ASCO 2026 brought together the global oncology community for several days of practice-changing research, clinical discussions, and scientific updates across cancer care. GI oncology once again had a strong presence, with important data and expert reflections covering colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, hepatobiliary, and other gastrointestinal cancers.
To capture some of the most interesting conversations from the meeting, we selected 15 GI oncology posts from ASCO 2026 not to miss. These posts highlight key studies, expert insights, and meaningful moments shared by oncology professionals during one of the most important cancer meetings of the year.
15 Posts Not To Miss From ASCO 2026
“I have had my fair share of medical conferences, but the American Society of Clinical Oncology is totally a different vibe.
Over 40,000 oncologists, researchers, advocates, survivors, policymakers, and industry leaders converge at McCormick Place, Chicago, for three days, making it one of the most important gatherings in global oncology.
For those of us crossing the Atlantic, it is always worth the jet lag.
This year’s meeting felt particularly special for me. My new role as Union for International Cancer Control President-Elect did not go unnoticed, and I was humbled by the warmth, encouragement, and support I received throughout the week.
I have perhaps taken my visibility for granted over the years. Imagine my surprise when a revered oncologist picked up my tab at Starbucks, simply to congratulate me.
That visibility comes with responsibility. Leadership demands hard work, quick thinking, teamwork, and a commitment to keep serving the global cancer community. I will do my best.
It was a privilege to attend different sessions, collaboration meetings, and strategic discussions with partners from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, ECO, ECS, Global Health Catalysts, The Lancet Group, AORTIC Africa, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dana-Farber, SLACOM, ecancer, and so many others from different corners of the world.
One main highlight of ASCO26 was the announcement of the new pancreatic cancer drug, daraxonrasib.
For decades, pancreatic cancer has remained one of the most difficult cancers to treat. Advanced clinical trials now show a clear 50% increase in survival.
I lost an uncle recently to pancreatic cancer, so it was emotional to applaud leading investigators such as Dr. Brian Wolpin, Dr. Eileen O’Reilly, Dr. Zev Wainberg, and Dr. Andrew Hendifar, alongside collaborating institutions worldwide.
I left Chicago with a full schedule behind me, new ASCO-induced follow-up calls, new friends, a notebook full of ideas, and a deeper appreciation for the individuals and organisations working every day to reduce the burden of cancer worldwide.”
“Some experiences stay with you long after the meeting ends — ASCO2026 is one of those.
Grateful to be part of it in my role leading thought leader engagement across thoracic oncology in the US West, and especially grateful to work with Bridget McFadden, my US East counterpart.
A few takeaways that stood out:
ALK+ NSCLC, Crown — the 7-year data continues to redefine what long-term outcomes can look like for patients and remains a true milestone.
Colorectal, BREAKWATER — important data reinforcing the impact of targeted combinations in BRAF V600E disease and continuing to shape first-line treatment approaches.
Broader Pfizer portfolio — meaningful advances across prostate cancer with TALZENNA plus XTANDI, and continued momentum in next-generation lung therapies, from ADCs to novel combinations.
And you can’t forget the pancreatic data that brought a rare standing ovation — a powerful moment that captured both the progress being made and the urgency that still exists for patients.
The conversations — across many planned meetings and advisory boards, with a few unexpected run-ins that turned into especially welcome and meaningful surprises.
The team — the collaboration, preparation, and execution behind the scenes are what truly make moments like this possible.
Now catching my breath, catching up on rest, recharging, and already thinking about how we translate this momentum forward for patients.
Grateful for the experience and the shared purpose.”
“This week — new American Hospital Association proposal on increasing healthcare affordability with a 5-point plan, Microsoft and Mayo Clinic partnership to create a new AI model for clinical reasoning, and blockbuster announcement at ASCO 2026 in pancreatic cancer by Revolution Medicines.”
“I am honored to share that I have successfully completed my observership at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center under the mentorship of Dr. Ghassan Abou-Alfa.
This experience provided an invaluable opportunity to exchange knowledge and learn from an outstanding team within the Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Service, including Yelena Janjigian, Luis Diaz, Michael Foote, and Kenneth Yu, among many other exceptional colleagues dedicated to advancing cancer care and research.
I am deeply grateful to Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology for making this experience possible through the 2026 International Development and Education Award.
Their commitment to supporting the development of future oncology leaders around the world creates meaningful opportunities for professional growth, collaboration, and impact.
Representing Colombia at one of the world’s leading cancer centers has been both a privilege and a responsibility.
