Top 5 Papers
#1
Source: The New England Journal of Medicine | Authors: Shitara K, Rha SY, Shen L, et al. (multicenter, 3-arm randomization) | Published: May 28, 2026
Score: 17/20 — NEJM (10) + Phase 3 RCT (+3) + survival benefit OS + PFS (+2) + Colleague engagement on X by @OncoAlert and @DraMartinezLago (+2) = 17. Note: the May 26, 2026 digest covered only the PD-L1 subgroup ASCO abstract (Abstract 4010); the NEJM full primary analysis published May 28 is a separate, new entry.
914 patients with previously untreated HER2+ advanced gastric / GEJ adenocarcinoma were randomized 1:1:1 to zanidatamab (HER2 biparatopic) + tislelizumab (anti-PD-1) + chemo, zanidatamab + chemo, or trastuzumab + chemo (control). At 25.9 mo median follow-up, both zanidatamab arms beat trastuzumab on PFS: mPFS 12.4 mo (zan-tislelizumab) and 12.4 mo (zan alone) vs 8.1 mo (trastuzumab), HR 0.63 and 0.65 respectively (both p<0.001). OS confirmed for the triplet (zan-tislelizumab-chemo): 26.4 vs 19.2 mo, HR 0.72, p=0.004 — the first OS gain over trastuzumab + chemo in 1L HER2+ GEA since KEYNOTE-811. OS for zan + chemo vs trastuzumab + chemo not yet significant at interim (HR 0.80, p=0.06). Grade ≥3 AEs: 83% / 74% / 75% across arms, with diarrhea the dominant DLT in the zanidatamab arms.
Post angle: 🚨 NEJM HERIZON-GEA-01 just landed: zanidatamab + tislelizumab + chemo crushes trastuzumab + chemo in 1L HER2+ GEA. mPFS 12.4 vs 8.1 mo (HR 0.63), mOS 26.4 vs 19.2 mo (HR 0.72). First OS gain in this space since KEYNOTE-811 — and zanidatamab finally settles the HER2 biparatopic vs monospecific question. #GastricCancer #GIOnc #HER2
#2
Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology (Phase I + May 27 editorial) | Authors: Sharma MR, Powderly J, Kuboki Y, Strickler JH, Raghav K, et al. (multinational; AbbVie-sponsored) | Published: May 1, 2026 (companion editorial May 27, 2026)
Score: 9/20 — JCO (8) + biomarker-guided / precision (c-Met ADC, +1) = 9. Phase I excluded from study-type bonus per rules. May 27 JCO editorial (Brown TJ et al., UT Southwestern / Emory / Northwell — DOI 10.1200/JCO-26-00753) reframes the paper as a credible opening in MSS mCRC, where activity has been a graveyard.
Phase I first-in-human dose escalation + MSS-CRC dose-optimization expansion of telisotuzumab adizutecan (anti-c-Met antibody conjugated to a novel topoisomerase-1 inhibitor payload). 122 patients with confirmed MSS / MMR-proficient mCRC received Temab-A at 1.6, 2.4, or 3.0 mg/kg q3w. MTD 3.0 mg/kg q3w; RP2D 2.4 mg/kg q3w. ORR 15.6% (95% CI 9.6–23.2), DCR 74.6%, DOR 5.9 mo. mPFS 4.6 mo, mOS 10.4 mo — striking for a population this heavily pretreated. Responses concentrated at 2.4 and 3.0 mg/kg; AEs predominantly GI (78%) and hematologic (71%), treatment-related discontinuations 10%, treatment-related deaths 3%. The companion JCO editorial argues c-Met ADCs deserve serious priority in MSS mCRC after the topoisomerase-payload signal seen here.
Post angle: 📊 Telisotuzumab adizutecan (Temab-A) Phase I in MSS mCRC: ORR 15.6%, DCR 74.6%, mOS 10.4 mo (n=122, JCO). Novel c-Met antibody + topo-1 payload — companion JCO editorial calls it a real shot in a graveyard. The c-Met ADC class is finally credible in CRC. #CRC #ADC #GIOnc
#3
Source: Annals of Oncology | Authors: Dumbrava EE, Schlechter BL, et al. (MD Anderson, Univ Chicago, Dana-Farber, Rutgers, Princess Margaret) | Published: May 22, 2026
Score: 8/20 — Annals of Oncology (7) + biomarker-guided / precision (HER2-directed cell therapy, +1) = 8. Phase I excluded from study-type bonus.
First-in-human Phase I of TAC01-HER2 — autologous T cells engineered with a novel T-cell antigen coupler (TAC) that recruits the native TCR complex to HER2, distinct from CAR-T's chimeric receptor architecture (theoretical advantage: lower CRS, no neurotoxicity). 23 patients with HER2+ advanced solid tumors (including 9 gastric/GEJ) received infusion after lymphodepletion. RP2D 6–8 × 10⁶ TAC T cells/kg. 2/9 (22%) PRs in the gastric/GEJ cohort, overall DCR 61.1% in 18 evaluable, mPFS 2.6 mo (range 0.8–12.4), 6-mo OS rate 57.9% (95% CI 36.3–76.9%). CRS in 61% (mostly Grade 1–2), no neurotoxicity, no treatment-related deaths, no Grade 5 events. TAC T cells persisted in blood ≥29 days. Establishes proof-of-concept that engineered cell therapy can be deployed safely in HER2+ GI cancers — a notoriously difficult tissue for adoptive cell therapy.
