ESMO 2026 — End-of-Day Summary
An abstract digest clustered by tumour group and ranked by clinical priority. Numerical results (HR, PFS, OS, ORR) are preserved verbatim; reliability caveats are embedded within each study's card.
How this digest is organized
- Primary axis — disease group: Each item was clustered by tumour group / official ESMO track (Breast Cancer, Thoracic / Lung Cancer, Gastrointestinal Cancers, Genitourinary Cancers, Gynaecological Cancers, Sarcoma, CNS & Rare Tumours, NETs & Endocrine Tumours, Developmental Therapeutics & Early Phase, Prevention, Screening & Early Detection, Translational Research & Biomarkers, Supportive, Palliative & Survivorship, Public Policy, Access & Health Services).
- Secondary axis — clinical priority: Cards and sections were ranked into three tiers (key below).
- Reliability inside the card: Hedging present in the source (interim, immature, small n, retrospective, non-ESMO data) is placed as a caveat strip inside the relevant card.
- Embargoed titles separated: Late-breaking Plenary / Presidential Symposium abstracts whose results are embargoed until presentation are collected in a dedicated section at the end.
Highlights of the Day
practice-changing findings, ranked🎀 Breast Cancer
10 studiesOptiTROP-Breast01 — sacituzumab tirumotecan vs chemo (pretreated mTNBC) final OS
4639ROIndication: Pretreated locally recurrent/metastatic TNBC after ≥2 prior lines
Key finding: mOS 14.7 vs 9.9 mo; HR 0.60 (0.45–0.80); 24-mo OS 33.8% vs 21.4%; 30-mo OS 26.8% vs 13.2%. Adjusted HR for subsequent ADC 0.55 (0.39–0.73).
Clinical relevance: Sustained OS benefit confirms sac-TMT as a key option in pretreated mTNBC.
Source: ESMO 2026 4639RO · Man Li
BRIDGET — tucatinib added to HP or T-DM1 after isolated intracranial progression (HER2+ MBC)
1767ROIndication: HER2+ MBC with isolated intracranial progression post SRS, stable/no ECD
Key finding: Median iPFS not reached vs historical 5.0 mo (p<0.0001); 6/12/18-mo iPFS 91%/64%/59%; extracranial progression 4.3%; grade ≥3 AEs 15%.
Clinical relevance: Supports adding tucatinib to HP after local therapy for CNS-only progression.
Single-arm vs historical control
Source: ESMO 2026 1767RO · Sarah Sammons
DESTINY-Breast09 CNS analysis — T-DXd + P vs THP (1L HER2+ a/mBC with BL BMs)
LBA49Indication: 1L HER2+ a/mBC with baseline brain metastases
Key finding: In 61 pts with BL BMs: mPFS 36.5 vs 11.1 mo; CNS-PFS NE vs 9.7 mo; HR 0.26 (0.11–0.57); CNS-cORR 51.6% vs 26.7%; CNS-DOR NE vs 18.5 mo.
Clinical relevance: Robust CNS activity supports 1L T-DXd + P in HER2+ MBC with BMs.
Source: ESMO 2026 LBA49 · Cristina Saura Manich
SWITCH — target switching with conserved-payload novel ADCs after prior ADC (MBC)
4ROIndication: HER2-negative MBC progressing after ≥1 prior ADC (94.4% prior TOP1i ADC)
Key finding: Confirmed ORR: Cohort A 0%, B 8.3%, C 0%, D 5%. Responses only after switch from MMAE ADC (RC48) to TOP1i ADC.
Clinical relevance: Payload cross-resistance appears to drive ADC failure; diversified payloads needed.
Small cohorts; heavily pretreated
Source: ESMO 2026 4RO · Lei Fan
SYS6043 — B7-H3 ADC (advanced breast cancer phase 1/2)
5ROIndication: Advanced HR+/HER2- BC, TNBC, HER2+ BC post standard therapy
Key finding: ORR 45.7% (HR+/HER2-, n=70), 70.6% (TNBC, n=34), 71.4% (HER2+, n=21); grade ≥3 TRAEs 24.1%; most common neutropenia 9.5%.
Clinical relevance: Encouraging activity across BC subtypes supports further development.
Source: ESMO 2026 5RO · Hongxia Wang
Bulumtatug fuvedotin (9MW2821) — Nectin-4 ADC in la/mTNBC post TopI ADC
4640ROIndication: la/mTNBC previously treated with TopI-based ADCs
Key finding: ORR 30.0% (18.85–43.21); DCR 80.0%; mPFS 3.7 mo; mDOR 8.7 mo. Grade ≥3 TRAEs ≥5%: neutropenia, leukopenia, AST elevation.
Clinical relevance: Rational payload-switch strategy post TopI ADC in TNBC.
Source: ESMO 2026 4640RO · Yanchun Meng
INSPIRE-LM — RT then IT trastuzumab/pertuzumab (HER2+ breast LM)
1768ROIndication: HER2+ breast leptomeningeal metastasis
Key finding: 30 pts enrolled; IT trastuzumab 80 mg + pertuzumab 80 mg following RT; detailed OS/LM-PFS outcomes to be reported.
Clinical relevance: Addresses a setting with very limited options.
Abstract text truncated
Source: ESMO 2026 1768RO · Kamran Ahmed
DETECT V CTC score — ER/HER2 CTC profiling (triple-positive aBC)
1769ROIndication: Triple-positive aBC in DETECT V
Key finding: High-risk CTC score associated with shorter PFS (15.4 vs 20.6 mo; p=0.021) and OS (p<0.001); CTC enumeration alone not significant (p=0.082).
Clinical relevance: DETECT CTC score refines prognostic/predictive stratification.
