Citations

e16443 Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies, with KRAS mutations present in approximately 90% of cases. Patients with advanced or metastatic PDAC who have progressed after standard chemotherapy face limited treatment options, with historical outcomes showing objective response rates (ORR) below 10% and median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of approximately 2-4 months and 6-8 months, respectively. The development of covalent KRAS G12C inhibitors—including sotorasib, adagrasib, garsorasib, glecirasib, and divarasib—has opened new therapeutic options for this molecularly defined subset of PDAC patients. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials evaluating KRAS G12C inhibitor monotherapy in patients with advanced/metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Data were extracted from 3 studies (Strickler 2022, Li J 2025, and Tanios 2023) encompassing a total of 91 patients with KRAS G12C-mutant PDAC who had received 1-2 prior lines of chemotherapy. Pooled estimates were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis models (DerSimonian-Laird method). For proportion outcomes (ORR and DCR), standard errors were calculated using binomial distribution, and for continuous outcomes (PFS and OS), inverse-variance weighting was employed. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic and Cochran's Q test. All confidence intervals were calculated at the 95% level. Results: The pooled analysis revealed clinically meaningful efficacy across all endpoints. The pooled objective response rate (ORR) was 32.9% (95% CI: 17.0% to 48.9%), with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 64.0%). The pooled disease control rate (DCR) was substantially higher at 88.3% (95% CI: 80.5% to 96.1%), with low heterogeneity (I² = 27.7%), indicating consistent disease stabilization across studies. For survival outcomes, the pooled median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.98 months (95% CI: 3.62 to 6.34 months), with low heterogeneity (I² = 32.3%). The pooled median overall survival (OS) was 8.73 months (95% CI: 6.07 to 11.39 months), though with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 77.0%). Conclusions: KRAS G12C inhibitor monotherapy demonstrates clinically significant and durable efficacy in pretreated adults with advanced/metastatic PDAC harboring the KRAS G12C mutation. The pooled ORR of approximately one-third, together with a DCR near 90%, indicates substantial tumor control in a population with historically poor outcomes. Median PFS of approximately 5 months and OS of nearly 9 months represent clinically relevant improvements over standard salvage therapies, supporting KRAS G12C inhibitors as a viable option after chemotherapy failure.

9568 Background: Stage IIB/C cutaneous melanoma is associated with high recurrence risk, however stratification of risk in relation to time after surgery has not been comprehensively evaluated. We evaluated recurrence-free survival (RFS) at key time points, stratified by clinicopathologic factors, to identify patients (pts) at higher recurrence risk and personalize postoperative surveillance strategies. Methods: In this multi-institutional, international retrospective cohort study from the Sentinel Lymph Node Working Group database, we included pts with pathologic T3b/T4a/T4b and N0 disease who underwent surgical resection and sentinel node biopsy from 1994-2025. The type of first recurrence (local, regional, distant) was characterized based on time category (0-12, 12-24, 24-60, and 60+ months after surgery). Restricted mean survival time (RMST) analysis was used to measure the average survival time up to a specified time point (6-, 12-, 24-, and 60-months after surgery), and associations of clinicopathologic variables (age, sex, Breslow thickness, ulceration and lymphovascular invasion [LVI]) with RFS. Results: We included 2514 stage IIB/C pts from 19 sites in 4 countries, with a median follow-up of 53 (stage IIB) and 49 (stage IIC) months. 675 (27%) pts experienced a recurrence (92 [14%] local, 238 [35%] regional and 345 [51%] distant), and 400 (59%) recurrences occurred within 24 months. The proportion of distant recurrences as the first recurrence increased significantly with time, comprising 39%, 50%, 62%, and 59% of recurrences in the 0-12, 12-24, 24-60, and 60+ month time categories respectively (χ 2 p<0.001). No significant differences were observed for the included clinicopathologic variables for 6-month RMST estimates. At 12 months, RMST estimates for thickness ≥4 mm (11.2 vs 11.6 months for thickness 2-3.99 mm, p<0.001) and presence of LVI (10.7 vs 11.4 months, p=0.009) were significantly different. 24-month RMST estimates differed for male sex (20.7 vs 21.5 months vs females, p=0.002), thickness ≥4 mm (20.5 vs 21.9 months, p<0.001), and presence of LVI (19.0 vs 21.1 months, p<0.001). Lastly, 60-month RMST estimates differed for male sex (42.0 vs 45.2 months, p=0.001), thickness ≥4 mm (41.5 vs 46.2 months, p<0.001), LVI (36.0 vs 43.7 months, p<0.001), and age >65 years (41.5 vs 46.4 for age <42, p=0.022). Conclusions: In this real-world, multi-center analysis of pathologic stage IIB/C melanoma pts, recurrence patterns varied based on time after surgery. Breslow thickness, LVI, male sex, and age were significantly associated with earlier recurrence at different time intervals on RMST analysis. Additionally, given that >50% of first recurrences 12+ months after surgery were distant, active surveillance for distant relapses may be warranted.

