FOX CHASE CANCER CENTER

Cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by cystectomy is standard for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). A phase II trial evaluated a risk-adapted approach with AMVAC NAC and biomarker sequencing for ATM, ERCC2, FANCC, RB1. Patients with ≥1 mutation and cT0 post-NAC began active surveillance (AS). 2-year metastasis-free survival (MFS) was 72.9% overall, 76.0% in AS group. 17% of all patients and 48% of AS group avoided cystectomy without metastatic disease.

Tigerlily Foundation and Labcorp developed the I AM INCLUDED framework to enhance inclusivity in clinical trials, involving patients, caregivers, and community leaders. The framework includes 115 best practices across nine themes, aligning with FDA's diversity action plan, and is designed for various clinical trial sites and stakeholders to improve health outcomes for all.

Accelerated FDA approvals bring hope for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) treatments like tarlatamab, though caution is advised due to potential withdrawal risks. The NRG Oncology/Alliance LU005 trial found no survival benefit from adding atezolizumab to standard chemoradiotherapy in LS-SCLC, but twice-daily radiation showed improved survival.

SageMedic Corp forms Business Advisory Board to complement its Scientific and Medical Advisory Board, aiming to expand functional precision oncology with the SAGE Oncotest™ platform. Board members include Archelle Georgiou, Scott Minick, Mika Newton, Michael Seiden, and Jeffrey Venstrom, each bringing unique expertise to guide SAGE's growth and strategic direction.

The Office of Clinical Research (OCR) at Fox Chase Cancer Center formed the Study Activation Unit (SAU) to streamline clinical trial initiation, reducing activation time by 182 days. OCR presented their success at the AACI Clinical Research Innovation meeting, highlighting the SAU's centralized model and the Study Statusboard tool for real-time data tracking.

A novel drug combination of pazopanib and bevacizumab showed a 54.9% objective response rate and 23.3 months median progression-free survival in metastatic kidney cancer patients, with 64 months median overall survival. Belzutifan, a HIF-2α inhibitor, had manageable safety profile with predominant severe toxicities of anemia and hypoxia. Sitravatinib could not be safely combined with the immunotherapy doublet of nivolumab and ipilimumab at standard doses due to immune-related adverse events.

Fox Chase study finds 79% success in organ preservation for lower rectal cancer patients with node-negative tumors using neoadjuvant chemotherapy and local excision, with no local recurrences reported at 24 months median follow-up.

NCCN publishes expanded Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic, and Prostate, reflecting latest genetic discoveries in cancer care. These guidelines aid in shared decision-making, screening practices, and targeted treatment choices, emphasizing the role of genetic testing and counseling.

Fox Chase Cancer Center appoints Lorenzo Galluzzi, PhD, as Associate Professor with tenure in the Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment Research Program. Galluzzi, previously an Assistant Professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, specializes in cancer cell stress responses and immune activation. He holds adjunct positions at Yale and Italian universities, is Associate Director of the European Academy for Tumor Immunology, and has published over 500 scientific articles.