Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Drug Development research featured at ESMO Congress 2026. Oct 23, 2026, 09:08 ET ESMO 2026 abstracts featuring FCS research: 52P, 1017P, 1076TiP, 1021P, 1134eTiP, 1146eTiP, 1594P, 1846P, 3151P, 2216O FORT MYERS, Fla., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Findings from early-phase clinical research conducted with participation from Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC (FCS) will be showcased this week at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2026 in Madrid. FCS physician leaders in drug development are first authors on studies selected for presentation at the prestigious international meeting. Recognized as one of the world's premier oncology conferences, the ESMO Congress convenes leading cancer researchers, clinicians and industry experts to present cutting-edge science and explore advances shaping the future of cancer care. "Many of the targeted therapies now transforming cancer care first entered clinical testing through Phase 1 trials at our drug development units," said FCS Director of Drug Development Manish R. Patel, MD, who oversees early-phase research at the FCS drug development units in Sarasota and Lake Nona. "FCS is proud to help drive scientific discoveries that expand treatment options, create new possibilities and improve outcomes for patients everywhere." The following abstracts feature an FCS first author and will be shared in poster presentations at the ESMO Congress: * Cesar Perez, MD, director of the Drug Development Unit at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute at FCS is first author of the study, "A first-in-human phase 1/2 dose-escalation and expansion trial of BNT329 (an anti-carbohydrate antigen 19-9 antibody-drug conjugate [CA19-9 ADC]) in patients with advanced solid tumors that express CA19-9." (1076TiP) * Judy Wang, MD, associate director of drug development at FCS is first author of "First-in-class Rac/Cdc42 inhibitor MBQ-167 in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC): safety and preliminary efficacy." (52P) FCS physicians are also co-authors of the following abstract poster presentations: Manish R. Patel, MD * Adjuvant intismeran autogene plus FOLFIRINOX in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Results from a phase I study. (3151P) Manish R. Patel, MD and Cesar Perez, MD * Phase 1 first-in-human (FIH) results of YL211, a c-Met targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), in patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors. (1017P) Cesar Perez, MD * Preliminary safety and pharmacokinetics of TJ101, an EGFR x B7-H3 bispecific antibody-drug conjugate, in patients with advanced solid tumors: Results from an ongoing global phase I study. (1021P) * Clinical and correlative outcomes of petosemtamab +/- pembrolizumab (pembro) in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (r/m HNSCC). (1594P) * IDE849, a delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3)-targeted topoisomerase I (TOPI) antibody-drug conjugate in advanced solid tumors. (1146eTiP) Judy S. Wang, MD * Efficacy, safety, and biomarker analysis of DB-1310 (HER3-targeted ADC) in pretreated HR+/HER2- breast cancer: Updated global phase 1/2a trial. (1846P) * A phase I trial of FAP-Exd (AVA6103), a fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-enabled pre|CISION(R) peptide-drug conjugate delivering sustained tumor microenvironment (TME) release of exatecan in patients with FAP-positive solid tumors (1134eTiP) An FCS physician is also a co-author of the following proffered paper presented at the podium: Judy S. Wang, MD * Safety and efficacy of JNJ-6143, a first-in-class oral AR-targeted regulated induced proximity targeting chimera at the optimal dose for further development in patients with mCRPC/mAPMR, including high-risk molecular features (2216O) As one of the nation's leading community oncology research programs, FCS continues to provide patients access to innovative clinical trials while helping bring the next generation of cancer treatments from the research setting to routine clinical practice. Through partnerships with Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) - one of the world's leading oncology research organizations conducting community-based clinical trials - and Paradigm, Inc., FCS offers convenient access to clinical trials at nearly 30 locations statewide, including early-phase studies at Drug Development Units in Sarasota and Central Florida. All of the accepted abstracts will be published online at ESMO. About Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC: (FLCancer.com) For more than 40 years, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) has embraced innovation to deliver world-class care and drive the dramatic transformation of oncology care through its robust clinical research program. FCS provides patients with access to a wide range of clinical trials, positioning it as a leader in research among private oncology practices in Florida and across the country. Through its robust clinical research program with Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) and a suite of independent site management programs, with advanced clinical trial matching technology, FCS offers patients innovative therapies close to home. Each year, FCS conducts more than 180 active clinical trials that directly elevate patient care and accelerate progress in oncology. Many of the cancer drugs approved by the FDA in the U.S over the past decade were accessible to patients at FCS through clinical trial participation before receiving approval. Our outstanding team of highly trained and dedicated physicians is committed to delivering tailored treatment plans that make the best use of cutting-edge precision oncology advancements to enhance patient outcomes. SOURCE Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

