ALEXANDRIA, VA USA (Press Release) - April 23, 2014 - The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) today announced the studies to be featured in the 2014 ASCO Annual Meeting press program. The press program will highlight important new advances in several areas of cancer research, including immunotherapy, patient care and quality of life, and targeted therapies.
The ASCO Annual Meeting will take place in Chicago, Friday, May 30 – Tuesday, June 3, and will attract more than 25,000 oncology professionals from around the world. In celebration of ASCO’s 50th anniversary, the 2014 Annual Meeting will highlight the progress made against cancer in the last 50 years while identifying challenges and advances to come in the future.
The vast majority of the more than 5,000 Annual Meeting abstracts will be publicly posted on abstracts.asco.org on Wednesday, May 14, at 5:00 PM EDT. An embargoed presscast for media will be held earlier that day, at 12:00 Noon EDT, to highlight five important abstracts. Late-Breaking Abstracts (LBAs), including plenary abstracts, will be released on-site at the Annual Meeting.
EMBARGOED PRESSCAST: Wednesday, May 14, 12:00 Noon EDT
This Presscast will highlight studies representing the full range of research being presented at ASCO’s Annual Meeting. Such studies point to promising directions in novel targeted therapies, cancer prevention and patient care. The embargo will lift May 14 at 5:00 PM EDT for studies presented in the Presscast:
- An analysis projecting the cost and clinical impact of implementing the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations for annual low-dose computed tomography (CT) lung cancer screening. (Abstract #6501)
- A study evaluating the effect of obesity on mortality among premenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. (Abstract #503)
- A phase I clinical trial evaluating AZD9291, a third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, for patients with non-small cell lung cancer that no longer responds to standard EGFR inhibitors. (Abstract #8009^) Early results on a novel drug targeting a critical translocation that drives pigmented villonodular synovitis – a rare, debilitating joint disorder. (Abstract #10503^)
- An analysis exploring the impact of delaying androgen deprivation therapy among advanced prostate cancer patients with rising PSA levels. (Abstract #5003)
RESEARCH TO BE RELEASED ON-SITE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
ASCO will host daily press conferences highlighting important advances in the following research areas:
Improving Patient Care and Quality of Life Briefing: Friday, May 30, 1:00-2:00 PM CDT
Embargo will lift at 1:00 PM CDT for studies being presented in this press briefing:
- Results from a phase III clinical trial evaluating LHRH analog to preserve fertility in younger women with early-stage, hormone receptor-negative breast cancer. (Abstract #LBA505)
- A phase II study exploring lower-dose intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer, focusing on both clinical outcomes as well as long-term side effects. (Abstract #LBA6006)
- A large, randomized phase III study evaluating how less frequent use of zoledronic acid impacts bone fracture risk and side effect risks in women with breast cancer and bone metastases. (Abstract #LBA9500^)
- Findings from the ENABLE III trial exploring the benefits of early palliative care for family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer. (Abstract #LBA9513)
- A randomized study evaluating how discontinuing statins affects quality of life and other outcomes in patients with terminal cancer, and other illnesses. (Abstract #LBA9514)
What’s New in Targeted Therapies Briefing: Saturday, May 31, 8:00-9:00 AM CDT
Embargo will lift at 6:30 AM CDT for studies presented in this press briefing:
- A randomized phase II clinical trial in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer treated with the PARP inhibitor olaparib alone or in combination with cediranib. (Abstract #LBA5500)
- Findings from REVEL, a large, randomized phase III study of docetaxel plus the VEGF-targeted monoclonal antibody ramucirumab as a second-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. (Abstract #LBA8006^)
- Interim results from a phase III study comparing two novel targeted agents, ibrutinib versus ofatumumab, in elderly patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. (Abstract #LBA7008)
- Results from the SELECT phase III clinical trial, evaluating the tyrosine kinase inhibitor lenvatinib in patients with radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer. (Abstract #LBA6008)
Plenary Press Briefing: Sunday, June 1, 8:00-9:00 AM CDT
All studies in this press conference were selected for ASCO’s Plenary Session, which features abstracts deemed to have the highest scientific merit and greatest impact on cancer research and care. The embargo for studies to be presented in this press briefing will lift at 6:30 AM CDT:
- A joint analysis of the TEXT and SOFT phase III clinical trials, comparing the aromatase inhibitor exemestane with tamoxifen in premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer. (Abstract #LBA1)
- Interim results from a randomized phase III clinical trial evaluating the survival benefit of adding chemotherapy to initial hormone therapy for patients with metastatic prostate cancer. (Abstract #LBA2)
- Findings from a phase III study comparing chemotherapy plus two widely used targeted drugs – bevacizumab or cetuximab – in first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer without KRAS mutations. (Abstract #LBA3)
- First results from ALTTO, the largest-ever phase III randomized trial in HER2-positive breast cancer, exploring adjuvant therapy strategies for preventing recurrence in patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer, using combinations of trastuzumab, lapatinib and chemotherapy. (Abstract #LBA4)
Progress in Immunotherapy Briefing: Monday, June 2, 8:00-9:00 AM CDT
Embargo will lift at 6:30 AM CDT for studies presented in this press briefing:
- First results from a randomized phase III clinical trial of adjuvant ipilimumab in patients with stage III melanoma with a high risk of recurrence. (Abstract #LBA9008)
- The first long-term survival data from an early-phase trial assessing the combination of two immunotherapies, the anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab and ipilimumab, for advanced melanoma. (Abstract #LBA9003^)
- An analysis exploring the use of the anti-PD-1 antibody MK-3475 (lambrolizumab) in patients with advanced melanoma, and the impact of prior ipilimumab therapy. (Abstract #LBA9000^)
- Findings from an early-phase trial evaluating a novel HPV-targeted adoptive T-cell therapy in patients with metastatic cervical cancer. (Abstract #LBA3008)
MEDIA RESOURCES
- Media registration: To participate in the embargoed May 14 Presscast and/or register to come on-site to the ASCO Annual Meeting, please visit ASCO’s Media Headquarters at http://mediahq.asco.org. Please note: Submission to Media Headquarters must be completed no later than Tuesday, May 13, to participate in the May 14 Presscast. Pre-registration is required for on-site attendance and must be completed by Friday, May 23.
- Online Annual Meeting Media Resource Center: Visit http://asco.org/AMMRC for press releases, the press briefing schedule at-a-glance, embargo policies, high-resolution photos and the Virtual Press Room, an online repository of corporate and institutional press materials from third-party organizations.
- CancerProgress.Net: The home of ASCO’s 50th Anniversary and a timeline detailing the progress made against 18 of the most common cancers.
- Cancer.Net: ASCO’s cancer information website, providing doctor-approved information on more than 120 cancer types.
About ASCO Founded in 1964, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world’s leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. With nearly 35,000 members, ASCO is committed to improving cancer care through scientific meetings, educational programs and peer-reviewed journals. ASCO is supported by its affiliate organization, the Conquer Cancer Foundation, which funds ground-breaking research and programs that make a tangible difference in the lives of people with cancer. For ASCO information and resources, visit www.asco.org. Patient-oriented cancer information is available at www.cancer.net.
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Contact:
Kelly Baldwin
571-483-1365
[ PRESS RELEASE ]