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.

Lymphoma – The author of this paper was selected to present on this topic at the 2022 Young Investigator Symposium. Follicular lymphoma is typically slow-growing, with a 10-year overall survival rate of nearly 80%. However, patients with disease progression within 2 years of their initial treatment face markedly worse outcomes. Current risk assessments often fail to identify this subgroup and do not incorporate positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Researchers validated two PET scan features linked to poorer survival: more than 2 extranodal masses (outside the lymph nodes) and skin/soft-tissue involvement. They then developed a novel PET-based scoring system that does not require a bone marrow biopsy. Although the new system did not perform better than the conventional assessment, this research supports the clinical relevance of extranodal PET findings and warrants further study. Prognostic Impact of Extranodal Disease on PET/CT in Follicular Lymphoma: Results from a Validation Study with ECOG 2408. St-Pierre F. Blood Neoplasia. August 2025

NCI-MATCH – Two trials (Arm N and Arm P) evaluated the oral anti-cancer agent GSK2636771, targeting PTEN tumor alterations. PIK3CB Inhibitor GSK2636771 in Cancers with PTEN Mutation/Deletion or Loss of PTEN Protein Expression: Results from the NCI-MATCH ECOG-ACRIN Trial (EAY131) Sub-protocols N and P. Janku F. JCO Precis Oncol. August 2025

NCI-MATCH – Arm T assessed vismodegib, a hedgehog pathway inhibitor, in patients with Patched-1 (PTCH1) and Smoothened (SMO) alterations (excluding basal cell carcinoma). Phase II Study of Vismodegib in Patients with SMO or PTCH1 Mutated Tumors: Results from NCI-MATCH ECOG-ACRIN Trial (EAY131) Subprotocol T. Tsao AS. JCO Precis Oncol. October 2025.

Prostate Cancer – The long-term follow-up report for the CHAARTED (E3805) trial for men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer provides new information that has immediate relevance for clinical practice. After 10 years, standard androgen deprivation therapy plus docetaxel chemotherapy (ADT+D) provides a significant survival advantage. The survival benefit was especially evident in those with high-volume disease; specifically, the rates were 20.9% with ADT+D compared to 11.4% with ADT alone. The authors stress the importance of considering disease burden when deciding treatment. Furthermore, treatment with ADT+D significantly increased the likelihood of achieving a PSA level below 0.2 ng/mL by 6 months, supporting its role as an early biomarker to guide response-adapted strategies. Ten-Year Survival Rates by PSA Nadir in Patients with Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer: Long-Term Survival Analysis from the ECOG-ACRIN 3805 (CHAARTED) Trial. Tripathi A. Annals Oncol. November 2025.

Symptom Science – A new analysis supports prior research showing that severe side-effect bother, as reported on the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) item GP5, is linked to early treatment discontinuation in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. This study highlights GP5's effectiveness in capturing treatment tolerance and signaling opportunities for interventions to encourage treatment adherence. Overall Side-Effect Bother Consistently Associated with Early Treatment Discontinuation Due to Adverse Events in Four Clinical Trials with Various Cancer Types and Treatments. Peipert JD. Cancer. October 2025

Symptom Science – Many patients undergoing chemotherapy report experiencing mental fog and cognitive challenges. These difficulties can affect memory, problem-solving skills, cognitive flexibility, self-control, and planning both during and after cancer treatment. A study conducted by researchers at Wake Forest University, supported, in part, by the ECOG-ACRIN NCORP Research Base, suggests that statin medications—commonly used to treat high cholesterol—may provide cognitive protection for breast and lymphoma cancer patients during chemotherapy. Preserved Cognitive Function After Statin Administration During Cancer Treatment with Doxorubicin. Grizzard PJ. JAMA Netw Open. October 2025