15 Posts Not to Miss from Neuro-Oncology (SNO) Annual Meeting 2025

The Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) Annual Meeting 2025, held from November 19–23 in Honolulu, Hawaii, brought together leading clinicians, researchers, and innovators to discuss the latest breakthroughs in brain tumor science and care. This year’s program highlighted transformative advances in neuro-oncology, from precision therapeutics and molecular diagnostics to novel imaging and surgical strategies.

In this article, we selected 15 key posts you shouldn’t miss, capturing the most impactful insights, research updates, and expert perspectives shared throughout SNO 2025.

Co-Chairs

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	Sadhana Jackson Pediatric hematologist/oncologist and neuro-oncology specialist focused on improving drug delivery for malignant pediatric brain tumors. Trained at EVMS, Orlando Health, St. Jude, and Johns Hopkins, she now serves as a tenure-track Investigator at NINDS and NCI, leading the Developmental Therapeutics and Pharmacology Unit. Her research centers on the blood–brain barrier, intracerebral microdialysis, and advancing therapies for aggressive gliomas.
	Rimas V. Lukas Neuro-oncologist and Professor of Neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, where he also serves as Vice Chair of Outpatient Neurology. He specializes in primary brain tumors, brain metastases, and CNS lymphoma, and leads multiple clinical trials in neuro-oncology. He completed his neurology training and neuro-oncology fellowship at the University of Chicago.
	Jennie Taylor Neuro-oncologist at UCSF specializing in the care of adults with primary brain tumors. She focuses on advancing treatment strategies, imaging techniques, and molecular analyses to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Dr. Taylor completed her MD at the University of Kentucky, neurology training at the University of Virginia, and a neuro-oncology fellowship at Mass General and Dana-Farber, alongside an MPH from Harvard.

15 Posts Not to Miss from SNO 2025

SNO:

“Kicking off SNO2025 with the Neuro Oncology Review Course! Co-Chairs Sadhana Jackson, Rimas Lukas, and Jennie Taylor welcomed attendees to a full day of high-quality education and CME opportunities covering the entire patient journey.

Sadhana Jackson:

“I am so thankful for the opportunity to co-chair our World Federation of Neuro-oncology Societies/ Society for Neuro-Oncology Review Course 2025 along side Jennie Taylor University of California, San Francisco and Rimas Lucas Northwestern Medicine in gorgeous Hawaii

The day was centered on short overviews of common clinical topics of  neurooncology. Speakers from near and far gave clinical expertise to trainees, clinicians, industry professionals and advocates. So happy to have organized great talks by James Balogun Sonia Partap Akanksha Sharma Karisa Schreck and so many other awesome speakers.”

James Balogun:

“It was such a pleasure to have been a faculty at the Review course and Education Day of the WFNOS/Society for Neuro-Oncology in Honolulu, having been an attendee of both, a few years ago. Thank you Mary Jane Lim-Fat Zarnie Lwin and the other conveners of the Education day and also the awesome trio of Sadhana Jackson, Rimas Lukas and Jennie Taylor for the Review course.”

SNO:

Congratulations to Macarena de la Fuete for receiving the Women in Neuro-Oncology (WiN) Mid-Career Exemplary Physician Award.

Dr. Pat Soon-Shiong:

“Wow, a Mayo Clinic study reported today at SNO2025 showing exactly what we have been saying about ALC. In patients with brain tumors of all types, when ALC falls below 750 cells, survival is significantly shorter at only 3.7 months vs 7.7 months (P=0.0063). Finally the light is shining that NK cells matter.”

Edjah Nduom:

“Are you a scientist or neuro-oncologist at hashtag#sno2025 in Honolulu? Interested in looking at a position at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in the Winship Brain Tumor Center? We are hiring clinical neuro-oncologists and faculty scientists at any rank – please reach out if you are interested for more information! We can grab a cup of Hawaiian coffee to discuss!”

SNO:

“Congratulations to our Scholarship Recipients.”

Justin Lathia:

“Great to be at SNO2025  with the lab and CCLRI brain tumor program colleagues”

SNO:

Congratulations to Robert Jenkins for receiving the 2025 SNO Lifetime Achievement Award.

Elias Ortega Chahla:

“SNO 2025 — Integrating IDH Inhibitor Therapy Into Glioma Care

A forward-looking session underscoring how IDH inhibitors are reshaping the treatment landscape for IDHm gliomas:

New targeted option
IDH inhibitors introduce a novel class of oral therapies for IDH1/2-mutant gliomas.

Phase 3 success
Trials show significant PFS improvement vs. placebo in Grade 2 IDHm gliomas — a major milestone in early-stage disease.

Impact on tumor biology
Data suggest IDH inhibitors slow tumor growth and delay progression, opening doors to earlier, less-toxic intervention strategies.

Favorable safety
Consistently manageable AE profiles — most adverse events are mild to moderate.

A shifting paradigm
IDH inhibition marks a new era in glioma care, offering hope for patients who previously had limited options.”

SNO:

“Congratulations to Dustin Grief for receiving the Basic Science Award – supported by National Brain Tumor Society.”

Praj Rajappa M.D., M.S.:

“Amazing start to SNO 2025 at the Early Career Retreat! Honored serving as faculty mentor with Susan Chang, Vinay Puduvalli & Milan Chheda, in guiding discussions on job searches, contract negotiations, and academic career development. Future of neuro-oncology is bright!”

SNO:

“Congratulations to David Tran for receiving the Clinical Trials Award, supported by the Sontag Foundation”

Murat Yildirim:

“Stopped by the the ABTA booth at SNO2025 and was excited to see our lab featured on their U.S. grantee map. Proud to share this moment with my graduate student while we continue building new ideas and collaborations in brain tumor research. Grateful for the support!”

SNO:

“Congratulations to Jeffrey Zuccato for receiving them CNS Metastases Award, supported by the American Brain Tumor Association.”

Get the latest from SNO 2025 on OncoDaily

Written by Nare Hovhannisyan, MD