{"id":132683,"date":"2026-05-28T14:23:46","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T19:23:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=132683"},"modified":"2026-06-02T14:35:39","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T19:35:39","slug":"unmc-fred-pamela-buffett-cancer-center-researchers-to-present-at-asco-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2026\/05\/28\/unmc-fred-pamela-buffett-cancer-center-researchers-to-present-at-asco-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"UNMC\u00a0|\u00a0Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center\u00a0researchers to\u00a0present at ASCO 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Physicians and Scientists from the UNMC | Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center will present their research and lead key sessions at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in Chicago, May 29\u2013June 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kathleen Moore, MD<\/strong>
ASCO Board Treasurer  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I think we’re going to come out smarter and ready to update our treatment paradigms for our patients here in Nebraska,” Dr. Moore said. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Moore, Deputy Director and Director of Phase 1 Clinical Trials at the cancer center, attends this year’s meeting as both a gynecologic oncologist and ASCO Board Treasurer. She is watching for new data on antibody-drug conjugates across cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers, and several broader studies of note for Nebraska patients: highly anticipated Phase 3 data for daraxonrasib in previously treated metastatic pancreatic cancer, results from a RET fusion lung cancer study, and data on abemaciclib in recurrent liposarcoma. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Featured Presenters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Apar Kishor Ganti, MD, MS, FASCO<\/strong>
Lung Cancer\u2014Non-Small Cell Local-Regional\/Small Cell\/Other Thoracic Cancers<\/em> 
Sunday, May 31 | 9 AM\u201312 PM | Hall A | Poster 567, <\/em>Abstract 8093<\/em><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Comparison of real-world overall survival between atezolizumab- and durvalumab-containing first-line induction and maintenance regimens in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer<\/strong>“<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Ganti will present the first head-to-head real-world comparison of two immunotherapy agents, atezolizumab and durvalumab, in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. Drawing upon data from more than 2,000 patients in a national database, the analysis found that the two agents produced comparable survival outcomes, supporting their use as equivalent options in this setting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Both of these agents have been studied individually and have been approved for the treatment of patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, but this, to our knowledge, is the first time that they have been compared head-to-head,” Dr. Ganti said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tanya Wildes, MD, MSCI, FASCO<\/strong>
Hematologic Malignancies\u2014Plasma Cell Dyscrasia<\/em>
Monday, June 1 | 9 AM\u201312 PM | Hall A | Poster 407, <\/em>Abstract 7528<\/em><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Iberdomide (Iber) maintenance following upfront autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in multiple myeloma (MM)<\/strong>“<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Wildes will present a Phase II trial poster evaluating iberdomide as maintenance therapy following stem cell transplant in multiple myeloma. The trial met its primary endpoint, with most patients remaining progression-free and on treatment at one year, and deep MRD-negative response rates of 85% at 12 cycles and 100% at 24 cycles. Neutropenia was the primary treatment challenge, and the authors suggest that adjusted dosing strategies may allow more patients to remain on therapy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Iberdomide represents a novel therapy in the post-transplant maintenance setting and likely will become a standard of care in the future, pending phase three studies which are underway” Dr. Holstein said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kelsey Klute, MD<\/strong>
Highlights in Upper GI, Hepatobiliary, and Pancreas Cancers<\/em> 
Tuesday, June 2 | 8\u20138:15 AM | Hall D1<\/em> <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Klute will lead a Highlights of the Day session synthesizing the top findings from the GI, hepatobiliary, and pancreatic cancer tracks. She is particularly focused on data from the RASolute 302 trial of daraxonrasib, which is expected to demonstrate practice-changing survival benefits over chemotherapy for patients with previously treated metastatic pancreatic cancer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It is exciting to get to hear the data, bring it home, and get to really put that data to work in clinic with patients every day,” Dr. Klute said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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ASCO Awards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Moataz Ellithi, MBChB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Ellithi, Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology at UNMC, has been named a 2026 recipient of an ASCO Conquer Cancer Career Development Award<\/strong>. Dr. Ellithi specializes in blood cancers and bone marrow transplant, with a research focus on long-term transplant outcomes and cellular therapies in older adults.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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eAbstracts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Omar Abughanimeh, MBBS<\/strong> 
eAbstract only | <\/em>Abstract e23340<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Impact of baseline performance status on survival and toxicity with ipilimumab plus nivolumab: A 10-year institutional experience across solid tumors<\/strong>“<\/em>
A 10-year analysis found that patients in poorer overall health at the start of dual immunotherapy treatment had significantly worse outcomes than healthier patients, underscoring the value of personalized treatment selection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abram Arnold, DO<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0
eAbstract only |\u00a0<\/em><\/a>Abstract e16467<\/a><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Single center retrospective analysis of neoadjuvant therapy in resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma<\/strong>“<\/em>
This study looked at whether giving chemotherapy before surgery, rather than after, improves outcomes for patients with surgically removable pancreatic cancer. In 119 patients treated over 10 years, survival was similar either way, contributing to an ongoing conversation in the field about the best treatment sequence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laura Flores, MD, PhD<\/strong> 
eAbstract only | <\/em>Abstract e13500<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“National practice patterns of adjuvant breast hypofractionated radiation therapy completion in early-stage breast cancer<\/strong>“<\/em>
An analysis of more than 34,000 women with early-stage breast cancer found a significant shift toward shorter radiation treatment courses between 2018 and 2022, with one-week regimens becoming increasingly common, particularly among older patients and those who travel farther for care. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yinting Liu<\/strong>, Graduate Research Assistant, COPH, Biostatistics<\/strong>
eAbstract only | <\/em>Abstract e20119<\/em><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Impact of treatment sequence of immunotherapy and stereotactic radiotherapy on survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients with brain and bone metastases: An NCDB data analysis<\/strong>“<\/em>
In a study of more than 3,100 patients with metastatic lung cancer, researchers found that the best order for combining immunotherapy and targeted radiation depends on where in the body the cancer has spread. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Multicenter Projects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

UNMC | Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center researchers are collaborators on the following projects that will be presented at ASCO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Co-author: Kathleen N. Moore, MD<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n