During the 2024 Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Meeting (SSO), CancerNetwork® spoke with a variety of surgical oncology experts regarding the topline data they presented. Each conversation also expanded upon how these results can be implemented into the clinical space and the next research steps. 

First, Adrienne Bruce Shannon, MD, a complex general surgical oncology fellow at Moffitt Cancer Center, discussed findings from her presentation highlighting responses to neoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors among select patients with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) gastroesophageal cancer.1 

Looking ahead, Shannon described her aim to optimize treatment strategies for this patient population, which may include assessing whether single-agent treatment can be efficacious while avoiding toxicity associated with combination regimens. 

Next, Sean Dineen, MD, an associate member in the Gastrointestinal Department, section leader for Peritoneal Disease, and the program director for the Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship at Moffitt Cancer Center, spoke about his session, which was aimed at determining appropriate conditions for using cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for those with colorectal cancer (CRC) and peritoneal metastases.2 

Dineen highlighted that there is “good evidence” in support of HIPEC as a “valid treatment option” and emphasized the need to encourage medical oncologists to refer patients for consideration of surgery. Additionally, he spoke about other advancements he hopes to see in this patient population, including the development of markers of various disease volumes that can help identify potential recurrence in those who receive surgery. 

Finally, Muhammad Talha Waheed, MD, a research fellow in the Department of Surgical Oncology at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California, detailed findings from a retrospective analysis indicating disparate treatment access and cancer-related mortality based on racial-economic segregation.3 

Specifically, data showed that those who lived in Black and poor majority areas were less likely to receive care that was in accordance with various treatment guidelines while having worse overall survival outcomes. Regarding the next steps, Waheed described his intentions of sharing his findings with policymakers who may create legislature intended to mitigate the disparities observed in the analysis.

1.        Shannon AB, Mehta RJ, Mok SR, et al. Pathologic response to neoadjuvant immunotherapy in DNA mismatch repair protein-deficient gastroesophageal cancers. Presented at the Society of Surgical Oncology 2024 Annual Meeting; March 20-23, 2024; Atlanta, GA. Abstract 94.

2.        Dineen S. Optimal tumor burden for CRS/HIPEC in colorectal cancer. Presented at the Society of Surgical Oncology 2024 Annual Meeting; March 20-23, 2024; Atlanta, GA.

3.        Waheed MT, Sullivan KM, Haye S, et al. Impact of racialized residential segregation on guideline concordant cancer care and survival. Presented at the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) 2024 Annual Meeting; March 20 – 23, 2024; Atlanta, GA; abstract E126.