American Oncology Network Announces Research Studies to be Presented at ASCO 2026 Annual Meeting

Several AON physicians and leaders sharing new cancer research at one of oncology’s most influential gatherings

FORT MYERS, Fla., May 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Oncology Network (AON), one of the nation’s fastest-growing networks of community oncology practices, is pleased to announce that multiple research studies co-authored by AON physicians and leaders have been selected for presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2026 Annual Meeting, being held May 29-June 2 in Chicago.

The following abstracts were accepted after a rigorous review process and will be presented through poster discussions, oral presentations or online publication:

• Ruemu Ejedafeta Birhiray, MD, of Hematology Oncology of Indiana, co-authored the following studies:
  • Recognizing the inequities in oncology research and clinical practice guidelines—An analysis of clinical guidelines in multiple myeloma.
  • A review of representation in clinical trials for metastatic prostate carcinoma.
    
    
• Ralph V. Boccia, MD, FACP, of The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD), co-authored the following studies:
  
  
  • A randomized, open-label, phase 3 study of ZL-1310, a DLL3 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), compared to investigator’s choice therapy in participants with relapsed small cell lung cancer. (DLLEVATE)
  • EPCORE NHL-6: Phase 2 study of subcutaneous (SC) epcoritamab as outpatient treatment for 2L+ relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL).
    
    
• Luis T. Campos, MD, of Oncology Consultants, co- authored An AI-powered, human-in-the-loop, real-time registry platform to enable clinical trials, pragmatic studies, and prospective external control arms (ProECA) at scale in US community practices.
  
  
• Shajadi Patan, MD, of MidAmerica Cancer Care, contributed to several pharmacovigilance and real-world evidence studies, including:
  
  
  • Sociodemographic disparities in sepsis-associated mortality among patients with gastrointestinal malignancies in the United States.
  • Machine learning–based projections of cancer and depression mortality in the United States through 2035.
  • The effect of adjuvant carboplatin-based chemotherapy in stage I triple-negative breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
  • Benchmarking next-generation large language models (LLMS): Evaluation of patient-oriented prostate cancer guidance.
  • Mortality trends and disparities in prostate cancer with co-occurring cardiometabolic disorders among U.S. men aged ≥ 55 years, 1999–2024.
  • Inequities in breast cancer mortality with contributing cardiometabolic disorders among U.S. women aged ≥45 years, 1999–2024.
  • Evaluating reliability of large language models for patient queries: Concordance with NCCN invasive breast cancer guideline using ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and Gemini.

• Julio A. Peguero, MD, of Oncology Consultants, co-authored Impact of eftilagimod alfa, an APC activator via MHC class II, on lymphocyte activation and survival outcomes in metastatic cancer patients.
  

“It is a privilege to share our research and latest findings with colleagues at ASCO,” said Dr. Boccia, who also serves as medical director of CCBD and research for AON. “The meeting encourages collaboration, innovation and continued progress in clinical oncology. Our participation reflects AON’s commitment to advancing evidence-based cancer care.”

“Oncology research is not only about identifying new treatments, but also about expanding our understanding of cancer itself,” said Dr. Stephen “Fred” Divers, AON’s chief medical officer. “Every study helps move us closer to more precise care, improved outcomes and, ultimately, a cure. We are proud to contribute to that important work.”

“The strong presence of our physicians and leaders at ASCO reflects the exceptional talent across our network,” said Todd Schonherz, AON’s chief executive officer. “We are proud to support research efforts that advance oncology care while reinforcing AON’s culture of innovation, collaboration and continuous learning.”

ASCO is one of the leading professional organizations for oncology professionals, offering more than 145 hours of education, collaboration and research insights each year during its annual meeting.

AON has numerous practices actively participating in clinical research. Currently, AON practices offer access to more than 150 clinical trials, making cutting-edge treatment options available within local communities.

For more information about AON, visit www.AONcology.com.

About American Oncology Network
American Oncology Network (AON) is an alliance of physicians and seasoned healthcare leaders partnering to ensure the long-term success and viability of community oncology and other specialties. Founded in 2018, AON’s rapidly expanding network represents more than 350 providers practicing across 21 states. AON pioneers innovative healthcare solutions through its physician-led model, fostering value-based care that improves patient outcomes while reducing costs and expanding access to quality care. AON equips its network physicians with the tools they need to thrive independently while providing comprehensive support, integrated revenue-diversifying ancillary services, and practice management expertise, enabling physicians to focus on what matters most – providing the highest standard of care for every patient. AON is committed to promoting health equity by addressing disparities in cancer care and ensuring that all patients have access to the care they need to achieve optimal health outcomes. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, AON is shaping the future of community oncology. For more information, please visit AONcology.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube.

Media Contact:
Karen Riley Sawyer
American Oncology Network
Karen.Sawyer@AONcology.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fd460573-014c-4f7c-809d-d26caa3f8afe

American Oncology Network Announces Research Studies to be Presented at ASCO 2026 Annual Meeting

Ruemu E. Birhiray, MD, Medical Oncologist, Hematology Oncology of Indiana; Ralph V. Boccia, MD, FACP, Medical Oncologist, The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders; Luis T. Campos, MD, Medical Oncologist, Oncology Consultants; Shajadi Patan, MD, Medical Oncologist, MidAmerica Cancer Care; Julio A. Peguero, MD, Medical Oncologist, Oncology Consultants

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