FDA Approvals, ADCs, and Major Breakthroughs: Breaking Down the Most Important Data to Come out of SGO 2026

The 2026 Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer introduced significant advancements and practice-changing data, particularly within platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC) and low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (LGSOC).

Interested in reading more in-depth about the meeting? Be sure to check out our recap article of the meeting.

A major highlight was the presentation of 2 phase 3 trials that led to FDA-approved regimens for PROC. The phase 3 ROSELLA trial (NCT05257408) demonstrated the efficacy of relacorilant (Lifyorli) combined with nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane). This biomarker-agnostic regimen outperformed weekly taxane therapy and is available for patients who have received up to 3 prior lines of therapy. Simultaneously, the phase 3 KEYNOTE-B96 trial (NCT05116189) established pembrolizumab (Keytruda) plus weekly paclitaxel, with or without bevacizumab (Avastin), as a potent option for PD-L1 expressing patients. This marks a significant milestone as it integrates immuno-oncology into the treatment of patients with ovarian cancer.

In LGSOC, the phase 3 NRG-GY019 trial (NCT04095364) challenged the necessity of upfront chemotherapy by comparing letrozole alone with letrozole plus paclitaxel and carboplatin. Although the trial was negative, showing a slight risk when omitting chemotherapy in the overall population, letrozole did not appear inferior in select subgroups. Experts suggested that deferring chemotherapy might be a viable shared decision-making option for a subset of patients who achieve complete gross resection during surgery. Additionally, the combination of avutometinib and defactinib (Avmapki Fakzynja Co-pack)) showed durable responses in LGSOC.

The meeting also emphasized the burgeoning role of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Presentations showcased response rates exceeding 40% in PROC, a marked improvement over historical averages. Notable data included those from trials evaluating B7-H3 and B7H4-directed ADCs, as well as long-term follow-up for trastuzumab pamirtecan (BNT323/DB-1303) in endometrial cancer, which continues to show prolonged responses in biomarker-selected populations. Finally, sessions on the future of gynecologic oncology highlighted the importance of compassion and clinical innovation in moving the field forward.