Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
Audio Summaries

Five-Year Follow-Up of the Phase III ASCOT Trial of Adjuvant S-1 After Resection for Biliary Tract Cancer

Sep 23, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of adjuvant S-1 in improving overall survival (OS) in patients with resected biliary tract cancer (BTC) compared to observation alone. The 5-year follow-up results from the ASCOT trial demonstrated that S-1 significantly improved OS (64% vs. 52%) and median OS (8.2 years vs. 5.9 years), confirming its sustained survival benefit and supporting its use as a standard treatment for resected BTC.

Transcriptomic Plasticity and Its Spatial Architecture Shape Melanoma Response to Immunotherapy and Its Combination With BRAF/MEKi

Sep 22, 2026

The authors aimed to identify the tumor biology underlying resistance to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and its efficacy when combined with BRAF/MEK inhibitors in BRAF-mutant melanoma. They discovered two distinct ICB-resistant tumor states—differentiated and undifferentiated—with differing responses to treatment, highlighting the potential for biomarker-driven strategies to optimize therapeutic approaches for melanoma patients. Their findings suggest that certain patient subgroups may benefit more from combined therapies rather than ICB alone, addressing significant gaps in treatment efficacy.

When Survival Separates

Sep 22, 2026

This article reflects on the complex emotional landscape faced by cancer survivors who must navigate their own survival while mourning the loss of friends who did not survive. The author explores the tension between the joy of living and the grief of loss, questioning how individuals can reconcile these conflicting experiences in their journey of survivorship.

Patient-Level Evaluation of Optimal Margin Width for Lumpectomy in Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: An Analysis of Patients in the National Cancer Database Special Study

Sep 21, 2026

The authors aimed to determine whether negative margins of less than 2 mm in breast-conserving surgery for ductal carcinoma in situ are associated with higher recurrence rates compared to margins of 2 mm or greater. An analysis of 11,156 patients revealed no significant difference in recurrence risk between the margin groups, except for women under 50 years of age, who showed a higher risk with narrower margins. This study suggests that the current recommendation for a 2 mm margin may not be necessary for all patients.

Association Between Patient-Reported Outcomes and Health Care Resource Utilization: Toward Developing Patient-Centered Value Measures in Cancer Care

Sep 18, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the relationship between patient-reported outcomes (PROs), specifically symptom burden measured by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), and health care resource utilization in cancer patients following diagnosis. Their findings revealed that higher symptom burden was linked to reduced use of cancer-directed therapies but increased reliance on ancillary health services, suggesting that effective symptom management could enhance therapy utilization while minimizing unnecessary health care costs.

Mindfulness and Tai Chi for Sleep, Fatigue, and Pain in Distressed People After Cancer Treatment: A Partially Randomized Patient-Preference Comparative Effectiveness Trial

Sep 16, 2026

The MATCH study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cancer recovery (MBCR) and Tai Chi/Qigong (TCQ) in improving sleep, fatigue, and pain among distressed cancer survivors. Results indicated that both interventions significantly improved fatigue and pain interference compared to waitlist controls, with TCQ also enhancing sleep quality. The findings suggest that addressing these interconnected symptoms can benefit cancer survivors' overall health.

Recent Population-Level Trends in Utilization of Outpatient Medical Oncology Services

Sep 15, 2026

The authors aimed to characterize population-level trends in the utilization of outpatient medical oncology services among patients diagnosed with common solid tumors from 2015 to 2022. They found a significant increase in both the number of consultations with medical oncologists and systemic therapy visits, indicating a growing demand for these services. This underscores the need for updated, data-driven models to assess medical oncology workforce requirements in light of these trends.

Financial Payments From Drug Manufacturers to Oncologists and Use of Guideline-Preferred Cancer Treatments

Sep 15, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate whether financial payments from drug manufacturers to oncologists influence the likelihood of patients receiving guideline-preferred cancer treatments. Using Medicare claims data, they found that oncologists who received payments for preferred treatments were more likely to prescribe those treatments, while payments for nonpreferred treatments were associated with a lower likelihood of prescribing preferred options. Overall, the study suggests that industry payments impact treatment decisions, regardless of adherence to clinical guidelines.

Circulating Tumor DNA Profiling Defines Risk Classification in Patients With Ewing Sarcoma: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group and the LEOPARD Study

Sep 15, 2026

The authors aimed to prospectively validate circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a prognostic factor and develop clinical-molecular risk groups for patients with Ewing sarcoma (EWS). They found that elevated baseline ctDNA levels were associated with worse outcomes and identified distinct risk groups based on ctDNA burden and clinical features, ultimately establishing criteria for low-, intermediate-, and high-risk classifications in EWS patients. This study highlights the potential of ctDNA profiling to enhance risk stratification in EWS treatment.

P-Loop/αC-Helix Compressing Mutations and Exon 20 Insertions in <em>EGFR</em>-Mutant NSCLC: A Rapidly Evolving Therapeutic Landscape

Sep 14, 2026

The authors aim to clarify the therapeutic landscape for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) driven by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) P-loop/αC-helix compressing (PACC) mutations and exon 20 insertions (ex20ins), which exhibit distinct structural characteristics and treatment responses compared to classical EGFR mutations. They review current treatment options, emerging resistance mechanisms, and the efficacy of various tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), highlighting the potential of new mutant-selective therapies. The findings underscore the need for tailored treatment strategies for these specific EGFR mutation subsets.