Symposia
1
RNA modification
Overview
Although cancer is primarily characterized by genetic and epigenetic alterations in DNA, recent studies have shown that RNA modifications play a critical role in controlling the malignant behaviors of cancers. RNA modification enzymes introduce specific chemical modifications to RNA strands, such as m6A, m5C, and Ψ (pseudo-uridine), to regulate the function of RNA molecules. These RNA modifications affect RNA-protein interactions and RNA-RNA interactions, thereby regulating RNA decay, mRNA splicing, translation initiation and elongation, tRNA decoding capacity, miRNA-mediated gene silencing, rRNA biogenesis-mediated chemo-therapeutic resistance, and lncRNA-mediated scaffolding of epigenetics factors.
Moreover, the network of RNA modification fine-tunes the maturation of target RNAs, which can orchestrate cell death and differentiation of cancer stem-like cells in the tumor microenvironment after exposure to chemo-radiation therapies. Thus, precise measurement and profiling of RNA modifications are expected to contribute to early diagnosis and clinical settings of therapeutic approaches in cancer patients.
This symposium promises to be an exciting opportunity for young investigators to come together and share their latest findings on RNA modification, as well as to explore the most current and innovative ideas in the pursuit of precision medicine. Throughout the symposium, participants will have the chance to engage in thought-provoking discussions, as well as to communicate with people who share their passion for advancing cancer research through studying RNA modification.
| Chairs |
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Hideshi Ishii |
Osaka University |
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Kazuhito Tomizawa |
Kumamoto University |
2
Genomic instability: a cogwheel promoting cancer development and progression
Overview
Genomic instability is an outstanding hallmark of cancer cells that creates myriad pathological traits of the disease. Remarkably, those acquired characteristics in turn impair the cellular functions to maintain the genome, thereby deteriorating malignant phenotypes. In this symposium, we will highlight ongoing studies on how genomic instability might fall together with growth control defects, cellular senescence, infection and chronic inflammation and immune evasion etc., and discuss how accumulating alterations in genome structure, i.e., DNA sequence, chromatin and chromosomes, accelerate disease progression at the cellular, microenvironmental and organismal levels. Through these discussions we aim to refine our understanding of cancer development and malignant progression from the genomic instability-centered view, and to distill vulnerabilities that emerge in cancer in exchange for the acquired genomic instability.
| Chairs |
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Toru Hirota |
Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research (JFCR) |
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Makoto Nakanishi |
The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo |
3
Cancer ecosystem functions as an adaptive mechanism in response to intra- and extracellular changes
Overview
Cancer tissues are formed not only by the genetic mutations present in cancer cells, but also by various factors from both intra- and extracellular environments, including DNA/RNA metabolites, microenvironment, immune cells, metabolites, hypoxia, senescent cells, bacterial infections, and others. As an adaptive system of cancer cells and the surrounding tumor microenvironment to these intracellular and extracellular factors, epigenetic regulatory mechanisms play a central role, impacting cancer immunity and malignancy. Therefore, comprehensively analyzing the adaptive systems of cancer cells to both intracellular and extracellular factors, as well as understanding the mechanisms underlying tissue diversity involving immune cells, poses a crucial challenge for advancing cancer therapy. This symposium aims to provide an overarching perspective on the "Cancer Epigenome" and introduce novel research challenges in cancer studies, brought forth by researchers who are expected to contribute new insights and developments to future cancer research.
| Chairs |
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Yutaka Kondo |
Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine |
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Yasuyuki Ohkawa |
Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University |
４
Tumor Microenvironment Dynamics: Bridging the Gap between Basic Research and Clinical Application
Overview
Tumor tissue consists of not only a heterogeneous population of cancer cells, but also various components of stroma including tumor vessels, cancer associated fibroblasts and infiltrating immune cells, known as the tumor microenvironment. Accumulating lines of evidence have revealed the dynamic interaction between cancer cells and tumor stroma cells, which leads to cancer progression and metastasis. Therefore, understanding the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms governing these interactions can be used as a novel strategy to disrupt cancer cell interplay and contribute to the development of efficient therapeutic strategies to fight cancer. In this symposium, leading scientists in the field of tumor microenvironment will introduce the recent progress in their fields. We will also discuss how to utilize the results of basic research in the clinical field of cancer. We will also explore strategies for translating the outcomes of basic research into the clinical application for cancer treatment.
