A VIEW FROM ASCO: THE WORK BEHIND THE SCIENCE
By John Hennessy, Associate Principal
A Meeting That Grounds the Year
The ASCO Annual Meeting has become an annual milestone for me. I’ve been attending since 2009 and have had the privilege of serving on faculty twice over the years. It is a place to learn, certainly, but just as importantly, it is a place to reconnect with colleagues, build new relationships, and stay grounded in the evolving realities of oncology.
This year, I had the opportunity to join the Health Policy Community of Practice for their annual gathering. It was a meaningful way to begin my volunteer work with ASCO, which will take shape more fully in the second half of the year. Like many moments at ASCO, it offered a chance to step back, listen, and think more broadly about the systems shaping patient care.
Beyond the Plenary: Where the Real Stories Live
For many attendees, the Sunday afternoon Plenary Sessions are the centerpiece of the meeting. While I appreciate the insights they offer, I find myself most drawn to the poster sessions. Despite the energy of the exhibit hall, I consistently return to the east side to spend time with the work showcased there. That is where the day-to-day realities of oncology come into clearer focus.
The poster sessions are where science meets lived experience. They offer a view into the challenges that patients, providers, and health systems navigate every day, often in ways that are not captured fully in headline results or top-line endpoints.
What the Posters Reveal
Several posters stood out this year:
Abstract #11057 explored the cumulative impact of time spent on cancer-related tasks, both at home and in clinical settings, and how that burden contributes to patient distress. It is a reminder that simplifying the care journey is essential to improving outcomes and quality of life.
Abstract #11031 examined the realities of Specialty Oral Anticancer Medicines, highlighting the barriers posed by prior authorizations, appeals, and cases where medications are not accessed even after approval. Too many patients are still unable to receive the therapies they need.
Abstract #536004 focused on the relationship between fatigue and treatment toxicity, underscoring how addressing one aspect of the patient experience can positively influence another. It reinforces the importance of looking at care holistically.
Together, these examples reflect a broader truth. Innovation does not end at approval.
The Gap Between Innovation and Access
Breakthrough therapies and strong clinical outcomes matter deeply, but their value is diminished if patients cannot access them or if the care journey itself creates additional burden.
In my current role in market access, and with a background in oncology practice management, I tend to focus on these realities. How do medicines reach patients? Where does the system break down? What data helps us better understand and address those challenges?
Understanding the drivers of health system dysfunction is critical. So is leveraging real-world evidence to identify barriers and build more effective solutions.
Looking Beyond the Endpoints
At ASCO, we hear a great deal about key clinical endpoints such as ORR, PFS, and OS. These are essential metrics of progress. But they tell only part of the story.
Without access, coordination, and patient-centered delivery, their real-world impact is limited.
One of my biggest takeaways this year is just how much insight lives within these more grounded conversations. I captured photos of roughly 50 posters that I expect will influence how I approach my work as a consultant, as an ASCO volunteer, and as a patient advocate over the next several years.
If there is a through line, it is this: progress in oncology depends not just on scientific advancement, but on our ability to translate that progress into accessible, equitable, and manageable care for patients.
I am always happy to connect and compare notes. If you were at ASCO 2026 this year, or if you want to talk posters and perspectives, I welcome the conversation.