Exploratory
Source: ESMO 2026 1769RO · Kerstin Pfister
HER2-CR — ultra-sensitive MRD in HER2+ MBC long-term complete responders
1770ROIndication: HER2+ MBC with CR/PR ≥2 y on anti-HER2 therapy
Key finding: 131/142 samples (92.3%) ctDNA-negative; persistent-negative 30/37 (81%); ctDNA-clearance 2 (5%); late conversion 1 (3%); persistent-positive 4 (11%).
Clinical relevance: Supports concept of molecular CR and future de-escalation trials.
Short follow-up (12 mo)
Source: ESMO 2026 1770RO · Kazuki Nozawa
Paired-biopsy multi-omics of ADC resistance in MBC (T-DXd, SG)
4449ROIndication: MBC progressing on T-DXd and/or SG
Key finding: HER2 decrease in 8/14 (57%) post T-DXd; no consistent TROP2 change post SG; >50% showed upregulation of ABCB1/ABCC1 and DDR/trafficking changes; functional validation of ABC-transporter resistance.
Clinical relevance: Highlights payload-efflux and trafficking as resistance drivers beyond target modulation.
Source: ESMO 2026 4449RO · Paolo Tarantino
🫁 Thoracic / Lung Cancer
18 studiesSANOVO — savolitinib + osimertinib vs placebo + osimertinib (1L EGFRm MET-OE NSCLC)
LBA69Indication: 1L EGFR mut (ex19del/L858R) MET-OE advanced NSCLC (China)
Key finding: MET IHC 3+: mPFS 24.8 vs 11.1 mo; HR 0.45 (0.31–0.66); p<0.0001. ITT: mPFS 24.9 vs 13.8 mo; HR 0.56 (0.43–0.74). ITT mOS 44.5 vs 34.9 mo; HR 0.48 (0.33–0.68).
Clinical relevance: Dual oral regimen as potential new 1L option in biomarker-defined EGFRm/MET-OE NSCLC.
Source: ESMO 2026 LBA69 · Yi-Long Wu
Dalmelitinib + aumolertinib vs platinum chemo (EGFRm MET-amp NSCLC post EGFR TKI)
2615OIndication: Advanced EGFRm NSCLC with MET-amp (GCN ≥5 or MET/CEP7 ≥2) post EGFR TKI
Key finding: mPFS-IRC 6.2 vs 4.4 mo; HR 0.601 (0.448–0.805); p<0.001; ORR 59.6% vs 38.6%; mDoR 9.7 vs 4.4 mo; mOS NR vs 19.6 mo; HR 0.840.
Clinical relevance: New TKI-combo option after 3G EGFR TKI failure with MET-amp.
OS immature; crossover 46.8%
Source: ESMO 2026 2615O · Ziming Li
PANKU-Lung01 — izalontamab brengitecan vs PBC (EGFRm NSCLC post 3G EGFR TKI)
LBA71Indication: Advanced EGFRm non-squamous NSCLC post 3G EGFR TKI
Key finding: mPFS 11.14 (9.17–12.68) vs 5.65 mo (5.45–5.95); HR 0.40 (0.31–0.51); p<0.0001. OS HR 0.66 (0.47–0.91). cORR 60.2% vs 34.5%; mDOR 10.45 vs 5.68 mo.
Clinical relevance: First-in-class bispecific ADC proposed as new SoC in this setting in China.
OS immature
Source: ESMO 2026 LBA71 · Li Zhang
HERON-Lung01 — ruzaltatug rezetecan vs PBC (EGFRm NSCLC post EGFR-TKI)
LBA72Indication: Advanced EGFRm non-squamous NSCLC post EGFR-TKI
Key finding: mPFS 8.3 vs 5.4 mo; HR 0.47 (0.36–0.60); p<0.0001. OS HR 0.70 (0.43–1.14). ORR 60.0% vs 34.3%; mDOR 8.5 vs 4.4 mo. ILD 2.4% (grade 1–2 n=5; grade 3 n=1).
Clinical relevance: Supports HER3 ADC as new SoC after EGFR-TKI in EGFRm NSCLC.
OS immature; 19.4% crossover
Source: ESMO 2026 LBA72 · Chongrui Xu
DeLLphi-304 — tarlatamab vs chemo (previously treated SCLC) extended OS
3808OIndication: SCLC after 1L platinum-based CTx
Key finding: mOS 13.6 vs 8.4 mo; HR 0.62 (0.51–0.76); 18-mo OS 42% vs 24%; mPFS 4.2 vs 3.2 mo; HR 0.69. Grade ≥3 TRAEs 28% vs 63%.
Clinical relevance: Reinforces tarlatamab as SoC in 2L+ SCLC incl. brain mets and platinum-resistant disease.
Source: ESMO 2026 3808O · Charles M. Rudin
Neotorch — perioperative toripalimab + chemo vs placebo + chemo (resectable stage II/III NSCLC)
LBA64Indication: Resectable stage II or III NSCLC (EGFR/ALK WT for non-squamous)
Key finding: INV-EFS: NR vs 20.2 mo; HR 0.52 (0.391–0.677); p<0.0001. OS HR 0.66 (0.486–0.894); p=0.0072. BIPR-MPR 47.2% vs 9.2%; pCR 25.6% vs 1.2%.
Clinical relevance: Final analysis confirms EFS, MPR, OS benefit for perioperative toripalimab.
Source: ESMO 2026 LBA64 · Shun Lu
ASTRIDE — serplulimab vs atezolizumab + chemo (US ES-SCLC)
3809OIndication: US pts with ES-SCLC, 1L
Key finding: mOS 12.4 vs 10.2 mo; 24-mo OS 32.2% vs 17.6%; mPFS 5.4 vs 4.9 mo; HR 0.95. No liver mets subgroup mOS 18.9 vs 13.2 mo; HR 0.60.
Clinical relevance: Supports serplulimab + chemo as 1L option in US ES-SCLC population.
