Nab-paclitaxel is an albumin-bound formulation of paclitaxel marketed as Abraxane for selected solid tumors such as breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers. The formulation was developed to deliver paclitaxel without Cremophor-containing solvent systems. U.S. approval was first granted in 2005.
The FDA approved Novocure’s Optune Pax, a wearable tumor-treating fields device, for pancreatic cancer in combination with chemotherapy. Phase III PANOVA-3 data showed delayed pain progression and improved one-year overall survival in inoperable locally advanced disease.
Revolution Medicines has initiated patient treatment in the Phase 3 RASolute 303 trial testing daraxonrasib as first-line therapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer. The company also expects top-line data from its Phase 3 RASolute 302 trial in second-line pancreatic cancer in the first half of 2026. Both trials are evaluating the oral RAS(ON) inhibitor in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, a highly lethal cancer with significant unmet medical need.
Moderna and Merck advance a Phase 2 trial of mRNA cancer vaccine V940 with pembrolizumab and chemotherapy for metastatic squamous NSCLC. In biliary tract cancer, first-line treatment combines chemotherapy with immunotherapy, while targeted therapy resistance prompts liquid biopsy. ImmunityBio tests a chemotherapy-free NK-cell regimen in non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Multiple phase 3 breast cancer trials reported significant findings in early 2026, including positive results for novel therapies across different subtypes. Key data includes progression-free survival benefits for palbociclib in HR-positive, HER2-positive advanced breast cancer and investigations of antibody-drug conjugates and combination therapies. Full trial findings are expected to be presented at upcoming medical meetings.
The FDA has approved Optune Pax, a Tumor Treating Fields device, for use with chemotherapy in locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The approval is based on phase 3 trial data showing improved overall survival and pain progression outcomes. This marks the first new treatment approach for this patient population in approximately 30 years.
The FDA has approved Lifyorli (relacorilant) plus nab-paclitaxel for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer based on trial data showing improved survival. Separately, the agency granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to Lilly's sofetabart mipitecan for the same condition, expediting development of the antibody-drug conjugate.
Trastuzumab deruxtecan is moving into earlier treatment lines for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, demonstrating superior efficacy over standard regimens and prompting reconsideration of long-standing treatment sequences.
Recent developments in breast cancer treatment include new clinical trials for advanced disease, findings on CDK4/6 inhibitor sequencing, and discovery of genetic markers explaining drug resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer.
New antibody-based approaches demonstrate clinical benefits across multiple cancer types, including improved survival in triple-negative breast cancer, enhanced tumor detection via PET imaging, and activity in relapsed mantle cell lymphoma.
A computational histology artificial intelligence platform can predict which of two chemotherapy regimens is more effective for individual pancreatic cancer patients, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
| NCT ID | Title | Status | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07492680 |
A Study of BMS-986504 Monotherapy and in Combination With Other Agents in Participants With Advanced and/or Metastatic Solid Tumors With Homozygous MTAP Deletion (MountainTAP-5) |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
| NCT07491445 |
Study of Daraxonrasib and Daraxonrasib + GnP as First-line Treatment in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma |
RECRUITING | PHASE3 |
| NCT07361991 |
IBI363 Plus Bevacizumab With or Without Nab-Paclitaxel for Second-Line Treatment of Advanced Gastric Cancer |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE1/PHASE2 |
| NCT07353723 |
Nimotuzumab Combined With Toripalimab and Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Tonsillar Cancer |
RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
| NCT07348107 |
ATRA and SDK002 in Combination With Chemotherapy and Anti-PD-1 Inhibitor in Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE1 |
| NCT07317609 |
Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy Combined With Chemotherapy Sequenced With Endoscopic Resection for Esophageal Cancer (Endosurgery-02) |
RECRUITING | PHASE1 |
| NCT07296705 |
Neoadjuvant Zanidatamab + Tislelizumab + Chemotherapy for Selective Bladder Preservation in HER2-Positive MIBC |
RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
| NCT07283705 |
A Phase II Study Evaluating BMS-986504 in MTAP-deleted Pancreatic Cancer |
RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
| NCT07272109 |
Active Anti-diabetic Treatment Plus Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer Related Diabetes |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE3 |
| NCT07255404 |
A Clinical Trial Testing the Safety of BNT327 (an Investigational Drug) and How Well it Works When Combined With Chemotherapy for People Who Have Not Been Treated Yet for Pancreatic Cancer |
RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
