The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Conference 2024 occurred from Sept. 13 to 17 in Barcelona, Spain. The conference offered a platform for oncologists and researchers to share cutting-edge data, education, and networking opportunities on cancer prevention, screening, research, clinical insights, therapies, and patient care best practices, both in person and virtually.
ESMO 2024 Opening Session | Scientific Address | ESMO Award
The conference started with an opening session; Andres Cervantes (ESMO President, Valencia, Spain) led this session, followed by a scientific address by Rebecca A. Dent (National Cancer Center Singapore, Republic of Singapore).
The ESMO Award Session included:
- An address to unintended consequences of cancer care.
- ESMO Award for Translational Research: From bytes to bedside using mutational signatures in cancer.
- ESMO Women for Oncology Award: Bridging gaps in lung cancer research and gender equity.
- ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award: Empowering T cells to fight cancer.
ESMO 2024 Educational Session
The conference had several educational sessions on various types of cancers and their treatment approaches. Some of them were:
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NSCLC mutations with KRAS gene: Natasha Leighl and Roberto Ferrara from Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano in Milano, Italy, led the session on KRAS-mutated NSCLC.
The meeting focused on G12C-targeting treatments, new strategies for non-G12C mutations, resistance mechanisms, and combination therapies involving IO.
- MRC Session: Thierry Landre from René Muret Hospital and Claire Gallois from Georges-Pompidou European Hospital in France led the Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (MRC) session. They discussed the significance of researching the features of colorectal cancer and creating treatment strategies considering factors like immune response, genetic causes, and biomarkers in MSS colorectal cancer.
- MBC Session: The session leads were Barbara Pistilli from Gustave Roussy in Villejuif, France, and Cristina Saura Manich from Vall d’Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona, Spain. The metastatic breast cancer (MBC) session covered hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-positive, and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), as well as new treatment strategies.
- Prostate Cancer beyond AR Pathway Inhibitors: The session about Prostate Cancer beyond AR Pathway Inhibitors was overseen by Dana Rathkopf from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, N.Y., and Gerhardt Attard from University College London Cancer Institute in London, U.K. The meeting covered options for cytotoxic treatment, theranostics, and innovative approaches for ARPI-resistant conditions.
- ADCs in Gynecological Cancers: Susana Banerjee (ICR) and Frederik Marmé (University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany) chaired a discussion on Antibody Drug Conjugates in Gynecological Cancers. They focused on mechanism, application, and safety management.
- Assessing Risk Perception: Christine Chomienne (Université de Paris, France) and Amil Druzic (Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina co-chaired the session. They shared insights on cancer surveys, social media, and communicating cancer risks).
ESMO 2024 Industry Satelite Symposium
The symposium presented therapeutic advancements and treatment strategies from various biotech and pharma companies.
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The Bristol Myers-Squibb symposium focused on therapeutic advancements in gastrointestinal malignancies, such as immunotherapy and novel combination therapies. The session also covered the importance of new biomarkers for advanced gastric cancer in guiding treatment choices.
The use of precision medicine, including early identification and treatment planning, for patients with IDH mutations was covered in this session. This symposium was led by Sara Lonardi (Veneto Institute of Oncology, Italy).
This symposium also discussed patient-centric approaches for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC), patient empowerment, available treatments, and collaborative decision-making.
- AstraZeneca’s session discussed the evolution of hormone receptor-positive (HR+) MBC using endocrine therapy and antibody-drug conjugates. Jarushka Naidoo from RCSI, Dublin, Ireland, led a symposium.
- Merck Healthcare KGaA’s session focused on personalized treatment approaches in bladder cancer and the importance of tailored treatment options. Enrique Grande from INCA in Boston, Mass., led the symposium.
- Novartis’ symposium discussed radioligand therapy as an essential pillar in oncology, exploring its potential uses in different types of cancer and its significance in treating prostate cancer.
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Pfizer Oncology’s session addressed the combined application of PARP inhibitors (PARPi) and androgen receptor inhibitors (ARPi) for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Neal Shore (Duke University, N.C.) chaired the session.
