16th International Conference of Contemporary Oncology

Thursday (Online Day), 10 April

ONLINE SESSIONS
(Lectures in English)

10:00am – 1:15am	Genetic and Molecular Determinants in Cancer: From Hereditary Mutations to Therapeutic Interventions This title captures the range of topics covered in the session, which includes: - Population screening for founder mutations BRCA mutations in breast cancer - Biomarkers and trace elements in prostate cancer - Selenium-based risk reduction strategies for hereditary breast cancers - Molecular mechanisms in neuroblastoma treatment - Immune cell generation in melanoma The title reflects both the genetic aspects (mutations, hereditary factors) and molecular elements (trace elements, gangliosides, immune cells) that are discussed across different cancer types during this session. Moderators Jan Lubiński Andrzej Mackiewicz
10:00am – 10:25am	Population screening for founder mutations conferring high cancer risk in Poland Lecturer Cezary Cybulski
10:25am – 10:50am	BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations in Polish Women with Ductal Carcinoma In situ Lecturer Sylwia Feszak
10:50am – 11:15am	Serum Copper, Zinc Levels and Copper/Zinc ratio in Prostate Cancer Patients Survival Lecturer Sandra Pietrzak
11:15am – 11:40am	SELINA – lowering cancer risk in females from families with hereditary breast cancers by As-low diet and optimization of blood Se levels by diet or supplementation Lecturer Jan Lubiński
11:40am – 12:05am	Phenotypic and molecular changes induced in human neuroblastoma cells by GD2 ganglioside-recognizing therapeutic antibodies Lecturer Hanna Rokita
12:05pm – 12:30pm	Generation of MDSC from Normal Monocytes in Melanoma Lecturer Viktor Umansky
12:30pm – 12:55pm	The Role of Blood Zinc-to-Copper Ratio as a Potential Biomarker of Cancer Risk in BRCA1 Mutation Carriers Lecturer Milena Matuszczak
12:55pm – 1:15pm	Discussion
1:15pm – 2:00pm	Break
2:00pm – 4:30pm	Tumor Microenvironment Modulation and Novel Therapeutic Approaches: From Immune Reprogramming to Nanomedicine This title captures the central themes of the session, which focuses on: - Reprogramming tumor microenvironments to enhance immune responses - Manipulation of immune trafficking and signaling in various cancers - Novel therapeutic modalities including exosome targeting, photothermal therapy, and oligonucleotide-based approaches - Molecular mechanisms underlying cancer cell biology and treatment resistance The title reflects both the focus on tumor microenvironment manipulation and the diverse innovative therapeutic strategies presented by researchers from institutions across the United States. Moderators Jan Lubiński Andrzej Mackiewicz
2:00pm – 2:25pm	Reprogramming the Perivascular Tumor Microenvironment to Facilitate Tumoricidal T-cell Trafficking into Metastasis of Ovarian Cancer Lecturer Danuta Kozbor-Fogelberg
2:25pm – 2:50pm	Systemic Infusion of a TLR3 ligand (Rintatolimod) and IFNa2b selectively reprograms tumor microenvironments for local CTL influx: Combinations with PD1/PDL1 blockade and chemotherapies Lecturer Paweł Kalinski
2:50pm – 3:15pm	The role of melanoma-derived exosomes in immune-oncology Lecturer Theresa Whiteside
3:15pm – 3:40pm	Toward cancer therapy with electromagnetics and nanoparticles Lecturer Krzysztof Kempa
3:40pm – 4:05pm	Temperature and WNK-SPAK/OSR1 kinases dynamically regulate structure of biomolecular condensates in cancer cells Lecturer Pravin Sehgal
4:05pm – 4:30pm	Thiopurine-Based Oligonucleotides for Targeted Telomere Damage and Immunotherapy of Leukemia and Lymphoma Lecturer Marcin Kortylewski

Friday (Stationary Day), 11 April

CLINICAL SESSIONS
(Lectures in Polish)

