Targeted, High-dose Radiation May Improve Treatment for ‘Supermassive’ Bile Duct Tumors

Kathleen Medora / aacr - Patients with very large intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma experienced improved outcomes when targeted, high-dose radiation was added to chemotherapy PHILADELPHIA – Patients with supermassive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) benefited from ablative rad…

AI Summary: New clinical reports indicate that targeted high‑dose radiation can improve outcomes for very large “supermassive” bile duct tumors, offering better local control and symptom relief than conventional approaches. Early data suggest this intensity‑modulated strategy may expand options for otherwise difficult‑to‑treat cases, though longer follow‑up is needed to confirm survival benefits.

J. Michael Bishop, Nobel Prize Winner for Cancer Research, Dies at 90

Delthia Ricks / nytimes - He helped discover cancer-causing genes. Later, as chancellor of the University of California, San Francisco, he led a major expansion.

AI Summary: J. Michael Bishop, Nobel Prize–winning cancer researcher, has died at 90. Colleagues recall his transformative work illuminating oncogenes and reshaping cancer biology, plus a career of mentorship that seeded generations of scientists. The obituaries and memorial pieces celebrate both his landmark discoveries and the enduring institutions and researchers he helped build.

Efficacy of Romiplostim In the Treatment and Prevention of Recurrence of Persistent Chemotherapy-Induced Thrombocytopenia

esmo - Findings from the RECITE study

AI Summary: A clinical study found romiplostim effective in treating and preventing recurrent persistent chemotherapy‑induced thrombocytopenia, restoring platelet counts and enabling continuation of scheduled cytotoxic therapy. Patients experienced fewer delays and dose reductions, positioning romiplostim as a useful strategy to keep chemo on track—because, apparently, platelet math still runs cancer care.

Results from the Phase 2 POLAR Trial: Pembrolizumab and Olaparib in HRD Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

oncodaily - Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging malignancies to treat, particularly in the metastatic setting, where immunotherapy has historically shown minimal activity. However, a biologically defined subset of patients […]

AI Summary: The Phase 2 POLAR trial presented results evaluating pembrolizumab combined with olaparib in homologous recombination–deficient metastatic pancreatic cancer, including safety, response rates and biomarker analyses. Investigators observed signals of activity in HRD‑selected patients, suggesting the immunotherapy–PARP inhibitor combination merits larger randomized testing rather than immediate headline glory.

FDA flags misleading claims for cancer drug by biotech billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong

abcnews - Federal health officials have issued a warning about controversial statements made by biotech billionaire Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong about one of his company's cancer drugs

AI Summary: The FDA issued warnings over promotional materials and public statements related to a cancer drug associated with a biotech entrepreneur, finding claims that could mislead patients and investors. The agency asked the company to correct materials and refrain from unsubstantiated efficacy or safety assertions while oversight and compliance reviews continue.

Merck’s $6.7B Terns Acquisition Positions It to Challenge a Blockbuster Novartis Cancer Drug

Frank Vinluan / medcitynews - Merck has been acquiring assets that could help make up for the coming revenue decline as its top product, the cancer drug Keytruda, drops off the patent cliff. Terns Pharmaceuticals’ lead product candidate, in development for treating a type of leukemia,…

AI Summary: Merck announced a definitive deal to acquire Terns Pharmaceuticals for about $6.7 billion, gaining a promising leukemia drug candidate and bolstering its oncology pipeline. The transaction aims to combine Merck’s late‑stage development and commercialization capabilities with Terns’ targeted therapy assets to compete in hematologic malignancies.

Population-based lung cancer screening can reduce mortality in people who have never smoked, study shows

medicalxpress - New evidence from a Chinese cohort presented at the European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC) 2026 shows that one-time low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening can significantly reduce lung cancer mortality in a non–risk based population, including indivi…

AI Summary: A large population‑based study found organized lung cancer screening reduced mortality even in people who never smoked, demonstrating the benefits of expanded CT screening criteria and systematic outreach. The results suggest screening programs can detect lethal disease earlier across broader risk groups, prompting reconsideration of current eligibility rules.

Novartis to pay $2B upfront to take next-gen PI3Kα inhibitor from Synnovation

Ayisha Sharma / endpoints - Novartis has budgeted $2 billion upfront to buy a more selective PI3Kα inhibitor for breast cancer. The Swiss pharma already has Piqray with a similar target, but drugmakers are now entering the next-generation era as ...

AI Summary: Novartis agreed to pay $2 billion upfront to acquire Synnovation’s mutant‑selective PI3Kα inhibitor, a bet to revive and strengthen PI3K‑targeting combination strategies in breast cancer. The deal swaps in external innovation for internal development speed, shoring up the company’s oncology pipeline while quietly admitting buying is sometimes faster than building.

TerraPower Isotopes Invests $450M in Actinium-225 Production Facility

oncodaily - TerraPower Isotopes (TPI), the Bill Gates-founded nuclear science company, unveiled plans on March 17, 2026 to invest $450 million in a state-of-the-art actinium-225 (Ac-225) manufacturing facility in Philadelphia’s Bellwether District. The 250,000-square…

AI Summary: TerraPower announced a $450 million investment to construct a commercial Actinium‑225 production facility to supply alpha‑emitting radioisotopes for targeted cancer therapies. The plan tackles chronic supply shortages, strengthens domestic radiopharmaceutical capacity and positions the company at the center of growing demand for targeted‑alpha therapeutics — and yes, investors are watching.

A liquid biopsy blood test may improve children's survival of cancer in Africa

medicalxpress - In a study published in Nature Medicine, researchers from the University of Oxford and the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania have shown that a minimally invasive liquid biopsy test can diagnose Burkitt l…

AI Summary: A blood‑based liquid biopsy for EBV‑positive Burkitt’s lymphoma shows promise for earlier, less invasive diagnosis in endemic regions, potentially improving pediatric survival where tissue biopsies are scarce. Early data indicate actionable sensitivity and feasibility for low‑resource settings, offering a scalable path to faster treatment.

Rob Winn Appointed Director of NCI-Designated Fox Chase Cancer Center

oncodaily - Fox Chase Cancer Center shared a post on LinkedIn: “Temple Health – Temple University Health System today announced the appointment of Dr. Rob Winn, MD, as the next Cancer Center […]

AI Summary: Rob Winn has been appointed director of the NCI‑designated Fox Chase Cancer Center, taking the reins of clinical, research and strategic operations. His role will focus on strengthening translational research, patient care integration and institutional partnerships to advance the center's mission — you know, the usual: cure more cancer, argue less in committee meetings.