Descriptive statistics only (bridging design)
Source: ESMO 2026 3809O · David R. Gandara
KEYNOTE-671 biomarker analysis — perioperative pembro + chemo (early NSCLC)
2519OIndication: Resectable stage II–IIIB(N2) NSCLC
Key finding: TcellinfGEP associated with EFS (p=0.021), MPR (p=0.019) with pembro; TMB associated with EFS (p=0.000164), OS (p=0.005). EFS/OS HRs favour pembro across TcellinfGEP, TMB, KRAS subgroups.
Clinical relevance: Supports perioperative pembro regardless of biomarker status.
Post hoc
Source: ESMO 2026 2519O · Marina C. Garassino
PEARLS/KEYNOTE-091 — adjuvant pembrolizumab in resected early NSCLC (final analysis)
2511OIndication: Resected stage IB(T≥4cm)–IIIA NSCLC
Key finding: 6-y OS 68.5% vs 66.4%; HR 0.98 (0.81–1.18); p=0.41826. DFS median 58.7 vs 43.3 mo; HR 0.85 (0.73–0.98). LCSS HR 0.81 (0.63–1.03). Grade ≥3 AEs 34.0% vs 25.6%.
Clinical relevance: DFS benefit sustained; OS not significant (not powered).
OS not significant
Source: ESMO 2026 2511O · Mary E. O'Brien
ABBV-706 — SEZ6 ADC monotherapy (R/R SCLC)
3837ROIndication: 2L+ R/R SCLC
Key finding: At 1.8 mg/kg Q3W (n=41): ORR 56%; mOS 12.4 mo. In 2L subset (n=17): ORR 82%; mOS 14.3 mo. 100% ctDNA clearance at C3D1 associated with improved PFS/OS.
Clinical relevance: Promising ADC with novel SEZ6 target in R/R SCLC.
Source: ESMO 2026 3837RO · Anne C. Chiang
SKB500 — B7-H3 ADC in ES-SCLC phase I
3816ROIndication: Heavily pretreated unresectable SCLC
Key finding: 12 mg/kg: ORR 70.0%; mDoR 5.8 mo; mPFS 7.2 mo. 16 mg/kg: ORR 61.9%; mPFS 5.6 mo. Grade ≥3 TRAEs 47.5% vs 61.9%.
Clinical relevance: 12 mg/kg selected for further development.
Source: ESMO 2026 3816RO · Haifeng Liu
MDT-BRIDGE — ctDNA clearance during neoadj durva + chemo (resectable NSCLC)
LBA62Indication: Resectable/borderline resectable stage IIB–IIIB NSCLC
Key finding: 99.1% ctDNA+ at BL; pre-Sx/CRT CL 36.7%; PPV at C2D1 for pCR 83.3% (43.6–99.1); pCR pre-Sx CL 76.0% vs 20.9% non-pCR; 12-mo EFS 88.9% in resected pts without CL.
Clinical relevance: Ultrasensitive ctDNA assay improves PPV for pCR, guiding neoadj decisions.
Source: ESMO 2026 LBA62 · Jonathan Spicer
CTONG 1804 Part 3 — induction chemo-IO in potentially resectable/UR stage III NSCLC
LBA65Indication: Treatment-naïve stage III NSCLC, EGFR/ALK WT
Key finding: R0 98.1% of surgical pts; ORR 82.9% in surgery arm; pCR 48.6%, MPR 64.8%; 12-mo EFS 84.6% surgery vs 66.7% CRT; overall 12-mo EFS 68.6%.
Clinical relevance: Supports surgical conversion strategy after induction chemo-IO.
Single-arm
Source: ESMO 2026 LBA65 · Yi Pan
LungMate-014 — neoadj toripalimab + chemo ± tifcemalimab (BTLA) in stage III NSCLC
2574ROIndication: Potentially resectable stage III NSCLC
Key finding: pCR 32.2% vs 25.4% (TCT vs TC); R0 100% of operated pts; 24-mo EFS 71.1% vs 66.0%; 24-mo OS 83.0% vs 76.1%. Grade ≥3 TRAEs 77.6% vs 75.4%.
Clinical relevance: Signal of added benefit of tifcemalimab in non-squamous/PD-L1 <1%.
Small single-center phase 2
Source: ESMO 2026 2574RO · Peng Zhang
THRIVE (KCSG LU23-09) — rivoceranib in pretreated metastatic thymic epithelial tumours
4155ROIndication: Pretreated metastatic thymoma/thymic carcinoma
Key finding: Confirmed ORR 35.0% (22.1–50.5); DCR 85.0%; mPFS 11.8 mo overall (NR thymoma; 10.0 mo carcinoma); OS NR. Grade ≥3 TRAEs 55.0%.
Clinical relevance: Durable antitumour activity supports rivoceranib as treatment option in TET.
Source: ESMO 2026 4155RO · Sehhoon Park
iTHYM — ivonescimab + chemo (1L recurrent/metastatic thymic carcinoma)
4156ROIndication: 1L recurrent/metastatic thymic carcinoma
Key finding: ORR 83.3%; DCR 100%; PFS6m 100% (19/19); 4 progressions at 7.0–18.2 mo. mPFS and mOS not reached.
Clinical relevance: Met primary endpoint of PFS6m; promising 1L activity.
Single-arm; small n
Source: ESMO 2026 4156RO · Xue Hou
MTAP loss in mesothelioma — NETMESO MESOPATH/RENAPE 1433 cases
4158ROIndication: Pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma
Key finding: MTAP loss in 48% PM, 16% PeM; 42% E-PM, 70% B-PM, 73% S-PM (p<0.0001); concordance with CDKN2A FISH 80%. Better OS in S-PM with MTAP loss (p=0.0001).
Clinical relevance: Supports MTAP IHC as reliable surrogate for CDKN2A/B HD.
Source: ESMO 2026 4158RO · Sylvie Lantuejoul
scRNA-seq of EGFRm lung adenocarcinoma — dynamic ecosystem subtypes during TKI
4243OIndication: EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma across TKI course
Key finding: Five ecosystem subtypes identified; metabolic-EMT resistant subtype linked to STAT3/EMT; targeted inhibition enhanced TKI efficacy in vitro and in vivo.
Clinical relevance: Identifies actionable vulnerability in TKI resistance.
Source: ESMO 2026 4243O · Shiyue Wan
⚕ Gastrointestinal Cancers
7 studiesLEAP-012 — lenvatinib + pembro + TACE vs placebo + TACE (unresectable non-metastatic HCC) long-term OS
1678ROIndication: Unresectable non-metastatic HCC
Key finding: mOS 40.4 vs 40.8 mo; HR 0.98 (0.76–1.26). mPFS 14.6 vs 10.2 mo; HR 0.70 (0.56–0.89). ORR RECIST 48.1% vs 33.7%. Grade ≥3 TRAEs 72.2% vs 32.0%.
Clinical relevance: PFS benefit confirmed but no OS benefit at long follow-up.
OS primary endpoint not met
Source: ESMO 2026 1678RO · Josep M. Llovet
OPTIMUM — maintenance olaparib ± durvalumab in DDR-mutated aBTC
LBA22Indication: Advanced BTC with DDR mutations, post 1L platinum
Key finding: 6-mo PFS: Arm A 62.5%, Arm B 62.1%. Overall mPFS 8.2 mo; 2-y OS 40.1%. cHRD subgroup: mPFS 20.5 vs 7.4 mo (p=0.008); mOS NR vs 16.5 mo (p=0.007).
Clinical relevance: Supports PARP inhibitor maintenance in cHRD-defined DDR-mutated aBTC.
Non-comparative
Source: ESMO 2026 LBA22 · Changhoon Yoo
Envafolimab + GEMOX vs GEMOX (1L advanced BTC, China)
473ROIndication: Treatment-naïve unresectable/metastatic BTC
Key finding: mOS 10.9 vs 8.6 mo; HR 0.723 (0.585–0.880); p=0.0016. 12/24/36-mo OS 44.2%/19.9%/12.5% vs 29.9%/10.8%/7.7%. ORR 27.6% vs 20.9%; mDoR 5.5 vs 4.2 mo.
Clinical relevance: SC envafolimab + GEMOX emerges as potential 1L SoC.
Source: ESMO 2026 473RO · Weijia Fang
HRS-4642 + GnP ± adebrelimab — KRAS G12D-mutant perioperative pancreatic cancer
LBA85Indication: Treatment-naïve resectable/borderline KRAS G12D-mutant PDAC
Key finding: ORR 63% (Cohort 1) and 87% (Cohort 2). R0 100%; MPR 17% in both. 6-mo EFS 87% and 96%. Grade ≥3 TRAEs 47%/53%.
Clinical relevance: Promising neoadjuvant activity; adebrelimab may enhance efficacy.
Small, no OS yet
Source: ESMO 2026 LBA85 · Chenlei Wen
INCB161734 + GnP or mFFX — KRAS G12D advanced PDAC
3137ROIndication: KRAS G12D advanced/metastatic PDAC 1L/2L
Key finding: ORR GnP combo 62.5% (40.6–81.2); DCR 95.8%. mFFX combo ORR 75.0% (53.3–90.2); DCR 100%. Grade ≥3 TRAEs 76% and 68%.
Clinical relevance: Supports phase 3 DAWN-303.
Source: ESMO 2026 3137RO · Antoine Hollebecque
C-CAR031 — GPC3 CAR-T in advanced HCC (phase I update)
1680ROIndication: GPC3+ advanced HCC post ≥1 systemic therapy
Key finding: ORR 44% overall (16/36); DCR 92%; mPFS 4.2 mo; mDOR 4.4 mo; 12-mo OS 65.4%. Tumor shrinkage in 89%. 1 treatment-related death (TLS/renal).
Clinical relevance: Encouraging activity in heavily pretreated HCC.
Source: ESMO 2026 1680RO · Qi Zhang
ASTRA — agentic AI for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma resectability
172ROIndication: Preoperative resectability of pCCA
Key finding: Dev accuracy 0.907 (0.888–0.925); real-world ASTRA-assisted accuracy 0.897 vs 0.724; pre-MDT time halved (255 vs 518 s; p<0.001); surgeons adopted AI judgment in 89.7%.
Clinical relevance: Feasible accountable decision-support in oncology.
Source: ESMO 2026 172RO · Yanqi Huang
🔷 Genitourinary Cancers
4 studiesS1823/GCC.1 — miR371 for GCT relapse detection on active surveillance
LBA58Indication: Newly diagnosed GCT on active surveillance
Key finding: 631 pts contributed; 104 relapses. miR371 specificity 0.90; sensitivity 0.20 BL, 0.54 at relapse. Positive BL miR371 doubled relapse risk (HR 2.04; p=0.02).
Clinical relevance: High accuracy supports integration into surveillance.
Low sensitivity at baseline
Source: ESMO 2026 LBA58 · Lucia Nappi
AI-assisted preoperative communication in prostate cancer (RP)
173ROIndication: Newly diagnosed PCa scheduled for radical prostatectomy
Key finding: Post-communication GAD-7 3.2 vs 5.7 (p=0.001); NASA-TLX 39.9 vs 56.8 (p<0.001); communication time 11.3 vs 19.9 min (p<0.001).
Clinical relevance: AI reduces anxiety and physician workload.
Source: ESMO 2026 173RO · Bo Dai
RCC multi-omics — organotropism and 16-protein classifier
4241OIndication: RCC with/without metastasis
Key finding: 1,100 specimens from 563 pts; 12q gain and PUS1→PPARD axis accelerates metastasis; 16-protein classifier for prognosis/TKI response; NCKAP1L drives brain metastasis via mTOR/BBB disruption.
