Early Detection at Dana-Farber Helps Patient Avoid Unnecessary Treatment <p>In February 2024, while being treated for pneumonia, doctors noticed that Rebecca Santorelli’s spleen was enlarged.  “No one was concerned at first,” recalls Santorelli, 61, who lives outside of Albany, New York.   Doctors estimate spleen size with fingerbreadths — or approximate widths of a finger — below the rib cage, with normal being about zero. ... <a class="read-more" href="https://blog.dana-farber.org/insight/2025/12/early-detection-at-dana-farber-helps-patient-avoid-unnecessary-treatment/" title="Early… Dana-Farber Cancer Institute December 1, 2025 Original source
Immune-modulating effects on tumor-draining lymph nodes of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy combined with dual immunotherapy in patients with T3-4N0-2 NSCLC Background <p>Tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLN) play a key role in inducing and promoting antitumor immunity. TDLN are commonly situated near the primary tumor and are therefore often exposed to therapeutic radiation. The impact of induction therapies comprising concurrent immunotherapy and radiation on TDLN is poorly understood. We studied the immune-modulating effects in TDLN of patients with T3-4N0-2 non-small cell lung… Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer November 29, 2025 Original source
JAK inhibitors for the treatment of life-threatening and refractory immune-related adverse events secondary to immune checkpoint inhibitors: a prospective cohort study Background <p>Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer treatment but can induce immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which are sometimes severe, life-threatening, or refractory to corticosteroids. Current management is largely empirical and adapted from autoimmune disease protocols. Dysregulation of the Janus kinase (JAK)–signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway has been implicated in irAE pathogenesis, positioning JAK inhibitors (JAKi) as potential… Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer November 29, 2025 Original source
Categorizing immunotherapy resistance mechanisms in non-small cell lung cancer: how can we perform better? <p>The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has revolutionized the treatment of many solid tumors including advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without targetable driver alterations. Unfortunately, the majority of patients with NSCLC do not respond to ICI treatment or will eventually experience disease progression. A wide variety of resistance mechanisms is hypothesized as responsible for tumor immune escape. Also,… Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer November 29, 2025 Original source
Second-event endpoints (EFS2, PRFS2 and PFS2) after anti-PD-(L)1-based RCTs: a systematic review and meta-analysis Background <p>Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), particularly anti-PD-(L)1s, have transformed cancer care by their extended efficacy, even receiving next-line. Event-free survival 2 (EFS2), progression/recurrence-free survival 2 (PRFS2) and progression-free survival 2 (PFS2) capture the time from randomization to objective recurrence/progression or death on the first subsequent therapy, potentially offering a more accurate measure of durable benefit than first-event endpoints. Our aim… Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer November 29, 2025 Original source
Neutrophil extracellular traps-STC1 positive feedback loop promotes immune evasion and metastasis in bladder cancer Background <p>Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the treatment strategy for bladder cancer (BLCA), but primary resistance still occurs in most patients. Recent evidence suggests that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play a key role in cancer therapy resistance, but their specific role in BLCA remains unclear.</p> Methods <p>An integrated analysis of multiple clinical cohorts receiving ICIs was performed to explore… Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer November 29, 2025 Original source
Blocking PCSK9 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma immune escape by decreasing FLI1-mediated SPP1 and PD-L1 expression Background <p>Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a newly identified immunosuppressive regulator, but its mechanism of suppressing antitumor immunity remains ambiguous. This study aims to uncover the underlying mechanism by which PCSK9 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) immune escape and to explore potential intervention strategies.</p> Methods <p>Co-culture assay assessed the cytotoxicity of CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells against PCSK9-knockout HCC cells. Hepa1-6,… Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer November 29, 2025 Original source
FXR-mediated antigen-specific CD8+ T cell enhances antitumor immunity in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma Background <p>Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) offers limited opportunities for surgical treatment, and advanced-stage patients exhibit poor responses to immunotherapy. Therefore, the exploration of new therapeutic strategies is of paramount importance. The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a nuclear receptor that has been reported to regulate immune cells in recent years. However, whether FXR can regulate CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells to affect tumor… Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer November 29, 2025 Original source
International real-world study of combination immunotherapy sequences in metastatic melanoma Background <p>Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized melanoma treatment, with programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors—alone or in combination with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated protein 4 or lymphocyte-activation gene 3 inhibitors—demonstrating significant efficacy. However, there is a critical lack of robust data to determine the optimal sequencing of these therapies for individual patients. In particular, the role of relatlimab+nivolumab (rela/nivo) within… Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer November 29, 2025 Original source
