Key Insights by Abner Antonio Murray from ASCO25

At  ASCO 2025 Annual Meeting, Abner Antonio Murray, Hematology/Oncology Fellow at UNC School of Medicine, brought his trademark insight and energy to the forefront, spotlighting emerging voices and powerful science in oncology.

Here’s a curated compilation of his standout updates:

Celebrating Future Leaders at UNC

“Celebrating two outstanding UNC Lineberger physician-scientists!
Dr. Yash Agrawal  and Dr. Jaewon Lee (Surgical Oncology) were awarded 2025 Young Investigator Awards from Conquer Cancer Foundation at ASCO25!

Their innovative work is advancing cancer care and equity — the future is bright. And shout-out to our phenomenal UNC School of Medicine CDA recipients as well — leading the way in the next era of oncology.”

VOICE Study on Shared Decision-Making

“Shoutout to Dr. Daniel Richardson for presenting new findings on VOICE, a decision support tool helping older adults with advanced cancer engage in values-based shared decision-making.

Patients using VOICE were 71% more likely to report high-quality SDM vs. standard ACS flyers—especially effective when oncologists didn’t initiate values discussion themselves.

Presented during the ASCO CareDelivery & Quality Care poster session.
Big win for older adult-centered, patient-prioritized cancer care!”

KRAS G12C in Focus

“Huge congrats to my friend Dr. Wint Yan Arthur Aung for presenting his meta-analysis on sotorasib dosing in KRAS G12C–mutated NSCLC at ASCO25!

Key findings:
— 960 mg dose = higher ORR but
— More toxicity, dose reductions, and discontinuations
— No significant PFS benefit with higher dose
His work underscores the need for adaptive, individualized dosing strategies to keep patients on treatment longer—safely and effectively.
Proud to see fellows driving change in lung cancer care!”

Understanding Resistance in ALK+ NSCLC

“Huge congrats to my friend Dr. Sarah Waliany and Conquer Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Awardee Sarah Waliany for presenting her team’s deep dive into resistance mechanisms after next-gen ALK TKI therapy in ALK+ NSCLC at ASCO25!

In the largest post-2G/3G ALK TKI biopsy dataset to date:
– ALK resistance mutations were less frequent after modern treatment (2G/3G TKIs upfront)
– Prior crizotinib exposure increased frequency of ≥2 ALK mutations
– MET amplification more common off-target resistance in those without prior criz exposure
These findings signal a shift in resistance biology with evolving ALK treatment paradigms—and highlight the need for next-gen strategies.”

Equity in Genomic Testing for Prostate Cancer

“Huge congrats to Dr. Chinmay Jani and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center team for presenting their impactful ASCO25 poster on transforming genomic testing in metastatic prostate cancer!
Testing rates soared from 57% → 74% overall
Hispanic patients: 50% → 80% after targeted system-wide interventions

Key drivers of success:
– Molecular Tumor Board engagement
– EMR-integrated Genomics Module
– Multidisciplinary team efforts
– Real-time feedback & education
This is what equity-centered, data-driven innovation looks like.”

TROPION-Lung02 Update

“ASCO25 Lung Cancer Highlight
TROPION-Lung02 is now the largest dataset to evaluate an ADC + anti–PD-1 combo in 1L advanced NSCLC!
Presented by Dr. Benjamin Levy

Dato-DXd + pembro ± platinum chemo showed:
– Durable activity across PD-L1 levels
– ORR 55.6%, DCR 88.9%, mPFS 6.8 mo
– TROP2 NMR+ pts trended toward improved outcomes

Exploratory biomarker signal needs validation but is promising!
Safety: manageable & expected—no grade 4/5 AESIs seen.
Now under phase 3 eval in TROPION-Lung07 & Lung08.”

COMPASS Trial Makes History

“COMPASS Trial Update at ASCO25!
Benmelstobart (anti–PD-L1) + anlotinib (VEGFR/MKI) showed significant PFS benefit vs pembrolizumab in PD-L1+ advanced NSCLC:
– Median PFS: 11.0 vs 7.1 mo | HR 0.70
– In TPS ≥50%: PFS 13.3 vs 7.2 mo | HR 0.60
– ORR: 57.3% vs 39.5%
– DCR: 85.9% vs 79.1%

Safety? TRAEs were higher with the combo (98.3%) but treatment discontinuation & death rates were similar to pembro.
First phase 3 trial to show a PFS advantage of dual PD-L1/antiangiogenic blockade over anti–PD-1 monotherapy in 1L aNSCLC.
Presented by Dr. Baohui Han.”

Plenary Discussant Brilliance

“What a fantastic plenary discussant presentation by Dr. Ticiana Leal at ASCO25!
With the theme “Right out of the Gate,” Dr. Leal reminded us that starting strong isn’t enough—in lung cancer, the true winners combine efficacy and tolerability

From KRYSTAL-7 to COMPASS and TROPION-Lung02, she masterfully laid out how the winning combo needs the right therapeutic index and predictive biomarker
Huge congrats, Dr. Leal, for tying it all together with elegance, expertise, and just the right touch of KentuckyDerby spirit!”

Career Wisdom for Aspiring Oncologists

“Incredible insights at today’s ASCO25 panel on Finding Your First Job — from interviews to negotiations, these powerhouse oncologists shared the tips they wish they knew during job hunt season.

Grateful for the wisdom and candor from Ana I. Velázquez Mañana, Noha N. Soror, Arthi Sridhar and Dionisia Quiroga, expertly hosted by ASCO TECAG
Whether you’re a fellow or finishing residency, this session delivered real talk and real strategy.”

First-in-Human Trial: A Glimpse Into the Future

“First-in-human trial alert from ASCO25!
Shoutout to my fellow ASCO TECAG member Fionnuala Crowley for presenting the TPS2696 poster on combining anti–IL-4Rα (dupilumab) with anti–PD-1 (cemiplimab) in resectable early-stage NSCLC

– Targeting IL-4 signaling—a novel axis in myeloid reprogramming
– Short-course neoadjuvant IO alone (just 1 dose of each!)
– Designed for patients ineligible for chemo or w/ small tumors <2cm (who still have 30% recurrence!)
– Pathologic + translational endpoints + stool microbiome
Early but exciting science building toward chemo-free perioperative strategies!”

Stay tuned to OncoDaily for more expert commentary from ASCO 2025. As Murray’s updates show, the future of oncology is being written not just in plenaries, but in the posters, panels, and bold ideas of rising leaders.