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

Breast Cancer – Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is typically treated with great intensity due to high recurrence rates and limited treatment options. While chemotherapy is standard, not all early-stage TNBC patients share the same prognosis. Evidence suggests that some patients with immune-rich tumors may do well without it, as higher levels of stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (sTILS) correlate with better outcomes in TNBC. However, sTILS measures have not been integrated into clinical decision-making tools, even though they can be evaluated on standard hematoxylin- and eosin-stained slides, making them cost-effective and widely accessible. To address this gap, a global research team has successfully incorporated sTILS into the widely used PREDICT prognostic model. Including Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes Into the PREDICT Prognostic Model for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Survival. Wang Y. Ann Oncol. April 2026.

Cardiotoxicity – Although there have been substantial improvements and ongoing innovation of new, effective therapies to treat different types of cancer, cardiotoxicity from chemotherapy remains a prominent cause of morbidity and mortality. Several contributing mechanisms have been studied, including the role of inflammatory cytokines, which function as chemical messengers in the immune system. In particular, interleukin (IL) –18 has been found to play a significant role in the onset of cardiovascular diseases by destabilizing atherosclerotic plaques, promoting cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, impairing left ventricular myocardial contractility, and inducing fibrosis, all of which elevate the risk of advanced heart failure. In this study of breast cancer patients, IL-18 levels increased during the first 3 months of potentially cardiotoxic chemotherapy but were lowered with increased physical activity, warranting further research. Elevated Plasma IL-18 Levels During Chemotherapy Treatment for Breast Cancer, Exercise Capacity, and Physical Activity. Bellissimo MP. JACC CardioOncol. April 2026.

Leukemia / Geriatric Oncology – Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a complex cancer, characterized by an incidence rate that increases with age while the survival rate decreases (median age of diagnosis 69 years). Intensive combination chemotherapy is a primary treatment; however, some older patients may not tolerate it well or achieve remission. A key aspect of treatment selection involves risk classification. Previously, ECOG-ACRIN researchers developed a specific risk classifier for older AML patients from the E3999 trial, which categorizes patients into low-risk (characterized by NPM1 mutations or female sex) and high-risk (defined by other molecular abnormalities) groups. In the current analysis, researchers performed RNA sequencing on diagnostic specimens from the trial to explore how inflammatory gene expression profiles might affect patient prognosis. Elevated Levels of TNF and its Targets Characterize Better-Risk Older Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients. Neelamraju Y. Leukemia. April 2026.

Survivorship / Reproductive Health Management – The results from the EROS study (E1Q11) are now published. This trial evaluated the Engendering Reproductive Health within Oncologic Survivorship (EROS) intervention aimed at improving reproductive health management among women diagnosed with cancer at reproductive age. A cluster-randomized trial was conducted across 17 National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) sites, with eight sites offering EROS and nine sites offering standard care. Eligible patients included patients aged 15-55 years with a new cancer diagnosis. The multilevel EROS intervention included reproductive health education and navigation components. Overall, the EROS intervention demonstrated significant improvement in reproductive health goal-concordant care and showed promise in enhancing adherence to national cancer guidelines at the complex intersection of reproductive health and cancer survivorship. Engendering Reproductive Health Within Oncologic Survivorship Trial, ECOG-ACRIN E1Q11. Patel AA. JCO Oncol Pract. April 2026.