ASCO 2026 Presidential Theme: Dr. Eric Small’s Vision to Translate Science Into Global Cancer Impact

The ASCO 2026 Annual Meeting is more than a scientific event – it’s a call to action. Under the leadership of Dr. Eric J. Small, ASCO’s incoming president, the meeting will focus on a powerful theme: translating scientific discovery into impact for every patient, in every setting, around the world.

In a time of unprecedented medical innovation, this theme asks a direct question:

What good is a breakthrough if it never leaves the lab? As cancer care becomes more complex, and disparities in access persist, the focus must shift from knowledge generation to knowledge delivery.

Dr Eric Small with Colleagues from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center in China, during ASCO 2024

Dr. Small, a distinguished oncologist and prostate cancer researcher at UCSF, has long worked at the interface of science and clinical application. His 2026 theme emphasizes three guiding ideas: science matters, translation is essential, and impact must be global.

“Discovery science, translational research, and clinical implementation are the engine that brings lifesaving therapies to patients,” said Dr. Small. “But we must ensure that science moves—not just from bench to bedside—but to society. That means across borders, cultures, and practice settings.”

From Discovery to Delivery

Breakthroughs mean little if they remain confined to labs or elite centers. The 2026 program will follow the arc of scientific progress — from the lab bench, through clinical trials, and into real-world cancer care. One recurring feature will be the “How I Did It” series, where leading translational scientists share how they moved discoveries into clinical practice.

This year’s agenda will also elevate implementation science — helping clinicians and health systems understand how to apply innovations in everyday care. At every stage, the focus is on making science matter where it counts: in patient lives.

Key Focal Points of the 2026 Theme

Dr. Small has identified three core focal points that structure the theme:

• Translation from Lab to Clinic
  Emphasizing the scientific foundations of clinical innovation, and how discovery science drives meaningful care advances.
• Translation from Clinic to Communities
  Spotlighting prevention, early detection, pragmatic trials, and common-sense oncology — with a special focus on community-engaged research and decentralized care models. A joint initiative with the American Society of Preventive Oncology (ASPO) is in development to further this goal.
• In Every Country and Every County
  Addressing how to bring ASCO’s science to resource-constrained environments, both domestically and globally. This includes building research capacity in low-resource settings and tailoring evidence to real-world, local contexts.

These focal points reflect the foundation of the theme:

“I intentionally use the word translation not just to mean science from bench to bedside,” said Dr. Small, “but to emphasize translating those discoveries into something accessible for every community.

Global Reach, Local Relevance

A core challenge in oncology today is ensuring that scientific progress crosses borders – geographic, cultural, linguistic, and financial. AAs ASCO president, Dr. Small is also focused on expanding research and care capacity in resource-limited settings. He sees common challenges shared by low- and middle-income countries and underserved U.S. communities, and is working to develop shared solutions through ASCO’s global network. This includes training, clinical trial access, and practical guidance for delivering equitable care, from academic centers to regional hospitals to rural clinics. As Dr. Small puts it.

“We are committed to making progress real – not just possible – for cancer patients across the globe.”

Dr. Small at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting. Source: Asco Connection

When and Where is ASCO 2026 Annual Meeting?

The ASCO Annual Meeting 2026 will take place May 29 to June 2, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois, at McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America. As in recent years, the meeting will follow a hybrid format, combining in-person sessions with virtual access to ensure global participation.

Who is Dr. Eric J. Small?

Dr. Eric J. Small is a renowned medical oncologist specializing in prostate cancer and translational research. He serves as Deputy Director and Chief Scientific Officer at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Co-Leader of its Prostate Cancer Program. A long-time ASCO leader, Dr. Small was elected ASCO President for the 2025–2026 term. His career has combined groundbreaking research—including key roles in the development of abiraterone and apalutamide—with a deep commitment to equity in oncology, particularly for underserved populations. Raised in Mexico City and fluent in Spanish, Dr. Small brings a global, inclusive perspective to cancer care and leadership.

You Can Read More About Dr. Eric J. Small on OncoDaily Special Oncologist Near Me with Dr Small Edition

His ASCO presidency reflects that same mission — to move beyond research excellence toward meaningful, measurable patient impact.

Leadership of the 2026 Meeting

Dr. Jo Chien – Scientific Program Committee Chair

A clinical researcher at UCSF, Dr. Chien brings deep expertise in breast cancer and translational trial design. She will lead the scientific curation of the program, ensuring cutting-edge research is at the forefront.

Dr. Erika Ruiz – Education Program Committee Chair
From the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología in Mexico City, Dr. Ruiz brings a strong perspective on global education and equity in cancer care. She will shape educational programming that is accessible, relevant, and practical for diverse oncology communities worldwide.

Together, their leadership ensures a scientifically rigorous and globally inclusive meeting.

ASCO 2026 will not be satisfied with celebrating innovation — it will demand we deliver it. Under Dr. Small’s leadership, this meeting is about momentum: moving discoveries from theory to therapy, from data to patients, from the lab to every corner of the world.

“The next decade will be pivotal. Science is advancing rapidly, but our job now is to ensure that every patient, every cancer, everywhere, benefits from it.” – Eric J. Small