Early-stage gastric cancer can be assessed more accurately using a new liquid biopsy tool that predicts lymph node metastasis, as reported by researchers from Science Tokyo. They developed a model that uses deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation biomarkers in plasma and computed tomography imaging to predict the risk of metastasis. This tool will help low-risk patients safely avoid unnecessary invasive surgery.

The SISAQOL-IMI consortium, co-led by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and Boehringer Ingelheim (BI), just announced the publication of its pivotal paper in The Lancet Oncology outlining how its recommendations for patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in cancer clinical trials were developed. Alongside the publication, the consortium has released a suite of accessible online materials designed to support researchers, clinicians, regulators, and policy makers in implementing these recommendations.

Cancer-fighting antibody drugs are designed to penetrate tumor cells and release a lethal payload deep within, but too often they don’t make it that far. A new study shows how this Trojan Horse strategy works better by exploiting calcium differences outside and inside cells. A research team led by Sophia Hober, professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, reported the development of a calcium activated delivery system they say could enable more precise treatment, with lower doses and less collateral damage to healthy tissue.