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ASCO 2026: World experts come together to share the latest breakthroughs in cancer research

29/05/26 - by

From 29 May to 2 June 2026, the world’s leading oncologists and researchers – including scientists from The Institute of Cancer Research, London – will gather in Chicago and online for the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, one of the most important events in the global cancer research calendar.

Each year, ASCO provides a major platform for presenting new advances in cancer research, including results from late-stage clinical trials, early-phase studies exploring emerging treatments, and translational research aimed at improving patient outcomes. The meeting also brings together experts from across oncology to share insights that help shape clinical practice worldwide.

The theme for the 2026 meeting, “The Science and Practice of Translation: Improving Cancer Outcomes Worldwide,” reflects a focus on translating scientific discovery into real-world benefit for patients. This year’s programme will feature a wide range of research across cancer types and treatment approaches, alongside discussions on how best to deliver advances in care internationally.

Here are some of the highlights of studies presented by or involving researchers from The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and our partners at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust at ASCO 2026.

The times provided below are local to Chicago (Central Time, GMT-5).

 

29th May 30th May 31st May 1st June 2nd June

 

29th May

Oral presentations

Efficacy and safety of pralsetinib as first-line treatment of RET fusion–positive advanced or metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): The phase 3 AcceleRET-Lung study.

Professor Sanjay Popat

Abstract: 8504

2.24pm

 

30th May

Feasibility and safety results from RAD-IO: A multi-stage trial of durvalumab with chemoradiotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Professor Nick James

Abstract: 4504

8.48 am

 

Durvalumab monotherapy versus active monitoring for resected primary renal cell carcinoma in RAMPART: An international, phase 3, randomized controlled trial.

Professor James Larkin

Abstract: LBA4511

8.00 am

Velzatinib (IDRX-42) as 1L or 2L therapy for advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) by KIT mutation status: A subset analysis of the phase 1/1b StrateGIST 1 study.

Professor Robin Jones

Abstract: 11501

3.12 pm

Poster presentations

Phase 2/3 trial of pumitamig (PD-L1 × VEGF-A bsAb) plus chemotherapy versus bevacizumab plus chemotherapy in previously untreated, unresectable, or metastatic colorectal cancer

Professor Ian Chau

Abstract TPS3672 Poster Bd 439a

9am

Neoadjuvant and adjuvant pembrolizumab (pembro) plus standard of care (SOC) for resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA HNSCC): Efficacy by surgical outcomes in the phase 3 KEYNOTE-689 trial.

Professor Kevin Harrington

Abstract 6057 Poster Bd 514

1.30pm

 OrigAMI-5: A randomized, phase 3 study of amivantamab plus pembrolizumab and carboplatin vs standard of care pembrolizumab plus platinum and 5-fluorouracil as first-line treatment in recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer.

Professor Kevin Harrington

Abstract TPS6127 Poster Bd 583a

1.30pm

 First-in-human trial of the TEAD inhibitor ODM-212 in patients with advanced solid tumors (TEADES).

Professor Johann de Bono

Abstract 3111 Poster Bd 248

1.30pm

A phase 1, first-in-human study of DS9051, a novel targeted protein degradation molecule, in patients with advanced/metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) or metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Professor Johann de Bono

Abstract TPS3179 Poster Bd 304a

9am

 BI‑1808 + pembrolizumab: Responses to a chemotherapy‑free regimen in advanced ovarian cancer.

Professor Juanita Lopez

Abstract 2605 Poster Bd 395

1.30pm

 

31st May

 Oral presentations

RP2 oncolytic immunotherapy alone and in combination with nivolumab (nivo) in patients with advanced solid tumors: Final safety, efficacy, and biomarker results from the phase 1 first-in-human (FIH) study.

Professor Kevin Harrington

Abstract 2504

9.12 am

 CDT Amivantamab in HPV-unrelated recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer after disease progression on immune checkpoint inhibitor and chemotherapy: Pivotal results from the phase 1b/2 OrigAMI-4 study.

Professor Kevin Harrington

Abstract 6008

10.24am

 Efficacy of velzatinib (IDRX-42) in patients with advanced/metastatic GIST by line of therapy and circulating tumor DNA response in the phase 1/1b StrateGIST 1 trial.

Professor Robin Jones

Abstract 11520

3.12 pm

Poster presentations

Long-term survivorship rates among previously treated advanced melanoma patients achieving objective response (OR) with lifileucel.

Professor James Larkin

Abstract 9592 Poster Bd 308

9.00 am

ALPACCA: Phase 3 trial of firmonertinib vs investigator’s choice of EGFR inhibitor as first-line treatment for locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR P-loop and alpha c-helix compressing (PACC) uncommon mutations (FURMO-006).

Professor Sanjay Popat

Abstract TPS8675 Poster Bd 457a

9.00 am

 Patient-reported outcomes from IMvigor011: A phase 3 study of circulating tumor (ct)DNA–guided adjuvant atezolizumab vs placebo in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).

Professor Robert Huddart

Abstract 4627 Poster Bd 106

9.00am

 Safety and preliminary efficacy of M9466 (HRS-1167) in combination with abiraterone acetate and prednisone/prednisolone (AA-P) in patients (pts) with metastatic prostate cancer in the phase 1 DDRiver 501 study.

Professor Johann de Bono

Abstract 5038 Poster Bd 133

9.00am

 Phase 1b/2 study of pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib or pembrolizumab coformulated with vibostolimab in participants (pts) with metastatic neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC): KEYNOTE-365 cohorts F and H.

Professor Johann de Bono

Abstract 5055 Poster Bd 150 

9.00am

 

1st June

Oral presentations

 Highlights of the Year: Exciting Advances in Rare and Not-so-Rare Head and Neck Cancers

Professor Kevin Harrington

8.15am

Latest Options for First-Line Treatment for Metastatic Anal Cancer

Professor Sheela Rao

1.15pm

Poster presentations

MOMENTUM: A phase 2, open-label, single-arm, multicenter study to evaluate the efficacy of cemsidomide + dexamethasone in subjects with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).

Professor Martin Kaiser

Abstract TPS7579 Poster Bd 457a

9.00am

 Modern Hodgkin lymphoma treatments to reduce second cancer risks: Influence of risk-adapted screening.

Professor Amy Berrington

Abstract 7053 Poster Bd 551

9.00am

Tucatinib (TUC) combined with trastuzumab and pertuzumab (HP) as first-line (1L) maintenance therapy for HER2+ metastatic breast cancer (MBC): An in-depth safety analysis of HER2CLIMB-05.

Professor Alicia Okines

Abstract 1042 Poster Bd 156

1.30pm

 Outcomes by lobular histology status at initial diagnosis in patients in the INAVO120 phase 3 trial with PIK3CA-mutated, hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative (HER2–), endocrine-resistant advanced breast cancer treated with inavolisib/placebo + palbociclib + fulvestrant.

Professor Nick Turner

Abstract 1079 Poster Bd 193

1.30pm

 

2nd June

Oral presentations

Giredestrant (GIRE) + palbociclib (PALBO) vs letrozole (LET) + PALBO as first-line (1L) therapy in patients (pts) with estrogen receptor–positive, HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (ER+, HER2– LA/mBC): Primary analysis of the phase III persevERA BC trial.

Professor Nick Turner

Abstract: LBA1006

11.45am

First-line (1L) camizestrant (CAMI) for emergent ESR1 mutations (ESR1m) in advanced breast cancer (ABC): Final progression-free survival 2 (PFS2) from the phase III SERENA-6 trial.

Professor Nick Turner

Abstract: LBA1007

11.57am