The phase III INTerpath-001 trial has reported positive interim results at the 2026 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress, opening a new chapter in cancer immunotherapy. In patients with completely resected, high-risk stage IIB–IV melanoma, the individualized neoantigen mRNA therapy intismeran autogene combined with pembrolizumab significantly improved recurrence-free survival (RFS) compared with pembrolizumab alone, reducing the risk of recurrence or death by 42% (hazard ratio [HR] 0.58; P<0.001). Distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) showed a consistent, significant benefit (HR 0.62; P=0.002).

With the 2026 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress fast approaching, the phase III randomized PANKU-Breast01 study of iza-bren (BL-B01D1), the world's first approved bispecific antibody–drug conjugate (ADC), has reached its primary endpoint. The study evaluated iza-bren in patients with HR-positive/HER2-negative (HR+/HER2−) advanced breast cancer who had previously received one or two lines of chemotherapy. The findings have been selected for a late-breaking abstract (LBA) presentation at this year's ESMO Congress and are set to be unveiled globally for the first time. This milestone signals the beginning of a new era of bispecific ADC therapy for HR+/HER2− breast cancer.

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) have profoundly reshaped the treatment landscape for advanced breast cancer. However, traditional single-target ADCs are vulnerable to antigen downregulation, which can lead to treatment resistance. Iza-kang (izalontamab brengitecan, BL-B01D1/iza-bren), the world's first EGFR × HER3 bispecific ADC developed independently in China, represents a new generation of ADCs.

As the world's first approved EGFR × HER3 bispecific antibody–drug conjugate (ADC), Izecom (izalontamab brengitecan, BL-B01D1/iza-bren) features a dual-target structure designed to overcome the limitations associated with low or heterogeneous expression of a single target. It has demonstrated remarkable antitumor activity across multiple tumor types. The phase III PANKU-Breast02 study, jointly led by Professor Jiong Wu and Professor Jian Zhang of Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, reported positive results for both primary endpoints, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), in a high-profile late-breaking abstract (LBA) presentation at ASCO. In recognition of its breakthrough clinical value, the study also received the 2026 Innovative Research Award at this year's CSCO Annual Meeting. These achievements indicate that the clinical value of izalontamab brengitecan in breast cancer is attracting global attention and recognition.

The 2026 Xianghu Breast Cancer Treatment Frontiers Academic Conference was held in Hangzhou from October 9 to 11, focusing on emerging concepts in breast cancer treatment, the integration of cardio-oncology into clinical practice, and the comprehensive management of antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs). During the meeting, Oncology Frontier interviewed Professor Zhanhong Chen of Zhejiang Cancer Hospital. She discussed the overall design and highlights of the cardio-oncology session, explained the growing importance of cardio-oncology in comprehensive breast cancer care, and shared insights into the evolving role of ADCs in advanced HER2-positive breast cancer, principles for treatment sequencing, and strategies for assessing and managing the cardiac safety of anti-HER2 ADCs.

The 2026 Xianghu Breast Cancer Treatment Frontiers Academic Conference recently concluded successfully in Hangzhou. Organized by the Breast Cancer Center of Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, the meeting featured multiple sessions covering basic and translational research, brain metastases from breast cancer, and cardio-oncology, among other topics. The Hangzhou session of the 2026 CSCO Breast Cancer (CSCO BC) Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines Tour was also held concurrently. During the meeting, Oncology Frontier interviewed Professor Hai Hu of Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Chair of the Conference, who shared his insights into the program structure and organizing philosophy, emerging directions in basic and translational research, the current state and future prospects of breast cancer brain metastasis management, and the development and operational model of the Precision Clinic at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital.

The 2026 Xianghu Breast Cancer Treatment Frontiers Conference (hereinafter referred to as the “Xianghu Forum”) is currently underway. Building on previous editions, this year's meeting has been comprehensively upgraded, focusing on international advances such as antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) and novel targeted therapies, incorporating real-world data from China and Zhejiang Province, and strengthening interdisciplinary exchange, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the development of young and mid-career physicians. These efforts aim to bring high-quality breast cancer care closer to the clinical frontline. During the meeting, Oncology Frontier interviewed Professor Xiaojia Wang of Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Chair of the Conference, to discuss the meeting's highlights and distinctive features, the significance of the Hangzhou session of the CSCO BC Guidelines Tour in advancing standardized and consistent breast cancer care, and the emerging landscape of precision diagnosis and treatment for HR-positive advanced breast cancer. He also shared valuable insights into original research, data sharing, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the professional development of young and mid-career physicians.

As neoadjuvant systemic therapy continues to gain traction in clinical breast cancer care, the principles and strategies guiding breast surgery are undergoing a comprehensive transformation. Surgery is no longer an isolated local intervention. Instead, it is closely integrated with systemic treatment, serving as a pivotal component in striking a dynamic balance between precision de-escalation and ensuring curative outcomes. How can clinicians define the appropriate boundaries of surgical de-escalation? What criteria must a de-escalation strategy meet to progress from clinical trials into international guidelines? And in which areas should China-Europe collaboration in breast cancer care focus its efforts? On October 10–11, the 2026 East China Breast Cancer Salon was held in Nanjing under the theme “Nine Decades of Compassion and Dedication: Passing the Torch of Medical Excellence.” During the meeting, Oncology Frontier interviewed Professor Michael Gnant of the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, to explore the fundamental value of surgical decision-making in the era of neoadjuvant therapy, the key evidence required to translate de-escalation strategies into clinical guidelines, and promising directions for research collaboration between China and Europe in breast surgery.

The 2026 East China Breast Cancer Salon was held in Nanjing on October 10–11 under the theme “Nine Decades of Compassion and Dedication: Passing the Torch of Medical Excellence.” Bringing together multidisciplinary experts and scholars in breast cancer from China and abroad, the meeting featured in-depth discussions on key topics, including anti-HER2 therapy, neoadjuvant treatment, oncoplastic surgery, and precision radiotherapy. It provided a platform for academic exchange, intellectual dialogue, and collaborative advancement among breast cancer professionals across East China and throughout the country. During the meeting, Oncology Frontier, in collaboration with CCMTV, conducted an in-depth interview with Professor Zefei Jiang, President-Elect of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO). He shared his expert perspectives on the value of the meeting, its key highlights, and international collaboration.

The 2026 Annual Meeting of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) will be held under the theme “Upholding Standards and Embracing Digital Intelligence and Innovation,” showcasing research achievements and clinical advances across oncology. As an important platform connecting standardized diagnosis and treatment, innovative research, and international exchange, this year's meeting features several new highlights in its scale of participation, presentation of original research, and academic session offerings.