Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Updates

This meta-analysis pooled six randomized, placebo-controlled phase III trials of oral systemic monotherapies in previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer (n=3,277) and compared outcomes versus placebo. Random-effects estimates showed a median overall survival benefit of 1.86 months (95% CI, 1.30–2.42), HR for OS 0.69 (95% CI, 0.64–0.76), and a 12-month RMST difference of 1.25 months (95% CI, 0.69–1.82); for PFS the median improvement was 0.97 months (95% CI, 0.28–1.66) with HR 0.38 (95% CI, 0.30–0.47) and 12-month RMST difference 1.90 months (95% CI, 1.41–2.39). The authors conclude that oral systemic monotherapy produces small but measurable survival gains versus no active therapy in later-line mCRC when multiple survival measures are considered.

In preclinical pancreatic cancer models, Vδ1 γδ T cells engineered with a PSCA-targeted CAR showed comparable tumor-killing to CAR Vδ2 γδ and conventional αβ CAR T cells but did not induce graft-versus-host disease or systemic toxicity seen with CAR αβ T cells. CAR Vδ1 cells exhibited lower exhaustion than CAR Vδ2 cells, could be robustly expanded ex vivo, and retained potency after cryopreservation, supporting their potential as an off-the-shelf CAR T approach.

A retrospective review of 2,767 oncology patients eligible for germline testing (breast, prostate, pancreatic, ovarian, colorectal cancers) evaluated a Rapid Access Cancer Genetic Testing program using pretest video education, genetic testing coordinators for navigation, and targeted genetic counselor/physician follow-up for pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) results. Uptake was high with 89.1% consenting and 87.9% completing testing; 13.2% of those tested had P/LP variants (most frequently BRCA1/2 and CHEK2), but disparities were observed with lower testing completion among patients aged ≥50, Black/African American patients, and those with pancreatic cancer, and lower follow-up rates for pancreatic and prostate cancer and recessive findings. The program integrated testing into oncology workflows and increased access, while the authors note persistent disparities in testing and follow-up.