Latest Radiation Oncology research

Top 10 this week

Week of 20 September 2026

1. 1

   Summary of Research: HER2CLIMB-05: A Phase III Study of Tucatinib Versus Placebo in Combination with Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab as First-Line Maintenance Therapy for HER2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer

   Targeted oncology · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 19 September 2026

   In the phase III HER2CLIMB-05 trial, adding tucatinib to trastuzumab-pertuzumab after induction chemotherapy lengthened median progression-free survival to 24.9 months versus 16.3 months with placebo. Toxicities were as expected and manageable, suggesting tucatinib-based maintenance is a strong new option, though overall survival and long-term safety remain to be clarified.

2. 2

   Comparative oncological efficacy of chemotherapy, cytoreductive surgery with or without HIPEC in recurrent ovarian cancer: A network meta-analysis

   European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 11 September 2026

   A network meta-analysis of 1,831 patients showed that both secondary cytoreductive surgery alone and surgery plus HIPEC lengthened five-year progression-free survival by roughly one-quarter compared with chemotherapy, while overall survival was unchanged overall. Benefit appeared strongest in patients with complete tumor removal, and the survival advantage of adding HIPEC remains uncertain and based on indirect evidence.

3. 3

   Time to subsequent therapy (TTST) as an endpoint in clinical studies: development of standardized documentation of subsequent therapy through systematic literature review, expert interviews, and Delphi survey

   Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 2 September 2026

   In a Delphi survey of 381 clinicians, patients and relatives, 81% affirmed that time to subsequent therapy (TTST) reflects outcomes important to patients across five tumor types. Researchers identified nine scenarios that justify TTST and created a detailed and short checklist to record reasons and effects of therapy changes, enabling standardized, patient-focused reporting.

4. 4

   Quality of Outcome Reporting for Older Subgroups in FDA Registration Gastroesophageal Cancer Trials (2010-2024): A Systematic Review

   Cancers · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 24 August 2026

   Among 13 FDA-approved trials enrolling 9,320 patients (40% aged 65+), just two studies provided complete baseline characteristics and toxicity outcomes for the older subgroup. While overall survival and progression-free survival were often reported, detailed older-patient data remain sparse, underscoring a need for better trial design and reporting standards.

5. 5

   Chemotherapy Backbone and Outcomes of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Combinations Across Solid Tumors: A Pan-Tumor Network Meta-Analysis

   The oncologist · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 17 September 2026

   A network meta-analysis of 39 randomized trials (over 30,000 patients) found that adding immune checkpoint inhibitors to chemotherapy improved progression-free survival by roughly 30% and overall survival by about 20%, with the platinum-pemetrexed backbone delivering the largest survival gain (about a one-third reduction in death risk).

6. 6

   Short or Long Antibiotic Regimens in Orthopedics

   The New England journal of medicine · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 16 September 2026

   In 475 adults who received a local-antibiotic implant during surgery, definite treatment failure by 12 months occurred in 11% of those given up to 7 days of systemic antibiotics versus 14% of those given at least 4 weeks, meeting the pre-specified non-inferiority margin. Short-course patients also reported far fewer treatment-related symptoms (17% vs 45%). The finding supports limiting systemic therapy, though longer-term outcomes remain to be studied.

7. 7

   Integration of early palliative care in cancer treatment: a meta-analysis of 39 randomized controlled trials on clinical outcomes and management optimization

   Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 19 September 2026

   A meta-analysis of 39 randomized trials involving 8,400 cancer patients found that integrating palliative care within 12 weeks of diagnosis improves quality of life by a modest but consistent margin and is associated with a roughly 16% lower risk of death. The survival signal is exploratory and data from low- and middle-income settings remain limited, so broader applicability needs further study.

8. 8

   Comparative efficacy of endovascular interventions for femoropopliteal in-stent restenosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

   European journal of radiology · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 9 September 2026

   In six randomized trials of 475 patients, drug-coated balloon angioplasty lowered the need for target-lesion revascularization at one year by roughly four-fifths compared with standard balloon angioplasty, and also reduced recurrent restenosis at six months. Other strategies such as laser atherectomy with a drug-coated balloon showed promise but are based on limited data, and mortality was similar across treatments within the short-term follow-up.

