Back to Faculty
Co-Chair

Cathy Eng

MD, FACP, FASCO
David H. Johnson Endowed Chair in Surgical and Medical Oncology, Co-Director, GI Oncology, Co-Leader, Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Program
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Cathy Eng, MD, FACP, FASCO, Professor of Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, is the David H. Johnson Endowed Chair of Surgical and Medical Oncology, VICC Associate Director of Strategic Relations and Research Partnerships, Executive Director of the Young Adults Cancers Program. She was the Ambassador for the American Cancer Society ResearcHERS campaign (2020-2022). She is a highly sought mentor and served on the Vanderbilt-Ingram Mentorship Council and is currently a mentor on the T-32 grant and serves on the Professional Development Mentor. She continues to assume leadership positions devoted to development of phase I-III clinical trials using novel therapeutics for biomarker discovery and enhanced drug utilization in colorectal, appendiceal and anal cancer patients.

Nationally, Dr. Eng has also been highly active serving on multiple committees for ASCO, ECOG, and SWOG. She was chosen for the ASCO Leadership Development Program, ASCO Social Media Committee, the ASCO Colorectal Guidelines Committee, ASCO Scientific Program Committee (Colorectal Cancer Track) and the ASCO Communications Committee. She has served as the co-chair of the SWOG Rectal/Anal Cancer Subcommittee; the Vice-Chair for the SWOG GI Committee; the Chairman of the NCI Rectal/Anal Task Force, member of the NCI GI Steering Committee, and is now the co-Chair of the NCI GI Steering Committee. She participated in the President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot White House Colorectal Cancer Forum.

She has published in many peer-reviewed journals and served on many national grant review panels.

2026 Sessions

General Session

Optimizing Immunotherapy Sequencing in Gastroesophageal Malignancies: Neoadjuvant Chemo–IO vs Perioperative Chemo/RT Followed by Adjuvant Anti–PD-1

This discussion will compare strategies for sequencing immunotherapy in gastroesophageal malignancies, examining emerging clinical trial data, biologic rationale, and practical...

  • Moderator
    • Cathy Eng, MD, FACP, FASCO
    • Yelena Janjigian, MD
  • Presenter
    • Samuel Klempner, MD
    • Nataliya Uboha, MD, PhD
Gastrointestinal Cancers

Neoadjuvant Chemo–IO

This discussion will compare strategies for sequencing immunotherapy in gastroesophageal malignancies, examining emerging clinical trial data, biologic rationale, and practical considerations influencing treatment selection. Faculty will address potential impacts on pathologic response, survival outcomes, and toxicity, as well as provide their expert perspectives on integrating immunotherapy across the perioperative continuum of care.

This discussion will cover the biologic rationale and emerging clinical trial data supporting early integration of immunotherapy to enhance pathologic response and long-term outcomes. Faculty will address patient selection, safety considerations, and implications for surgical management, guiding learners on how neoadjuvant chemo-IO may reshape treatment paradigms in gastroesophageal cancer.

Presenter

Saturday, March 14 10:25–10:45 AM
Room Royal Ballroom 2
Gastrointestinal Cancers

Nataliya Uboha

MD, PhD
Associate Professor
University of Wisconsin, Carbone Cancer Center

Nataliya V. Uboha, MD, PhD is a gastrointestinal (GI) medical oncologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. She practices at the UW Carbone Cancer Center, where she serves as Associate Director of Clinical Research and leads the Early Phase Oncology Therapeutics (EPOT) Program, the institution’s largest and fastest-growing clinical trials program.

Dr. Uboha’s research focuses on the development and conduct of early-phase and biomarker-driven clinical trials for patients with gastroesophageal and pancreatobiliary malignancies. She has extensive experience as a principal investigator on investigator-initiated studies and as an institutional principal investigator for multiple NCI-sponsored and industry-supported trials, with particular expertise in precision oncology, novel targeted therapies, and immunotherapy combinations.

Nationally, Dr. Uboha is an active leader in cooperative group research, serving as Chair of the ECOG-ACRIN Upper GI Task Force and Co-Chair of the NCI Upper GI Task Force, and as an institutional principal investigator for the NCI UM1 ETCTN grant. She also contributes to national clinical practice standards through her involvement in NCCN and ASCO guideline development, helping to translate emerging clinical trial data into evidence-based recommendations for the management of GI malignancies.

Perioperative Chemo/RT Followed by Adjuvant Anti–PD-1

This discussion will compare strategies for sequencing immunotherapy in gastroesophageal malignancies, examining emerging clinical trial data, biologic rationale, and practical considerations influencing treatment selection. Faculty will address potential impacts on pathologic response, survival outcomes, and toxicity, as well as provide their expert perspectives on integrating immunotherapy across the perioperative continuum of care.

Faculty will review clinical trial evidence supporting the use of perioperative chemotherapy or chemoradiation followed by adjuvant anti-PD-1 therapy, including effects on recurrence risk and survival outcomes. The discussion will address timing of immunotherapy initiation, toxicity management, and patient populations most likely to benefit. Participants will gain insight on integrating adjuvant immunotherapy into established perioperative treatment frameworks.

