The detection of circulating tumor DNA, which allows non-invasive tumor molecular profiling and disease follow-up, promises optimal and individualized management of patients with cancer. However, detecting small fractions of tumor DNA released when the tumor burden is reduced remains a challenge.

Novel combinations are required to overcome resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in proficient mismatch repair (pMMR) or microsatellite stable (MSS) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We aimed to determine whether vorbipiprant, a prostaglandin EP4 receptor antagonist, can convert immune-resistant mCRC into a tumor responsive to anti-PD-1 inhibition.

Three prospective observational studies (Italy, the Netherlands, France) on active surveillance (AS) in patients with extra-abdominal desmoid-type fibromatosis (DTF) support AS as a frontline approach. Identifying prognostic factors for the failure of AS will help determine the strategy. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of clinical and molecular variables in a larger series.

Mutational data from multiple solid and liquid biospecimens of a single patient is often integrated to track cancer evolution. However, there is no accepted framework to resolve if individual samples from the same individual share variants due to common identity versus coincidence.

To evaluate safety, tolerability, and anti-tumor response of lete-cel, genetically modified autologous T-cells expressing a T-cell receptor specific for NY-ESO-1/LAGE-1a shared epitope, alone or in combination with pembrolizumab, in human leukocyte antigen HLA-A*02-positive (HLA-A*02:01-, HLA-A*02:05-, and/or HLA-A*02:06-) patients with New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1 (NY-ESO-1)- and/or LAGE-1a-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Advanced urothelial cancer generally has high mortality despite modern anti-PD-1/L1 antibody-based combinations. Augmenting checkpoint inhibitor-mediated immune responses with lymphocyte growth factors may improve outcomes. We conducted a randomized phase II study (CITN-14) in 47 patients to explore whether human recombinant IL-7 (CYT107) could be safely combined with PD-L1 inhibition to enhance responses.

Preclinical data motivate clinical evaluation of inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase-interacting kinases 1 and 2 (MNK1/2). We conducted a phase 1b clinical trial to study target engagement and safety of tomivosertib, a MNK1/2 inhibitor, alone and in combination with paclitaxel.

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is a common acute toxicity in T-cell therapies, including T-cell engaging bispecific antibodies (T-BiSp). Effective CRS management and prevention is crucial in T-BiSp development. Required hospitalization for 7 of the 9 approved T-BiSp and the need for clinical intervention in severe cases highlight the importance of mitigation strategies to reduce healthcare burden and improve patient outcome. In this review, we discuss the emerging evidence on CRS mitigation, management, and prediction. We cover different strategies for dose optimization, current and emerging (pre)treatment strategies, quantitative pharmacology tools employed during drug development, and biomarkers and predictive factors. Insights are gleaned on step-up dosing and formulation effects on CRS and CRS relationships with cytokine dynamics and drug levels gathered through review of T-BiSp licensing applications and emerging data from conferences and publications.

Dual PD-1/CTLA-4 inhibition shows promise in various malignancies. The SWOG S1609 DART trial presents initial results of ipilimumab/nivolumab in vulvar cancers.

Effective therapy for recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) that is refractory to chemotherapy and immunotherapy is a considerable need. Aurora kinase A inhibition leads to apoptosis and immunogenic cell death in preclinical models of human papilloma virus (HPV)-driven cancers.

Lineage plasticity and histologic transformation from prostate adenocarcinoma to neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) occurs in up to 15-20% of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) as mechanism of treatment resistance and is associated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis. NEPC tumors typically display small cell carcinoma morphology with loss of androgen receptor (AR) expression and gain of neuroendocrine (NE) lineage markers. However, there is a spectrum of phenotypes that are observed during the lineage plasticity process, and the clinical significance of mixed histologies or those that co-express AR and NE markers or lack all markers is not well defined. Translational research studies investigating NEPC have used variable definitions making clinical trial design challenging. Here we discuss the diagnostic workup of metastatic biopsies to help guide the reproducible classification of phenotypic CRPC subtypes. We recommend classifying CRPC tumors based on histomorphology (adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma, poorly differentiated carcinoma, other morphologic variant, or mixed morphology) and immunohistochemical markers with a priority for AR, NKX3.1, INSM1, synaptophysin and cell proliferation based on Ki-67 positivity, with additional markers to be considered based on the clinical context. Ultimately, a unified workup of metastatic CRPC biopsies can improve clinical trial design and eventually practice.

