Roswell Park Teams Bring Latest Real-World Data, New Strategies to Treat Aggressive Cancers to AACR 2026

BUFFALO, N.Y. and SAN DIEGO — The work of researchers at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center will be featured at the 2026 annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in San Diego, California, April 17-22. The event brings together more than 21,000 professionals from the oncology field, as well as patients, survivors and advocates, to share and learn about recent discoveries.

Among the highlights of the meeting are an invited talk comparing patient outcomes on targeted therapy or standard chemotherapy as treatment for an aggressive subtype of metastatic colorectal cancer; work from a Roswell Park team that is assessing a new strategy to treat p53-mutated solid tumors; and a late-breaking abstract detailing promising translational findings on a prospective new combination therapy for metastatic breast cancer.

How Does Targeted Therapy Stack Up Against Standard Chemo in HER2-Amplified Metastatic Colorectal Cancer?

A retrospective study led by Roswell Park investigators reports that trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd/Enhertu), a targeted therapy, enhances five-year overall survival in patients with HER2-positive, microsatellite-stable metastatic colorectal cancer, an aggressive subtype with limited response to chemotherapy. 

While clinical trials previously showed promising activity in trastuzumab deruxtecan, several variables — including patients’ general functioning and other existing medical conditions, prior treatments and the order in which the treatments were given — have made it difficult to assess the treatment’s true effectiveness outside the context of a clinical trial. This real-world study fills the knowledge gap by tracking overall survival in patients treated with trastuzumab deruxtecan versus standard chemotherapy.

The study’s co-first author, Zunairah Shah, MBBS, Fellow in Hematology and Medical Oncology, will present her team’s findings in abstract 1303, “Real-world overall survival with trastuzumab deruxtecan versus standard chemotherapy in HER2-amplified MSS metastatic colorectal cancer” during a minisymposium on Sunday, April 19, from 3:35-3:50 p.m., Room 17, Mezzanine Level of the Convention Center. Sheheryar Kabraji, BMBCh, Chief of Breast Medicine, and Kannan Thanikachalam, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Department of Medicine, are co-senior authors.

Novel Therapy Targets DNA Damage Response in p53-Mutant Cancers

The tumor-suppressor gene TP53 is frequently mutated in most solid-tumor cancers, including colorectal and pancreatic cancers, driving tumor progression and metastasis. Research by a Roswell Park-led team of investigators shows that a triple-drug regimen they developed achieves strong tumor suppression without detectable toxicity in p53-mutant, patient-derived xenograft models of colorectal cancer. Andrei Bakin, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncology in Cancer Genetics and Genomics, is senior author of abstract 6762, “A novel therapeutic approach for targeting p53-mutant cancers by leveraging DNA damage response vulnerabilities.” The regimen combines the chemotherapy trifluridine/tipiracil (TAS102/Lonsurf) with talazoparib (Talzenna), a targeted therapy called a PARP inhibitor, and a G2-checkpoint kinase inhibitor, which together result in uncontrolled DNA damage to and cell death of p53-mutant cancer cells.

First author Mohammed Alruwaili, PhD, ASCP, who previously trained at Roswell Park and now is with Northern Border University in Arar, Saudi Arabia, will present the findings during a minisymposium on Targeted Therapy: Data Driven Approaches and Novel Drugs, Tuesday, April 21, 3:35-3:50 p.m. in Room 31, Upper Level of the Convention Center. 

Late-Breaking Abstract Describes Promising Combination Therapy for Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Preclinical research by Gokul Das, PhD, Professor of Oncology and Co-Director of the Breast Translational Research Group, and colleagues has revealed a novel combination therapy with the potential to make inroads against metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC), an aggressive and hard-to-treat subtype. Dr. Das, first and presenting author, will share the findings in the late-breaking abstract LB058/11, “Clinically actionable drug synergy drives transcriptomic and metabolic reprogramming to induce ferroptosis and apoptosis in triple negative breast cancer” Sunday, April 19, 2-5 p.m., in Section 52 of the Convention Center.

