Clinical Insights From a Pivotal Season in Oncology Research

As we usher in 2026, the oncology field stands at a remarkable juncture, one defined by transformative science, expanding therapeutic options, and a deepening role for the oncology pharmacist in multidisciplinary care. Insights shared at 2 of the field’s most influential meetings—the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS)—highlight both the pace of progress and the growing complexity of modern cancer care.

Across both forums, a recurring theme emerged: Progress in oncology is accelerating not only via the introduction of novel agents but also through a more refined understanding of how to integrate emerging therapies into practice to optimize patient outcomes.

At SABCS, new data continued to refine the management of breast cancer across subtypes. In the January 2026 issue of Pharmacy Practice in Focus: Oncology, several articles explore how antibody-drug conjugates are reshaping treatment paradigms in HER2-positive disease, including emerging results from the DESTINY-Breast trials that suggest evolving standards in both early and metastatic settings. Additional analyses examine the growing role of next-generation CDK inhibitors and long-term follow-up from the MONALEESA program, underscoring the importance of durable progression-free and overall survival benefits when evaluating the sequencing of therapies.

At ASH, new data in hematologic malignancies and nonmalignant hematology highlighted the continued progress in therapy optimization, patient-centered outcomes, and durability of response. The data included advances in multiple myeloma, where novel combinations and bispecific strategies demonstrated improvements in progression-free survival, minimal residual disease negativity, and quality of life, alongside emerging evidence that supports earlier and more effective use of immunotherapies.

Collectively, the findings presented at ASH and SABCS reinforce the expanding role of pharmacists as clinical experts, collaborators, and stewards of complex therapies. As treatment regimens grow more sophisticated, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to translate emerging evidence into practice, optimize medication use, and support patients through increasingly individualized care journeys.