
Novel approaches to improve immunotherapy and more news on synthetic lethality
The ESMO Congress 2021 has started today with three sessions on developmental therapeutics, including immunotherapy. The overarching theme in these sessions is the improvement of checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapy and a new flavour of synthetic lethality in molecularly pre-defined solid tumours.

Two studies explore molecular divergence in gastric cancer
Genomic landscaping suggests molecular divergence between cancer subtypes and across disease stages, but molecular similarities between White and Asian populations

Women receiving immunotherapy may be at higher risk of adverse events than men
Prospective evidence from a multicentre study support the need for a more personalised immuno-oncology approach based on sex and gender differences

Bexmarilimab monotherapy shows promising anti-tumour activity in advanced solid tumours
Preliminary data indicate tolerability and disease control with bexmarilimab in hard-to-treat solid tumours

PARP inhibitor re-treatment: the future of maintenance therapy for relapsed ovarian cancer?
A significant progression-free survival improvement after re-treatment with olaparib was reported in the OReO/ENGOT Ov-38 trial

Early and relapsed TNBC is no longer so negative
Research and treatment approaches have come a long way since triple-negative breast cancer was first recognised, but there is still progress to be made, according to Associate Prof. Rebecca Dent

What to expect from ESMO 2021?
We were hoping to be in Paris for the ESMO Congress 2021, but the event will be virtual for the second consecutive year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this annual Congress will confirm that cancer research is blooming again, despite the current health crisis and its remarkable consequences on people, healthcare system, and, not the least, research

Connecting and engaging those who care about cancer
International oncology experts reunited as one oncology community to share the latest advances in the field at the ESMO annual meeting starting next week

A Virtual Train to ESMO travelling through 15 countries
With the “departure” of the virtual ESMO train in August, the ESMO Young Oncologists Committee (YOC) and the ESMO Climate Change Task Force are creating new opportunities for networking and sharing knowledge, while raising awareness on how climate change hits on cancer care

Virtual Plenary Debate, a new session not-to-be missed
Presented at the ESMO Virtual Plenaries this year, four key studies in oncology will animate the debate