Another Pfizer discussion included advanced breast cancer treatment progress, novel methods, clinical studies, and future research.
- AstraZeneca’s session focused on improving patient care for NSCLC at every stage and included discussions on timely detection, available treatments, and supportive care strategies. Martin Reck (Lung Clinic Grosshansdorf, Grosshansdorf, Germany) and Lizza Hendriks (MUMC, Maastricht, Netherlands) co-chaired the session.
ESMO 2024 Special Sessions
Sessions in the oncology community focused on patient advocacy, global initiatives, and palliative care integration.
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Patient Advocacy Sessions
Speakers covered patients’ journeys, challenges in medicine access, and patients’ expertise in research. Discussion on patient experience, obstacles, and coping strategies took place.
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Understanding the Cancer Journey (Sept. 14, 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.):
This featured Ines Vaz Luis ((Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France) and Natacha Bolanos Fernandez (Health Consultant, N.Y.) as session chairs. Discussion on patient experience, obstacles, and coping strategies took place.
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Challenges in Access to New Oncology Medicines (Sept. 14, 2:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.):
The session chairs were Natacha Bolanos Fernandez and Eva-Maria Strömsholm (Gynecological Cancer patients, Finland).
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The Future of Cancer via Patient Expertise in Research & Innovation Projects (Sept.15, 2:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.):
The session chaired by Tanja Spanic (Europa Donna – Slovensko zdruzenje za boj proti raku dojk, Ljubljana, Slovenia) and André Deschamps (Former President of Europa Uomo, Belgium).
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Global Oncology Initiatives
Several sessions addressed global implications, such as access to cancer care, disparities in treatment availability, and the role of international collaborations.
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ESMO General Assembly (Sept.14, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
ESMO shapes global oncology practices; General Assembly decisions impacted cancer care worldwide significantly. Chair person was Solange Peters (ESMO, Lausanne, Switzerland).
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ESMO Women for Oncology Forum -Empowering women in oncology: Exploring solutions to today’s challenges across oncology fields (Sept. 14, 2:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m)
This session was chaired by Helena Linardou (Metropolitan Hospital Athens, Greece) and Jean-Yves Blay (ESMO Director of Public Policy, Lyon, France). They discussed the current challenges for women in oncology and practical approaches to resolve them.
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9 ESMO Designated Centres of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care Session and Awards
This session centered around integrating oncology and palliative care, highlighted best practices, and awarded institutions excelling in this area.
Jayne Wood (NHS Foundation Trust, London, U.K.) and Anna Reyners (UMCG, Groningen, Netherlands) were chairpersons.
ESMO 2024 Multidisciplinary Sessions
This session aimed to unite healthcare professionals from oncology specialties to discuss advancements. A few of the meetings included:
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Cancer-Associated Thrombosis: Management of Pulmonary Embolism (Sept. 14, 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)
The chairpersons were Karin Jordan (Ernst von Bergmann Clinic, Germany) and Elene Mariamidze (Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Tbilisi, Ga.).
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Treatment of Lobular Breast Cancer (ILC): From Pitfalls to Opportunities (Sept. 14, 2:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
The chairpersons were Jens Huober (Chief Physician, Breast Center St.Gallen, Switzerland) and Ava Kwong (School of Clinical Medicine, Hong Kong).
Speakers were Isabel T. Rubio (Universidad de Navarra, Madrid, Spain), who discussed pathology and pitfalls in diagnosing ILCs3, F. Cardoso (Champalimaud Clinical Center, Lisbon, Portugal), and J. Huober (Chief Physician, Breast Center St.Gallen, Switzerland).
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Biochemical Failure Post-Local Therapy: An Opportunity for Tailored Treatment? (Sept. 14, 2:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
Pierre Blanchard of the Institut de Cancérologie Gustave Roussy in Villejuif, France, and Derya Tilki of the University Medical Center Hamburg in Hamburg, Germany, were chairs.