9:00am – 10:05am	Non-melanoma skin cancers Moderators Marcin Ziętek Jacek Mackiewicz
9:00am – 9:15am	Squamous cell carcinoma progression model. Dermatoscopic images (AK, BD, SCC) Lecturer Jacek Calik
9:15am – 9:30am	Surgical treatment of skin cancers - Standards of procedure and limitations of intervention Lecturer Marcin Ziętek
9:30am – 9:45am	The place of radiotherapy in the treatment of skin cancer patients Lecturer Mateusz Spałek
9:45am – 10:00am	Advances in systemic treatment for skin cancer patients Lecturer Izabela Łasińska
10:00am – 10:05am	Discussion
10:05am – 10:15am	Break
10:15am – 11:35am	Immunology and immunotherapy of cancer - Session of the Immuno-oncology Section of the Polish Oncological Society Moderators Bożena Cybulska-Stopa Jacek Mackiewicz
10:15am – 10:30am	The role of different lymphocyte populations in the antitumor response in patients undergoing ICI therapy Lecturer Mariusz Kaczmarek
10:30am – 10:45am	Biomarkers of response to immunotherapy Lecturer Anna Czarnecka
10:45am – 11:00am	Biomarkers of immunotherapy toxicity Lecturer Grażyna Kamińska-Winciorek
11:00am – 11:15am	The role of microbiota in cancer therapy Lecturer Marcin Schmidt
11:15am – 11:30am	Immunotherapy after previous immunotherapy in cancer patients Lecturer Bożena Cybulska-Stopa
11:30am – 11:35am	Discussion
11:35am – 11:45am	Break
11:45am – 1:05am	Lung cancer Moderators Rodryg Ramlau Dariusz M. Kowalski
11:45am – 12:00am	Advances in Perioperative Treatment of NSCLC Patients Lecturer Mateusz Polaczek
12:00pm – 12:15pm	Lecture under the patronage of Selection of systemic therapy in patients with advanced NSCLC with PDL1 expression ≥ 1% Lecturer Adam Płużański
12:15pm – 12:30pm	Lecture under the patronage of Selection of systemic therapy in patients with advanced NSCLC with PDL1 expression <1% Lecturer Maciej Bryl
12:30pm – 12:45pm	Lecture sponsored by Molecularly Targeted Treatment for Advanced NSCLC - State of the Art 2025 Lecturer Dariusz M. Kowalski
12:45pm – 1:00pm	Is it possible to monitor the quality of care in lung cancer? - own experience of DCOPiH in Wroclaw Lecturer Adam Maciejczyk
1:00pm – 1:05pm	Discussion
1:05pm – 1:45pm	Lunch

RESEARCH SESSIONS
(Lectures in English)

9:00am – 10:45am	Molecular mechanisms in cancer biology and treatment resistance This session explores fundamental cellular and molecular processes underlying cancer development and therapeutic resistance. Presentations examine: - various molecular targets and pathways, including the role of nanomaterials in treatment, dormancy mechanisms in lung carcinoma, - novel anthracycline development, - apoptosis resistance mechanisms, - genetic interactions in ovarian cancer. The session offers insights into both basic cancer biology and translational approaches for overcoming treatment resistance at the molecular level. Moderators Urszula Oleksiewicz Michael Giersig
9:00am – 9:15am	Magnetic nanomaterials as a multifunctional platform for cancer treatment Lecturers Magdalena Osial Michael Giersig
9:15am – 9:30am	ZNF273 contributes to dormancy phenotype in squamous cell lung carcinoma Lecturer Urszula Oleksiewicz
9:30am – 9:45am	Organotropic Targeting of Pancreatic Cancer with Annamycin, a Non-Cardiotoxic Anthracycline Lecturer Waldemar Priebe
9:45am – 10:00am	Galactosylceramide increases the resistance of breast cancer cells to apoptosis through EGFR signaling pathway Lecturers Safoura Reza Maciej Ugorski
10:00am – 10:15am	Novel molecular interactions in high-grade serous ovarian cancer Lecturer Filip Hajdyła
10:15am – 10:30am	Role of calpains in preventing leukemic cells from apoptosis and affecting the activity of lymphocytes Lecturer Jacek Witkowski
10:30am – 10:45am	Discussion
10:45am – 11:00am	Coffee Break
11:00am – 1:00am	Tumor microenvironment and innovative treatment approaches This session focuses on the complex tumor system and novel therapeutic strategies that target the microenvironment. Presentations highlight: - the critical role of hypoxia in cancer progression and treatment response, - immune cell dynamics during melanoma therapy, - innovative bioengineering approaches for studying angiogenesis, - oxygen heterogeneity in tumor models, - nanocarrier-based vascularization targeting. T The session culminates with an examination of the intricate relationships between immune status, viral infection history, and immunotherapy efficacy, providing a comprehensive overview of how microenvironmental factors influence cancer treatment outcomes. Moderators Claudine Kieda Andrzej Lange
11:00am – 11:15am	Hypoxia-dependent diseases: cell-gene therapy for vessel normalization in tumor and degenerescence diseases Lecturer Claudine Kieda
11:15am – 11:30am	iPSC-Derived Vascular Grafts for 3D Bioprinting and Angiogenesis Lecturer Jagoda Litowczenko-Cybulska
11:30am – 11:45am	Heterogeneity of tumor oxygenation in murine models Lecturer Martyna Elas
11:45am – 12:00am	Spatial Transcriptomics: Insights from Mouse and Human Adrenal Glands and Its Application in Tumor Microenvironment Profiling Lecturer Marcin Ruciński
12:00pm – 12:15pm	Silk nanocarrier-based strategies targeting tumor vascularization in non-small cell lung cancer treatment Lecturer Anna Florczak
12:15pm – 12:30pm	The complex interplay between autoimmune diathesis, Herpes virus infection history, trained immunity, and cancer's mutational profile shapes the effect of cancer immunotherapy Lecturer Andrzej Lange
12:30pm – 12:45pm	Molecular mechanisms of action of a genetically modified melanoma cell vaccine Lecturer Mariusz Kaczmarek
12:45pm – 1:00pm	Discussion
1:00pm – 1:45pm	Lunch

