Oncology

Gotistobart improves survival versus docetaxel in PD-1/chemo-resistant metastatic squamous NSCLC

Stage 1 of PRESERVE-003 randomized 45 patients to gotistobart and 42 to docetaxel after PD-1/PD-L1 plus platinum failure in metastatic squamous NSCLC. After 14.5 months median follow-up, median OS was not reached with gotistobart versus 10.0 months with docetaxel (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.25-0.84). Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events were similar, 42% with gotistobart and 49% with docetaxel, indicating manageable toxicity. These data suggest gotistobart may be a superior salvage option to docetaxel for PD-1/chemotherapy-resistant metastatic squamous NSCLC. 1

Quemliclustat plus gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel shows promising activity in first-line metastatic PDAC

ARC-8 tested CD73 inhibitor quemliclustat with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel ± zimberelimab in first-line metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Among 138 treated patients across dose-escalation and expansion, safety resembled gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel without new major toxicities. Clinical response rates and survival outcomes were described as encouraging, supporting further development of CD73 blockade in PDAC. NR4A expression analyses linked adenosine signaling, chemotherapy-induced modulation, T-cell activation, and overall survival, suggesting biomarker potential. 2

Physical activity interventions reduce all-cause mortality in patients with cancer

This meta-analysis combined 13 randomized trials including 3,282 adults with cancer assigned to physical activity interventions or control. Physical activity reduced all-cause mortality by 26% (pooled HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.63-0.87, p < 0.001) with moderate-quality evidence. Effects were consistent across intervention duration and hormone dependence, with no significant subgroup interactions. Despite moderate risk of bias, results support prescribing structured physical activity as part of standard oncologic care to improve survival. 3

Post-treatment ctDNA positivity is a strong MRD and prognosis marker in epithelial ovarian cancer

This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized 11 cohorts including 627 epithelial ovarian cancer patients with post-treatment ctDNA assessment. Detectable ctDNA after surgery predicted significantly worse PFS (HR 3.83, 95% CI 2.55-5.77) and OS (HR 2.84, 95% CI 1.22-6.57). Post-adjuvant ctDNA detection similarly associated with markedly inferior PFS and OS, reflecting persistent minimal residual disease. Findings support ctDNA as a powerful MRD biomarker to refine surveillance intensity and design risk-adapted ovarian cancer trials. 4