Abstracts for the 2009 Annual Meeting are now being accepted through the ASCO Abstract Submitter on ASCO.org. The deadline for abstracts is January 6, 2009.
The abstract submission guidelines and policies established by the Scientific Program Committee are available on the online abstract submission website and on ASCO.org.
Authors Encouraged to Use Established Abstract Format
The established abstract format calls for abstracts to be organized according to four sections: Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusions, identified by bold headers. Authors are encouraged to follow the format this year when they submit their abstracts.
Late-breaking Abstracts Policy
The ASCO Late-breaking Abstracts Policy allows for the submission of late-breaking abstracts only for phase III trials for which no preliminary data are available at the time of the abstract submission deadline (January 6, 2009) but for which a preplanned analysis of the primary endpoint is scheduled after that date but before March 30, 2009 (deadline for the final, updated late-breaking abstract).
In order for an abstract to be considered for late-breaking status, an author must
- Submit an abstract by the January 6, 2009, deadline that includes all the essential elements of the abstract except for specific results and conclusions.
- Describe the type of data that will be submitted by the late-breaking abstract deadline and define the planned statistical methods for analysis. For example, Survival data for the two treatment arms will be compared using a log-rank test.
- Indicate the primary clinical endpoint for the analysis and the current duration of follow-up to warrant late-breaking status.
- Select the Intent to Submit Late-breaking Abstract checkbox in the Abstract Submitter.
- Indicate whether the abstract should be withdrawn (by selecting "yes" or "no" on the drop-down menu in the Abstract Submitter program) in the event that the late-breaking abstract is not accepted for presentation at an Oral Abstract Session.
At the time of the Scientific Program Committee's initial review of late-breaking abstracts, two decisions are possible:
- Potential presentation at an Oral Abstract Session
- Rejection
Note that a decision regarding potential presentation does not guarantee that the abstract will be selected for presentation after review of updated data. Final decisions regarding the selection of late-breaking abstracts will be made after March 30, 2009.
Abstracts for Clinical Science Symposia
Clinical Science Symposia incorporate the presentation of meritorious abstracts with a didactic lecture by an expert in the field. The final decision on topics for the Clinical Science Symposia will be based on the abstracts submitted. However, the following topics have been preliminarily identified:
Breast Cancer
- Breast cancer stem cells
- Bisphosphonates and novel bone agents in breast cancer
- Basal-like and triple-negative breast cancer
Cancer Genetics
- New biologic and therapeutic insights from hereditary cancers
Developmental Therapeutics
- What's new in apoptosis-targeting drugs
- Beyond mTORC1.New PI3 kinase pathway inhibitors
Gastrointestinal (Noncolorectal) Cancer
- New agents for treating upper gastrointestinal cancers
Genitourinary Cancer
- Targeted therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma
- Signal transduction pathways and agents in prostate cancer
Geriatric Oncology
- Innovative research in aging and cancer
Gynecologic Cancer
- New advances in gynecologic cancers
Head and Neck Cancer
- Personalizing treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Lymphoma and Plasma Cell Disorders
- New agents for relapsed diffuse large B-cell and Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Rituximab resistance and novel anti- CD20 antibodies
Melanoma/Skin Cancers
- Molecular phenotype of melanoma subtypes and patient-specific therapy
Patient Care
- Financial and quality of care impact
Pediatric Cancer
- Signal transduction inhibitors in childhood cancer
Sarcoma/Bone and Soft Tissue Cancers
- Novel strategies for personalized management of sarcoma
More details about abstract submission can be found in the Call for Abstracts, mailed to all members in October, or on ASCO.org.
Biostatistical Guidelines for Abstracts
Phase III Trials
Include the Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusions, with the following essential data in the Methods and Results sections:
Methods
- Patient eligibility criteria
- Description of each treatment arm
- Explicit definition of primary endpoint(s)
- Statement of study design (e.g., randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled, stratified)
- If analysis is prior to final analysis, indication of such, as well as outline of early stopping guidelines and reason for early reporting. In general, ASCO discourages reporting of interim results, unless approved by the study Data and Safety Monitoring Committee.
- Planned sample size per arm, including assumptions (type I and type II error rates, null hypothesis, alternative hypothesis, or magnitude of expected change)
Results
- Accrual per arm, with duration of follow-up if appropriate
- Observed magnitude of difference for primary endpoint(s)
- Confidence limits and/or probability values pertaining to endpoint(s), with inclusion of the statistical method of analysis
Phase II Trials
Include the Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusions, with the following essential data in the Methods and Results sections:
Methods
- Patient eligibility criteria
- Description of treatment
- Study design (e.g., one or two stage) and planned sample size
- In general, ASCO also discourages reporting of interim results of phase II trials. While it is recognized that incomplete phase II trials are occasionally of major significance, in general, completed trials will be viewed more favorably during the grading process.
- Definition of primary endpoint
Results
- Accrual and eligibility
- Point estimates and confidence intervals (where appropriate). Note that for most estimates, all eligible patients who received treatment should be considered in the denominator.
Phase I Trials
Include the Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusions, with the following essential data:
Background
- Drug/agent or target introduction
Methods
- Patient eligibility
- Description and criteria for dose escalation
- Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic assays, if any
Results
- Accrual across dose levels
- Dose-limiting toxicities
- Recommended phase II dose
- Pharmacokinetics
- Correlative studies, if any
Tumor Marker Studies
Include the Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusions, with the following essential data:
Background
- Specification of the marker
Methods
- Patient eligibility criteria, if appropriate
- Specimen format
- Description of study arm(s), with treatment noted, if appropriate
- Definition of study endpoint(s)
- Study design (e.g., one or two stage) for the analysis
- If the study is a test of hypothesis, power considerations for submitted analysis, including assumptions (null hypothesis, alternative hypothesis, magnitude of expected change or effect size)
- Statement of assay method used
- Description of the assay quantitation and scoring methods, along with a statement of whether marker values were used as categorical, ordinal, or continuous measures in statistical analyses (if cutpoints were used, indication of how they were selected)
Results
- Accrual and duration of follow up, if appropriate
- Confidence limits and/or probability values pertaining to endpoint(s), with inclusion of the statistical method of analysis
Correlative, Quality-of-Life, Meta-Analyses, Exploratory Analysis Studies, or Prevention
Include the Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusions, with the following essential data in the Methods and Results sections:
Methods
- Study design for the analysis
- Definition of study endpoint(s)
- Description of method to evaluate outcome
Results
- Same criteria as for phase III trials above that apply