Friday (Stationary Day), 11 April

PLENARY SESSION
(Lectures in Polish)

1:45pm – 2:00pm	OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CONFERENCE Lecturers Tomasz Kotwicki Andrzej Mackiewicz Jacek Mackiewicz Julian Malicki Adam Szłapka
2:00pm – 4:00pm	Health and economic security of the EU through the lens of oncology research and enhancing the competitiveness of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector Moderator Rafał Staszewski
	I. How to combine health security with economic security?:
	Health and economic security in the light of challenges and changes in EU development priorities Lecturer Ida Musiałkowska
	Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan - progress and challenges. Perspective of the SANT Committee of the EP Lecturer Adam Jarubas
	Biotechnological innovations in oncology - how to break down barriers and accelerate development? Lecturer Magdalena Kulczycka
	From good basic research to innovative products for oncology - what is missing and what to do about it? Lecturer Jakub Jasiczak
	II. Complementary or competitive? How to support science and business?:
	Mechanisms for supporting biomedical oncology projects by the Medical Research Agency Lecturer Ireneusz Staroń
	Instruments of the Foundation for Polish Science in oncology development Lecturer Krzysztof Pyrć
	From research institute - through center of excellence - to Excellence Hub
	Strengthening chances for success in Horizon Europe. Cluster Health, Cancer Mission, European Partnerships Lecturer Dagmara Robakowska-Hyżorek
	Drug Discovery in Academia: Importance of Translational Research and International Collaboration Lecturer Waldemar Priebe
	Challenges faced by a scientist starting work at a biotechnology company Lecturer Rafał Derlacz
	III. Implementations. Examples of successes and challenges:
	Development of cancer vaccines. Reality, potential and challenges on the example of the melanoma vaccine AGI-101 H Lecturer Andrzej Mackiewicz
	Development of genetics and development of personalized medical care in oncology - communicating vessels? Lecturer Maria Sąsiadek
	Achievements of the Institute of Human Genetics of the Polish Academy of Sciences in cancer research Lecturer Maciej Giefing
	Discussion
4:00pm – 4:15pm	Break

Friday (Stationary Day), 11 April

CLINICAL SESSIONS
(Lectures in Polish)

