EACR 2024 Annual Congress: A Participant’s View

PhD Student, Laboratory of Cancer and Inflammation, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Research: Prostate cancer (PCa) represents a predominant malignancy among males worldwide, with survival rates plummeting to 30% upon aggressive progression. Thus, the establishment of predictive biomarkers is essential to improve clinical management of the disease and prognosis. Nowadays there are a few commercial signatures that allow risk stratification, but these are expensive. My work focuses on the analysis of stemness and metastasis associated genes, using bioinformatics analyses of publicly available datasets and machine learning approaches to establish a risk signature that comparably predicts the risk of progression of patients using less genes, representing a more cost-effective alternative.

How was this meeting different from others you have attended?

This year, I was fortunate enough to attend both the AACR Annual Meeting and the EACR Annual Congress, the latter thanks to your generous travel grant. I found these two meetings are both extraordinary in their own way. The AACR Annual Meeting hosts twenty thousand attendees and focuses on clinical research, especially in clinical trials and the use of AI in the clinic. In this matter, I found EACR Annual Congress incredibly refreshing for a biotechnologist doing basic research like me. It was a place to discuss cutting-edge basic research and its translation to the industry, which represents a topic of interest for me in my early career stage, still getting to know the options that my career has to offer.

Did you take part in any interesting local activities in your free time outside of the congress?

I got to know Rotterdam and did some sightseeing. Rotterdam has the largest seaport in Europe and is a very eclectic city, with lots of architectural styles and amazing views. It was a nice location for a congress, as it is not too big and is easy to wander around, with nice public transportation to get to the convention center.

How has the congress inspired you in your research?

I was impressed by the innovative techniques presented in the talks, and it made me realise there are a lot of technological advances that can be applied in the laboratory setting to improve our research. For me, coming from Argentina, it was fascinating to witness the opportunities that exist in Europe. Moreover, I enjoyed the quality of the science that was presented, and to be able to follow through the line of thought of amazing scientists that presented their work in this meeting.

When you got home, is there anything from the congress that you immediately wanted to tell your colleagues about?

After I got home and talked to my colleagues, I urged them to become members of EACR and to try to participate in its meetings. Apart from the scientific experience, which was extremely fulfilling, I found that the meeting was perfectly planned and a friendly environment to interact with colleagues from around the world. The poster session was relaxed enough to be able to meet other people and freely talk about science, and the variety of expositions allowed me to get to know techniques and equipment that I wasn’t aware existed.

Have you brought back any specific knowledge that has benefited your research?

In our laboratory we have a line of research consisting of investigating neuroendocrine PCa. In this matter, I was surprised to learn about neuroendocrine tumours in a liquid biopsy symposium sponsored by Illumina, where they gave insights about neuroendocrine disease not being mutation-driven. On the other hand, I am interested in the stromal component and how some genes are primarily expressed in the stroma and not in the tumoral cells, but also affecting prognosis and survival. Ruth Sherz-Shouval talk about tumor-stroma coevolution was enlightening, and the talk given by Arkaitz Carracedo on the role of fibroblasts in the metabolism of metastatic prostate tumoral cells was rather dazzling. Moreover, I believe this meeting as a whole has benefited my research as it allowed me to enjoy first-class expositions and to find new ways of paving the way for my experiments to test my hypothesis and support my conclusions.

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Academic Clinical Lecturer, University of Oxford, UK

Research: My research aims to improve the care of early-stage melanoma patients by better predicting their risk of metastasis. Firstly, I want to be able to accurately identify which patients are most likely to benefit from immunotherapy treatment and spare low-risk patients from unnecessary side effects. To do this, I combine clinical research, working directly with patients, and translational research to develop new tests, such as the lymph liquid biopsy, to detect spreading melanoma in lymph fluid. By improving risk prediction, my research aims to inform more personalised treatment plans that can optimise outcomes and quality of life for individual patients.

What was a personal highlight of the congress for you?

