Attendees of the 2018 ASCO Annual Meeting visit the poster session hall. (Photo: ASCO)
Faculty members of Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University (Winship) have many important roles at the upcoming annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), May 31 - June 4 in Chicago. Winship presentations will include oral abstract sessions, clinical science symposia, poster discussions, education sessions, and interactive case-based sessions.
Suresh S. Ramalingam, MD, Winship deputy director and director of the Winship Lung Cancer Program, will be honored as a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO). The distinction recognizes Dr. Ramalingam for his extraordinary volunteer service, dedication, and commitment to ASCO.
A study led by Sagar Lonial, MD, Winship chief medical officer and chair of the Emory Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, has already gained attention as one of five studies featured in a May 15th press cast put on by ASCO. The study showed the risk of smoldering myeloma progressing to multiple myeloma in patients at moderate to high risk was significantly reduced by lenalidomide.
"Identifying a precursor condition and preventing it from becoming cancer is a significant breakthrough that could support a change in clinical practice in the treatment of smoldering multiple myeloma," said Lonial. Lonial will present the full results of this randomized Phase II/III trial at ASCO on Sunday, June 2. Later in the same session, Lonial will present a first clinical study of iberdomide in combination with dexamethasone in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.
Two other Winship physician investigators will give oral abstract presentations on studies showing significant results: as lead author on an ECOG-ACRIN Phase III "definitive" study, Ramalingam will present results determining optimal maintenance therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Ahmad A. Tarhini, MD, PhD, co-director of the Winship Melanoma and Skin Cancers Program, will present a North American Intergroup E1609 Phase III study conducted at 850 sites in the United States and Canada with participation of U.S. cooperative groups. The study of adjuvant ipilimumab versus high dose interferon for resected high-risk melanoma supports early systemic adjuvant therapy for high-risk melanoma.
Three Winship members will participate in interactive case-based sessions, a new session type at ASCO this year which will use technology to poll the audience throughout the panel discussions. Nabil F. Saba, MD, will discuss therapy for stage I HPV-positive oropharynx cancer, Ragini Kudchadkar, MD, will discuss management of common immunotherapy toxicities, and Jonathan L. Kaufman, MD, will discuss the role of stem cell transplant for relapsed multiple myeloma.
R. Donald Harvey, Pharm D, director of the Winship Phases I Clinical Trials Section, will take part in a clinical science symposium, providing a "real world analysis" about the impact of broadening clinical trial eligibility criteria for patients with advanced NSCLC.
Winship medical oncologist Taofeek Owonikoko, MD, PhD, will be a discussant on two poster discussion sessions. Winship radiation oncologist Kristin A. Higgins, MD, will lead a poster discussion on adding to chemoradiation in locally advanced NSCLC.
Winship members taking part in education sessions include Jane Meisel, MD, on using social media to improve clinical trials access and opportunities; William C. Wood, MD, FASCO, on personal fulfillment for clinicians after full-time practice; J. William Eley, MD, MPH, on emotional challenges unique to oncology practice; and Rathi N. Pillai, MD, on current front line therapy options for squamous cell carcinoma.
This year's ASCO meeting focuses on increasing patient access to care and research and is highlighting studies relating to prevention and early intervention. ASCO also offers several lounges available for networking and educational purposes during the meeting.
