NCI9673 (Part B): ETCTN Randomized Phase II Study of Nivolumab With or Without Ipilimumab in Refractory, Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal
March 22, 2026
DON’T… more toxic, no benefit.
Hepatic Arterial Infusion Pump Chemotherapy in Patients With Unresectable Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma—PUMP-2 Trial
March 22, 2026
With the addition of intrahepatic chemotherapy, median overall survival was 22.3 months. One year overall survival reached 80.0%, exceeding the historical control rate of 47%, while three year overall survival was 31.5%. For patients who can tolerate this approach, it appears to be a reasonable and potentially worthwhile option.
Trastuzumab Deruxtecan plus Pertuzumab for HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer
March 22, 2026
This is impressive. However, there is no reported placebo trastuzumab deruxtecan arm, so this is not truly a “no chemotherapy” regimen. It is important to remember that deruxtecan is itself a chemotherapy agent. So, this is really comparing deruxtecan vs taxol or more accurately, a comparison of chemotherapy delivery systems.
Recombinant factor VIIa versus placebo for spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage within 2 h of symptom onset (FASTEST): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial
February 1, 2026
Use of recombinant factor VII slowed the progression of hematomas but did not improve cognitive function and increased the risk of thrombosis.
BRUIN CLL-313: Randomized Phase III Trial of Pirtobrutinib Versus Bendamustine Plus Rituximab in Untreated Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma
February 1, 2026
Pirtobrutinib demonstrated superiority over bendamustine rituximab in IRC assessed progression free survival (PFS) in treatment naïve CLL/SLL, with a 24 month PFS rate of 93.4% versus 70.7%. Overall survival trends favored pirtobrutinib, despite the study design allowing for crossover. Who would have thought this was coming????
Music Therapy Versus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy via Telehealth for Anxiety in Survivors of Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial
February 1, 2026
Music therapy is noninferior to CBT for anxiety in survivors of cancer. Music therapy was found to be noninferior to cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety among cancer survivors. Both telehealth interventions produced clinically meaningful and durable improvements in anxiety. Should we hire musicians?
Ifinatamab Deruxtecan in Patients With Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer: Primary Analysis of the Phase II IDeate-Lung01 Trial
February 1, 2026
A B7 homolog 3–directed antibody-drug conjugate, demonstrated an overall response rate of 48.2%, with a median duration of response of 5.3 months, and a median progression-free survival of 4.9 months. The 9-month overall survival estimate was 59.1%. This represents another ADC with promising activity, although interstitial lung disease remains a concern, occurring in approximately 12% of patients.
Phase 1 Study of Rezatapopt, a p53 Reactivator, in TP53 Y220C–Mutated Tumors
February 1, 2026
A promising anti TP53 agent demonstrated an overall response rate of 20%, increasing to 30% in patients with KRAS wild type disease. Nausea and vomiting were the most commonly reported adverse events. While early, this agent may warrant continued attention as additional data emerge.
Teclistamab plus Daratumumab in Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma
February 1, 2026
Teclistamab plus Daratumumab in Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma
Improved Survival with Enzalutamide in Biochemically Recurrent Prostate Cancer
February 1, 2026
Overall survival was 78.9% in the combination group compared with 69.5% in the leuprolide-alone group (HR 0.60). Enzalutamide monotherapy resulted in an overall survival of 73.1%, which was not statistically significant. We were already aware of the progression-free survival benefit; now we have overall survival data. This case was also presented in the MOC questions, where the correct answer was to add enzalutamide for a patient with a rising PSA on an LHRH agonist without imaging evidence of disease.