Astellas announced on October 7, 2026, that 21 abstracts from its oncology portfolio will be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress (ESMO) 2026, taking place October 23-27 in Madrid, Spain. The program includes long-term treatment follow-up, biomarker research, real-world evidence and ongoing clinical trials. The announcement outlines upcoming presentations but does not provide new numerical efficacy or safety results.
The research addresses several questions relevant to oncology practice: how durable treatment benefits are, how biomarkers can guide patient selection, and whether investigational therapies can improve outcomes in molecularly defined cancers.
Moitreyee Chatterjee-Kishore, Executive Vice President and Head of Oncology Development, Astellas, said:
“Standards of care do not change by accident. We are building upon this knowledge to develop the next generation of therapeutic options for cancers where unmet needs remain and look forward to engaging in discussions about this work at the congress.”
Dr. Chatterjee-Kishore also emphasized that the research presented at ESMO 2026 highlights how targeting specific disease biology and using distinct therapeutic approaches are driving progress in bladder, stomach, and prostate cancer treatment, notably through key regimens like enfortumab vedotin combined with pembrolizumab, zolbetuximab and enzalutamide.
Bladder Cancer
Enfortumab Vedotin Plus Pembrolizumab: Longer Follow-Up in Advanced Bladder Cancer
The bladder cancer program includes final long-term analyses from EV-103 and exploratory EV-302 analyses examining older patients, comorbidities and disease characteristics. Additional presentations address perioperative treatment, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), quality of life and bladder preservation in muscle-invasive disease.
These presentations build on previously reported evidence for enfortumab vedotin, a Nectin-4-directed antibody-drug conjugate, combined with the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab.
Abstract 4740RO: Cohort A and Cohort K Final Analysis Enfortumab vedotin with or without pembrolizumab as first-line treatment for cisplatin (cis)-ineligible locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma: long-term follow-up analysis from EV-103 cohorts DE/A and K
Presenter: J. P. Maroto Rey
Date/time: Saturday, October 24, 10:15-11:45
Abstract 4761P: EV-302 Comorbidities (DCO3): Enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab for previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma: updated exploratory analysis of EV-302 in older patients and those with comorbidities
Presenter: S. S. Sridhar
Date/time: Friday, October 23, 15:15-16:00
Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Perioperative Treatment and Bladder Preservation
The program includes KEYNOTE-905/EV-303 and KEYNOTE-B15/EV-304 analyses, alongside the EV-209 and EV-309 bladder-preservation trials in progress.
The pathological complete response rate was 55.8% versus 32.5%, indicating that a greater proportion of patients receiving the combination had no detectable cancer in the assessed surgical tissue.
Abstract 4733O: Perioperative pembrolizumab (pembro) or enfortumab vedotin (EV) plus pembro in patients (pts) with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) who are cisplatin-ineligible: ad hoc analysis from KEYNOTE-905 (EV-303)
Presenter: A. Ullén
Date/time: Friday, October 23, 13:30-15:00
Abstract 4734O: EV-304/KN-B15 ctDNA: ctDNA analysis of the phase 3 KEYNOTE-B15 trial: neoadjuvant and adjuvant enfortumab vedotin + pembrolizumab for participants with muscle-invasive bladder cancer who are eligible for cisplatin
Presenter: J. Chatzkel
Date/time: Friday, October 23, 13:30-15:00
Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer
Zolbetuximab: Biomarker Assessment and Real-World Treatment
Gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer presentations include ctDNA assessment from SPOTLIGHT and Canadian real-world experience with zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy in CLDN18.2-positive, HER2-negative disease.
