Targeted Therapies, Improved Breast Cancer Screening Among Conference Presentations
UCSF’s Eric J. Small, MD, gives conference opening address as ASCO president.
Oncology specialists from UC San Francisco presented new clinical research findings and cutting-edge treatment strategies at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, May 29 to June 2 in Chicago.
Leading UCSF cancer researchers presented talks about advances in targeted therapies, improvements in genetic risk-based screening, translating AI research into clinical practice and other cancer research topics.
The international conference featured many hundreds of sessions with more than 7,000 abstracts to be presented or published as part of ASCO’s 2026 meeting.
UCSF’s Eric J. Small, MD, FASCO, concluded his term as ASCO president for 2025-2026 at the close of this year’s conference. Small gave the “President’s Address at the Opening Session” reflecting his presidential theme “The Science and Practice of Translation: Improving Cancer Outcomes Worldwide.”
In addition to serving as ASCO president, Small is deputy director and chief scientific officer of the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and co-leader of the UCSF Prostate Cancer Program. He is a longtime ASCO member and volunteer, a past member of ASCO’s board of directors and a recent mentor in the ASCO Leadership Development Program. An international leader in prostate cancer research, he has published more than 420 peer-reviewed articles and in 2022 was inducted into the OncLive Giants of Cancer Care Program.
Dr. Small also introduced “ASCO/AACR Joint Session: The KRAS Journey—Perseverance Pays Off” and provided “Welcome and Introductory Remarks from ASCO President” at the “ASCO/ECO Joint Session: Cancer Screening and Early Detection.”
Plenary Session:
Dr. Small and Jo Chien, MD, breast oncologist and medical director of Breast Medical Oncology at UCSF, served as co-chairs and co-moderators for the Plenary Session, which featured the meeting's most practice-changing abstract presentations and discussions. Chien provided the welcome and introduction for the session, which examined clinical trial results in locally advanced prostate cancer, liposarcoma, metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer.
Clinical Science Symposia:
Patrick Ha, MD, chief of Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery at UCSF, presented “Salivary Gland Cancers: Finding Precision in a Rare Landscape; REM-422 in adenoid cystic carcinoma” during the clinical science symposium “Small Glands, Big Challenges: Novel Therapeutics in Salivary Gland Cancer.” Ha provided an overview of clinical trials in salivary gland cancer. There are several novel trials being conducted in this set of rare cancers and he will discuss why progress against these types of cancers are particularly compelling as there has been only limited success in identifying new drugs that can help these patients previously.
Julian Hong, MD, MS, UCSF associate professor of Radiation Oncology, presented “Leveraging AI in Oncology Care and Research: From Proof of Concept to Adoption” during the clinical science symposium “From Data to Decisions: AI for Smarter, More Accessible Cancer Care.” Hong discussed how to evaluate clinical AI studies and how to translate concepts into the clinic.
UCSF Oral Research Presentations;
Yiwey Shieh, MD, UCSF assistant professor of Medicine, presented “Impact of population-based testing for pathogenic variants in breast cancer genes — WISDOM study,” during the rapid oral abstract session “Prevention, Risk Reduction, and Genetics.”Abstract 10512
Jackson Bowers, MD, UCSF resident physician, is first author and presenter for the study “Genetic signatures of CNS relapse in DLBCL patients profiled with NGS” during the rapid oral abstract session “Hematologic Malignancies—Lymphoma and CLL.” Abstract 7016
Rebecca DeBoer, MD, MA, UCSF assistant clinical professor of Hematology/Oncology, is senior author and presenter for the study “Evaluation and appraisal of quality indicators for end-of-life cancer care in an African context” during the rapid oral abstract session “Care Delivery/Models of Care.”Abstract 1517
DeBoer was also a discussant for “Tailoring Solutions Across the Cancer Care Continuum in Resource-Limited Settings” during the clinical science symposium “Global Strategies to Overcome Barriers in Cancer Care Access.” She will be discussing abstracts LBA1510, 1511, 1512
Katherine Fuh, MD, PhD, John A. Kerner Chair in Gynecologic Oncology at UCSF, was a discussant for “Refining the Approach to Advanced Ovarian Cancer” during the oral abstract session “Gynecologic Cancer.” She discussed abstracts 5503, LBA5504 and 5505.
Fuh gave a distillation of data from Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials in ovarian cancer, and what the results mean for patients.