Presenter

Saturday, March 14 10:45–11:05 AM
Room Royal Ballroom 2
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Faculty

Samuel Klempner

MD
Associate Professor
Mass General Cancer Center

Dr. Klempner is a Associate Professor at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School and leads the gastric and esophageal program. His clinical and translational research is centered on cancer genomics, acquired resistance to targeted therapies and the intersection of genomics and immune mediated therapies to identify novel therapeutic approaches and biomarkers in gastroesophageal cancers. He serves on the NRG non-colorectal committee, the NCI esophagogastric task force, and the NCCN guideline committees for gastric and esophageal cancers. His work is supported by Stand Up 2 Cancer, NCI/NIH, AACR, and he currently serves as the AGA Research Foundation’s Gastric Cancer Foundation Ben Feinstein Memorial Research Scholar Award in Gastric Cancer.

Advanced Anal Cancer in 2026

Supported by an educational grant from Incyte Corporation.

Presenter

Saturday, March 14 11:10–11:55 AM
Room Royal Ballroom 2
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Co-Chair

Cathy Eng

MD, FACP, FASCO
David H. Johnson Endowed Chair in Surgical and Medical Oncology, Co-Director, GI Oncology, Co-Leader, Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Program
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Cathy Eng, MD, FACP, FASCO, Professor of Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, is the David H. Johnson Endowed Chair of Surgical and Medical Oncology, VICC Associate Director of Strategic Relations and Research Partnerships, Executive Director of the Young Adults Cancers Program. She was the Ambassador for the American Cancer Society ResearcHERS campaign (2020-2022). She is a highly sought mentor and served on the Vanderbilt-Ingram Mentorship Council and is currently a mentor on the T-32 grant and serves on the Professional Development Mentor. She continues to assume leadership positions devoted to development of phase I-III clinical trials using novel therapeutics for biomarker discovery and enhanced drug utilization in colorectal, appendiceal and anal cancer patients.

Nationally, Dr. Eng has also been highly active serving on multiple committees for ASCO, ECOG, and SWOG. She was chosen for the ASCO Leadership Development Program, ASCO Social Media Committee, the ASCO Colorectal Guidelines Committee, ASCO Scientific Program Committee (Colorectal Cancer Track) and the ASCO Communications Committee. She has served as the co-chair of the SWOG Rectal/Anal Cancer Subcommittee; the Vice-Chair for the SWOG GI Committee; the Chairman of the NCI Rectal/Anal Task Force, member of the NCI GI Steering Committee, and is now the co-Chair of the NCI GI Steering Committee. She participated in the President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot White House Colorectal Cancer Forum.

She has published in many peer-reviewed journals and served on many national grant review panels.
General Session

Is There a Role for Adjuvant HAI Following Liver Resection vs Adjuvant Chemotherapy?: Yes vs No

Explore postoperative treatment strategies following liver resection, comparing the role of adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) therapy with systemic adjuvant chemotherapy...

  • Moderator
    • Cathy Eng, MD, FACP, FASCO
    • Yelena Janjigian, MD
  • Presenter
    • Midhun Malla, MD, MS
    • Nipun Merchant, MD, FACS, FSSO
Gastrointestinal Cancers

Yes

Explore postoperative treatment strategies following liver resection, comparing the role of adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) therapy with systemic adjuvant chemotherapy. Faculty will examine available evidence on recurrence risk reduction, survival outcomes, and toxicity profiles associated with each approach. The discussion will address practical considerations influencing treatment choice and provide new insight into whether adjuvant HAI offers added benefit over standard systemic chemotherapy.

Adjuvant HAI therapy has a meaningful role following liver resection compared with adjuvant systemic chemotherapy alone. Faculty will review clinical evidence demonstrating improved hepatic disease control and survival outcomes with HAI in selected patients, guiding learners through scenarios in which adjuvant HAI may optimize outcomes.

Presenter

Saturday, March 14 2:10–2:30 PM
Room Royal Ballroom 2
Gastrointestinal Cancers

Nipun Merchant

MD, FACS, FSSO
Professor of Surgery
University of Miami

Dr. Nipun B. Merchant, M.D. holds the Alan S. Livingstone Endowed Chair in Surgical Oncology and is a tenured Professor of Surgery, Vice Chair of Surgical Oncology Services and Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology in the Department of Surgery at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. At the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, he is the Chief Surgical Officer, the founding Director of the Sylvester Pancreas Cancer Research Institute, and served as the Associate Director of Translational Research.
Dr. Merchant has more than 25 years of leadership experience in basic, translational and clinical research and is an internationally recognized hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgical oncologist. He has served on the Pancreas Task Force of the GI Steering Committee of the NCI, the Commission on Cancer, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Panel and the Board of Governors of the American College of Surgeons and Chaired of the Health Policy and Advisory Group of that organization.
Simultaneously, Dr. Merchant runs a translational research program investigating the role of the tumor-stromal-immune microenvironment in overcoming therapeutic resistance in pancreatic cancer, which has been continuously funded by the NIH for the last 18 years. His laboratory has also translated this work directly into novel therapeutic clinical trials in patients. He is also the PI of a T32 training grant in Surgical Oncology and is the author of over 225 peer reviewed publications, 10 chapters and he has edited two books.