A highlight of the congress was the panel discussion with scientific journal editors. Professor Dive did a brilliant job moderating, keeping the conversation engaging and on-point. I particularly enjoyed that it provided the chance to ask the tough questions many of us wonder about, but seldom get to voice directly to journal editors. It was refreshing to hear often candid responses including their thoughts on the future of academic publishing. These kinds of open, direct exchanges with key figures in our field are pretty uncommon. This made the session particularly memorable.

Were there any networking highlights you want to tell us about?

A highlight of the conference was meeting Dr Peter Sorger after his impressive keynote on advances in spatial biology. We had some fascinating discussions about applying multiplex imaging to explore important clinical questions in melanoma. It was energising to exchange fascinating ideas with such an expert. Unexpected connections like these make conferences so valuable – you never know when you might stumble onto a collaboration that could push your research in new directions.

How has the congress inspired you in your research?

Attending the congress broadened my perspective on cancer research and introduced me to exciting developments in fields beyond my own. I was particularly inspired by new perspectives on the tumour macroenvironment, which suggested new factors to consider in my work. I was also inspired by the innovative technologies showcased in various presentations, which could offer opportunities to extract more valuable data from our samples. Equally valuable were the networking opportunities, which enabled me to form new relationships that I hope will broaden the scope and impact of my research moving forward.

Is there anything else you’d like to mention?

Travel grants can be extremely valuable for early career researchers, making it possible to attend career-shaping events like this congress, which might otherwise be out of reach. These opportunities to engage with the broader scientific community can significantly influence and accelerate our career trajectories. They’re not just financial support, they empower the next generation of researchers to contribute meaningfully to our field.

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Postdoctoral Researcher, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Research: I study the role of the proteolysis system in immune response to cancer, specifically investigating the immunosuppressive role of cystatin F within the tumour microenvironment. By understanding the mechanisms involved in the immunosuppressive function of this protein on immune cells I want to help develop new strategies how to make immune effector cells better at killing cancer cells.

What was a personal highlight of the congress for you?

I really enjoyed the Career Discovery Sessions, which had a focus on soft skills needed for a successful career in science. The more you advance in your research career the more you realise that doing excellent science is important, but not the only part of the job. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of opportunities available to discuss and develop all the additional soft skills a researcher needs for a successful career.

How was this meeting different from others you have attended?

Even though the EACR Congress is attended by a lot of people it still has a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, without being too overwhelming. In my interactions with other participants, they were all approachable and eager to share their experiences.

How has the congress inspired you in your research?

For me it was inspiring to see high impact researchers, whose papers I have read and follow on social media, presenting their work in person, see how invested they are in the success of their teams and the importance of giving credit to the people who were critical for the work presented. I was also inspired by the community of researchers who want to make working in science a better place for everyone. I really enjoyed the lively discussions about scientific publishing, career development and working in big cancer institutes and gender equality in science. These conversations provided insights into the challenges that seem similar for everyone regardless of location.

Have you brought back any specific knowledge that has benefited your research?

I have learned a lot about working with patient-derived material and the different approaches to try to get as much information from the precious samples as possible, and I hope to implement it soon in my research.

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PhD Student, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Herlev
Hospital, Herlev, Denmark

Research: The immune system can identify and eliminate cancer cells. However, cancer cells adapt to produce molecules that suppress immune functions. Targeting some of these molecules has led to the development of very successful cancer treatments. Nevertheless, many patients still do not benefit from these immunotherapies. In my research I am working on the identification of novel immunosuppressive molecules in cancer that could serve as future treatment targets. Having more therapeutic targets at hand may help improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy in the future.

Were there any networking highlights you want to tell us about?

Generally, networking opportunities were excellent at EACR 2024 in my experience. I had really inspiring and constructive discussions with members of academia during poster sessions and after talks. Besides, the early-career speed networking that was offered was a unique opportunity to connect with people in a similar phase of their career irrespective of their research focus. In addition to academic discussions, the large number of exhibitors allowed me to talk to representatives of several companies. Among other things this taught me a lot about the process of custom antibody production, which will be highly relevant to my work in the future.

