ESMO 2026 preview: Inside the Presidential Late-Breaking Abstracts

From personalized cancer vaccines and antibody–drug conjugates, to novel immunotherapy combinations, the 12 selected presidential late-breaking abstracts at ESMO 2026 will explore potential advances across multiple tumor types. Here are the key studies to watch and the clinical questions their results could help answer.

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2026 promises a compelling program of clinical data, spanning personalized cancer vaccines, next-generation antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) and novel approaches to targeted therapy and immunotherapy. With several studies already generating excitement following positive topline announcements, all eyes will be on the full results and their potential implications for clinical practice. Below, we highlight the 12 presidential abstracts to watch, the key findings to look out for and the questions these studies could help answer.

INTerpath-001: Personalized mRNA therapy in resected melanoma (LBA1)

Presenter: Georgina V. Long, Melanoma Institute Australia / University of Sydney, Australia

INTerpath-001 (NCT05933577) is a global, randomized, double-blind, active- and placebo-controlled phase 3 study that evaluates intismeran autogene, an individualized mRNA-based neoantigen therapy, in combination with pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab alone as adjuvant treatment for patients with completely resected stage IIB–IV melanoma.

The findings could strengthen the evidence for personalized neoantigen therapy in the adjuvant setting, where preventing recurrence and distant metastasis remains a major treatment objective.

VOLGA: Perioperative immunotherapy and enfortumab vedotin in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (LBA2)

Presenter: Thomas Powles, Barts Cancer Institute, London, UK  

VOLGA (NCT04960709) is a global, phase 3, randomized, open-label, multicenter study that investigates perioperative durvalumab, with or without tremelimumab, alongside neoadjuvant enfortumab vedotin in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer who are ineligible for or decline cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The study compares treatment strategies incorporating enfortumab vedotin and immune checkpoint inhibition, with the aim of improving outcomes around radical cystectomy.

Perioperative treatment options are evolving rapidly in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. These data should help define the potential role of antibody–drug conjugate and immunotherapy combinations for patients unable to receive cisplatin.

DeLLphi-305: Tarlatamab as Maintenance Treatment in Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer (LBA3)

Presenter: Jacob Sands, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA  

DeLLphi-305 (NCT06211036) is a global, phase 3, open-label, randomized, multicenter trial that evaluates tarlatamab plus durvalumab versus durvalumab alone as first-line maintenance treatment for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer following induction treatment with durvalumab, platinum and etoposide. Tarlatamab is a bispecific T-cell engager targeting DLL3 and CD3, designed to direct T cells against DLL3-expressing tumor cells. The trial addresses whether adding this immunotherapy can improve outcomes after initial chemoimmunotherapy.

Small cell lung cancer remains challenging to treat, with relapse after initial therapy common. The results will be important in assessing whether tarlatamab can extend disease control in the maintenance setting.

DASL-HiCaP: Darolutamide in Localized Very High-Risk Prostate Cancer (LBA4)

Presenter: Mohammad Niazi, McGill University / Jewish General Hospital, Canada  

DASL-HiCaP (NCT04136353) is a randomized, international, double-blind, phase 3 clinical trial that investigates darolutamide alongside androgen deprivation therapy and definitive or salvage locoregional radiotherapy in patients with localized very high-risk prostate cancer. The phase III study addresses whether intensifying treatment with an androgen receptor inhibitor can reduce recurrence and improve longer-term outcomes in patients at particularly high risk of disease progression.

If the results demonstrate a meaningful benefit, they could inform treatment intensification for patients with localized disease who face a substantial risk of subsequent metastasis. The presentation will be important for understanding the balance between efficacy, tolerability and the practicalities of adding systemic treatment to radiotherapy.

KRAScendo 1: Divarasib Versus Existing KRAS G12C Inhibitors (LBA5)

Presenter: Ferdinandos Skoulidis, MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA  

KRAScendo 1 (NCT06497556) is a phase 3, randomized, open-label, multicenter global trial that compares divarasib with sotorasib or adagrasib in previously treated patients with locally advanced or metastatic KRAS G12C-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The trial addresses an important question in precision oncology: whether a newer KRAS G12C inhibitor can improve outcomes compared with currently available targeted treatment options.

The full results will help clinicians assess the magnitude of benefit, treatment tolerability and potential implications for selecting targeted therapies in KRAS G12C-mutated NSCLC.

LBA6 SAFFRON: Osimertinib Plus Savolitinib After Osimertinib Resistance (LBA6)

Presenter: Shun Lu, Shanghai Chest Hospital, China  

SAFFRON (NCT05261399) is a global, randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial that evaluates osimertinib plus savolitinib versus platinum–pemetrexed chemotherapy in patients with advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated NSCLC with MET overexpression and/or amplification following osimertinib treatment. The combination aims to address MET-associated resistance to EGFR-targeted therapy, potentially providing an alternative to chemotherapy for a biomarker-defined patient population.

Acquired resistance remains a major challenge in EGFR-mutated NSCLC. The findings could help establish the role of dual EGFR/MET inhibition after osimertinib progression, particularly if the combination offers clinically meaningful disease control with a manageable safety profile.

CLARITY-Gastric 01: Sonesitatug Vedotin in Advanced Gastroesophageal Cancer (LBA7)

Presenter: Ruihua Xu, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, China   

CLARITY-Gastric 01 (NCT06346392) is a global, phase 3, randomized, open-label study that evaluates sonesitatug vedotin, a claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2)-targeted ADC, in patients with advanced or metastatic CLDN18.2-positive gastroesophageal carcinoma receiving second-line or later treatment.

These results could broaden the treatment landscape for CLDN18.2-positive gastroesophageal cancer, particularly for patients who have progressed after previous systemic therapy. The full data will be important for interpreting the magnitude of survival benefit and identifying the patients most likely to benefit.

HARMONi-GI1: Ivonescimab Plus Chemotherapy in Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer (LBA8)

Presenter: Jian Zhou, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, China 

HARMONi-GI1 (NCT06591520) is a randomized, multicenter, active-controlled, phase 3 trial that compares ivonescimab plus chemotherapy with durvalumab plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced biliary tract cancer. Ivonescimab is a bispecific antibody targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The phase III trial directly compares this approach with an established immunotherapy-based regimen.

Advanced biliary tract cancer remains associated with poor outcomes, creating a need for more effective first-line options. The results will be particularly relevant for determining whether the combination improves survival and how its efficacy and safety compare with the current standard approach.

ARTEMIS-011: Risvutatug Rezetecan in Relapsed or Refractory Osteosarcoma (LBA9)

Presenter: Lu Xie, Peking University People’s Hospital, China  

ARTEMIS-011 (NCT06935409) is a randomized, open-label, multicenter phase 3 trial that compares risvutatug rezetecan, an investigational ADC, with gemcitabine plus docetaxel in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed or refractory osteosarcoma. The phase III trial addresses a major unmet need in a rare malignancy for which effective treatment options become increasingly limited following relapse or resistance to previous therapy.

Positive results could offer a new treatment option for patients with heavily pretreated osteosarcoma, a population with limited therapeutic alternatives. The safety profile and consistency of benefit across endpoints will be important considerations.

MIOIO: Reducing Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Dosing Frequency (LBA10)

Presenter: Gwenaëlle Gravis, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, France  

MIOIO (NCT05078047) is a French national, multicenter, open-label, randomized, phase 3, non-inferiority trial assessing reduced-frequency immune checkpoint inhibitor dosing in patients responding to treatment for advanced or metastatic cancer. Rather than introducing a new drug, the study investigates whether patients who have responded to immunotherapy can maintain disease control with less frequent treatment administration.

If reduced-frequency dosing proves noninferior to standard schedules, it could reduce treatment burden, improve convenience and potentially lower healthcare costs. The findings will need to be interpreted carefully in relation to the noninferiority margin, patient selection, treatment regimens and duration of follow-up.

TroFuse-005: Sacituzumab Tirumotecan in Advanced or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer (LBA11)

Presenter: Domenica Lorusso, Humanitas University, Italy  

TroFuse-005 (NCT06132958) is a global, randomized, active-controlled, open-label, phase 3, evaluating sacituzumab tirumotecan, a TROP2-targeted ADC, in patients with previously treated advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. The study addresses the need for more effective therapies following previous systemic treatment, including platinum-based chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

These results could support the development of a new ADC-based treatment option for advanced endometrial cancer, particularly in the post-chemotherapy and post-immunotherapy setting. The full presentation will be important for assessing the magnitude of benefit, toxicity and potential place in the treatment sequence.

KEYNOTE-C93: First-Line Pembrolizumab in Mismatch Repair-Deficient Endometrial Cancer (LBA12)

Presenter: Brian Slomovitz, University of Miami / Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA  

KEYNOTE-C93 (NCT05173987) is a phase 3, randomized, open-label study that compares first-line pembrolizumab monotherapy with carboplatin plus paclitaxel in patients with mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma. The trial explores whether immunotherapy alone can provide an effective alternative to standard chemotherapy in this biomarker-defined population.

The results could help refine first-line treatment selection for patients with dMMR endometrial cancer. The magnitude and durability of benefit, alongside safety and the interpretation of immature overall survival data, will be central to determining the implications for clinical practice.

This content has been developed independently by Touch Medical Media for touchONCOLOGY & touchHEMATOLOGY. Views expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Touch Medical Media.

Cite: ESMO 2026 preview: Inside the Presidential Late-Breaking Abstracts. touchONCOLOGY. 17th October 2026.

Editor: Sophie Nickelson