No

Explore postoperative treatment strategies following liver resection, comparing the role of adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) therapy with systemic adjuvant chemotherapy. Faculty will examine available evidence on recurrence risk reduction, survival outcomes, and toxicity profiles associated with each approach. The discussion will address practical considerations influencing treatment choice and provide new insight into whether adjuvant HAI offers added benefit over standard systemic chemotherapy.

Faculty will review limitations of the available evidence for adjuvant HAI therapy after liver resection, including lack of randomized data, toxicity concerns, and challenges related to access and expertise. This discussion will address whether modern systemic therapies can provide comparable benefit without the added complexity of HAI.

Presenter

Saturday, March 14 2:30–2:50 PM
Room Royal Ballroom 2
Gastrointestinal Cancers

Midhun Malla

MD, MS
Associate Professor
University of Alabama

Dr. Midhun Malla, MD, MS, is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Heersink School of Medicine and serves as Section Chief of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Malla completed his fellowship training at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City, where he also earned a Master’s degree in Clinical and Translational Sciences. His work is focused on advancing the role of ctDNA in precision oncology, helping to drive innovations in cancer detection and treatment. His clinical and research focus centers on hepatobiliary and colorectal cancers, with a particular emphasis on biomarker-driven clinical trials. He leads multiple prospective investigator-initiated clinical trials aimed at personalizing treatment approaches and improving outcomes for patients with Gastroiintestinal malignancies.
General Session

IO Rechallenge in Esophageal and Gastric Cancers: Balancing Safety Concerns vs Potential Benefit of Reinitiation

Explore the role of immunotherapy (IO) rechallenge in the management of esophageal and gastric cancers, weighing safety concerns against the potential clinical benefit of...

  • Moderator
    • Cathy Eng, MD, FACP, FASCO
    • Yelena Janjigian, MD
  • Presenter
    • Tiago Biachi, MD, PhD
    • Rutika Mehta, MD, MPH
Gastrointestinal Cancers

Balancing Safety Concerns

Explore the role of immunotherapy (IO) rechallenge in the management of esophageal and gastric cancers, weighing safety concerns against the potential clinical benefit of reinitiation. Speakers will review evidence on efficacy, patterns of response, and the risk of recurrent or cumulative immune-related adverse events, and address clinical scenarios in which IO rechallenge may be appropriate.

This session will focus on safety considerations surrounding IO rechallenge, covering the incidence and management of recurrent or cumulative immune-related adverse events associated with reinitiation of IO therapy. The discussion will address risk factors, monitoring strategies, and clinical scenarios where rechallenge may pose significant concern, giving participants insight into balancing patient safety with potential therapeutic benefit when considering IO rechallenge.

Presenter

Sunday, March 15 10:25–10:45 AM
Room Royal Ballroom 2
Gastrointestinal Cancers

Tiago Biachi

MD, PhD
Associate Professor
Moffitt Cancer Center

Dr. Tiago Biachi de Castria is an Associate Member in the Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center. Dr. Biachi de Castria received his MD degree from Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Brazil. He also obtained a Doctorate degree in Internal Medicine and Therapeutics from São Paulo Federal University. He completed his Residency in Internal Medicine at São Paulo Federal University and his Clinical Oncology Fellowship at the São Paulo University - São Paulo Cancer Institute. Dr. Biachi de Castria was an attending in the Gastrointestinal Oncology Service at the São Paulo Cancer Institute and Sírio-Libanês Hospital. In 2021, he obtained the title of Associate Professor in Gastroenterology Service (São Paulo University) and Associate Professor in Postgraduate Course in Medical Oncology (São Paulo University). Dr. Biachi de Castria most completed a one-year Advanced Fellowship in Gastrointestinal Oncology Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center before joining Moffitt Cancer Center. Dr. Tiago Biachi de Castria’s clinical and research interest is in gastrointestinal malignancies, including biomarkers and drug development.

Potential Benefit of Reinitiation

Explore the role of immunotherapy (IO) rechallenge in the management of esophageal and gastric cancers, weighing safety concerns against the potential clinical benefit of reinitiation. Speakers will review evidence on efficacy, patterns of response, and the risk of recurrent or cumulative immune-related adverse events, and address clinical scenarios in which IO rechallenge may be appropriate.

Faculty will review emerging clinical evidence and real-world data suggesting renewed antitumor activity in select patients following reinitiation of IO therapy. Discussion will address factors associated with response, optimal timing, and patient selection. Participants will gain perspective on scenarios in which IO rechallenge may offer meaningful clinical benefit despite prior treatment exposure.

Presenter

Sunday, March 15 10:45–11:05 AM
Room Royal Ballroom 2
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Faculty

Rutika Mehta

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

Rutika Mehta MD, MPH is an Associate Professor in Medicine and Attending Physician at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Mehta received her medical degree at Topiwala National Medical College in Mumbai, India. She subsequently completed a Masters in Public Health with a focus on Epidemiology at Indiana University, Indianapolis. She spent three years as a Research Fellow in the Department of Pathology at Indiana University School of Medicine. She then completed her training in Internal Medicine at Johns Hopkins University/Sinai Hospital of Baltimore followed by a fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. After completing her hematology and oncology training, Dr. Mehta joined the gastrointestinal (GI) oncology department at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. At Moffit Cancer Center, Dr. Mehta worked with many renowned leaders in the field and was instrumental in building the clinical and research program for upper GI malignancies. She was selected as a Castle Connolly “Top Doctor” for three straight years in the Tampa Bay area (2022-2024). She is an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and serves as a member of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Taskforce for Esophagogastric Cancers. Dr. Mehta was recruited to Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) in 2024. Her clinical and research efforts will focus on all GI cancers with a particular emphasis on developing clinical trials utilizing novel treatment options and advancing the field through precision medicine.

