Insights by Toufic Kachaamy from Day 2 of City of Hope 2025 CME Event in GI Oncology

The 2025 Annual Advances and Innovations in Endoscopic Oncology and Multidisciplinary Gastrointestinal Cancer Care took place on April 5–6 in Las Vegas.

The conference brought together gastrointestinal oncologists from across the globe, bringing together clinicians, endoscopists, surgeons, radiation and medical oncologists, pathologists, and researchers to share insights and advance the field – all united by a shared mission: to improve outcomes for patients with GI malignancies through innovation, collaboration, and precision medicine.

Toufic Kachaamy, Chief of Medicine and Medical Director of Gastroenterology at City of Hope Phoenix, shared insights from conference on LinkedIn:

“What a great start to Day 2 with an outstanding talk by Dr. Kun-Hsing Yu on the role of AI in GI oncology pathology.

He opened our minds to the untapped potential hidden in pathology slides – using AI to uncover patterns in the tumor microenvironment that can predict molecular profiles, patient prognosis, and therapeutic responses.

Dr. Yu also emphasized how context matters – reminding us that the environment in which AI models are trained and applied can deeply influence predictions and outcomes.

He left us with a powerful reminder:

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

This is exactly what today’s innovators are doing—shaping a future where technology and compassion drive better care.”

“We kicked off an incredible day of learning and inspiration with Dr. Ajaz Khan chairing Session 1: Refining GI Cancer Through Targeted Diagnostics and Therapies.

From cutting-edge molecular profiling to precision-guided treatments, this session spotlighted how we’re transforming GI cancer care – moving from a one-size-fits-all approach to truly personalized medicine.

Grateful for the thoughtful leadership Dr. Khan brought to the discussion, setting the tone for a day focused on innovation, collaboration, and most importantly – hope for our patients.”

“An amazing and deeply insightful talk by Dr. Pashtoon Kasi today on the evolving role of liquid biopsies in GI oncology.

He emphasized that liquid biopsies are complementary, not replacements for tissue biopsies – each offers unique insights that together enhance precision care.

Dr. Kasi reminded us why MSI status matters – because it allows us to talk about the once-unthinkable “C word” in GI cancers: cure.

He also highlighted:

• The growing role of liquid biopsies in cholangiocarcinoma, where tissue access is often limited
• How temporal changes in circulating tumor DNA can offer the earliest signals of treatment response
• That GI cancers are “high shedders” of ctDNA, providing a powerful window into disease biology
• And most importantly, that clinical context must always guide interpretation of these advanced tools

The future of GI oncology is being rewritten – and it’s clearer than ever that smart integration of liquid and tissue diagnostics is key.”

“What a fantastic overview by Dr. Sameer Keole, President of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), on the power and precision of modern radiation therapy in GI cancers.

He reminded us that while most patients with pancreatic cancer succumb to systemic disease, 30% die from local complications – a critical and often underappreciated target for intervention.

Dr. Keole highlighted the advantages of proton beam therapy, especially in treating irregularly shaped tumors, using the elegant analogy of filling an oddly shaped jar with thousands of jelly beans – a vivid way to understand how precision radiation can spare healthy tissue while targeting cancer.

He also shared evidence supporting proton beam therapy’s safety and effectiveness in treating liver metastases—yet another way we’re refining cancer care to be more focused, individualized, and hopeful.

Grateful for his leadership and vision as we continue advancing the field.”

“An amazing and forward-thinking talk by Hannah Farfour on the role of AI in communication in oncology – one of the most human-centered and emotionally charged aspects of care.

She challenged us to rethink training for a hybrid future, where clinician – AI teaming doesn’t replace empathy – it enhances it.

In her vision, AI becomes a partner that helps clinicians become more human, not less – freeing up time, offering insights, and supporting compassionate, timely, and personalized communication in serious illness.

A powerful reminder that the future of care isn’t just about smarter tools – it’s about deeper connection.”

“Inspiring talk today by Sarah Enslin, PA-C on the evolution and impact of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) in today’s healthcare landscape.

She walked us through the rich history of APPs, their growing importance in addressing provider shortages, and – most importantly – their essential role in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.

Sarah emphasized that to unlock the full potential of APPs, we must build systems that empower them to practice at the top of their license, foster collaboration, and promote both professional satisfaction and long-term impact.