Abstract 2882P: ctDNA Assessment in Patients with CLDN18.2+, HER2−, Locally Advanced Unresectable or Metastatic (la/m) Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma (G/GEJ a) in SPOTLIGHT
Presenter: K. Shitara
Date/time: Sunday, October 25, 12:00-12:45
Abstract 2941P: Canadian PSP: Real-World Use of Zolbetuximab Plus Chemotherapy (CTx) in Patients with CLDN18.2+, HER2−, Locally Advanced (LA) Unresectable or Metastatic Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer (mGC/GEJC) in a Canadian Patient Support Program (PSP)
Presenter: H. Karachiwala
Date/time: Sunday, October 25, 12:00-12:45
Prostate Cancer
Enzalutamide: PSA Responses and Treatment Comparisons
The prostate cancer abstracts cover EMBARK PSA responses, real-world outcomes and safety comparisons involving androgen receptor pathway inhibitors.
Abstract 2063eP: Adelpi REALIZE: High-risk biochemically recurrent (hrBCR) hormone sensitive prostate cancer (PC): European real-world (RW) evidence on risk stratification, PSMA PET use, and physician practices
Presenter: A. Merseburger
Date/time: N/A
Abstract 2295P: AMNOG NMA in mHSPC: Network meta-analysis (NMA) on the safety of androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) in patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) from German AMNOG dossiers
Presenter: C. Ohlmann
Date/time: Friday, October 23, 15:15-16:00
Pancreatic Cancer
Setidegrasib: Phase 3 Development in Pancreatic and Lung Cancer
Astellas will present trials-in-progress research for setidegrasib, alongside early-stage ASP5834, ASP546C and ASP1570 programs.
Setidegrasib, also known as ASP3082, is an investigational protein degrader designed to bring mutant KRAS G12D together with an E3 ligase, triggering degradation of the cancer-driving protein.
Abstract 3190TiP: Pipeline Phase 3 PDAC TiP: A Phase 3, double-blind, randomized trial of setidegrasib + mFOLFIRINOX or NALIRIFOX as first-line treatment for patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) harboring KRAS G12D mutations: Trial in progress
Presenter: T. Macarulla
Date/time: Sunday, October 25, 12:00-12:45
Lung Cancer
The lung cancer study compares setidegrasib with docetaxel in KRAS G12D-mutated locally advanced unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer that has progressed after platinum-based chemotherapy and checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
Abstract 2871eTiP: Phase 3 NSCLC TiP: Phase 3, randomized, open-label trial of setidegrasib vs docetaxel in patients with KRAS G12D-mutated locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy and checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) therapy: Trial in progress.
Presenter: F. Skoulidis
Date/time: N/A
The upcoming presentations will address several questions across Astellas’ oncology portfolio: whether treatment benefits persist with longer follow-up, how outcomes vary among patient groups, and how biomarker assessment can support treatment decisions. Quality-of-life analyses and real-world research may add perspectives on the patient experience and the use of therapies beyond controlled clinical trials.
For the investigational programs, the focus remains on establishing clinical benefit.
ESMO 2026 will provide an opportunity to examine these findings in greater detail, including the size and consistency of treatment effects, safety outcomes, and study limitations. Their relevance to practice will depend on how convincingly the evidence answers the clinical questions each study was designed to address.
Explore the full list of abstracts here.
OncoDaily at ESMO 2026
OncoDaily will bring scientific discussions and community events to Madrid during ESMO 2026, taking place October 23-27.
The program includes Sarcoma Grand Rounds on October 23, co-chaired by Professors Robin Jones and Javier Martín-Broto; the invitation-only “Who Owns the Message?” healthcare communications brunch, “Big Questions in Oncology” panel and Madrid Midnight party on October 24; and Bladder Cancer Grand Rounds on October 25, chaired by Professor Andrea Necchi and supported by an independent medical education grant from the Pfizer-Astellas Alliance.
Alongside its congress coverage, OncoDaily is recruiting ambassadors attending in person or virtually to contribute session summaries, interviews, clinical insights and social media updates. Explore the events, registration options and ambassador opportunities.
Stay tuned to OncoDaily for comprehensive coverage of ESMO 2026 and the latest oncology updates.