Special Roles and Recognition

• Kenan Onel, MD, PhD, Chief of Clinical Genomics, will serve as a chair and give a presentation during session AHM02, Population Sciences for Hematological Malignancies, Monday, April 20, 12:30-2 p.m. in Room 17, Mezzanine Level of the Convention Center.  
• Elizabeth Repasky, PhD, Professor of Oncology and Distinguished Member in Immunology, is co-chair of minisymposium session  MS.TB10.01, Microenvironmental Determinants of Tumor Evolution and Immune Escape, Monday, April 20, 2:30-4:30 p.m. in Ballroom 6 CF, Upper Level of the Convention Center.
• Song Yao, MD, PhD, Vice Chair of Clinical Research, Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, will co-chair  minisymposium session MS.PS01.02, Population Sciences at the Forefront 2: Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology of Cancer Risk and Outcomes, Tuesday, April 21, 2:30-4:30 p.m., in Room 15, Mezzanine Level of the Convention Center.
• Yu Fujiwara, MD, Hematology/Oncology Fellow, will be recognized during the AACR Annual Grantee Recognition ad Poster Reception Tuesday, April 21, beginning at 5:30 p.m. PDT at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. Dr. Fujiwara is concluding an AACR-Johnson & Johnson Clinical Oncology Research (CORE) Training Fellowship, providing specialized training in clinical drug development with Johnson & Johnson.

Featured Posters Highlight Additional Critical Discoveries From Roswell Park

Other Roswell Park experts will share their findings during poster presentations that offer new insights into key areas of oncology. 

SUNDAY, APRIL 19

• Abstract 483/26 – First author Shan Wu, PhD, postdoctoral researcher in Pharmacology & Therapeutics, will present “Organoids-based high-throughput drug screening identifies selective vulnerability of AR-/lo CRPC to inhibitors of neurotransmission signaling” Sunday, April 19, 2-5 p.m. PDT, in Section 19. Dean Tang, PhD, Chair of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, is senior author.
• Abstract 829/8 – First author Masanori Oshi, MD, Research Scholar in Breast Surgery, will present “Infiltration of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) is associated inversely with cell proliferation, with better patient survival, and its reduction by neoadjuvant chemotherapy relates with poor survival in breast cancer” Sunday, April 19, 2-5 p.m. PDT, in Section 33, Kazuaki Takabe, MD, PhD, FACS, FSSO, Chief of Breast Surgery, is senior author.
• Abstract 895/8 – First author Alfredo Chua, MD, predoctoral trainee in Cancer Prevention & Control, will present “Impact of immigration and acculturation on mortality in Asian American women with breast cancer” Sunday, April 19, 2-5 p.m. PDT, in Section 35. Song Yao, MD, PhD, Professor of Oncology and Vice Chair of Clinical Research, Department of Cancer Prevention & Control, is senior author.

MONDAY, APRIL 20

• Abstract 2215/1 – First author Kei Kawashima, MD, Postdoctoral Research Affiliate in Breast Surgery, will present “Tertiary lymphoid structure score associates with unique immune profile and therapeutic response in triple negative breast cancer” Monday, April 20, 9 a.m. to noon PDT, in Section 31. Kazuaki Takabe, MD, PhD, FACS, FSSO, Chief of Breast Surgery, is senior author.
• Abstract 2618/9 – First author Kayleigh Erickson, predoctoral trainee in Cancer Prevention & Control, will present “Thoracic CT-derived muscle indices improve prediction of respiratory function beyond standard L3 sarcopenia measures in lung cancer patients” Monday, April 20, 9 a.m.-noon PDT, in Section 47. Andrew Ray, PT, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncology and Rehabilitation Specialist, Department of Cancer Prevention & Control, is senior author.
• Abstract 2684/9 – First author Jun Arima, who previously trained at Roswell Park, will present “Androgen receptor expression negatively correlates with immune infiltration and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in ER-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer” Monday, April 20, 2-5 p.m. PDT, in Section 1. Kazuaki Takabe, MD, PhD, FACS, FSSO, Chief of Breast Surgery, is senior author.
• Abstract 3583 – Chi-Chen Hong, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncology, Department of Cancer Prevention & Control, is senior author of “Distinct breast cancer gene signatures by estrogen receptor status associated with psychological distress,” to be presented by first author Shipra Gandhi, MD, MS, Monday, April 20, 2-5 p.m. PDT, in Section 35.
• Abstract 3797/12 – First author Brian Morreale, predoctoral trainee in Immunology, will present “A novel tritherapy overcoming the immune suppressive tumor microenvironment elicits robust antitumor activity,” Monday, April 20, 2-5 p.m. PDT, in Section 43. Scott Abrams, PhD, Chair of Immunology, is senior author.
• Abstract CT129/21 – Igor Puzanov, MD, MSci, FACP, Senior Vice President of Clinical Investigation, is senior author of “Preliminary results from a Phase 1a/b dose-escalation and expansion trial of the pan-RAF-MEK molecular glue NST-628 in patients (pts) with advanced or refractory RAF, KRAS, and NRAS-mutant solid tumors,” to be presented by first author Ahmad Tarhini, MD, PhD, Monday, April 20, 2-5 p.m. PDT, in Section 51. 

