Gastrointestinal Cancers

At European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2026, new data from VOLGA, KEYNOTE-B15, ENERGIZE, KEYNOTE-866 and POTOMAC examine perioperative treatment combinations, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and bladder-preserving strategies across muscle-invasive and non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

What are the most important developments in lower gastrointestinal oncology from ESMO 2026? Five selected studies examine key questions across locally advanced rectal cancer and metastatic and early-stage colorectal cancer. From the potential for immunotherapy to support organ preservation in dMMR/MSI-H rectal cancer, to longer-term survival outcomes with dual checkpoint inhibition and strategies to overcome acquired resistance to targeted therapy, these findings offer insights into evolving treatment approaches and their potential implications for clinical practice.

It is with great pleasure that we present the latest edition of touchREVIEWS in Oncology & Haematology. This issue reflects the growing momentum of precision oncology, from liquid biopsy and response-adapted strategies to antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) and immune-based therapies, ...

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers constitute a major contributor to global cancer incidence and mortality and remain among the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide despite advances in prevention, screening and supportive care.1,2 Collectively encompassing malignancies of the esophagus, stomach, liver, biliary ...

Can advances in antibody-drug conjugate design translate into meaningful survival benefits across more tumor types and earlier treatment settings, without unacceptable toxicity? Having transformed treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer, ADCs are now taking center stage in Madrid, featuring in one-third of the Presidential Symposium late-breaking abstracts. These studies illustrate a shift from established HER2-directed approaches, toward a broader landscape of targets, payloads and clinical applications. In this article, we examine the key trials to watch and the clinical questions they aim to address.

With the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2026 fast approaching, attention is turning to Madrid, where the meeting is held from 23–27th October. Whether you are joining onsite or via the virtual platform, the three Presidential Symposia are the sessions not to miss. This year they carry 12 late-breaking abstracts (LBAs) spanning melanoma, lung, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, gynecological and rare cancers. With close to 300 scientific and educational sessions to choose from, we know the programme can feel overwhelming. So we have put together a quick guide to the headline sessions: when and where they run, who is presenting, and links to explore each one in the programme planner, so you can decide which to prioritize.

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.

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a major global health concern, ranking as the 11th most commonly diagnosed cancer and the seventh leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with an estimated 494,320 new cases and 441,994 deaths in 2024.1 Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains ...