Trial Results: ECOG-ACRIN research round-up – Spring 2026

Below, we highlight results from research studies by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group that were recently published in medical journals. Some of these studies show progress toward developing more effective therapies for people with cancer and enhancing their quality of life during and after treatment. Others address challenges faced by cancer survivors and persistent gaps in access to clinical trials.

Blood Cancers – A new framework for stem cell transplant studies

• Total body irradiation (TBI) is often used before stem cell transplants to treat blood cancers. A newer method, called intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT-TBI), may be better at targeting radiation and reducing harmful side effects compared to traditional TBI. However, large prospective trials done at multiple cancer centers and community hospitals are needed to compare these two approaches. Experts from NRG Oncology, ECOG-ACRIN, and other groups have worked together to create guidelines for future clinical trials that will evaluate IMRT-TBI. Their published framework explains how to deliver treatment safely and consistently across multiple clinical sites and provides guidance for carefully evaluating the results. 

Breast Cancer – An AI tool may help more patients get genomic testing  

• After surgery for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative, early-stage breast cancer, doctors often use the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score® test to decide if chemotherapy is needed. The test examines genes in tumor tissue to estimate the risk of the cancer returning. While helpful, it can be expensive and hard to access. Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model using data from the TAILORx trial to analyze tumor tissue images from routine pathology slides and clinical information, offering estimates of recurrence risk. Their published study shows that the AI tool can help guide chemotherapy decisions and improve access to personalized treatment in areas around the world where genomic testing is not available or too costly. More research is needed before it can be widely used.

Cancer Survivorship – Talk therapy and health education reduce recurrence fears

• Fear that cancer may return is common among breast cancer survivors. A new study looked at two ways to help: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and health management education. CBT helps people manage worry by changing negative thoughts and improving emotional coping. Health management focuses on practical steps, like understanding symptoms and knowing when to seek care. Researchers found that both approaches are helpful but work in different ways. Together, they can give patients tools to feel more in control and less anxious. The published findings from this study suggest that combining emotional support with practical information may better help survivors cope with the fear of recurrence.

Cancer Survivorship – Immunotherapy may affect fertility in young women

• For many young women with cancer, immune checkpoint inhibitors are a standard treatment, but their effects on fertility are not well understood. A new study examined women with melanoma treated with ipilimumab in the E1609 trial. Researchers saw hormone changes linked to lower ovarian reserve, which may signal reduced fertility potential. Though the study was small and not designed to prove cause and effect, the published findings raise important concerns and emphasize the need for better understanding of these risks to guide conversations between patients and doctors about fertility preservation before starting treatment.

Clinical Trial Access – Gaps persist in trial representation

• Cancer clinical trials often do not reflect the actual population affected by the disease, such as older adults and people from marginalized groups. A new study looked at enrollment data from ECOG-ACRIN breast cancer trials conducted between 2002 and 2022. Researchers found that these groups continue to be under-represented, though participation has improved in some areas over time. Enrollment was influenced by factors such as trial design, eligibility criteria, and study locations. The published findings from this study highlight ongoing gaps and suggest that changes at both the trial and site levels are needed to ensure broader participation in cancer research.

Leukemia – Long-term survival in older adults with AML

• Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) often affects older adults, who may have fewer treatment options. The E2906 randomized clinical trial included patients aged 60 and older who were in remission after their first treatment. It focused on maintenance treatment, comparing outcomes for patients who received different post-remission treatments. The main results were first reported in 2015, followed by an update in 2019, and quality-of-life information in 2023. A new publication offers long-term outcome data with about 5 years of follow-up. Researchers found that some patients could achieve lasting survival, but benefits varied by treatment and patient factors. The study also confirmed earlier findings about safety and quality of life. These results help doctors better understand long-term outcomes and guide treatment decisions for older patients with AML.

Precision Medicine – Targeted therapy shows lasting benefit across cancers

• Some cancers share the same genetic change, even if they start in different parts of the body. In the NCI-MATCH trial (Arm H study), patients with a BRAF V600 mutation were treated with two targeted drugs, dabrafenib and trametinib. Earlier results helped support a tumor-agnostic approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This updated study followed more patients over a longer time. Results showed that the drug combination continued to provide meaningful benefit and had a manageable safety profile, supporting its use across different cancer types with this mutation.

Precision Medicine – High response rates with targeted therapy

• Some cancers are driven by rare gene changes called NTRK fusions. In another arm of the NCI-MATCH trial (Z1E), researchers studied larotrectinib, a drug designed to target these changes. The study found that about 75% of patients had their tumors shrink, showing a strong response to treatment. These published results highlight the value of testing tumors for specific genetic changes, regardless of cancer type. The findings support conducting further clinical trials to study larotrectinib in patients with NTRK fusions.