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ASCO Breakthrough Returns in Japan in 2023: A Conversation With Dr. Lillian L. Siu

Oct 13, 2022

A much-anticipated event since the successful launch of the inaugural meeting in Thailand in 2019, the ASCO Breakthrough meeting will return on an annual basis in Japan starting in August 2023. Save the date for August 3-5, 2023, and plan to join us in Yokohama, Japan, or online to transform cancer care through innovation and discovery.

2023 ASCO Breakthrough Program Committee chair Lillian L. Siu, MD, FASCO, details what attendees can expect from the 2023 meeting program and why ASCO Breakthrough is a can’t-miss global clinical oncology conference.

What's new about the 2023 ASCO Breakthrough meeting? What research are you most excited to see submitted to the meeting or presented at the meeting?

LS: Breakthrough is a one-of-a-kind meeting that brings together the latest scientific knowledge and innovative technologies to advance cancer care and improve patient outcomes. A new feature that will be introduced in the 2023 meeting is case-based discussions by key opinion experts focusing on the latest research results and clinical applications in specific disease sites. In addition to keynote presentations showcasing the meeting themes by world-renowned leaders, there will be a special session addressing challenges in cancer care delivery in low- and middle-income countries, and potential solutions. There will also be a session on international cancer networks to examine the globalization of oncologic research via existent and future academic and pharmaceutical alliances across geographic boundaries and disease disciplines. Another new feature in 2023 is a robust online component including livestream sessions, live question-and-answer with presenters, and more, for attendees not able to join us in person in Japan.

This meeting features a broad spectrum of education sessions that range from novel therapeutics—including CAR T and adoptive cell therapies, CRISPR and gene editing, drugging the undruggable targets, and microbiome modulation—to precision care with artificial intelligence, to next-generation multiomics. Abstract submissions from diversified areas of cancer research and clinical practice that align with this meeting’s scope are much welcomed from Asia Pacific regions and beyond.

ASCO Breakthrough is designed to bring together oncology thought leaders, practicing clinicians, med-tech pioneers, novel drug developers, and researchers. What do you hope to accomplish by bringing these audiences together?

LS: This meeting will not only represent a forum for knowledge exchange and data sharing, but also provide a think tank to inspire new ideas and collaborations. Attendees will gain insights into recent scientific discoveries and evolving technologies and discuss ways to integrate the two to revolutionize cancer care to improve patient outcomes.

Why should researchers submit to ASCO Breakthrough?

LS: There is no other meeting that brings leading, cutting-edge science and technology to the forefront to facilitate a dialogue among attendees to translate and apply them to cancer research and patient care. The meeting aims to strengthen existent collaborations and, more importantly, spark new conversations and partnerships that transcend disciplines and countries.

Travel awards will be awarded to the presenting authors of the 40 highest rated abstracts selected for presentation. In addition, there will be opportunities for early-career investigators to obtain Merit Awards to support their attendance at the meeting to highlight their research. Awards are supported by the Mission Endowment of Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation.

What can researchers gain by presenting at ASCO Breakthrough?

LS: By presenting at ASCO Breakthrough, researchers will have the opportunity to showcase their work, obtain feedback, and establish new collaborations with an international audience.

We are also offering a pre-meeting Manuscript Development Workshop exclusively to first authors of accepted abstracts as a half-day event (included in the cost of registration) on August 2, 2023. The workshop will be chaired by Dr. Gilberto Lopes, the editor-in-chief of JCO Global Oncology, and will provide guidance and tools to help authors develop their 2023 ASCO Breakthrough meeting abstracts into publishable manuscripts. It will also be an excellent opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with other researchers with complementary interests.

Who will benefit from attending the meeting?

LS: We want to attract a broad audience from clinical practice, academia, and industry. We welcome attendees with diverse oncologic interests from scientific research to technology development, and from discovery work to real-world data. This meeting may also be appealing for attendees who are engaged in specific areas with active ties to oncology, such as data science, artificial intelligence, clinical practice improvements, and telemedicine, among others.

Can you expand on the professional development opportunities and networking sessions being offered?

LS: Attendees will have formal and informal networking opportunities throughout the meeting during poster walk sessions, scheduled breaks, mealtimes, and in the exhibit area where companies and organizations are displaying their pipelines and interests.

Learn more about ASCO Breakthrough and mark your calendar for August 3-5, 2023.


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