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A Message from the Chairs of NRG Oncology’s Research Strategy Committee
2024: The Year in Review
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We are happy to report that the Protocol Development Department coordinated the activation of 10 studies in 2024, three of these are part of the NRG NCORP Research Base and NRG-BN014 is the first to usher in the standard practices for data submission. See the table (posted in the link below) for the full list of study activations. | |
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There is still time to register to join us in Phoenix for the NRG2025 Winter Meeting. The meeting will be held in-person, January 16-18, 2025, with select virtual sessions being held this week.
More information | Agenda | Register
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Stay Connected during #NRG2025
Are you attending the #NRG2025 Winter meeting - either virtual or in-person and have a social media account? During the sessions, use the hashtag #NRG2025 to be a part of the conversation!
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From Fear to Advocacy: Kimberly Williams’ Journey as a Cervivor Change Agent
Written by Kimberly Williams, an NRG Oncology Patient Advocate Committee Member
In November 2017, my life took an unexpected and challenging turn. At 42 years old, while balancing my roles as a mother, wife, and full-time director for an organization serving individuals with intellectual disabilities, I began experiencing unusual bleeding after sex. Initially dismissing it as irregularities in my menstrual cycle, I scheduled an appointment with my gynecologist, hoping it was nothing serious.
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The NRG Oncology Podcast - New Episode! | |
Our first podcast of the year is now available! In honor of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, we take a deeper dive into the results from the NRG-RTOG/GOG 0724 study with Dr. Anuja Jhingran. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, and YouTube. | |
Have you heard? We have an award-winning podcast! The NRG Oncology Podcast has won an ACRO Media Award in the media organization category. The award will be presented at the ACRO Radiation Oncology Summit #ACRO2025 held in March 2025 in Las Vegas. | |
Protocol Support Committee (PSC) Column | |
Common Errors in RECIST v1.1 Reporting | |
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Submitted by Laura Sorci, BS, CCRP; Senior Clinical Research Coordinator, Baystate Regional Cancer Program
Since it was first developed and published in 2000, RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) continues to be the gold standard for assessing how well a cancer patient is responding to treatment. After a version update in 2009, the current RECIST v1.1 guidelines are required to be followed in most solid tumor clinical trials that measure radiographic response as an endpoint.
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NRG Study News & New Protocols Under Development | |
New Protocols Under Development | |
Adding BMX-001 to the Usual Chemoradiation Therapy for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer (NRG-CC013) | |
In December, NRG Oncology activated the NRG-CC013 clinical study to patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx, nasopharynx, or oral cavity. This phase 2 trial will compare the incidence of severe oral mucositis (SOM) between BMX-001 and placebo. | |
Adding Cemiplimab to Surgery and Radiation for Advanced Skin Cancer (NRG-HN014) | |
NRG Oncology recently activated the NRG-HN014 clinical trial as a part of the group’s head and neck cancer portfolio. NRG-HN014 is a phase III study testing if the addition of the immunotherapy drug cemiplimab before response-adapted oncologic surgery and if indicated, adjuvant radiation therapy can improve survival outcomes for patients when compared to standard of care surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy for patients with resectable stage III/IV cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). | |
NRG Oncology Study Reaffirms Standard of Cetuximab and Radiation for Patients with Locoregionally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer and a Contraindication to Cisplatin (NRG-HN004) | |
Recent results from the Phase II portion of the NRG Oncology NRG-HN004 clinical study showed excellent results for the combination of cetuximab and radiation among patients receiving these interventions in the control arm. The results also indicate that durvalumab is not recommended in place of cetuximab for patients with head and neck cancer who have a contraindication to cisplatin. | |
NRG Oncology Study Suggests the Addition of SBRT to Systemic Therapy Improves Outcomes for Select Patients with Locally Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (NRG-RTOG 1112) | |
Recent results from the Phase III NRG-RTOG 1112 clinical study showed that the addition of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) to systemic therapy with sorafenib significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and time-to-progression in patients with locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) when compared to sorafenib alone. | |
NRG-GI008 CIRCULATE-North America Study Team Interview | |
Dr. Arvind Dasari (Study PI) and Dr. Thomas George (GI Cancer Committee Chair (Colorectal) discuss the NRG-GI008 "CIRCULATE-North America" study of colon adjuvant chemotherapy based on evaluation of residual disease. This study is currently open to accrual. Watch the interview below: | |
NRG-BR008/The HERO Trial: Amendment Update | |
HER2-positive breast cancer was historically unfavorable, with high rates of local and distant recurrence, but is now known to respond well to targeted treatments such as trastuzumab (Herceptin). Targeted therapy has reduced local recurrence rates in some studies to less than 1% and has dramatically improved overall outcomes, allowing patients to be treated more effectively to live longer. Considering the excellent prognosis of this subtype of breast cancer, and the availability of highly effective targeted agents, it is unclear if radiation therapy adds additional benefit to patients beyond other treatments. | |
Patient Reported Outcomes – Compliance Improvement Semi-Annual Recognition | |
The Patient Centered Outcomes Research Committee (PCOR), and NRG NCORP Committee congratulates the over 500 sites participating in NRG clinical trials who achieved 90% or greater compliance for Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) assessments. PROs are vital components of NRG studies that directly reflect the patient’s voice and their quality of life! | |
NRG Oncology Winter Meeting 2025 | |
The NRG Winter 2025 Semiannual Meeting will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, AZ, from January 16, 2025 - January 18, 2025. Hear protocol updates from Dr. Dueker at the NCORP Townhall on Friday, January 17, 10 am. Other sessions that may interest you at the winter meeting include the General Session and any sessions hosted by the Protocol Support Committee. | |
Join the quarterly FORTE site calls to hear updates on NRG-CC005 and discuss challenges and solutions with other research professionals working to enroll patients to this clinical trial. Registration for these virtual sessions are in these monthly FORTE Fridays broadcasts. The next FORTE Site Call will be on February 12, 2025. Register today! | |
Highlights from the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium | |
NRG Oncology investigators recently attended the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium where several posters were presented for ongoing clinical trials, including NRG-BR007/DEBRA, NRG-BR008/HERO, and NRG-BR009/OFSET. An oral presentation by Dr. Judy Garber for the NRG/NSABP B-55/BIG 6-13 OlympiA study was featured during the symposium (read the press release) and Dr. Jean Wright’s oral presentation for the NRG/RTOG 9804 and ECOG-ACRIN E51994 trials was selected for the SABCS Press Program (read the press release). The last presentation of NRG’s research during SABCS24 was Dr. Vicente Valero’s discussion of the NRG-BR004 trial during a Rapid-fire Presentation Session. | |
Photo courtesy of Dr. Shannon Puhalla | |
NRG Member Demographics Data Collection Initiative | |
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We are excited to introduce the NRG Member Demographics Data Collection Initiative that will allow us to create a comprehensive member database, enabling us to better understand and serve our members. Your information will be kept secure and confidential, ensuring that your privacy is always protected. All members are encouraged to complete the form or indicate that they wish to opt out of this data collection initiative. This is a new form and not part of the anonymous climate survey that we sent out last year.
Scan the QR code below or click this link to access the form.
Questions? Read more here
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