9. 9

   A Multicenter Randomized Phase III Trial Comparing MET Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors vs. Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors With or Without Chemotherapy as First-Line Treatment for Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Harboring MET Exon 14 Skipping Mutations: JCOG2506 (DECIDE-MET)

   Clinical lung cancer · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 20 August 2026

   An open-label, multicenter randomized study will enroll 100 treatment-naïve adults with advanced MET exon 14-skipping lung cancer, assigning them to either tepotinib or capmatinib versus pembrolizumab alone (PD-L1 at least 50%) or pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy (PD-L1 <50%). Overall survival is the primary endpoint, aiming to resolve which first-line strategy offers better efficacy and tolerability.

10. 10

    Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy as first-line therapy for advanced HER2-negative gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: 4.5-year follow-up from the randomized phase III KEYNOTE-859 study

    ESMO open · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 16 September 2026

    After 4½ years of follow-up, first-line pembrolizumab with chemotherapy extended median overall survival to 12.9 months versus 11.5 months with chemotherapy alone, a 22% reduction in death risk. Benefit was seen across all PD-L1 levels, though severe treatment-related adverse events were slightly more common, leaving the magnitude of clinical impact under discussion.

Paper of the day, last two weeks

• Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for oligometastatic breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis (SABRINA)

  Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 20 September 2026

  In a meta-analysis of 1,577 patients, stereotactic ablative radiotherapy gave 92% local control at one year and 91% overall survival at two years for newly diagnosed oligometastatic disease, versus only 66% survival for oligoprogressive cases. Toxicity was rare (about 1.5% grade 3+ events), but randomized data are still inconclusive, underscoring the need for trials that separate these disease states.

• SBRT Plus Nivolumab in Advanced NSCLC: A Phase II Multicenter Study With Exploratory Bone Metastases Subgroup Analysis

  Clinical lung cancer · Q1 journal · Non-randomized trial · Evidence level 2 (Moderate) · 25 August 2026

  In a phase II trial of 83 patients who had progressed after standard therapy, adding stereotactic radiotherapy to nivolumab produced an objective response in about four of ten patients, with a median overall survival of roughly 26 months and manageable toxicity. Exploratory analysis suggested higher response when bone metastases also received radiotherapy, but these findings need prospective validation.

• Efficacy and safety of omitting the clinical target volume in limited-stage small cell lung cancer: a large-scale multicenter real-world study

  Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology · Q1 journal · Prospective cohort · Evidence level 2 (Moderate) · 19 September 2026

  In a propensity-matched analysis of 530 patients, omitting the clinical target volume did not change response rates, progression-free or overall survival, but reduced grade 3 or higher radiation pneumonitis from 8.3% to 3.4% and severe esophagitis from 9.1% to 5.7%. The benefit was especially pronounced in those receiving immunotherapy, suggesting a safer radiotherapy approach that merits prospective testing.

• Low-Dose Radiation Therapy for Osteoarthritis: Analysis of Preliminary Outcomes at Scripps Clinic

  Advances in radiation oncology · Q1 journal · Cohort · Evidence level 4 (Very Low) · 11 September 2026

  In a retrospective series of 167 patients (184 joints), a 3 Gy course of low-dose radiation lowered average pain scores from 6.3 to 2.5 and cut weekly analgesic use by about one day, while improving quality-of-life ratings. No serious side effects occurred, but larger trials are needed to confirm these early US results.

• Prostate and pelvic SABR with or without a focal boost: results from a multicenter phase II prospective clinical trial

  Clinical and translational radiation oncology · Q1 journal · Non-randomized trial · Evidence level 2 (Moderate) · 11 August 2026

  In a multicenter phase II trial of 76 high-risk prostate cancer patients, weekly 5-fraction SABR (25 Gy to nodes, 40 Gy to prostate, optional 50 Gy boost) produced acute grade 2+ GI and GU toxicities in 4% and 18% and late grade 2 toxicities in under 5%, with no grade 3+ events. Five-year biochemical failure was 10.5%, suggesting the regimen is safe and effective, though confirmatory randomized data are pending.

• Dose-Escalated Radiation Therapy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis

  Advances in radiation oncology · Q1 journal · Prospective cohort · Evidence level 4 (Very Low) · 29 July 2026

  Dose‑escalated RT for muscle‑invasive bladder cancer

• Radiation Therapy for Bladder Cancer: An ASTRO Clinical Practice Guideline

  Practical radiation oncology · Q1 journal · Guideline · Evidence level 1 (High) · 15 September 2026

  The ASTRO guideline recommends trimodal chemoradiation, with concurrent radiosensitizing agents, as an alternative to radical cystectomy for patients with cT2-4aN0M0 bladder cancer, especially when systemic therapy is added for higher-risk disease. It also advises postoperative radiation for ypT3-4 or node-positive cases and palliative bladder RT for symptomatic metastases, emphasizing multidisciplinary evaluation and modern image-guided techniques.