Clinical relevance: Framework for precision oncology in metastatic RCC.
Source: ESMO 2026 4241O · Yuanyuan Qu
GPNMB+ macrophages and lymphatic metastasis in prostate cancer — CDX-011 ADC
386ROIndication: Lymphatic metastasis in prostate cancer
Key finding: GPNMB+ TAMs increased from 1.2% to 13.1% (p<0.001) in mHSPC; HR 2.45 (1.68–3.57) for MFS. CDX-011 achieved 85% macrophage depletion and 72% lymphatic metastasis reduction in vivo.
Clinical relevance: Highlights actionable macrophage–lymphatic axis.
Source: ESMO 2026 386RO · Xudong Ni
🌸 Gynaecological Cancers
2 studiesTroFuse-005/ENGOT-en23/GOG-3095 — sacituzumab tirumotecan vs TPC (previously treated a/r endometrial)
LBA11Indication: Advanced/recurrent endometrial cancer post platinum + anti-PD-1/PD-L1
Key finding: mPFS 7.2 vs 3.9 mo; HR 0.59 (0.50–0.70); p<0.0001. mOS 19.0 vs 12.1 mo; HR 0.68 (0.55–0.84); p=0.0001. ORR 35.1% vs 17.3%. Grade ≥3 TRAEs 54.4% vs 41.4%.
Clinical relevance: New treatment option for previously treated endometrial cancer.
Source: ESMO 2026 LBA11 · Domenica Lorusso
KEYNOTE-C93/GOG-3064/ENGOT-en15 — 1L pembrolizumab vs CP (dMMR a/r EC)
LBA12Indication: 1L dMMR advanced/recurrent endometrial carcinoma
Key finding: mPFS 38.2 vs 8.4 mo; HR 0.57 (0.42–0.79); P=0.0002. 36-mo OS 70.7% vs 62.0%; HR 0.77 (0.52–1.15). ORR 64.1% vs 62.1%. Grade ≥3 TRAEs 18.1% vs 50.7%.
Clinical relevance: Chemo-free 1L option for dMMR EC with durable PFS benefit.
OS not statistically significant (secondary)
Source: ESMO 2026 LBA12 · Brian M. Slomovitz
🧠 Sarcoma, CNS & Rare Tumours
10 studiesARTEMIS-011 — risvutatug rezetecan vs gemcitabine+docetaxel (R/R osteosarcoma)
LBA9Indication: Heavily pretreated R/R osteosarcoma
Key finding: BICR mPFS 5.5 vs 1.4 mo; HR 0.33; p<0.0001. INV mPFS 5.6 vs 1.0 mo. OS trend HR 0.51. Grade ≥3 TEAEs 92.5% vs 83.3%; 1 grade 2 ILD.
Clinical relevance: Potential new standard for R/R osteosarcoma.
OS immature
Source: ESMO 2026 LBA9 · Lu Xie
Peak crossover — bezuclastinib + sunitinib post-sunitinib (GIST)
3717ROIndication: Advanced GIST post disease progression on sunitinib
Key finding: Crossover (n=128): mPFS 7.4 mo (5.6–11.0); ORR 29.7% (CR 1.6%, PR 28.1%). 33.3% of SUN non-responders responded to combination.
Clinical relevance: Supports broader mutational coverage with combination therapy.
Source: ESMO 2026 3717RO · Robin L. Jones
StrateGIST 1 — velzatinib molecular response (ctDNA) in GIST
3718ROIndication: Advanced GIST on velzatinib 300 mg/d
Key finding: KIT maxVAF clearance at wk 8 doubles mPFS (11 vs 5.5 mo; HR 0.51; p 0.01). >−99% clearance HR 0.44 (p 0.005).
Clinical relevance: MR in ctDNA as biomarker for durable benefit.
Source: ESMO 2026 3718RO · Sebastian Bauer
NB003 — selective KIT inhibitor in advanced GIST (final phase 1)
3719ROIndication: KIT-mutant advanced GIST (2L to ≥4L)
Key finding: KIT-mutant GIST (n=158): ORR 29.1%; mDoR 10.8 mo; mPFS 7.5 mo; mOS 19.8 mo. 3L post imatinib+sunitinib (n=30): ORR 46.7%; mPFS 13.8 mo. 15 mg BID selected for phase 3.
Clinical relevance: Broad activity across KIT exon 9/11/13/14/17/18.
1 possibly treatment-related death
Source: ESMO 2026 3719RO · Ping Chi
Nab-paclitaxel + PLD in advanced malignant vascular tumours (phase II)
3720ROIndication: Advanced/unresectable malignant vascular tumours
Key finding: Confirmed ORR 50.0%; DCR 93.8%; mPFS 8.0 mo; mOS 28.4 mo. AS subgroup ORR 61.3%, mPFS 7.5, mOS 21.4 mo. EHE ORR 28.6%.
Clinical relevance: Promising activity especially in angiosarcoma.
Source: ESMO 2026 3720RO · Xing Zhang
TOMAS2 — PARP1 H-score and trabectedin + olaparib in advanced STS
3721ROIndication: Advanced soft tissue sarcoma; uLMS subset
Key finding: H-score ≥70 (n=63): mPFS 4.30 vs 2.53 mo; HR 0.49 (0.29–0.83); p 0.008. uLMS H-score ≥70: mPFS 16.30 vs 1.35 mo; HR 0.15 (0.04–0.62); p 0.009.
Clinical relevance: PARP1 H-score may select pts for T+O, especially uLMS.
Exploratory
Source: ESMO 2026 3721RO · Lorenzo D'Ambrosio
T-DXd in desmoplastic small round cell tumours (French retrospective)
3722ROIndication: DSRCT refractory to conventional therapy
Key finding: 11 pts; ORR 82% (9/11, 1 CR); 12-mo PFS 46%, 12-mo OS 67%; mPFS 6 mo; mOS NR. 1 treatment-related ILD death.
