Call for Abstracts
Abstracts &
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Program & Abstracts
WCLC 2026 invites you to be part of the global stage in Seoul! Share your latest discoveries, breakthrough ideas, and impactful research with an international community dedicated to transforming lung cancer care.
Submit your work, spotlight your expertise, and help drive the next wave of innovation in thoracic oncology. We welcome contributions across all research areas and look forward to showcasing your science at WCLC 2026.
Abstract Submission Dates
January 30, 2026
Abstract Submission Opens
April 1, 2026
Abstract Submission Deadline
May 27, 2026
Notification of Abstract Acceptance
July 17, 2026
Presenting Author Registration Deadline
August 5, 2026
Late-Breaking Abstract Submission Deadline
August 12, 2026
Late-Breaking Abstract Notifications
August 19, 2026
Full Abstract Release (Except for Embargoed Abstracts)
Abstract Submission Tracks
Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Prevention, and Tobacco Control
- Classic epidemiology
- Gender differences
- Lung cancer in people who have never smoked
- Indoor and outdoor air pollution and environmental factors
- Tobacco exposure and tobacco cessation programs
- Efforts to reduce tobacco production, sales, and distribution
- Drug prevention
- Other topics in epidemiology, risk factors, prevention, and tobacco control
Tumor Biology – Basic Science
- In vitro and in vivo basic science studies
- Other topics in tumor biology – basic science
Tumor Biology – Translational Science
- New patient-derived tumor cells/organoids
- Animal models that address a clinical question
- Drug development studies
- Biomarker discovery
- Other topics in tumor biology – translational science
Multidisciplinary Care: Nursing and Allied Health Professionals
- Allied health professional and nursing roles
- Decision making, ethics, and integrative care
- Symptom management, quality of life, and supportive care
- Survivorship, rehabilitation, and physiotherapy
- Psychosocial and communication research
- Other topics in multidisciplinary care
Screening and Early Detection
- Lung cancer screening programs
- Incidental pulmonary nodule programs
- Low dose computed tomography (LDCT)
- Radiology (CXR, tomosynthesis)
- Early detection technologies and diagnostics beyond LDCT and chest Xray
- Other topics in screening and early detection
Pulmonology and Staging
- EUS (Endoscopic ultrasound)
- EBUS (Endobronchial ultrasound)
- Navigational bronchoscopy
- PET-CT (Positron emission tomography)
- Mediastinoscopy
- Staging system analysis including anatomic and non-anatomic prognostic factors
- Other topics in pulmonology and staging
Pathology and Biomarkers
- Anatomic pathology
- Molecular pathology
- Tissue biomarkers – predictive and prognostic
- Circulating biomarkers – predictive and prognostic
- Biomarkers in clinical trials
- Other topics in pathology and biomarkers
Resectable NSCLC (Stages I–III)
- Clinically related studies in resectable NSCLC (Stage I, II, and select Stage III):
- Surgery
- Neoadjuvant systemic therapy including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and novel agents
- Adjuvant systemic therapy including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, novel agents and/or adjuvant local therapy including radiation therapy
- Perioperative systemic therapy including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, novel agents and/or local perioperative therapy including radiation therapy
- Other topics in resectable NSCLC
Unesectable NSCLC (Stages I–III)
Clinically related studies on unresectable NSCLC (Mostly locally advanced but would include medically inoperable Stages I and II):
- Local therapy including radiation and ablation therapy
- Systemic therapy including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and novel agents
- Chemoradiation +/- other systemic therapies
- Novel radiation approaches including techniques, dosing and fractionation
- Other topics in unresectable NSCLC
Metastatic NSCLC – Local Therapies
Clinically relevant studies in metastatic NSCLC related to:
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery
- Other ablative techniques
- Oligometastatic disease management
Metastatic NSCLC – Antibody-Drug Conjugate and Cytotoxic Therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)
- Novel agents and combinations
- Treatment sequencing
- Other topics in antibody-drug conjugates and cytotoxic therapy
Metastatic NSCLC – Immunotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Immunotherapy combinations