FCS brings Breast and melanoma surgeon to Fort Myers. Kelly Elleson joins FCS's Fort Myers Colonial Office, adding a breast and melanoma surgical specialist for patients navigating local cancer care. Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute announced on Oct. 19, 2026, that breast and melanoma surgical oncologist Kelly Elleson, MD, FACS, is joining its Fort Myers Colonial Office. Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC is adding breast and melanoma surgical oncologist Kelly Elleson, MD, FACS, to its Fort Myers Colonial Office, bringing a specialist in cancer surgery to the local practice. The appointment is relevant to patients seeking a surgical evaluation and to referring clinicians coordinating breast or melanoma care. FCS announced the addition on Oct. 19, 2026. Elleson will join the office at 8981 Colonial Center Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33905, according to the announcement carried by PR Newswire Biotech. The immediate significance is a named specialist joining a specific local office. The announcement does not establish appointment availability, insurance participation or where operations will take place. Those details will determine how patients can use the service in practice. A surgical specialist joins the Colonial office. Elleson's stated specialty covers breast cancer and melanoma, a cancer that develops in pigment-producing cells. Surgical oncology focuses on evaluating whether an operation has a role in cancer care and, when appropriate, planning and performing that treatment. A consultation does not by itself mean a patient will need surgery. For someone facing a new diagnosis, the surgical assessment can help clarify what additional information is needed, how an operation might fit with other treatment and which decisions require coordination among clinicians. The appropriate approach depends on the individual diagnosis, the extent of disease and the patient's broader health circumstances. Breast and melanoma care can involve different diagnostic and treatment pathways. The practical connection in this appointment is Elleson's focus on surgical care in both areas. Patients should not assume that every breast concern or skin finding requires an oncology referral; the reason for consultation should be established with the clinician managing the initial evaluation. The supplied announcement identifies Elleson's specialty and office assignment but does not detail particular procedures or hospital affiliations. It therefore supports describing an addition to the practice's specialist roster, rather than claiming a new operating facility or a newly launched procedure program. Coordination matters as much as the office address. Cancer care often requires information to move between the clinician who identifies a concern, the professionals interpreting tests and the specialists considering treatment. A local surgical contact can give patients and referring offices a clearer destination for an evaluation. Whether that translates into a simpler experience depends on scheduling, records transfer and communication. Before a consultation, patients can ask which pathology reports, imaging results and prior treatment records the office needs. Having the relevant material available can help the surgeon assess the case. The office should provide case-specific instructions rather than patients having to guess which records are necessary. The Colonial office address also needs to be distinguished from the location of any eventual operation. An outpatient consultation and a surgical procedure may occur at different facilities. Patients should confirm both locations and ask who will arrange any additional testing or appointments before making travel or caregiving plans. The Colonial office address also needs to be distinguished from the location of any eventual operation. For referring clinicians, the useful next information is operational: which cases Elleson will evaluate, how referrals should be submitted and how treatment recommendations will be communicated. The appointment announcement establishes the physician's destination, but those processes will shape how smoothly the new relationship functions. What the appointment means for FCS's local business. For FCS, the appointment is a physician-recruitment and service-delivery development rather than a drug-development milestone. It places a breast and melanoma surgical specialist within the Fort Myers Colonial Office's clinical offering. Its business importance rests on the care the practice can organize around that expertise, not on a new medicine or regulatory decision. Specialist recruitment can influence where referring clinicians send patients and how much of a patient's evaluation a practice can coordinate. But a physician's arrival alone does not establish higher patient volumes, stronger revenue or improved clinical outcomes. None of those measures is provided in the announcement. The addition also should not automatically be described as an expansion of net staffing. The available facts do not say whether Elleson fills a newly created position or an existing opening. What is clear is that FCS has identified her specialty and the Fort Myers office she is joining. For patients, that distinction is less important than whether an appropriate appointment is available and covered. For the practice, successful integration means turning the recruitment announcement into a reliable referral and consultation process. That is the practical test to watch after the arrival of a specialist. Questions patients should settle before booking. Patients considering an appointment should confirm that Elleson is seeing their type of condition, whether a referral is required and what records must arrive before the visit. They should also ask about scheduling directly. The announcement date is not a promise of an immediate opening or a stated start date for consultations. Insurance questions should cover the physician visit as well as any separate facility, testing or procedure charges that may arise. Participation and authorization requirements need to be checked with the practice and the insurer. The announcement supplies no coverage terms, so it cannot establish a patient's likely out-of-pocket cost. Patients already receiving cancer treatment should coordinate a new surgical consultation with their existing care team rather than treating the appointment announcement as a reason to change a treatment plan. Elleson's arrival gives Fort Myers patients a named specialist to inquire about; the next step remains an individualized assessment and confirmation of the practical arrangements for care. Key