Science, collaboration, mentorship, and friendships; that's what's makes #ASCO26 so memorable. (Still can’t believe the cover cameo 😅). Will get it framed 🤩

Proud to have been part of these advocacy efforts with NNECOS and ASCO. As oncologists, our responsibility extends beyond the clinic. Engaging with lawmakers is an important way to advocate for our patients, improve access to cancer care, and help shape policies that affect the care we deliver. Our voices matter, and so does showing up for these conversations. @ASCO @NNECOS_ONCOLOGY @UVMLarnerMed @vermontpublic

🚨Interested in getting involved in clinical trials as junior faculty? Join our @ASCO #IMGCoP Webinar to learn about opportunities in IITs, cooperative groups & industry-sponsored trials! 📅 Oct 30 | 7 PM ET 🔗 tinyurl.com/bhdf788h @ASCOTECAG @HemOncFellows #MedEd #MedX

#Voting for @ASCO Election is now open. I am #honored & #humbled to be running as one of the candidates, for the #ASCO #NominatingCommittee, alongside many remarkable talented candidates & GREAT colleagues.   Visit asco.org/election to learn more about the candidates & place your vote!

Delighted to support @montypal for the ASCO Board! His commitment to mentorship, education, and the oncology community would serve ASCO well. Fellow ASCO members, please consider supporting his candidacy! @ASCO

PERSEE trial addresses a question I often discuss with patients: if PD-L1 is >50%, should we use pembrolizumab alone or add chemotherapy? In this randomized phase III trial, adding chemotherapy improved median PFS from 6.9 to 16.1 months (HR 0.56) and response rates from 50.3% to 77.5%. That is a substantial difference in disease control. The tradeoff was also substantial: grade ≥3 treatment-related toxicity increased from 19.3% to 53.8%. Median OS is numerically way longer, 50.2 vs 29.9 months, but the difference was not statistically significant (HR 0.77; 95% CI 0.57–1.05). We should be careful about how we describe that finding. These results would strengthen my preference for chemoimmunotherapy in a fit patient with symptomatic or rapidly progressing disease, where an early response matters. I would still discuss pembrolizumab alone with selected patients. High PD-L1 expression is useful, but the treatment decision also needs to account for disease burden, symptoms, comorbidities and what the patient values. I’d particularly like to see the quality of life results, subsequent treatments and detailed subgroup analyses. This is a very important and relevant study that gives us better evidence for a very practical conversation. Decroisette et al. PERSEE, ESMO 2026, abstract 2614O. @LungSummit @lcrf_org @myESMO @UVMLarnerMed @UVMcancercenter #ESMO26 #LCSM #NSCLC

Big update in extensive-stage SCLC. DeLLphi-305 showed that adding tarlatamab to durvalumab maintenance improved median OS from 12.7 to 21.1 months and PFS from 1.9 to 7.4 months, measured from maintenance randomization. These are impressive results, and I can see this changing our maintenance discussions with patients. I’m still thinking through two questions. First, where does this leave lurbinectedin + atezolizumab maintenance from IMforte? The DeLLphi-305 numbers look better, but we cannot establish superiority by comparing results across trials. Second, what do we give after progression on tarlatamab + durvalumab? Trials, platinum rechallenge in selected patients, and lurbinectedin/topotecan are considerations, but we need better evidence in patients whose disease has progressed on tarlatamab. Keeping tarlatamab for second line is an understandable argument. In clinic, though, we also see patients deteriorate too quickly to receive the next treatment. One detail I’d particularly want to examine is how many patients in the control arm received tarlatamab after progression. That matters when discussing early treatment versus reserving it for relapse. I’m encouraged by these results. Alongside working out the best sequence, we’ll need to make treatment accessible and have the staffing, monitoring and caregiver support to deliver it safely. nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NE… #ESMO26 #LCSM #SCLC @UVMcancercenter @myESMO @lcfamerica @SclcSMASHERS

