Attendees stand near entrance of the Moscone Conference Center in San Francisco for the 2025 ASTRO Annual Meeting. (Photo: ASTRO)
Physicians and scientists from Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute led sessions and presented the latest results from clinical trials and research studies at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO) 67th Annual Meeting in San Francisco, Sept. 27 ‒ Oct. 1.
ASTRO’s annual meeting is the world's largest radiation oncology conference. It aims to showcase the most impactful research in the field and highlight the potential of emerging therapeutic strategies to redefine standards of care in cancer treatment.
Xiaofeng Yang, PhD, DABR
“The ASTRO meeting showcased the innovative research being led by Emory and Winship faculty in a broad range of areas, from development of new technologies to evaluation of outcomes in clinical trials,” says Reshma Jagsi, MD, DPhil, Lawrence W. Davis Professor and Chair of Emory’s Department of Radiation Oncology and researcher with Winship’s Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program. “This important work promises to improve care for patients all over the world.
This year’s 30 Emory presentations shared cutting-edge advancements in radiation oncology, cancer biology and medical physics and impactful data aimed at improving health care access, care delivery, survivorship and patient outcomes. Among the highlights, Xiaofeng Yang, PhD, DABR, professor and vice chair for medical physics research in Emory’s Department of Radiation Oncology, received an award for his top-scoring abstract, “Advancing 3D MRI Foundation Models for Enhanced MR Image Analysis.” Yang was one of 42 winners selected from the nearly 2,200 ASTRO abstract submissions this year.
Emory-led presentations and sessions at ASTRO 2025
Oral Scientific Sessions
- Vishal Dhere, MD
Abstract Title: Patient-Reported Outcomes in a Randomized Trial of 18F-Fluciclovine vs 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT-Guided Post-Prostatectomy Radiation with Simultaneous Integrated Boosts - Reshma Jagsi, MD, DPhil, FASTRO
Abstract Title: Acute Toxicity in SWOG 1706, a Randomized Trial Comparing Radiotherapy for Inflammatory Breast Cancer with and without Concurrent Olaparib - Aparna Kesarwala, MD, PhD (moderator)
Session Title: Radiation and Cancer Biology 4: Immunometabolism - Mohammad Khan, MD, PhD (moderator)
Session Title: Bridging the Gap: Radiotherapy Innovations in Aggressive Lymphomas - Xiaofeng Yang, PhD
Abstract Title: Advancing 3D MRI Foundation Models for Enhanced MR Image Analysis - David Yu, MD, PhD (moderator)
Session Title: Multimodal Strategies in Breast Cancer: Biology, Systemic Therapy, and Psychosocial Insights
Education Sessions and Workshops
- James Bates, MD (moderator)
Session Title: Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinus Tumors: A Multi-Disciplinary Discussion - Zachary Buchwald, MD, PhD
Presentation Title: Optimizing Radiation Delivery of Brain Metastases and Leptomeningeal Disease Alongside Immunotherapies - Bree Eaton, MD (moderator)
Session Title: Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Tumor Board: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Challenging Pediatric Brain Tumor Cases - Reshma Jagsi, MD, DPhil, FASTRO (speaker)
Session Title: Grant Writing Workshop - Reshma Jagsi, MD, DPhil, FASTRO
Presentation Title: Reproductive Ethics - Aparna Kesarwala, MD, PhD
Presentation Title: Lactate Metabolism in Radiation Resistance of Adenocarcinomas - Katja Langen, PhD (moderator, speaker)
Session Title: Contingency Planning for Disruptions Due to Loss of Hardware and/or Software Functionality
Presentation Title: Contingency Planning: Common Challenges and Solutions - Ticiana Leal, MD
Presentation Title: A Medical Oncologist's Framework for Decision-Making for Patients with Potentially Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - Yulia Lyatskaya, PhD, DABR (moderator, speaker)
Session Title: Evolution of Accreditation: How APEx has Evolved to Adopt New Indications
Presentation Title: How Accrediting Bodies have Incorporated New Indications - Nabil Saba, MD
Presentation Title: Neoadjuvant Therapy in Nasal Cavity/Paranasal Sinus Tumors - Mylin Torres, MD, FASTRO
Presentation Title: Adjuvant Radiotherapy in Breast Cancer: Balancing Novel Systemic Therapies and Optimal Local Control
Poster Q&A
- Nicholas Bader, MD
Abstract Title: Safety Analysis of a Prospective Phase 2 Trial of Hypofractionated Proton Therapy for Benign Intracranial Tumors - Nicholas Bader, MD
Abstract Title: Comparison of Colon vs. Anal Cancer Stigma Among Persons with HIV - Jolinta Lin, MD
Abstract Title: Ultrasound-Measured Skin Thickness Changes in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Radiation - Jessica Maaskant, MS
Abstract Title: Identifying Sources of Delay to Definitive Chemoradiation for Head and Neck Cancer Patients Evaluated in a Co-Located Multidisciplinary Clinic - Kara Rolle, MPH
Abstract Title: Barriers and Facilitators to Anal Cancer Screening and Treatment for Patients with HIV: Physician Perceptions and Practices - Soumya Unnikrishnan, MD, MS
Abstract Title: Imaging and Clinical Outcomes Following Definitive Radiation Therapy for Children with High-Grade Glioma - Kristin Ward, MD
Abstract Title: Cardiopulmonary Toxicity Risk Following Ultrahypofractionated Breast Radiotherapy Regimens
Quick Pitch
- Rohini Bhatia, MD (moderator)
Session Title: Challenging Boundaries in Breast Radiotherapy: Axillary Strategies, Reirradiation, and Simulation Insights - Katja Langen, PhD (moderator)
Session Title: Image-guided Planning, Novel Delivery Techniques and QA - Pretesh Patel, MD
Presentation Title: Interim Analysis of a Phase 2 Single Arm Trial of Extended Lymph Node Proton Irradiation for High-Risk Prostate Cancer - Jill Remick, MD (moderator)
Session Title: Innovative Techniques and Patient-centered Approaches in the Treatment of Cervical and Endometrial Cancers - Patricia Santos, MD, MS (moderator)
Session Title: Health Care Access and Engagement and Professional Development/Medical Education - Xiaofeng Yang, PhD (moderator)
Session Title: AI Application in Imaging and Treatment