2022 ASCO Annual Meeting Preview: Advancing Equitable Cancer Care Through Innovation

Apr 28, 2022

As the premier global event in oncology, join us—in person or online—for innovative findings in cancer care

By Melanie Farrell, ASCO Communications

The ASCO Annual Meeting provides a forum to learn about and discuss the important issues and ongoing controversies in cancer care across a variety of disease sites, treatment approaches, and disciplines. Join more than 40,000 oncology professionals from around the world to stay up to date on new clinical cancer advances in every area of cancer research, gain real-time insights from world-renowned faculty, and connect with one of the largest, most diverse audiences in global oncology—in person or online.

The theme for this year’s meeting, selected by 2021–2022 ASCO president Everett E. Vokes, MD, FASCO, encourages attendees to learn firsthand about some of the most recent innovations in oncology that will undoubtedly contribute to a future of more equitable cancer care. “Advancing Equitable Cancer Care Through Innovation” signifies the need to uncover fresh solutions that fundamentally improve the lives of all those touched by cancer, leading us toward a future of equity in cancer care.

“In oncology, innovation can be seen around every corner. Opportunities range from new therapies and smarter use of existing treatments, and offering patients broader and easier access through telemedicine, to rethinking clinical trial eligibility and much more. As a global community of innovators, people working in oncology have unmatched potential to improve care for all patients, everywhere in the world,” Dr. Vokes said.

Attendees will see the theme reflected in sessions throughout the meeting, and during Dr. Vokes’ Presidential Address at the Opening Session.

“This is our time to gather, and exchange novel ideas that can bring down barriers to access and make cancer care more equitable, convenient, and efficient for patients worldwide,” Dr. Vokes said.

ASCO is honored that so many oncology professionals will be attending the 2022 Annual Meeting. Read on for highlights of the can’t-miss events, tips for connecting with colleagues, and new features for 2022 to personalize your meeting experience and make the most of every session you attend.

Program information in this story is current as of March 21, 2022. Visit meetings.asco.org for the most current information on the 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting. Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, is proud to support the 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting. Visit CONQUER.org to find out how you can support innovative research for every cancer, every patient, everywhere.

2022 Program Highlights

Whether attendees are participating in ASCO22 in person or remotely, they will find a robust, unified digital experience at meetings.asco.org. The URL is accessible on any device’s web browser, without the need to download a separate app. Through meetings.asco.org, attendees can:

  • Review the most up-to-date program, build a personal schedule of sessions, and export the schedule to their preferred calendar
  • Watch over 85 livestream sessions, including Opening Session, Plenary Session, many Special Sessions, and all Oral Abstract Sessions
  • Engage with the meeting using point-of-session-based tools, including Q&A, case-based polling, and note-taking on slides
  • Connect with other attendees using direct private messages through the Find a Colleague directory
  • View or rewatch most sessions on-demand after they’ve concluded
  • View or download over 2,000 posters
  • Access materials from the session, including abstracts, slides, and transcripts
  • Claim CME for participation in each session

Opening Session

On Saturday, June 4, in Hall B1, ASCO will kick off the meeting with its Opening Session, which will include the Guest Speaker’s Address, Presidential Address, and David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award and Lecture. In this year’s Opening Session, Dr. Vokes will deliver the presidential address on his theme and its message: how to advance equitable cancer care through innovation. (Following the presentation, the full transcript and video of the address will be available on ASCO Connection.)

ASCO is delighted to welcome André Ilbawi, MD, as the session’s keynote speaker. Dr. Ilbawi is a double-board certified surgical oncologist responsible for the development of the World Health Organization (WHO)/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) priority setting tool for cancer control. He led and supported the launches of the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer and the WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative, in addition to implementing the WHO Cervical Cancer Initiative. Dr. Ilbawi is the WHO technical lead in the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines, which seeks to universally provide cancer medicines for all children in resource-challenged countries.

Attendees will also hear from David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award recipient Jedd Wolchok, MD, PhD, FASCO, who is being recognized for his pioneering work in immunotherapy. The most recent recipients of the Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO) honor will be recognized for their service to the Society. (Read more about Dr. Wolchok, FASCO honorees, and other recipients of 2022 Special Awards.) Opening Session speakers will also include Conquer Cancer Board chair Howard A. Burris III, MD, FACP, FASCO.

Science Program

This year, over 6,000 abstracts were submitted for consideration by the Annual Meeting Scientific Program Committee. More than 2,900 abstracts were selected for presentation in Oral Abstract Sessions, Clinical Science Symposia, and Poster Sessions, plus more than 2,200 for online publication. The majority of abstracts will be released on May 26, 2022, at 5 PM (ET) on asco.org/abstracts. Late-Breaking Abstracts (LBAs) will be released on a rolling basis during the meeting.