Case-Based Treatment Strategies in Gastrointestinal Cancers

Moderator

Panelist

Sunday, March 15 11:10–11:55 AM
Room Royal Ballroom 2
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Co-Chair

Cathy Eng

MD, FACP, FASCO
David H. Johnson Endowed Chair in Surgical and Medical Oncology, Co-Director, GI Oncology, Co-Leader, Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Program
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Cathy Eng, MD, FACP, FASCO, Professor of Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, is the David H. Johnson Endowed Chair of Surgical and Medical Oncology, VICC Associate Director of Strategic Relations and Research Partnerships, Executive Director of the Young Adults Cancers Program. She was the Ambassador for the American Cancer Society ResearcHERS campaign (2020-2022). She is a highly sought mentor and served on the Vanderbilt-Ingram Mentorship Council and is currently a mentor on the T-32 grant and serves on the Professional Development Mentor. She continues to assume leadership positions devoted to development of phase I-III clinical trials using novel therapeutics for biomarker discovery and enhanced drug utilization in colorectal, appendiceal and anal cancer patients.

Nationally, Dr. Eng has also been highly active serving on multiple committees for ASCO, ECOG, and SWOG. She was chosen for the ASCO Leadership Development Program, ASCO Social Media Committee, the ASCO Colorectal Guidelines Committee, ASCO Scientific Program Committee (Colorectal Cancer Track) and the ASCO Communications Committee. She has served as the co-chair of the SWOG Rectal/Anal Cancer Subcommittee; the Vice-Chair for the SWOG GI Committee; the Chairman of the NCI Rectal/Anal Task Force, member of the NCI GI Steering Committee, and is now the co-Chair of the NCI GI Steering Committee. She participated in the President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot White House Colorectal Cancer Forum.

She has published in many peer-reviewed journals and served on many national grant review panels.

Co-Chair

Yelena Janjigian

MD
Chief, Gastrointestinal Oncology Service
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Yelena Y. Janjigian, MD is a Professor and Chief of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Service, Carroll and Milton Petrie Chair at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). A physician-scientist, leading translational research and clinical innovation to improve outcomes for patients with GI cancers.

Dr. Janjigian earned her BS from UC San Diego and MD from NYU School of Medicine, completing her residency at NYU/Bellevue and fellowship at MSK. Her research focuses on the molecular characterization of gastroesophageal cancers, driving therapeutic development and brining new drugs to the clinic. She has published over 140 papers in The New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Lancet Oncology, Lancet, and Nature, with more than 33,000 citations and an H-index of 61.

An elected member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI), and Fellows of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO). Dr. Janjigian serves on the Board of Giants of Cancer Care, Debbie’s Dream Foundation and holds leadership roles in ASCO and AACR. She is also the Scientific Chair for ESMO 2026. Her research, funded by NIH, DOD and SU2C, has shaped new treatment standards in GI oncology.
Beyond research, she is a dedicated mentor, driving innovation and training the next generation of oncology leaders.

Tiago Biachi

MD, PhD
Associate Professor
Moffitt Cancer Center

Dr. Tiago Biachi de Castria is an Associate Member in the Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center. Dr. Biachi de Castria received his MD degree from Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Brazil. He also obtained a Doctorate degree in Internal Medicine and Therapeutics from São Paulo Federal University. He completed his Residency in Internal Medicine at São Paulo Federal University and his Clinical Oncology Fellowship at the São Paulo University - São Paulo Cancer Institute. Dr. Biachi de Castria was an attending in the Gastrointestinal Oncology Service at the São Paulo Cancer Institute and Sírio-Libanês Hospital. In 2021, he obtained the title of Associate Professor in Gastroenterology Service (São Paulo University) and Associate Professor in Postgraduate Course in Medical Oncology (São Paulo University). Dr. Biachi de Castria most completed a one-year Advanced Fellowship in Gastrointestinal Oncology Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center before joining Moffitt Cancer Center. Dr. Tiago Biachi de Castria’s clinical and research interest is in gastrointestinal malignancies, including biomarkers and drug development.

Faculty

Rutika Mehta

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

Rutika Mehta MD, MPH is an Associate Professor in Medicine and Attending Physician at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Mehta received her medical degree at Topiwala National Medical College in Mumbai, India. She subsequently completed a Masters in Public Health with a focus on Epidemiology at Indiana University, Indianapolis. She spent three years as a Research Fellow in the Department of Pathology at Indiana University School of Medicine. She then completed her training in Internal Medicine at Johns Hopkins University/Sinai Hospital of Baltimore followed by a fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. After completing her hematology and oncology training, Dr. Mehta joined the gastrointestinal (GI) oncology department at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. At Moffit Cancer Center, Dr. Mehta worked with many renowned leaders in the field and was instrumental in building the clinical and research program for upper GI malignancies. She was selected as a Castle Connolly “Top Doctor” for three straight years in the Tampa Bay area (2022-2024). She is an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and serves as a member of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Taskforce for Esophagogastric Cancers. Dr. Mehta was recruited to Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) in 2024. Her clinical and research efforts will focus on all GI cancers with a particular emphasis on developing clinical trials utilizing novel treatment options and advancing the field through precision medicine.
General Session

Are RAS Inhibitors Ready for Prime Time Use as a Standard of Care in Pancreatic Cancer?: Yes vs No

Faculty will review emerging clinical and translational data targeting KRAS and related pathways, including efficacy signals, resistance mechanisms, and safety considerations, in...

