ESMO 2025 highlights personalised medicine and surgical innovations shaping future cancer care

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2025, scheduled to take place from October 17 to 21 at Messe Berlin, Germany, is poised to be a landmark event in global oncology. Anticipated to attract around 34,000 participants, including leading clinicians, researchers, patient advocates, and industry representatives, the congress serves as a premier platform for sharing the latest breakthroughs in cancer treatment and research. Messe Berlin, recognised as one of Europe’s foremost convention venues, reinforces Berlin’s status as a vibrant international hub for scientific discourse and innovation.

This year’s congress features a robust and diverse scientific and educational programme designed to catalyse exchange and debate within translational cancer science. The agenda promises to showcase a wealth of potentially practice-changing data while fostering multidisciplinary collaboration aimed at improving cancer treatment paradigms across different tumour types. Themes range from cutting-edge clinical trials to innovative treatment strategies and health policy discussions focused on cancer care. As noted by various participants, the event also provides opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing, essential for advancing collective efforts against cancer.

Among the highlights are advances in personalised medicine and precision oncology. A notable presentation will focus on machine learning models that integrate multi-omic datasets to predict patient responses to immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Such innovations underscore a shift toward tailored therapeutic regimens designed to enhance efficacy and minimise toxicity. In early-stage breast cancer, therapies such as trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), an antibody-drug conjugate combining targeted action with potent cytotoxic effects, are receiving significant attention. Preliminary data presented at the congress suggest that T-DXd outperforms its predecessors in treating HER2-enriched breast cancer, though issues related to toxicity management and real-world application remain topics of active discussion.

Surgical innovation also marks a key feature of the congress. The Breast Unit at ULS Lisboa Ocidental announced its pioneering adoption of endoscopic mastectomy, a minimally invasive procedure that integrates genomic-guided decision-making. This technique offers not only oncological safety comparable to conventional surgery but also superior aesthetic outcomes and reduced postoperative complications. The integration of advanced surgical methods with personalized medicine exemplifies the future direction of cancer care, aligning patient-centred approaches with cutting-edge technology.

Complementing these clinical and scientific advances, the congress spotlights significant health policy and supportive care initiatives. Presentations from Egypt detail public-private collaborations that have improved early breast cancer detection and streamlined patient journeys through innovative drug delivery methods. Meanwhile, dedicated sessions address the management of immune-oncology-related toxicities across Europe, emphasising the need for multidisciplinary networks to optimise patient outcomes.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center researchers contributed notably to the congress, unveiling phase 1 trial data for novel treatments targeting advanced solid tumours, non-small cell lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Their work also illuminates approaches to personalise therapy for mismatch repair deficient cancers—a subgroup benefiting markedly from tailored interventions. Educational forums specifically addressed managing 'unfit' patients, ensuring treatment inclusivity.

Further enriching the congress are explorations into peptide-based therapies, which offer promising avenues due to their high specificity and low toxicity profiles. Investigations into PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors continue to elucidate resistance mechanisms and combination strategies to enhance therapeutic durability. Emerging immunotherapeutic modalities for rare melanoma subtypes and tumour-agnostic therapies—treatments targeted by tumour characteristics rather than origin—were also focal points, highlighting a push toward innovation for underserved patient populations.

Policy and future-oriented dialogues remain integral. Sessions discussed the evolving landscape of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in Europe, with case studies such as Italy’s cancer biomarker strategy exploring decision-making frameworks that balance scientific advances with regulatory realities. Additionally, the congress celebrates the role of young professionals and student initiatives in shaping oncology’s future, underscoring the importance of collaborative, cross-border engagement for sustained progress.

Overall, ESMO 2025 embodies the dynamic evolution of oncology, where scientific excellence converges with real-world application and patient-centric care. As participants advocate for integrating translational research with clinical practice, the event reinforces a shared mission: to transform cancer treatment through innovation, collaboration, and compassion. Stakeholders are encouraged to watch for emerging data and continued dialogue that will define standards of care and policy in years to come.