Asturian Institute Organizes Multidisciplinary Forum Covering Everything from Genetic Foundations to New Therapeutic Strategies
On May 13th and 14th, Oviedo will host the elite of molecular oncology during the IV International Symposium “Advances in Molecular Oncology.” Marking its 25th anniversary, the University Institute of Oncology of the Principality of Asturias (IUOPA) is bringing together 17 experts from leading institutions, such as the Institute of Cancer Research in London and the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona.
Spanning from basic research to the latest breakthroughs in diagnostics, this symposium has become one of the most significant events in oncological research in Spain, attracting over 150 participants from across the country. Over the two-day event, attendees will hear presentations from 17 international researchers across five sessions offering a multidisciplinary approach to cancer: Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics; Tumor Invasion and Metastasis; Cancer Metabolism; Targeted Therapies; and Advances in Diagnostics.
The forum will address the latest progress in the study of tumors and their genetic and epigenetic alterations since the completion of the Human Genome Project. It will also explore scientific milestones in immunotherapy that are transforming the treatment of numerous tumor types, as well as the progress of multi-omic analysis, which is enhancing precision in modern medical research.
Scientific Milestones and Speakers
Trevor Graham, Director of the Institute of Cancer Research in London, will open the Symposium by presenting an innovative system based on the study of DNA modifications in cancer cells. This method allows researchers to determine when a tumor originated and how it might evolve in the future. On Wednesday afternoon, Roger Gomis(IRB, Barcelona) will delve into breast cancer metastasis, while Patricia Altea Manzano (Cabimer, Seville) will discuss metabolic signaling and how metabolism contributes to the proliferation of metastasis.
The second day will kick off with Julio Delgado (Hospital Clínic, Barcelona) and his groundbreaking work in developing the first academic CAR-T cell treatment, facilitating access to this revolutionary therapy for various lymphomas and leukemias. Representing HUCA and IUOPA, hematologist Sara Alonso will offer a perspective on how research translates into clinical practice. Xavier Avilés-Jurado (Hospital Clínic, Barcelona) will close the final session by presenting a revolutionary diagnostic technique that can detect the development of Head and Neck cancer cells through the air.
Other featured speakers include researchers Geoff Macintyre (CNIO, Madrid), Ferrán Nadeu (IDIBAPS, Barcelona), Mónica Sánchez Guixé (CNIO, Madrid), Berta López Sánchez-Laorden (Institute of Neurosciences, Alicante), María Muñoz Caffarel (ISS Bioguipuzkoa, San Sebastián), Alejo Efeyan (CNIO, Madrid), Javier A. Menéndez(IDIBGI, Girona), Paolo Bossi (IRCCS, Milan), Víctor Moreno (IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat), Laura Muinelo (IDIS, Santiago de Compostela), and Luis Paz-Ares (Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid), who will deliver the symposium’s closing lecture.
Poster Competition
Throughout the event, more than fifty researchers will compete in a poster competition, presenting their latest findings in a graphic format. During the closing ceremony, the three winners will receive a diploma and a €100 prize from the Spanish Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. This exhibition format not only recognizes scientific work but also fosters dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration among peers.