  • Moderator
    • Cathy Eng, MD, FACP, FASCO
    • Yelena Janjigian, MD
  • Presenter
    • Midhun Malla, MD, MS
    • Shubham Pant, MD
Gastrointestinal Cancers

Yes

Faculty will review emerging clinical and translational data targeting KRAS and related pathways, including efficacy signals, resistance mechanisms, and safety considerations, in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. They will discuss patient selection, biomarker testing, and how these agents may integrate with existing treatment regimens, providing perspective on the readiness of RAS inhibitors to move from investigational use to routine clinical application.

This session will cover emerging clinical trial data demonstrating meaningful activity of KRAS- and RAS-targeted agents in biomarker-selected populations. The speaker will address advances in drug development, safety profiles, and integration with existing chemotherapy backbones. Participants will gain insight into how RAS inhibitors may be incorporated into routine management of pancreatic cancer.

Presenter

Sunday, March 15 2:10–2:30 PM
Room Royal Ballroom 2
Gastrointestinal Cancers

Midhun Malla

MD, MS
Associate Professor
University of Alabama

Dr. Midhun Malla, MD, MS, is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Heersink School of Medicine and serves as Section Chief of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Malla completed his fellowship training at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City, where he also earned a Master’s degree in Clinical and Translational Sciences. His work is focused on advancing the role of ctDNA in precision oncology, helping to drive innovations in cancer detection and treatment. His clinical and research focus centers on hepatobiliary and colorectal cancers, with a particular emphasis on biomarker-driven clinical trials. He leads multiple prospective investigator-initiated clinical trials aimed at personalizing treatment approaches and improving outcomes for patients with Gastroiintestinal malignancies.

No

Faculty will review emerging clinical and translational data targeting KRAS and related pathways, including efficacy signals, resistance mechanisms, and safety considerations, in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. They will discuss patient selection, biomarker testing, and how these agents may integrate with existing treatment regimens, providing perspective on the readiness of RAS inhibitors to move from investigational use to routine clinical application.

Modest efficacy signals, narrow biomarker applicability, and emerging resistance mechanisms represent real concerns in the discussion of RAS inhibitor use in pancreatic cancer. Faculty will discuss safety concerns, durability of response, and unanswered questions regarding optimal sequencing and combinations to inform learners on why RAS inhibitors remain best positioned within clinical trials rather than routine practice at this time.

Presenter

Sunday, March 15 2:30–2:50 PM
Room Royal Ballroom 2
Gastrointestinal Cancers

Shubham Pant

MD
Professor
The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center

Dr. Shubham Pant is a Professor in the Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology with a joint appointment in the Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Dr. Pant is a key opinion leader in the fields of GI Cancers including pancreatic, biliary, gall bladder and Phase 1 trials. He also serves as the Director of Clinical Research and Associate Director for Early Phase Drug Development at the Sheikh Ahmed Bin Zayed Center. He has an expertise in Targeted therapy and Immunotherapy and has co-authored more than 100 peer-review articles and has presented research in national and international meetings including ASCO, AACR and ESMO.
Dr. Pant completed his fellowship from the James Cancer Hospital/Solove Research Institute at the Ohio State University where he was elected Chief Fellow. He has previously served as the Director of Clinical Trials, Section of Hematology/Oncology and was recipient of the Mai Eager Anderson Endowed Chair in Cancer Clinical Trials at the University Of Oklahoma.
He has been the recipient of ASCO/AACR Workshop Methods in Clinical Cancer Research and was selected for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Leadership Development Program. He has served as a member on the ASCO Annual Meeting Educational Committee (GI-Non Colorectal Track) and is a member of the ASCO Gastrointestinal Guidelines Committee. He has a keen interest in Global Health and held a grant through the Global Academic Program to study Gall Bladder Cancer in India and Chile.
General Session

First-Line Management of HER2-Positive Gastroesophageal Cancer: Established HER2-Targeted Therapy vs Next-Generation HER2-Directed Combinations

This session will examine first-line treatment strategies for HER2-positive gastroesophageal cancer, comparing established HER2-targeted regimens with emerging next-generation...

  • Moderator
    • Cathy Eng, MD, FACP, FASCO
  • Presenter
    • Yelena Janjigian, MD
    • Samuel Klempner, MD
Gastrointestinal Cancers

Established HER2-Targeted Therapy

This session will examine first-line treatment strategies for HER2-positive gastroesophageal cancer, comparing established HER2-targeted regimens with emerging next-generation combinations. Faculty will review key clinical data, biomarker considerations, and mechanisms of resistance, while discussing practical factors that influence treatment selection and sequencing. Participants will gain insight into optimizing care in a rapidly evolving landscape.

