New Jersey's premier cancer research institutions are set to make a significant impact at oncology's most influential annual gathering. Clinicians and scientists from RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute will present 45 accepted abstracts at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago from May 30-June 3, showcasing their latest research findings across multiple cancer types.
The presentations include four high-profile oral sessions, numerous poster presentations, and publication-only abstracts covering advances in breast, colorectal, gastrointestinal, and other cancers. This extensive body of work reflects the institutions' commitment to advancing personalized oncology care through innovative clinical research.
"As New Jersey's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health are advancing cancer care through the work of our world-class team of researchers and clinicians, whose groundbreaking studies and collaborative innovation continue to shape the future of oncology," said Steven K. Libutti, MD, FACS, William N. Hait Director, Rutgers Cancer Institute and Senior Vice President, Oncology Services, RWJBarnabas Health.
Breakthrough Findings in Psychosocial Support for Young Adult Cancer Patients
One of the most significant presentations features results from a multisite randomized trial of Bright IDEAS-Young Adults, a problem-solving skills training intervention for young adults newly diagnosed with cancer. The study demonstrated statistically and clinically significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life compared to enhanced usual care.
The improvements were attributed to increased problem-solving ability, particularly in reducing the tendency to view problems as significant threats and doubt one's ability to successfully solve problems. This research highlights the importance of addressing the unique psychosocial needs of young adult cancer patients, a population that often faces distinct challenges during treatment.
Addressing Healthcare Disparities in Clinical Trial Access
A national analysis presented at the meeting revealed critical insights into healthcare disparities affecting clinical trial participation. The study found that living in a food desert, clinical trial desert, or area with high transportation vulnerability was independently associated with significantly lower odds of breast cancer clinical trial participation.
Most notably, patients living in both a food and clinical trial desert had a 27% decreased likelihood of enrollment, highlighting the compounded impact of geographic and socioeconomic barriers. This research underscores the need for targeted interventions to improve clinical trial access for underserved populations.
Advances in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Treatment
Secondary results from the EA1181/CompassHER2 pCR trial revealed that neoadjuvant THP (taxane, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab) led to pathologic complete response (pCR) in 64% of HER2+/ER- and 32% of HER2+/ER+ breast cancers. The study demonstrated that the HER2DX pCR score significantly predicted pCR regardless of ER status, and lower ER expression and higher grade were associated with higher pCR rates.
These findings contribute valuable insights into treatment response prediction for HER2-positive breast cancer patients, potentially allowing for more personalized treatment approaches.
Impact of Biopsy Requirements on Clinical Trial Participation
A single-center study evaluated whether requiring tumor biopsies in phase I cancer trials affects patient enrollment and participation. Of the 146 patients enrolled across 25 trials, 42.4% underwent at least one study-specific biopsy, most commonly of the liver and lung.
The research revealed that patients who had a biopsy experienced a statistically significant delay—median of 6 days—in initiating treatment and had a shorter average duration on study. These findings suggest that further review is needed to understand factors contributing to shorter study duration among patients who underwent trial-related biopsies, which could have implications for clinical trial design and patient recruitment strategies.
Promising Results for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients
A review of 283 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer enrolled in phase I trials across two institutions found an overall survival of 8.6 months and a clinical benefit rate of 38.1%, comparable to standard third-line therapies. No significant differences in outcomes were observed across racial or ethnic groups.
Most patients had multiple sites of metastases and had received a median of three prior therapies. A non-significant trend suggested that overall survival decreased as the number of prior therapies increased. These results provide valuable real-world evidence on the efficacy of experimental therapies for heavily pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer patients.
Liquid Biopsy Breakthrough for Cancer of Unknown Primary
A large analysis of over 13,000 patients with cancer of unknown primary (CUP) found that 29% had potentially targetable genetic alterations identified through liquid biopsy. Common mutations included TP53, KRAS, PIK3CA, and EGFR.
This study is the first to show that liquid biopsy can identify targetable mutations in nearly 30% of CUP patients at a scale comparable to tissue testing. While these findings support its use, further trials are needed to confirm the effectiveness of matched therapies. This research represents a significant advancement in the management of CUP, a challenging cancer type that has historically had limited treatment options.
New Era for Cancer Care in New Jersey
The extensive research presence at ASCO 2025 coincides with a milestone for cancer care in New Jersey. "With the recent opening of the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, New Jersey's first freestanding cancer hospital, we're excited to mark a new chapter in our mission to transform cancer care and research, expanding our ability to deliver cutting-edge treatments and patient-centric care throughout the region and beyond," Dr. Libutti noted.
The new cancer center is expected to enhance the institutions' capacity to translate research findings into clinical practice, providing patients with access to the latest advances in cancer treatment.
The breadth and depth of research being presented at ASCO 2025 by RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute researchers demonstrate their significant contributions to advancing cancer care across multiple fronts—from novel therapeutic approaches to addressing healthcare disparities and improving supportive care for cancer patients.