She also presented the poster “A phase 2, open-label, multi-center, single-arm study of atezolizumab and bevacizumab in the treatment of second line and beyond, recurrent/metastatic endometrial cancer.”Abstract 2576
Vadim Koshkin, MD, a genitourinary oncologist and UCSF associate professor, chaired and moderated the clinical science symposium “New Approaches to Curing Bladder and Kidney Cancer.” The symposium addressed the treatment of curable GU malignancies and included a discussion centered on patient reported outcomes in clinical trials and how to measure and assess toxicity of treatment relative to the benefit it can provide for patients. Participants noted that the currently available tools and assessments are lacking in measuring outcomes that are relevant to patients and that clinicians need to develop better methodologies that incorporate patient input and perspective, particularly as novel therapies are used to treat patients.
Koshkin also presented the poster “Real World Clinical Outcomes by HER2 Expression in Locally Advanced/Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma (la/mUC): Results from the Global SGNDV-003 Retrospective Study.” Abstract 4562
Ajai Chari, MD, director of the multiple myeloma program at UCSF, was a discussant for “Lines, Loops, and Beyond: Sequencing in the BCMA Era” during the oral abstract session “Hematologic Malignancies—Plasma Cell Dyscrasia.” He discussed abstracts LBA7506, 7507, and 7508.
Alan P. Venook, MD, FASCO, the Madden Family Distinguished Professorship in Medical Oncology and Translational Research at UCSF, was a discussant for “CHALLENGE Accepted: Redefining Adjuvant Approaches” during the oral abstract session “Gastrointestinal Cancer—Colorectal and Anal.” Venook discussed abstracts LBA 3506, 3507, and LBA3508 and discussed progress that has and hasn’t been made in Stage 3 colon cancer.
Catherine Smith, MD, UCSF associate professor of Hematology/Oncology, was a discussant for “Rewriting the Rules of Targeted Therapies in Acute Myeloid Leukemia” during the oral abstract session “Hematologic Malignancies—Leukemia, MDS, and Allotransplant.” Smith discussed abstracts 6503, 6504, and 6505.
Kevan Shokat, PhD, UCSF professor in Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, was a speaker for “Catching KRAS,” part of Endpoints at #ASCO26. For decades, KRAS was an obvious target for cancer treatments, and for decades, it seemed like an undruggable target. But that started to change with the first approved KRAS therapies. Research took off, and now, new data on pancreatic cancer suggest a potential breakthrough. Shokat and other pioneers in the space discussed recent progress and where research goes next.
Education Sessions
Bridget Keenan, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Hematology/Oncology, chaired the session "State of the Art: Immunotherapy, Targeted Therapy, or Both?" The session covered the growing clinical importance of two areas, 1) targeted immunotherapy, namely, T cell engagers, and 2) combining targeted therapy with immunotherapy with a focus on antibody-drug conjugate combinations. Keenan wrapped up the session by speaking about "The future of personalized immunotherapy," which was an opportunity to discuss where the field is going in terms of targeted immunotherapy both related to T cell engagers and antibody-drug conjugates, and beyond, and how to think about incorporating new modalities and new targets into clinical practice.
Ana Velazquez Manana, MD, Msc, FASCO, UCSF assistant clinical professor, chaired the session “State-of-the-Art Updates for Incorporating Precision Medicine in Lung Cancer” and presented “Treatment in Advanced NSCLC With Driver Mutations.” The session addressed the evolving standards of care for patients with all stages and molecular subtypes of NSCLC. Speakers discussed optimal use of targeted therapies and immunotherapy in early-stage resectable disease, unresectable, locally advanced disease and metastatic disease with driver mutations.
Manana was also recognized with the “40 Under 40 in Cancer Award” from The Association for Value-Based Cancer Care (AVBCC), The National Community Oncology Dispensing Association (NCODA), Swim Across America, ONCare Alliance, and CancerCare. The award recognizes the contributions being made across the field of cancer by rising stars and emerging leaders under the age of 40 and was presented on May 30 in Chicago.
Emily K. Bergsland, MD, FASCO, the Ernest Rosenbaum, MD, Endowed Chair in Medical Oncology at UCSF, presented “Improving Access to Radiopharmaceutical Therapies: Care Coordination, Patient Selection, and Toxicity Management” during the educational session “Driving Innovation in the Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Landscape.” Bergland discussed strategies to increase patient access to these therapies, including from a global perspective.
Robin Kate Kelley, MD, a gastrointestinal oncologist and UCSF professor of Medicine, presented “Medical Oncologist's Perspective: How and When to Incorporate Immunotherapy with Locoregional Therapy” during educational session, “Integrating Systemic Therapy in Early- and Intermediate-Stage HCC.” Treatment for patients with HCC and bile duct cancers is evolving. Kelley was one of three panelists who addressed the latest advancements and evolving strategies for patients with bile duct cancer; discussed recent research and current clinical practice in HCC; and talked about local therapy options for patients with these malignancies, including the role of radiation..