| Chairs |
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Watabe Tetsuro |
Tokyo Medical and Dental University |
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Kyoko Hida |
Hokkaido University |
５
How deeply model system can recapitulate cancer hallmarks
Overview
The hallmarks of cancer hold the key to unraveling the complexities of this formidable disease. Recent advancements in sequencing technology have illuminated the vast landscape of genomic abnormalities in cancer. Yet, the challenge of connecting these genomic abnormalities to the hallmark phenotypes of cancer persists. This challenge hinges on the development of sophisticated cancer models that faithfully recapitulate clinical cancer behavior. Cancer research now boasts a wealth of cutting-edge models, including Patient-derived Xenografts, advanced mouse genetic engineering, and organoids. We bring together a gathering of distinguished experts in the field and will dive deep into the state-of-the-art cancer models, exploring their potential to illuminate the path from genomic abnormalities to clinical outcomes. Through vibrant discussions and interactive sessions, our symposium aims to catalyze breakthroughs and inspire innovative approaches.
| Chairs |
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Masahiro Inoue |
Kyoto University |
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Sato Toshiro |
Keio University |
６
Cancer immunology researches from mechanism researches to clinical applications
Overview
It has been about 10 years since the clinical application of cancer immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, attracted much attention to cancer immunology researches. However, the efficacies are still insufficient and there are many issues that need to be resolved. In addition to basic researches, studies using human clinical samples have progressed, leading to clinical applications. In this symposium, we would like to introduce the latest cancer immunology researches, from basic research such as elucidation of molecular mechanisms to clinical applications.
| Chairs |
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Yosuke Togashi |
Okayama University |
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Naganari Ohkura |
Osaka University |
７
Current Status and New Stage in Cancer Liquid Biopsy
Overview
Liquid biopsy, which can noninvasively read various molecular information about cancer from body fluids, is attracting attention as an important technology that contributes to the realization of cancer early detection, personalized medicine, and so on.
In particular, ctDNA has already been clinically implemented, including comprehensive genome profile-type tests, and evaluations based on real-world data are beginning to be conducted. In addition, many cancer liquid biopsy technologies using different modalities, such as CTC and EV, are approaching the level of practical application.
In light of these circumstances, this session will focus on the current status of cancer liquid biopsy and its impact on cancer treatment in the near future from a broad perspective.
| Chairs |
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Takahiro Ochiya |
Tokyo Medical University |
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Koji Ueda |
The Cancer Institute of JRCR |
８
Understanding tumor diversity, plasticity and evolution to develop the next-generation targeted therapies
Overview
Cancer drug treatment has been remarkably developed in these 2 decades, but still it is difficult to cure the advanced cancer due to the emergence of acquired drug resistance. The reason for acquired resistance is thought to be that the treatment-tolerant persistent cells remain even after effective therapy. From these remaining treatment-tolerant cells, the cancer evolves and eventually acquires mutations that read to complete resistance to therapy. In addition, an understanding of tumor diversity and plasticity would be needed to uncover the "soil" of resistance emergence. In this session, we'd like to learn and discuss about tumor diversity, plasticity and evolution to further the future development of effective next-generation targeted therapies.
| Chairs |
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Seiji Yano |
Kanazawa University |
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Ryohei Katayama |
The Cancer Institute of JRCR |
9
Cancer Research in the AI Era
Overview
Rapid advances in machine learning technology with the advent of deep learning have raised expectations for artificial intelligence (AI). AI is currently being implemented in various areas of society, and the medical field is no exception, with clinical applications of AI-based medical devices already underway as well as at the research level. In cancer research, AI is beginning to be actively utilized in a wide range of fields, including analysis of medical images such as endoscopic images, pathological images, and radiological images, omics analysis, and drug discovery. In particular, recent cancer research has emphasized the importance of multimodal analysis of large-scale data, such as whole genome data, and data from various modalities. In addition, with the worldwide focus on generative AI, it is expected that cancer research using generative AI will become increasingly important in the future. Therefore, this symposium aims to present the latest results of AI-based cancer research and to help participants understand the current status of AI-based cancer research.