7569 Background: MAIA and CEPHEUS trials demonstrated that daratumumab (Dara) with standard of care (SOC) VRd or Rd significantly improved clinical outcomes versus SOC in TIE NDMM. Here we describe efficacy and safety in TIE pts from both trials by age and baseline (BL) frailty using the latest data cuts. Methods: Pts were randomized 1:1 to DRd (n=368) or Rd (n=369) in MAIA and 1:1 to DVRd (n=144) or VRd (n=145) in CEPHEUS. Progression-free survival (PFS), complete response or better (≥CR), overall MRD negativity (neg) at 10 -5 with ≥CR, sustained MRD neg with ≥CR (confirmed MRD neg ≥12 ± 1 months [mo] apart without MRD positivity in between), and safety were assessed by age (<70, 70–<75, or ≥75 years [y]) and BL frailty (assessed by IFM simplified frailty score: 0–1, non-frail; ≥2, frail). Results: Median follow-up was 64.5 mo in MAIA and 76.0 mo in CEPHEUS. In MAIA, 155 (21%) pts were <70 y, 261 (35%) 70–<75 y, and 321 (44%) ≥75 y; 341 (46%) pts were frail, 88.0 % of whom were ≥70 y. In CEPHEUS TIE pts, 70 (24%) pts were <70 y, 133 (46%) 70–<75 y, and 86 (30%) ≥75 y; 83 (29%) pts were frail, 86% of whom were ≥70 y. DRd or DVRd improved PFS, MRD neg rates, sustained MRD neg rates, and ≥CR rates vs Rd or VRd arms across age and frailty subgroups in both trials (Table). Safety was consistent with established individual drug profiles, and adverse event rates were generally comparable across treatment arms and subgroups within both trials. Additional data on patient-specific factors relevant to these subgroups will be presented. Conclusions: Dara-based regimens improved efficacy outcomes across subgroups in MAIA and CEPHEUS trials, reinforcing Dara-based regimens as SOC in TIE NDMM regardless of age or frailty. These data offer clinically relevant insights to help guide treatment selection for TIE pts. Clinical trial information: NCT03652064 ; NCT02252172 . PFS, hazard ratio (95% CI) ≥CR rate, % MRD neg with ≥CR (10 -5 ) rate, % Sustained MRD neg with ≥CR (10 -5 ) rate, % Age/ Frailty status MAIA* CEPHEUS** MAIA* CEPHEUS ** MAIA* CEPHEUS** MAIA* CEPHEUS ** <70 y 0.35 (0.21–0.56) 0.60 (0.31–1.18) 56.4 vs 31.2 85.7 vs 68.6 35.9 vs 11.7 74.3 vs 42.9 25.6 vs 3.9 62.9 vs 28.6 70–<75 y 0.64 (0.45–0.89) 0.60 (0.37–0.99) 56.2 vs 31.3 77.9 vs 69.2 36.2 vs 12.2 55.9 vs 47.7 20.8 vs 5.3 45.6 vs 38.5 ≥75 y 0.59 (0.44–0.79) 0.46 (0.22–0.94) 44.4 vs 28.6 80.5 vs 44.4 26.9 vs 9.9 58.5 vs 26.7 13.8 vs 3.1 43.9 vs 15.6 Frail 0.64 (0.48–0.85) 0.62 (0.32–1.18) 44.8 vs 33.1 72.9 vs 54.3 25.6 vs 13.0 56.3 vs 34.3 15.7 vs 4.1 39.6 vs 17.1 Non-frail 0.48 (0.36–0.64) 0.51 (0.34–0.78) 56.6 vs 27.5 84.4 vs 63.6 37.8 vs 9.5 63.5 vs 41.8 21.4 vs 4.0 54.2 vs 32.7 *MAIA: DRd vs Rd; **CEPHEUS: DVRd vs VRd.

