Top 5 ASCO studies advancing personalized medicine
May 28, 2026
Key takeaways
- Novel targeted therapies and antibody drug conjugates show promise for the treatment of small and non-small cell lung cancer.
- More precise, mutation-based treatments are giving patients with IDH1- and FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia more treatment options.
- Even when new treatment strategies don’t improve survival, the data we gain from the clinical trials can be used to identify next steps.
Cancer treatment is increasingly tailored to the unique genetic makeup of each patient’s tumor. At the 2026 American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, UT MD Anderson clinicians and researchers are showcasing breakthrough therapies targeting specific mutations and/or rare subsets of cancer, offering new hope for patients with historically hard-to-treat cancers.
Sharing our researchers’ findings and ideas at conferences like ASCO helps spark ideas for the next clinical trials that will move the needle for our patients. Here are five significant studies that are powering new breakthroughs in personalized medicine.
1. Overcoming treatment resistance with OMNI-EGFR inhibitors
Targeting specific molecular pathways in non-small cell lung cancer has led to huge treatment advances, especially for certain genetic mutations, like epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, these mutations also can show resistance to current treatment options, even targeted therapies, such as those for EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer.
Xiuning Le, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, is presenting results from the Phase 1 SOLARA trial, which is studying a new mutant-selective OMNI-EGFR inhibitor. This novel therapy precisely targets tumor-driving EGFR mutations while sparing healthy cells. Early results show promise, potentially reducing side effects and improving outcomes, showing new hope in an area of previous resistance.
2. Antibody-drug conjugates to treat small cell lung cancer
Small cell lung cancer is a less common and very aggressive disease that often has a poor prognosis and limited sustained responses to conventional chemotherapy. A newer treatment strategy for small cell lung cancer is targeting proteins like SEZ6 that are commonly overexpressed on the surface of the small cell lung cancer cells.
Lauren Byers, M.D., professor of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, is sharing results from a clinical trial testing ABBV-706, a novel antibody drug conjugate that targets SEZ6. This antibody drug conjugate shows promising overall survival benefits as a monotherapy, in combination with immunotherapy and in patients beyond the first line of therapy. ABBV-706 will continue to be developed in the next phases of trials to better evaluate survival benefits and toxicity.
3. Advances in BRAF V600E metastatic colorectal cancer treatment
BRAF V600E mutations are found in metastatic colorectal cancer and are associated with an aggressive colorectal cancer subtype. A previous pilot study showed adding immunotherapy to standard chemotherapy had potential as a new treatment combination for this colorectal cancer subtype.
Van Morris, M.D., associate professor of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, is presenting results from a larger, randomized Phase 3 trial, powered to evaluate this triplet combination treatment. Unfortunately, it did not show that the triplet improved outcomes.
The trial did, however, produce data that will be used to better understand BRAF V600E-mutated colorectal cancer and its resistance to therapies, including working to identify new biomarkers associated with treatment benefit. These results underscore the importance of evaluating new treatments in larger trials that are powered sufficiently to look at important survival endpoints. Even when the survival results are not what we might hope for, the findings from these larger trials will help with the next push forward.
4. Novel treatment for IDH1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia
Acute myeloid leukemia is an aggressive type of leukemia that can be particularly difficult to treat. Specific treatment plans often depend on which genetic mutation the cancer cells have, such as IDH1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia. Although there have been improvements in therapies for patients with IDH1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia, there are still many patients whose cancer is resistant to current therapies.
Jennifer Marvin-Peek, M.D., a fellow in Cancer Medicine, is presenting results from a multicenter Phase 1b/2 trial of a novel triplet therapy combination of azacitidine, venetoclax and ivosidenib. Given in different combinations of two, these treatments have improved results, but a significant proportion of patients either don’t respond or relapse. With this triplet, investigators are hoping to broaden the response for more patients. This triplet therapy demonstrated high responses and comparable safety to the existing doublet combinations, representing a step toward more precise, mutation-based leukemia treatment.
5. Improving survival for FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia
Acute myeloid leukemia with an FLT3 mutation is another subset of very aggressive leukemia with often worse overall survival. FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia tends to be resistant to the current standard of care combination of the drugs decitabine and venetoclax.
Musa Yilmaz, M.D., associate professor of Leukemia, is sharing results from a Phase 1/2 study that added a potent FLT3 inhibitor to the current standard of care to try to overcome this resistance and poor outcomes. Results from the triplet combination were strong, with profound improvements in response and an encouraging first look at the potential for improved survival.
UT MD Anderson at ASCO 2026
UT MD Anderson’s presentations at ASCO this year showcase new hope for understanding and overcoming resistance, especially in very aggressive subtypes of diseases. Our investigators are tackling some of the hardest subsets of cancer and making real strides.
These breakthroughs happen because our teams see what is happening in the clinic and bring it both to and from our laboratory scientists, chemists and researchers, creating new options for patients.
With current technologies, the rate of development of new treatment strategies is skyrocketing. Now is not the time to pull the foot off the gas of scientific discovery; this is the time to lean full on.
Jennifer Litton, M.D., is a breast medical oncologist and Chief Clinical Research Officer at UT MD Anderson.
Learn about research careers at UT MD Anderson.
Our investigators are tackling some of the hardest subsets of cancer and making real strides.
Jennifer Litton, M.D.
Chief Clinical Research Officer