New data and expert insights will spotlight progress in developing innovative, more targeted cancer therapies
New Brunswick, N.J., May 21, 2026 – Physician-scientists from Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health will present practice-changing research and emerging treatment approaches across a range of cancer types at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, taking place May 29–June 2 in Chicago and online. Highlights include findings from a late-breaking abstract, Neo-adjuvant rilvegostomig (R) + trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) in high-risk HER2-negative breast cancer: Results from the I-SPY 2.2 trial, scheduled for presentation on June 1 at 10:45 a.m. CDT.
Rutgers Cancer Institute, New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, together with RWJBarnabas Health, will have a significant presence at this year’s meeting with 39 accepted peer-reviewed scientific abstracts, including one late-breaking session and a combination of oral and poster presentations, a clinical science symposium, an education session and panel Q&A.
“Advances in cancer care are increasingly defined by how effectively we can translate scientific discovery into meaningful impact for patients,” said Steven K. Libutti, MD, FACS, William N. Hait Director, Rutgers Cancer Institute and Senior Vice President, Oncology Services, RWJBarnabas Health. “The research being presented at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting reflects the expertise and leadership of our world-class physician-scientists and multidisciplinary teams, whose work continues to advance innovation in cancer care. From early detection to novel therapies and clinical insights, we are leveraging data, technology and collaboration to deliver more personalized and accessible care for patients. Building on the capabilities of the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, New Jersey’s only freestanding cancer hospital, we are creating greater opportunities for patients to access the latest treatments, clinical trials and specialized cancer care closer to home.”
The research accepted for presentation at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting exemplifies the breadth and impact of our oncology program and includes studies across breast, colorectal, pancreatic, and other cancer types.
Key scientific contributions from Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health at ASCO 2026:
- ABSTRACT 7009: Researchers reported results from Part 1B of the Phase 3 OLYMPIA-3 study evaluating odronextamab (ODRO) plus Chemotherapy (CHOP) in patients with previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with high-risk features. Among 40 patients randomized to two dosing regimens, the safety profile was generally manageable and similar across groups. Findings show encouraging preliminary efficacy with no meaningful differences between regimens, and the less frequent dosing schedule was selected as the recommended Phase 3 dose for the next stage of the study.
- EDUCATION SESSION: Researchers reviewed the evidence and rationale for the early integration of palliative care (EPC) alongside disease-directed treatment in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. EPC is delivered by an interdisciplinary team and focuses on symptom management, psychosocial support, communication and shared decision-making, and future planning, including advance care planning. The review highlights evidence showing that early palliative care can improve quality of life, reduce symptom burden, improve mood, and reduce aggressive end-of-life care. The authors also note that prostate cancer’s long disease trajectory and cumulative treatment-related morbidity make it especially suited to early palliative involvement.
- ABSTRACT 7093: A multivariable analysis of overall survival was conducted from the Phase 3 SUNMO, STARGLO, and POLARGO trials in patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma and evaluated combination therapies versus rituximab plus chemotherapy. The analyses showed that after adjusting for baseline differences, all three studies demonstrated favorable overall survival with adjusted hazard ratios ≤0.65 versus rituximab plus chemotherapy. The pooled analysis further supported the overall survival benefit of mosunetuzumab plus polatuzumab vedotin compared with the control treatment.
- ABSTRACT 12038: The HERO trial evaluated Tai Chi Qigong (TCQ) for its effects on fatigue-related gene expression profiles compared with an exercise-intensity matched intervention and usual care. Among the 113 participants, TCQ favorably regulated genes involved in inflammation, metabolite sensing, and energy activation pathways at 3 months. These findings suggest that TCQ produced meaningful changes in inflammatory, adrenergic, energy and metabolic pathways, supporting potential biological mechanisms behind its effects on cancer-related fatigue.