This discussion will highlight established HER2-targeted regimens as the foundation of first-line treatment. Faculty will review pivotal data supporting chemotherapy plus trastuzumab-based approaches, with or without immunotherapy, focusing on survival outcomes, safety, and broad clinical applicability. Practical guidance on patient selection and toxicity management will be emphasized.

Debate Speaker

Saturday, September 26 10:05–10:25 AM
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Faculty

Samuel Klempner

MD
Associate Professor
Mass General Cancer Center

Dr. Klempner is a Associate Professor at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School and leads the gastric and esophageal program. His clinical and translational research is centered on cancer genomics, acquired resistance to targeted therapies and the intersection of genomics and immune mediated therapies to identify novel therapeutic approaches and biomarkers in gastroesophageal cancers. He serves on the NRG non-colorectal committee, the NCI esophagogastric task force, and the NCCN guideline committees for gastric and esophageal cancers. His work is supported by Stand Up 2 Cancer, NCI/NIH, AACR, and he currently serves as the AGA Research Foundation’s Gastric Cancer Foundation Ben Feinstein Memorial Research Scholar Award in Gastric Cancer.

Next-Generation HER2-Directed Combinations

This session will examine first-line treatment strategies for HER2-positive gastroesophageal cancer, comparing established HER2-targeted regimens with emerging next-generation combinations. Faculty will review key clinical data, biomarker considerations, and mechanisms of resistance, while discussing practical factors that influence treatment selection and sequencing. Participants will gain insight into optimizing care in a rapidly evolving landscape.

This discussion will explore next-generation HER2-directed combinations in the first-line setting. Faculty will review emerging data on novel agents and combination strategies, focusing on improving response depth and durability. Key considerations include biologic rationale, resistance mechanisms, toxicity, and integration into clinical practice.

Presenter

Saturday, September 26 10:25–10:45 AM
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Co-Chair

Yelena Janjigian

MD
Chief, Gastrointestinal Oncology Service
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Yelena Y. Janjigian, MD is a Professor and Chief of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Service, Carroll and Milton Petrie Chair at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). A physician-scientist, leading translational research and clinical innovation to improve outcomes for patients with GI cancers.

Dr. Janjigian earned her BS from UC San Diego and MD from NYU School of Medicine, completing her residency at NYU/Bellevue and fellowship at MSK. Her research focuses on the molecular characterization of gastroesophageal cancers, driving therapeutic development and brining new drugs to the clinic. She has published over 140 papers in The New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Lancet Oncology, Lancet, and Nature, with more than 33,000 citations and an H-index of 61.

An elected member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI), and Fellows of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO). Dr. Janjigian serves on the Board of Giants of Cancer Care, Debbie’s Dream Foundation and holds leadership roles in ASCO and AACR. She is also the Scientific Chair for ESMO 2026. Her research, funded by NIH, DOD and SU2C, has shaped new treatment standards in GI oncology.
Beyond research, she is a dedicated mentor, driving innovation and training the next generation of oncology leaders.

Advanced Anal Cancer in 2026

Supported by an educational grant from Incyte Corporation.

Presenter

Saturday, September 26 10:50–11:35 AM
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Co-Chair

Cathy Eng

MD, FACP, FASCO
David H. Johnson Endowed Chair in Surgical and Medical Oncology, Co-Director, GI Oncology, Co-Leader, Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Program
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Cathy Eng, MD, FACP, FASCO, Professor of Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, is the David H. Johnson Endowed Chair of Surgical and Medical Oncology, VICC Associate Director of Strategic Relations and Research Partnerships, Executive Director of the Young Adults Cancers Program. She was the Ambassador for the American Cancer Society ResearcHERS campaign (2020-2022). She is a highly sought mentor and served on the Vanderbilt-Ingram Mentorship Council and is currently a mentor on the T-32 grant and serves on the Professional Development Mentor. She continues to assume leadership positions devoted to development of phase I-III clinical trials using novel therapeutics for biomarker discovery and enhanced drug utilization in colorectal, appendiceal and anal cancer patients.

Nationally, Dr. Eng has also been highly active serving on multiple committees for ASCO, ECOG, and SWOG. She was chosen for the ASCO Leadership Development Program, ASCO Social Media Committee, the ASCO Colorectal Guidelines Committee, ASCO Scientific Program Committee (Colorectal Cancer Track) and the ASCO Communications Committee. She has served as the co-chair of the SWOG Rectal/Anal Cancer Subcommittee; the Vice-Chair for the SWOG GI Committee; the Chairman of the NCI Rectal/Anal Task Force, member of the NCI GI Steering Committee, and is now the co-Chair of the NCI GI Steering Committee. She participated in the President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot White House Colorectal Cancer Forum.

She has published in many peer-reviewed journals and served on many national grant review panels.
General Session

Is There a Role for Adjuvant HAI Following Liver Resection vs Adjuvant Chemotherapy?: Yes vs No

Explore postoperative treatment strategies following liver resection, comparing the role of adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) therapy with systemic adjuvant chemotherapy...

