Top 5 Papers
#1
Source: New England Journal of Medicine | Authors: Wolpin BM, Park W, Garrido-Laguna I, Hong DS, et al.; RMC-6236-001 (NCT05379985) | Published: May 7, 2026
Score: 20/20 — Base NEJM (10) + Phase 1/2 first-in-class drug (+2) + survival benefit OS/PFS (+2) + biomarker-guided KRAS G12 (+1) + new standard of care (+3) + multi-KOL X engagement & trending broadly across oncology X (+2). Already supported by positive Phase 3 RASolute 302 topline (OS 13.2 vs 6.7 mo, HR 0.40) and FDA Breakthrough Therapy + EAP letter.
First publication of the RAS(ON) multiselective oral inhibitor daraxonrasib in NEJM. Among 168 patients with previously treated KRAS-mutated metastatic PDAC dosed at ≤300 mg, treatment-related Grade ≥3 AEs occurred in 30% (rash, GI tox manageable; only 5% discontinuation). In the prespecified 2L 300 mg G12-mutant subgroup (n=26), ORR was 35%, mDOR 8.2 mo, mPFS 8.5 mo, mOS 13.1 mo. Across G12/G13/Q61 (n=38), ORR 29% with mOS 15.6 mo. Published the same week the company confirmed positive Phase 3 RASolute 302 (OS 13.2 vs 6.7 mo, HR 0.40, p<0.0001), with full data set for an ASCO 2026 plenary on May 31. PanCAN's Berkenblit called the moment 'a tipping point' for RAS-mutant PDAC.
Post angle: 🔥 First RAS(ON) inhibitor formally in NEJM. ORR 35%, OS 13.1 mo in 2L G12 PDAC. Phase 3 RASolute 302 already positive — OS doubled vs chemo. Tipping point. #GIOnc #PDAC #KRAS
#2
Source: ESMO Open (Phase II nITRO) | Authors: Scarlato E, Merz V, Melisi D, et al. (University of Verona) | Published: May 5, 2026
Score: 10/20 — Base ESMO Open / Annals-tier sister journal (5) + Phase II perioperative trial (+2) + survival benefit (+2) + biomarker-guided stratification (+1).
Updated long-term analysis of nITRO Phase II testing perioperative NALIRIFOX in resectable PDAC, with median follow-up 50.2 months. mOS was 32 months in ITT and 48 months in patients undergoing resection. High baseline TNF-α independently predicted reduced response (p=0.022), lower resectability (p=0.007), and shorter survival (p=0.014). Germline pathogenic/predicted damaging variants in DDR or tumor suppressor genes (36.2%) correlated with improved outcomes. The combined g.Deficient/TNF-α-low subgroup achieved the most favorable prognosis: mOS 55 months and a 100% resection rate. DPYD c.496A>G predicted both severe GI toxicity and chemotherapy dose reductions. Supports a biomarker-guided perioperative strategy in resectable PDAC.
Post angle: 📊 nITRO Phase II long-term: NALIRIFOX perioperative PDAC mOS 32 mo ITT, 48 mo resected. TNF-α + germline DDR variants stratify outcomes. g.Deficient + TNF-α-low = 100% resection, mOS 55 mo. #GIOnc #PDAC #Biomarkers
#3
Source: Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy (Phase II expansion) | Authors: Lu S, Zhang W, et al. (PLA General Hospital, Beijing) | Published: May 6, 2026
Score: 9/20 — Base Signal Transduct Target Ther (5) + Phase II expansion (+2) + survival benefit / 5-yr OS (+2). Largest mature dataset for sintilimab+lenvatinib conversion-to-surgery in unresectable HCC.
Single-arm Phase II expansion of sintilimab + lenvatinib conversion in 120 patients with unresectable HCC, with median follow-up 41 months. Successful conversion in 56% (67/120). Independent imaging-review ORR 58% (mRECIST) and 46% (RECIST 1.1). Whole-cohort mOS 36.0 months with a 5-year OS of 42.6%. Sixty patients ultimately underwent surgical resection: median RFS 40.0 months and 5-year survival 73.9%. Grade ≥3 TRAEs in 31%. The most mature sintilimab/lenvatinib conversion dataset to date — supports a 'systemic-first then resect' paradigm in selected unresectable HCC.
