The science is shifting in oncology: Are you ready to evolve with it?

By Patty Zipfel, PhD, SVP, Scientific Strategy, Inizio Evoke 

It’s been a few weeks since ASCO® 2025, but one moment from the podium still echoes in my mind – the possibility of curing metastatic cancer. 

That word – curing – is rarely used in the context of metastatic disease. But this year, a bold new trial design in metastatic breast cancer took center stage, proposing sequential treatment with hypothetically non-cross-resistant therapies, and a new endpoint for this setting: percentage of patients progression-free at four years. It was this idea, quietly disruptive, that stuck with me most. 

From bench to breakthroughs: A personal lens on progress 

Years ago, I attended the congress when immuno-oncology (IO) was just taking off. Seeing IOs start to build clinical momentum was electric, especially after having spent many years at the bench and with my last area of focus being on translational research in melanoma. But this year felt different. 

The shift wasn’t just in data – it was in strategy. 

• CAR-T showed promise in solid tumors, a long-awaited milestone. 
• ADCs dominated: from new constructs to innovative combinations, their presence was overwhelming, and exciting. 
• Novel regimens are rewriting the rules, challenging standards once thought untouchable. 

And yet, with every advance came familiar questions that demand more strategic thought than ever: 

• How do we sequence these new therapies for maximum benefit? 
• How is the detection and role of biomarkers in clinical decision-making evolving? Are critical biomarkers still being overlooked? 
• Can we predict or prevent resistance, or design therapies to overcome it? 

Biomarkers, AI, and the next generation of precision 

This year made one thing clear: whether we’re discussing IO, ADCs, bispecifics, or targeted agents, biomarkers are the linchpin. 

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being explored to increase accuracy in identifying biomarker expression, sharpening our precision in targeting. 
• ctDNA is emerging as a tool for real-time monitoring, potentially enabling therapy adjustments mid-treatment based on new mutations or resistance mechanisms. 

These are not just technical advancements – they are strategic inflection points that will shape how patient selection, sequencing, and adaptive treatment are approached. 

Strategic imperatives: Beyond the data 

Scientific breakthroughs demand more than clinical progress – they require a shift in how we plan, communicate, and execute. Even the physical congress floor evolved – with booths that were bigger, smarter, and more immersive – but the most meaningful evolution is strategic. It’s no longer enough to know what’s happening in oncology. We have to ask: What do we do with that information? How do we plan differently – smarter, faster, with more foresight? 

These questions are exactly what we explore in our recent webinar: Beyond the booth: Big ideas, smart spaces & strategic insights from ASCO® 2025. Watch the webinar on demand to discover our key findings from this years’ congress, also highlighting our expertise in oncology and congress solutions.