MAVERICK trial is practice-changing for SCLC. MRI surveillance alone vs PCI + MRI (n=304): - Better cognitive-failure–free survival: HR 0.60 - No apparent OS detriment so far: HR 0.90 (OS immature) PCI still reduced brain metastases, but in the modern MRI era, keeping a close monitoring with regular MR head is a better strategy than prophylactic PCI. For patients with a negative brain MRI who can adhere to close surveillance, MAVERICK provides strong randomized evidence to omit PCI. #WCLC26 #SCLC #LCSM

Exciting step forward for RAS-mutant #NSCLC. In @NEJM, daraxonrasib (RMC-6236), a RAS(ON) multiselective inhibitor, showed activity in 136 previously treated pts. In the docetaxel-naïve 160–220 mg cohort (n=38): ORR 42%, mDOR 11.5 mo, mPFS 8.3 mo. Activity across RAS variants, including G12D/G12V. Potential targeted option beyond KRAS G12C. Encouraging durability Watch out for Phase III vs docetaxel; Toxicity/dose optimization; CNS activity & resistance mechanisms. Also, can it work after progression on KRAS G12C inhibitors? This trial excluded prior RAS-targeted therapy. #LCSM #kras nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NE…

INTerpath-001 is an important moment for the personalized cancer vaccine field. Phase 3 trial in completely resected high-risk cutaneous melanoma: - N = 1,137 - Intismeran autogene/V940/mRNA-4157 + pembrolizumab vs pembrolizumab - 2:1 double-blind randomization Topline results: RFS met; DMFS met - No new safety signals reported - OS follow-up ongoing This is not an “off-the-shelf” vaccine. It is a tumor-informed, individualized neoantigen mRNA therapy: tumor tissue is sequenced, patient-specific neoantigens are selected, and a synthetic mRNA product is manufactured to encode up to 34 neoantigens. My take: very encouraging and potentially practice-changing, but the details matter. We still need the actual HRs, absolute RFS/DMFS benefit, stage-specific outcomes, toxicity/discontinuation data, turnaround time, and access/logistics. If the magnitude holds up, this could move personalized neoantigen therapy from an exciting concept to a realistic adjuvant strategy in melanoma. @Merck #melanoma

Really interesting biomarker analysis from Tina Cascone and colleagues from CheckMate 77T in Nature. Perioperative nivolumab + chemo increased pre-surgical ctDNA clearance (66% vs 38%), and ctDNA clearance strongly tracked with pCR and EFS. The most striking finding for me: every patient who converted from post-op MRD-negative to MRD-positive ultimately recurred. PD-L1 still appears meaningful, with the strongest EFS signal in PD-L1 >50%, while benefit was still seen across PD-L1 groups. Squamous histology also had a numerically stronger EFS benefit than non-squamous disease. Field is moving toward dynamic, risk-adapted perioperative therapy using ctDNA clearance + pathologic response + post-op MRD rather than relying on static genomics alone. Not practice-changing yet for escalation/de-escalation, but definitely where the next generation of trials should go. @Lung_Cancers #lcsm #lungcancer nature.com/articles/s41586-0…

Important change in relapsed SCLC: Jazz plans to withdraw the 2L lurbinectedin indication after the phase III LAGOON trial failed to confirm an OS benefit. Lurbinectedin: mOS 8.7 mo Lurbinectedin + irinotecan: 10.9 mo Topotecan/irinotecan control: 10.7 mo HR vs control: 1.19 for lurbinectedin and 0.90 for the combination. Notably, the first-line maintenance approval of lurbinectedin + atezolizumab in ES-SCLC remains unchanged. With tarlatamab now available, this further changes how we think about sequencing therapy in relapsed SCLC. fiercepharma.com/pharma/jazz…. #lcsm #sclc

