• Home
  • special events
  • ASCO 2020

ASCO 2020

ASCO 2020 Conference

Despite the virtual format due to the coronavirus pandemic, UCSF once again had an impressive presence at this year's annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO). The program convened online Friday, May 29 through Sunday, May 31, with the theme, “Unite and Conquer: Accelerating Progress Together.” 

Dozens of the HDFCCC’s 400+ members were represented in abstracts accepted for presentation, and ASCO provided investigators of all levels a chance to present and review research, confer with colleagues, and return with new ideas.

 

 

Highlights

Notable Honors
 
  • Chemtai Mungo, MD, MPH received a 2020 Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award for her project, "Evaluation of the efficacy of thermal ablation for treatment of biopsy-confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 and 3."
     
  • Rahul Banerjee, MD received a 2020 Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award for his project, "Efficacy of digital life coaching to lower benzodiazepine usage and improve quality of life in multiple myeloma patients undergoing transplantation."
     
  • Bridget Keenan, MD, PhD received a 2020 Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award for her project, "Dissecting T cell states in advanced biliary cancer patients undergoing combination immunotherapy with GM-CSF and anti-PD-1."
     
  • Rebecca DeBoer, MD, MA received a 2020 Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award for her project, "Implementation and Adaptation of Evidence-Based Communication Skills Training for Oncology Providers at Butaro Hospital in Rwanda"
     
  • Ana Velázquez Mañana, MD, MSc received an ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program Merit Award.

Noteworthy Research

Prostate cancer:  Eric Jay Small, MD, presented findings of a new subset of advanced prostate cancer. The research was conducted by the West Coast Prostate Cancer Dream Team, which is sponsored by the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Stand Up To Cancer. [View abstract]

Liver cancer:  R. Kate Kelley, MD, presented findings on a Phase 2 study testing safety, efficacy and tolerability of tremelimumab added to durvalumab in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, a challenging form of cancer where patients have few treatment options. [View abstract]

Breast cancer:  Hope S. Rugo, MD, presented data about a combination therapy with immunotherapy and chemotherapy for first-line treatment in a form of locally recurrent, inoperable or metastatic breast cancer.  [View abstract] 

Colorectal cancer:  Mary Kathryn Abel presented "The increasing incidence of colorectal cancer in younger patients in the United States: Who, what, when, and where?" highlighting the changing demographics of colorectal cancer among nearly 1.9 million people, examining differences in age, race, region and tumor location. [View abstract]

  • The results suggest that colon cancer is increasing in young patients, particularly among those 40–49, as well as in African American patients. Prior U.S. research has shown increased colorectal cancer among younger people, but few studies have evaluated health disparities in this population, especially in a large, national patient population. Co-authors include Katherine Van Loon, MD. 
 
Twitter Data for ASCO 2020

2020 Data collected from Symplur.com 

Highlights on Twitter

The modified virtual program offered some unexpected benefits with many abstracts and posters available on demand. The virtual format also moved most discussion and debate into the digital realm on Twitter and other social media platforms. We have included some highlights below.

 

 

Twitter Highlights: Day 1

 

Real-time Conversations

 

Twitter Highlights: Day 2

 

Twitter Highlights: Day 3


ASCO 2020 Updates on YouTube