I am especially thankful to Dr. Abou-Alfa for his generosity, guidance, and mentorship throughout this experience. His leadership, vision, and dedication to improving outcomes for patients with gastrointestinal cancers continue to inspire physicians around the globe.
I return home motivated to strengthen international collaboration and contribute to advancing gastrointestinal oncology care, research, and education in Colombia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.”
“One of the reasons I always follow ASCO is the possibility of seeing science translate into meaningful hope for patients.
This year, the Phase 3 results for daraxonrasib by RevMed in metastatic pancreatic cancer were especially inspiring.
In a disease where progress has been challenging, the investigational oral therapy significantly improved survival compared with chemotherapy, earning three standing ovations from more than 9,000 oncologists.
While more work remains, breakthroughs like this remind us that the future of cancer care continues to move forward.
Congratulations to the researchers, clinicians, and patients who made this milestone possible.”
“Wrapping up another ASCO week in my favorite orange suit, currently fueled by pure delusion, heavy jet lag, and an unhinged 3-hour standoff at ORD customs. Worth it, mostly. No regrets!
It’s a privilege to watch oncology history happen from the front lines — from the absolute triumph of the practice-changing RASolute302 trial to the ‘let’s debate this over drinks’ drama of the persevERA miss.
Chicago really understood the assignment this year: delivering class, endless sunshine, and the perfect backdrop to reconnect with colleagues, partners, and oncologists from every corner of the map.
Thank you ASCO26 for a magnificent, yet exhausting show.
See you next year — after I sleep for a business week.”
“Last day of ASCO and heading back home with plenty of new data to digest.
Very pleased that we presented our Phase 1 trial-in-progress of TH9619, an exciting project that we look forward to developing further.
And a special mention to the daraxonrasib data in pancreatic cancer — truly impressive and a real breakthrough for a disease where progress is urgently needed.
Congratulations to all teams involved.
Now time to process, reflect, and bring the most relevant advances back to our patients.”
“I am delighted to invite you to All of ASCO 2026 in Frankfurt.
Together with an outstanding faculty of leading experts, we will discuss the most important advances presented at this year’s ASCO Annual Meeting and their implications for clinical practice.
Our meeting will focus on practice-changing trials, allowing us a deep dive into the clinical implications for our daily practice.
June 12, 2026
Crowne Plaza Congress Hotel Frankfurt
Our faculty and topics:
Prof. Thorsten Götze — NET and GIST, Scientific Lead and Moderator
Prof. Dr. Sven Becker — Gynecologic Tumors
Prof. Dr. Nadia Harbeck — Early and Metastatic Breast Cancer
PD Dr. Michael Burger — CNS Tumors
Prof. Dr. Jessica Hassel — Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers
Prof. Dr. Petros Christopoulos — Metastatic and Non-Metastatic NSCLC
PD Dr. Philipp Ivanyi — Bladder Cancer and Renal Cell Carcinoma
Prof. Dr. Felix KH Chun — Prostate Cancer
Prof. Dr. Simon Laban — Head and Neck Tumors
Prof. Dr. Gunnar Folprecht — Lower GI Tract Cancers
Prof. Dr. Sylvie Lorenzen — Upper GI Tract Cancers
I would be delighted to welcome you personally in Frankfurt for a day of cutting-edge science, practical updates, and inspiring discussions with colleagues from across Germany.
Looking forward to seeing you there.”
“In my first few months leading the J&J GI Malignancies team, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the scale of effort behind every small step forward in cancer care.
Last week at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, I reflected on the progress made for patients with GI cancers since I attended my first ASCO almost 20 years ago.
I left Chicago like I always do — energized by conversations with colleagues, researchers sharing new discoveries, and clinicians searching for better answers for their patients.
I was also reminded of how complex our work truly is, and I walked away with an urgency to do more.
The commitment to developing better treatment options for patients facing GI cancers, especially colorectal and pancreatic cancer, where too many families still experience the devastating impact of advanced disease earlier in life, was deeply inspiring.
It was a reminder that more progress cannot come soon enough.
I return now to my new role invigorated by the momentum I felt from my team to lead the next wave of progress for GI cancer patients and feel so very proud to be part of Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine’s efforts to advance care in GI malignancies.”
“ASCO 2026: GI Oncology Takes Another Leap Forward
This year’s gastrointestinal cancer presentations delivered a powerful message:
The future of cancer care is no longer defined by where the tumor starts, but by the biology driving it.