• Cardiac Substructure Dose Quantification and Optimization in Left-Sided Lung Cancer Radiotherapy

  Practical radiation oncology · Q1 journal · Unclassified · Evidence level 5 (Expert Opinion) · 11 September 2026

  In 50 left-sided lung cancer patients, eleven cardiac substructures received mean doses above the institutional whole-heart limit, with the left anterior descending artery exposed to 15 Gy in 84% of its volume. Strategic replanning reduced that exposure to 14% of the artery, showing that substructure-sparing plans are feasible and may lessen radiation-induced heart injury.

• Early Volumetric Response After Stereotactic Radiosurgery in Treatment-Naïve Koos Grade III-IV Cystic Vestibular Schwannomas

  Practical radiation oncology · Q1 journal · Cohort · Evidence level 3 (Low) · 10 September 2026

  In a weighted analysis of 15 cystic and 61 solid Koos grade III-IV schwannomas, cystic lesions showed significantly greater volume reduction at 3-6 months and 12-18 months post-SRS, while long-term shrinkage equalized. Local control was 100% for cystic and 98% for solid tumors, supporting SRS as a less invasive option for large cystic VS.

• Improved Locoregional Recurrence-Free Survival With Carbon Ion Versus Photon Radiotherapy in Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

  Cancer medicine · Q1 journal · Prospective cohort · Evidence level 2 (Moderate) · 1 September 2026

  In a propensity-matched analysis of 292 patients, carbon ion radiotherapy achieved a median locoregional recurrence-free survival of 57.7 months versus 25 months with conventional photon therapy, and also reduced acute grade 2 or higher toxicities. Overall survival and distant-metastasis outcomes were similar, highlighting a need for prospective trials to confirm the benefit.

• Whole-pelvic Versus Prostate-only Radiotherapy in Clinically Node-negative High-Risk Localised Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis with Reconstructed Individual-patient Data

  Clinical oncology (Royal College of Radiologists (Great Britain)) · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 22 August 2026

  A meta-analysis of five phase-III trials (5,172 men) found that elective whole-pelvic radiotherapy gave no overall-survival advantage compared with prostate-only treatment, and any apparent gains in biochemical or metastasis-free survival vanished when a single PSMA-staged trial was removed. The approach modestly raised late grade 2 or higher urinary and gastrointestinal side effects, leaving routine pelvic irradiation unsupported pending prospective validation.

• Multi-Institutional Proton Beam Therapy Outcomes for Hepatocellular Carcinoma From the Proton Collaborative Group REG001-09 Registry Study

  Advances in radiation oncology · Q1 journal · Unclassified · Evidence level 5 (Expert Opinion) · 27 August 2026

  In a U.S. registry of 88 patients treated with dose-escalated proton beam therapy, 93% remained free of local tumor recurrence at two years, while overall survival was about 55% and no severe (grade 3 or higher) toxicities occurred. The results suggest proton therapy is safe and highly effective locally, especially for larger tumors, but larger prospective trials are still needed.

• Reduced-dose Radiotherapy without Chemotherapy for Intracranial Germinomas: Results from an Asian Multicenter Study

  Neuro-oncology · Q1 journal · Non-randomized trial · Evidence level 2 (Moderate) · 7 September 2026

  In 139 patients treated with radiotherapy without chemotherapy, five-year event-free survival was 90% and overall survival nearly 100%, with no grade 3 or higher toxicities or secondary cancers. Doses up to 30.6 Gy to the tumor and 18 Gy to the extended field were sufficient, and higher doses offered no benefit. Further prospective validation is planned.

• Induction and consolidation atezolizumab with stereotactic body radiation therapy versus radiation alone in high-risk, early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (SWOG/NRG S1914): a multicentre, open-label, superiority, phase 3, randomised controlled trial

  Lancet (London, England) · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 6 September 2026

  In a phase 3 trial of 402 medically inoperable early-stage NSCLC patients, overall survival at two years was identical (82%) for SBRT alone versus SBRT plus atezolizumab, with a hazard ratio of 1.04. Grade 3-plus adverse events were four times higher (12% vs 3%) and two treatment-related deaths occurred, indicating no benefit and increased risk.

Evidence summaries in Radiation Oncology

• Patterns of Failure in Head and Neck Cancer Post Chemo Radiation
• Patterns of Failure in Cervical Cancer Treatment
• Esophageal Cancer Radiation Management
• Gastric Cancer Radiation Management
• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Radiation Management