Conference MDAngle: SNO 2026 Glioma & Related Diseases

Conference MDAngle offers personal perspectives from conference attendees, showcasing their anticipation, quick takeaways, and insights into how the presented research will affect their patients.The 31st Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) Annual Meeting and Education Day will take place November 12-15, 2026, in Philadelphia. The meeting theme, "Crossing the Translational Divide: From Neurons to Novel Therapies," will frame programming across neuro-oncology research and clinical care. Plenary presentations will feature the Sontag Distinguished Keynote Lecture, "Glioblastoma: Reasons for Hope From Other (Previously) Intractable Cancers," presented by Dr William Kaelin. Also scheduled is a plenary I presentation by Dr Amy Pruitt on "Neurologic Manifestations of Cancer and Cancer Treatments in the Era of Novel Therapies," addressing neurologic complications and care considerations as cancer therapies evolve. The Education Day presentations will address emerging diagnostics, biomarkers, AI and machine learning, targeted therapies, cell-based immunotherapies, and CNS drug-delivery platforms. The meeting will also include sessions on IDH-mutant glioma care, serial FET-PET imaging, cognitive outcomes in patients with primary brain tumors, and survivorship, quality of life, and comorbidity management in brain tumor care. Together, the presentations will explore approaches to treating tumors, improving diagnosis and monitoring, and supporting patients over time.Lauren Schaff, MDAssistant Member, Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York“We've made a lot of progress in understanding the biology of brain tumors over the last few years. Now we have to translate those discoveries into treatments that actually improve patient outcomes.”Preconference ConsiderationsSNO 2026 Preview: New Directions in Glioma CareDr Schaff previews SNO 2026, highlighting how advances in other cancers may inform glioblastoma treatment and how emerging therapies could fit into glioma care. She anticipates clinical trial updates on targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and antibody-drug conjugates, alongside practical guidance on incorporating IDH inhibitors into patient care. She also discusses diagnostic advances, including FET-PET and the potential value of serial imaging to help distinguish tumor progression from treatment-related changes. She looks forward to learning more about cell-free DNA biomarkers of response and their potential clinical applications. Across these developments, Dr Schaff emphasizes improving patient outcomes while preserving cognition, neurologic function, and independence.Quick Clinical TakeawaysComing soon: Dr Schaff highlights new data and progress regarding glioma and related diseases immediately following SNO.How Will My Patients Benefit?Coming soon: Dr Schaff reflects on how new data from SNO will affect her patients with glioma.ResourcesMDAngle Index