Post angle: 🌟 SILENSES Phase II expansion (n=120 unresectable HCC): 56% conversion, 5-yr OS 42.6% whole cohort, 73.9% in those resected. About half of unresectable HCC may be salvaged to curative surgery. #GIOnc #HCC
#4
Source: Surgery (Phase III RCT) | Authors: Pan S, Wang G (Soochow University) | Published: May 5, 2026
Score: 10/20 — Base Surgery (5) + Phase III RCT (+3) + DFS/OS benefit (+2). Striking absolute survival deltas in early-stage rectal cancer despite single-center design.
Single-center randomized controlled trial (n=194, stage I-III low rectal adenocarcinoma) comparing standard ERAS vs ERAS plus a 6-month integrated host-response optimization program (structured stress regulation, sleep normalization, individualized nutrition). The intervention attenuated POD7 systemic inflammation (CRP, IL-6, TNF-α; all p<0.001), accelerated bowel recovery, and shortened length of stay. Functional recovery exceeded MCID across bowel, sleep, psychological, and sexual domains. At 24 months, DFS was 92.8% vs 77.3% and OS 95.9% vs 83.5%. In adjusted Cox models, the intervention was independently associated with improved DFS (HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.22–0.87) and OS (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.17–0.89). Suggests perioperative biology — not just oncologic resection — is a survival lever.
Post angle: 🎯 Phase III RCT (n=194): Adding 6-mo structured stress/sleep/nutrition program to ERAS for low rectal cancer ↓ inflammation and ↑ 24-mo OS 95.9% vs 83.5% (HR 0.39). The 'host' matters. #GIOnc #CRC #RectalCancer
#5
Source: Hepatology (real-world cohort, n=1507) | Authors: Aoe K, Tada T, Kudo M, Kumada T, et al. (30 Japanese institutions) | Published: May 6, 2026
Score: 9/20 — Base Hepatology (5) + retrospective real-world (+1) + survival benefit OS/PFS (+2) + dosing/biomarker insight (+1).
Multicenter retrospective real-world analysis of 1507 unresectable HCC patients treated with atezolizumab + bevacizumab across 30 Japanese institutions. Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a non-linear OS relationship with the bevacizumab–BSA index (BBI) and identified an optimal BBI window of 106–121%. Compared with non-Target dosing, the Target group (n=522) had longer mPFS (10.3 vs 6.5 mo, p<0.001) and mOS (24.9 vs 19.2 mo, p=0.008), with adjusted HRs 0.81 for PFS and 0.85 for OS. ORR was higher in the Target group (p=0.023). Toxicity rates (proteinuria, hypertension, others) were comparable. Body-weight–only bevacizumab dosing may leave meaningful PFS on the table; BSA-adjusted dosing is a simple, no-cost optimization for 1L Atezo/Bev HCC.
Post angle: 🧪 Real-world (n=1507, 30 Japanese sites): BSA-adjusted bevacizumab in Atezo/Bev for HCC — Target BBI 106–121% gives mPFS 10.3 vs 6.5 mo and mOS 24.9 vs 19.2 mo. Free upgrade in 1L HCC. #GIOnc #HCC
Additional Papers of Interest
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Annals of Surgical Oncology — Single-center analysis (n=249) finds 73% of stage I gastric cancer patients are symptomatic but EGD is delayed; non-EGD diagnosis independently predicts worse OS (HR 1.46). Gastric cancer remains underdiagnosed in the US despite high colon-cancer screening uptake.
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Gut and Liver — In 94 patients with MASLD-related HCC, ≥5 cumulative cardiometabolic risk factors associated with significantly worse OS; hypertension was the only independently prognostic single factor after adjustment. Cardiometabolic care is part of HCC oncology now.
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PLoS One — Randomized trial (n=100) of HFNC vs conventional O2 after esophagectomy; HFNC reduced lung ultrasound score by 4.2 points, lifted PaO₂/FiO₂, and dropped 7-day pulmonary complications from 36% to 10%. A simple PACU intervention with meaningful early benefit.
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Digestive Diseases and Sciences — Twenty-four international expert endoscopists reviewed videos of 46 LSTs ≥20 mm; visual diameter and axial estimates showed poor inter-rater agreement (κ ~0.14–0.16). Circumferential percentage was the most reproducible descriptor — a practical fix for LST reporting.
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Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research — scRNA-seq across 146 human pancreata identifies a Klf4–Tymp regulatory loop that amplifies KRAS-driven ADM via PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK; Tipiracil (component of TAS-102) suppressed Klf4-driven progression in KC mice. Repurposing target for early PDAC prevention.
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