Four outstanding oncology professionals receive 2026 ESMO awards for their contributions to cancer research, clinical care, and community leadership. The awards recognize pioneering work in cancer prevention, early detection, and immunotherapy.
Researchers found that radiation to the thymus during NSCLC treatment increased cancer spread and mortality risk in patients with relatively healthy thymus. Thymic health scores were associated with T-cell diversity, longevity, and cancer outcomes.
A Phase I/II study showed high tumor shrinkage and substantial reductions in cancer DNA detected in the bloodstream. The treatment combination of zoldonrasib with chemotherapy improved patient outcomes, suggesting a potential breakthrough in personalized treatment for pancreatic cancer.
A blood test may help identify which patients with colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver are most likely to benefit from chemotherapy after surgery. Patients with detectable circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) who received adjuvant chemotherapy had markedly better outcomes, including a 93% reduction in recurrence.
A study of over 229,000 obese adults without diabetes found that weight loss drugs, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, were associated with a 41% decrease in the overall risk of developing obesity-related cancers. GLP-1 RAs also showed larger reductions in certain subgroups, including men and gynaecologic cancers.
A national UK study found that nearly half of untested breast and ovarian cancer patients carry a heritable genetic variant increasing cancer risk. The study reveals the potential benefits of efficient genetic testing to identify at-risk individuals and inform targeted follow-up care.
A new study in China finds that onetime lowdose computed tomography (LDCT) screening can significantly reduce lung cancer mortality in a non–risk based population, including individuals with no smoking history. The findings support reconsideration of current eligibility criteria.
A recent survey highlights the importance of Clinical Practice Guidelines in managing rare cancers, with strong overall uptake but inconsistent use for diagnosis and research purposes. High guideline adherence is linked to tangible survival benefits, such as reduced mortality and improved outcomes in various rare tumour types.
Predictions for lung cancer death rates among EU and UK women indicate stabilization of mortality rates at 12.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2026. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death for both sexes in the EU, with mortality rates continuing to decline among men.
A machine learning model has identified the most important drivers of cancer survival in nearly all countries, highlighting factors such as national wealth, access to radiotherapy and universal health coverage. The model provides data-driven roadmaps for policymakers to prioritize resources and close survival gaps.
The ESMO Immuno-Oncology Congress 2025 will discuss key developments in immuno-oncology, including combined approaches, AI in cancer therapy, and innovative strategies across various cancers. The congress aims to advance the field of immunotherapy and improve patient outcomes.
The ESMO Congress on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Oncology features a diverse range of presentations on multimodal AI for clinical decision support, AI-based biomarkers for precision oncology, and digital health in practice. The congress also explores ethics, regulation, and patient perspectives.
The ESMO Guidance on the Use of Large Language Models in Clinical Practice (ELCAP) provides a structured set of recommendations for safely adopting AI language models in oncology. The guidance emphasizes the importance of human oversight, transparent tools, and continuously monitored systems to ensure trust in AI-driven cancer care.
A new class of anti-cancer agents—antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)—has unveiled compelling evidence that can dramatically improve outcomes for patients with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer. The phase III DESTINY-Breast05 and DESTINY-Breast11 trials have shown superior efficacy and improved disease-free survival rates, positionin...
A study found that higher thymic health is associated with better outcomes in cancer patients treated with immunotherapy, including a 35% lower risk of cancer progression and 44% lower risk of death. Thymic health may serve as a non-invasive biomarker of adaptive immune competence in various cancers.
The ESMO Congress 2025 will cover key topics including precision oncology, antibody-drug conjugates in breast cancer, dose optimisation strategies, new treatment modalities for melanoma, and immunotherapy-based approaches across various cancer settings. Promising Phase-3 studies on ADCs in bladder and lung cancer are also expected.
The Molecular Analysis for Precision Oncology Congress 2025 (MAP) brings together leading experts to explore the latest cancer research advances. Key topics include AI-integrated diagnostics and therapy, as well as immunotherapy and emerging developments in aging and cellular senescence.
The inaugural ESMO Targeted Anticancer Therapies (TAT) Asia Congress 2025 will convene a diverse group of stakeholders to foster collaboration and accelerate the development of innovative cancer therapies. The congress aims to become a catalyst for global collaboration and innovation in oncology.
The ESMO Gastrointestinal Cancers Congress 2025 will cover topics such as molecular prevention and precision therapy, patient-centred approaches and quality of life. Key findings include the efficacy and safety of combined immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal cancer.
The ESMO Gynaecological Cancers Congress 2025 will convene in Vienna, Austria, from June 19-21, featuring novel data on immunotherapy combinations and emerging treatment strategies for rare gynaecological cancers. The congress will also explore innovative approaches using antibody-drug conjugates.
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has released the latest version of the ESMO-MCBS scale, which measures the clinical benefit of cancer treatments. The new version incorporates 13 critical amendments to improve evaluation and accuracy, with a focus on patient preferences and toxicity annotations.
The ESMO Breast Cancer 2025 congress will cover topics such as circulating tumour DNA, immunotherapies, and emerging therapies for managing breast cancer. The event will feature key findings on predictive biomarkers, ctDNA, and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes.
The European Lung Cancer Congress 2025 will take place in Paris from March 26-29, featuring renowned experts discussing the latest research on lung cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The congress will also include award lectures and live streaming of the event.
The ESMO Sarcoma and Rare Cancers Congress 2025 will bring together experts to present and discuss developments in diagnosing and treating rare solid tumours. The event will focus on immunotherapy, global challenges, and opportunities for international collaboration.
Breast cancer death rates are predicted to increase in EU patients aged 80 years and older, while falling in all other age groups. This is attributed to a lack of regular screening and access to modern treatments.