- Treatment sequencing
- Therapies to overcome resistance mechanisms
- Novel agents and approaches
- Other topics in immunotherapy
Metastatic NSCLC – Targeted Therapy
- Targeted therapy
- Novel agents
- Therapies to overcome resistance mechanisms
- Combination strategies
- Treatment sequencing
- Other topics in targeted therapy
Small Cell Lung Cancer and Neuroendocrine Tumors
- Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
- Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC)
- Other pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors
- Treatment strategies and drug development
- Other topics in SCLC and neuroendocrine tumors
Mesothelioma, Thymoma, and Other Thoracic Tumors (Including Biology, Diagnosis, Treatment)
- Mesothelioma
- Thymoma
- Thymic carcinoma
- Other rare thoracic tumors
- Multimodality management
- Other topics in thoracic tumors
Multidisciplinary Care: Nursing and Allied Health Professionals
- Allied health professional and nursing roles
- Decision making, ethics, and integrative care
- Symptom management, quality of life, and supportive care
- Survivorship, rehabilitation, and physiotherapy
- Psychosocial and communication research
- Other topics in multidisciplinary care
Patient Advocacy
- Survivorship and patient perspective (including addressing stigma)
- Community outreach, education, and advocacy initiatives
- Patient-driven research and patient-reported outcomes
- Other topics in patient advocacy
Global Health, Health Services, and Health Economics
- Real-world data studies (see table 1)
- Disparities in care: identification and solutions
- Cost-effectiveness and value-based care
- Health systems and diagnostic pathway optimization
- Program implementation and scalability
- National and regional registries
- Other topics in global health, health services, and economics
Table 1 – Decision guide on which track to submit Real-World Data Studies
Primary Focus
Submission Track
Disease-specific Treatment
Pathology and Biomarkers
Global Health, Health Services, and Health Economics
Abstract Types Accepted
Regular Abstract
Definition: Original scientific research that summarizes work done and major research findings.
Required sections for abstract submission:
• Introduction
• Methods
• Results
• Conclusion
Clinical Trials in Progress
(Eligible for designation as poster or e-poster only)
Definition: Ongoing trials that have not reached pre-specified endpoints for analysis.
Required sections:
• Introduction
• Methods
Case Series
(Eligible for designation as poster or e-poster only)
Definition: Detailed report of symptoms, signs, diagnosis, treatment and follow up of an individual patient. Must include a minimum of three (3), but preferably five (5) cases.
Required sections:
• Introduction
• Case Description
• Discussion
• Conclusion
Late-Breaking Abstract (LBA) Submission
Definition: LBA designation will only be given to impactful prospective studies that will change clinical practice within the year and whose data are not available at the time of regular abstract submission due to study events and/or timelines.
More Information
LBA designation is not a means for extending the regular abstract deadline. Highly impactful studies that have complete data should be submitted as a regular abstract and will be considered for a prominent oral presentation based on scoring by the program committee.
For abstracts that do not meet LBA requirements the authors will be given 5 business days to update the submitted data before the abstracts are re-classified as regular abstracts and rated based on the updated information.
Submission Requirements
Authors of LBA must submit a place holder abstract through the abstract portal by April 1, 2026 (23:59 MST).
Required sections for intent to submit an LBA, which must be submitted by the April 1, 2026 deadline:
- Explanation of why the abstract qualifies as late-breaking
- Introduction
- Methods, including applicable endpoints
- Types of analysis and anticipated data to be reported
Required sections for final LBA abstract, which must be submitted by August 5, 2026 (23:59 MST):
- Introduction
- Methods
- Results
- Conclusion
LBA abstracts not completed by the August 6 deadline will be automatically withdrawn and will not be considered for the Conference. Exceptions may be granted in exceptional circumstances. The Scientific Program Committee will review the final LBA data and notify the authors of its disposition by August 5, 2026.
Authors must accept/decline the presentation within 48 hours of notification.
