ASCO at a glance
ASCO 2026 highlights how oncology innovation is being tested against increasingly practical competitive priorities: clearer treatment sequencing, movement into earlier treatment settings and the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical workflows.
From biomarker-directed therapies and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to radioligand treatments and AI-enabled diagnostics, the conference brings together developments that could reshape treatment positioning and competitive strategy.
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ASCO 2026: Key Developments in Oncology
NSCLC: Biomarker-Directed Treatment Sequencing and Earlier-Line Competition
LIBRETTO-432, WU-KONG28, AcceleRET-Lung, CROWN and HARMONi-6 will highlight growing pressure on treatment sequencing in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
These programmes may reshape expectations for biomarker-directed therapies and their positioning in earlier treatment settings.
Breast Cancer: ADC Competition and Treatment Sequencing
ASCENT-04, TROPION-Breast02, DESTINY-Breast07, imlunestrant and abemaciclib will highlight evolving treatment sequencing considerations in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/HER2–) disease.
The competitive question is whether emerging evidence will clarify treatment choices or introduce additional options that require further differentiation.
Genitourinary Oncology: Treatment Intensification and Long-Term Burden
PROTEUS, EV-302 and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) radioligand sessions will examine treatment intensification in genitourinary oncology.
Durability, earlier treatment escalation and long-term treatment burden will remain important considerations for clinical and competitive positioning.
Gastrointestinal Oncology: Targeted Therapies and ctDNA-Guided Decisions
RASolute 302, sotorasib plus panitumumab, CIRCULATE and GALAXY will highlight developments in targeted treatment and circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA)-guided strategies.
These programmes may help clarify whether diagnostic evidence can guide treatment decisions in gastrointestinal oncology.
Oncology Competitive Landscape: Competitor and Industry Signals
Bristol Myers Squibb and GSK: Multiple Myeloma Treatment Strategies
Relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) sessions involving Bristol Myers Squibb and GSK will focus on cereblon E3 ligase modulators (CELMoDs), BCMA-directed approaches and positioning in later-line plasma cell malignancies.
Eli Lilly and AstraZeneca: Breast Cancer Differentiation
Discussions involving Eli Lilly and AstraZeneca will address endocrine resistance, CDK4/6 inhibition, TRUQAP and HER2-low or HER2-ultralow treatment approaches.
These developments will remain central to competitive positioning and treatment sequencing in breast cancer.
Tempus AI, Myriad Genetics, GRAIL, Abbott and Exact Sciences: Oncology Diagnostics
AI-enabled diagnostics, molecular residual disease (MRD), multicancer early detection (MCED) and recurrence monitoring will feature in discussions involving Tempus AI, Myriad Genetics, GRAIL, Abbott and Exact Sciences.
A key question is whether emerging diagnostic approaches can translate clinical evidence into routine oncology workflows.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at ASCO 2026
Oncology Workflow AI: Evaluating Patient Management Value
THRIVE-MM, large language model (LLM)-generated serious illness summaries, AI-enabled education tools and Oncology 2.0 will highlight applications of AI in oncology patient management.
The discussions will examine whether these approaches demonstrate practical value in clinical workflows.
AI Decision Support: Risk Prediction, Triage and Treatment Selection
CHAI, electronic health record (EHR)-based multi-agent LLMs and foundation models suggest a growing focus on AI-supported risk prediction, triage and treatment selection.
Their potential competitive value will depend on how effectively these capabilities translate into clinical decision-making.
What We Are Watching After ASCO 2026
LucidQuest will monitor four developments:
- RET-positive NSCLC: Whether selpercatinib can build momentum in early-stage RET-positive NSCLC beyond its metastatic disease positioning.
- Squamous NSCLC competition: Whether ivonescimab plus chemotherapy demonstrates sufficient differentiation to challenge established PD-1 plus chemotherapy standards.
- Breast cancer ADC sequencing: Whether emerging ADC evidence provides clearer treatment sequencing direction in TNBC or introduces additional parallel options.
- AI implementation: Whether AI and digital tools demonstrate measurable clinical workflow value beyond pilot-stage implementation.
Download LucidQuest’s ASCO 2026 Preview Report
Download our ASCO 2026 preview report for deeper analysis of oncology clinical developments, treatment sequencing, competitor positioning and AI-enabled healthcare technologies.
📅 Build your schedule around the sessions that matter most.
📥 Download the ASCO 2026_Preview_by_LucidQuest
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