A Transformative Weekend for the Stomach Cancer Community
The Hope for Stomach Cancer team has just returned from an inspiring and action-packed ASCO 2025 Annual Meeting. The theme this year, “Driving Knowledge to Action,” was more than a slogan—it was a reflection of the momentum we felt throughout the event. We’re excited to share some of the key highlights that will shape the future of gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer care.
Hope on the National Stage
Our Founder, Aki Smith, had the honor of speaking on a national stage about the vital role of patient navigation in the management of gastroesophageal cancers. This moment was a milestone in our ongoing advocacy journey, reinforcing the importance of ensuring that all patients receive comprehensive, compassionate guidance through their treatment path.
Aki was joined by our incredible Hope advocate team—Mahathi, Uroosa, June, and Irasema—who worked tirelessly throughout the conference:
Managing the Hope for Stomach Cancer booth
Attending critical scientific sessions
Building relationships with the oncology community
Participating in interviews to amplify the voice of patients
A Landmark Research Update
One of the most exciting announcements came from Dr. Yelena Janjigian, who shared pivotal new research:
patients with resectable gastric and GEJ cancer on a curative path experience better outcomes when immunotherapy is combined with chemotherapy.
This advancement has the potential to reshape the standard of care and offers new hope for patients and families facing these challenging diagnoses.
Community, Visibility, and Impact
Throughout ASCO 2025, our team worked to ensure that the stomach cancer community was seen, heard, and recognized. We engaged in powerful conversations with oncologists, researchers, and fellow advocates—driving home the message that patient-centered care and innovation in treatment delivery must go hand in hand.
View the Full Recap
Standard-Changing & New Options
MATTERHORN Trial (Durvalumab + perioperative chemo in resectable gastric/GEJ cancer)
CheckMate 649 Trial (Nivolumab + chemotherapy for advanced gastric/GEJ/esophageal cancer, PD-L1 CPS ≥5)
DESTINY-Gastric04 Trial (Trastuzumab deruxtecan for HER2-positive gastric cancer, second-line)
SPOTLIGHT / GLOW Trials (Zolbetuximab + chemotherapy for CLDN18.2-positive, HER2-negative gastric/GEJ cancer)
CT041-ST-01 Trial (Satri-cel CAR T-cell therapy for CLDN18.2+ gastric/GEJ cancer, third-line or later)
RATIONALE-306 Trial (Tislelizumab + chemotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, PD-L1 CPS ≥1)
Subcutaneous Opdivo (Nivolumab QVANTIG) (new delivery option)
Ziihera (Zanidatamab + chemotherapy) (emerging first-line option for HER2-positive metastatic gastric/GEJ cancer)
Watch List: Promising but Still Under Study
DRAGON-01 Trial (Intraperitoneal paclitaxel for gastric cancer with peritoneal metastases)
Disitamab Vedotin + Toripalimab (HER2-expressing metastatic gastric cancer, first-line)
Fortitude-101 Trial (Bemarituzumab for FGFR2b-overexpressing gastric cancer, first-line)
Favezelimab + Pembrolizumab (LAG-3 Combo) (Advanced gastric cancer, early phase)
Emerging Therapies:
CLDN18.2-directed ADCs
Bispecific antibodies
Oncolytic viruses
Special Programs & Sessions
Esophageal Cancer: Current Standards in an Ever-Changing Treatment Landscape
Hope on the Horizon in Gastric Cancer: Breakthroughs in Personalized Care With Immunotherapy and Targeted Strategies
Want to explore more insights, photos, and reflections from this year’s conference?
👉 Click here to view our full ASCO 2025 Recap (PDF)
Looking Ahead
While there is much more to unpack from ASCO 2025—including promising clinical trial data and emerging treatment strategies—one thing is clear: this was a turning point for our field.
At Hope for Stomach Cancer, we are more committed than ever to transforming knowledge into action—for patients, caregivers, and the entire stomach cancer community.