Spotlight on: ESMO 2026
From the congress floor: ESMO 2026 in review
October 23-27, 2026 | Madrid, Spain
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2026 takes place from 23rd to 27th October in Madrid, Spain. The Congress provides a comprehensive educational and scientific programme that seeks to foster exchange and debate of translational cancer science, showcase first announcements of potentially practice-changing data, and stimulate multidisciplinary discussions to improve treatment options for patients.
pharmaphorum is covering the Congress in a virtual capacity this year, interviewing experts in their field and reporting on the broad oncological programme of presentations itself. Key areas of focus in 2026 include: advances in cancer immunotherapy, targeted therapies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and the application of artificial intelligence to cancer research and clinical care.
ESMO 2026 looks to be a particularly exciting Congress, highlighting not only trials with immediate clinical implications, but also studies introducing new biological concepts and therapeutic approaches, including the diversification of immunotherapeutic mechanisms beyond PD-1 and PD-L1 blockade. There will also certainly be a lot of interest in emerging therapeutic approaches, including bispecific, trispecific and multispecific antibodies, and T-cell engagers.
This Spotlight On page acts as a hub for such updates from ESMO 2026. Check back here for in-depth conversations and key takeaways - via written, audio, and video content - as breaking data is revealed. Placing new findings in their proper scientific context, ESMO seeks to make sense of the data, put it into context, and understand what it means for patients – and pharmaphorum will be reporting on what such discussions mean.
Stay tuned for more from one of the most impactful events on the oncology calendar – featuring voices from across the field and reflections on what the latest findings mean for the future of cancer care.
Reported by Nicole Raleigh
Nicole Raleigh is pharmaphorum’s web editor. Transitioning to the healthcare sector in the last few years, she is an experienced media and communications professional who has worked in print and digital for over 20 years.
Highlights from the past ESMO conferences
About ESMO
Founded in 1975, ESMO is a leading global organisation in oncology, rooted in Europe and representing over 45,000 members worldwide. It serves as a central hub for education, professional development, and integrated cancer care, connecting a diverse community of oncology professionals.
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