Pierre Blanchard, Derya Tilki, D. Rathkopf (MSKCC – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, N.Y.), and D. Oprea-Lager (Umc, Amsterdam, Netherlands) were the speakers for this session.
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Improving Outcome in Long-Term Survivors with Metastatic NSCLC
Silvia Novello (University of Turin, Italy) and Adrian Sacher (University of Toronto, Canada) were the chairpersons.
Speakers wiere M. Gemelli (IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy), L. Hendriks (MUMC, Maastricht, Netherlands), J. Vansteenkiste, (University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium), and S. Popat (Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, U.K.).
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Management of Adjuvant/Neoadjuvant HCC in 2024
The chairpersons were Lorenza Rimassa (Associate Professor, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy) and Angela Lamarca (Fundacion Jimenez Diaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain).
Speakers were Takashi Kokudo (UMIN, Tokyo, Japan), M. Iavarone (Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione G. Pascale – IRCCS, Naples, Italy), and A. Lamarca (Fundacion Jimenez Diaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain).
ESMO 2024 Challenge Your Expert Session
The session involved a panel of oncology experts who addressed complex and controversial healthcare topics. Some of the sessions were:
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How to Optimally Counsel My Melanoma Patients for Adjuvant Therapy (Sept. 14, 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.)
The chairperson was Helen Gogas (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens – School of Medicine, Athens, Greece). James Larkin (The Royal Marsden Hospital, U.K.) was the expert presenter.
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Pharmacologically Manipulating Evolution (Sept. 14, 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.)
Manuel Irimia (Universitat Pompeu Fabra – Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain) was chairperson. The expert presenter was Trevor Graham (ICR, U.K.).
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Radioligand Theranostics in Prostate Cancer: Status Quo and New Developments (Sept. 15, 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.)
Arun Azad (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia) was chairperson. Klaus Herrmann (Westdeutsches Tumorzentrum Essen, Germany) was the expert presenter.
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Escalating and Descalating Strategies with Immunotherapies in NSCLC (Sept. 15, 10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)
The chairperson was Kevin Harrington (ICR, U.K.). The expert presenter was Vinod Balachandran (MSKCC – Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester, West Harrison, U.S.A.).
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New First-Line Ovarian Cancer Data: How This Will Impact First-Line and Relapse Treatment? (Sept. 16, 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.)
The chairperson was Nicoletta Colombo ( Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, Milan, Italy). The expert presenter was Isabelle Ray-Coquard (Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France).
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Management of Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma: Does Chemotherapy Hold or Lose Its Position? (Sept. 16, 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.)
The chairperson was Michiel van der Heijden (Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands). The expert presenter was Paolo Giannatempo (Fondazione IRCCS – Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy).
ESMO 2024 Young Oncologists (YO) Sessions
The session provided a platform for young researchers to come forward and present their research. The session served as a networking opportunity for the next generation of oncologists.
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YO Vesalius Talk – Becoming an Independent Investigator: The Journey from a Young Oncologist to Leading Your Own Team (Sept. 13, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
The session was chaired by Pablo Mando (CEMIC, Argentina). The discussion revolved around the transition of a young oncologist to an independent researcher and having their research team.
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YO Mentorship Session (Sept. 13, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
The co-chairs were Deniz Can Guven (Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Ankara, Türkiye) and Angelika Starzer (Austria).
Different speakers from the EONS and W4O discussed the professional journey a young oncologist should take.
The event featured speakers from various institutions, including Lazar S. Popovic from Sremska Kamenica, Serbia; Ann H. Partridge from Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Mass.; Massimo Di Maio from Gruppo Oncologico Nord Ovest-GGONO, Italy; Samra Turajlic from The Francis Crick Institute, U.K., Joaquin Mateo from Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology, Giuseppe Curigliano from IRCCS, Josep Tabernero from VHIO, Barcelona, Spain, Neelima Denduluri from AstraZeneca, U.S.A., Bishal Gyawali from Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada, Virpi Sulosaari from the University of Turku, Finland, and Helena Linardou from Metropolitan Hospital Athens, Greece.
