oncology

A 13-year-old has reportedly been cured of DIPG, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, an aggressive brainstem tumour that has long been considered incurable and is the deadliest cancer affecting children. The case is described as a world first, and if confirmed it would mark a major milestone in paediatric oncology, offering hope to families facing a diagnosis that historically carried a survival rate of nearly zero.

Researchers report new insights into the biology of a cancer gene long considered 'undruggable', a class of mutations that resisted standard drug design. The work clarifies how the gene drives tumour growth, offering potential routes for future targeted therapies. The findings are drawing attention for opening a path against one of oncology's most stubborn targets.

Penn Medicine and Belgian proton therapy company IBA have announced a joint venture to support the development of proton therapy and radiation oncology programs worldwide. The partnership aims to help hospitals and clinics internationally establish and expand advanced cancer treatment services, combining Penn Medicine's clinical expertise with IBA's technology. The announcement has been picked up by financial and international news outlets.

Penn Medicine and Belgian medical technology company IBA have formed a joint venture aimed at advancing proton therapy and radiation oncology. The partnership will combine Penn Medicine's clinical expertise with IBA's technology to develop and expand proton therapy treatments for cancer patients.

Dr Gevorg Tamamyan has been recognised as a candidate for WHO Director-General, drawing congratulations from AORTIC, the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer. The organisation praised his commitment to global health, equity and stronger health systems, highlighting his standing in the international oncology and global health community.

IBA and Penn Medicine have announced a joint venture called the Noventra Oncology Alliance, combining the particle therapy technology company's expertise with the academic medical center's clinical and research capabilities. The partnership is aimed at advancing cancer treatment, though further details about its scope, funding and first projects have not yet been made widely available.

Oncodaily reports that Shikha Prakash is highlighting precision medicine and its core aim: ensuring every patient receives the treatment best suited to their individual condition. Her remarks come amid growing attention on tailored approaches in cancer care, where genetic and molecular profiling increasingly guide therapy choices and are seen as key to improving outcomes for patients worldwide.

A new initiative is exploring the use of artificial intelligence to improve cancer care in Somaliland, where diagnostic infrastructure and oncology services remain limited. The effort, highlighted in professional medical circles, focuses on adapting AI tools to local healthcare needs, aiming to support earlier detection and treatment decisions in a region with few specialists. It reflects a growing interest in applying AI to low-resource health systems.

Researchers report progress in understanding the biology of a cancer gene long considered 'undruggable', a class of mutations that drove tumor growth but resisted decades of attempts at targeted therapy. The work is drawing attention for potentially opening a path to treatments against one of oncology's most stubborn targets, though details of the findings and any clinical implications remain limited in early coverage.

ALX Oncology announced that Nature Medicine has published Phase 2 results from its ASPEN-06 trial, showing strong responses and durable clinical benefit with evorpacept combined with trastuzumab and chemotherapy in patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer. The publication adds peer-reviewed weight to the company's lead drug candidate and supports its ongoing development program in gastroesophageal cancers.

Experts say technology is playing a growing role in advancing cancer care, pointing to improvements in diagnosis, treatment planning and patient outcomes. The discussion reflects wider attention on how digital tools and medical innovation are reshaping oncology practice. Little detail is available beyond the headline, so the specific technologies and experts involved remain unclear.

Radiation oncology expert Eric Deutsch says science is expanding rapidly at the intersection of radiation therapy, immunology, and technology, as combined approaches such as radiotherapy paired with immunotherapy gain ground in cancer treatment. His remarks highlight how technological advances and immune-based research are reshaping how clinicians think about radiation's role beyond tumour destruction.

Anna Germon has announced she will attend the World Cancer Congress 2026, which is to be held in Hong Kong. She expressed enthusiasm about taking part in the global gathering of cancer researchers, clinicians and advocates. Details about her exact role or agenda at the congress have not yet been made public.

The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) is drawing attention to opportunities to explore recent advances in precision immunotherapy, including neoantigens, spatial biology, and the application of artificial intelligence in immuno-oncology. The announcement points to educational or conference programming where researchers and clinicians can examine how these fast-moving technologies are shaping cancer treatment.

Researchers have developed a new mathematical model that tracks how the tumor microenvironment influences the effectiveness of cancer therapies. By capturing interactions between tumor cells and their surroundings, the model aims to help predict which treatments will work for individual patients and guide the design of combination therapies.

UK-based gene therapy company Laverock Therapeutics has announced new in vivo programmes focused on oncology and genetic medicine, expanding its pipeline of RNA-based therapies designed to be delivered directly into patients. The company says the move broadens its therapeutic reach beyond earlier ex vivo work, though further details on targets and timelines were not immediately provided.

Karolina Bryl, a clinician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, expressed pride in being part of the institution's collaborative Integrative Medicine and Wellness Service team. Her remarks spotlight the center's team-based approach to combining supportive care, wellness, and integrative therapies for cancer patients. The statement was published by oncology-focused outlet Oncodaily.

A urine-based RNA test could detect bladder cancer and predict how patients respond to treatment, according to a report from Inside Precision Medicine. If validated, the non-invasive test would offer an alternative to invasive procedures such as cystoscopy and help doctors tailor therapies to individual patients. The finding is drawing attention among clinicians and researchers focused on earlier, less burdensome cancer diagnostics.

Siemens Healthineers has launched Accela, a new ultrafast radiotherapy system for cancer treatment. The announcement, covered by Physics World, introduces technology that delivers radiation therapy in dramatically shortened sessions compared with conventional linear accelerators. The launch is drawing attention from medical physicists and oncology specialists interested in how faster treatment times could improve patient throughput and comfort.

Fellowship-trained neuro-oncologist Nishika Karbhari, MD, has joined Baptist Health's Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute. Her arrival adds specialized expertise in treating brain and nervous system cancers to the South Florida health system, expanding neurological oncology care for patients in the region.