The 2020 ASTRO Annual Meeting was held October 24-28 as an immersive and interactive virtual meeting. Led by ASTRO President Thomas J. Eichler, MD, FASTRO, the meeting was organized around the theme, “Global Oncology: Radiation Therapy in A Changing World.” New results from clinical trials and other research studies were presented in conjunction with expert panels on a range of timely issues, a virtual poster hall with author narration and a virtual exhibit hall.
News Briefings & Press Materials
ASTRO news briefings highlighted top-rated abstracts presented at the Annual Meeting and address topical issues that impact cancer care:
Monday, October 26, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET
Download the briefing slide deck
- "CCTG SC.24/TROG 17.06: A randomized phase II/III study comparing 24Gy in 2 stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) fractions versus 20Gy in 5 conventional palliative radiotherapy (CRT) fractions for patients with painful spinal metastases," presented by Dr. Arjun Sahgal, University of Toronto (Abstract LBA-2)
- View Dr. Sahgal's briefing slides
- Press release: Treating spinal metastases with fewer and higher doses of radiation reduces pain more effectively
- "Initial report of a randomized trial comparing conventional- vs conventional plus fluciclovine (18F) PET/CT imaging-guided post-prostatectomy radiotherapy for prostate cancer," presented by Dr. Ashesh Jani, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University (Abstract LBA-1)
- View Dr. Jani's briefing slides
- Press release: Adding advanced PET scans to radiation treatment plans for prostate cancer increases failure-free survival rates
- "Phase III randomized trial of postoperative adjuvant conventional radiation (3DCRT) versus image guided intensity modulated radiotherapy (IG-IMRT) in cervical cancer (PARCER): Final analysis," presented by Dr. Supriya Chopra, Tata Memorial Centre (Abstract 2)
- View Dr. Chopra's briefing slides
- Press release: Adding image guidance to post-operative radiation therapy can reduce side effects for women with cervical cancer
- "Stereotactic ablative fractionated radiotherapy versus radiosurgery for oligometastatic neoplasia to the lung: A randomized phase II trial," presented by Dr. Shankar Siva, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Abstract 5)
- View Dr. Siva's briefing slides
- Press release: Group trial bolsters case for stereotactic radiation therapy for tumors that travel to the lungs
- "Stereotactic radiosurgery versus whole-brain radiation therapy for patients with 4-15 brain metastases: A phase III randomized controlled trial," presented by Dr. Jing Li, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Abstract 41)
- View Dr. Li's briefing slides
- Press release: Radiosurgery reduces cognitive decline without compromising survival for patients with 4+ brain metastases
- Moderator: Dr. Sue S. Yom, University of California, San Francisco; Deputy Editor, International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics
Tuesday, October 27, 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET
Download the briefing slide deck
- "Geographic access to radiation therapy in the United States," presented by Dr. Sean Maroongroge, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Abstract 203)
- "Characterization of underrepresented populations in modern era radiation therapy clinical trials," presented by Emily Hughes Bero, Medical College of Wisconsin (Abstract 204)
- View Ms. Bero's briefing slides
- Press release: Study finds need for better inclusion of patients from racial minority groups in radiation therapy trials
- "Sexual health toxicity in cancer survivors: Is there a gender disparity in physician evaluation and intervention?" presented by Dr. James Taylor, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (Abstract 1042)
- Moderator: Dr. Karen M. Winkfield, Vanderbilt University, ASTRO Board of Directors
Tuesday, October 27, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET – Special COVID-19 Session
Download the briefing slide deck
Update from the
ASTRO COVID-19 Impact Survey
- "Initial Impact and Operational Response of Radiation Oncology Practices to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States, Europe, and Latin America," presented by Dr. Daniel Wakefield, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (view slides) (view late-breaking abstract)
- "ASTRO COVID-19 Practice Response Survey: Updated Results from Three Waves of Data Collection," presented by Dr. David Schwartz, University of Tennessee Health Science Center (view slides)
Panel Discussion: "Low-Dose Radiation Therapy and COVID-19-related Pneumonia"
- "Low-Dose Radiation Therapy and Severe COVID-19-Related Pneumonia: The RESCUE 1-19 Trial," presented by Dr. Mohammad K. Khan, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University (view slides) (view late-breaking abstract)
- "Ultra- Low-Dose Thoracic Radiation for COVID-19 Patients," presented by Dr. Arnab Chakravarti, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (view slides)
- "Low-Dose Whole Lung Radiotherapy for Immunomodulation in COVID-19-Related Pneumonia," presented by Dr. Ramesh Rengan, University of Washington School of Medicine (view slides)
- "Low-dose Radiation Therapy and Severe COVID-19-Related Pneumonia," presented by Dr. Deborah E. Citrin, National Cancer Institute (view slides)
- Moderator: Dr. Laura Dawson, University of Toronto, ASTRO President
Virtual Press Rooms
ASTRO provides virtual press rooms for institutions presenting research at the meeting and ASTRO Corporate Members. Press are encouraged to visit these pages for story ideas via the links below. Submission guidelines are available for Corporate Members and institutions .