  • Moderator
    • Cathy Eng, MD, FACP, FASCO
    • Yelena Janjigian, MD
  • Presenter
    • Sepideh Gholami, MD, MAS, FSSO, FACS
    • Kevin Soares
Gastrointestinal Cancers

Yes

Explore postoperative treatment strategies following liver resection, comparing the role of adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) therapy with systemic adjuvant chemotherapy. Faculty will examine available evidence on recurrence risk reduction, survival outcomes, and toxicity profiles associated with each approach. The discussion will address practical considerations influencing treatment choice and provide new insight into whether adjuvant HAI offers added benefit over standard systemic chemotherapy.

Adjuvant HAI therapy has a meaningful role following liver resection compared with adjuvant systemic chemotherapy alone. Faculty will review clinical evidence demonstrating improved hepatic disease control and survival outcomes with HAI in selected patients, guiding learners through scenarios in which adjuvant HAI may optimize outcomes.

Debate Speaker

Saturday, September 26 1:30–1:50 PM
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Faculty

Kevin Soares

No

Explore postoperative treatment strategies following liver resection, comparing the role of adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) therapy with systemic adjuvant chemotherapy. Faculty will examine available evidence on recurrence risk reduction, survival outcomes, and toxicity profiles associated with each approach. The discussion will address practical considerations influencing treatment choice and provide new insight into whether adjuvant HAI offers added benefit over standard systemic chemotherapy.

Faculty will review limitations of the available evidence for adjuvant HAI therapy after liver resection, including lack of randomized data, toxicity concerns, and challenges related to access and expertise. This discussion will address whether modern systemic therapies can provide comparable benefit without the added complexity of HAI.

Debate Speaker

Saturday, September 26 1:50–2:10 PM
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Faculty

Sepideh Gholami

MD, MAS, FSSO, FACS
Associate Professor of Surgical Oncology
Northwell Health Cancer Center

Dr. Sepideh Gholami is an Associate Professor of Surgery at Northwell Health. She is the Director of the Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump Program, and Director for Translational Research in Surgical Oncology with a joint appointment at Coldspring Harbor Laboratory. She is a surgeon-scientist focusing on the role of the tumor microenvironment in hepatobiliary malignancies. She obtained her degree from Stanford University and completed two fellowships at MSKCC specializing in Complex General Surgical Oncology, and Hepatobiliary Surgery.

Dr. Gholami is a national thought leader in the management of hepatobiliary malignancies with a vested interest in clinical trials. She serves as the co-Chair of the Colon subcommittee for SWOG and a member of the NCI Colon Cancer Task Force. Dr. Gholami has numerous peer-reviewed publications and has been the recipient of several research grants and prestigious awards including the Society of Surgical Oncology, Association of Academic Surgeons, and SWOG’s Young Investigator Award.
General Session

IO Rechallenge in Esophageal and Gastric Cancers: Balancing Safety Concerns vs Potential Benefit of Reinitiation

Explore the role of immunotherapy (IO) rechallenge in the management of esophageal and gastric cancers, weighing safety concerns against the potential clinical benefit of...

  • Moderator
    • Cathy Eng, MD, FACP, FASCO
    • Yelena Janjigian, MD
  • Presenter
    • Samuel Cytryn, MD
    • Rutika Mehta, MD, MPH
Gastrointestinal Cancers

Balancing Safety Concerns

Explore the role of immunotherapy (IO) rechallenge in the management of esophageal and gastric cancers, weighing safety concerns against the potential clinical benefit of reinitiation. Speakers will review evidence on efficacy, patterns of response, and the risk of recurrent or cumulative immune-related adverse events, and address clinical scenarios in which IO rechallenge may be appropriate.

This session will focus on safety considerations surrounding IO rechallenge, covering the incidence and management of recurrent or cumulative immune-related adverse events associated with reinitiation of IO therapy. The discussion will address risk factors, monitoring strategies, and clinical scenarios where rechallenge may pose significant concern, giving participants insight into balancing patient safety with potential therapeutic benefit when considering IO rechallenge.

Debate Speaker

Sunday, September 27 10:05–10:25 AM
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Faculty

Samuel Cytryn

MD
Assistant Attending, Gastrointestinal Oncology Service
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Dr. Samuel Cytryn is an Assistant Attending in the Gastrointestinal Oncology Service in the Department of Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. His clinical and research interests involve the use of immune checkpoint blockade and targeted therapy in esophageal and gastric cancers. He is currently the lead on several studies investigating strategies to overcome mechanisms of resistance and immune evasion. He graduated from medical school at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, completed his internal medicine training at New York University, where he served as Chief Resident, and completed his medical oncology training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he served as Chief Fellow.

Potential Benefit of Reinitiation

Explore the role of immunotherapy (IO) rechallenge in the management of esophageal and gastric cancers, weighing safety concerns against the potential clinical benefit of reinitiation. Speakers will review evidence on efficacy, patterns of response, and the risk of recurrent or cumulative immune-related adverse events, and address clinical scenarios in which IO rechallenge may be appropriate.

Faculty will review emerging clinical evidence and real-world data suggesting renewed antitumor activity in select patients following reinitiation of IO therapy. Discussion will address factors associated with response, optimal timing, and patient selection. Participants will gain perspective on scenarios in which IO rechallenge may offer meaningful clinical benefit despite prior treatment exposure.

