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Friday, January 9, 2026, San Francisco, California, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Pacific Time (9:00 PM – 11:00 PM Eastern Time)

Expert Second Opinion: Current and Future Roles of Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy in the Management of Advanced Gastroesophageal Cancers

A CME Symposium Held Adjunct to the 2026 ASCO® Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium

Register for in-person Register for webcast

Event Details

 

Program Schedule — Pacific Time
5:45 PM – 6:00 PM — Registration
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM — Educational Dinner Meeting

Location
San Francisco Marriott Marquis
780 Mission Street
San Francisco, California
Hotel Phone: (415) 896-1600

Meeting Room
Golden Gate Ballroom — Salon A (B2 Level)

No registration fee is charged for this event. For the in-person symposium in San Francisco, preregistration is required as seating is limited.  
 
Faculty
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

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

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



This activity is supported by educational grants from Astellas, BeOne, Gilead Sciences Inc, and Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Not an official event of the 2026 ASCO® Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium. Not sponsored, endorsed, or accredited by ASCO®, Association for Clinical Oncology, or Conquer Cancer®, the ASCO Foundation.

Agenda

Program Schedule — Pacific Time
5:45 PM – 6:00 PM — Registration
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM — Educational Dinner Meeting

MODULE 1: HER2-Targeted Approaches for Advanced Gastroesophageal Cancers — Dr Ajani

  • Published efficacy and safety data from the Phase III DESTINY-Gastric04 trial comparing trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) to ramucirumab/paclitaxel for patients with HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who had previously received trastuzumab-based therapy
  • Optimal integration of T-DXd into management approaches for advanced HER2-positive gastroesophageal tumors
  • Mechanism of action of the novel HER2-targeted bispecific antibody zanidatamab
  • Early findings with zanidatamab/chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced HER2-positive gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma
  • Emerging positive data from the Phase III HERIZON-GEA-01 trial of zanidatamab and chemotherapy with and without tislelizumab as first-line treatment for locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma

MODULE 2: Targeting Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) in Advanced Gastroesophageal Cancers — Dr Strickler

  • Incidence and clinical relevance of CLDN18.2 expression in gastric/GEJ cancer; appropriate methods to assess CLDN18.2 status
  • Key efficacy and safety results from the Phase III SPOTLIGHT and GLOW trials evaluating zolbetuximab in combination with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for patients with CLDN18.2-positive, HER2-negative advanced gastric/GEJ adenocarcinoma
  • FDA approval and current clinical role of up-front zolbetuximab/chemotherapy
  • Spectrum, frequency and severity of adverse events associated with zolbetuximab; optimal approaches to prevention and management
  • Ongoing efforts to further expand the role of zolbetuximab in therapy for advanced gastric/GEJ cancers

MODULE 3: Optimal Incorporation of Immunotherapeutic Strategies into Treatment for Patients with Metastatic Gastroesophageal Tumors — Dr Mehta

  • Clinical and biological factors affecting the choice of up-front therapy for patients with metastatic gastroesophageal cancers
  • Published datasets demonstrating the efficacy and safety of first-line nivolumab-, pembrolizumab- and tislelizumab-containing regimens for advanced HER2-negative gastric, GEJ and esophageal cancers; impact of PD-L1 expression on outcomes
  • Recent narrowing of the FDA-approved indications for nivolumab- and pembrolizumab-containing regimens for previously untreated HER2-negative gastroesophageal cancers
  • Long-term follow-up with the addition of pembrolizumab to chemotherapy and trastuzumab for previously untreated HER2-positive advanced gastric/GEJ adenocarcinoma; impact of PD-L1 status on outcomes and revised FDA indication
  • Clinical utility, if any, of immunotherapy for relapsed/refractory gastroesophageal tumors

MODULE 4: Other Novel Agents and Strategies Under Evaluation for Advanced Gastroesophageal Cancers — Dr Klempner

  • Potential immunotherapy targets beyond PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 in gastroesophageal cancers; proposed rationale for targeting TIGIT
  • Updated efficacy findings, including overall survival outcomes, documented with the combination of the anti-TIGIT monoclonal antibody domvanalimab, the anti-PD-1 antibody zimberelimab and chemotherapy as first-line therapy for advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma in arm A1 of the EDGE-Gastric study
  • Emerging outcomes from the Phase III STAR-221 trial comparing domvanalimab/zimberelimab/chemotherapy to nivolumab/chemotherapy for previously untreated advanced gastric, GEJ and esophageal adenocarcinoma
  • Mechanism of action of and early findings with the PD-1/TIGIT bispecific antibody rilvegostomig for advanced gastroesophageal cancers
  • Ongoing Phase III ARTEMIDE-Gastric01 study of rilvegostomig with fluoropyrimidine and T-DXd as first-line treatment for metastatic HER2-positive gastric/GEJ cancer
  • Structural components of, early efficacy and safety results with and ongoing Phase III evaluation of the CLDN18.2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate sonesitatug vedotin for advanced gastroesophageal cancers
  • Other novel agents and strategies under evaluation for advanced gastroesophageal cancers

CE Information

Target Audience
This activity is intended for medical oncologists, hematology-oncology fellows, surgeons and other healthcare providers involved in the treatment of gastroesophageal cancers.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to

  • 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.

