Held in Lisbon, Portugal, from May 27–29, 2025, the Global Clinical Oncology Conference (GCOC 2025) hosted by the Life and Medical Sciences Innovation Institute (LMSII) showcased cutting-edge innovations in cancer prevention, diagnostics, and treatment. This hybrid event brought together oncology experts across 22 breakout sessions, a plenary forum, and poster exhibits, spotlighting the shift toward precision, accessibility, and digital transformation in global oncology.
- Early Detection and Preventive Strategies in High-burden Cancers
Key Development: GCOC 2025 highlighted how non-invasive early detection technologies — particularly for colorectal and pancreatic cancers — are pushing the innovation curve in AI imaging, biosensors, and screening protocols.
Best Practices: Speakers emphasized AI-based diagnostic imaging and wearable biosensors that can detect early markers in at-risk populations through risk-based screening programs.
Growth Opportunities:
-
- Expand wearable and liquid biopsy platforms for early-stage detection.
- Integrate real-world data and AI for population-based cancer risk stratification.
- Develop screening tools optimized for use in low-resource, high-burden regions.
Note: These discussions align closely with insights from our latest analysis, Global Oncology Diagnostics in IVD: Growth Opportunities
- Precision Oncology: From Genomics to Multi-omics Integration
Key Development: A clear trend emerged in the move beyond genomics toward multi-omics (transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) for cancer characterization — particularly in breast and GI (gastrointestinal) cancers with high tumor heterogeneity.
Best Practices: Multi-omics platforms offering real-time integration and decision support were highlighted as key enablers for adaptive clinical trials and next-gen companion diagnostics.
Growth Opportunities:
- Develop cloud-based platforms that support multi-omics data integration.
- Partner with pharma companies for adaptive trials and companion diagnostics (CDx) development.
- Position technologies to overcome tumor heterogeneity and treatment resistance.
Note: These discussions align closely with insights from our latest analyses, Precision Oncology Market Trends and Growth Opportunities and Companion Diagnostics (CDx): Technology Innovation and Growth Opportunities
- Biomarker Co-Development as Both Bottleneck and Opportunity
Key Development: The absence of validated biomarker endpoints in early-phase trials is delaying regulatory progress — but also opening doors for specialized diagnostic partnerships.
Best Practices: Predictive and prognostic biomarkers are now pivotal in immuno-oncology (IO) and targeted therapy trials. Strategic partnerships are emerging between biotech, contract research organizations (CROs), and AI companies focused on tissue and digital biomarkers.
Growth Opportunities:
- Build AI-powered pathology tools for spatial biomarker validation in GI and IO cancers.
- Offer external biomarker discovery pipelines to reduce trial delays.
- Develop imaging + tissue biomarker co-validation platforms.
Note: These discussions align closely with insights from our latest analysis, Next-Gen Cell Therapies and Precision Immunotherapies
- Digital and AI-Enabled Platforms are Revolutionizing Oncology
Key Development: Digital transformation is becoming inseparable from modern oncology. GCOC 2025 showcased AI tools for pathology, radiomics, and decision support reshaping diagnostics and care delivery.
Best Practices: Both large companies and startups are expanding their digital pathology and AI portfolios to support scalable, data-driven oncology care.
Growth Opportunities:
- Develop AI analytics engines tailored to radiology-pathology convergence.
- Expand digital pathology for global use in decentralized trial settings.
- Collaborate with hospitals to integrate AI into clinical workflows.
Note: These discussions align closely with insights from our latest analysis, Digital Pathology: Technology Innovations and Growth Trends
- Decentralized Trials and Inclusive Access Models Are Redefining the Pipeline
Key Development: A shift toward digitally enabled, decentralized clinical trials is making global inclusivity more achievable, particularly in underrepresented regions.
Best Practices: Startups enabling virtual consent, remote diagnostics, and biospecimen collection are gaining visibility and investor attention.
Growth Opportunities:
- Deploy virtual trial platforms in low-infrastructure regions (Africa, Southeast Asia).
- Innovate remote consent and biospecimen handling systems.
- Partner with NGOs and health agencies for global outreach.
Note: These discussions align closely with insights from our latest analysis, Decentralized Testing Models in Clinical Diagnostics
Looking Ahead: Key Oncology Priorities from GCOC 2025
At GCOC 2025, a forward-looking consensus emerged around accelerating innovation in oncology diagnostics, trials, and equitable access. The following short-, mid-, and long-term focus areas reflect strategic priorities for stakeholders shaping the future of cancer care:
Short-term (1 year):
- Operationalize multi-omics diagnostics into clinical workflows for breast, GI, and lung cancers.
- Expand decentralized and digitally enabled trial infrastructures to reduce recruitment delays and ensure geographic diversity.
- Invest in AI-powered pathology and imaging tools for early cancer detection, especially in underserved regions.
Mid-term (2–3 years):
- Advance biomarker co-development ecosystems by strengthening pharma-diagnostics partnerships and CRO collaborations.
- Scale up wearable and non-invasive biosensor integration for at-home patient monitoring and recurrence detection.
- Embed real-time clinical decision support platforms to improve personalized treatment planning and trial matching.
Long-term (5+ years):
- Achieve globally accessible oncology diagnostics through affordable point-of-care innovations and remote biospecimen workflows.
- Unlock curative potential in cancer care by integrating precision immunotherapies, AI analytics, and digital twins.
- Redefine oncology R&D models via adaptive platform trials and real-world evidence frameworks to accelerate approvals and reduce disparities.
What role will your organization play in making precision oncology truly global, accessible, and equitable by 2030?
What’s your next move?
- Book a Growth Strategy Session – Align your oncology innovation roadmap with strategic insights
- Engage with Growth Experts – Collaborate with our experts to identify high-impact opportunities in multi-omics, AI diagnostics, and decentralized trial platforms.
- Tell Your Transformation Story – Highlight your breakthroughs in oncology and inspire global stakeholders with your success.
- Join the Growth Council – Collaborate with pioneers driving the next wave of oncology advancements.
- Explore New Growth Opportunities – Uncover emerging platforms and delivery technologies shaping the future of oncology.
Appendix:
Explore Frost & Sullivan’s latest analyses on oncology innovation:
- Global Oncology Diagnostics in IVD: Growth Opportunities
- Precision Oncology Market Trends and Growth Opportunities
- Companion Diagnostics (CDx): Technology Innovation and Growth Opportunities
- Next-Gen Cell Therapies and Precision Immunotherapies
- Digital Pathology: Technology Innovations and Growth Trends
- Decentralized Testing Models in Clinical Diagnostics