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YO Boxing Session (Sept. 14, 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.)
The co-chairs were Elizabeth A. Connolly (Chris O Brien Lifehouse and the Children’s Medical Research Institute, Sydney, Australia) and Emre Kocakavuk (The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Conn.).
This session, titled “Should we try immunotherapy for all patients with advanced cancer?” featured a debate format. Dr. Myriam Chalabi (Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands) argued the “Yes” side. Kok Haw Jonathan Lim (The Francis Crick Institute, London, U.K.) argued the “No” side.
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YO Brunch 1 (Sept. 14, 10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)
Maria Kfoury (Gustave Roussy, France) and Pablo Mando were the session chairs. In this session, Dr. Rodrigo Dienstmann (VHIO, Barcelona, Spain) discussed leveraging open data sources to initiate research projects.
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YO Brunch 2 (Sept. 15, 10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)
The session chair was Pawel Sobczuk (Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland). Dr. Christoph Benedikt Westphalen (Comprehensive Cancer Centre Munich, Germany) discussed the need for specialized training for young oncologists in molecular profiling techniques, ranging from panel NGS to WGS.
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YO Medical Students Session: ESMO for Medical Students and Young Physicians (Sept. 14, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
The session was chaired by Andres Cervantes and Matteo Lambertini (University of Genova, Italy). He guided medical students and young physicians to become aspiring oncologists. This session covered the ESMO Medical Students Course and provided career guidance for aspiring medical oncologists. There were guided poster walks.
Speakers were Angelika M. Starzer (Medical University of Vienna, Austria), Myrto Moutafi (Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece), and Rille Pihlak (St Bart’s Hospital, U.K.).
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YO Forum – Finding Your “X-Factor”: Skills for Professional Development (Sept. 16, 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.)
The session chairs were Elene Mariamidze and Hongcheng Zhu (Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China). Speakers provided tips and techniques for YO’s skill development as an oncologist.
Evandro De Azambuja (Jules Bordet Institute, Brussels, Belgium), Angela Lamarca, Solange Peters, and Claire Hardy (Lancaster University, U.K.) were speakers.
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YO Fellowship Session – Fellowships in Europe: Educational Opportunities for Young Oncologists (Sept. 16, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.)
The session chair was Teresa M. Amaral (Skin Cancer Center, Tübingen, Germany).
Long V. Nguyen (University of Toronto, Canada) and Madeleine C. Strach (Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia) highlighted the fellowship opportunities for young oncologists in Europe. They showcased two exemplary projects and presented awards to fellows.
ESMO 2024 EONS17 Session
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Opening Session and Keynote Lecture (Sept. 14, 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.)
Virpi Sulosaari chaired this session. The EONS17 opening session featured a keynote lecture by A. Drury titled “Shaping the Future of Cancer Nursing: The Case for Disruption in the Pursuit of Meaningful and Equitable Innovation.”
The panel discussion involved a lecture focusing on the past, present, and future of cancer nursing.
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ESMO-EONS collaborative session: Cancer and sexuality (Sept. 14, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
The session was chaired by Karin Jordan and Eugenia Trigoso Arjona (La Fe, Valencia, Spain). It was a collaborative session between ESMO and EONS. They addressed the impact of cancer and its treatment on sexuality in adolescents and young adults. The session featured personal experiences and offered advice for healthcare professionals.
Speakers were Sharon L. Bingham (Northern Health and Social Care Trust: Antrim, U.K.) and Ioanna Tsatsou (IUniversity of West Attica, Aigaleo, Greece).
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NURTURE – Time to Invest in Cancer Nurses (Sept. 14, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
The session chairs were Nikolina Dodlek (European Cancer Organization, Brussels, Belgium) and Grigorios Kotronoulas (University of Glasgow, U.K.).
Speakers introduced the NURTURE model in cancer nursing, emphasizing early symptom recognition and the role of nurses in prevention. They discussed nurses’ communication challenges and highlighted the importance of investing in this field. The session had a Work-life balance workshop.