Clinical relevance: Highly effective in heavily pretreated DSRCT; prospective trial warranted.
Small retrospective series
Source: ESMO 2026 3722RO · Mehdi Brahmi
NETSARC+ registry — desmoid tumours in 3457 pts
3723ROIndication: Desmoid tumours 2010–2024
Key finding: Incidence 3.02/10^6/year; surgery rate decreased 47.2%→22.1%. mPFS 47.7 mo (39.7–55.8). Prognostic factors: tumour size, head/neck, limbs, trunk wall locations.
Clinical relevance: Supports treatment paradigm shift away from upfront surgery.
Source: ESMO 2026 3723RO · Armelle Dufresne
RINGSIDE Part B — varegacestat PROs in progressing desmoid tumours
3724ROIndication: Progressing desmoid tumours
Key finding: Sustained improvements through wk 48: DTSS Pain LS mean −2.48 vs 0.22; TSS-5 −1.50 vs 0.59; PROMIS PF 3.90 vs −3.04 favouring varegacestat.
Clinical relevance: Supports clinical benefit beyond efficacy endpoints.
Source: ESMO 2026 3724RO · Winette T. Van der Graaf
Lifileucel TIL in UPS/DDLS (phase I feasibility)
3725ROIndication: Refractory metastatic UPS/DDLS
Key finding: 8/10 infused; 3/8 (38%; 95% CI 8.5–75%) confirmed PRs ongoing; DCR 6/8 (75%); all pts grade 4 cytopenias.
Clinical relevance: Preliminary activity supports further evaluation in SARATOGA trial.
Small n; feasibility only
Source: ESMO 2026 3725RO · Lauren Banks
🦋 NETs & Endocrine Tumours
5 studiesLIBRETTO-531 — selpercatinib vs cabozantinib/vandetanib (1L RET-mutant MTC) updated
4208OIndication: Advanced kinase inhibitor-naïve RET-mutant MTC
Key finding: 3-y PFS 75% vs 25%; HR 0.21 (0.14–0.30); p<0.0001. 3-y OS 92% vs 75%; HR 0.34 (0.19–0.59); p<0.0001. 3-y PFS2 91% vs 60%; HR 0.23 (0.13–0.40).
Clinical relevance: Confirms selpercatinib as 1L SoC in RET-mutant MTC.
Source: ESMO 2026 4208O · Jaume Capdevila
LBA57 — opamtistomig (PD-L1×4-1BB) monotherapy in pretreated EP-NEC
LBA57Indication: Advanced EP-NEC ≥2 prior lines
Key finding: ORR 26.0% by IRC; mDOR 9.2 mo; mOS 8.7 mo; mPFS 1.4 mo RECIST / 2.8 mo iRECIST. No liver metastasis subgroup: ORR 43.8%, mPFS 4.2 mo. Grade ≥3 TRAEs 28.1%.
Clinical relevance: Met primary endpoint; supports BLA.
Source: ESMO 2026 LBA57 · Ming Lu
Opamtistomig + EP/EC — 1L advanced EP-NEC (phase Ib/II)
2392OIndication: Treatment-naïve advanced EP-NEC
Key finding: cORR 60.0% (3 CRs); mPFS 6.0 mo; mDoR 10.2 mo. Grade ≥3 TRAEs 79.7% (mainly chemo myelosuppression). No DLTs.
Clinical relevance: Encouraging 1L activity.
Source: ESMO 2026 2392O · Panpan Zhang
Pumitamig (PD-L1 × VEGF-A) + FOLFIRI — 2L unresectable NEN
2393OIndication: G3 NETs or NEC post 1L PT-based chemo
Key finding: cORR 40.0%; DCR 86.7%; mDOR 5.9 mo; mPFS 5.5 mo; 12-mo OS 59.8%. Grade ≥3 TRAEs 80.6%; 1 treatment-related death.
Clinical relevance: Supports further investigation of pumitamig + chemo in NEN.
Single-arm n=31
Source: ESMO 2026 2393O · Jianming Xu
SETHY — sacituzumab govitecan in advanced DTC and ATC
4209OIndication: RAI-refractory DTC and ATC
Key finding: DTC: confirmed ORR 4.4% (0.1–21.1); mPFS 5.5 mo; 12-mo PFS 33.5%. ATC: ORR 16.7% (1.9–45.5); mPFS 2.9 mo.
Clinical relevance: Encouraging activity in ATC and selected DTC histologies.
Low ORR in DTC
Source: ESMO 2026 4209O · Alejandro Garcia-Alvarez
🧪 Developmental Therapeutics & Early Phase
2 studiesMOIO — reduced-frequency ICI vs standard ICI in responding advanced/metastatic cancer
LBA10Indication: Partial/complete responders after 6 months of standard-dose IO
Key finding: mPFS 25.0 vs 21.9 mo; HR 1.35 (0.9–2.0); p=0.0635 (exceeded futility boundary). Higher risk of death with reduced IO (HR 2.0; 95% CI 1.1–3.9; p=0.0143).
Clinical relevance: Reduced IO dose intensity did not achieve PFS non-inferiority.
Signal of inferior survival with reduced IO
Source: ESMO 2026 LBA10 · Gwenaëlle Gravis
CURESPONSE — EVOC-based functional precision oncology
LBA95Indication: Advanced/metastatic malignancies
Key finding: EVOC generation 90% under protocol; at 2 mo (n=34 paired): sensitivity 71%, specificity 82%, PPV 50%, NPV 91.7%.
Clinical relevance: Supports EVOC as complement to molecular approaches.