“The ASCO Annual Meeting is the premier place to present the most impactful data when it comes to taking care of patients with cancer. The size, reach, and quality of presentations is outstanding,” said 2022 Annual Meeting Scientific Program Committee chair Sonali Smith, MD. “It is not only the venue for presenting the latest clinical advances, but also the glue for our oncology community.”

Plenary Session

The Plenary Session showcases abstract presentations of the top practice-changing science, with commentary from expert discussants. This is the must-see session of the meeting, highlighting the most clinically relevant science that will change current cancer care. Plan to join the live Plenary Session presentation on Sunday, June 5, at 1 PM (CT) and participate in Q&A with the speakers and discussants.

ASCO Plenary Series

Combining the immediacy of the online world with the scientific rigor and practice-changing data of ASCO’s live meetings, the ASCO Plenary Series session brings tomorrow’s practice-changing science to clinicians today. Research presented throughout the 2021–2022 virtual Plenary Series will be showcased during a special session at the ASCO Annual Meeting. Be sure to attend ASCO Plenary Series: Rapid Abstract Updates on Sunday, June 5, at 4:30 PM (CT). Visit plenaryseries.asco.org to see Plenary Series dates for the fall.

Clinical Science Symposia

Clinical Science Symposia are designed to address a cross-cutting theme or hot topic in oncology while integrating abstracts with expert discussion. The following Clinical Science Symposia have been planned this year:

Education Program

The Annual Meeting Education Program offers a robust portfolio of sessions that address the concerns and priorities of everyone in the cancer care space. These sessions are designed to teach and engage participants across disciplines, as well as impart practical, take-home knowledge that can be applied to any cancer care setting.

When curating the 2022 Education Program, the Annual Meeting Education Committee was inspired by the meeting’s theme to look at global cancer care through the lens of equity and innovation.

“I am excited about sharing and hearing the latest advances in our field, so we can move toward impact, innovation, and equity across our global cancer community. Whether attendees join us in person or online for the ASCO Annual Meeting, we are all coming together for a common goal of reducing the cancer burden,” said 2022 Annual Meeting Education Committee chair Jhanelle Gray, MD.

Sessions of particular interest this year include:

Case-Based Panel Sessions

Case-Based Panel Sessions will feature expert faculty discussing timely and challenging real-world clinical scenarios. These sessions will be highly interactive, offering both Q&A and participant polling. Along with disease-specific case-based scenarios, Case-Based Panel Session highlights include:

Joint Sessions

At the Annual Meeting, ASCO partners with likeminded organizations to host joint sessions on pertinent topics in oncology. Two joint sessions will be offered this year:

Sharing Our Stories

ASCO Voices

ASCO Voices continues to be one of the most compelling sessions offered at the ASCO Annual Meeting, featuring personal stories from across the oncology continuum. This year’s session will showcase stories focused on a topic relevant to issues of equity, global health, and innovation. The following speakers were selected to share their passions, stories, and perspectives—without notes or slides:

  • “Cancer: Common Humanity, Different Worlds” by Kevin Diasti, MD
  • “The 5AM Wake-up Call” by Omar Abdihamid, MMed
  • “Bridging the Gap Between Clinical Care and Clinical Research By Improving Access to Clinical Trials With Technology” by Neal Meropol, MD, FASCO
  • “Moving Online, Together!” by Khamai Simpson, MSc
  • “Equity in Clinical Trial Access: We Should Not Need Physician Friends”
    by Louise Brennan, PhD

Film Screening

Attendees are invited to attend a screening of Can You Hear My Voice?, a documentary film about London’s Shout at Cancer Choir, whose singers are living without voice boxes. The film will be screened in the McCormick Place Lakeside Lounge on Saturday, June 4, from 5:00 PM-6:30 PM (CT).

The film was produced and directed by Bill Brummel, who had his own voice box removed in 2016. Mr. Brummel is an award-winning documentary producer/director. He and his films have been recognized with a Peabody Award, two International Documentary Association (IDA) Awards, five national Emmy nominations, and been named to an Oscar shortlist.

On Monday, June 6, Mr. Brummel and the surgeon who treated him will participate in a discussion for ASCO’s Oncology, Etc. podcast. Attendees are welcome to join from 3:00 PM-4:00 PM (CT) in Room S100a.

Make the Most of Your In-Person Experience

After 2 years of joining the ASCO Annual Meeting from your home or office, it’s time to step out from behind those webcams, dust off your business attire, and put on your most comfortable shoes because we are ready and excited to welcome attendees back in person in Chicago.