The ESMO Targeted Anticancer Therapies Congress 2025 features state-of-the-art presentations on new targets, tumour-agnostic drug development, and the role of artificial intelligence in cancer treatment. The congress also highlights recent study results and their potential impact on precision medicine.
The ESMO Immuno-Oncology Congress 2024 will present key findings on new therapeutic opportunities and management of treatment-related toxicities. Leading experts will share their research advancements in the rapidly evolving field of immuno-oncology.
The ESMO Asia Congress 2024 will focus on multidisciplinary oncology in the Asian region, featuring novel treatment modalities, management of specific cancer types and pan-Asian trials. Key highlights include insights into genetics, biology and practice differences between West and Asia.
A new study published in Annals of Oncology found that long-course radiotherapy is safer and more effective than short-course radiotherapy for preserving organs in rectal cancer patients. The treatment was shown to prevent regrowth of the primary tumour, but had similar overall survival rates.
Experts predict a significant increase in bowel cancer death rates among young adults in the EU and UK, driven by rising obesity and heavy alcohol consumption. Death rates are predicted to rise by 26% in men and nearly 39% in women in the UK, with similar increases seen in Italy and other European countries.
The ESMO Breast Cancer Congress 2023 will feature presentations on the latest clinical data on breast cancer treatments, including new drugs and technologies such as antibody drug conjugates and checkpoint inhibitors. The congress will also explore personalized therapeutic approaches for better outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer.
Lung cancer death rates are projected to decrease overall in the EU and UK in 2023, however, a concerning trend is observed among women in France, Italy, and Spain. Meanwhile, pancreatic cancer death rates are forecasted to rise among women due to continued smoking habits.
The ESMO Targeted Anticancer Therapies Congress 2023 features presentations on drug discovery and development for various targets, precision medicine, and early clinical trial methodology. Keynote lectures highlight novel insights in mutational signatures and epigenetic therapies.
The ESMO Gynaecological Cancers Congress 2023 will present the latest treatments and insights for ovarian, uterine, cervical, and rare gynaecological cancers. Around 80 studies will be presented on strategies to overcome PARP inhibitors mechanisms of resistance in ovarian cancer.
The ESMO Immuno-Oncology Congress 2022 will present results from over 240 studies worldwide, exploring new insights on immune checkpoint inhibitors, biomarkers for treatment response, and combination therapy efficacy. The congress aims to accelerate progress in immuno-oncology.
Research emphasizes the importance of ethnically diverse prostate cancer genomics data and accessible genetic testing. Variations in genomic landscape of prostate cancer were observed in Chinese men compared to Western cohorts, with lower mutation rates in driver genes such as TP53 and PTEN.
The ESMO Asia Congress 2022 will focus on the latest scientific and clinical advances in oncology, with a special emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region. Media representatives can register for coverage through the official media registration form.
A new blood test has shown promising results for detecting multiple types of cancer from tumor DNA in the blood, enabling early detection and potentially changing cancer screening practices. The test's accuracy and effectiveness have been demonstrated in a recent study, with high sensitivity and specificity rates.
Scientists have discovered a link between air pollution and lung cancer in people who have never smoked. Exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) has been shown to promote cancerous changes in airway cells with EGFR and KRAS gene mutations, driving them towards a cancer stem cell-like state.
A phase 3 study shows that tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) therapy significantly improves progression-free survival compared to standard immunotherapy in patients with advanced melanoma. The treatment reduces disease progression or death by 50% in patients treated with TILs.
The DeFi trial shows targeting the Notch pathway with nirogacestat improves progression-free survival and reduces symptoms in patients with desmoid tumours. Patients reported a statistically significant benefit in reduced pain, symptom burden, and improved quality of life.
Late-breaking results at ESMO Congress 2022 reveal a strong association between air pollution and non-small cell lung cancer, with exposure to particulate matter linked to increased risk. The research underscores the need for environmental sustainability in oncology, particularly in cancer prevention and early detection.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a substantial disruption to cancer clinical trials in the US, with a 46% decrease in new patient accruals and a 24% decrease in newly activated trials between March and May 2020. However, both patient accruals and trial activations have gradually recovered since then.
The ESMO Breast Cancer Congress 2022 event will present more than 200 studies on various aspects of breast cancer, including new treatments and innovative clinical practices. The congress will be held onsite in Berlin, Germany, and online, offering a platform for breast cancer specialists to share knowledge and improve patient outcomes.
A Spanish national registry study found that over half of diagnosed lung cancer patients undergo biomarker testing, with a significant increase over the last five years. Nearly half of patients with positive test results received targeted treatment.
A consensus reached by a lung clinical community highlighted international disparities in management and outcomes of patients with lung cancer. The roadmap provides key actions to homogenize practices, facilitate earlier diagnosis, and offer equitable access to care.
The European Lung Cancer Congress 2022 focused on the latest advancements in lung cancer treatment, including personalized strategies for better patient care. The congress also explored emerging therapies and molecular sub-types to enhance precision medicine.
Two clinical trials will report groundbreaking data on adjuvant olaparib for germline BRCA1/2 associated breast cancer and pembrolizumab for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. These treatments aim to improve survival rates and reduce recurrence.
The ESMO-WHO collaboration developed an evidence-based methodology for evaluating national medication formularies, helping Kazakhstan update its list of essential cancer medicines and treatment protocols. The approach resulted in increased budget allocation to cancer care and improved access to high-quality treatments.
Ovarian cancer death rates are predicted to decrease by 17% in the UK and 7% in EU countries in 2022. The main contributor is the long-term use of oral contraceptives, reducing the risk by 40%. Other factors include improved diagnosis, treatment, and advancements in treatments for other cancers.