Advancing pediatric cancer care in Asia: Outcomes from the 17th annual SIOP Asia congress, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Document Type

Article

Department

Radiology

Abstract

The 17th Annual Congress of the Asian Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP Asia) was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from April 12 to 15, 2025, marking its first hosting in the Kingdom. Organized in collaboration with the Saudi Pediatric Hematology Oncology Society and global partners, the congress convened over 500 delegates from 45 countries under the theme "Stronger Together." The scientific program featured nearly 70 invited speakers across five tracks: hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, neuro-oncology, precision medicine, and survivorship alongside multidisciplinary sessions in surgery, radiation oncology, nursing, and pharmacy. A total of 347 abstracts from 34 countries were submitted; 267 were accepted as posters, and 17 as oral presentations. Education Day, organized through SIOP's Disease-Specific Portal for Learning and Networking (DiSPLeN), provided case-based training to over 200 delegates comprising fellows along with junior and senior multidisciplinary participants emphasizing applicability in low-resource settings. Key congress themes included improving diagnostic equity, access to essential medicines, and strengthening regional research capacity. Presentations highlighted molecularly driven diagnostics such as FOXO1 fusion testing in rhabdomyosarcoma and LOGIC assays for constitutional mismatch repair deficiency, with emphasis on affordable applications in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Access to chemotherapy was addressed through the WHO/St Jude Global Platform for Childhood Cancer Medicines, offering sustainable, centralized procurement for LMICs. The need for expanded multicenter clinical trials was underscored, with initiatives such as the Asian Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Group, SIOP's Programme for Advancing Research Capacity, and collaborative tumor boards providing frameworks for progress. Surgical and radiation oncology sessions showcased pragmatic adaptations of advanced technologies, whereas survivorship and genetics sessions highlighted cancer predisposition syndromes and long-term quality-of-life challenges. The Riyadh congress reaffirmed that survival disparities in Asia are driven by addressable inequities. By advancing diagnostics, medicines, registries, and collaborative trials, SIOP Asia and its partners demonstrated a pathway toward narrowing the survival gap.

Publication (Name of Journal)

JCO Global Oncology

DOI

10.1200/GO-25-00499

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