| Chairs |
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Ryuji Hamamoto |
Division of Medical AI Research and Development,National Cancer Center Research Institute |
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Teppei Shimamura |
Division of Computational and Systems Biology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University／Division of Systems Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University |
10
Overcome treatment resistance in acute myeloid leukemia
Overview
A major obstacle in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is refractory or relapse after achieving remission. Multiomics analyses have begun to uncover the complex clonal and cellular architectures and associated biological networks. These efforts would lead to a better understanding of the highly heterogenous AML and identify resistance mechanisms. This symposium will discuss AML biology and associated resistance mechanisms, potential therapeutic AML stem cells vulnerabilities and current clinical trial activities.
| Chairs |
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Hitoshi Kiyoi |
Nagoya University |
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Toshihiro Miyamoto |
Kanazawa University |
International Sessions
1
Understanding the role of cellular senescene in the onset and progression of cancer
Overview
The genetic mutations and DNA damage induce cellular senescence, acting as a tumor suppressing mechanism. However, recent findings reveal that cellular senescence can paradoxically promote cancer. In this symposium, we aim to understand the molecular mechanisms of cellular senescence that contribute to carcinogenesis and cancer progression. In this symposium, we will discuss the molecular mechanisms of cellular senescence in the onset and progression of cancer, with the aim of understanding and controlling these processes.
| Chairs |
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Akiko Takahashi |
Division of Cellular Senescence, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research |
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Pinglong Xu |
Zhejiang University |
2
Cellular Plasticity: How do cancer cells rewire molecular, biochemical and phenotypic pathways for adapting to malignant progression?
Overview
During cancer progression, tumor cells undergo molecular and phenotypic changes collectively termed cellular plasticity. These changes result from microenvironmental, stochastic genetic and epigenetic changes, and/or selection pressure from therapy, and contribute to tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. Epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity is the best-known case of tumor cell plasticity, but recent work has uncovered other examples. In this session, we explore the nature and roles of these diverse cellular plasticity programs in tumor progression, and discuss the potential for targeting plasticity to lead to novel therapies.
| Chairs |
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Hiromichi Ebi |
Divsision of Molecular Therapeutics, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute |
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Tam Wai Leong |
Genome Institute of Singapore |
3
Advances in non-coding RNA and tumor immunology study
Overview
Cumulative evidences have demonstrated that non-coding RNAs play pivotal roles in the development and progression of human malignancies. Notably, recent research has begun to reveal the existence of small proteins encoded by non-coding RNAs, and these gene products could also serve as potential targets for cancer immunotherapy. In this session, we are soliciting the latest insights into the functions and applications of non-coding RNAs in cancer, as well as their relevance to cancer immunology.
| Chairs |
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Hiromu Suzuki |
Department of Molecular Biology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine |
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Erwei Song |
Sun-Yat Sen University |
4
Cutting-edge radiation medical sciences in cancer research
Overview
The aim of this session is to share the latest findings in radiation and cancer sciences to discuss future directions in this discipline. Radiation science and radiobiology have made significant contributions to cancer research. Radiation therapy and theranostics are indispensable for cancer management. Radiobiology has not only provided a basis for radiation therapy but has also contributed to cancer research. In this session, we will invite cutting-edge researchers in Asia and Oceania to share our future on radiation medical sciences in cancer research.
| Chairs |
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Sumitaka Hasegawa |
Department of charged particle therapy research, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology |
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Jung Joon Min |
Chonnam National University |
5
Molecular understanding of the tumor immune microenvironment
Overview
The immune system is known to play an important role in the development and progression of cancer. Cancer immunotherapy, which reinvigorates endogenous immune system or synthetically generates antitumor immunity, is now established as an important treatment modality for many types of refractory cancers. However, even theoretically efficacious therapies rarely elicit durable responses. In this session, we will explore key elements for future breakthroughs in cancer treatment through an in-depth discussion of the latest findings on the molecular mechanisms underlying therapeutic resistance to immune checkpoint inhibition, adoptive immunotherapy, and other molecular targeted therapies.