LBA Eligibility Review
The Scientific Program Committee will review all submissions with the intent to submit LBA abstracts after the regular abstract submission deadline April 1, 2026. Authors of approved LBAs applications will be notified and advised on the processes for submitting final data by August 5, 2026.
Authors of abstracts not being accepted for LBA submissions will be notified and given 5 days to submit all available data before the abstract is re-classified as a regular abstract and included in the regular abstract review and scheduling process.
LBA Publications
The Journal of Thoracic Oncology offers simultaneous online publication for select high-impact abstracts in the late-breaking abstract category for WCLC 2026.
If you have submitted an intent to submit a late-breaking abstract and believe your work is practice-changing, please send a pre-submission inquiry and cover letter detailing your work to [email protected], with “WCLC Simultaneous Publication” in the subject line no later than April 25, 2026.
Abstract Submission Guidelines
To view the full Abstract Submission Guidelines, click the button below.
Word Limit:
500 words (does not include title and authors)
Abstracts should be organized in different sections based on the selected abstract type. Please refer to the ‘Abstract Type’ section on this page for further information.
Title Word Limit:
Tables:
Images:
Format(s):
Language:
English
Studies:
Indicate if the abstract is a phase 1, 2 or 3 study including the clinical trial identifier number.
• Phase 1
• Single Arm Phase 2
• Randomized Phase 2
• Phase 3
Fee:
Presenting Author Limit:
Number of Co-authors:
An abstract that has previously been presented at another meeting will only be considered if there have been significant updates to the abstract. Submitters are required to list any previously presented abstracts in the introduction of the abstract.
Financial disclosure and affiliation information is required for the presenting author.
Authors must agree to allow publication of accepted abstract(s) in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology (JTO) and the Conference proceedings. Most abstracts will be published and released prior to the meeting, except for embargoed abstracts which will be posted on the day of presentation.
Associated manuscripts for any abstract selected for presentation at WCLC can be submitted to a peer reviewed journal but must not be published prior to the presentation at WCLC. Simultaneous publications are encouraged.
These awards are presented to individuals with high scoring abstracts who meet categorical eligibility criteria and who apply. Applications must be completed by the abstract and education award submission deadline April 1, 2026 (23:59 MST).
Definition: Plagiarism encompasses any of the following:
Direct: intentionally submitting another person’s words or ideas verbatim as one’s own;
Self-plagiarism: submitting work that has been previously published or presented;
Mosaic plagiarism: stringing together portions of text from other sources; and
Lack of attribution: failing to appropriately identify and cite sources for language or ideas that are incorporated.
For more information see: Das N, Panjabi M. Plagiarism: Why is it such a big issue for medical writers?
Perspect Clin Res. 2011;2(2):67–71. doi:10.4103/2229-3485.80370
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3121267/
Screening: IASLC screens all abstracts using anti-plagiarism software. Abstracts identified as having high levels of potentially plagiarized content will be evaluated by IASLC staff and appropriate actions taken.
Penalties for plagiarism may include rejection of abstract and/or author(s) banned from making presentations at IASLC conferences.
To maintain compliance with the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence, the IASLC will no longer accredit abstract presentations for CME credit. This change ensures that our educational activities continue to meet the highest standards of transparency and independence in continuing medical education.
Confidentiality
Upon submission to the WCLC, all abstracts and study data intended for presentation at the Conference are held in confidence. This confidentiality policy applies to previously presented abstracts at WCLC only with regard to new or updated data or information within the study.
Before the abstract information is made public in conjunction with the WCLC Conference, the following parties – the author, co-authors, research sponsor, journalists, and others – are prohibited from:
- Disclosing the information to the public or sharing it with entities that may make it public, such as news media
- Using the information for securities trading purposes or providing it to others for such purposes
Confidentiality restrictions are lifted when WCLC publishes the abstracts online in conjunction with the Conference. Once IASLC makes the abstract publicly available, the Confidentiality Policy becomes inactive, allowing authors to openly discuss their study findings. However, formal presentations, including slides, posters, and recordings of the study data, remain exclusive to WCLC.