The full list of presentations from Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health at this year’s 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting follows:
Oral Abstract Session | |||
Abstract No. | Title | Presentation Date/Time | Location |
Abstract 5502 | Updated overall survival analysis and examination of subsequent therapy in endometrial cancer (EC) patients (pts) treated with pembrolizumab plus carboplatin/paclitaxel (CP) as compared to CP plus placebo (PBO) in the NRG-GY018 trial | Friday, May 29, 2026: 2:45 PM CDT | S100bc |
Abstract 2506 | Initial phase 1 study results of NT-175 engineered T-cell therapy in TP53 R175H–mutated unresectable advanced solid tumors | Sunday, May 31, 2026: 10:00 AM CDT | Arie Crown Theater |
Abstract 3516 | Real-world outcomes and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) dynamics in patients (pts) with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) | Tuesday, June 2, 2026: 9:00 AM CDT | S100bc |
Rapid Oral Abstract Session | |||
Abstract No. | Title | Presentation Date/Time | Location |
Abstract 7009 | First-line odronextamab (Odro) plus chemotherapy (CHOP) in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL): OLYMPIA-3 Part 1B results | Friday, May 29, 2026: 1:00 PM CDT | E450a |
Abstract LBA514 | Neo-adjuvant rilvegostomig (R) + trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) in high-risk HER2-negative breast cancer: Results from the I-SPY 2.2 trial | Monday, June 1, 2026: 10:45 AM CDT | Hall D2 |
Poster Session | |||
Abstract No. | Title | Presentation Date/Time | Location |
Abstract 1533 | Neighborhood social vulnerability and clinical trial enrollment in colon cancer: Does age matter? | Saturday, May 30, 2026: 9:00 AM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 1671 | Survivorship-focused content at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2022-2024 meetings | Saturday, May 30, 2026: 9:00 AM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 3543 | Survival outcomes of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-amplified and HER2-mutated left-sided colorectal cancer (CRC) patients treated with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) | Saturday, May 30, 2026: 9:00 AM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 3657 | Association of FBXW7 mutation with prolonged survival in microsatellite instability-high colorectal cancer treated with immune checkpoint blockade. | Saturday, May 30, 2026: 9:00 AM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 4194 | MUC5AC-driven transcriptional reprogramming for stratification of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by immune suppression and stromal remodeling | Saturday, May 30, 2026: 9:00 AM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 2530 | Anti-tumor activity of Man 9 x PS targeting immunotherapies in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and pancreatic cancers | Saturday, May 30, 2026: 1:30 PM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 3078 | Farnesyl transferase inhibitor (FTI) darlifarnib (KO-2806) in combination with adagrasib in KRAS G12C mutated (mut) advanced solid tumors: Preliminary results from the FIT-001 phase 1 first-in-human trial | Saturday, May 30, 2026: 1:30 PM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 3096 | ETCTN 10302: A randomized phase II trial of radium-223 dichloride in combination with paclitaxel in patients with bone metastatic breast cancer | Saturday, May 30, 2026: 1:30 PM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 12036 | Impact of social vulnerability on end-of-life care in hematologic malignancies | Saturday, May 30, 2026: 1:30 PM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 12038 | Effects of tai chi qigong on gene expression profiles in older male cancer survivors with fatigue | Saturday, May 30, 2026: 1:30 PM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 12050 | Genetic associations with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A genome-wide association study | Saturday, May 30, 2026: 1:30 PM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 12093 | Using the NCCN distress thermometer to evaluate clinically elevated levels of distress among caregivers of HSCT patients | Saturday, May 30, 2026: 1:30 PM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 12110 | Microbiome associations with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A metagenomic shotgun sequencing study | Saturday, May 30, 2026: 1:30 PM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 2616 | Phase 1A/B study of AB248, a CD8+ selective IL-2mutein fusion protein, alone or in combination with pembrolizumab, in patients with advanced solid tumor malignancies | Saturday, May 30, 2026: 1:30 PM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 5040 | Quality of life analysis from a multicenter, randomized, phase 2, investigator-initiated ETCTN trial of olaparib + radium-223 versus radium-223 in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer with bone metastases (COMRADE) | Sunday, May 31, 2026: 9:00 AM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 4613 | Neoadjuvant and adjuvant (neoadj-adj) enfortumab vedotin (EV) plus pembrolizumab (pembro) in participants with cisplatin-ineligible muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC): An analysis of clinically relevant subgroups in KEYNOTE-905 | Sunday, May 31, 