Small evaluable cohort
Source: ESMO 2026 LBA95 · Jonathan M. Krell
🔍 Prevention, Screening & Early Detection
7 studiesFCCSS cohort — SPLC risk in childhood cancer survivors by MLD
1149ROIndication: 5-y childhood cancer survivors (n=7006)
Key finding: SIR 2.26 (1.65–3.01). MLD 5–10 Gy sHR 3.75 (1.44–9.78); CIF 6.50% at age 60 vs 1.79%. Smoking sHR 2.57 (1.40–4.71). 66.7% PAF in MLD >5 Gy.
Clinical relevance: Supports risk-adapted LDCT screening thresholds.
Source: ESMO 2026 1149RO · Pamela Abdayem
SUNRISE — adolescent cancer-related risk behaviours
3442ROIndication: European adolescents (n=1979)
Key finding: 69.3% ≥2 risk behaviours. Older age (β=0.41; p<0.001) and teacher support (β=−0.13; p=0.001) associated with risk. Model explained 32.2% variance.
Clinical relevance: School environment key for cancer prevention.
Source: ESMO 2026 3442RO · Eunate Arana-arri
INTERCEPTION-Lung — LC prevention in severe mental illness
3884ROIndication: Patients with SMI vs without
Key finding: 25 WSMI; median pack-y 45 vs 35 (p<0.001); emphysema 94% vs 72% (p=0.049); 3 WSMI died (12%) vs 5 WOSMI (1%) (log-rank p=0.031).
Clinical relevance: One-Stop Shop model promising for SMI patients.
Small WSMI n
Source: ESMO 2026 3884RO · Pamela Abdayem
cfDNA fragmentomics (FirstLook Lung) in LDCT-decliners
1150ROIndication: LDCT-eligible patients who declined screening
Key finding: 251 completed; 39.8% elevated; 65 completed LDCT; 11 (16.9%) Lung-RADS ≥3; 5 early-stage lung cancers diagnosed.
Clinical relevance: Blood-based prescreening may re-engage decliners.
Source: ESMO 2026 1150RO · Jun Zhang
PATHFINDER 2 — CSO-guided workups after MCED testing
1151ROIndication: Participants with positive MCED result
Key finding: 290/305 (95.1%) underwent dx workup; 147/167 (88.0%) cancers via CSO-guided workups; CSO accurate in 139/147 (94.6%). Dx resolution: 60% within 60 d, 74% within 90 d.
Clinical relevance: CSO-guided workups efficient and safe post MCED.
Source: ESMO 2026 1151RO · Dax Kurbegov
Mailed reminder + pre-scheduled appointment for mammography (RCT)
1152ROIndication: Never-screened women aged 50–69 in Singapore
Key finding: Arm 1 uptake 2.6%; Arm 4 (MR+PSA) 25.4% (RR 9.8; 5.9–16.3). Cost per additional mammogram USD $24.
Clinical relevance: Scalable strategy to engage never-screeners.
Source: ESMO 2026 1152RO · Sasidharan Swarnalatha S. Lucky
IGNITE-TX — family-based cascade genetic testing pilot RCT
1153ROIndication: Probands with HBOC/LS and at-risk relatives
Key finding: ARR GC/CGT uptake at 6 mo: Arm 1 3.4%, Arm 2 19.9%, Arm 3 61.9%, Arm 4 76.1%. Adjusted OR for IGNITE-TX 29.1 (5.7–148.8); p<0.001.
Clinical relevance: Supports larger trial.
Pilot
Source: ESMO 2026 1153RO · Maria Iniesta
🧬 Translational Research & Biomarkers
7 studiesTMB ≥16 mut/Mb threshold for ICI efficacy — multi-cohort
4249ROIndication: 97,820 pts across 5 international cohorts
Key finding: TMB ≥16 associated with improved OS (p=0.015) and PFS (p=0.024); TMB ≥10 not significant (p=0.25, p=0.76). Interaction p=0.0497 confirmed ICI-specific effect.
Clinical relevance: Refines tissue-agnostic TMB threshold.
Source: ESMO 2026 4249RO · Yuji Uehara
FcγR3A F158V SNP and anti-PD1 outcomes in melanoma (NADINA)
4250ROIndication: NADINA neoadjuvant and adjuvant arms
Key finding: Adj EFS: F/F 61%, F/V 48%, V/V 25% (p=0.042); DMFS 67%/60%/37% (p=0.012). Neo EFS: F/F 84%, F/V 62%, V/V 62% (p=0.042).
Clinical relevance: V-allele carriers may benefit from anti-PD-L1 over anti-PD-1.
Source: ESMO 2026 4250RO · Steven Wijnen
Humoral immunity against melanocytic differentiation antigens (gp100, TRP2)
4251ROIndication: Neoadjuvant/metastatic melanoma on ICI
Key finding: Higher gp100/TRP2 IgG associated with pathological response and DMFS (HR 0.21 and 0.20). In metastatic cohort (n=141), higher IgG improved PFS/OS. Patient-derived mAbs: TRP2 ADCC; gp100 ADC-mediated cytotoxicity.
Clinical relevance: Humoral immunity translatable to antibody-based therapy.
Source: ESMO 2026 4251RO · Lukas Flatz
Mitochondrial haplogroups and ICB T-cell bioenergetics (multi-cancer)
385ROIndication: 416 pts across 4 cancer types on ICB
Key finding: ICB increased OxPHOS/glycolysis and SRC in T cells; SRC upregulation showed haplogroup specificity linked to survival observations.
Clinical relevance: Metabolism-directed strategies for ICB.
Source: ESMO 2026 385RO · Chak Fu Chan
GDF-15 and adipose CD8+ T-cell exhaustion in gastric cancer PD-1+chemo
4252ROIndication: Advanced gastric cancer 1L CTx±ICI (n=125)
Key finding: Fat gainers in ICI+CTx: mPFS 14 vs 9 mo (p=0.047); mOS 21 vs 15 mo (p=0.005). Higher BL GDF-15 shorter OS (mOS 11.7 vs 4.8 mo; p=0.012).