TUESDAY, APRIL 21

• Abstract 4741/14 – First author Xiaochen Hillson Yu, PhD, postdoctoral researcher in Cell Stress Biology, will present “Loss of SIRT3 promotes metabolic and epigenetic dysregulation in aggressive prostate cancer” Tuesday, April 21, 9 a.m. to noon PDT, in Section 41. Subhamoy Dasgupta, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncology and Co-Leader of the Cancer Stress Biology Program, is senior author.
• Abstract 5081 – First author Zhihong Gong, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncology, Department of Cancer Prevention & Control, will present “Tumor long-noncoding RNA expression patterns and breast cancer prognosis among Black and White Women” Tuesday, April 21, 9 a.m. to noon PDT, in Section 36. Christine Ambrosone, PhD, Chair of Cancer Prevention & Control, is senior author.
• Abstract 5220/11 – First author Pragati Advani, MD, MPH, DrPh, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Thoracic Surgery, will present “Association between metabolic syndrome and risk of second primary malignancy among patients with a history of cancer” Tuesday, April 21, 9 a.m. to noon PDT, in Section 41. Sai Yendamuri, MD, MBA, FACS, Chief of Strategy and Chair of Thoracic Surgery, is senior author.
• Abstract 5221/12 – First author Pragati Advani, MD, MPH, DrPh, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Thoracic Surgery, will present “Racial/ethnic disparities in risk of second primary malignancy among women in the Pathways Study of breast cancer survivors” Tuesday, April 21, 9 a.m. to noon PDT, in Section 41.
• Abstract 5348/16 – First author Yu Fujiwara, MD, Hematology/Oncology Fellow, will present “Tumor remodeling pathways are enriched in the tumor microenvironment of obesity-associated colorectal cancer” Tuesday, April 21, 9 a.m. to noon PDT, in Section 46.
• Abstract 6496/14 – Youcef Rustum, PhD, Emeritus Professor of Oncology, Department of Cancer Biology, is senior author of “Methylseleninic acid enhances anti-FN14 CAR-T cell effector function and redirects cytotoxicity against TGF-β-rich kidney, prostate, and brain tumors,” to be presented Tuesday, April 21, 2-5 p.m. PDT, in Section 42, by first author Gloria Kim, PhD.
• Abstract 6530/19 –  First author Kei Kawashima, MD, Postdoctoral Research Affiliate in Breast Surgery, will present “Molecular biological differences between breast and cutaneous apocrine carcinomas” Tuesday, April 21, 2-5 p.m. PDT, in Section 43. Kazuaki Takabe, MD, PhD, FACS, FSSO, Chief of Breast Surgery, is senior author.
• Abstract 7565/13 – First author Ji Park, predoctoral trainee in Cancer Prevention & Control, will present “Psychological distress, antidepressants, and sympathetic-immune profiles in cancer survivors” Wednesday, April 22, 9 a.m. to noon, in Section 34. Chi-Chen Hong, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncology, Department of Cancer Prevention & Control, is senior author.
• Abstract 7855/7 – First author Eleanor Fallon, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgical Oncology, will present “Transcriptomic profiling of Ki67 expression in melanoma patient specimens reveals distinct immune signatures” Wednesday, April 22, 9 a.m. to noon, in Section 46. Kazuaki Takabe, MD, PhD, FACS, FSSO, Clinical Chief of Breast Surgery, is senior author.
• Abstract 7865/17 – First author Opuruiche Ibekwe, MBBS, MPh, DrPh, Research Associate in Thoracic Surgery, will present “Survival profile of patients presented at technology-enhanced multidisciplinary cancer conferences” Wednesday, April 22, 9 a.m. to noon PDT, in Section 46. Chukwumere Nwogu, MD, PhD, FACS, Professor of Oncology and attending surgeon, Department of Thoracic Surgery, is senior author.
• Abstract 7947/22 – First author Masanori Oshi, MD, Research Affiliate in Breast Surgery, will present “miR-150 orchestrates immune activation and lymphocyte trafficking in breast cancer” Wednesday, April 22, 9 a.m. to noon PDT, in Section 49. Kazuaki Takabe, MD, PhD, FACS, FSSO, Chief of Breast Surgery, is senior author.

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From the world’s first chemotherapy research to the PSA prostate cancer biomarker, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center generates innovations that shape how cancer is detected, treated and prevented worldwide. The Roswell Park team of 4,000+ makes compassionate, patient-centered cancer care and services accessible across New York State and beyond. Rated “Exceptional” by the National Cancer Institute, Roswell Park, founded in 1898, was one of the first NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country and remains the only one in Upstate New York. To learn more about Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Roswell Park Care Network, visit www.roswellpark.org, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or email ASKRoswell@RoswellPark.org.