Abstract Introduction Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) identifies a hypercontractile phenotype (HP) in chronic coronary syndromes (CCS), characterized by elevated resting left ventricular (LV) elastance (force = systolic blood pressure/end-systolic volume). To evaluate the prognostic significance and functional correlates of HP. Methods In a prospective multicentre study, 10 677 patients with CCS underwent resting TTE to assess LV ejection fraction (EF), stroke volume, and force by quantitative volumetric echocardiography. All patients were followed for the endpoint of all-cause mortality. In a subset of 5834 patients, stress echocardiography (exercise or dobutamine) was performed for LV contractile reserve and heart rate reserve. Results Patients were stratified into Force quintiles (Q1–Q5). Patients with hypercontractile phenotype exhibited lower stroke volume at rest (Q5 = 34.8 ± 12.3 vs Q1–Q4 = 57.4 ± 19.1 mL; P &lt; .01) and higher EF at rest (Q5 = 64.8 ± 6.9% vs Q1–Q4 = 58.1 ± 8.7%, P &lt; .01). During a median follow-up of 24 months (interquartile range = 12–40 months), 509 deaths occurred. The exposure-adjusted death rate was lowest in Q3 (3.53–4.51 mmHg/mL; 1.03 per 100 person/years) and higher in Q1 (≤2.62 mmHg/mL, 2.88), Q2 (2.63–3.52 mmHg/mL, 1.86), Q4 (4.52–6.11 mmHg/mL, 1.56), and Q5 (HP, &gt;6.11 mmHg/mL; 1.88; P &lt; .0001 vs Q1 and Q3). Multivariable analysis identified HP (Q5; HR 1.531 vs Q3, 95% CI 1.116–2.099; P = .006) and EF (HR 0.963, 95% CI 0.953–0.972; P &lt; .0001) as independent predictors of death. During exercise or dobutamine stress, HP showed reduced LV contractile reserve (ΔEF: Q5 = 4.3 ± 9.4% vs Q1–Q4 = 7.0 ± 9.3%; P &lt; .001) and blunted heart rate reserve (Q5 = 1.77 ± 0.33 vs Q1–Q4 = 1.85 ± 0.39; P &lt; .01). All patients with force-based LV contractile reserve &gt;4.1 (present in 185, 3.2% of the population) survived. Conclusion Patients with CCS with HP assessed by resting TTE demonstrate higher mortality and multilayered functional impairment, including reduced LV contractile and chronotropic reserves. Hypercontractile phenotype improved the prediction of mortality by EF. A ‘stronger’ heart is, in fact, functionally and prognostically weaker.

This guideline has been updated. This ASCO Living Guideline is reviewed on an eight-week cycle. Please see the online dynamic version for the latest updates. Living guidelines are developed for selected topic areas with rapidly evolving evidence that drives frequent change in recommended clinical practice. Living guidelines are updated on a regular schedule by a standing expert panel that systematically reviews the health literature on a continuous basis, as described in the ASCO Guidelines Methodology Manual . ASCO Living Guidelines follow the ASCO Conflict of Interest Policy Implementation for Clinical Practice Guidelines . Living Guidelines and updates are not intended to substitute for independent professional judgment of the treating clinician and do not account for individual variation among patients. See appendix for disclaimers and other important information ( Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 ). Updates are published regularly and can be found on the ASCO Publications website .