How was this meeting different from others you have attended?

EACR 2024 was probably the biggest meeting I have attended so far with a lot of sessions
running in parallel. This meant there was always an interesting and relevant session I could attend. The number of participants was exceptional as well giving me the opportunity to get an insight into the research of many peers during the poster sessions and to share my own research with them.

How has the congress inspired you in your research?

There were many very exciting sessions about cancer immunotherapy at EACR 2024. Some of the ideas and techniques presented gave me inspiration for my own future experiments. I would also like to highlight the talks by Alberto Bardelli and Giovanni Germano about mismatch repair deficiency and how they want to exploit it to make tumours more responsive to immunotherapy. The idea is quite unique and seems very promising. Additionally, the delivery of the talks was outstanding.

Have you brought back any specific knowledge that has benefited your research?

Seeing the projects of researchers presented on posters is always inspiring. It offered me an opportunity to talk to peers who perform similar hands-on work like me. At EACR 2024, I talked to several scientists about protocols for expanding different immune cells ex vivo. There is a good chance that the input I got from these conversations will contribute to the success of my own future research.

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Associate Professor of Pharmacology, the British University in Egypt, Egypt

Research: My research examined combining fucoidan, a compound from seaweed extract, with cancer immunotherapy to treat breast cancer in mice. Fucoidan is considered safe and readily available in edible seaweeds and supplements. The study found that using both treatments together was more effective than either alone, significantly reducing tumour size and increasing cancer cell death. The combination enhanced cell death signals while decreasing growth signals, with the seaweed extract appearing to boost the immunotherapy’s effectiveness. These promising results suggest a potential new approach for breast cancer treatment, though further research is needed to fully understand the mechanism of action.

What was a personal highlight of the congress for you?

It was very interesting meeting researchers from all over the world. I am particularly interested in immunotherapy, and it was fascinating hearing about the most up to date findings presented in the conference. I also exchanged contacts with many researchers that work in similar areas of research and hopefully potential collaborations could be forged.

Were there any networking highlights you want to tell us about?

I met a previous PI that I knew from my PhD studies in the UK. It was amazing to catch up and hear more about his current research. He also gave me very useful comments and tips about my own project.

Did you take part in any interesting local activities in your free time outside of the congress?

Yes, after the congress I visited Amsterdam. A highlight for me was visiting the Van Gogh Museum and learning more about the life and death of one of my favourite painters. There was also an exhibition for another amazing and extremely talented artist, Mathew Wong, who sadly also took his own life. I connected deeply with both artists’ arts, and it was incredibly emotional to hear about their mental health struggles and their journey with art, life and death.

When you got home, is there anything from the congress that you immediately wanted to tell your colleagues about?

One of the most amazing sessions I attended was the “Meet the Editors” session and all the discussions that occurred during and after this session. I am particularly struggling to publish a certain paper and it was liberating to hear all my concerns being raised by the questions asked during the session. I would have loved this session to be longer and purely Q&A to best utilise the time. I was discussing with my colleagues, when I came home, how I would have loved to raise the issue of authors’ anonymity when the papers are sent for the peer reviewing process. This could potentially reduce country or even institutional bias which I fear has become a major confounding factor in papers’ acceptance rates.

Have you brought back any specific knowledge that has benefited your research?

I think the most striking thing that sparked my interest was that when talking about response to immunotherapy within the tumour microenvironment, it is important to understand that at the time of sacrifice of experimental animals, you are only looking at a frozen moment in time that might have been preceded by multiple changes within the TME. Sometimes results can be confusing and do not match your expectations, but it might be all about timing!

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PhD student, Children’s Cancer Institute, Sydney, Australia

Research: I’m currently involved in research focused on childhood high-grade gliomas, a type of highly aggressive brain cancer. This disease has been proven challenging to treat, often resulting in a dismal prognosis. A better understanding of the tumour biology and their resistance to drugs is urgent for the development of better therapeutic strategies. We are creating novel 3D brain tumour models, using cutting-edge 3D bioprinting technologies and patient samples. The objective behind these innovative models is to better capture the nature of these tumours.

