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Expert Second Opinion: Current and Future Roles of Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy in the Management of Advanced Gastroesophageal Cancers (Symposium Audio Proceedings)
Released January 2026

Featuring perspectives from Dr Jaffer A Ajani, Dr Samuel J Klempner, Dr Rutika Mehta and Dr John Strickler, moderated by Dr Klempner. Published January 2026.

CE Information and Faculty Disclosures

  • TARGET AUDIENCE
    This program is intended for medical oncologists, hematology-oncology fellows, surgeons and other healthcare providers involved in the treatment of gastroesophageal cancers.

    LEARNING OBJECTIVES

    • Describe published research data with immune checkpoint inhibitors alone or in combination with other systemic therapies in the management of metastatic gastric, gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) and esophageal cancers, and optimally integrate these strategies into nonresearch treatment algorithms.
    • Assess available data with monoclonal antibody therapy directed at claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) in combination with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for patients with HER2-negative, CLDN18.2-positive gastric or GEJ cancer, and optimally incorporate this approach into management algorithms.
    • Review published and emerging research findings with HER2-targeted therapies for patients with HER2-positive gastroesophageal cancers, and assess the current and future role of various agents and regimens.
    • Evaluate the scientific justification for the dual targeting of PD-1 and TIGIT for patients with gastroesophageal cancers, and appreciate available data with this novel approach.
    • Appreciate the rationale for, available data with and ongoing research studies evaluating novel targeted and immunotherapeutic strategies for gastroesophageal cancers to enhance clinical trial participation for appropriately identified patients.

    ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
    Research To Practice is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT
    Audio Proceedings: Research To Practice designates this enduring material for a maximum of 2.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

    Video Proceedings: Research To Practice designates this enduring material for a maximum of 2.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

    AMERICAN BOARD OF INTERNAL MEDICINE (ABIM) — MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION (MOC)
    Successful completion of these CME activities, which includes participation in the evaluation components and post-tests, enables the participant to earn up to 2.75 (audio) and 2.25 (video) Medical Knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for each activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

    Please note, these programs have been specifically designed for the following ABIM specialty: medical oncology.

    AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY (ABS) — CONTINOUS CERTIFICATION (CC)
    Successful completion of these CME activities, which includes participation in the evaluation components and post-tests, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirement(s) of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

    Please note, these programs have been specifically designed for the following ABS practice area: complex general surgical oncology.

    PRIVACY POLICY
    Personal information and data sharing: Research To Practice aggregates deidentified user data for program-use analysis, program development, activity planning and site improvement. We may provide aggregate and deidentified data to third parties, including commercial supporters. We do not share or sell personally identifiable information to any unaffiliated third parties or commercial supporters. Please see our privacy policy at ResearchToPractice.com/Privacy-Policy for more information.

    HOW TO USE THIS CME ACTIVITY
    Audio Program: This CME activity consists of an audio component. To receive credit, the participant should review the CME information, listen to the MP3s, review the downloadable slide set, complete the post-test with a score of 80% or better and fill out the evaluation located at ResearchToPractice.com/ASCOGI26/ImmunoTargetedGE/CME. The corresponding video program is available as an alternative at ResearchToPractice.com/ASCOGI26/ImmunoTargetedGE/Video.

    Video Program: This CME activity consists of a video component. To receive credit, the participant should review the CME information, watch the video, complete the post-test with a score of 80% or better and fill out the evaluation located at ResearchToPractice.com/ASCOGI26/ImmunoTargetedGE/Video/CME. The corresponding audio program is available as an alternative at ResearchToPractice.com/ASCOGI26/ImmunoTargetedGE.

    CONTENT VALIDATION AND DISCLOSURES
    Research To Practice (RTP) is committed to providing its participants with high-quality, unbiased and state-of-the-art education and adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of an accredited continuing education activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers and others, are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of these activities. In addition, all activity content is reviewed by RTP scientific staff and an external, independent physician reviewer for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies referenced and patient care recommendations.

