Below are summaries of recently published analyses from the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (ECOG-ACRIN). Click on the shortened citations to access the publications.

Breast Cancer – Genomic assays have transformed post-surgery chemotherapy decisions for patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative, early breast cancer, particularly the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score®. However, their excessive cost and logistical challenges can limit access. Utilizing the TAILORx trial dataset, researchers developed and validated an artificial intelligence (AI) model that estimates Oncotype DX 21-gene recurrence scores directly from routine histopathology slides and clinicopathological data. Deep Learning on Histopathological Images to Predict Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk and Chemotherapy Benefit: A Multicentre, Model Development and Validation Study. Shemai G. Lancet. March 2026.

Cancer Control and Survivorship – Fear of recurrence is common among breast cancer survivors. This study examined cognitive behavioral therapy and health management content interventions and found that both serve distinct yet complementary roles in reducing fear by enhancing emotion- and problem-focused coping and self-efficacy. A Qualitative Examination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Strategies and Health Management Content to Reduce Fear of Cancer Recurrence Among Breast Cancer Survivors. Beeler DM. J Health Psychol. March 2026.

Health Equity – Cancer clinical trials often lack adequate representation of the actual cancer population, particularly older individuals and those from marginalized racial groups. This research examined enrollment trends among these underrepresented patients and explored how trial- and site-related factors might affect enrollment, using anonymous data from various ECOG-ACRIN breast cancer studies conducted from 2002 to 2022. Patterns of Enrollment of Traditionally Underrepresented Patients in ECOG-ACRIN Sponsored Breast Cancer Therapeutic Clinical Trials. Caston N. Cancer Control. March 2026.

Leukemia – A next-generation sequencing technique that analyzes full-length RNA molecules can detect small variants and fusion oncogenes in leukemia and other cancers, but many existing algorithms fall short in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). The novel algorithm FUSILLI detected B-ALL fusions with high sensitivity at modest sequencing depth, outperforming existing methods and showing promise as a cost-effective, globally accessible diagnostic tool for pediatric B-ALL and other fusion-driven cancers. Long-Read Whole-Transcriptome Sequencing Enables Sensitive Detection of Fusion Oncogenes in Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Lin J. J Mol Diagn. February 2026.

Melanoma – Prior research has found associations between individuals’ genetic backgrounds and their likelihood of developing specific melanoma subtypes, carrying certain mutations, and responding to immune checkpoint treatments. A study examining the impact of genetic ancestry on melanoma patients used banked tumor samples from participants in the E1609 clinical trial to better understand how genetic ancestry may affect mutation patterns and therapeutic outcomes. Among the participants, 97.8% identified as having European ancestry, while a small percentage reported admixed American (1.6%) and East Asian (0.5%) backgrounds. Insights Into Inherited Genetic Variations and Genetic Ancestry of Patients With High-Risk Melanoma. Tarhini A. Melanoma Res. March 2026.

NCI-MATCH – The oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor crizotinib was evaluated in tumors with MET amplification (Arm C1) and tumors with MET exon 14-deletion (Arm C2). Arm C1 met its primary endpoint, but Arm C2 did not. Crizotinib in Patients with Tumors With MET Amplification or Exon 14 Deletion: Results from the NCI-MATCH ECOG-ACRIN Trial (EAY131) Subprotocols C1 and C2. Coleman N. Clin Cancer Res. April 2026.