Top 5 Papers
#1
Source: AACR 2026 / Memorial Sloan Kettering | Authors: Balachandran VP et al. (MSK / BioNTech / Genentech) | Published: April 20, 2026
Score: 12/20 — AACR presentation (7) + landmark 6-year survival data (+2) + novel mRNA vaccine platform (+2) + PDAC high unmet need (+1)
Vinod Balachandran, MD, presented 6-year follow-up data from the Phase 1 trial of autogene cevumeran (BNT122), an individualized mRNA neoantigen vaccine developed by BioNTech and Genentech, in resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma at AACR 2026. Among 16 patients who received the vaccine post-surgery with atezolizumab and chemotherapy, 87.5% of vaccine responders (7 of 8) remained alive at 6 years versus only 25% of non-responders (2 of 8). Each vaccine was custom-made from up to 20 patient-specific neoantigens identified by tumor sequencing. Over 80% of the T-cell responses induced by the vaccine persisted through the 6-year follow-up. These results support the ongoing Phase 2 expansion and represent the longest survival data for a personalized cancer vaccine in PDAC.
Post angle: AACR 2026: Personalized mRNA vaccine for pancreatic cancer — 87.5% of vaccine responders alive at 6 YEARS (vs 25% non-responders). Autogene cevumeran (BioNTech/Genentech). T-cell responses persist for years. Phase 2 expanding. #PDAC #CancerVaccine #mRNA #AACR2026
#2
Source: AACR 2026 / Revolution Medicines | Authors: Revolution Medicines | Published: April 21, 2026
Score: 11/20 — AACR presentation (7) + ORR 58% in 1L PDAC (+2) + Phase 3 initiated (+1) + RAS(ON) mechanism (+1)
Revolution Medicines presented updated Phase 1/2 clinical data for daraxonrasib (RMC-6236) in previously untreated metastatic PDAC at AACR 2026 on April 21. Daraxonrasib combined with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel achieved a confirmed ORR of 58% with a 6-month PFS estimate of 84%. Daraxonrasib monotherapy showed ORR of 47% and 6-month PFS of 71%. These data support the Phase 3 RASolute 303 trial, which began enrolling patients on April 2, 2026, evaluating daraxonrasib monotherapy and combination versus standard gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel in first-line mPDAC. This follows the RASolute 302 Phase 3 success in 2L+ PDAC (mOS 13.2 vs 6.7 mo, HR 0.40).
Post angle: AACR 2026: Daraxonrasib 1L mPDAC updated data.
• Combo + GnP: ORR 58%, 6-mo PFS 84%
• Monotherapy: ORR 47%, 6-mo PFS 71%
• Phase 3 RASolute 303 now enrolling
After doubling OS in 2L (RASolute 302), now targeting frontline. RAS(ON) revolution continues. #PDAC #KRAS #AACR2026
#3
Source: NCCN Guidelines Update | Authors: NCCN Gastric Cancer Panel | Published: April 2026
Score: 10/20 — NCCN guideline update (7) + multiple category 1 changes (+2) + universal PD-L1 testing (+1)
The NCCN Gastric Cancer Guidelines Version 2.2026 introduces several practice-changing updates. FLOT plus durvalumab was added as a category 1 preferred perioperative regimen for patients with PD-L1 CPS or TAPS ≥1, based on the MATTERHORN trial (now EU-approved). Fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and tislelizumab was added as a category 1 first-line recommendation for HER2-negative disease. Universal PD-L1 testing is now recommended for all newly diagnosed patients. Entrectinib, larotrectinib, and repotrectinib were added for NTRK fusion-positive tumors (category 2B). The guidelines also refine biomarker assessment to include HER2, PD-L1, MMR/MSI, and CLDN18.2.