    FACULTY — The following faculty reported relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities:

    Jaffer A Ajani, MD
    Professor of Medicine
    Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology
    Division of Cancer Medicine
    The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
    Houston, Texas

    Advisory Committees and Consulting Agreements: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, BeOne, Bristol Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo Inc, Gilead Sciences Inc, Henlius, Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc, Merck, Taiho Oncology Inc, Zymeworks Inc; Contracted Research: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, BeOne, Bristol Myers Squibb, Henlius, I-Mab Biopharma, Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc, Merck, Servier Pharmaceuticals LLC.

    Rutika Mehta, MD, MPH
    Associate Professor, Division of Hematology/Oncology
    Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
    New York, New York

    Advisory Committees: Amgen Inc, Astellas, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, BeOne, Bristol Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo Inc, Eisai Inc, Gilead Sciences Inc, GSK, Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc, Legend Biotech; Consulting Agreements: Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc, Lilly, Replimune; Data and Safety Monitoring Boards/Committees: Arcus Biosciences, Gilead Sciences Inc; Nonrelevant Financial Relationships: Robert A Winn Career Development Award.

    John Strickler, MD
    Professor of Medicine
    Associate Director, Clinical Research – GI
    Co-Leader, Molecular Tumor Board
    Duke University
    Durham, North Carolina

    Advisory Committees: AbbVie Inc, Amgen Inc, Astellas, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, BeOne, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cytovation ASA, Daiichi Sankyo Inc, GE Healthcare, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, GSK, Incyte Corporation, Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals Inc, Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc, Johnson & Johnson, Leap Therapeutics Inc, Lilly, Merck, Natera Inc, Pfizer Inc, Pheon Therapeutics, Quanta Therapeutics, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Sanofi, Taiho Oncology Inc, Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA Inc, Triumvira Immunologics, Xilio Therapeutics; Contracted Research: AbbVie Inc, Amgen Inc, Apollo Therapeutics, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, BeOne, Daiichi Sankyo Inc, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, GSK, Leap Therapeutics Inc, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Quanta Therapeutics, Revolution Medicines; Data and Safety Monitoring Boards/Committees: AbbVie Inc, Johnson & Johnson; Stock Options — Private Companies: Triumvira Immunologics.

    MODERATOR
    Samuel J Klempner, MD
    Program Director, Gastroesophageal Cancers
    Tobins Family Endowed Chair in Esophagogastric Cancer
    Massachusetts General Hospital
    Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School
    Boston, Massachusetts

    Advisory Committees: Amgen Inc, Astellas, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Bristol Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo Inc, Eisai Inc, Elevation Oncology, Gilead Sciences Inc, I-Mab Biopharma, Merck, Mersana Therapeutics Inc, Natera Inc, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Taiho Oncology Inc; Consulting Agreements: Astellas, Novartis (ended 2023); Stock Options — Private Companies: MBrace Therapeutics; Nonrelevant Financial Relationships: Debbie's Dream Foundation, Degregorio Family Foundation, Gastric Cancer Foundation, Gateway for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute/National Institutes of Health, NCCN (member of Gastric and Esophageal Guidelines Committees), Stand Up 2 Cancer/AACR, Torrey Coast Foundation.

    RESEARCH TO PRACTICE CME PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS, STAFF AND REVIEWERS — Planners, scientific staff and independent reviewers for Research To Practice have no relevant conflicts of interest to disclose.

    These educational activities contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the Food and Drug Administration. Research To Practice does not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications and warnings. The opinions expressed are those of the presenters and are not to be construed as those of the publisher or grantors.

    These activities are supported by educational grants from Astellas, BeOne, Gilead Sciences Inc, and Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc.

    Release date: January 2026
    Expiration date: January 2027

    After completing the post-test, learners may download and review the answers here in order to identify further areas of study.

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