The theme of the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting was Partnering With Patients: The Cornerstone of Cancer Care and Research. From June 2 to 6 in Chicago, Illinois, and online, cancer researchers and clinicians from around the world gathered to discuss the latest research and how to ensure that all people receive the cancer care they need.

ASCO Patient Forum: Communicating the Needs of People With Cancer

On Monday, June 5, 2023, ASCO hosted the ASCO Patient Forum: Communicating the Needs of People With Cancer.  Listen to this robust and dynamic discussion among ASCO leaders and patient advocates (listed below) about the unmet needs and expectations of diverse patient communities.

Eric P. Winer, MD, FASCO - 2022-2023 ASCO President
Director, Yale Cancer Center
Physician-in-Chief
Smilow Cancer Hospital at New Haven 

Fumiko Chino, MD
Assistant Attending Radiation Oncologist
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center 

Tony Christon-Walker
Colorectal cancer survivor, patient advocate
HIV Activist
Author

Sheila Johnson, MBA
U.S. Air Force Veteran
Author
Patient Advocate
Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer for 13 Years

Barbara Segarra-Vazquez, DHSc
Professor, University of Puerto Rico
Two-time Breast Cancer Survivor
Patient Advocate

Mandi Pratt-Chapman, PhD
Associate Center Director
Community Outreach, Engagement and Equity
GW Cancer Center 

Highlighted Research

• Radiation therapy may not be necessary for primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma

• Trastuzumab deruxtecan effectively treats many HER2-expressing cancers

• Ciltacabtagene autoleucel reduces risk of disease progression by 74% in multiple myeloma after lenalidomide stops working

• Some patients with locally advanced rectal cancer can safely avoid radiation therapy

• Osimertinib helps people live longer after surgical removal of EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer

• Vorasidenib delays disease progression in grade 2 glioma with an IDH mutation

• Adding nivolumab to chemotherapy reduces risk of death in people with newly diagnosed, advanced Hodgkin lymphoma

• Mirvetuximab soravtansine lengthens lives for people with advanced ovarian cancers

• Adding durvalumab and olaparib to standard treatment delays cancer growth for people with advanced ovarian cancer

• Simple hysterectomy is a safe, effective treatment option for early-stage cervical cancer

• Adding ribociclib to hormonal therapy may reduce risk of recurrence for some people with early-stage breast cancer

May 25

Today marks one of the most exciting days of the year for those of us in the cancer community: the start of new research being released ahead of the upcoming ASCO Annual Meeting. Each year, the ASCO Annual Meeting brings together thousands of oncology professionals from around the world to learn about new and important advancements in cancer treatment and patient care.

While we as oncology professionals are eagerly anticipating the start of the meeting on June 2, we know our patients are just as interested in learning about some of the major breakthroughs that will be presented at the meeting. That’s why at Cancer.Net, we will be providing trustworthy, patient-focused summaries of some of the most compelling research highlights presented each day of the meeting.

Today’s coverage includes these highlights, available in both English and Spanish:

• Advances in treating cervical cancer, pancreatic cancer, and myelodysplastic syndromes

• Phone-based coaching to help with weight loss for breast cancer survivors

• An evaluation of how Medicaid expansion affected outcomes and racial disparities among people with gastrointestinal cancers

• Collaboration between the U.S. and Mexico to improve survival in children with leukemia along the border

Look for Cancer.Net’s research summaries published on the Cancer.Net Blog every day of the meeting, which takes place in Chicago, Illinois, and online from June 2 to June 6. Remember to also follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates.

—Dr. Jyoti D. Patel, Cancer.Net Editor in Chief