| Chairs |
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Yuki Kagoya |
Keio University |
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Daniel Utzschneider |
Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
University of Melbourne |
6
Pro-precancerous condition: risk assessment and prevention strategy
Overview
Tumorigenic environments including infection of pathogens and chronic inflammation cause accumulation of genomic/epigenomic aberrations in normal cells to make “pro-precancerous condition”, which then progresses to precancerous lesions and cancer development. This sequence can be captured by integrating the advanced technologies of sample preparation and sequencing analysis and large-scale cohort, and enables us to discuss novel cancer risk assessment and prevention strategies.
| Chairs |
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Atsushi Kaneda |
Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University |
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Khay Guan Yeoh |
Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine,
National University of Singapore |
7
Single-cell and spatial transcriptome analysis to understand tumor microenvironment
Overview
Cancer is a heterogenous and complicated “organ” where immune cells, vessel cells, fibroblasts, and others are interacting and net-working with tumor cells and are organized to form TME (tumor microenvironment). New single-cell and spatial technologies can explore these functions and structures more precisely than before. In this session, speakers in Asia and Japan are presenting single-cell and ST (spatial transcriptome) analysis data from cancer tissues and discussing integrational analysis with cancer genomics to understand TME and its related-biology.
| Chairs |
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Hidewaki Nakagawa |
RIKEN |
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Woong-Yang Park |
Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center |
8
Shaping the future of chemo/immuno/radio-therapy by revisiting DNA damage response and repair
Overview
Research on DNA damage response and repair mechanisms in Japan has greatly contributed to the advancement of this field; it has driven the development of anticancer drugs, including inhibitors of ATM, ATR, CHK1, and PARP1, and has established strategies to enhance the efficacy of cancer radiotherapy. Furthermore, the significance of DNA damage response and repair mechanisms has been reaffirmed, since these mechanisms influence the "clonal evolution of cancer" and the "therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors". Under these circumstances, this symposium invites leading researchers from Japan and other Asian countries and ask to present and discuss advanced research on DNA damage response and repair mechanisms that contributes to "enhancing the efficacy of molecular targeted drugs and radiotherapy", "understanding the molecular basis of clonal evolution of cancers", and "enhancing the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors.
| Chairs |
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Hiroshi Harada |
Laboratory of Cancer Cell Biology, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University |
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Xingzhi Xu |
Shenzhen University Medical School |
9
International data pooling of large epidemiological studies（仮）
Overview
In the era of precision medicine, research consortia provide the opportunity to integrate epidemiological data from multiple research groups across different countries. International consortium expands population coverage and diversity of exposure levels and disease outcomes. Additionally, they are important resources to compare the trend of cancer incidence between countries and its determinants. However, international data pooling faces barriers, such as strict laws or processes on data transfer between countries. In this session, researchers who experienced working with consortium or data pooling share their achievements and discuss how to promote future collaboration in Asian countries.
| Chairs |
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Norie Sawada |
Division of Cohort Research National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control |
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Aesun Shin |
Seoul National University College of Medicine |
10
Reprogramming of cancer in microenvironment
Overview
Tumor cells are reprogrammed by the microenvironment, which consists of neighboring cells and the dynamics of oxygen and metabolites. The constantly changing interactions between tumors and their microenvironment are thought to influence all aspects of cancer, including its initiation, progression, resistance to treatment, and recurrence. In this symposium, we aim to showcase the latest findings from researchers using advanced technologies such as single-cell analysis, disease modeling, imaging, and nanotechnology to illuminate how the microenvironment influences cancer reprogramming.
| Chairs |
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Keiyo Takubo |
Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine/National Center for Global Health and Medicine Research Institute |
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G-One Ahn |
College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University |
11
Crosstalk of epigenetic moieties in cancer
Overview
Epigenetics governs gene regulation and other chromatin-related biological processes. Various epigenetic moieties, including DNA methylation, histone and non-histone protein modifications, chromatin-associating proteins, and non-coding RNAs intricately cross-talk to generate higher-order regulatory mechanisms for the genome, and their disruptions contribute to cancer initiation, progression, and recurrence. In this session, we will discuss various aspects of epigenetics in cancer.
| Chairs |
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Noriko Saitoh |
The Cancer Institute of JFCR |
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Jiemin Wong |
The School of Life Science, East China Normal University |
12
UICC
