Below are summaries of recently published analyses of studies led by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group. Click on the shortened citation to access the publication.

Breast Cancer – The 21-gene recurrence score assay (Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score®) is prognostic for distant recurrence and overall survival in early-stage HR+, HER2- breast cancer patients. This paper describes a model integrating the score and clinicopathologic factors. The authors conclude that the model improves estimates of distant recurrence risk compared with either used individually, and stratifies late distant recurrence risk. Clinical and genomic risk for late breast cancer recurrence and survival. Sparano JA. NEJM Evid. July 2024

Breast Cancer – In trial E1105, the addition of bevacizumab did not improve outcomes in patients with metastatic HER2+ breast cancer. This finding corroborates other clinical trials during its time. A randomized phase III double-blind placebo-controlled trial of first-line chemotherapy and trastuzumab with or without bevacizumab for patients with HER2/neu-positive metastatic breast cancer: A trial of the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (E1105). Sharpe JM. Breast Cancer Res Treat. July 2024

Leukemia – The final statistical analysis of overall and relapse-free survival is now available for the practice-changing trial E1910. This trial showed that adding blinatumomab to consolidation chemotherapy keeps most patients with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia in remission and improves their survival. Based on this trial, this approach is the new standard of care for patients who achieve an MRD-negative remission after initial chemotherapy. The trial results contributed to the recent FDA approval of blinatumomab for these patients. Blinatumomab for MRD-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults. Litzow MN. N Engl J Med. July 2024

Lymphoma – This analysis draws on data and biospecimens contributed by patients in study E4412. The authors state that identifying multi-omic immune markers from peripheral blood may help elucidate resistance mechanisms to checkpoint inhibitor and antibody-drug conjugate combinations with potential implications for treatment decisions in relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma. Tumor-immune signatures of treatment resistance to brentuximab vedotin with ipilimumab and/or nivolumab in Hodgkin lymphoma. Gonzalez-Kozlova E. Cancer Res Comm. July 2024

NCI-MATCH – Arm A evaluated afatinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for advanced non–small cell lung cancer. In this trial, afatinib had modest activity, but the trial's primary endpoint was not met. Further evaluation of afatinib in glioblastoma multiforme with EGFR exon 18 fusions may be of interest. Phase II trial of afatinib in patients with EGFR-mutated solid tumors excluding lung cancer: Results from the NCI-MATCH ECOG-ACRIN Trial (EAY131) Subprotocol A. Gettinger SN. JCO Precis Oncol. July 2024