What was a personal highlight of the congress for you?

A highlight for me was the opportunity to approach many scientists after their talks to discuss their research and other personal topics. I met numerous researchers in my field whom I previously knew only through publications or social media. It was fantastic to meet them in person and have conversations. This experience also provided me with great ideas about potential future collaborators or places to apply, as I got to know them better personally.

Were there any networking highlights you want to tell us about?

During my poster session, I had many interesting conversations. One that stands out is with a medical doctor from Charité in Berlin. He was a critical thinker and very helpful for my research. He provided me with great ideas for experiments to address a question I’ve always struggled with, helping me understand the best way to approach it.

How was this meeting different from others you have attended?

Attending this conference alone provided a fantastic opportunity to interact with many new people. Being my first international conference, the entire experience was exciting, and I was naturally encouraged to network and connect with others.

When you got home, is there anything from the congress that you immediately wanted to tell your colleagues about?

I was eager to share how many people are working on spatial transcriptomics, a field our group is very interested in. Attending numerous talks on this topic, especially related to organoid models, gave me great ideas for our work that I wanted to discuss with my supervisor.

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Postdoctoral Researcher, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

Research: Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most lethal subtypes among all brain cancers. Rhenium-188, a radioisotope with suitable half-life, high-energy beta particles, and traceable gamma photon emissions, becomes a promising candidate. We are studying novel combined therapy using Rhenium-188-derived Cherenkov Radiation-activated radiosensitizer. We encapsulate Rhenium-188 in a liposomal delivery system coupled with a photo-sensitive nitric oxide (NO) prodrug. The release of NO will dilate the regional blood vessels and reoxygenate tumor tissues, leading to enhanced radiosensitivity to GBM. In summary, my research aims to provide a novel therapeutic strategy for GBM patients.

What was a personal highlight of the congress for you?

A personal highlight of the EACR Congress for me was presenting my poster. My research focused on the role of Musashi-1 serine-347 phosphorylation in enhancing glioblastoma invasion and tumorigenicity through the down-regulation of let-7. Preparing the poster allowed me to distill complex data into a clear and visually appealing format. During the session, I engaged with a diverse audience of researchers, clinicians, and students who provided insightful feedback and posed challenging questions. These interactions not only validated the significance of my work but also sparked ideas for future experiments. I was particularly thrilled when a leading expert in the field expressed interest in a potential collaboration. The experience underscored the importance of clear communication and the value of networking in advancing scientific research. Overall, presenting at EACR was a pivotal moment in my academic journey, reinforcing my passion for cancer research and collaborative discovery.

Were there any networking highlights you want to tell us about?

One of the social highlights of the EACR Congress was attending the Congress dinner. I connected with several researchers from different institutions who were working on complementary aspects of glioblastoma. Exchanging ideas and discussing our respective challenges and breakthroughs over dinner created a sense of camaraderie and mutual support. Another memorable moment was participating in the career discovery session, where I met peers from around the world. These interactions not only broadened my professional network but also offered new perspectives and insights. The informal setting fostered open dialogue and laid the groundwork for future collaborations and friendships, making the congress a truly enriching experience both professionally and personally.

How was this meeting different from others you have attended?

I have never attended an editors panel discussion in other meetings. Hearing from editors of leading oncology journals about the current trends, challenges, and future directions in cancer research provided invaluable insights. Their emphasis on the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and translational research underscored the need to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical application, which is particularly relevant to my work on glioblastoma. The panel’s advice on crafting compelling research narratives and the significance of robust experimental design and reproducibility resonated deeply with me. It highlighted the importance of clear communication and rigour in scientific reporting, encouraging me to critically evaluate and improve my own research practices. Overall, the panel inspired me to pursue innovative research with greater clarity and confidence and to strive for excellence in every aspect of my scientific endeavors.

How has the congress inspired you in your research?

