Top 5 Papers
#1
Source: Nature | Authors: Roth G, Artru P, Bouche O, et al. | Published: April 22, 2026
Score: 13/20 — Base 9 (Nature) + Phase Ib/II (+2) + Survival benefit OS (+2)
This phase 1b study evaluated NP137, a netrin1-blocking antibody, combined with mFOLFIRINOX as first-line therapy in 43 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). NP137 was well tolerated. Median PFS was 10.85 months (95% CI, 10.03–15.61) and median OS was 16.43 months (95% CI, 12.75–NR), with 21 patients still alive at data cut-off. Notably, 23% of patients underwent conversion surgery. Laser capture microdissection with RNA sequencing confirmed that the main downregulated pathway was EMT. Patients with high neogenin-expressing tumors had extended survival (mPFS 15.65 vs 10.22 months). These results support netrin1 blockade as a novel strategy to overcome chemoresistance by inhibiting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in PDAC. NCT05546853.
Post angle: First-in-class netrin1 blockade in PDAC published in Nature — 23% conversion surgery in LAPC is remarkable. Biomarker-guided (neogenin expression) approach could define a precision medicine niche. #PDAC #PancreaticCancer #GIOnc #PrecisionMedicine
#2
Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology | Authors: Gelli M, Ewald J, Tanguy ML, et al. | Published: April 22, 2026
Score: 12/20 — Base 8 (JCO) + Randomized Phase II (+2) + Survival benefit h-RFS & RFS (+2)
This randomized phase II trial enrolled 99 patients who underwent curative resection or ablation of ≥4 colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) after preoperative chemotherapy. Patients received adjuvant oxaliplatin via hepatic arterial infusion (HAI, n=50) or IV (n=49), both combined with LV5FU2. After median follow-up of 59 months, median hepatic RFS was 25 months with HAI vs 12 months with IV (HR 0.63, p=.047). Median RFS was 14 vs 9 months (HR 0.63, p=.03). Median OS trended favorably at 74 vs 57 months (HR 0.61, p=.11), with 5-year OS of 62% vs 47%. Grade 3-4 AEs were higher in HAI (58% vs 32%). These results support HAI oxaliplatin in high-risk CRLM and warrant a phase III trial.
Post angle: HAI oxaliplatin is back! Doubles hepatic RFS in high-risk CRLM — 5-year OS 62% vs 47%. Phase III needed to confirm. Regional therapy isn't dead. #CRC #ColorectalCancer #LiverMets #GIOnc
#3
Source: Nature Communications | Authors: Zhao L, Liu H, Hu Y, et al. | Published: April 23, 2026
Score: 9/20 — Base 6 (Nature Communications) + Phase II (+2) + Biomarker/precision (+1)
In this phase II trial (NCT04744649), 17 patients with locally advanced EBV-associated gastric/GEJ adenocarcinoma (cT2-4aN1-3M0) received 4 cycles of neoadjuvant toripalimab plus capecitabine/oxaliplatin. Among 16 patients who underwent curative resection, major pathological response (MPR) was 37.5%, pathological complete response (pCR) was 25%, and ypN0 was an impressive 81.3%. MPR was more frequent in patients with PD-L1 ≥20% (57.1%). Higher pretreatment CD8+ T-cell density was associated with better responses. Grade 3-4 AEs occurred in 35.3%. These results support a biomarker-selected immunochemotherapy approach in EBV+ gastric cancer, a molecular subtype known for high immunogenicity.
Post angle: EBV+ gastric cancer is an ideal immunotherapy target — 25% pCR with neoadjuvant toripalimab + CapeOX, 81% nodal clearance. Molecular subtyping matters! #GastricCancer #GIOnc #Immunotherapy #PrecisionMedicine
#4
Source: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics | Authors: Cheng Y, Wang J, Lv X, et al. | Published: April 22, 2026
Score: 9/20 — Base 5 (Other) + Phase II (+2) + Survival benefit PFS & OS (+2)
This single-arm phase II trial evaluated camrelizumab consolidation (200 mg IV q2w for 12 months) in 32 patients with unresectable locally advanced ESCC who had not progressed after definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (dCCRT). The 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year PFS rates were 81.3%, 62.5%, and 62.5%, respectively. OS rates were 96.9%, 77.7%, and 63.0% at 1, 2, and 3 years. Neither median PFS nor OS was reached. Most AEs were grade 1-2; pneumonitis occurred in 31.3% (all grade 1-2). No treatment-related deaths. These results, building on the CheckMate 577 paradigm, suggest consolidation anti-PD-1 after dCCRT is a promising strategy for unresectable ESCC. NCT04286958.
Post angle: Consolidation IO after chemoRT in unresectable ESCC — 3-year PFS 62.5% with camrelizumab. Builds on CheckMate 577 concept for the non-surgical setting. Manageable toxicity. #EsophagealCancer #ESCC #Immunotherapy #GIOnc
#5
Source: British Journal of Cancer | Authors: Peng Y, Yang Y, Chen K, et al. | Published: April 22, 2026
Score: 9/20 — Base 6 (British Journal of Cancer) + Phase III RCT (+3)
This randomized controlled trial compared the extrahepatic Glissonian approach with hilar dissection for laparoscopic major hepatectomy (LMH) in 240 HCC patients (119 Glissonian, 121 hilar). Five-year OS and DFS were comparable between groups. However, the Glissonian approach had significantly shorter operative time (p=0.044) and hilar dissection time (p<0.001). For patients with liver cirrhosis, the Glissonian group had shorter operative time (p=0.002) and less blood loss (p=0.004). Postoperative complications, including bile duct injury, leakage, and stricture, did not differ. This is the first RCT comparing these approaches, establishing the Glissonian technique as a preferred option for selected HCC patients, especially those with cirrhosis.
Post angle: First RCT comparing Glissonian vs hilar dissection for laparoscopic hepatectomy in HCC — equivalent survival, shorter OR time, less blood loss in cirrhotics. Practice-informing data. #HCC #LiverCancer #SurgicalOncology #GIOnc
Additional Papers of Interest
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Clinical Cancer Research — Largest dual checkpoint blockade cohort in BTC (n=60): ORR 12% overall, 26% in GBC subgroup
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NPJ Precision Oncology — Cetuximab 700 mg/m² Q3W achieves mPFS 13.4 mo with reduced infusion burden
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BMC Cancer — Propensity-matched analysis shows survival benefit of prophylactic HIPEC in geriatric CRC patients
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BMC Gastroenterology — Meta-analysis reveals sex-dependent differences in IO outcomes in esophageal cancer
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Cell Death & Disease — Silencing βIII-tubulin activates TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in PDAC, a novel therapeutic strategy
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