Health and Safety at ASCO22

We are continuously evolving our protocols to ensure the safety of our attendees. Visit the Health and Safety webpage for the most current information, including:

  • Vaccination Requirements:  All in-person attendees at the ASCO Annual Meeting must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the time of the meeting. “Fully vaccinated” means either 2 weeks have passed since receiving the second dose of an FDA- or WHO-authorized double-dose COVID-19 vaccine or 2 weeks have passed since receiving the one dose of an FDA- or WHO-authorized single-dose COVID-19 vaccine. Please note that your registration is not complete until you verify your vaccination.
  • Travel From Outside the United States: The Health and Safety webpage will provide the latest country-specific COVID-19 requirements, as well as COVID-19 protocols at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport.
  • COVID-19 Testing:  Free COVID-19 testing will be available for registered attendees who experience symptoms onsite and for registered attendees who must show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test to board their return flight.
  • Masks:  We are following CDC, state, and local guidelines regarding masking. Please refer to the Health and Safety webpage prior to attending the meeting for the most current information about masking.

Ticketed Sessions

Ticketed Sessions (purchase required) will be available in-person only, and will not be recorded for on-demand viewing. Participate in intimate discussions with expert faculty on 22 focused topics, including:

Grow Your Professional Network

Along with exciting new scientific presentations and world-class educational programming, a significant benefit of attending the ASCO Annual Meeting is making face-to-face connections with some of the best and brightest in oncology. There are many opportunities to meet your next research collaborator, co-author, mentor, mentee, hiring manager, or new friend. Here are some ways to make connections that will generate future collaborative research ideas:

  • Women’s Networking Center: Connect with other women in oncology and sign up for individual mentoring sessions.
  • Publishing Lounge: Meet the editors-in-chief and catch up on the latest practice-changing research in global oncology.
  • Trainee & Early-Career Oncologist Member Lounge: Seek career advice and network with peers and experienced professionals in the field.
  • Patient Advocate Lounge: Connect and share stories in a relaxed environment, and take advantage of patient information materials.
  • Lakeside Lounge: Relax, recharge, grab a bite to eat, and connect with colleagues.
  • ASCO Central: Meet face-to-face with ASCO staff to learn more about the programs and services ASCO has to offer, the resources available to you, and how to get involved.
  • Networking Tables: Reserve a table in advance so you know when and where to meet with colleagues.
  • Career Fair: Explore available career options and meet face-to-face with recruiters in the field of oncology. The career fair will be located in the back of the Exhibit Hall (Hall A).
  • Southside Library: Located near Gate 2 in the South Building, Level 1, the Southside Library offers a quiet setting to network, charge devices, and grab a coffee or quick bite to eat, while reading available ASCO publications.

Onsite Amenities and Support

Free Onsite Childcare: Available for children ages 6 months to 12 years on a first-come, first-served basis. ASCO welcomes working parents and their children at the meeting. Check availability, review Health and Safety policies, and learn more.

Additional amenities and support include:

  • Nursing Room
  • Prayer Room
  • Quiet Spaces
  • Charging Stations
  • Hotel and Chicago Concierge Desk
  • CE and Technical Assistance HelpDesk
  • ASCO Membership Information
  • First Aid
  • Multilingual Interpreters
  • ASCO Store Digital Products and Merchandise

Transportation

There are multiple transportation options to help you reach ASCO22:

  • Complimentary shuttle service: Available to and from all official ASCO hotels and McCormick Place, except those within walking distance.
  • Metra (commuter train system) and CTA (the “L” light rail system):  Metra station is located in McCormick Place, with free Metra tickets available for attendees to Randolph Street Millennium Station (the heart of downtown Chicago).
  • Taxi and ridesharing: Designated pickup/drop off locations are located throughout McCormick Place.
  • Bike sharing (Divvy): Make transportation your exercise for the day.

Experience ASCO22 Online

Just as the COVID-19 pandemic led to innovative new approaches using telehealth and telemedicine, ASCO has been innovative when it comes to providing access to the groundbreaking science in oncology, the latest trends in clinical application, and treatment and insights on equitable cancer care that the 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting has to offer.

That is why ASCO is providing a robust online meeting experience to help break down other barriers that may prevent members of the global oncology community from getting this needed information, whether it be travel restrictions, budget constraints, clinic schedules, family obligations, or health concerns. Visit meetings.asco.org to find everything you need to participate in ASCO22 remotely.

Follow the 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting on Social Media

Connect with ASCO on social media to keep up with the latest information from the 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting. Follow along on Twitter (@ASCO) and Instagram (@ascocancer) and share your own meeting experience using the hashtag #ASCO22. You can also follow ASCO volunteers who have committed to leading a robust conversation throughout the meeting on Twitter and Instagram.

