Advancing cancer research and care: reflections from ASCO 2025

As one of the largest gatherings dedicated to developments in the oncology field, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference brings together experts dedicated to advancing cancer research and care.

This year, The Lancet Group’s editorial team was on the ground in Chicago, USA.

Left: Senior Executive Editor at The Lancet, Vania Wisdom. Right: Acting Deputy Editor at The Lancet Oncology, Kat Gourd.

The Lancet Group at ASCO 2025  

Several Lancet papers were presented at ASCO 2025, covering a wide range of topics. One Article was a phase 2 randomised controlled trial investigating Claudin-18 isoform 2-specific CAR T-cell therapy for previously treated advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer—the first time a CAR T-cell therapy was used to treat a solid tumour in a randomised clinical trial. Listen to a podcast with the first author.

“We have published several important phase 2 and phase 3 trials together with their ASCO presentation, including practice-changing trials in several difficult-to-treat diseases. It’s great to see progress in some of these settings where therapeutic options are currently limited”, says Ben Abbott, Executive Editor, The Lancet. 

📌 Explore all ASCO 2025 Lancet Articles here.

“In addition to the Lancet papers presented at this year’s ASCO conference, there was a lot of exciting research on display. Highlights include the role structured exercise could play in enhancing disease-free and overall survival in colon cancer, as well as the importance of circadian mechanisms in the efficacy of immunotherapy—an early time of day dosing of immunotherapy (before 3 pm) near doubled the proliferation free survival and overall survival benefit in patients with metastatic lung cancer.

Advances in ctDNA for monitoring disease progression, rather than traditional scans and pathology, was another interesting area. Of course, AI is a hot topic, but the takeaway is that it should be used as a tool to augment and not replace human intelligence”, adds Vania Wisdom, Senior Executive Editor, The Lancet.

Challenges & opportunities in cancer 

In the broader context, “ensuring oncology remains a priority in countries’ health agendas and does not get neglected amid myriad ongoing challenges in the current geopolitical climate is key”, stresses Kat Gourd, Acting Deputy Editor of The Lancet Oncology. 

There is still much research to do. For example, in cancer heterogeneity. “Individual tumours—both between different patients and in the same patient—can be incredibly heterogeneous. This leads to huge variability in clinical outcomes, including treatment response and resistance. We’re a long way from understanding the true heterogeneity of many cancers”, Ben states.  

Finding new ways to approach the most difficult-to-treat cancers and those with the worst outcomes is also crucial. 

But cutting-edge medical advances represent only one part of equation in reducing the global cancer burden. In some parts of the world, even the most fundamental issues—such as a lack of basic health-care infrastructure and a limited oncology workforce—need addressing. 

The home for your oncology research 

At The Lancet Group, we are committed to publishing the best science for better lives—a mission that carries through to all aspects of oncology.

“Our publishing interests range from clinical trials, public health, and bench to bedside research, putting the Group in a unique position to offer a home for a wide breadth of publications at various stages of research, in both clinical and global oncology”, says Vania.

The Lancet ‘Pathways to publication in oncology’ webinar was designed to help authors find the best place for their research. Watch here to find out more. 

Stay up to date & connected 

Listen to a podcast of ASCO highlights with the editors.

The Lancet Oncology Ambassadors (below) welcome enquiries about new submissions and collaborations:

• Vania Wisdom, Senior Executive Editor, The Lancet (vcwisdom@lancet.com)

• Ben Abbott, Executive Editor, The Lancet (b.abott@lancet.com)

• Kat Gourd, Acting Deputy Editor, The Lancet Oncology (k.gourd@lancet.com)

• Cheryl Lai, Acting Deputy Editor, The Lancet Haematology (Cheryl.lai@lancet.com)

• Daniela Marín, Senior Editor, The Lancet Haematology (daniela.marin@lancet.com

To explore a range of Lancet content about oncology and cancer, visit The Lancet Clinic and The Lancet Oncology.

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