The EACR Congress profoundly inspired my research in several ways. Interacting with leading researchers and hearing about their innovative approaches and breakthroughs instilled a renewed sense of possibility and urgency in my work. Nearly every break time, I talked with other participants. I asked them about my experiment challenges, and many of them gave me lots of suggestions from unexpected angles. In fact, after I came back to my lab, I already tried some suggestions, like using more clinical samples in my research. According to their information, I indeed found many companies that sell human tumour tissues. I think our interactions largely expanded my understanding of emerging cancer research. The dynamic keynote lectures, particularly those discussing cutting-edge advancements in cancer genomics and immunotherapy, sparked new ideas for my own projects on glioblastoma. Overall, the congress rejuvenated my enthusiasm and provided valuable inspiration and practical ideas to drive my research forward.

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Postdoctoral Researcher, ACCamargo Cancer Center, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Research: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents 3% of the global cancer burden. Surgery is the main therapeutic option with 30% of patients experiencing metastasis. The overall prognosis of metastatic RCC patients remains poor with few approved clinical options. The development of new drugs is needed and better disease models to explore personalized treatments are required. There have been significant advancements in 3D culture models including patient-derived tumoroids (PDO) and patient-derived xenograft tumoroids (PDXO), which successfully mimics tumour patient characteristics and treatment response. My current research focuses on establishing RCC tumoroids to evaluate drug sensitivities and explore drug vulnerabilities.

What was a personal highlight of the congress for you?

The Congress was impressive to me. I had the chance to attend inspiring lectures with most hot topics on cancer research. I’m very proud to have had the opportunity to be an EACR Travel Grant awardee and to present my work as a poster presentation. It was a valuable experience to discuss my research and gain important feedback. I also want to highlight the amazing atmosphere during the event with a good balance of poster sessions, lectures, and exhibitors’ sections.

How was this meeting different from others you have attended?

The EACR Congress was different from others I’ve attended. The Congress had a good balance of basic and translational research. The poster section was a pinpoint with enough time to visit many posters and discuss calmly with the authors. Additionally, I would like to mention that the Poster in the Spotlight was an incredible initiative. An outbreaking point was the inspirational and useful “Meet the Expert” sessions and the “Speed-Networking for Early-Career Attendees Session” as I’ve never seen before. As an early-career scientist, I enjoyed the experience and informal way to discuss experiences and tips with top scientists.

Did you take part in any interesting local activities in your free time outside of the congress?

After the conference, I had the opportunity to explore the lively city of Rotterdam. This was my second visit and I was able to revisit important places such as the Erasmus Medical Centre, where I did my internship during my PhD. I also enjoyed the panoramic view of the city from the Euromast Tower, the world-famous Kubuswoningen (Kubus House) and tried the delicious Dutch cuisine.

When you got home, is there anything from the congress that you immediately wanted to tell your colleagues about?

I showed the abstract book to my colleagues and discussed highlights from the poster sessions and industry spotlight during our group meeting. I was also excited to tell my colleagues the latest updates on 3D cell culture and the most impressive lectures and speakers. Additionally, I pointed out the most relevant and disruptive topics on next-generation sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, genomics, and bioinformatics.

How has the congress inspired you in your research?

I was particularly impressed by Alana Welm from the University of Utah’s talk on patient-derived models for functional precision medicine, which is very close to my research interests. Krijn Dijkstra from the Netherlands Cancer Institute’s talk on co-culturing cancer organoids with T-cells also gave me important insights to improve my research. Also, the EACR 2024 Congress reminded me to keep curious and to think outside the box.

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PhD student, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Science, Prague, Czechia

Research: I am investigating the role of the cytoskeleton, in particular the cooperation of different cytoskeletal networks, in cancer cell invasion, the ability of cancer cells to sense their environment and tumour growth. I do this by inactivating a protein called plectin, which links cytoskeletal networks together.

What was a personal highlight of the congress for you?

Personally, I enjoyed the interactive sessions the most, especially Cancer Metabolism in Space and Detecting Metabolism and Function at the Single Cell Level. I appreciated the opportunity to discuss the current research of both Prof. Fendt and Prof. Friedel, in an informal setting. I find these discussions invaluable, as they provide a much broader perspective than the simple Q&A at the end of a lecture.

