Common Infractions

Failure to comply with the ASCO abstract submission guidelines results in an infraction, which must be resolved before the abstract can be processed. The following list includes the most common errors made when submitting abstracts for the ASCO Annual Meeting. To avoid unnecessary delays in the review and placement of your abstract or removal of the abstract, please review this list prior to completing the submission process.

“Intent to Submit Late-breaking Abstract” Box Is Not Checked
Abstracts lacking data in the Results section of the abstract (for phase III trials only) will be considered for Late-breaking Abstract status only when this box is checked.

Sponsor Is Not an ASCO Member
The Sponsor of the abstract must be an ASCO Active or Active-Junior member who has paid membership dues in full and has updated his or her mailing address and contact information. (Exceptions to this policy are Active-Allied, Associate, and International Corresponding members who are the Sponsors of their own abstracts.) To arrange for payment of membership dues, or to update their mailing address, members should visit the MyASCO section of ASCO.org. To reactivate your membership, please contact ASCO Member Services at 888-282-2552 or 703-299-0158.

First Author Is Submitting More Than One Abstract as First Author
An individual may submit only one abstract as the First Author. Exception: Abstracts submitted to the Trials in Progress Poster Session will not count against a First Author’s one allowed submission.

Disclosure Declaration Is Not Complete
The First Author must submit disclosure information for all coauthors through the Abstract Submission website. The Coauthor Disclosure Forms may be used to obtain disclosure information from coauthors. These forms should not be submitted to ASCO as a disclosure declaration. The First Author must enter all disclosure information in the Abstract Submitter.

Supporting Letter from Training Program Director Is Not Provided (for Merit Award Consideration)
To be considered for a Merit Award, the First Author must submit a letter of support from his or her Training Program Director, indicating the First Author’s eligibility for the award.

Curriculum Vitae Is Not Provided (for Merit Award Consideration)
To be considered for a Merit Award, the First Author must submit a brief curriculum vitae (no more than two pages) that provides details regarding education, past and current employment, and any previous awards or citations.

Abstract Exception Violation
If information from the abstract or additional study data are disclosed in advance of public release in conjunction with the ASCO Meeting, the abstract will no longer be eligible for inclusion in the ASCO Meeting unless an official Abstract Exception applies.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Exception applies to the extent necessary to comply with securities laws. Guidance on the SEC Exception is available from ASCO.

Other Abstract Exceptions to the Confidentiality Policy may be granted by ASCO in rare circumstances for public health reasons or to meet requirements of a government agency. In either of these cases, the First Author should contact abstractexceptions@asco.org to request an exception.