The ESMO Congress 2026
The ESMO Congress 2026, taking place in Madrid, Spain, from October 23–27, brings together oncology professionals to exchange scientific knowledge, discuss emerging evidence, and explore developments influencing cancer research and treatment. As one of the major gatherings of the oncology community, the congress provides a forum for presenting new findings and examining their potential implications for clinical practice and patient care.
With researchers and clinicians sharing advances across the field, ESMO 2026 offers an opportunity to follow the latest developments in cancer treatment and the research shaping future therapeutic approaches. Breast cancer remains an important area of clinical investigation, making new research findings and expert perspectives particularly relevant to ongoing discussions about treatment and care.
Erika Hamilton, Chief Development Officer, Late Phase and Director of the Breast Cancer Research Program, is sharing her perspective on ESMO 2026, drawing attention to insights and developments emerging from the congress:
TALENT: Low pCR Rates With Neoadjuvant T-DXd
“TALENT- neoadj T-DXd in HR+/HER2-low bcsm
RCB0/1:
- T-DXd alone: 16%
- T-DXd + anastrozole: 17%
- T-DXd → TC chemo: 17%
*no pCRs w/out 8 cycles
Despite high ORR ~66%, pCR LOW! We know w/ HR+ we don’t get high pCRs rates, but still disappointing.”
HORIZON-Br06: PFS Benefit With Trastuzumab Rezetecan
“Trastuzumab rezetecan in HER2 low bcsm (HORIZON-Br06) vs. TPC chemo
- HER-2 low (TNBC or HR+) w/ up to 1 prior chemo
- PFS improved 6.8 to 16.6 mo (HR 0.25) in chemo naive
- PFS up in HR+ & HR- & across subgroups
Neutropenia most common AE.”
APEXBr01: Rolditamig Deuderuxtecan in HER2-Low Breast Cancer
“APEXBr01: Rolditamig deuderuxtecan – ECD2 and ECD4 HER-2 ADC, DAR ~ 6
- 1st line cytotoxic for HER-2 low either TNBC or HR+, all PDL-1 neg
- PFS in all HER-2 low pts: improved from 5.5 to 16.4 (HR 0.29)
- OS trend HR 0.44
- Heme tox most common, ILD 2.2% (no deaths).”
The Future of ADCs in Metastatic Breast Cancer
“Fantastic summary slide of metastatic bcsm ADC landscape by Barbara Pistilli in her ESMO26 discussion.
What do we need next???
- novel payloads
- novel targets
- data on sequencing.”
B-42: Extended AI Therapy Improves Long-Term DFS
“B42 extended endocrine therapy, addntl 5 years of AI after 5 yrs of ET
15 yr f/u improvement in DFS w/ extended therapy is 5.1%
Majority of difference is in distant events
No significant diff in fractures or thrombotic events.”
NATALEE: 6-Year Follow-Up Shows Sustained Benefit With Ribociclib
“NATALEE 6 years: NSAI +/- ribo in HR+ early bcsm:
- 6-year OS: 91.9% vs 89.7%, 2.1%, HR 0.81 (95% CI 0.66–0.99); nominal 1-sided P=0.019
- 6-year iDFS: 83.2% vs 77.9%, 5.3% HR 0.74 (95% CI 0.65–0.85).”
Iza-Bren Improves PFS in HR+/HER2− Metastatic Breast Cancer
“Ph III results for iza bren (bispecific EGFR/HER3 ADC) vs TPC chemo, in previously treated HR +/HER- MBC
- mPFS: 4.0 vs. 8.1 mo, HR 0.41
- ORR: 20% vs 40%
- DoR: 4.2 vs. 6.9 mo
- ILD: only 1.1% & all grade 1/2.”
“Ok, bcsm, what do we make of exemestane looking worse than anastrazole by 4.9% in GIM3 FATA?
Fluke?
Otherwise, no difference between upfront or switch strategies.”
Rethinking Quality-of-Life Measures in Oncology
“Sandra Franco brings up such an important point in her discussion at ESMO26.
Personally, I feel like our QOL metrics are falling short. Too often we hear ‘QOL was maintained’ and missing so much.
These quantitative scales do these qualitative AEs disjustice.”
BSTRONGER: ctDNA Clearance Tracks With TNBC Stage
“BSTRONGER: that 95.1% of patients with stage I-III TNBC had ctDNA at baseline! Wow.
By C3, >80% pts had cleared ctDNA in response to chemo
Molecular response was associated with tumor burden:
- 100% stage I
- 85% stage II
- 44% stage III, cleared.”
KNB49: Pembrolizumab Extends PFS in PD-L1+ Advanced Breast Cancer
“KNB49 HR+ adv bcsm with PDL+, chemo +/- pembro once chemo appropriate
Only 19.4% of pts eligible (majority weren’t PDL1+) ~79% of + were CPS 1-9
PFS improved 6 to 6.7 mo, but tail of curve much better at 24 mo 4.3 vs. 14% remaining on
PFS CPS of 19 4.4 vs. 7.5 mos.”
FINER: Ipatasertib Improves PFS in AKT-Altered Breast Cancer
“FINER fulvestrant +/- ipatasertib (AKTi)
45% of pts were pathway altered
PFS lengthened in ITT HR 0.68 and AKT altered cohorts HR 0.55 93% diarrhea, pretty high G2/3 rates.”
FOURLIGHT-1: Atirmociclib Improves PFS After CDK4/6 Inhibitors
“FOURLIGHT1 CDK4 atirmociclib
Fulv + atirmo vs TPC (fulvestrant or exe/evero) post ET+ CDK4/6 in ER+ bcsm
PFS improved 6.6 to 9.4 mos, HR 0.60.”
JNJ-6143 Shows Promise in mCRPC
“Benjamin Garmezy presents JNJ6143 AR RIPTAC in mCRPC at ESMO26.
- only 3% pts discontinue/ 3% reduce at 50mg!
- 66% pts remain on
- PSA50 achieved in 83% ARv7+ pts w/ evaluable CTCs
- 88% DCR, 69% cORR.”
Discover the highlights of ESMO 2026 with OncoDaily.
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