Were there any networking highlights you want to tell us about?

During the conference, I was able to personally approach several speakers whose work I was familiar with. This was a great advantage for me, as I hadn’t had the chance to meet them before the conference. I also managed to make new friends among the other PhD students, with whom I’ll keep in touch.

How was this meeting different from others you have attended?

I have never attended such a large scientific conference before. Given the wide variety of research topics, it gave me a great overview of current findings and future perspectives in the field of cancer research. Although smaller conferences may be more focused on a particular area of interest, they cannot match the scope covered by the EACR Congress.

How has the congress inspired you in your research?

As I am in my final year of my PhD, the EACR Congress provided me with an invaluable opportunity to learn about the ongoing projects of the research groups I was already familiar with, while broadening my knowledge of the alternative topics in cancer research. It also allowed me to develop a vision of the emerging goals of cancer research for the future.

Is there anything else you’d like to mention?

I would like to thank the EACR once again for the financial support in the form of a travel grant. Without it, I would not be able to attend the congress and would miss not only many valuable opportunities, but also all the inspiration provided by the amazing speakers.

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Postdoctoral Fellow, University Health Network, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada

Research: I am a postdoctoral researcher investigating how statin drugs, commonly used to lower cholesterol, can fight prostate cancer by targeting a specific metabolic pathway. Statins, commonly used to lower cholesterol, can help treat prostate cancer but their effectiveness decreases due to a feedback loop that restores cholesterol levels. To improve statin efficacy, our group screened 1,508 drugs and identified Galeterone and Quinestrol. These drugs mimic cholesterol and block the feedback loop, enhancing statin effectiveness. This offers a new strategy to improve prostate cancer treatment by targeting cholesterol pathways.

What was a personal highlight of the congress for you?

For me, the best part of the EACR Congress was the sessions and presentations about cancer metabolism. The talks on the latest research about how metabolic pathways affect cancer progression were eye-opening.

Were there any networking highlights you want to tell us about?

I had the pleasure of meeting Johanna Joyce, whom I admire as an inspiring woman in science. Additionally, I connected with a poster presenter who also works in lipid metabolism. This meeting could lead to a promising new collaboration, as we share similar research interests.

How was this meeting different from others you have attended?

Attending the EACR Congress in Europe was my first time on the continent, which added an exciting new aspect to my professional journey. Typically, I attend local conferences, which often provide valuable insights within a more familiar setting. However, at EACR I had was a chance to discover innovative research and meet scientists from Europe and around the world.

How has the congress inspired you in your research?

The congress has been incredibly inspiring for my research journey. The interactions with passionate researchers and experts have broadened my perspective on tackling complex challenges in cancer metabolism. The lectures and discussions highlighted innovative approaches and breakthroughs, igniting new ideas for my own investigations. Moreover, witnessing the dedication and collaborative spirit of attendees has motivated me to explore interdisciplinary approaches and foster new connections.

When you got home, is there anything from the congress that you immediately wanted to tell your colleagues about?

Yes. In particular, I was impressed by the innovative technologies highlighted by industry sponsors, particularly in 3D cell culture, which aligns closely with our lab’s current interests. One standout example was CELVIVO, which displayed their Clinostar platform.

Have you brought back any specific knowledge that has benefited your research?

One specific knowledge that has greatly benefited my research is related to the advancements in metabolic profiling techniques discussed at the EACR Congress. I learned about novel methods for analyzing metabolic pathways in cancer cells, which has allowed me to refine our experimental approaches in the lab.

Is there anything else you’d like to mention?

I am very glad I received the travel grant for EACR. It wass a fantastic opportunity that made attending the conference possible for me. In addition, I would like to express my enthusiasm for attending the next EACR Congress in Lisbon. The prospect of experiencing another enriching scientific program, networking with peers from diverse backgrounds, and exploring the vibrant city of Lisbon is truly exciting.