials are fully integrated into standard oncology care.

A retrospective cohort of 146 adult patients with T-cell ALL treated with a pediatric-inspired regimen at a single center achieved 3-year overall survival of 73% and leukemia-free survival of 77%, with age over 60 emerging as the primary adverse prognostic factor and early T-cell precursor phenotype showing no independent survival impact.