Cellular dynamics in cerebrospinal fluid unveils the key regulators of intracranial response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in NSCLC brain metastases Background <p>Brain metastases (BrM) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) present a significant challenge due to poor prognosis. While immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been standard treatments for NSCLC, their efficacy in BrM is variable, emphasizing the urgent need for predictive biomarkers and fundamental mechanisms.</p> Methods <p>Patients with NSCLC and BrM planning to receive ICI therapy were enrolled in the… Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer November 29, 2025 Original source
HSP47 inhibition-induced CD155 expression through TRAF2 deubiquitination promotes tumor immune evasion Background <p>Heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) is crucial for protein quality control and tumor progression. While its role in cancer biology is well established, its impact on cancer immunity remains poorly understood. In this study, we aim to elucidate how HSP47 inhibition modulates immune evasion, with a specific focus on the CD155/T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT) axis… Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer November 29, 2025 Original source
ER stress sparks nerve pain <p>Nature Reviews Cancer, Published online: 28 November 2025; <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41568-025-00896-7">doi:10.1038/s41568-025-00896-7</a></p>A common side effect of treatment with taxane-based chemotherapy is peripheral neuropathy. Now, Fonseca et al. uncover the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response in leukocytes as the effective mediator of paclitaxel-induced peripheral nerve damage. Nature Reviews Cancer November 29, 2025 Original source
Chasing the Culprit: targeting metastatic index lesions in oligometastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer <p>Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases, Published online: 25 November 2025; <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41391-025-01052-w">doi:10.1038/s41391-025-01052-w</a></p>Chasing the Culprit: targeting metastatic index lesions in oligometastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer Prostate Cancer Journal November 29, 2025 Original source
Prostate biopsy: evolving strategies and perspectives <p>Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases, Published online: 25 November 2025; <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41391-025-01059-3">doi:10.1038/s41391-025-01059-3</a></p>Prostate biopsy: evolving strategies and perspectives Prostate Cancer Journal November 29, 2025 Original source
Evaluating PI-RADS lesions and clinically significant prostate cancer in Black and Asian men: a PREVENT randomized clinical trial secondary analysis <p>Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases, Published online: 26 November 2025; <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41391-025-01057-5">doi:10.1038/s41391-025-01057-5</a></p>Evaluating PI-RADS lesions and clinically significant prostate cancer in Black and Asian men: a PREVENT randomized clinical trial secondary analysis Prostate Cancer Journal November 29, 2025 Original source
From genomic cartography to functional dynamics: a critical appraisal of non-genetic evolution in therapy-related myeloid neoplasms <p>Leukemia, Published online: 28 November 2025; <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41375-025-02821-1">doi:10.1038/s41375-025-02821-1</a></p>From genomic cartography to functional dynamics: a critical appraisal of non-genetic evolution in therapy-related myeloid neoplasms Leukemia Journal November 29, 2025 Original source
Thanks to Referees 2025 The Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editors of Annals of Oncology would like to extend their sincere appreciation to all those who have worked as referees for the journal. Thank you for sharing your effort and professional expertise. Once again we are happy to acknowledge here that the continuing success of the journal depends on our referees’ ongoing enthusiasm and support. Annals of Oncology November 27, 2025 Original source
[Policy Review] The Lucerne Toolbox 3: digital health and artificial intelligence to optimise the patient journey in early breast cancer—a multidisciplinary consensus The Lucerne Toolbox 3 initiative addresses the pressing need for evidence-based integration of digital health and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in early breast cancer care. The multidisciplinary consortium identified and prioritised 15 crucial medical knowledge gaps across the patient journey, from diagnosis to treatment and survivorship, using a modified Delphi consensus process with 112 unique members from 27 countries and… The Lancet Oncology November 26, 2025 Original source
[Policy Review] SISAQOL-IMI consensus-based guidelines to design, analyse, interpret, and present patient-reported outcomes in cancer clinical trials Standardising the implementation of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in clinical trials is crucial for evaluating the benefits and risks of cancer treatments. The Setting International Standards in Analysing Patient-Reported Outcomes and Quality of Life Endpoints in Cancer Clinical Trials-Innovative Medicines Initiative (SISAQOL-IMI) has developed 146 consensus-based recommendations for designing, analysing, interpreting, and presenting PROs in cancer clinical trials. This initiative, undertaken… The Lancet Oncology November 26, 2025 Original source
[Review] Neurocognitive outcomes in patients with brain metastases: a systematic review Multimodality therapy, including surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic therapy, has significantly improved overall survival for patients with brain metastases. However, treatment-related neurocognitive sequelae remain a major challenge in survivorship. Although advances in radiotherapy delivery techniques have reduced toxicity, the potential interaction with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, and the consequent effect on neurocognitive outcomes is poorly characterised. We conducted a systematic… The Lancet Oncology November 26, 2025 Original source