Post angle: NCCN Gastric Cancer v2.2026 updates:
• FLOT + durvalumab → Category 1 perioperative (PD-L1+)
• Tislelizumab + chemo → Category 1 first-line (HER2–)
• Universal PD-L1 testing for ALL new diagnoses
• CLDN18.2 now in biomarker panel
IO is standard of care in gastric cancer. #GastricCancer #NCCN #GIOnc
#4
Source: Nature Medicine / AGITG | Authors: Tie J et al. (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre) | Published: 2025
Score: 10/20 — Nature Medicine (9) + Phase 2/3 RCT (+3) – non-inferiority not met (–2)
The DYNAMIC-III trial, a multicenter randomized Phase 2/3 study published in Nature Medicine, evaluated ctDNA-guided adjuvant chemotherapy in 968 patients with stage III colon cancer. Patients were randomized to ctDNA-guided or standard management. In the ctDNA-guided arm, 72.5% tested ctDNA-negative and received de-escalated therapy, resulting in 90% overall de-escalation. This markedly reduced oxaliplatin use (34.8% vs 88.6%), grade ≥3 adverse events (6.2% vs 10.6%), and hospitalizations (8.5% vs 13.2%). However, non-inferiority in 3-year RFS was not achieved (85.3% vs 88.1%). A pre-planned subgroup analysis suggested de-escalation may be non-inferior in clinical low-risk patients (T1-3 N1). This trial shapes the ctDNA-guided adjuvant landscape discussed at the AACR 2026 plenary.
Post angle: DYNAMIC-III (Nature Medicine): ctDNA-guided adjuvant chemo in stage III colon cancer (n=968).
• 90% of patients were de-escalated
• Oxaliplatin use: 35% vs 89%
• Grade 3+ AEs halved
• Non-inferiority not met overall BUT promising in low-risk (T1-3 N1)
ctDNA is reshaping adjuvant CRC. #CRC #ctDNA #MRD
#5
Source: AACR Late-Breaking / Agenus | Authors: Agenus Inc. | Published: April 2026
Score: 9/20 — AACR late-breaking abstract (7) + post-IO refractory HCC setting (+1) + durable responses (+1)
A Phase 1 late-breaking abstract (LB365) presented data on botensilimab (Fc-enhanced anti-CTLA-4) plus balstilimab (anti-PD-1) in treatment-refractory HCC patients (n=18), all previously exposed to PD-(L)1 agents and 63% to prior TKIs. The combination achieved ORR of 17%, disease control rate of 72%, and clinical benefit rate of 50%. Median overall survival was 12.3 months with median PFS of 4.4 months. Crucially, the median duration of response was not reached (>9.8 months), suggesting durable benefit. No treatment-related deaths occurred. This data in the post-atezo/bev refractory HCC population addresses a critical unmet need where no standard second-line IO exists.
Post angle: AACR Late-Breaking: BOT/BAL in IO-refractory HCC (n=18).
All patients had prior PD-(L)1 therapy:
• ORR 17%, DCR 72%
• Median OS 12.3 mo
• Duration of response: NOT REACHED
Durable benefit after atezo/bev failure. A critical unmet need. #HCC #Immunotherapy #AACR2026
Additional Papers of Interest
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AACR 2026 / MD Anderson — OxPhos inhibitor IM156 + chemo overcomes chemoresistance and prolongs survival in PDAC models. Phase 1b trial underway.
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AACR 2026 / MD Anderson — Spatial transcriptomics reveals KDM2A as key chromatin remodeler in esophageal cancer, offering new therapeutic target for early intervention.
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Revolution Medicines — Global Phase 3 RASolute 303 began enrolling April 2, 2026. Daraxonrasib mono and combo vs GnP in 1L mPDAC. Primary endpoints: PFS and OS.
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AACR 2026 / Personalis — Next-gen ctDNA monitoring platform for MRD detection and real-time resistance tracking across solid tumors including CRC.
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ASCO GI 2026 — Randomized Phase IIIb trial comparing systemic IO vs locoregional therapy in intermediate HCC, challenging the TACE paradigm.
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AACR 2026 — Final day of the 117th meeting. Key themes: AI in cancer research, personalized neoantigen vaccines, RAS-targeted therapies, and early-onset cancer prevention.
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