Speakers were Dimitrios Protogiros (National and Kapodistrian the University of Athens, Greece), Selma Islamcevic (University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia), Andreas Charalambous (President of the Cyprus Oncology Nursing Society, Cyprus), Celia Díez de los Ríos de la Serna (University of Glasgow, U.K.), Remziye Semerci (Koc University, Istanbul, Türkiye), and Angelos Kassianos (Cyprus University of Technology, Greece).
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ESMO-EONS Collaborative Session: Caring for the Carers (Sept. 16, 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.)
The session chairs were Fernanda Conceição (EONS) and Kok Haw Jonathan Lim. The collaborative session between ESMO and EONS highlighted the significance of the well-being of a healthcare worker. It explored the strategies to optimize well-being and mitigate the chances of burnout among oncologists and the impact of cancer on families.
Speakers were Kok Haw Jonathan Lim, Karin B. Dieperink (OUH, Odense, Denmark), Reyyan Gürel (Başkent Üniversitesi, Türkiye), Cherith J. Semple (Ulster University, Northern Ireland, U.K.), and Qasem Alnasser (King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia).
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Celebrating 40 Years of EONS (Sept. 16, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
The session chairs were Virpi Sulosaari and Helena Ullgren (Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden). A panel discussion featured the 40-year journey of EONS.
Dr. Matthew N. Fowler (University Hospital Birmingham, U.K.) presented a state of cancer nursing in Europe by providing a European Cancer Nursing Index 2022 update.
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EONS Closing Session (Sept. 16, 3:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.)
The EONS closing session chairs were Virpi Sulosaari and Helena Ullgren. The session presented the highlights of EONS17, followed by awards, the best-rated abstract, the ECND 2024 winner, and the closing ceremony.
Proffered Paper and Mini Oral Sessions
The conference had multiple proffered paper and mini oral sessions. Presenters showcased the recent findings on oncology in the form of concise presentations on specific research topics within various cancer types. Some of them are:
- LBA24 – Neoadjuvant immunotherapy in locally advanced MMR-deficient colon cancer: 3-year disease-free survival from NICHE-2
- 1817MO – Effect of a weight loss intervention (WLI) on exercise behaviors in women with breast cancer: Results from the breast cancer weight loss (BWEL) trial
- 1818MO – Development and validation of a predictive model of aromatase inhibitor musculoskeletal toxicity (AIMT) among patients (pts) with early breast cancer (EBC)
- 1819MO – Systemic inflammation, unhealthy behaviors, and cancer-related fatigue (CRF) among survivors of breast cancer (BC)
- 709O – Pembrolizumab plus chemoradiotherapy for high-risk locally advanced cervical cancer: Overall survival results from the randomized, double-blind, phase III ENGOT-cx11/GOG-3047/KEYNOTE-A18 study
- LBA5 – A randomized phase III trial of neoadjuvant durvalumab plus chemotherapy followed by radical cystectomy and adjuvant durvalumab in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NIAGARA)
- LBA74 – Final analysis of the phase III LITESPARK-005 study of belzutifan versus everolimus in participants (pts) with previously treated advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC)
Scientific Conference Highlights | ESMO 2024
At the ESMO Conference 2024 on Sept. 17 (9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.), two key Scientific Conference Highlights sessions covered topics that were basic science, breast cancer, gynecological cancers, CNS tumors, immunotherapy, and genitourinary tumors.
- Chairpersons of the first session were Rebecca A. Dent and Fabrice André (Institut Gustave Roussy, France), along with the key speakers Philippe L. Bedard (University of Toronto, Canada), François Clément Bidard (Institut Curie, Paris) and Linda Mileshkin (Peter MacCallum cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia). The second session chaired by Andres Cervantes and Solange Peters, focused on melanoma, sarcoma, gastrointestinal tumors, palliative care, and hematological malignancies. In this session, key speakers were Karijn Suijkerbuijk (UMC Utrecht, Netherland) and Alfredo Addeo (University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland).
