Kidney Cancer Research Symposium
Boston, US
July 2025
Patient Perceptions of Biomarker Testing in Kidney Cancer (KC) from the International Kidney Cancer Coalition (IKCC) Global Patient Survey (GPS)
A poster presentation by Dr Eric Jonasch and a corresponding abstract shared GPS results related to patients’ perceptions of biomarker testing. While there is currently no biomarker test to detect or guide the treatment of kidney cancer, this research helps predict patient population readiness and acceptance in advance of introducing the potential new discoveries.
When asked about doctors using future biomarker tests to guide treatment, approximately 50% of respondents expressed trust or general trust in the scientific process, while the other 50% had concerns or were unsure. The GPS revealed perceptions of biomarker testing varied by country, age, sex, and stage of kidney cancer. Overall, most respondents in the US were open to biomarker tests for circulating tumor cells and/or genomic testing.
Find more details in the Poster.
Find the Abstract here, on page 68.
ESMO (European Society of Medical Oncology)
Berlin, DE
October 2025
Unmet Needs & Disparities in Kidney Cancer (KC): International Kidney Cancer Coalition (IKCC) Global Patient Survey (GPS)
Dr Eric Jonasch presented GPS findings, which focused on the unmet needs and disparities in kidney cancer. The poster presentation and corresponding abstract showcased survey results related to oral therapy adherence, the emotional impact of a kidney cancer diagnosis, clinical trial participation and shared decision-making.
Find more details in the Poster.
Find the Abstract here.
JADPRO Live Annual Meeting (Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology)
Maryland, US
October 2025
Patient and Caregiver Perspectives on Shared Decision Making in Kidney Cancer from the International Kidney Cancer Coalition Global Patient Survey
At the leading US-based conference for advanced oncology practitioners in the US, a poster presentation by Margie Hickey and a corresponding abstract revealed GPS findings related to shared decision making (SDM). Specifically, the GPS found globally more respondents surveyed in 2024 than in 2022 indicated they were involved as much as they wanted to be in decisions about their treatment plan (55% vs 48%). However, SDM involvement varied between tumor type, treatment center, age group, stage, and type of therapy received. Furthermore, despite the rise in SDM, the GPS showed there are still significant gaps in patients’ levels of understanding their disease and treatments.
Factors that impact oral treatment adherence was also explored, including being involved as much as desired in treatment decisions, completely understanding treatment recommendations and completely understanding oral treatment options was also explored.
Find more details in the Poster.
International Kidney Cancer Symposium – North America
Denver, US
November 2025
Knowledge Gaps and Shared Decision Making (SDM) Disparities in Kidney Cancer (KC) Across North America (NA): Results from the International Kidney Cancer Coalition (IKCC) Global Patient Survey (GPS)
In this North American-focused poster presentation and a corresponding abstract, GPS data related to gaps in patients’ understanding of kidney cancer and disease management, barriers to treatment and shared decision making (SDM). Specifically, the experiences of patients in Canada, Mexico and the United States were compared in relation to barriers to treatment, the level of involvement in treatment decisions and patients’ support sources. The significant differences between countries suggest there is opportunity for further investigation and practice sharing between countries.
Find more details in the Poster.
Find the Abstract here.
ESMO Asia Congress
Singapore
December 2025
Knowledge Gaps and Shared Decision-Making Disparities in Kidney Cancer Across Asia: Results from the International Kidney Cancer Coalition (IKCC) Global Patient Survey
Dr Muralitharan Munisamy (MY), a member of IKCC’s Medical Advisory Board, made an oral presentation highlighting the Asia-related findings from the GPS at ESMO Asia. The presentation compared the global average with results from India, Japan, South Korea and Türkiye on the topics of barriers to treatment, shared decision-making, and patients’ knowledge related to diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Overall, it was found patient experiences vary significantly by country, presenting opportunities for further investigation and best practice sharing by patient organisations and healthcare providers.
Find more details in the Presentation.
Find the abstract here.
ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium
San Francisco, US
February 2026
Emotional Concerns Due to Kidney Cancer (KC) and Disparities in Patient Support Across North America (NA): Results from the International Kidney Cancer Coalition (IKCC) Global Patient Survey (GPS)
This North American-focused poster presentation and abstract explored GPS data focused on the emotional effects of a kidney cancer diagnosis and patient support resources. The North American (NA) findings were compared with the rest of the world, as well as across the continent.
The global data revealed that the majority of patients (85%) reported their emotional well-being was affected. Only 45%–66% of respondents discussed their emotional concerns with their health team. Patients in Mexico were more likely to discuss their emotional concerns with their health team than patients in Canada or the US. Furthermore, patients in Canada and the US were less likely to use a patient support group despite their emotional challenges.
Overall, better communication between patients and healthcare teams is needed to address emotional concerns, and referrals to trusted patient support groups can close the existing gaps in emotional support services within medical systems.
Find more details in the Poster.
Find the Abstract here.
2026 International Kidney Cancer Symposium: Europe
Paris, FR
April 2026
Treatment Barriers and Shared Decision-Making Disparities in Kidney Cancer Across Europe: Results from the IKCC Global Patient Survey
A poster presentation by Dr Eric Jonasch and a corresponding abstract shared GPS results from European countries related to shared decision-making (SDM), disease-related knowledge, and barriers to treatment, and compared them to the rest of the world.
Overall, European kidney cancer patients were more likely to report being involved in their treatment decisions, had a better understanding of their disease, and faced fewer barriers related to their treatment when compared to the rest of the world. However, 4 out of 10 patients reported not being involved.
The data also showed variation between European countries (73% of patients in Italy were involved compared to 46% in Poland). As such, there continues to be a need for improved clinician communication, better patient education, and more timely access to care to help reduce disparities.
Find more details in the Poster.
Find the Abstract here, on page 23.
International Agency for Research in Cancer
Lyon, FR
May 2026
Kidney Cancer Care Gaps: Low-and Middle Income vs. High Income Country Disparities from the IKCC Global Patient Survey
In this poster presentation and a corresponding abstract, GPS data were explored to examine disparities between low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and high-income countries (HICs), related to time-to-diagnosis, shared decision-making, disease understanding, and treatment barriers.
The data showed that kidney cancer patients in LMICs experience significantly greater challenges when compared with those in HICs. Specifically, they faced longer diagnosis delays, lower involvement in shared decision-making, and a greater proportion of patients experienced barriers to treatment. However, patients in LMICs reported disease understanding similar to or higher than that of patients in HICs.
These findings highlight inequities in access to timely diagnosis and treatment and the need to reduce financial and logistical barriers to achieve equitable access to healthcare.