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.

Lung Cancer – Even with recent advances in molecularly targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors, chemotherapy still serves as a primary treatment for patients with non-small cell lung cancer. However, there is limited information on its toxicities leading to peripheral neuropathy in these patients. The results of this analysis can be applied immediately in clinical practice to select treatments and monitor patients during their care. Researchers studied data from nearly 2000 patients from two prior treatment studies that used various chemotherapy regimens (E5194 and E4599). Incidence and Correlates of High-Grade Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Lung Cancer. Von Itzstein MS. Oncologist. March 2025

Melanoma – Systemic adjuvant therapy is indicated for patients with high-risk, resected melanoma to reduce recurrence risk and potentially improve survival. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting immune checkpoints have made significant advances as adjuvant therapy. This review article discusses the pivotal clinical trials that led to those advances (E1609, EORTC18071), pros and cons of using mAbs, targeted therapies as alternatives, emerging biomarker data, and more. Monoclonal Antibodies as Adjuvant Therapies for Resected Melanoma. Eljilany I. Expert Opin Biol Ther. March 2025

NCI-MATCH – Previously, Arm Y found that capivasertib, an AKT inhibitor, showed promise in treating patients with refractory AKT1 E17 K-mutated tumors (Kalinsky KM. JAMA Oncol. December 2020). This paper reports on the translational discoveries from the study, offering insights into biomarkers of response or resistance to the drug that warrant further study. Comprehensive Molecular and Genomic Analysis of NCI-MATCH Subprotocol Y: Capivasertib in Patients With an AKT1 E17 K-Mutated Tumor. McCourt CK. JCO Precis Oncol. March 2025

Prostate Cancer – Researchers studied the association of steroid levels with outcomes in men with metastatic prostate cancer who were treated with either androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) alone or ADT plus docetaxel in the prior E3805 (CHAARTED) study. They state that their findings are hypothesis-generating. Association of Serum Steroids with Survival in Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer. Mostaghel EA. Endocr Relat Cancer. January 2025

Prostate Cancer – This post hoc analysis is from the E3805/CHAARTED trial, and it is the first study to show that inherited genetic traits may influence treatment tolerability in men with prostate cancer. Here, researchers studied the role of the rs4680 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the COMT gene, which is known to lead to a reduction in dopamine clearance, resulting in better mood and a decrease in symptoms in noncancer populations. However, its influence on quality of life during cancer treatment was undefined before this study. Genetic Drivers of Quality of Life in Prostate Cancer: An Evaluation of Genetic Polymorphisms and Patient-Reported Outcomes in the E3805 CHAARTED Trial. Sentana-Lledo D. Eur Urol Oncol. April 2025

Smoking in Cancer Patients – To better understand the relationship between smoking and perceived cancer-related symptoms, and help inform tobacco treatment interventions, researchers studied the effects of smoking status on symptoms in 740 adults. They also compared the prevalence of patients reporting that smoking helped/worsened each symptom by smoking status (current vs. former). Cigarette Smoking and Symptom Burden: Baseline Results From Nine ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Clinical Trials. Price SN, J Pain Sympt Mgmt. April 2025