You don’t want to miss the lively and substantive conversation—ASCO21 Virtual generated significant social media engagement: 8,900 Twitter users sent 55,296 tweets using the 2021 meeting hashtag, with approximately 461 tweets an hour.

ASCO Daily News: Your Daily Conference Reporter and More

Catch up on key sessions and clinical takeaways with high-quality, unbiased research summaries and oncology news. ASCO Daily News content is available online all year. Subscribe to ASCO Daily News emails for up-to-the-minute coverage before, during, and after the meeting. To opt-in to ASCO Daily News communications, select “ASCO Journals Updates and Oncology News” in your email preference center.

ASCO members and meeting participants will receive the print ASCO Daily News: ASCO Annual Meeting Wrap Up issue, highlighting the most practice-changing science presented, several weeks after the meeting concludes.

Prefer to listen rather than read? The ASCO Daily News Podcast highlights key abstracts and research summaries from experts in the field. 

2022 ASCO Educational Book

Articles in the ASCO Educational Book are authored by the ASCO Annual Meeting Education Program faculty and other invited experts. Topics cover the most compelling research and newest standards of care in the field, with the goal of improving patient care and value. Each year, the best minds in oncology come together to author scholarly reviews for the PubMed-indexed ASCO Educational Book. Catch up on the newest developments in the multidisciplinary fields of oncology. Articles are free to read and download. Please note that the 2022 edition is available online-only.

Are You Ready for ASCO22?

The 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting is just a few weeks away, but you still have time to prepare.

May 2022: 1 month out

  • Look over preliminary Annual Meeting materials at meetings.asco.org.
  • Ensure that you have verified your COVID-19 vaccination status as part of your registration: your registration is not complete until you do! Review the latest health and safety protocols.
  • Once you’ve registered, use the Find a Colleague directory on meetings.asco.org to find others who have registered and send them a private direct message.
  • May 26 at 5 PM (ET): View the majority of the 2022 abstracts on asco.org/abstracts.
  • If you haven’t already, set up your account on Twitter and Instagram and download their apps. Find us @ASCO on Twitter and @ascocancer on Instagram; share your thoughts with the hashtag #ASCO22 on both platforms.

Week of May 27: 1 week out

  • Test your login, test your login, test your login! Whether you are attending in person or virtually, make sure you are ready to access sessions by testing your login on meetings.asco.org. ASCO staff are standing by to help you with any login questions. The earlier you realize you need help, the smoother your meeting experience will be.
  • Read ASCO Daily News online for session preview articles and insights from renowned experts in the field.
  • Check out the 2022 ASCO Educational Book for articles written by Education Program faculty.
  • Visit meetings.asco.org to scroll through all the ASCO22 sessions, and save sessions you want to attend to help plan your schedule.

June 3 through June 7: 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting

  • Read ASCO Daily News for session coverage and more.
  • Use meetings.asco.org for point-of-session–based tools like polling, Q&A, note-taking, and to claim CME.
  • Start your meeting with a refreshing beverage—join ASCO leadership at the McCormick Place main entrance on Friday, June 3, at 1 PM (CT), as they hand out glasses of lemonade.
  • Need a new headshot? Free professional headshots are available on Friday, June 3, through Monday, June 6, from 10 AM to 5 PM (CT) near Starbucks by Concierge Services.
  • Engage in live Q&A with faculty during in-person and livestreamed sessions.
  • Participate in the #ASCOiSpy scavenger hunt on Twitter.
  • Explore the Exhibits in the Exhibit Hall and participate in an Industry Expert Theater session.
  • Carve out time on Saturday, June 4, and Sunday, June 5, from 11 AM to 3 PM (CT), to visit ASCO Central and meet some lovable dogs who want nothing more than to help you unwind.
  • Search the Pharmaceutical Pipelines and Clinical Trials Directories for current information on pharmaceuticals in development and ongoing clinical trials.
  • Show your ASCO pride: ASCO merchandise is available for purchase at the ASCO Store and online.

After the Annual Meeting:

  • Watch on-demand videos of sessions you missed or want to review again.
  • Share what you learned with your colleagues and patients.
  • Access Meeting Videos and Slides on meetinglibrary.asco.org, an online library of abstracts, slides, posters, and recorded presentations from most sessions. Access is included in your meeting registration.
  • Submit your Meeting Feedback Form. Tell us how we can make the 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting even more valuable for you.
  • Mark your calendar for the 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting: June 2–6, 2023, in Chicago, IL!
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