facts. * Physician: Kelly Elleson, MD, FACS * Specialty: Breast and melanoma surgical oncology * Office: FCS Fort Myers Colonial Office, 8981 Colonial Center Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33905 * Announcement date: Oct. 19, 2026 Frequently asked questions. Who is joining Florida Cancer Specialists in Fort Myers? Kelly Elleson, MD, FACS, a breast and melanoma surgical oncologist, is joining Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute's Fort Myers Colonial Office. FCS announced the appointment on Oct. 19, 2026. The available announcement identifies her specialty and office assignment but does not specify appointment availability. Where is the FCS Fort Myers Colonial Office? The FCS Fort Myers Colonial Office is at 8981 Colonial Center Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33905. This is the office Elleson is joining. Patients should confirm where their consultation will occur and should not assume that any subsequent operation would take place at the same address. What does a breast and melanoma surgical oncologist do? A breast and melanoma surgical oncologist evaluates the role of surgery in caring for patients with those cancers and plans surgical treatment when appropriate. A consultation does not automatically mean an operation is needed. Recommendations depend on the diagnosis, available test results, overall health and coordination with other treating clinicians. Does the announcement confirm a new surgical facility? No new surgical facility is identified in the supplied announcement. It confirms that Elleson is joining the Fort Myers Colonial Office, not that operations will be performed there. Patients should ask the practice where any recommended procedure would occur and which clinicians and facilities would be involved. Are insurance coverage and appointment availability confirmed? The announcement does not provide insurance participation, authorization requirements or appointment availability. Patients should check scheduling with the office and verify coverage with both the practice and their insurer. Any potential procedure may also involve separate facility or professional charges that require their own coverage checks. What should patients ask before a surgical consultation? Patients should ask whether the specialist evaluates their condition, whether a referral is needed and which medical records must be sent before the visit. They should also confirm the appointment location and coverage requirements. Patients already undergoing treatment should coordinate the consultation with their existing cancer care team.

Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Clinical Summit advances strategic priorities, research innovation & excellence in patient care. Oct 15, 2026, 08:00 ET FORT MYERS, Fla., Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Reaffirming its leadership in community oncology and commitment to expanding access to world-class cancer care, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC (FCS) this week will welcome physicians, clinical practice providers and executive leaders from across its statewide network to the annual Clinical Summit. "The FCS Clinical Summit brings our clinical experts and leadership teams together to strengthen relationships, align around key strategic priorities and share innovations that are expanding treatment options and improving cancer care and outcomes for patients worldwide," said David Wenk, MD, FCS assistant managing physician. Over three days, attendees will examine FCS's strategic priorities in clinical performance, operational excellence and patient outcomes. Key discussions will center on the future of cellular therapy, evolving payer and value-based care strategies and continued growth of the FCS clinical research program. The agenda will also highlight advances in cancer research that are transforming outcomes and efforts to expand early- and late-phase clinical trials, increasing patient access to innovative therapies. "Through discussions on best practices and advances driven by our clinical research program, we reinforce our collective commitment to delivering world-class care close to home," Dr. Wenk said. Keynote speaker Billy Beane, senior adviser to Oakland Athletics owner and the central figure in the movie Moneyball, will translate his experiences into insights aimed at achieving better outcomes through data-driven decision-making, uncovering untapped opportunities and building resilient, high performing teams. FCS CEO Ryan Ciarrocchi noted, "Annually, the Clinical Summit provides a unique opportunity to come together as colleagues, gain fresh perspectives, celebrate our successes and continue to be inspired by what's possible together as we shape the future of cancer care." More than 250 physicians and 280 nurse practitioners and physician assistants provide care to patients with all forms of cancer and blood disorders at nearly 100 FCS locations across Florida. About Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC: (FLCancer.com) For more than 40 years, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) has embraced innovation to deliver world-class care and drive the dramatic transformation of oncology care through its robust clinical research program. FCS provides patients with access to a wide range of clinical trials, positioning it as a leader in research among private oncology practices in Florida and across the country. Through its robust clinical research program with Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) and a suite of independent site management programs, with advanced clinical trial matching technology, FCS offers patients innovative therapies close to home. Each year, FCS conducts more than 180 active clinical trials that directly elevate patient care and accelerate progress in oncology. Many of the cancer drugs approved by the FDA in the U.S over the past decade were accessible to patients at FCS through clinical trial participation before receiving approval. Our outstanding team of highly trained and dedicated physicians is committed to delivering tailored treatment plans that make the best use of cutting-edge precision oncology advancements to enhance patient outcomes. SOURCE Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute