Fall Research Update

ACCRF Research Update - November 2026

For our latest Frequently Asked Questions feature, we take a deep dive into a topic that not only affects a majority of ACC patients, but that is at the center of some of the most promising current clinical trials.

In this article, we explore the biology of MYB, how it functions in cells, and why it is so important to ACC and our understanding of the disease and its treatments. We then discuss how we came to understand the importance of MYB and why it is a target for researchers. And finally we look to our current moment to understand how pharmaceutical companies are targeting MYB and the role it may play in the development of future drugs.

You can read the full feature on our website, and watch a brief introductory video on the topic in the section below.

This article is part of our new FAQ series. If you have a question about ACC treatments and science that you would like to see answered in a future Research Update, you can submit them here.

Introducing: ACCRF Science Shorts

Join ACCRF Executive Director Nicole Spardy Burr, PhD for the launch of our new video series: ACCRF Science Shorts. These videos will provide a look at the most relevant scientific topics for patients and what is most important to know in navigating treatments.

Our first videos in this series explore:

ACC Subtypes

The MYB Gene in ACC

Check out these videos and more on our Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages!

There's still time to register for the 2026 ACCRF Patient Meeting on Saturday, November 14 from 1pm - 4pm PT in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

This in-person event provides a forum for ACC patients to meet, discuss their journeys, and hear about the latest in ACC research and treatment options. Family, friends, and care givers are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The event will include:

A presentation from Executive Director Nicole Spardy Burr, PhD

Remarks from Co-Founders Jeff & Marnie Kaufman

Patient Discussion and Q&A

Light refreshments

Please Note: This is an in-person only event with no virtual participation.

To learn more and register to attend please visit the event page.

We hope to see you there!

Stream Our Latest Patient Webinar

Our latest Patient Webinar - Lung Radiology for ACC: Understanding Your CT Scans and Reports is now available to watch on our YouTube channel.

Join Dr. Florian Fintelmann, Medical Director of Thoracic Radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, as he explains how scans are interpreted, what information is most important, and how the reports may guide the planning of your care.

You can also watch all previous patient webinars at any time here.

Our sincere thanks to Dr. Fintelmann for his time and expertise and for all those who attended live, making this an engaging webinar!

Watch Here!

Research Updates

We are proud to support many researchers in their ongoing work seeking new treatments and a cure for ACC. The ACCRF research network continues to facilitate cutting-edge research and motivate clinical trials that advance our understanding of the disease. Below are the latest updates in clinical trials, research publications from ACCRF grantees, and ACCRF-funded research grants.

Clinical Trial Updates

ACCRF’s Open Studies webpage lists clinical trials that may be appropriate for ACC patients after consulting their physicians. Listed studies below reflect any changes made since the previous email update.

Studies that have recently opened to ACC Patients:

P-Sam: The phase 2 clinical trial testing Puxitatug Samrotecan (AZD8205) is open to ACC-I patients at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, USA.

Studies that have recently closed to ACC Patients:

Sacituzumab Govitecan (Trodelvy): The phase 2 trial testing Sacituzumab Govitecan (Trodelvy) at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, USA, is no longer enrolling ACC patients

Studies that have recently paused enrollment but may enroll selected patients as needed:

REM-422: The phase 1/2 study is paused with possible occasional enrollment.

RGT-61159: The phase 1 study is paused with possible occasional enrollment. Preliminary data from the clinical trial was recently shared at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) research conference and plans were announced for advancement towards phase 3 development. More information about Rgenta's Phase 3 ACCELERATE trial is available here.

Published Articles

Below are the latest in research publications from ACCRF grantees. You can find these and many others on our Published Articles webpage.

Cell Line Authentication Reveals HeLa-Derived Contamination of SACC-83 and SACC-LM in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research: ACCRF grantee Dr. Xiaohong Chen and colleagues profiled two purported ACC cell lines and found that they are cross-contaminated with other cell lines and recommend suspension of their use in ACC research.

Time to Rethink Pathology Reporting in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma: ACCRF grantee Dr. Paolo Bossi explains why routine histopathological evaluation should be supplemented with immunohistochemical and molecular analyses for ACC patients.

Demographics, clinical features, and survival of patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma in major and minor salivary glands versus non-salivary sites: an updated SEER analysis: ACCRF grantees Drs. Sturgis, Dahlstrom and Wang updated statistics on the incidence and survival of ACC patients, finding a higher rate at non-salivary sites than previously.

Adjuvant radiation for major salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma in the modern era: updated patterns of care and survival from the National Cancer Database (2004-2021): ACCRF grantee Drs. Alan Ho, Rich Wong, and colleagues analyzed data from more than 2,000 patients with major salivary gland ACC in the National Cancer Database and found that postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) was associated with improved overall survival compared with surgery alone. This benefit was seen in patients with early-stage disease, large tumors without lymph node involvement, and negative surgical margins, but not in patients with large tumors and positive surgical margins. These findings support the use of PORT in non-metastatic major salivary gland ACC patients and highlight a high-risk subgroup that may benefit from intensified treatment after surgery

Integrated Transcriptomic Analysis of NOTCH1- and MYB-Associated Immune Features in SACC: ACCRF grantee Dr. Xiaohong Chen and colleagues looked at RNA in ACC patients' blood, primary tumors and lung metastases. They found differences in the immune environment in different cell compartments within the ACC tumors.

Metastatic site combinations define distinct prognostic groups in metastatic major salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma: ACCRF grantee Dr. Alan Ho and colleagues analyzed NCDB data and found that lung-only metastases had the most favorable long-term survival while bone and liver metastases independently predicted poor prognosis. These results may improve patient counseling and clinical trial design.

Intrapatient tumour heterogeneity and clonal evolution in an autopsy study of metastatic salivary gland cancer: ACCRF grantee Dr. Carla van Herpen analyzed multiple specimens from two ACC patients to understand the differences across tumors and their evolution over time within the same patient.

ACC Physicians List

ACCRF is pleased to provide the ACC Physicians List, containing up-to-date information for over 850 physicians globally with experience treating ACC.

This fully searchable database allows patients to locate physicians by name, location, institution, or field of expertise to help inform their decisions in selecting doctors. Features include a link to each doctor’s institutional website (where available) and a link to the National Physicians Index (NPI) listing for each doctor based in the USA which provides current information on practice locations and status.

This list is constantly evolving, and we rely on patient input to ensure that our database is as comprehensive and current as possible.

Please email us at info@accrf.org if any of the following apply:

You feel your doctor is knowledgeable about ACC and should be added to the list
Your doctor on the list has retired
Your doctor on the list has moved away from where s/he is listed

Your guidance will ease the path for future ACC patients. We are particularly interested in countries and regions with relatively few available physicians listed.

We encourage patients with advanced, metastatic, or complex cases of ACC to visit our Second Opinions Resource for more information on specialists.

ACCRF’s work is only possible through the generous support of community members like you. With increased uncertainty in the research funding landscape, our efforts to discover new, better treatments for ACC are more critical than ever. Please give today and help us continue to advance groundbreaking research that directly impacts the lives of patients.

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