Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

From artificial intelligence and precision medicine to novel therapies and cancer prevention, Sylvester researchers shared groundbreaking science at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, joining oncology leaders from around the world to share discoveries advancing the future of cancer care. Sylvester presented 16 oral presentations, 55 posters and two special sessions, highlighting research focused on improving outcomes for patients across cancer types. Learn more: Sylvester.org/ASCO26. #ASCO26

Dr. Erin Kobetz Kerman has been named Healio’s Woman Disruptor of the Year Award, honoring a career defined by bold, community-driven cancer research and a commitment to translating science into real-world impact. Associate director for community outreach and engagement at Sylvester, Dr. Kobetz has built a research approach centered on listening to communities, pursuing high-risk questions and creating partnerships that extend beyond traditional academic medicine. “I approach everything as a transdisciplinary collaboration,” Dr. Kobetz said. “You create an intellectual sandbox where diverse perspectives advance shared priorities.” Presented in partnership with Women in Medicine, the Healio award recognizes female leaders reshaping oncology through innovation, advocacy and leadership. Learn more about Dr. Kobetz’s impact and contributions: http://spr.ly/6040B85lI6.

For patients with aggressive #neuroendocrine tumors, treatment options have remained limited for decades. Researchers are exploring a new strategy designed to help #immunotherapy work more effectively against these difficult-to-treat cancers. At the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Dr. Chinmay Jani presented a poster on findings from an ongoing phase I clinical trial evaluating a combination of immunotherapy drugs and an oncolytic virus for patients with high-grade neuroendocrine tumors. Learn more: http://spr.ly/6048B85lqO. The #research evaluates whether pairing immunotherapy with a tumor-targeting virus can make these aggressive #cancers more visible to the immune system, while also exploring a biomarker that could help personalize treatment in the future. “Many tumors evade immune detection,” said Dr. GILBERTO de lima LOPES Junior. “This study evaluates whether SVV-001 can expose #cancer cells and enhance the effectiveness of checkpoint inhibitors.”

Congratulations to Diya Jayram, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine student and Sylvester researcher, on receiving a 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting Merit Award from Conquer Cancer®, the ASCO Foundation. 🙌 The Merit Award recognizes students and trainees who are first authors on abstracts selected for presentation at the ASCO Annual Meeting and honors promising investigators advancing the future of cancer research and care. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! #ASCO26

Join us in congratulating Dr. Mikkael Sekeres and Dr. Jonathan Trent on receiving the Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO) designation, one of the highest honors ASCO bestows. The #FASCO distinction recognizes American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) members for their extraordinary commitment to oncology and dedication to advancing cancer care. Learn about these well-deserved recognitions: Dr. Mikkael Sekeres: http://spr.ly/6043B8ieYc. Dr. Jonathan Trent: http://spr.ly/6045B8ieYl. #ASCO26

For decades, physicians treating multiple myeloma expected each relapse to become more difficult to control. New research suggests that outlook may be changing. A major international study published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM Group) found that patients with relapsed multiple myeloma treated with teclistamab lived longer and remained in remission significantly longer than those receiving standard therapies. Led by an international team of investigators, including our very own C. Ola Landgren, M.D., Ph.D., senior author of the study, the phase 3 trial enrolled 593 patients across 24 countries whose disease had returned after prior treatment. “Now we have chemotherapy-free immunotherapy options for patients whose myeloma has relapsed for the first time,” said Dr. Landgren. “We are seeing very deep responses and long clinical benefit from these therapies.” Nearly 70% of patients treated with teclistamab had not experienced disease progression after 18 months, compared with approximately 27% of patients receiving standard therapies. Many patients achieved complete remission, with some showing no detectable cancer using highly sensitive testing. The findings represent another step forward in the evolution of myeloma care, where researchers are increasingly moving immune-based therapies earlier in the disease course to improve outcomes and quality of life. Learn more: http://spr.ly/6042B85YOj