From groundbreaking immunotherapy combinations in hepatocellular and gastric cancers to promising antibody-drug conjugates and biomarker-driven targeted therapies, ASCO 2026 showcased how innovation is translating into meaningful clinical benefit for patients.
Highlights that stood out:
EMERALD-3 advanced the role of immunotherapy plus TACE in unresectable HCC.
ASTRUM-006 demonstrated that perioperative immunotherapy can significantly improve outcomes in PD-L1-positive resectable gastric cancer.
HERIZON-GEA-01 reinforced the promise of HER2-directed dual-targeting strategies across PD-L1 subgroups.
Novel agents targeting Claudin18.2, MET amplification, EP4 signaling, DLL3, and EGFR-HER3 continue to expand the precision oncology landscape.
Antibody-drug conjugates are emerging as potential new standards of care in difficult-to-treat GI malignancies.
What excites me most is not a single study, but the broader trend:
More patients receiving personalized treatments.
Biomarker testing becoming increasingly essential.
Immunotherapy moving into earlier-stage disease.
Novel targets creating opportunities where few existed before.
Behind every hazard ratio, response rate, and survival curve is a patient waiting for a better outcome.
The advances presented this year remind us why clinical research remains the cornerstone of progress in oncology.
The momentum in GI oncology has never been stronger, and the next generation of treatment standards is already taking shape.”
“What an incredible ASCO.
The progress we’re seeing for patients with pancreatic cancer is nothing short of monumental, with the standing ovation at the plenary honoring the moment.
This tremendous win opens the door to so much more possibility, and it’s exciting to think about what lies ahead with darox and the impact it could have for patients and families who have been waiting far too long for meaningful advances, and how we now move beyond G12C in colorectal cancer as well.
Days like yesterday are reminders of how much this work matters.
ASCO can be completely exhausting — long days, packed schedules, endless conversations — but at the same time, it is incredibly energizing.
Being surrounded by colleagues who are equally passionate about improving outcomes for patients, and just good humans who also make me laugh, makes long days worthwhile.
And after a long day at ASCO, getting together with my Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute colleagues and friends feels like the comfort of coming home.
I am fortunate to work alongside such a talented, dedicated, and supportive team.
The science is exciting, but the people also make this journey so rewarding.
The photo captures our amazing GI Oncology team, including our fearless leader, our ‘honorary GI oncologist,’ and Physician-in-Chief, Becca Heist, and one of our OG GI oncologists, our big boss David Ryan.
Their leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to our patients and our people help make moments like these possible.
Grateful for the progress, inspired by what’s ahead, and thankful for a team that makes even the longest days feel meaningful.”
“ASCO Annual Meeting 2026 delivered one of the most important days in oncology in years.
A few standouts:
The biggest news of the day may have been pancreatic cancer. In a simultaneous The New England Journal of Medicine publication, daraxonrasib doubled overall survival in second-line PDAC — 13.2 vs. 6.7 months, with a hazard ratio of 0.40.
In a disease where decades of ‘progress’ have often meant survival gains measured in weeks, seeing a hazard ratio start with 0.4 almost feels unreal.
For KRAS-targeted therapy to generate this magnitude of benefit in pancreatic cancer is a genuine watershed moment.
Apalutamide before and after surgery produced a 9x increase in pathologic complete response in prostate cancer, potentially rewriting a perioperative paradigm that has barely changed in a century.
Selpercatinib reduced recurrence risk by 83% in RET-positive early lung cancer, with zero deaths in the treatment arm — another reminder that broad molecular testing at diagnosis is now essential.
A bispecific antibody beat PD-1 inhibition on overall survival in squamous NSCLC — the first phase III validation of the PD-1/VEGF strategy.
And abemaciclib delivered the first-ever positive phase III trial in dedifferentiated liposarcoma.
And there’s still more ahead.
BREAKWATER is redefining frontline BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer, while VIKTORIA-1 could reshape the post-CDK4/6 breast cancer landscape.
Add a flood of ADC, bispecific, and precision oncology data still to come, and ASCO 2026 is beginning to feel like a true oncology inflection point.”
“Phase I study of intraperitoneal fast-manufactured IL-9-secreting CEACAM5-targeted CAR-T cells in advanced colorectal cancer with peritoneal metastases.
ASCO26
High response rates in heavily pretreated patients.
More data on CAR-T cells.”
“A randomised study of encorafenib, cetuximab, and FOLFIRI versus FOLFIRI with or without bevacizumab in BRAF V600E-mutant colorectal cancer: BREAKWATER Cohort 3. Annals of Oncology.”
Written by Nare Hovhannisyan,MD