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Sep 17, 2024, 13:15

Insights from ESMO24 Day 4

The ESMO Congress 2024 took place in Barcelona from September 13 to 17, 2024, at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via.

This significant event, organized by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), attracted over 30,000 participants, including healthcare professionals, researchers, patient advocates, and industry representatives from around the globe.

The congress featured nearly 300 sessions, presenting over 2,000 abstracts, with a focus on the latest advancements in cancer research and treatment. Key topics included new therapeutic combinations for various cancers, the long-term effects of immunotherapy, and innovative approaches integrating artificial intelligence into cancer care.

ESMO shared some insights from the conference on social media.

NIAGARA trial:

First practice-changing results presented with immunotherapy plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy in localised muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer. Addition of durvalumab extends survival in the NIAGARA trial.

Physical Activity is beneficial for patients with cancer

Physical Activity is beneficial for patients with cancer, but also challenging. A holistic and structured approach may help patients develop the self-motivation to take up an active lifestyle.

ESMO

Promising early-phase Clinical Trials

Promising early-phase Clinical Trials support strategies to target emerging actionable mutations in different Solid Tumours and further expand the landscape of Precision Oncology.

Treatment combinations for Rare Cancers

Some clinical activity reported with novel TKIs and combinations in previously treated advanced GIST but questions remain on optimal targeted treatment combinations for these rare cancers.

Regorafenib delays disease progression

Multikinase inhibitor regorafenib delays disease progression and may be promising as maintenance therapy in patients with Soft Tissue Sarcomas, but managing its tolerability presents challenges and further studies are needed.

What is the future for immunotherapy in Cancer Care?

What is the future for immunotherapy in Cancer Care? Studies with immunomodulation and alternative approaches provide a glimpse of the targets and application modalities that may drive advances in the near future.

Immunoradiation with durvalumab

Pre-operative immunoradiation with durvalumab (± oleclumab) added to NACT and SBRT shows clinical benefit in high-risk, early-stage ER+/HER2- Breast Cancer in first prospective, randomised trial to investigate the combination.

Oncolytic Viruses across cancer types

Early-phase studies show potential of Oncolytic Viruses across cancer types, including in patients with anti-PD-1 resistance, but currently unclear if high response rates will translate into prolonged survival.

BCG-unresponsive high-risk Bladder Cancer

Intravesical system, TAR 200, for prolonged gemcitabine delivery shows high rates of complete remission in 2 forms of BCG-unresponsive high-risk Bladder Cancer and could provide an alternative bladder-sparing option.

Risk of burnout in Oncologists

Evandro de Azambuja: Work Life Balance is key to mitigate the risk of burnout in Oncologists. The ESMO Resilience Task Force has recently published evidence-based recommendations.

Data with novel combinations

Data with novel combinations – cetuximab, amivantamab or ramucirumab plus chemotherapy – provide insights into the use of targeted approaches for mCRC after progression.

Medical Oncologists and Cancer Prevention

Tabernero Josep: Medical Oncologists and Cancer Prevention: a vital pairing. ESMO has a long-standing commitment to this key issue. A concerted action can no longer wait. ESMO and IARC partnership is crucial in making a difference.