Clinical relevance: GDF-15/adipose axis as cachexia-directed vulnerability.
Source: ESMO 2026 4252RO · Joo Sung G. Shim
Spatial proteomics of myeloid TME in eTNBC on neoadj chemo-IO (NeoTRIP)
4240OIndication: NeoTRIP eTNBC paired samples (n=248)
Key finding: CD204+M2 TAMs predicted lower pCR under CT+ICB (OR 0.85; p=0.002; p-interaction <0.01). Carboplatin-laden TIM4+M2 TAM subset expanded on-treatment.
Clinical relevance: Candidate IHC-translatable biomarkers of ICB response.
Source: ESMO 2026 4240O · Matteo Maria Naldini
Temporal scRNA/spatial transcriptomics in early breast cancer on neoadj therapy
4242OIndication: Early breast cancer, 64 pts
Key finding: Baseline hypoxia/angiogenesis signatures differentiated responders; CAF subpopulations linked to resistance; quiescent capillary expansion in non-responders.
Clinical relevance: Potential biomarker-driven strategies.
Source: ESMO 2026 4242O · Jeremy Mo
🤝 Supportive, Palliative & Survivorship
5 studiesSleepio After Cancer (SAC) — dCBT-I vs sleep hygiene in women with cancer
LBA91Indication: Women with cancer and insomnia (SCI ≤16)
Key finding: SCI improved more with dCBT-I: mean difference 6.36 (95% CI 4.96–7.76; P<0.001; Cohen's d=0.99). Remission 27% vs 12% (ITT; NNT=7); 62% vs 19% completers (NNT=3).
Clinical relevance: Supports wider integration of digital CBT-I in survivorship care.
Source: ESMO 2026 LBA91 · Donal J. Brennan
HOPE — personalized digital supportive-care pathway for ET symptoms in early BC
LBA92Indication: Stage I–III HR+ BC on ET with symptoms
Key finding: 180 pts randomized; 162 (90%) completed M3. Full outcomes/analyses to be presented; baseline characteristics balanced.
Clinical relevance: Potential to reduce ET symptom burden and improve self-management.
Abstract text truncated
Source: ESMO 2026 LBA92 · Maria Alice Franzoi
FURTHER — MR-HIFU ± EBRT vs EBRT for painful bone metastases
3084OIndication: Painful non-spinal bone metastases
Key finding: Underpowered (n=69). At 2 wk: pain response 50% (MR-HIFU ± EBRT) vs 38% (EBRT); p=0.41. Pain score drops: EBRT 2.3, combination 3.7, MR-HIFU 3.6.
Clinical relevance: MR-HIFU effective palliation; combination may enhance response.
Target not reached; underpowered
Source: ESMO 2026 3084O · Manon Braat
Mirtazapine vs olanzapine in CINV with triplet HEC prophylaxis
3893OIndication: Chemo-naïve pts receiving HEC (n=120)
Key finding: Overall TC 46.2% vs 21.8% (P=0.005); delayed TC 52.3% vs 25.5% (P=0.003); overall AEs 70.8% vs 91.0% (P=0.006).
Clinical relevance: Mirtazapine superior for nausea control and QoL.
Source: ESMO 2026 3893O · Anusha Mruthyunjaya Swamy
CCORG-001 — rhTPO prevention for CTIT and cardiac injury (RCT)
3894OIndication: High-risk cancer pts (n=165)
Key finding: Platelet ≥75×10^9/L maintained: 62.5% vs 22.6% (diff 39.8%; p<0.001). Severe thrombocytopenia 25.0% vs 41.5% (p=0.032); rescue therapy 29.5% vs 77.4% (p<0.001); abnormal BNP/NT-proBNP 31.3% vs 49.1% (p=0.028).
Clinical relevance: Supports prophylactic rhTPO in dual-risk pts.
Source: ESMO 2026 3894O · Lili Tian
🌍 Public Policy, Access & Health Services
4 studiesMachine-learning multicancer risk from routine clinical data (PRE-Screen)
280ROIndication: 20 common cancers; UK Biobank n=502,309 + validation
Key finding: AUROCs >0.85 for lung, oesophageal, liver cancers; limited predictability for ovarian. LLM agents outperform zero-shot prediction.
Clinical relevance: Scalable multi-cancer pre-screening framework.
Source: ESMO 2026 280RO · Paul-Henry Koop
CHAIMELEON — in-silico clinical validation platform (5 cancers)
171ROIndication: Lung, breast, prostate, colon, rectal cancer validation
Key finding: AI assistance reduced evaluation time (p<0.001); accuracy 54%→58%; 55% clinicians improved, 28% worsened; 69% re-verified data on discordant predictions.
Clinical relevance: Platform for AI validation and human-centric evaluation.
Source: ESMO 2026 171RO · Gloria Ribas Despuig
OPTIMA — federated real-world evidence platform (OHDSI + NVFlare)
117ROIndication: Oncology multimodal analytics across 6 European centres
Key finding: GDPR-compliant deployment; federated cohort characterisation and tissue classification completed; mean validation accuracy 87%.
Clinical relevance: Scalable cross-institutional RWE generation.
Source: ESMO 2026 117RO · Nils Christian
qXR AI chest radiograph analysis — early LC detection (Argentina)
282ROIndication: Routine CXR at Hospital de Córdoba, Argentina
Key finding: 4,715 CXRs; 40 flagged high-risk; 65 completed LDCT; 4 primary LCs diagnosed (67% biopsy yield); 5 total early-stage LC (IA3–IB).
Clinical relevance: Supports AI utility in LMIC settings.
Source: ESMO 2026 282RO · Nestor O. Bustamante
📋 Program Sessions — Invited Talks
no abstractsThis report was generated automatically and is not medical advice. Clinical decisions must be verified against official abstract/presentation full texts and current guidelines.