CME Credit Form
A CME credit link will be given to each participant as part of the meeting course materials.

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
Research To Practice designates this live activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

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.

Unlabeled/Unapproved Uses Notice
This educational activity may 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 provider or grantors.

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 will have been mitigated prior to the commencement of this activity. 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:

Dr Ajani — 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. Dr Mehta — 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. Dr Strickler — 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
Dr Klempner — 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.

EDITOR — Dr Love is president and CEO of Research To Practice. Research To Practice receives funds in the form of educational grants to develop CME activities from the following companies: Aadi Bioscience, AbbVie Inc, ADC Therapeutics, Agendia Inc, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Amgen Inc, Array BioPharma Inc, a subsidiary of Pfizer Inc, Arvinas, Astellas, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Aveo Pharmaceuticals, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, BeOne, Biotheranostics Inc, A Hologic Company, Black Diamond Therapeutics Inc, Blueprint Medicines, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celcuity, Clovis Oncology, Coherus BioSciences, Corcept Therapeutics Inc, CTI BioPharma, a Sobi Company, Daiichi Sankyo Inc, Eisai Inc, Elevation Oncology Inc, Exact Sciences Corporation, Exelixis Inc, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, Genmab US Inc, Geron Corporation, Gilead Sciences Inc, GSK, Helsinn Therapeutics (US) Inc, ImmunoGen Inc, Incyte Corporation, Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals Inc, Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc, Johnson & Johnson, Karyopharm Therapeutics, Kite, A Gilead Company, Kura Oncology, Legend Biotech, Lilly, MEI Pharma Inc, Merck, Mersana Therapeutics Inc, Mirati Therapeutics Inc, Mural Oncology Inc, Natera Inc, Novartis, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation on behalf of Advanced Accelerator Applications, Novocure Inc, Nuvalent, Nuvation Bio Inc, Pfizer Inc, Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company, Puma Biotechnology Inc, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Rigel Pharmaceuticals Inc, R-Pharm US, Sanofi, Seagen Inc, Servier Pharmaceuticals LLC, SpringWorks Therapeutics Inc, Stemline Therapeutics Inc, Sumitomo Pharma America, Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Taiho Oncology Inc, Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA Inc, TerSera Therapeutics LLC, and Tesaro, A GSK Company.

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.

Supporters
This activity is supported by educational grants from Astellas, BeOne, Gilead Sciences Inc, and Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Location

San Francisco Marriott Marquis
780 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Hotel Phone: (415) 896-1600

Meeting Room
Golden Gate Ballroom — Salon A (B2 Level)

Directions
The San Francisco Marriott Marquis is located just 2 blocks (less than 0.2 miles) from the Moscone Center, where the 2026 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium is taking place.

 

Registration

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

No registration fee is charged for this event. For the in-person symposium in San Francisco, preregistration is required as seating is limited.

NOTICE
Registration for this event is independent of registration for the 2026 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.

IN-PERSON Registration
Thank you for your interest in our CME program. At this time online preregistration is closed for this event. SEATS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR THIS SESSION. Our onsite registration desk will be open at 5:45 PM PT on Friday, January 9th. If you are interested in attending, please visit our registration desk outside the Golden Gate Ballroom — Salon A (B2 Level) — at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis hotel, 780 Mission Street, within walking distance (2 blocks) of the Moscone Convention Center. Please note: Seats will be offered on a first come, first served basis after prioritizing for clinicians in practice, and onsite registration does not guarantee participation in the meal service.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via email at Meetings@ResearchToPractice.com, or call (800) 233-6153.
NOTICE:
Registration for this event is independent of registration for the 2026 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.
WEBCAST registration for all professionals

Please note, we will stream this event over Zoom. After registering you will receive a separate confirmation from Zoom with the viewing instructions.

REGISTRATION FOR WEBCAST »
Registration for groups
If you are registering a group (more than 1 person) for this event, please contact us at Meetings@ResearchToPractice.com or (800) 233-6153.
To ensure seating and meal service, please check in at our onsite registration desk before the start of the meeting. We cannot guarantee seating after the start of the program.

Photography and/or video recording may be taken during the educational program by Research To Practice and used in future educational offerings.

Research To Practice fully complies with the legal requirements of the ADA. If you require any physical, dietary or other accommodations, please call us at (800) 233-6153 before the event.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via email at Meetings@ResearchToPractice.com, or call (800) 233-6153.

Not an official event of the 2026 ASCO® Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium. Not sponsored, endorsed, or accredited by ASCO®, Association for Clinical Oncology, or Conquer Cancer®, the ASCO Foundation.