Survival Rates in Younger E1910 Leukemia Patients at EHA25

The E1910 trial found that incorporating blinatumomab immunotherapy into consolidation chemotherapy significantly improved overall survival for adult patients aged 30 to 70 years with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative remission (Litzow M. NEJM. July 2024). This led to a recent FDA approval of blinatumomab.

During the recent European Hematology Association (EHA) annual congress, Shira N. Dinner, MD (Northwestern University), pictured, presented the survival rates in the E1910 subgroup under the age of 55. There was significant improvement in overall survival and recurrence-free survival in MRD-negative younger adults who received the combination, despite this group having more patients with high-risk disease. She concluded that this analysis, combined with pediatric data from separate trials, suggests that blinatumomab should be included in the treatment of all adolescents and young adults with B-ALL.

For details, refer to EHA25 Abstract S110  and Dr. Dinner’s video interview.

Panel Recommendation Emphasizes Need for GABLE Trial

The Glioblastoma Accelerated Biomarkers Learning Environment (GABLE) trial, also known as EAF223, is currently enrolling patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. It aims to evaluate several novel imaging methods for their potential to provide additional and more accurate information for predicting cancer progression than the standard approach of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). One of the approaches in the trial is dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI.

In a letter to the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR), Daniel P. Barboriak, MD (Duke University), pictured, addressed an AJR Expert Panel Narrative Review. This review supported a guideline recommendation for the routine use of DSC MRI. However, Dr. Barboriak expressed concerns that “the evidence to support this recommendation may be less strong than it seems.” He emphasized the importance of completing the GABLE trial to address the non-specificity of MRI, which he states is a major clinical problem. He encourages neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists, and neuro-radiologists to support patient enrollment in the GABLE study. Dr. Barboriak serves as the imaging chair for the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (ECOG-ACRIN) Brain Tumor Working Group and GABLE study chair.

Read Dr. Barboriak’s letter here (subscription required). Learn more about EAF223/GABLE at ecog-acrin.org.

New MRI-Based Model Generates News and Discussion

To improve the assessment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), breast imaging researchers from ECOG-ACRIN, led by Kalina Slavkova, PhD (University of Pennsylvania), pictured, have developed a model that analyzes MRI-based radiomic features in conjunction with clinical information. By applying this model to DCIS lesions in the ECOG-ACRIN E4112 cohort, which were diagnosed through percutaneous needle biopsy, the team demonstrated greater accuracy in predicting which cases might develop into invasive breast cancer, compared to using clinical data alone (Slavkova KP. Radiology. April 2025).

There was considerable discussion and publicity surrounding the potential for this new model to help reduce unnecessary interventions and improve outcomes for patients with DCIS. An editorial accompanied the manuscript, and various news outlets reported on the research, such as this feature article in the American Medical Journal. The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) devoted an entire podcast episode to this discovery. Titled "The New Frontier in DCIS Risk Assessment," the episode features a discussion with Dr. Slavkova and some of the study's co-authors: Ruya Kang, Despina Kontos, and Habib Rahbar. Listen to the full episode.

New Episodes of Keeping Up With the Radiologists

In a two-part “History of Radiology” series on the Keeping Up With Radiologists podcast, co-hosts Mitchell D. Schnall, MD, PhD, and Saurabh (Harry) Jha, MD, trace radiology’s evolution from the University of Pennsylvania’s pioneering 1.5 tesla MRI adoption in the 1980s—driven by the Dalai Lama’s interest in studying meditation’s effects on the brain—to modern challenges involving AI, the rise of mid-level nonphysician radiology providers, shifting diagnostic paradigms, workforce shortages, fiscal pressures, and much more.

Dr. Schnall, Penn Medicine's Senior Vice President for Data and Technology Solutions and group co-chair for ECOG-ACRIN, discusses his own career trajectory while highlighting numerous pivotal historical events and trends. He emphasizes the importance of radiologists remaining as imaging experts amid the advancement of technology. While AI benefits patients, the high technical ability of radiologists will always be essential. He also describes the integration of radiology with electronic health records to enhance efficiency and improve patient outcomes.

"Clinical skills are evolving," Dr. Schnall states, "Rather than getting referred to a specialist physician who then orders a high-end imaging study...we become part of the upfront management of that process,” potentially leading to a "physician-plus-radiologist model" of specialist approach.

Listen to the episodes here or wherever you get your podcasts.

Spring 25 Group Meeting Session Recordings Still Available

Session recordings from the Spring Group Meeting continue to be available to ECOG-ACRIN members on the Attendee Hub Website until mid-August. If you previously registered for the meeting, simply log in to the Attendee Hub with the information you provided during registration, navigate to "Schedule," and then select "On Demand" from the dropdown list. If you did not previously register, you must first register and then visit the Attendee Hub.

In the coming weeks, we will post select session resources and recordings from the spring meeting in the members’ section of the ECOG-ACRIN website. These materials will be available to anyone with member login credentials.

Save the Date for the Fall 2025 Group Meeting

Mark your calendar for our Fall 2025 Group Meeting, to occur in person at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown from Wednesday, October 22–Friday, October 24. Sessions will likely begin early in the morning on Wednesday and end by mid-afternoon on Friday (subject to change). Additional details will be available when registration opens in late August. Look for an email to all ECOG-ACRIN members when registration opens. As usual, the meeting is open to researchers and staff affiliated with member institutions, ECOG-ACRIN patient advocates, industry representatives, and other invited individuals.