The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting is one of the world’s premier oncology conferences, bringing together oncologists, hematologists, advanced practice providers, researchers, pharmaceutical leaders, and healthcare innovators to discuss the latest advances in cancer care.
Whether you’re attending ASCO for the first time or are a seasoned attendee, the annual meeting offers an opportunity to learn about groundbreaking clinical research, emerging therapies, practice-changing guidelines, and innovations shaping the future of oncology.
This guide covers what to expect at the ASCO Annual Meeting 2027, why physicians attend, how to prepare, and how to make the most of your conference experience.
What is the ASCO Annual Meeting?
Hosted annually by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the ASCO Annual Meeting is one of the largest gatherings dedicated to cancer research and clinical oncology.
Since its first meeting in 1965, ASCO has grown into a global event where thousands of healthcare professionals come together to discuss advances in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and supportive care.
Each year’s meeting features:
- Late-breaking clinical trial results
- Oral abstract presentations
- Poster sessions
- Educational symposia
- Expert panel discussions
- Career development opportunities
- Networking events
- Industry exhibitions showcasing new technologies and therapies
For physicians caring for patients with cancer, ASCO often delivers research that influences clinical practice for years to come.
Who should attend ASCO?
Although ASCO is best known for oncologists, the meeting benefits a wide range of healthcare professionals, including:
- Pharmaceutical and biotechnology professionals
- Medical oncologists
- Surgical oncologists
- Radiation oncologists
- Hematologists
- Oncology fellows
- Nurse practitioners
- Physician assistants
- Pharmacists
- Clinical researchers
- Healthcare executives
Anyone involved in cancer care can benefit from learning about the latest evidence and connecting with colleagues from around the world.
What to expect at ASCO 2027
Each year, ASCO highlights research that has the potential to improve patient outcomes and change clinical practice.
While the official scientific program varies annually, attendees can expect discussions around topics such as:
- Precision oncology
- Immunotherapy
- Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)
- CAR T-cell therapy
- Bispecific antibodies
- Molecular diagnostics
- Biomarker testing
- Liquid biopsy
- Artificial intelligence in oncology
- Digital pathology
- Clinical trial innovation
- Real-world evidence
- Health equity
- Cancer survivorship
- Personalized cancer care
The conference also provides access to hundreds of educational sessions covering disease-specific tracks, treatment guidelines, quality improvement initiatives, and emerging technologies.
Why physicians attend ASCO
For many healthcare professionals, ASCO is more than a scientific conference. It’s an opportunity to stay ahead of rapidly evolving cancer care.
According to Sermo physician polling, oncologists consistently identify these as the top reasons for attending ASCO:
- Learning about new cancer research
- Reviewing practice-changing clinical trials
- Networking with peers and researchers
- Discovering innovative therapies
- Exploring advances in precision medicine
- Sharing clinical experiences
- Identifying opportunities for collaboration
Whether you’re interested in breast cancer, lung cancer, gastrointestinal oncology, hematologic malignancies, or rare cancers, ASCO provides specialty-focused educational opportunities across nearly every area of oncology.
The value of networking at ASCO
One of the biggest advantages of attending ASCO is the opportunity to connect with physicians and researchers from around the world.
In addition to scientific sessions, attendees can:
- Meet the investigators behind landmark clinical trials
- Discuss challenging patient cases with peers
- Connect with industry leaders
- Explore research collaborations
- Learn about investigator-sponsored studies
- Build professional relationships that continue beyond the conference
These conversations often provide practical insights that aren’t captured in published research alone.
How to make the most of ASCO 2027
Review the agenda before you arrive
ASCO offers hundreds of sessions over several days. Build your schedule in advance and prioritize presentations that align with your clinical interests.
Prioritize late-breaking abstracts
Many of the conference’s most influential studies are presented during late-breaking abstract sessions and plenary presentations. These sessions often generate immediate discussion across the oncology community.
Visit the poster sessions
Poster presentations provide opportunities to speak directly with researchers, ask questions, and gain additional context behind new findings.
Network intentionally
Take advantage of networking receptions, specialty interest groups, and informal conversations between sessions. Many physicians find these interactions just as valuable as the educational programming.
Capture your key takeaways
Document clinical pearls, research findings, and ideas you can share with your practice after returning home. Discussing conference highlights with colleagues helps reinforce new knowledge and encourages implementation.
Recent trends shaping ASCO
Recent ASCO Annual Meetings have focused on several themes that continue to influence oncology practice, including:
- Earlier cancer detection
- Precision medicine
- Immunotherapy advancements
- Personalized treatment strategies
- Clinical trial diversity
- Artificial intelligence in healthcare
- Biomarker-driven treatment decisions
- Improving health equity
- Real-world evidence
- Digital health innovation
As oncology continues to evolve, these topics are expected to remain central to future meetings.
Continue the conversation on Sermo
The learning doesn’t stop when ASCO ends.
Before the meeting, Sermo members participate in physician polls and discussions about anticipated research and emerging trends. During the conference, members share key takeaways, clinical insights, and reactions to practice-changing presentations in real time. After ASCO concludes, physicians continue discussing how new evidence is influencing patient care and treatment decisions.
If you’re planning to attend ASCO 2027, joining Sermo before the conference gives you access to a global community of physicians exchanging insights before, during, and after one of oncology’s most important annual events.
ASCO conference FAQ
The ASCO Annual Meeting is an annual scientific conference hosted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology where healthcare professionals gather to learn about the latest advances in cancer research, treatment, and patient care.
Attendees include oncologists, hematologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, researchers, healthcare executives, and pharmaceutical professionals from around the world.
Many practice-changing clinical trials are first presented at ASCO, making it one of the most influential oncology conferences globally.
No. While oncologists make up a significant portion of attendees, many other healthcare professionals involved in cancer care also attend to stay informed about emerging evidence and treatment advances.
Review the conference agenda, identify priority sessions, schedule networking opportunities, attend poster sessions, and set aside time to review key research after each day of the meeting.