She left us with a powerful and timely reminder: “Collaboration, not competition.”

A simple truth that resonates deeply in our efforts to create sustainable, compassionate, and team-based healthcare.

In an ever-changing system, APPs are not just filling gaps – they’re helping lead the way forward.”

“A powerful and thought-provoking talk by Dr. Gregory Idos MD, MS on the unresolved challenges of multi-cancer early detection (MCED) testing – especially in high-risk populations.

He warned us that “a tsunami of testing is coming our way,” and the question isn’t if, but how we respond.

Dr. Idos highlighted a growing shift in the landscape:

• A decreased public tolerance for “healthcare paternity”
• Patients increasingly bypassing physicians and seeking these tests directly
• And the urgent need to define what outcomes truly matter in hereditary cancer syndromes – early detection is only meaningful if it improves survival, quality of life, and clarity of care.

As the field races ahead, we must ensure that science, ethics, and patient-centered values keep pace. The future of cancer screening depends on it.”

“A great talk by Dr. I. Emre Gorgun on the evolving landscape of organ preservation in rectal cancer – a field rapidly shifting thanks to advancements in treatment and technology.

With total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT), we’re now seeing complete clinical response in up to 50% of patients – a truly remarkable shift. But the critical question becomes:

What are the best options when there’s residual or near-complete response?

Dr. Gorgun explored exciting organ-preserving strategies, including:

• Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) for precise local resection
• The use of robotic single-port (SP) technology to safely and effectively remove residual disease while preserving anatomy and function

As we strive for not just survival but quality of life, these tools are redefining what’s possible in rectal cancer care.”

“A future-looking and inspiring talk today by Dr. Steven Hsesheng Lin on organ preservation in esophageal cancer – one of the most exciting shifts in how we approach this complex disease.

The speaker highlighted that patients with no residual disease after chemoradiation can achieve long-term survival without surgery – a transformative insight supported by data from the SANO-1 trial, which showed no difference in overall survival for patients with complete clinical response (CCR) managed with non-operative surveillance.

Importantly, for those who do eventually need surgery, there is no increase in postoperative complications, even with delayed intervention.

This approach demands intensive surveillance, including regular EGDs and possible salvage therapies such as endoscopic resection—but it opens the door to preserving quality of life without compromising outcomes.

A powerful reminder that the future of esophageal cancer care is not just about curing disease—but doing so with intention, precision, and compassion.”

“A great talk by Dr. Mike Smith on the expanding and essential role of the endoscopist in esophageal organ preservation.

In the evolving landscape of esophageal cancer, Dr. Smith highlighted how endoscopists are central across the entire continuum of care:

• Prevention and early detection
• Endoscopic resection of early or residual disease
• Ablation following chemoradiation in select cases
• And the emerging role of endoscopic resection even after definitive chemoradiation

As treatment paradigms shift toward organ preservation, the collaboration between oncologists, surgeons, and endoscopists is more critical than ever.

Preserving the esophagus without compromising outcomes is no longer a dream – it’s becoming a standard of care for carefully selected patients.”

“What an amazing finale to our program with a powerful and future-focused talk by our course director, Dr. Neil Sharma, on the expanding role of endoscopists in cancer resection.

He took us through the growing toolkit of advanced endoscopy – ESD, STER, EFTR – and how these techniques are reshaping how we approach cancer care.

One line stood out and captured the essence of his message:

“Endoscopists are not surgeons – but good ones obey surgical principles.”

As technology advances, so must our discipline, precision, and commitment to patient outcomes. Dr. Sharma reminded us that it’s not just about doing more with scopes – it’s about doing it thoughtfully, safely, and with respect for oncologic integrity.

A fitting close to an incredible course.”

“Deeply grateful to the incredible City of Hope CME team for flawlessly executing a phenomenal CME event – every detail managed with professionalism, heart, and excellence.

From start to finish, this event reflected the passion and precision that defines City of Hope. It’s truly a privilege to work alongside such amazing professionals who not only support education – but elevate it.

Thank you for making this experience seamless, impactful, and inspiring.

Together, we are shaping the future of cancer care – one session, one learner, one patient at a time.”

Insights by Toufic Kachaamy from Day 1 of City of Hope 2025 CME Event in GI Oncology