Carcinoma
Recent clinical, regulatory, research and industry developments relating to this disease.
The immune escape mechanism of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
What's happening now
An analyst briefing on current research, clinical, regulatory and industry activity surrounding this disease.
- 2 regulatory approvals from EMA on record.
- 6 clinical trials expected to report results, the earliest in Q1 2028.
- 12 industry developments reported.
- Q1 2028A Phase 3 Randomized, Open-label Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Petosemtamab Plus Pembrolizumab vs Pembrolizumab in First-line Treatment of Recurrent or Metastatic PD-L1+ Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Q2 2028A Randomized Phase III Trial of Checkpoint Blockade in Lung CancEr Patients in the Adjuvant Setting Based on Pathologic Response Following Neoadjuvant Therapy (CLEAR)
- Q4 2028Toripalimab Versus Placebo Combined With Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: a Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind, Phase 3 Trial
- Q1 2029Phase II/III Second-Line NABPLAGEM vs. Nab-Paclitaxel/Gemcitabine in BRCA1/2 or PALB2 Mutant Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PLATINUM)
- Q2 2029A Phase IIIb Study of Durvalumab as Consolidation Treatment for Patients Diagnosed With Limited Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Who Have Not Progressed Following Definitive Concurrent or Sequential Platinum-based Chemoradiation Therapy in Spain (ALBORAN).
Clinical MilestonesView all 9Hide
- 2026-10-26A Phase IIIb Study of Durvalumab as Consolidation Treatment for Patients Diagnosed With Limited Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Who Have Not Progressed Following Definitive Concurrent or Sequential Platinum-based Chemoradiation Therapy in Spain (ALBORAN).Results expected Q2 2029
- 2026-09-25A Phase 3 Randomized, Open-label Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Petosemtamab Plus Pembrolizumab vs Pembrolizumab in First-line Treatment of Recurrent or Metastatic PD-L1+ Head and Neck Squamous Cell CarcinomaResults expected Q1 2028
- 2026-08-13Toripalimab Versus Placebo Combined With Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: a Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind, Phase 3 TrialResults expected Q4 2028
- 2026-08-11A Randomized Phase III Trial of Checkpoint Blockade in Lung CancEr Patients in the Adjuvant Setting Based on Pathologic Response Following Neoadjuvant Therapy (CLEAR)Results expected Q2 2028
- 2026-01-23A Randomized, Open-label, Non-inferiority Phase IIIb Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Immunogenicity Age/Schedule Bridging Between Adolescent Girls Aged 9-14 Years Receiving a 2-dose Regimen or Adolescent Girls Aged 9-17 Years Receiving a 3-dose Regimen of a Quadrivalent Recombinant Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine (Hansenula Polymorpha) and Women Aged 18-35 Years.Results expected Q3 2032
- 2034-06-18Phase 2 Study of 9-ING-41, a Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 Beta (GSK 3β) Inhibitor, Plus Carboplatin in Patients With Advanced, Metastatic Salivary Gland CarcinomaWithdrawn
- 2032-04-01A Randomized Double-blinded Phase 2/3 Study of HB-202/HB-201 Alternating 2-Vector Therapy With Pembrolizumab Versus Pembrolizumab-Only for First Line HPV16+ High PD-L1 CPS Recurrent and/or Metastatic Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell CarcinomaWithdrawn
Industry & MarketView all 12Hide
- 2026-11-01[Policy Review] Curative-intent management of de novo metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma: an evidence-based consensus guideline from the International Collaborating Oncology OrganisationsPartnership · The Lancet Oncology
- 2026-10-24Phase II Study of Neoadjuvant Cemiplimab for Stage II to IV Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Final AnalysisTrial news · Journal of Clinical Oncology
- 2026-09-24FDA approves belzutifan in combination with lenvatinib for advanced renal cell carcinoma with a clear cell componentRegulatory news · FDA Drug Approvals
- 2026-08-25[Articles] On-demand transarterial chemoembolisation combined with atezolizumab and bevacizumab in patients with untreated hepatocellular carcinoma (TALENTACE): a multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase 3 trialRegulatory news · The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology
- 2026-10-29Exploring the relationship between oral microbiome and postoperative delirium in patients with oral squamous cell carcinomaIndustry · Translational Psychiatry
Regulatory UpdatesViewHide
- 2026-05-28Conditional marketing authorisation — Nadofaragene firadenovecAdstiladrin is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ (CIS) with or without papillary tumours.
- 2026-02-16Conditional marketing authorisation — Nogapendekin alfa inbakiceptAnktiva in combination with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ (CIS) with or without papillary tumours.
- 2025-12-18Product authorisation ended — Cinacalcet hydrochlorideSecondary hyperparathyroidism Adults Treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in adult patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) on maintenance dialysis therapy. Paediatric population Treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in children aged 3 years and older with end stage renal disease (ESRD) on maintenance dialysis therapy in whom secondary HPT is not adequately controlled with standard of care therapy. Mimpara may be used as part of a therapeutic regimen including phosphate binders and/or Vitamin D sterols, as appropriate. Parathyroid carcinoma and primary hyperparathyroidism in adults. Reduction of hypercalcaemia in adult patients with: parathyroid carcinoma; primary HPT for whom parathyroidectomy would be indicated on the basis of serum calcium levels (as defined by relevant treatment guidelines), but in whom parathyroidectomy is not clinically appropriate or is contraindicated.
- 2034-06-18ClinicalPhase 2 Study of 9-ING-41, a Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 Beta (GSK 3β) Inhibitor, Plus Carboplatin in Patients With Advanced, Metastatic Salivary Gland CarcinomaWithdrawn
- 2032-04-01ClinicalA Randomized Double-blinded Phase 2/3 Study of HB-202/HB-201 Alternating 2-Vector Therapy With Pembrolizumab Versus Pembrolizumab-Only for First Line HPV16+ High PD-L1 CPS Recurrent and/or Metastatic Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell CarcinomaWithdrawn
- 2026-11-01Industry[Policy Review] Curative-intent management of de novo metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma: an evidence-based consensus guideline from the International Collaborating Oncology OrganisationsPartnership · The Lancet Oncology
- 2026-10-29IndustryExploring the relationship between oral microbiome and postoperative delirium in patients with oral squamous cell carcinomaIndustry · Translational Psychiatry
- 2026-10-26ClinicalA Phase IIIb Study of Durvalumab as Consolidation Treatment for Patients Diagnosed With Limited Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Who Have Not Progressed Following Definitive Concurrent or Sequential Platinum-based Chemoradiation Therapy in Spain (ALBORAN).Results expected Q2 2029
- 2026-10-24IndustryPhase II Study of Neoadjuvant Cemiplimab for Stage II to IV Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Final AnalysisTrial news · Journal of Clinical Oncology
- 2026-10-21IndustryBreast carcinoma amplified sequence 2 rescues adult hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s disease via regulating BDNF/TrkB signalingIndustry · Molecular Psychiatry
- 2026-09-25ClinicalA Phase 3 Randomized, Open-label Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Petosemtamab Plus Pembrolizumab vs Pembrolizumab in First-line Treatment of Recurrent or Metastatic PD-L1+ Head and Neck Squamous Cell CarcinomaResults expected Q1 2028
- 2026-09-24IndustryFDA approves belzutifan in combination with lenvatinib for advanced renal cell carcinoma with a clear cell componentRegulatory news · FDA Drug Approvals
- 2026-09-21IndustryPatient-Level Evaluation of Optimal Margin Width for Lumpectomy in Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: An Analysis of Patients in the National Cancer Database Special StudyResearch news · Journal of Clinical Oncology
Therapeutic landscape
Therapies with a regulatory footing for this condition, alongside the wider set of agents co-studied with it in the literature.
Conditional marketing authorisation — Adstiladrin is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with Bacillus… (2026)
Conditional marketing authorisation — Anktiva in combination with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is indicated for the treatment… (2026)
Conditional marketing authorisation — Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) Welireg is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of adul… (2025)
Product authorisation ended — Secondary hyperparathyroidism Adults Treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in… (2025)
Original application approval — Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) Hetronifly in combination with carboplatin and etoposide is… (2025)
Generic approval — Axitinib Accord is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell… (2024)
Original application approval — Balversa as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectabl… (2024)
Original application approval — Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCAC) Zynyz is indicated in combination with c… (2024)
Original application approval — Loqtorzi, in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine, is indicated for the first-line… (2024)
Original application approval — Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Tevimbra, in combination with platinum-containing chem… (2023)
Original application approval — Imjudo in combination with durvalumab is indicated for the first line treatment of a… (2023)
Generic approval — Hepatocellular carcinomaSorafenib Accord is indicated for the treatment of hepatocellular… (2022)
Product authorisation ended — Treatment of carcinoma of the colon or rectum, breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer,… (2021)
Clinical trials
The current development programme across all trial phases.
