2021 ASTRO Annual Meeting Press Kit

The 2021 ASTRO Annual Meeting – the leading meeting in radiation oncology – was held October 24-27 at McCormick Place West in Chicago. Led by ASTRO President Laura A. Dawson, MD, FASTRO, the meeting was organized around the theme, “Embracing Change, Advancing Person-Centered Care.” New results from clinical trials and other research studies were presented in conjunction with educational panels, keynote addresses and other special sessions. Learn more about the safety protocols from the meeting, including vaccination and masking requirements.

News Briefings

ASTRO news briefings highlighted top-rated research at the Annual Meeting. Summaries of the studies and recordings of the briefings are available below.

Briefing #1

Monday, October 25, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Central time

View/download hi-res photos from the briefing.
View the compiled briefing slide deck.

• "Primary endpoint analysis of a randomized phase III Trial of hypofractionated versus conventional post-prostatectomy radiotherapy: NRG Oncology GU003," presented by Mark K. Buyyounouski, MD, Stanford University (Abstract 3)
  • News release: Shortened course of radiation therapy offers similar long-term side effects following prostate removal surgery
• "Validation of a 22-gene genomic classifier in the NRG Oncology/RTOG 9202, 9413 and 9902 phase III randomized trials: A biopsy-based individual patient meta-analysis in high-risk prostate cancer," presented by Paul L. Nguyen, MD, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center (Abstract 95)
  • News release: Genetic biomarker test predicts recurrence and survival outcomes for men with high-risk prostate cancer
• "Consolidative use of radiotherapy to block (CURB) oligoprogression: Interim analysis of the first randomized study of stereotactic body radiotherapy in patients with oligoprogressive metastatic cancers of the lung and breast," presented by C. Jillian Tsai, MD, PhD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (Abstract LBA-3)
  • News release: High-dose radiation thwarts tumor growth in patients with advanced lung cancer
• Featured experts: Andrea K. Ng, MD, MPH, FASTRO, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Hospital (moderator); Sophia C. Kamran, MD, Mass General Cancer Center; Steven J. Chmura, MD, PhD, University of Chicago

Watch the recorded briefing

Briefing #2

Monday, October 25, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Central time

View/download hi-res photos from the briefing
View the compiled briefing slide deck

• "Overall survival from a prospective multi-institutional trial to resolve Black-white disparities in the treatment of early-stage breast and lung cancer," presented by Matthew Manning, MD, FASTRO, Cone Health (Abstract 53)
  • News release: Intervention eliminates Black-white gaps in survival from early-stage breast and lung cancer
• "Bridge-to-transplant external-beam radiation therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A utilization analysis of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database," presented by Nima Nabavizadeh, MD, Oregon Health & Science University (Abstract 2078)
  • News release: External-beam radiation therapy underused for people with liver cancer awaiting transplant
• "Time-driven activity-based costing as a method for estimating the practice-level and national cost burden of treatment-related prior authorization for academic radiation oncology practices," presented by Brian S. Bingham, MD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Abstract 136)
  • News release: Prior authorization costs radiation oncology clinics more than $40 million each year, study estimates
• Moderator/Featured expert: Karen M. Winkfield, MD, PhD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance; ASTRO Board of Directors

Watch the recorded briefing

Briefing #3

Tuesday, October 26, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Central time

Read more about these studies in ASTRO Daily News (page 11)

View/download hi-res photos from the briefing
View the compiled briefing slide deck

• "3-D virtual reality volumetric imaging review in cancer patients’ understanding and education of their disease and treatment," presented by Douglas E. Holt, MD, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (Abstract 2289)
  • View Dr. Holt's briefing slides
• "Impact of Pediatric Radiation Oncology with Movie Induced Sedation Effect (PROMISE) on patient movement and general anesthesia use in pediatric radiation therapy," presented by Jeffrey T. Chapman, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (Abstract 179)
  • View Mr. Chapman's briefing slides
• "Development and impact of a virtual PSA monitoring clinic for follow-up of prostate cancer patients," presented by Richard Boyajian, MSN, RN, NP, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center (Abstract 125)
  • View Mr. Boyajian's briefing slides
• "Site-specific education using digital media to improve patients’ understanding of the radiotherapy trajectory: An interventional study," presented by Hussain Almerdhemah, B.App.Sc-RT, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (Abstract 2132)
  • View Mr. Almerdhemah's briefing slides
• Moderator: Laura A. Dawson, MD, FASTRO, Princess Margaret Cancer Center; Chair, ASTRO Board of Directors

Watch the recorded briefing

Corporate Member Virtual Press Room

The virtual press room for ASTRO Corporate Members includes press releases and other materials for journalists provided by our industry partners. Press are encouraged to visit the VPR for story ideas via the link below. Submission guidelines for ASTRO Corporate Members are available here.

• View the 2021 Corporate Member Virtual Press Room

For More Information

• Reach ASTRO's media relations team by email
• PR professionals: View information for Corporate Members and presenting institutions
• Follow ASTRO's social media channels
• Find general info on radiation radiation therapy at RTAnswers.org