Abstract Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved survival in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), yet only a subset of patients benefits, and biomarkers like PD-L1 remain limited. Here, we introduce a deep learning-based pathomics framework that utilizes routine H&E-stained slides to predict therapeutic response and survival outcomes in ICI-treated metastatic NSCLC. Methods: The study included 797 ICI-treated NSCLC patients from MD Anderson, with external validation in 280 patients from Mayo Clinic, Gustave Roussy, and the Phase III ICI-naïve LUSC Lung-MAP S1400I trial receiving nivolumab with or without ipilimumab. Path-IO (Pathology-Driven Immunotherapy Optimization) comprised of four major steps: (1) pathologist-verified tissue classifier segmented WSIs into eight compartments—Background, Bronchi, Immune, Lung, Necrosis, Stroma, Tumor, and Vessel—and was validated on TCGA and CPTAC dataset; (2) a survival prediction module generating patient-level risk scores in the MD Anderson cohort and validated across external datasets; (3) integration of Path-IO risk scores with radiomics and clinical features to improve prognostic accuracy; and (4) biological interpretability analyses correlating Path-IO risk immune contexture from multiplex immunofluorescence and transcriptomic signatures from NanoString profiling. Results: Path-IO effectively stratified patients into high and low-risk groups with significant survival differences. In the MD Anderson cohort, it achieved HR = 2.11 (p &lt; 0.001) and HR = 2.51 (p &lt; 0.001) for OS in the discovery and validation sets, and HR = 2.34 (p &lt; 0.001) and HR = 1.87 (p &lt; 0.001) for PFS, respectively. In the multicenter Phase III Lung-MAP S1400I trial, Path-IO achieved HR = 1.78 (p = 0.016) for OS and HR = 2.76 (p = 0.006) for PFS. In external validation, it predicted outcomes in the Gustave Roussy (OS = 1.97, p = 0.003; PFS = 1.51, p = 0.046) and Mayo Clinic (OS = 2.46, p = 0.007; PFS = 2.45, p = 0.027) cohorts. Path-IO outperformed PD-L1 and remained an independent predictor in multivariate analysis (p &lt; 0.001). It enabled data-driven frontline selection between anti-PD-1 monotherapy and chemo-immunotherapy, offering guidance toward more personalized treatment decisions. Integration with radiomics and clinical features further improved predictive accuracy (OS 0.63→0.75; PFS C-index 0.58→0.70), while high Path-IO risk scores correlated with immune-cold phenotypes identified by multiplex immunofluorescence and NanoString transcriptomics. Conclusions: Path-IO demonstrates that deep learning models rooted in histopathologic architecture can generate interpretable and biologically informed survival predictions in NSCLC treated with ICIs. By integrating pathology, radiology, and clinical data, Path-IO provides complementary predictive value beyond established biomarkers such as PD-L1. Citation Format: Rukhmini Bandyopadhyay, Linghzi Hong, Mihaela Aldea, Shenduo Li, Lodovica Zullo, Frank R. Rojas, Maliazurina B. Saad, Maricel C. Marin, Muhammad Waqas, Jiexin Zhang, Eman Showkatian, Claudio A. Arrechedera, Xiaoyu Han, Yuliya Kitsel, Sherif Ismail, Muhammad Aminu, Bo Zhu, Carol C. Wu, Brett W. Carter, Joe Y Chang, Zhongxing Liao, Maria R. Ghigna, Davide Soldato, Hai T. Tran, Xiuning Le, Tina Cascone, Bingnan Zhang, Haniel A. Araujo, Mehmet Altan, Simon Heeke, David Jaffray, Don L. Gibbons, Ara Vaporciyan, J Jack Lee, Neda Kalhor, Cara Haymaker, Ignacio Wistuba, John V. Heymach, Yanyan Lou, Natalie Vokes, Luisa M. Solis Soto, Jianjun Zhang, Jia Wu. Path-IO: A deep learning pathomics framework for personalized immunotherapy selection and outcome prediction in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 4003.

Background The diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is facilitated by consensus identification of synovial biomarkers, which may be aided by targeted microbial next generation sequencing (NGS) of synovial fluid. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate NGS performance across 3 years to ICM 2018 minor criteria for PJI. Methods Synovial fluid specimens submitted from 2020–2022 by outpatient surgical clinics to MicroGenDX for matched synovial biomarker and NGS analysis were selected for retrospective analysis. Synovial biomarkers tested included C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC) count, and polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocyte percentage. Synovial fluid analysis compared NGS microbial positivity with positive incidence of PJI determined by scoring of synovial biomarkers using ICM 2018 minor criteria for infection. Results The overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of NGS to ICM diagnosed PJI across 2,011 specimens was 76.4% [95% CI, 0.723–0.801], 92.3% [0.91–0.94], and 88.7% [0.87–0.90], respectively. When comparing the diagnostic performance of NGS and individual biomarkers to infection, NGS was more specific to PJI than synovial CRP (specificity = 0.894, 95% CI: 0.88–0.91), but not PMN or WBC. NGS was positive in 7.7% of ICM negative samples. NGS positive: ICM negative samples were associated with significantly elevated synovial PMN ( p = 0.001) and WBC ( p &lt; 0.0001) compared to NGS negative: ICM negative samples. Across all samples, NGS positivity was associated with significantly elevated results for all tested biomarkers ( p &lt; 0.0001). Eight bacterial species dominated the composition in 68% of samples, whereas 46 different microbes were dominant in the remaining third. Conclusion Microbial targeted NGS positivity was concordant with ICM minor criteria for PJI and should be considered a useful tool for diagnosis. There is a low risk of false positive detections comparable to ICM biomarkers. Elevated biomarkers in NGS positive: ICM negative samples may indicate infection occurring that is poorly captured by the three measured synovial biomarkers. Uncommon species are collectively common to PJI and NGS is uniquely positioned to detect such species as they are frequently missed by conventional microbiological testing, including culture and quantitative PCR. These results suggest formal diagnostic schemes would benefit from the addition of NGS as a diagnostic criterion.

Abstract Solitary plasmacytoma of bone (SPB) is a localized plasma cell neoplasm associated with a substantial risk of progression to multiple myeloma (MM), yet the role of adjuvant systemic therapy following definitive radiation therapy (RT) remains undefined. We conducted a randomized phase III trial (Alliance A061402) to evaluate whether the addition of systemic therapy with ixazomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (IXA-LEN-DEX) to zoledronic acid (ZA) improves outcomes compared with ZA alone in patients with SPB and minimal (< 10%) bone marrow plasma cell involvement following RT. Patients were randomized to receive six 28-day cycles of IXA-LEN-DEX-ZA or ZA alone. The primary endpoint was time to progression (TTP) to MM. The study was closed early due to poor accrual after enrolling 11 patients (IXA-LEN-DEX-ZA, n = 5; ZA, n = 6). All patients completed RT and planned treatment without dose reductions. The combination regimen was well tolerated, with limited grade ≥ 3 toxicities, including hypophosphatemia and lymphopenia. At follow-up extending beyond 4 years, the 1- and 4-year progression rates to MM in the IXA-LEN-DEX-ZA arm were 0% and 33%, respectively, compared with 37.5% and 58.3% at 1 and 2 years in the ZA-alone arm. Although underpowered, these findings demonstrate the feasibility and tolerability of an all-oral adjuvant systemic regimen in SPB and provide prospective data supporting further investigation of systemic strategies to delay progression to MM.

Abstract Both the phase 3 MAIA and ALCYONE studies demonstrated significant survival benefit with the addition of daratumumab to standard-of-care Rd (Revlimid [lenalidomide] and dexamethasone; D-Rd) or to VMP (Velcade [bortezomib], melphalan, and prednisone; D-VMP), respectively, vs Rd or VMP alone in transplant-ineligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). Patients with NDMM are highly susceptible to infection; therefore, gaining a greater understanding of infection incidence may help to mitigate future risk. We conducted a pooled analysis of infection incidence, timing, and management strategies from MAIA and ALCYONE. The median (range) age of the pooled population was 72 (40-93) years. Incidence was higher with D-Rd/D-VMP vs Rd/VMP for grade 3/4 (36.9% vs 22.4%) and grade 5 (3.0% vs 1.5%) infections; however, exposure-adjusted incidence rates were generally comparable between groups. Any-grade infections led to the discontinuation of study treatment in ∼2% of patients across treatment groups. Of the timing intervals explored, the highest incidence of grade 3/4 infection occurred within the first 6-month interval of study treatment initiation in both groups. Median time to the first onset of grade 3/4 infections (per Kaplan-Meier estimates) was 83.3 months and not estimable in the D-Rd/D-VMP and Rd/VMP groups, respectively. Although the rates of D-Rd/D-VMP treatment discontinuation due to infection remained low in MAIA and ALCYONE, clinicians should remain vigilant about infections throughout treatment and follow local guidelines and International Myeloma Working Group recommendations to minimize the risk of infection. These trials were registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT02252172 (MAIA) and NCT02195479 (ALCYONE).

PURPOSE Although outcomes for nonmetastatic cancers have improved since the 1970s, it remains uncertain whether long-term survival has improved among patients presenting with de novo metastatic disease, defined as cancer presenting with distant metastases at the time of initial diagnosis. This study evaluated changes in 5-year survival among patients with de novo metastatic cancer diagnosed in 1976 versus 2015, with a minimum 5-year follow-up through 1981 and 2020, respectively. METHODS Population-based data were obtained from the SEER database. Patients diagnosed with de novo metastatic cancer in 1976 (n = 11,864) and 2015 (n = 26,324) were included. Five-year overall survival (OS) was compared between cohorts, and multivariable logistic regression identified demographic and clinical factors associated with survival. RESULTS The 5-year OS increased significantly from 10.6% in 1976-1981 to 23.6% in 2015-2020 ( P < .001). Survival gains were largest in breast cancer (12.6%-34.2%; P < .001), ovarian cancer (14.4%-32.5%; P < .001), colorectal cancer (3.7%-15.0%; P < .001), and hematologic malignancies (24.3%-53.9%; P < .001). Minimal improvement occurred in pancreatic cancer (0.25%-1.6%; P = .007) and small cell lung cancer (0.8%-3.1%; P = .008). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that older age, male sex, and Black race were associated with lower odds of 5-year survival (all P < .01) CONCLUSION Over the past four decades, long-term survival among patients with de novo metastatic cancer has more than doubled; however, progress remains uneven across cancer types. Gains appear concentrated in malignancies with substantial therapeutic advances, whereas others show persistently poor outcomes. Continued efforts are needed to address disparities and improve survival in resistant cancer types.