In The Know-January 2026

January 2026
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The January 2026 edition of Ed’s List highlights significant recent advances in gynecologic oncology research and clinical practice:

1. <strong>Ovarian Cancer Therapies:</strong>
   - The phase 3 SCORES trial demonstrated that adding suvemcitug, an anti-VEGF antibody, to chemotherapy significantly improved progression-free and overall survival in platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer, with manageable side effects.
   - Brigatinib, an ALK inhibitor, was shown to overcome adaptive resistance to PARP inhibitors in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) by dual targeting of FAK and EPHA2 kinases, improving tumor regression and survival in patient-derived models.
   - A novel T-cell receptor-like CAR-T therapy targeting mesothelin (KT127) exhibited a favorable safety profile and promising disease control in platinum-resistant advanced ovarian cancer.
   - Armored CAR-T cells targeting tumor-associated macrophages with IL-12 production remodeled the tumor microenvironment, enhancing immune response and prolonging survival in metastatic ovarian and lung cancer models.
   - Gemogenovatucel-T maintenance therapy showed substantial overall survival benefit in homologous recombination-proficient ovarian cancer patients with high clonal tumor mutation burden.
   - A newly identified metabolic vulnerability in platinum-resistant ovarian cancers involves dependence on de novo pyrimidine synthesis, targetable by dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitor brequinar, which sensitizes resistant tumors to chemotherapy.

2. <strong>Surgical and Treatment Trends:</strong>
   - The rate of radical hysterectomies performed by gynecologic oncologists in the U.S. has significantly declined, raising concerns about maintaining surgical expertise.
   - For BRCA-mutated advanced ovarian cancer, primary cytoreductive surgery offered improved overall survival compared to interval surgery.
   - Ribociclib combined with letrozole showed durable responses in recurrent low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, presenting a new therapeutic option.

3. <strong>Diagnostics and Biomarker Advances:</strong>
   - An accurate cellular assay (“coselection ODMS”) was developed for classifying variants of uncertain significance in Lynch syndrome genes, enabling better genetic counseling and surveillance.
   - Fallopian tube lavage sampling emerged as a feasible technique for early detection of pre-invasive ovarian cancer lesions.
   - ESR1 mutations were identified in 6% of endocrine treatment-naïve low-grade endometrial cancer, suggesting a potential impact on aromatase inhibitor therapy choices.

4. <strong>Additional Topics:</strong>
   - Photodynamic therapy using 5-aminolevulinic acid proved effective and safe for treating cervical low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions with HPV infection.
   - An AI-based multiagent system accurately interpreted ASCO oncology guidelines, outperforming other AI models, and could enhance evidence-based clinical decision-making.
   - Corneal nerve fiber loss detected via confocal microscopy correlated with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, potentially serving as an early biomarker.

5. <strong>Quality of Care and Epidemiology:</strong>
   - Adherence to quality care indicators such as optimal surgical cytoreduction, use of standard chemotherapy, and genetic testing correlated with improved ovarian cancer survival in a national Australian registry.
   - Higher body mass index in ovarian cancer patients was associated with better chemotherapy dose intensity and no increased toxicity or hospitalizations in recent treatment eras.

This collection underscores evolving therapeutic strategies, molecular understanding, diagnostic innovations, and treatment quality improvements shaping gynecologic oncology practice.
Keywords
Ovarian Cancer Therapies
SCORES trial
Suvemcitug
Brigatinib
CAR-T therapy
Tumor microenvironment
Gemogenovatucel-T
Pyrimidine synthesis inhibition
Radical hysterectomy trends
BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer