PHILADELPHIA – New data on the intersection of GLP-1s and breast cancer, gaps in patient-facing information about AI and cancer care, and updates from clinical trials in cancer genetics and CAR T cell therapy for glioblastoma will take center stage as researchers from the Abramson Cancer Center (ACC) of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine present at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting , taking place May 29 – June 2 in Chicago.
Visit Penn Medicine at Exhibit Booth 10051 to connect, collaborate, and explore career opportunities shaping the future of oncology. Follow Penn Medicine on LinkedIn , Instagram , and X for updates from the meeting.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being incorporated into cancer research and patient care, and being used by patients to understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis. However, there are major deficiencies in currently available patient-facing information and resources about AI and cancer care. This study found that online information about AI and cancer care is limited, and the available webpages and videos are largely of low quality, difficult to read, and frequently omit the risks of AI use. The research highlights an opportunity for oncology organizations to create more accessible, high-quality resources. Internal Medicine Resident Pearl Subramanian, MD , will present the findings. She completed the work under the mentorship of Hematology-Oncology Fellow Henry Litt, MD , and their faculty advisor Ronac Mamtani, MD , who holds the David J. Vaughn MD Professorship in GU Oncology.
Being overweight or obese, particularly after menopause, is a known risk factor for breast cancer. Researchers have also long suspected that low-grade inflammation may play a role in breast cancer development. Since GLP-1 drugs have an impact on both fronts, this research team conducted an observational study to see if there was a relationship between GLP-1 usage and breast cancer incidence. The analysis of data from more than 100,000 women who were overweight and eligible for mammogram screening found that those who took GLP-1 medications were less likely to develop breast cancer than those who did not take such medications. Elizabeth McDonald, MD, PhD , a professor of Radiology, will present the findings.
Certain gene mutations, including BRCA1/2 , can raise the risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. The Basser Center for BRCA ’s PATROL study aims to better understand the genetics of prostate cancer and identify optimal screening thresholds for those at genetic risk for aggressive disease. With more than 500 participants enrolled, the study sheds new light on how age-specific PSA thresholds in combination with MRIs can be incorporated to improve screening algorithms for this population. Daniel Lee, MD , an assistant professor of Urology, will present the findings.
Cancer genetic testing and counseling are recommended for some adults based on a variety of risk factors, such as personal and/or family history of cancer. The randomized eREACH2 study compared a patient-informed digital intervention as an alternative to telehealth visits with a genetic counselor for delivery of pre-test and/or post-test counseling to standard in-person visits. With more than 700 participants across the US, the digital delivery alternative had similar uptake of genetic services and impact on knowledge and anxiety compared to remote telehealth visit. The results indicated that providing genetic counseling via digital interventions may improve access and efficiency of cancer genetic testing. Kimberley Lee, MD , an assistant professor of Hematology-Oncology, will present the findings.
At the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting, Penn Medicine researchers shared early results from a Phase I clinical trial testing a Penn-developed dual-target CAR T cell therapy for recurrent glioblastoma. In this updated report, now with a median follow-up time of 18.5 months, outcomes and safety remained consistent. The median overall survival was 12 months with three patients surviving longer than 18 months. No new long-term or delayed toxicities were reported. Principal investigator Stephen Bagley, MD, MSCE , section chief of Neuro-Oncology and an associate professor of Hematology-Oncology and Neurosurgery, will present the findings.
Experts from the Perelman School of Medicine are available to comment on a wide range of topics in cancer science and medicine during the meeting on site and by video, phone, or email. To arrange interviews, please contact Meagan Raeke at Meagan.Raeke@pennmedicine.upenn.edu or 267-693-6224.
###
Penn Medicine is one of the world’s leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, excellence in patient care, and community service.
The organization consists of the University of Pennsylvania Health System and Penn’s Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine , founded in 1765 as the nation’s first medical school.
The Perelman School of Medicine is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with more than $588 million awarded in the 2024 fiscal year. Home to a proud history of “firsts,” Penn Medicine teams have pioneered discoveries that have shaped modern medicine, including CAR T cell therapy for cancer and the Nobel Prize-winning mRNA technology used in COVID-19 vaccines.
The University of Pennsylvania Health System cares for patients in facilities and their homes stretching from the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania to the New Jersey shore. UPHS facilities include the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Chester County Hospital, Doylestown Health, Lancaster General Health, Princeton Health, and Pennsylvania Hospital—the nation’s first hospital, chartered in 1751. Additional facilities and enterprises include Penn Medicine at Home, GSPP Rehabilitation, Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital, and Princeton House Behavioral Health, among others.
Penn Medicine is a $13.7 billion enterprise powered by more than 50,000 talented faculty and staff.