I am pleased to serve as a Guest Editor along with @rajatthawani for the upcoming Cancers Special Issue, “Emerging Therapeutic Advances in Lung Cancer.” mdpi.com/journal/cancers/spe… The treatment landscape of lung cancer continues to evolve rapidly, extending beyond established targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors to novel drug classes, rational combinations, biomarker-driven strategies, cellular therapies, and innovative approaches to treatment resistance. We welcome original research articles, reviews, Perspectives and hypothesis-generating articles, Translational and clinical studies, Real-world evidence and implementation research Topics of interest include novel therapeutic targets, resistance mechanisms, precision oncology, cellular and immune-based therapies, biomarker development, innovative clinical-trial designs, and strategies that may shape the next generation of lung-cancer care. The submission deadline is December 31, 2026. mdpi.com/journal/cancers/spe… Researchers and clinical investigators working across the lung-cancer spectrum are warmly invited to contribute. Please feel free to contact me or my fellow Guest Editor @rajatthawani, with questions regarding the suitability of a proposed manuscript. #lungcancer #thoraciconcology #MedicalOncology @UVMcancercenter @UVMDeptMed @DrRandyH

I’m proud to be participating as a paddler in this year’s Vermont Dragon Boat Festival! 🚣‍♂️ I’m paddling to support an incredible cause, and I’d be grateful for your support. Every donation, big or small, helps make a difference. If you’d like to contribute, you can donate here secure.qgiv.com/event/2026lc… Thank you for your support! ❤️ #VermontDragonBoatFestival #PaddleForACause #Fundraising @UVMcancercenter @uvmvermont

I think financial well-being is such an important topic that should definitely be included in our training. I look forward to attending this webinar! @ASCO @ASCOTECAG @HemOncFellows

This is an excellent opportunity for students and trainees to showcase their work. Consider submitting your abstract to the NNECOS annual meeting conference.

Thank you @ASCOTECAG and @ASCO for the opportunity. Excited to represent, discuss, and learn😊🙏🏼 @UVMcancercenter @UVMDeptMed @UVMLarnerMed @NNECOS_ONCOLOGY

Congratulations to NNECOS member Rohit Singh, MD who was featured on the cover of the program and received a Conquer Cancer merit award for his abstract poster presentation at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting! bit.ly/44izzfv

The Phase III LAGOON trial is a sobering reminder of why confirmatory studies matter in SCLC. Lurbinectedin monotherapy failed to improve OS versus physician's choice (topotecan/irinotecan), with median OS 8.7 vs 10.7 months (HR 1.19). The lurbinectedin/irinotecan combination also failed to demonstrate superiority, with median OS 10.9 vs 10.7 months (HR 0.90). Particularly concerning was the CNS metastasis subgroup, where lurbinectedin monotherapy trended substantially worse. This challenges the assumption that the impressive response rates from the original single-arm study necessarily translated into a survival benefit. The signal that led to accelerated approval was real, but LAGOON suggests that tumor shrinkage and overall survival may not be telling the same story in relapsed SCLC. How does this affect practice? - Tarlatamab remains the preferred 2L option for eligible patients. - Lurbinectedin remains reasonable when bispecific therapy is unavailable, contraindicated, or logistically difficult. • The positive IMforte data likely preserve lurbinectedin's future in the maintenance setting despite the negative LAGOON readout. The next major question may not be whether lurbinectedin survives regulatory scrutiny, but whether upcoming agents such as tarlatamab and TROP2-directed ADCs (including sacituzumab govitecan in ongoing Phase III testing) redefine the relapsed SCLC treatment sequence altogether. #LCSM #SCLC #LungCancer #ThoracicOncology #ASCO prnewswire.com/news-releases…

connection.asco.org/do/mento… Valuable summary from our recent ASCO town hall with insights from @RyanNipp @cspramesh @IshwariaMD @ShaalanBeg @matolani @Betzabe100 . @ASCO Connection Effort led by @saadnasir01 @NazliDizman

@RepEllzey & @MarioDB are the latest 2 reps to cosponsor @MikeKellyPA ‘s bill: #HR3514 - seniors’ act. Thx!! Who will be the FINAL 2 cosponsors to kick this bill out of cmte? Let’s 👏🏻get 👏🏻it 👏🏻passed!! @asco #advocacy @ACSCAN congress.gov/bill/119th-cong…