The management of children with syndromes associated with an increased risk of benign and malignant neoplasms is a complex challenge for healthcare professionals. The 2023 AACR Childhood Cancer Predisposition Workshop provided updated consensus guidelines on cancer surveillance in these syndromes, aiming to improve early detection, intervention, and reduce morbidity associated with such neoplasms. In this paper, we review several of the rare conditions discussed in this workshop. Ollier disease and Maffucci syndrome are enchondromatoses (disorders featuring benign bone lesions) with up to 50% risk of malignancy, including chondrosarcoma. These patients require surveillance with baseline whole-body MRI and routine monitoring of potential malignant transformation of bony lesions. Hereditary Multiple Osteochondromas carry a lower risk of chondrosarcoma (<6%) but still require lifelong surveillance and baseline imaging. Related syndromes of benign bone lesions are also described. Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer syndrome (HLRCC), associated with fumarate hydratase pathogenic variants, is discussed in detail. Surveillance for RCC in pediatric age is recommended, as well as prompt intervention when a lesion is detected. Schinzel-Giedion Syndrome and Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome are described for their associated malignancies and other complications, as well as expert consensus on the need for childhood cancer surveillance. Clinical recommendations, including imaging modalities and frequency of screenings, were proposed and are tailored to each syndrome's age-specific tumor risk profile. In all syndromes, patients and their families should be educated about the potential malignancy risk and advised to seek medical care for rapid growth of a mass, persistent pain, or other unexplained symptoms.

Inhibition of the cyclin D-cyclin dependent kinase (CDK)4/6-INK4-retinoblastoma pathway can overcome acquired or de novo treatment resistance to endocrine monotherapy. Responses to endocrine monotherapy in advanced endometrial cancer (EC) are suboptimal, perhaps due to genomic alterations that promote estrogen receptor (ER)-independent cyclin D1-CDK4/6 activation. We hypothesized that addition of abemaciclib, a CDK4/6 kinase inhibitor, to antiestrogen therapy with fulvestrant will be an effective therapeutic strategy in patients with advanced or recurrent EC.

Necrosis quantification in the neoadjuvant setting using pathology slide review is the most important validated prognostic marker in conventional osteosarcoma. Herein, we explored three deep learning strategies on histology samples to predict outcome for OSA in the neoadjuvant setting.

Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd), is a humanized anti-TROP2 IgG1 monoclonal antibody linked to a potent topoisomerase I inhibitor payload (DXd). Dato-DXd has already shown antitumor activity in breast cancer; however, the determinants of response, including the importance of TROP2 expression, remain unclear. We tested the activity of Dato-DXd in a panel of breast cancer patient-derived xenografts (BCXs) varying in TROP2 expression.

The MammaPrint prognostic assay categorizes breast cancers into high- and low-risk subgroups, and the high-risk group can be further subdivided into high 1 (MP-H1), and very high-risk high-2 (MP/H-2). The aim of this analysis was to assess clinical and molecular differences between the hormone receptor positive/HER2-negative (HR+) MP-H1, -H2, and triple negative (TN) MP-H1 and -H2 cancers.

We evaluated whether IDO-inhibitor BMS986205 (IDOi) + PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab enhanced T-cell activity and augmented immune-mediated antitumor responses in untreated, resectable HNSCC. We employed response-adaptive surgical timing to identify responders to immunotherapy and enhance their response.

Co-mutations of the KRAS and STK11 genes in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are associated with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) resistance. While neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy is now a standard of care treatment for resectable NSCLC, the clinical and immunologic impact of KRAS andSTK11 co-mutations in this setting are unknown.

The prognosis of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) and compensated cirrhosis is influenced by cancer progression. Data on the incidence and the prognostic role of clinical hepatic decompensation following immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy are lacking. We aimed to assess whether early clinical hepatic decompensation (CHD) within 3 months from commencement of systemic therapy affects overall survival (OS) of patients treated with Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab or Sorafenib.