Asia takes center stage at this year’s World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), with Seoul hosting the meeting for the first time in nearly 20 years.
Given Asia’s renowned reputation as a major driver in lung cancer research, WCLC attendees can expect a program that highlights the key areas shaping the field—from molecular residual disease (MRD), artificial intelligence (AI), and T-cell engagers to resistance mechanisms and perioperative strategies.
Attendees can look forward to a globally oriented program covering the full spectrum of lung cancer, featuring practice-changing data and dedicated sessions focused on equity, stigma, advocacy, and implementation across diverse healthcare systems.
While some fan favorites will return to WCLC 2026—such as the Amazing Case Race spotlighting early-career investigators—new, interactive formats will also debut in Seoul, including:
- Debates
- Multidisciplinary case discussions
- Audience-driven clinical decision-making
- Hands-on workshops in molecular diagnostics, AI applications, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and multidisciplinary management
“Hosting WCLC in Seoul is designed to accelerate cross-continental trial partnerships, not only to host them,” said IASLC President Caicun Zhou, MD, PhD.
As attendees prepare for what is sure to be a dynamic meeting, Dr. Zhou discusses key themes and topics to look forward to at WCLC 2026.
“The Seoul program is engineered less as a lecture series and more as a translation engine—moving the latest science from bench to bedside through several deliberate structures.”
—IASLC President Caicun Zhou, MD, PhD
ILCN: How will this year’s program explore the latest breakthroughs that are shaping the future of lung cancer research and treatment?
Dr. Zhou: The Seoul program is engineered less as a lecture series and more as a translation engine—moving the latest science from bench to bedside through several deliberate structures.
The two Presidential Symposia serve as the meeting’s gravitational center, reserved for phase III readouts that have an immediate standard-of-care impact.
The program explores breakthroughs by showcasing the latest practice-changing data, curating the most anticipated scientific themes from end-to-end, applying them through interactive clinical decision-making formats, pairing each advancement with an implementation and equity lens, and hosting the meeting in a region currently driving much of the innovation—all on a scale that leaves no sub-specialty uncovered.
ILCN: WCLC 2026 will once again feature two Presidential Symposia. Are there any overarching themes or goals that attendees can expect from this year’s Presidential Symposia lineup?
Dr. Zhou: Nine abstracts will be presented in the Presidential Symposia. These include phase III randomized controlled trials, two on B3H7 antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), three on the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR exon 20 insertions, one on a TROP2 ADC plus pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab in PD-L1 high NSCLC, one on a HER2 ADC, one on ROS1-positive NSCLC, and another one on the role of MRI in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). These trials will likely impact our daily clinical practice soon.
ILCN: Is there a particular session or event that you are looking forward to at your first WCLC since becoming president last year?
Dr. Zhou: I am really looking forward to the sessions on bispecifics or ADCs. We will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology (JTO) and hold the first Global Council meeting.
ILCN: What advice would you give to first-time attendees or early-career professionals to help them make the most of their WCLC experience?
Dr. Zhou: First, prepare before you land—it’s a big meeting.
We expect more than 7,000 attendees, 130 sessions, and 2,200-plus abstracts running concurrently over four days. You cannot see everything—and trying to do so will leave you exhausted.
Download the conference app and build your schedule in advance by filtering sessions by track, speaker, and date. Anchor your schedule around non-negotiables—the Opening Plenary, Presidential Symposium 1, and Presidential Symposium 2—then fill remaining gaps with one or two thematic tracks (e.g., ADCs, MRD/perioperative, immunotherapy) rather than randomly moving between sessions.
WCLC will provide live captions and multilingual translation for all sessions, ensuring language is not a barrier.
Secondly, the Presidential Symposia serve as your anchor—but don’t camp there. They are the meeting’s gravitational center for practice-changing phase III data. However, the real value for early-career attendees lies in the multidisciplinary and interactive sessions—such as debates, case discussions, audience-driven clinical decision-making, and hands-on workshops in molecular diagnostics, AI, and PROs. These sessions are where you learn how experts think, not only what they discovered.
Additionally, poster sessions are your secret weapon. For early-career attendees, poster halls are less intimidating than plenary sessions and provide direct, unhurried access to presenting authors. Go to each poster with two to three specific questions. This is where genuine conversations—and potential collaborations—start.
And finally, network intentionally—with at least one new connection as the goal.
ILCN: Is there anything else you would like to share about this year’s meeting, or any advice attendees should keep in mind as they prepare for WCLC 2026?
Dr. Zhou: This year, we will introduce AI-powered live captioning and translation for every session—eliminating language barriers, even in smaller breakout rooms. This is a significant upgrade for an international meeting.
In-person registration is all-inclusive. Your badge will cover access to all live sessions and livestreaming, the Welcome Reception, daily lunches, poster viewing receptions, networking breaks, poster displays, the Exhibit Hall, live industry symposia, live captions, and translation, as well as unlimited on-demand recordings, slides, and posters available after the meeting.
In July 2026, the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) launched a major equity initiative. The IASLC announced complimentary full membership for eligible low- and lower-middle-income countries, as designated by the World Bank, specifically to remove financial barriers to global participation. If you or your colleagues are based in an eligible country, it is worth investigating this option before registering for meetings, as it could significantly reduce your rate. The IASLC also introduced new membership options this year; please confirm your membership type before registering.
There will also be special events beyond the science. The Opening Plenary includes Distinguished Service Award presentations honoring leaders in thoracic cancer care, opening remarks from distinguished speakers, including Eun-Kyeong Jeong, Minister of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea, and a dedicated session on global equity, stigma, and advocacy.
Additionally, the IASLC Celebration Night will take place on Monday, September 14, and attendees can purchase tickets at registration or by emailing the conference secretariat.
