(Alexandria, VA, Friday, May 29, 2020) – Due to the impact of COVID-19, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) will deliver the latest cancer science to the global oncology community in a new virtual format. Advances in immunotherapies and targeted therapies for lung, colorectal, ovarian, and bladder cancers; improvements in access to cancer care, as well as the impact of COVID-19 on people with cancer are among the topics that will be highlighted in the virtual scientific program of the 2020 ASCO Annual Meeting.

The meeting’s virtual scientific program, to be held May 29-31, will provide an engaging lineup of scheduled and on-demand scientific content across a variety of approaches, disciplines, and specialties.

The theme of this year’s meeting is Unite and Conquer: Accelerating Progress Together.

Research to be released at the meeting will shed light on:

• Data from the COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium (CCC19) examining mortality and severe illness among patients with cancer who have contracted COVID-19 and use of azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine.
• Latest global research on COVID-19 in patients with thoracic cancers examining the impact of specific cancer treatments on outcomes.
• Phase III Keynote-177 trial comparing pembrolizumab to standard therapy as first-line treatment for select patients with advanced colorectal cancer.
• Phase III study assessing the efficacy of adjuvant use of targeted agent osimertinib in patients with localized non-small-cell lung cancer and EGFR mutation after complete tumor resection and adjuvant chemotherapy.
• Phase III interim analysis examining maintenance treatment with the immunotherapy avelumab after platinum-based first-line chemotherapy in advanced bladder cancer.
• The first national-scale study on cancer mortality rates in states with and without Medicaid expansion after the adoption of the Affordable Care Act.
• A randomized controlled trial examining the use of videoconference interventions to reduce anxiety and distress in caregivers who live far away from patients with cancer
• International study examining the survival benefit of quitting smoking, even shortly before a lung cancer diagnosis.

Founded in 1964, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Inc. (ASCO®) is committed to making a world of difference in cancer care. As the world’s leading organization of its kind, ASCO represents nearly 45,000 oncology professionals who care for people living with cancer. Through research, education, and promotion of the highest-quality patient care, ASCO works to conquer cancer and create a world where cancer is prevented or cured, and every survivor is healthy. Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, supports the Society by funding groundbreaking research and education across cancer’s full continuum. Learn more at www.ASCO.org, explore patient education resources at www.Cancer.Net, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.