2026 ASTRO Annual Meeting to Highlight Innovations in Radiation Oncology

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has announced the selection of studies for its 2026 Annual Meeting press program, which will be hosted in Boston. This significant event, a cornerstone for advancements in radiation medicine and cancer research, will take place from September 26 to 30 and is expected to draw over 10,000 oncology professionals worldwide.

The meeting will feature a robust agenda, including late-breaking and phase III trials. Featured research will cover a wide spectrum, from radiation approaches for brain metastases, pancreatic and prostate cancers, to newer applications like low-dose treatment for knee osteoarthritis and novel approaches for treatment-resistant major depression.

The press briefing is scheduled over two days. On September 28, presenters will discuss various studies such as the SOFT Preop Study led by Dr. William Hall from the Medical College of Wisconsin, which explores preoperative stereotactic body radiation therapy versus conventional chemoradiotherapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Other key presentations include Dr. Ayal Aizer from Brigham and Women's Hospital on postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases, and Dr. Nicholas van As from The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust on the comparison of radical prostatectomy versus stereotactic body radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer.

The next day's briefing, on September 29, will include presentations such as Dr. Shannon Jiang’s research on endocrine therapy adherence after omitting radiation therapy in estrogen receptor-positive early-stage breast cancer and Dr. Mohamed Khattab's study of radiosurgical capsulotomy as a treatment for major depression.

ASTRO's Annual Meeting will not only showcase extensive research through more than 2,500 abstract presentations but also host expert panels, including discussions on artificial intelligence and radiopharmaceutical therapy. Esteemed speakers, such as former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb and bioethicist Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, will deliver keynote addresses.

This year's meeting theme, "Data to Dialogue: Communicating Radiotherapy's Value to Advance Care," emphasizes the importance of effective communication in enhancing patient care and stakeholder understanding of radiation therapy benefits.