Regulatory timeline
Drug regulatory events matched to this condition by indication — EMA.
European Medicines Agency (CC BY 4.0). Events are matched to this condition by drug indication text — approvals/updates for drugs indicated for it, not disease-specific acts.
Research activity
Key research shaping understanding of this disease, combining the latest publications with the most influential evidence.
Major themes8
- Carcinoma5
- Cancer Vaccines1
- Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts1
- Carcinoma, Renal Cell1
- Cause of Death1
- Colonic Neoplasms1
- Deep Learning1
- Epstein-Barr Virus Infections1
Leading journals6
- CA: a cancer journal for clinicians1
- Cell reports. Medicine1
- Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research1
- FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology1
- Gastric cancer : official journal of the International Gastric Cancer Association and the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association1
- Genes & development1
Leading researchers8
- Al Ghuzlan A1
- Albright A1
- Alves VA1
- Arkhipov A1
- Asa SL1
- Austgen J1
- Ayers M1
- Babb JS1
Affiliations (unnormalised)6
- Brigham and Women's Hospital2
- Brigham & Women's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute1
- Broad Institute1
- Center of Molecular and Cellular Oncology1
- Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University1
- Clinical Laboratory1
Associated genes
Genes associated with this disease in the canonical knowledge graph (Open Targets evidence). Number shows the association score.
Disease biology
Proteins whose encoding gene is associated with this disease, reached through the canonical gene→disease graph. Number shows the gene's association score.
Related conditions
Diseases frequently studied alongside this one. Number shows shared papers.
Disease profile
A grounded synthesis of the condition — overview, causes, mechanism, risk factors and current standard of care.
Carcinoma is a malignant neoplasm composed of epithelial cells. It tends to infiltrate surrounding tissues and can metastasize. It is a histologic type of neoplasm rather than a synonym for cancer.
The supplied material does not support a single general cause for carcinoma. One review notes that some carcinomas, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, are closely related to Epstein-Barr virus infection. More broadly, tumor development is described as involving cancer cells evolving mechanisms that allow them to evade immune destruction.
Carcinoma biology in the supplied reviews centers on immune evasion within the tumor microenvironment. Tumors can develop suppressive and heterogeneous microenvironments that mimic peripheral immune tolerance, allowing malignant epithelial cells to escape cytotoxic innate and adaptive immune attack. This immune escape supports invasion, metastasis, treatment resistance, and recurrence, and is linked in one example to EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
The supplied grounding does not support general risk factors for carcinoma. For nasopharyngeal carcinoma specifically, Epstein-Barr virus infection is described as closely related to pathogenesis. The presence of a suppressive tumor microenvironment is described as promoting tumorigenesis, but this is presented as a disease feature rather than a general external risk factor.
The supplied material supports immunotherapy as a treatment modality under study for carcinoma, including immune-targeting approaches aimed at tumor immune escape. Pembrolizumab is the only specific drug mentioned in the grounding, but no regimen or disease-specific standard treatment pathway is provided. The abstracts also point to targeting the tumor microenvironment and immune escape mechanisms as therapeutic strategies.
AI-generated summary grounded in MeSH and 2 peer-reviewed sources. Informational only — not medical advice. Generated 2026-07-07.
Reference
Authoritative identity, definition & identifiers.
A malignant neoplasm made up of epithelial cells tending to infiltrate the surrounding tissues and give rise to metastases. It is a histological type of neoplasm and not a synonym for cancer.
- Disease identity & definition — NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), public domain
- Clinical trials — ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- Research activity — Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) + OpenAlex-derived paper links
- Related entities are derived from literature co-mention (studied together) — associative, not causal.