The Global Cardio-Oncology Summit (GC-OS) 2025, organized by the Cardio Oncology Society of Southern Africa (COSOSA), was held from October 30 to November 1, 2025, in Cape Town, South Africa. The opening day, dedicated to Research and Basic Science, took place at the Cape Heart Institute, UCT Faculty of Health Sciences, located in the Chris Barnard Building at the corner of Anzio and Falmouth Roads in Observatory, Cape Town. The following two days of the conference brought together leading international and local experts, offering a dynamic platform to discuss the theme “Access to Oncology Care: A Global Perspective.”
Here are the key highlights from GCOS 2025:
International Cardio-Oncology Society:
“ANOTHER ANNOUNCEMENT FROM CAPE TOWN.
Today, IC-OS formally announced that Susan Dent, MD FRCPC’s term as IC-OS president will be coming to an end in 2025.
Dr Dent has been a fearless leader over her three year term – advancing cardio-oncology around the world and helping our society grow. We want to thank her for all her contributions.
We’re are pleased to announce Michael Fradley, MD will become the new President of ICOS starting January 1st, 2026. Michael is a long time board member and we look forward to his continued leadership as he steps into this new role.”
You Can Also Read: Michael Fradley Has Been Named New President Elect of the IC-OS
“Global Cardio-Oncology Summit 2025 is underway in Cape Town, bringing together cardio-oncology leaders from around the world to focus on the “Big 5” themes in cancer-related cardiovascular care:
1. Baseline risk assessment – who is actually at risk before we start cancer therapy.
2. Surveillance and prevention – how we monitor and stop problems before they’re clinical.
3. Optimal treatment – what to do when cardiotoxicity (or pre-existing CVD) is actually there.
4. Survivorship – long-term follow-up, late effects, AYA/paediatric survivors, lifestyle.
5. Multidisciplinary (MDT) service delivery – how to organise cardio-oncology so it works in real settings
Huge credit to International Cardio-Oncology Society and the local Cardio-Oncology Society of Southern Africa (COSOSA) team for getting so many disciplines in one room.”
“GCOS 2025 a huge success! I am so proud to witness the interest in cardio-oncology! A big thank you Dr Trishun Singh and George Nel for hosting this meeting in Cape Town and the GCOS committee for ensuring a successful meeting!!! See everyone next year in Williamsburg Virginia.”
“It was my privilege and honour to speak at the global cardio-oncology summit in Cape Town. The number of cancer patients and cancer survivors are ever increasing and primary care are well placed to deliver cardio-oncology shared-care.
Thank you to Trishun Singh and International Cardio-Oncology Society for the incredible opportunity and for organising a spectacular conference. Thank you Maria Sol Andres, Sohaib Nazir and Alex lyon for the support.”
“Proud to speak in Cape Town for Global Cardio-Oncology Summit.
5th time as I speak in South Africa.”
“Celebrating a huge GCOS2025 moment.
Thrilled to see Teresa López Fernández honoured with this year’s International Cardio-Oncology Society Thomas Force Award at the Global Cardio-Oncology Summit 2025. This is one of the society’s most meaningful recognitions, named for Tom Force, whose work set the tone for rigorous, translational cardio-oncology.
Teresa has been central to so much of what our field now considers “standard”: ESC cardio-oncology guidance, cardiac imaging pathways, and building national-level cardio-oncology services in Spain. She then delivered the IC-OS Thomas Force Lecture at GCOS2025 – a perfect way to showcase how imaging, risk stratification and real-world service design come together.”
International Cardio-Oncology Society:
“Congrats to the 2025 Thomas Force Pioneer Award Winner – Teresa López Fernández!
Teresa is a valued member of IC-OS and the cardio-oncology community at large. In her role at Quirónsalud / Servicio madrileño de salud (SERMAS), her stewardship on the IC-OS board. and her participation in the global cardiooncology community, we are thankful to all of her contributions to the field.
Get to know this year’s winner.”
“Great talk by Sebastian Szmit at GCOS2025 on the critically important topic of thromboembolism in patients with cancer.
Many important highlights inc. API-CAT trial providing evidence that extended anticoagulation with a reduced dose of Apixaban is non-inferior to the full dose in preventing recurrent VTE.”
“When should I call Cardio-Oncology?
Think early, not late.
Beautiful start at GCOS25 by Dr Christine Brezden-Masley
- Modern cancer therapies are improving survival, but cardiovascular effects can emerge early and late
- Partnering with Cardio-Oncology improves oncologic outcomes by enabling safe continuation of cancer therapy (“permissive cardiotoxicity”)
- Survivorship care needs a multidisciplinary team to optimize heart health & cancer outcomes.”
International Cardio-Oncology Society:
“Congrats to Ashley Stein-Merlob, the winner of the GCOS25 Young Investigators Award!
Three talented Young Investigators, Ashley 🇺🇸, Hiroki Yoshida 🇯🇵, and Stephen Rankin 🇬🇧 had the opportunity to present their research to the cardio-oncologists gathered at this year’s GCOS.
With these three at the helm, the future of cardio-oncology is looking bright.”
“Truly honoured and very moved to receive the Thomas Force Award at GCOS25.
My deepest thanks to ICOS, the ESC Council of Cardio-Oncology, and my teams at Hospital La Paz and Quirónsalud — proud of how far we’ve come together and excited for what’s still ahead.”
“PRIMARY CARE in Cardio-Oncology — highlights from the great Siva Tharshini Ramalingam
Key messages:
- Primary care physicians are the first point of contact for patients.
- Early recognition of cardiovascular (and systemic) side effects of cancer therapy =
— education is essential. - Diagnostic challenge: the therapy context changes the differential diagnosis.
Dr. Ramalingam inspired us to become “International Agents of Change. Challenge accepted!”
“Day 3 of GCOS2025 starting now! Congrats Teresa Lopez Fernandez winner of the 2025 Thomas Force Award. Your dedication and impact to cardio-oncology are truly profound! Thank you for everything.”
“African medical plants and cardioprotection? Very interesting idea worth testing and more research.”
“Excellent summary of what’s new in breast cancer treatment regimens by Dr Anne Blaes.”
You Can Also Read:
Global Cardio-Oncology Summit (GC-OS) 2025: Access to Oncology Care. A Global Perspective
Written By Lena Mkrtchyan, MD