In cases where an abstract or its data is released in a manner that violates WCLC’s Confidentiality Policy after submission, the abstract may become ineligible for inclusion in the WCLC Conference. Exceptional circumstances may be considered if an official Confidentiality Policy Exception is applicable.
Embargo
All abstracts accepted for presentation – with the exception of abstracts included in the WCLC press program – will have their titles released on July 31, 2026 at 10:00 MST and the full text released on August 19, 2026 at 10:00 MST.
Abstracts selected for inclusion in the WCLC press program, including Presidential Symposia abstracts, will be kept under embargo until either the time of the presentation or the beginning of the WCLC press conference in which it is presented, whichever comes first.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the abstract titles be published online?
Abstract titles will be released July 31, 2026 (10:00 MST).
When will the full abstracts be published online?
The full abstract bodies will be released on August 19, 2026 at 10:00 MST, except those abstracts included in the WCLC 2026 Press Program.
Abstracts selected for inclusion in the WCLC press program, including Presidential Symposium abstracts, will be kept under embargo until either the time of the presentation or the beginning of the WCLC press conference in which it is presented, whichever comes first.
Does WCLC accept abstracts that have been submitted and presented to a previous Conference (i.e., encore abstracts, trials in progress encore abstracts)?
Are case reports/case series considered for presentations?
What is the withdrawal deadline for regular submissions and late-breaking submissions?
July 17, 2026 is the withdrawal deadline for regular abstracts and August 14, 2026 for LBA abstracts.
The presenting author registration deadline (except LBA abstracts) is July 17, 2026 (23:59 MST). Abstract presentations for a presenter (except LBA abstracts) not registered by this date will be withdrawn from the program.
For late-breaking abstracts, does the Conference only permit abstracts that report on Phase 3 [and higher] studies?
- LBA designation will only be given to impactful prospective studies that will change clinical practice within the year and whose data are not available at the time of regular abstract submission due to study events and/or timelines. Examples include randomized phase II and/or III trials, and large single arm phase II trials in rare subtypes of thoracic malignancies. LBA’s in other disciplines that change clinical practice within the year will also be considered.
- LBA designation is not a means for extending the regular abstract deadline. Highly impactful studies that have complete data should be submitted as a regular abstract and will be considered for a prominent oral presentation based on scoring by the program committee.
- For abstracts that do not meet LBA requirements the authors will be given 5 business days to update the submitted data before the abstracts are re-classified as regular abstracts and rated based on the updated information.
Could I send my manuscript to publish to a journal in my country before WCLC?
Is industry allowed to be in lead or senior author positions on the author list for WCLC abstract submissions? Are there restrictions towards pharmaceutical/commercial authors on presenting abstracts at the meeting?
Would it be possible to submit an abstract without results and conclusion?
All Regular Abstracts, Clinical Trials in Progress Abstracts, and Case Series abstracts must be fully completed by the April 1, 2026 deadline.
Any Regular Abstracts and Case Series that are incomplete after the April 1, 2026 deadline will be automatically withdrawn and will not be considered for the meeting. Clinical Trials in Progress abstracts may be submitted and completed by the April 1, 2026 deadline without Results and Conclusions as those sections are optional for CTPS submissions.
To submit a late-breaking abstract, you must submit an intent to submit an abstract including all components of the abstract except for the Results and Conclusions by the April 1, 2026 deadline.
Is there a limit on the number of abstracts in which an author can be lead author?
Is there any charge for the submission of abstracts, and if so, how much is it?
There is no charge to submit an abstract to WCLC.
Abstract Support
Have a question about preparing, editing, or submitting your abstract?
Our team is happy to assist at any stage of the process.
Please contact us at [email protected] and we will respond as soon as possible.
If your inquiry relates to a specific draft or completed submission, please include your Abstract ID in your message. This helps us locate your file quickly and provide accurate, efficient support.