2026: 9:00 AM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 8115 | Does treatment delay matter?: Impact of time to immunotherapy on survival in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer | Sunday, May 31, 2026: 9:00 AM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 6534 | Mutation landscape and pathway-level disparities in Black versus White patients with acute myeloid leukemia | Monday, June 1, 2026: 9:00 AM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 7051 | Impact of SGLT2 inhibitors on clinical outcomes in diabetic patients with CLL receiving BTK inhibitors: A global propensity-matched study | Monday, June 1, 2026: 9:00 AM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 7093 | Multivariable analyses (MVAs) of overall survival (OS) in the phase 3 SUNMO, STARGLO, and POLARGO trials in relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) | Monday, June 1, 2026: 9:00 AM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 7545 | Racial disparities in utilization of bispecific T-cell engager therapy for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: A TriNetX study | Monday, June 1, 2026: 9:00 AM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 9036 | Empowering educators: An international virtual mentorship program for hematology/oncology medical educators | Monday, June 1, 2026: 9:00 AM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 11065 | Association of facility type and metastatic burden with survival in gastric adenocarcinoma: A National Cancer Database study | Monday, June 1, 2026: 9:00 AM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 11090 | Safety-net coverage instability during cancer care and association with overall survival | Monday, June 1, 2026: 9:00 AM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 11129 | Impact of facility type and surgical management on survival outcomes in colon adenocarcinoma stratified by metastatic burden | Monday, June 1, 2026: 9:00 AM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 625 | Neoadjuvant DAN-222 plus niraparib in high-risk HER2-negative breast cancer: Results from the I-SPY 2 adaptive platform trial | Monday, June 1, 2026: 1:30 PM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 1098 | Elacestrant in combination with capivasertib in patients with ER+HER2-advanced breast cancer: Update from ELEVATE, a phase 1b/2, open-label, umbrella study | Monday, June 1, 2026: 1:30 PM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract 10622 | Diabetes risk reduction diet and mortality outcomes following breast cancer diagnosis in Black women | Monday, June 1, 2026: 1:30 PM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract TPS5634 | NRG-GY036: A phase III trial of one vs. two years of maintenance olaparib, with or without bevacizumab, in patients with BRCA1/2-mutated or Homologous Recombination Deficient (HRD+) ovarian cancer following response to first line platinum-based chemotherapy | Monday, June 1, 2026: 9:00 AM CDT | Hall A |
Abstract TPS7103 | Phase 1 study of ARV-393, a PROTAC BCL6 degrader, as monotherapy in patients with advanced non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) or combined with glofitamab in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) | Monday, June 1, 2026: 9:00 AM CDT | Hall A |
Education Session | |||
Abstract No. | Title | Presentation Date/Time | Location |
N/A | Monday, June 1, 2026: 12:00 PM CDT | Arie Crown Theater | |
Panel Q&A | |||
Abstract No. | Title | Presentation Date/Time | Location |
N/A | Sunday, May 31, 2026: 10:03 AM CDT | S403 | |
N/A | Monday, June 1, 2026: 10:03 AM CDT | Hall D2 | |
Clinical Science Symposium | |||
Abstract No. | Title | Presentation Date/Time | Location |
Abstract 4510 | Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with neoadjuvant and adjuvant (neoadj-adj) enfortumab vedotin (EV) plus pembrolizumab (pembro) in participants (pts) with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) who are cisplatin ineligible: Phase 3 KEYNOTE-905 study | Saturday, May 30, 2026: 8:00 AM CDT | Hall D2 |
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.
RWJBarnabas Health partners with its communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate manner and is the state’s largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.
RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute — the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers, with more than 45,000 employees, contributing more than $7 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org
About Rutgers Cancer Institute
As New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Rutgers Cancer Institute, together with RWJBarnabas Health, provides patients access to the most advanced treatment options including clinical trials close to home at our facilities throughout the state. Our groundbreaking cancer research is the engine that drives access to the most advanced cancer treatments, where our discoveries become your care. This has been enhanced with the opening of the state’s first and only freestanding cancer hospital, the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center. Visit: www.cinj.org.
For journalists – contact:
Krista Didzbalis
Corporate Communications Specialist, Strategic Communications, RWJBarnabas Health
732.507.8307
krista.didzbalis2@rwjbh.org
For patient appointments/inquiries – contact:
844-CANCERNJ (844-226-2376)