Charting New Paths in Cancer Research: Insights from the Frontiers in Cancer Science Conference 2024.

Journal: Cancer research
Published Date:

Abstract

The 16th annual Frontiers in Cancer Science conference convened leading experts to discuss the latest developments in cancer research. Key research themes included mechanisms of treatment resistance and innovative strategies to target resistant cancer cells, metabolic plasticity and its therapeutic vulnerabilities, modulation of the tumor microenvironment to enhance therapeutic efficacy, recent advances in immunotherapies and engineered immune cells, and strategies to overcome tumor immune evasion. The conference also highlighted the development of advanced spatial transcriptomic technologies as a powerful tool to decipher tumor heterogeneity and identify novel therapeutic targets. Additionally, the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning was explored in optimizing therapy selection, refining prognostication models, and improving patient outcomes, with a focus on advancing personalized, cost-effective cancer care. These collective insights underscore the rapid progress in the field and the potential for translating these discoveries into effective clinical interventions, marking a significant step toward addressing the complexities of cancer biology and enhancing patient care worldwide.

Authors

  • Giang Le Minh
    Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
  • Sasidharan Swarnalatha Lucky
    Cancer Science Institute, Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
  • Shazib Pervaiz
    Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
  • Kristijan Ramadan
    Cancer Discovery and Regenerative Medicine Program, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
  • Joe Yeong
    Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore; Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, 20 College Road, Academia, Level 10 Diagnostic Tower, Singapore 169856, Singapore. Electronic address: yeongps@imcb.a-star.edu.sg.
  • Sin Tiong Ong
    Programme in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
  • Vaidehi Krishnan
    Programme in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
  • Chit Fang Cheok
    NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
  • Wee Joo Chng
    Department of Haematology and Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, National University Health System, Singapore; Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
  • Sanjay De Mel
    NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
  • Xiaomeng Wang
    Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China.
  • Anand D Jeyasekharan
    Cancer Science Institute, Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
  • Chartsiam Tipgomut
    Cancer Science Institute, Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
  • Li Ren Kong
    Cancer Science Institute, Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
  • Kanaga Sabapathy
    School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
  • Cheng Ean Chee
    NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
  • Koji Itahana
    Programme in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
  • Reshma Taneja
    Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
  • Soo-Chin Lee
    Department of Hematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), National University Health System, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119074, Singapore.