Each year, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) congress brings together thousands of cancer specialists from around the world to discuss the latest advances in oncology and debate the discoveries that will help transform patient care and develop the treatments of tomorrow. More than 100 studies involving physician-scientists from Gustave Roussy have been selected by the congress's scientific committee this year. They will be presented orally or as posters from 30 May to 4 June in Chicago, United States.

The ASCO meeting is the largest oncology congress in the world and a key highlight on the global oncology calendar, bringing together doctors, researchers, industry representatives and patient organisations. For this 61st edition, Gustave Roussy’s physician-scientists have contributed to 109 presentations, with results being revealed during oral and poster sessions, but also during the prestigious plenary session.

In detail, Gustave Roussy researchers have contributed to:

• 1 study in the plenary session
• 9 studies in oral abstract sessions
• 3 studies in clinical science symposium
• 12 studies in mini oral abstract session
• 5 education sessions
• 79 posters

Among these presentations, one study presented during the plenary session has a Gustave Roussy doctor as the last author, and two oral presentations will be delivered by members of the Institute.

• Plenary Session: Dr Yun Gan Tao – Immunotherapy to complement chemoradiotherapy in high-risk head and neck cancers

Dr Yun Gan Tao, radiation oncologist at Gustave Roussy, coordinated the NIVOPOSTOP study in France, the results of which are being unveiled in the plenary session. This phase III trial, sponsored by the GORTEC (Groupe d’Oncologie Radiothérapie Tête Et Cou), investigated the addition of nivolumab – an anti-PD1 immunotherapy – to standard treatment for resected head and neck squamous cell carcinoma at high risk of relapse, which currently consists of chemoradiotherapy. In this setting, patients remain at high risk of relapse even after complete tumour resection. No major progress in therapeutic standards has been made in this indication over the past twenty years.

• Oral Abstract Session: Dr Antoine Hollebecque – A new targeted strategy for KRAS G12C-mutated colorectal cancers

Dr Antoine Hollebecque, medical oncologist at Gustave Roussy, will present the results of a phase 1/2 international trial testing a new therapeutic combination in patients with advanced colorectal cancer carrying the KRAS G12C mutation. The trial evaluated olomorasib, a second-generation KRAS G12C inhibitor, in combination with cetuximab, an antibody targeting the EGFR receptor, in around one hundred patients with no remaining treatment options after multiple lines of therapy.

• Oral Abstract Session: Dr Pablo Berlanga – An innovative first-line combination in metastatic Ewing sarcoma

Dr Pablo Berlanga, paediatric oncologist at Gustave Roussy, presents the preliminary results of the Rego-Inter-Ewing-1 study, a phase Ib trial exploring a new treatment strategy for patients newly diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma that has spread to the bones or bone marrow. The study investigates the addition of regorafenib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, to standard chemotherapy. The study aimed to determine whether the combination is feasible and can enhance treatment effectiveness from the outset. This approach could offer new hope for the most aggressive forms of this rare cancer, which typically affects the bones of young people (children, adolescents, and young adults).

Other studies involving Gustave Roussy

Alongside these oral presentations, Gustave Roussy specialists will present two studies as mini oral presentations: Dr Capucine Baldini on a new targeted therapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and Dr Yun Gan Tao on the addition of pembrolizumab immunotherapy to standard treatment for non-operated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

In addition, of the 79 posters in which Gustave Roussy researchers have participated, 21 will be presented directly by one of them.

Education sessions and awards

As for awards, Dr Filippo Dall'Olio, head and neck cancer specialist at Gustave Roussy, will receive a Merit Award. Presented by Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, Merit Awards honour young scientists whose work is featured at the congress. Dr Dall’Olio is being recognised for his poster, to be presented on 2 June in Chicago, on the potential use of circulating tumour DNA to predict response to nivolumab immunotherapy in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck carcinoma.

The ASCO congress also provides attending specialists with the opportunity to update their knowledge through numerous educational sessions covering a wide range of topics. Several Gustave Roussy physician-scientists will speak during five Education Sessions, sharing their expertise with colleagues from across the globe. Among them, Dr Ines Vaz Luis – a medical oncologist and internationally recognised researcher at Gustave Roussy for her work on post-cancer quality of life – will chair a session on the role of digital tools in supporting and monitoring patients during treatment.