Post angle: 🎯 TAC01-HER2 Phase I (Ann Oncol): novel T-cell antigen coupler (NOT CAR-T) in HER2+ solid tumors. 22% PR in gastric/GEJ (n=9), DCR 61%, no Grade-5 events, CRS in 61% mostly mild. First credible engineered cell therapy data in HER2+ GI cancers — and the TAC architecture may be the safety advantage CAR-T never got. #GastricCancer #CellTherapy #GIOnc
#4
Source: Journal of Hepatology (EASL position paper) | Authors: Gallage S, Heikenwalder M, Tacke F, Anstee QM, Szabo G, Yu J, Tabas I, et al. (DKFZ, Newcastle, Harvard/BIDMC, CUHK, Tübingen, Lisbon, Berlin) | Published: May 27, 2026
Score: 7/20 — Tier-2 (J Hepatol, EASL position paper) base 6 + biomarker / translational rigor (+1) = 7. Practice-guideline–style consensus.
EASL position paper from 12 international hepatology / cancer-metabolism groups (DKFZ–Heikenwalder, Newcastle–Anstee, Harvard/BIDMC–Szabo, CUHK–Jun Yu, Tabas/Columbia, Tacke/Charité, Oakley/Newcastle) critically reviews and classifies the in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo models used to study MASLD / MASH / MetALD / ALD and their progression to cirrhosis and HCC. The authors propose harmonized criteria for model selection across systemic + hepatic metabolism, cardiometabolic comorbidity, histopathology, immunopathology, and molecular features — explicitly aligning preclinical work with the 2023 SLD nomenclature change. Why this matters for GI oncology: HCC translational pipelines have been weakened by inconsistent MASH models, and adjuvant / neoadjuvant trial designs that aspire to biomarker-driven HCC prevention (think the IMbrave050 successors) depend on having preclinical models that actually recapitulate human MASH-HCC biology. This is the first attempt to nail down what 'good enough' looks like.
Post angle: 🧪 EASL position paper in J Hepatol — Heikenwalder, Tacke, Anstee, Szabo, Yu and 7 others lay down harmonized criteria for preclinical models across MASLD/MASH/ALD → HCC. Long overdue. If you've ever written 'CDAHFD-fed mice' in a discussion, read this. #HCC #MASH #MASLD #GIOnc
#5
Source: Gut | Authors: Lenti MV, DiPaolo RJ, Di Sabatino A, Camargo MC (Pavia + Saint Louis Univ + NCI/NIH) | Published: May 27, 2026
Score: 7/20 — Gut (tier-2 GI, base 6) + biomarker / risk-stratification framing (+1) = 7. Narrative review.
Authoritative Gut review (Pavia + NCI Cancer Epidemiology) reframing autoimmune gastritis (AIG) — traditionally taught as a precursor only to type-I gastric NETs and non-cardia gastric adenocarcinoma — as a likely risk factor for cardia, GOJ, and oesophageal cancers as well. The authors synthesize epidemiological + clinical evidence linking AIG and pernicious anaemia to junctional and oesophageal adenocarcinoma, and propose mechanistic candidates: corpus-predominant atrophy disrupting acid + intrinsic-factor production and seeding distal intestinal metaplasia, immunological field effects, and B12-deficient mucosal vulnerability. They flag the diagnostic + epidemiologic obstacles that have hidden this association: ambiguous cardia anatomy, confounding by H. pylori, and chronic under-recognition of AIG in routine endoscopy. The proposed research agenda: well-phenotyped AIG cohorts, biomarker-driven risk stratification, refined surveillance up the stomach–GOJ–oesophagus continuum.
Post angle: 🔍 Gut review (Lenti, Di Sabatino + NCI's Camargo) reframes autoimmune gastritis: not just a precursor to non-cardia gastric adeno + type-I NETs — likely a hidden risk factor for cardia, GOJ, and oesophageal cancer too. Time to rethink surveillance in pernicious anaemia patients. #GastricCancer #Esophageal #GIOnc
Additional Papers of Interest
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JAMA Oncology — pancreas, head/neck, and liver/biliary cancers are among the top-5 cancer types for SSDV; advanced cancer aHR 1.30, younger veterans (≤45 y) carry persistent 5-year elevated risk (aHR 1.58). Mandatory reading for GI oncology survivorship clinics.
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JCO editorial — Brown TJ, Ozer M, Grewal US, Hornstein NJ (UT Southwestern / Emory / Northwell) argue the Temab-A Phase I data justify prioritizing c-Met ADCs in MSS mCRC. Read in tandem with the Phase I above.
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OncLive — Plenary LBA5 daraxonrasib RASolute 302 in 2L mPDAC (May 31, Wolpin BM); LBA3500 CIRCULATE Phase 3 ctDNA-guided adjuvant Stage II colon (May 31, AIO KRK-0217); LBA4000 EMERALD-3 Phase 3 dur + treme + lenvatinib + TACE in unresectable HCC (June 1). Topline data covered in May 26 + May 27 digests; full presentations and discussant comments drop this weekend.
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