In an impressive display of scientific innovation and clinical expertise, researchers and clinicians from the Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center are poised to showcase groundbreaking cancer research at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). This prestigious event, set to unfold from May 29 through June 2 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, serves as a global nexus for oncologists, researchers, and healthcare professionals committed to accelerating advances in cancer treatment and patient care.
Mount Sinai’s multifaceted research portfolio reflects its unwavering commitment to confronting some of oncology’s most challenging frontiers. This year’s presentations span a diverse spectrum of cancer specialties, including hematologic malignancies, thoracic oncology, urothelial cancer, gynecologic oncology, translational science, and cancer care delivery. The breadth and depth of these contributions underscore Mount Sinai’s role as a leader in developing sophisticated, personalized approaches to cancer therapy—approaches that marry benchside discoveries with bedside applications.
Among the highlights is a highly anticipated late-breaking oral presentation by Dr. John Mascarenhas, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Center of Excellence for Blood Cancer and Myeloid Disorders at Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center. Dr. Mascarenhas will reveal pivotal results from the phase 3 SENTRY trial, which evaluates the combination of selinexor and ruxolitinib in patients with JAK inhibitor-naïve myelofibrosis. This trial explores a novel therapeutic strategy designed to inhibit aberrant signaling pathways responsible for the proliferation of malignant hematopoietic cells. Scheduled for June 2 during the Hematologic Malignancies oral abstract session, these findings hold significant promise for patients with this debilitating myeloproliferative disorder.
In the arena of thoracic oncology, Mount Sinai investigators are advancing the frontier of immunotherapy through research on HLX43, an anti-PD-L1 antibody-drug conjugate. This Rapid Oral Abstract Session presentation examines HLX43’s efficacy and safety in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), delving into its potential to harness immune checkpoint inhibition to augment tumor targeting and destruction. Antibody-drug conjugates represent a cutting-edge modality designed to deliver cytotoxic agents directly to cancer cells while minimizing off-target effects.
Beyond these oral sessions, Mount Sinai’s robust research pipeline includes a variety of poster presentations tackling pressing questions across multiple cancer types. Studies investigating macrophage polarization in metastatic urothelial cancer highlight the CXCL9:SPP1 ratio as a predictive biomarker for response to pembrolizumab and enfortumab vedotin combination therapies. This work provides new insights into tumor microenvironment dynamics, emphasizing the role of immune cell modulation in therapeutic outcomes.
Additional poster research assesses national trends in immunotherapy use among patients with metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, employing data from the National Cancer Database. These epidemiological studies reveal critical patterns in end-of-life treatment, ultimately guiding more compassionate and effective care strategies. Further work from Mount Sinai evaluates overall survival patterns in mucosal melanoma patients before and after the widespread adoption of PD-1 based checkpoint inhibitors, shedding light on the transformative impact of immunotherapy in rare and aggressive malignancies.
Investigations into relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma feature comparative analyses of belantamab mafodotin added to bortezomib and dexamethasone versus standard of care. These studies are instrumental in refining therapeutic algorithms and optimizing patient outcomes in a disease known for its complexity and heterogeneity. On the biomarker frontier, research on Keratin 19 (KRT19) as a circulating tumor biomarker offers a promising avenue for non-invasive disease monitoring and treatment guidance in urothelial carcinoma.
Cutting-edge molecular diagnostics are also exemplified by studies evaluating pre-cystectomy circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels to differentiate patients with surgically curable disease from those harboring occult micrometastatic progression. These advances could pave the way for precision staging and personalized adjuvant therapy strategies, revolutionizing bladder cancer management.
Mount Sinai clinicians continue to pioneer novel immunomodulatory therapeutic concepts, such as trials investigating tolododekin alfa (ANK-101) in combination with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies in advanced NSCLC. This phase 1b study aims to potentiate immune responses by modulating cytokine environments, potentially overcoming resistance mechanisms inherent to checkpoint blockade monotherapy.
Urothelial carcinoma research remains a central focus, exemplified by multiple studies including the CheckMate-901 trial examining biomarker profiles associated with durable disease control in advanced disease treated with nivolumab plus ipilimumab. Similarly, the TROPION-Urothelial03 trial compares datopotamab deruxtecan plus chemotherapy versus the current standard of care in heavily pretreated patients, illustrating Mount Sinai’s commitment to improving outcomes in this challenging cancer subtype.
In the realm of myelofibrosis, the MY-PAC study investigates treatment patterns and clinical outcomes among patients treated with pacritinib, especially those with higher platelet counts. This research helps elucidate safety and efficacy profiles critical to managing this patient population. Additionally, updates on IMPROVEMF, a phase 1b trial combining imetelstat and ruxolitinib in intermediate and high-risk myelofibrosis, signify ongoing efforts to enhance therapeutic benefits and address unmet clinical needs.
The Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, remains at the forefront of integrating basic, clinical, and population health research. With a strategic focus on tumor types prevalent in its catchment area—including liver, prostate, breast, bladder, and lung cancers—Mount Sinai is uniquely positioned to translate cutting-edge research into meaningful advancements in patient care. Its extensive network, encompassing seven hospitals and over 400 physician practices, allows Mount Sinai to deliver multidisciplinary expertise alongside a growing portfolio of innovative clinical trials.
Notably, the construction of the soon-to-be-completed Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Hospital will further augment the center’s capacity for pioneering research and patient-centered care, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities designed to accelerate translational research and clinical innovation. As these advancements unfold, Mount Sinai continues to steer oncology toward a future where personalized medicine transforms prognosis and quality of life for patients worldwide.
For more information about the ASCO Annual Meeting and to explore the full breadth of research presented by Mount Sinai, visit the official ASCO Annual Meeting website.
Subject of Research: Cancer research, including hematologic malignancies, thoracic oncology, urothelial cancer, gynecologic oncology, immunotherapy, biomarker-driven approaches, multiple myeloma, and myelofibrosis.
Article Title: Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center Unveils Breakthrough Cancer Research at ASCO 2026 Annual Meeting
News Publication Date: May 27, 2026
Web References:
- https://www.asco.org/annual-meeting
- https://www.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/262643
- https://www.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/263356
- https://www.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/261730
- https://www.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/267968
- https://www.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/260701
- https://www.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/262647
- https://www.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/266782
- https://www.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/262606
- https://www.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/266904
- https://www.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/267846
- https://www.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/266659
Keywords: Myelofibrosis, hematologic malignancies, antibody-drug conjugates, immunotherapy, non-small cell lung cancer, urothelial carcinoma, circulating tumor DNA, biomarker-driven treatment, multiple myeloma, PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors, cancer clinical trials, personalized cancer therapy.
