Several scientific and technological trends stood out across poster halls and exhibitor showcases.
1.Artificial intelligence and digital pathology move into the mainstream
AI and machine learning were widely embedded across cancer research workflows. In digital pathology specifically, automated image analysis is rapidly transitioning from exploratory research into more robust, validated applications. Discussions highlighted growing confidence in AI‑driven scoring to reduce variability associated with manual pathology and improve consistency across sites. Further work also addressed the use of AI in spatial omics integration, and better predicting immunotherapy responses from routine slides. Key themes included using AI to bridge molecular data with tissue imaging, automating multi-step workflows, and navigating the validation for clinical adoption.
Rather than asking if AI belongs in pathology, the conversation has clearly shifted towards how quickly it will become standard.
2.Liquid biopsy continues to gain momentum
Liquid biopsy approaches were highly visible across tumor types and development stages. While still complex from a regulatory and implementation standpoint, interest in circulating biomarkers and non‑invasive monitoring remains strong, particularly for longitudinal patient assessment and disease evolution. Precede Biosciences debuted a first-of-its-kind product, Precede Bio Insight™, a genome-wide liquid biopsy that enables mapping of functional tumor biology (gene expression and pathways) from just 1mL of plasma. Highlighting several studies at AACR, the company demonstrated the ability of their comprehensive epigenomic liquid biopsy platform to predict therapeutic response, reveal resistance mechanisms, and quantitatively assess target expression and pathway activity with concordance to tissue.
3.Antibody‑based therapeutics dominate oncology innovation
Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), bispecifics, and trispecific antibodies were among the most discussed therapeutic modalities at AACR 2026. Novel designs, refined payload strategies, and improved targeting approaches dominated many sessions, confirming that antibody‑based therapies are not a short‑term trend, but a long‑term pillar of oncology pipelines. Specifically, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine highlighted the use of JNJ-89862175, a novel ADC targeting the ENPP3 protein, which displays apically restricted expression in normal tissue and depolarized expression in tumors and is broadly over-expressed in multiple solid tumors. The unique design was developed as a bivalent antibody with high affinity and specificity for ENPP3 and conjugated to a microtubule inhibitor payload.
The meeting was also abuzz around new data from Merck, revealing their first-in-human data for MK-2010, its anti-PD-1 x VEGF bispecific antibody. Early phase 1/2 data, primarily from a Chinese study in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), showed promising safety and efficacy, with one report noting a 55% overall response rate (ORR).
Emerging therapeutic concepts such as targeted protein degradation (TPD) marked a shift from conventional heterobifunctional degraders toward molecular glues and antibody-based biologic degraders. Key highlights include new preclinical, orally bioavailable, and cell-specific degrader candidates for “undruggable” targets. An interesting example came from EpiBiologics, introducing EPI-326, an antibody-based tissue-selective EGFR degrader (EpiTAC) designed to spare healthy tissue.
4.Immunohistochemistry remains foundational
Despite rapid innovation in omics and advanced analytics, IHC remains ubiquitous. Across posters and discussions, IHC continues to be a cornerstone for patient selection, biomarker validation, and translational decision‑making, reinforcing the need for standardized, reproducible approaches across global trials.