Cornelia Ding, MD, PhD, UCSF assistant professor of Surgical Pathology, presented “Clinical Applications of Pathologic Biomarkers in Genitourinary Cancers” during educational session “State of the Art: Advances in Perioperative Management in Bladder and Kidney Cancers.” The session introduced common pathology biomarkers that are used to guide treatment decisions for genitourinary cancers, especially bladder and kidney cancers, with an emphasis in emerging biomarkers including AI-driven pathologic biomarkers. Importantly, every method and biomarker has its own unique strengths, weaknesses, and limitations, with different levels of evidence to support the utility. Because of this, Ding highlighted the critical importance of close communication between oncologists and pathologists to evaluate tissue quality and prioritize tissue for most impactful biomarkers.
Katherine Van Loon, MD, MPH, FASCO, a gastrointestinal oncologist and director of the UCSF Global Cancer Program, presents chaired the educational session “The Best of JCO Global Oncology: Improving Affordability in Cancer Care” and presented “Interpreting Results for Clinical Impact in Resource-Constrained Settings.” Globally, availability of cancer therapies is often limited by cost and access issues. Thus, data on efficacy and cost-effectiveness of alternative approaches are critical to inform clinical practices. This session reviewed innovative approaches to evaluate alternative dosing or novel treatment strategies conducted in resource-constrained settings.
Shawn Hervey-Jumper, MD, the Mitchel S. Berger, MD Endowed Professor at the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, chaired the education session “Radiation Necrosis: Diagnostic and Management Strategies and Challenges” and presented “Role of Resection in Suspected Radiation Necrosis Including Laser Ablation Therapy.” Hervey-Jumper’s presentation highlighted a multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation and management of radiation necrosis, emphasizing the critical challenge of distinguishing treatment-related injury from true tumor progression. The session integrated perspectives from neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, radiation oncology, and neuroradiology to review current diagnostic strategies and evolving treatment paradigms aimed at improving patient outcomes.
Rita Mukhtar, MD, a breast cancer surgeon and UCSF associate professor of Surgery, chaired the education session “Tailoring Management for Invasive Lobular Carcinoma” and presented “Surgical Right-sizing in Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Extent, Margins, and Nodes.” Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is a common breast cancer histology yet lacks tailored treatment strategies. Speakers provided an overview of ILC, focusing on unique considerations for imaging, surgical approaches and treatment guidance.
Robert Allan Hiatt, MD, PhD, associate director of Population Sciences at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, chairs the educational session “The Exposome, Cancer Risk, and Cancer Care” and presents “A New Threat: How the Environment Impacts Cancer Risk and Care.” Climate change is here and having a major impact on health, including cancer. Climate-driven events, such as wildfires, can increase exposure to pollutants that influence cancer risk and mortality. Additionally, climate-driven extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, can disrupt health care services essential for quality cancer care. Therefore, climate change is increasingly recognized as a determinant of cancer risk and outcomes. Hiatt discussed why oncologists are well positioned to lead efforts to improve health care resilience to climate events and how several climate mitigation and adaptation solutions for oncologists also have cancer control co-benefits.
Poster Presentations
Soo J. Park, MD, “Neoadjuvant nivolumab + relatlimab in high-risk basal cell carcinoma,” Abstract TPS9613
Elise Y. Cai, MD, PhD, “WNT pathway alterations in mCRPC liver metastases,” Abstract 5048
William Chen, MD, “Spatial proteomics in prostate cancer,” Abstract 5126
Guanming Chen, PhD, MSc, “Real-world utilization patterns and adverse events among patients receiving ADCs across the UC health system,” Abstract 11118
Songphol Tungjitviboonkun, MD, “Survival of hematologic malignancy with early-stage CKD (SHIP-CKD),” Abstract 7089
Eva Duvalyan, MD, PharmD, “Finite-duration bispecific antibody therapy in multiple myeloma,” Abstract 7538
Kelsey Natsuhara, MD, “Impact of Age on Breast Cancer Outcomes in the Neoadjuvant I-SPY2 trial,” Abstract 592
Benjamin Joshua Lerman, MD, “3D multi-omic atlas of IDH-mutant glioma,” Abstract 2067
Keli Siqueiros Santos-Parker, MD, PhD, “Bayesian hierarchical model of I-SPY 2 MRI and survival,” Abstract 618
Please visit for ASCO2026 complete meeting abstract and session information.
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