The bustling city of Seoul is all set to host the 16th annual meeting of the Korean Society of Medical Oncology (KSMO) International Conference from Sept. 7-8 at Grand Walkerhill Seoul.

With the conference becoming an international event in 2019, this significant gathering has become a hallmark global event for medical professionals, researchers, clinical trial coordinators and pharmaceutical companies related to oncology.

KSMO, the prestigious society leading this event, has always championed the importance of medical oncology research and advancements in Korea.

Through four previous international conferences, the society has made significant strides in fostering an environment of collaboration and knowledge-sharing among the international oncology community.

This year, the conference promises another enriching experience with its sessions, workshops, and keynote addresses.

One of the most anticipated highlights of this year's conference is that the leadership from the world's prestigious cancer societies, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), as well as the Japanese Society of Medical Oncology (JSMO) and the International Federation of Asian Clinical Oncology (FACO), will be visiting Korea.

Notably, the conference will be the first oncology event held in Asia where head of ESMO and the former head of ASCO will be in attendance at the same time to hold separate symposiums.

Against this backdrop, Korea Biomedical Review met with KSMO 2023 Chair Im Seock-Ah  (professor of hematology and medical oncology at Seoul National University Hospital) and KSMO Board of Directors Chair Ahn Joong Bae (professor of medical oncology at Severance Hospital) separately to discuss KSMO's works and what to expect during the conference.

"Since its inception in 2019, the KSMO International Conference has witnessed commendable growth," Im said. "The inaugural event saw 1,076 participants from 34 countries, a number that rose consistently despite the challenges posed by the pandemic."

Most recently, KSMO 2023 has also been designated as an "Excellent K-Convention" by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, solidifying its stature as a premier international academic conference in Korea, she added.

Ahn also explained KSMO's collaborations history with international oncology associations.

“Our collaboration, which began in 2012 through a joint symposium with the JSMO, now extend to world renowned associations such as ASCO, ESMO, and FACO," Ahn said. "Collaborative events also occur during the American Association for Cancer Research academic conference period, fostering relations with Korean scientists abroad."

KSMO has also had an enduring collaboration with ESMO since 2016, and KSMO's reputation will be further enhanced by an upcoming MOU with ASCO during KSMO 2023 conference, he added.

Ahn stressed that this new collaboration will promote mutual annual meetings, junior member exchanges, and joint ventures.

Addressing such growth, Im said Korea's brand power has exponentially grown, enhancing KSMO's global standing.

"Our country boasts numerous top clinical recruiters and key opinion leaders in the field," she said. "Many global clinical trial centers are located in Korea, and such high concentration in a small country has significantly amplified the interest of international researchers."

ESMO, renowned for prioritizing impactful clinical trials, views Asia, and particularly Korea, as pivotal in drafting Pan-Asian Guidelines, Im said.

"Korean researchers have been instrumental in shaping these guidelines, with the nation's clinical science and extensive participation from the early phase first-in-human clinical trials to the practice changing phase 3 clinical trials providing an added advantage."

Regarding this year's conference, Im said that under the theme, "Collaboration beyond borders, Cancer research beyond limits," the conference will feature 52 enlightening sessions with the participation of over 130 experts from across the globe.

"Discussions are aimed at dismantling barriers to improving cancer treatments and contemplating the future trajectory of oncology, providing a platform for the exchange of innovative ideas," she said.

According to Im, one of the major attractions of KSMO 2023 is the plenary lectures.

Spanning four sessions, the lectures will delve deep into mechanisms of resistance to endocrine therapy, cancer evolution, precision medicine, and immunotherapy.

Speakers include Carlos L. Arteaga, globally recognized for his significant contributions to breast cancer genetics and targeted therapy, Charles Swanton from the Francis Crick Institute, lauded for his expertise in tumor heterogeneity, Takayuki Yoshino from Japan's National Cancer Center Hospital East, a specialist in gastrointestinal cancers, and Roy S. Herbst, known for advancing molecular targeted anti-cancer drugs and immunotherapy.

In collaboration with international oncology societies, KSMO 2023 will also elevate both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of its programs, she added.

The conference has organized joint symposiums with major international oncological societies, such as ASCO, ESMO, JSMO, and FACO, to encourage cross-border and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Ahn said such partnerships distinguish KSMO from other international academic conferences held in Asia.

Ahn also provided insight into the key achievements of KSMO.

"Since its inception in 2005, KSMO's core focus has been the development of guidelines related to cancer treatment," Ahn said.

Backed by its mission “to care for patients and society through cancer treatment and research” and its aspiration to be a globally leading conference in the field by 2032, KSMO has played a leading role in developing guidelines for cancer treatment, ensuring that cancer patients are treated and cared for by evidence-based medicine, and proposing multidisciplinary integrated care operations.

In addition to educational pursuits, Ahn stressed that the KSMO annually hosts academic conferences and policy forums to share cancer treatment knowledge.

"Collaboratively, we publish the Cancer Research and Treatment journal with the Korean Cancer Association and partake in scholarly and research ventures like the ESMO Open," Ahn said.

In 2016, KSMO launched the Korea Cancer Care Alliance (KCCA), a civilian organization dedicated to strengthening patient-centered cancer care.

Moreover, the Korean Precision Medicine networking group, initiated in 2019, stands as a testament to KSMO's commitment to patient care, he added.

Both Im and Ahn talked about what participants can take away from KSMO 2023.

"We aim to maximize networking among participants through excellent abstracts and sessions," Im said. "All attendees will undoubtedly benefit from the most recent findings and ideas presented."

She further emphasized the importance of current clinical trials and their applicability in different regions.

"In the ever-evolving landscape of oncology, it is crucial to identify trials that can be adapted to specific environments, bringing tangible benefits to patients," she said. "With still so many unmet medical needs, KSMO 2023 will serve as an excellent platform for collective discussion."

Im hoped that participants will be able to identify these needs and, over the coming years, design new clinical trials or develop real-world data that can address them with other KSMO 2023 participants.

Ahn agreed.

"I eagerly anticipate many attendees at this year's event, not only to gain insights into the latest in oncology but also to reconnect with peers and renowned researchers from around the world," he said. "It's a golden opportunity to exchange fresh and diverse ideas, and we hope everyone can experience it to the fullest."