Debate Speaker

Sunday, September 27 10:25–10:45 AM
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Faculty

Rutika Mehta

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

Rutika Mehta MD, MPH is an Associate Professor in Medicine and Attending Physician at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Mehta received her medical degree at Topiwala National Medical College in Mumbai, India. She subsequently completed a Masters in Public Health with a focus on Epidemiology at Indiana University, Indianapolis. She spent three years as a Research Fellow in the Department of Pathology at Indiana University School of Medicine. She then completed her training in Internal Medicine at Johns Hopkins University/Sinai Hospital of Baltimore followed by a fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. After completing her hematology and oncology training, Dr. Mehta joined the gastrointestinal (GI) oncology department at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. At Moffit Cancer Center, Dr. Mehta worked with many renowned leaders in the field and was instrumental in building the clinical and research program for upper GI malignancies. She was selected as a Castle Connolly “Top Doctor” for three straight years in the Tampa Bay area (2022-2024). She is an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and serves as a member of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Taskforce for Esophagogastric Cancers. Dr. Mehta was recruited to Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) in 2024. Her clinical and research efforts will focus on all GI cancers with a particular emphasis on developing clinical trials utilizing novel treatment options and advancing the field through precision medicine.
General Session

Are RAS Inhibitors Ready for Prime Time Use as a Standard of Care in Pancreatic Cancer?: Yes vs No

Faculty will review emerging clinical and translational data targeting KRAS and related pathways, including efficacy signals, resistance mechanisms, and safety considerations, in...

  • Moderator
    • Cathy Eng, MD, FACP, FASCO
    • Yelena Janjigian, MD
  • Presenter
    • Olatunji Alese, MD
    • Efrat Dotan, MD
Gastrointestinal Cancers

Yes

Faculty will review emerging clinical and translational data targeting KRAS and related pathways, including efficacy signals, resistance mechanisms, and safety considerations, in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. They will discuss patient selection, biomarker testing, and how these agents may integrate with existing treatment regimens, providing perspective on the readiness of RAS inhibitors to move from investigational use to routine clinical application.

This session will cover emerging clinical trial data demonstrating meaningful activity of KRAS- and RAS-targeted agents in biomarker-selected populations. The speaker will address advances in drug development, safety profiles, and integration with existing chemotherapy backbones. Participants will gain insight into how RAS inhibitors may be incorporated into routine management of pancreatic cancer.

Debate Speaker

Sunday, September 27 1:30–1:50 PM
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Faculty

Olatunji Alese

MD
Professor and Director of GI Oncology
Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University

Dr. Olatunji Alese serves as Professor and Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta. He is also Team Lead for GI Cancer Research at the Winship Cancer Institute. He received his MD from University of Ibadan, Nigeria in May 2000. He then underwent residency training at both University College Hospital in Nigeria, and New York Medical College - Metropolitan Hospital Center. He subsequently completed fellowship training in hematology/medical oncology at Emory University. His numerous awards include the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) International Development and Education Award (IDEA); ECOG Foundation/Paul Carbone MD Fellowship award; German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) award; UICC ICRETT Fellowship; ASCO Merit award, Emory University James Eckman Teaching Award and Robert Winn Career Development Award. He has served on the NIH/NCI and DoD study sections, the Advisory Group of ASCO International Affairs Committee and as Chair of the 2023 ASCO Annual Education Committee – Colorectal track. He is a member of numerous national/international professional societies, including the Association of UICC Fellows. A fellow of ASCO (FASCO), he has co-authored over 125 peer-reviewed journal publications and more than 140 abstract conference proceedings. His research focuses on GI malignancies and developmental therapeutics.

No

Faculty will review emerging clinical and translational data targeting KRAS and related pathways, including efficacy signals, resistance mechanisms, and safety considerations, in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. They will discuss patient selection, biomarker testing, and how these agents may integrate with existing treatment regimens, providing perspective on the readiness of RAS inhibitors to move from investigational use to routine clinical application.

Modest efficacy signals, narrow biomarker applicability, and emerging resistance mechanisms represent real concerns in the discussion of RAS inhibitor use in pancreatic cancer. Faculty will discuss safety concerns, durability of response, and unanswered questions regarding optimal sequencing and combinations to inform learners on why RAS inhibitors remain best positioned within clinical trials rather than routine practice at this time.

Debate Speaker

Sunday, September 27 1:50–2:10 PM
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Faculty

Efrat Dotan

MD
Medical Director, Penn Medicine, Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Center, Professor of Medicine.
Penn Medicine

Efrat Dotan, MD, is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania and Executive Medical Director of the Penn Medicine, Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Center, Lancaster Pennsylvania.
Dr. Dotan specializes in the management of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies with a focus on the care of older patients with GI cancers. Her research focuses on clinical trials investigating new treatment approaches for GI malignancies specifically pancreatic cancer, with extensive involvement in development and conduct of clinical trials with novel agents. She is also involved in the development of tools to improve the assessment and care of older adults with cancer, as well as investigating novel treatment approaches for this patient population.

Dr. Dotan serves as the Co-Chair of the NCI Pancreatic Task Force representing the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG). Within ECOG she is a member of the Gastrointestinal Malignancies Committee serving as the PI for a national elderly specific pancreatic cancer study (EA2186). She is also the chair and founder of the ECOG Geriatric Oncology Working Group. In addition, Dr. Dotan chairs of the NCCN Older Adult Oncology Panel, and senior member of the Cancer and Aging Research Group.
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