4:15pm – 5:50pm	Genitourinary cancers Moderators Piotr Milecki Jakub Kucharz
4:15pm – 4:30pm	Adjuvant treatment for kidney cancer patients Lecturer Daria Tusień-Małecka
4:30pm – 4:45pm	Lecture under the patronage of Principles of qualifying kidney cancer patients for first-line systemic treatment Lecturer Jakub Kucharz
4:45pm – 5:00pm	Lecture sponsored by Current systemic treatment options in Poland for prostate cancer patients Lecturer Paweł Wiechno
5:00pm – 5:15pm	Lecture under the patronage of Advanced urothelial tumors - current treatment options and perspectives Lecturer Piotr Tomczak
5:15pm – 5:30pm	Recurrence after local treatment - Role of adjuvant/salvage radiotherapy alone/combined with androgen deprivation Lecturer Piotr Milecki
5:30pm – 5:45pm	Lecture sponsored by Targeted radioligand therapy in patients with prostate cancer Lecturer Jakub Kucharz
5:45pm – 5:50pm	Discussion
6:00pm – 7:15pm	Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL): from diagnosis to advanced therapeutic strategies Moderators Lidia Gil Krzysztof Lewandowski
6:00pm – 6:15pm	A new approach to the diagnosis of NHL Lecturer Monika Prochorec-Sobieszek
6:15pm – 6:30pm	Application of whole-genome sequencing in the analysis of lymphoproliferative tumors Lecturer Luiza Handschuh
6:30pm – 6:45pm	B-specific T-cell engaging (BiTE) monoclonal antibodies in NHL therapy Lecturer Wojciech Jurczak
6:45pm – 7:00pm	Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CART) in NHL therapy Lecturer Lidia Gil
7:00pm – 7:10pm	Evaluation of the response to the applied treatment in NHL - PET CT Lecturer Rafał Czepczyński
7:10pm – 7:15pm	Evaluation of the response to the applied treatment in NHL - molecular techniques Lecturer Krzysztof Lewandowski
7:15pm – 7:30pm	MIR142 – the most frequently mutated miRNA gene in cancer Lecturer Paulina Gałka-Marciniak

WORKSHOPS
(In Polish)

SESSION OF AWARDED POSTERS

4:15pm – 6:30pm	From the Laboratory to the Clinic - How to successfully co-create medical innovations? Lecturers Jakub Jasiczak dr n. med. Bartłomiej Grobelski Hubert Pachciarek
6:30pm – 7:15pm	Session of awarded posters Moderator Andrzej Mackiewicz
	HDAC9 as a potential modulator of the MAPK signaling in Sézary Syndrome Pathogenesis Monika Pieniawska
	Impact of silencing the ZNF714 and ZNF695 genes on the stiffness of lung cancer cells Anna Bisok
	siRNA_STAT3 targeted delivery by silk nanocarriers: a strategy to address chemotherapy resistance in Her2-/Her2+ breast cancer Sara Molenda
	Double-functionalized silk nanospheres for delivery of therapeutic oligonucleotides to VEGFR-overexpressing cells of the tumor microenvironment Patryk Lorenc
	Discussion

Saturday (Stationary Day), 12 April

CLINICAL SESSIONS
(Lectures in Polish)

9:00am – 10:20am	Breast cancer Moderators Barbara Radecka Joanna Kufel-Grabowska
9:00am – 9:15am	Axillary Surgery: Current management of positive sentinel node biopsy Lecturer Mateusz Wichtowski
9:15am – 9:30am	Systemic treatment of patients with HER2-negative luminal breast cancer Lecturer Daria Świniuch
9:30am – 9:45am	Systemic treatment of patients with triple-negative breast cancer Lecturer Barbara Radecka
9:45am – 10:00am	Systemic treatment of patients with HER2 positive breast cancer Lecturer Elżbieta Senkus-Konefka
10:00am – 10:15am	Pregnancy after cancer: opportunities and challenges Lecturer Joanna Kufel-Grabowska
10:15am – 10:20am	Discussion
10:20am – 10:30am	Break
10:30am – 12:00am	Melanoma Moderators Piotr Rutkowski Jacek Mackiewicz
10:30am – 10:45am	Strategy to limit surgical treatment in melanoma patients Lecturer Piotr Rutkowski
10:45am – 11:00am	Lecture under the patronage of Criteria for the selection of systemic treatment in patients with metastatic melanoma Lecturer Jacek Mackiewicz
11:15am – 11:30am	Lecture sponsored by Advances in the Treatment of Melanoma Patients with Brain Metastases Lecturer Anna Czarnecka
11:30am – 11:40am	Lecture sponsored by Polish results of iBRAF+MEK treatment in patients with advanced melanoma Lecturer Anna Czarnecka
11:40am – 11:55am	Advances in Cell Therapies for Melanoma Patients Lecturer Tomasz Świtaj
11:55am – 12:00am	Discussion
12:00pm – 12:35pm	Brain tumors Moderators Sergiusz Nawrocki Jakub Moskal
12:00pm – 12:15pm	Lecture sponsored by Advances in Surgical Treatment of Primary Brain Tumors Lecturer Jakub Moskal
12:15pm – 12:30pm	Lecture sponsored by New methods of treating primary and secondary tumors of the central nervous system Lecturer Sergiusz Nawrocki
12:30pm – 12:35pm	Discussion
12:35pm – 12:45pm	Break
12:45pm – 2:05pm	Gastrointestinal cancers Moderators Rafał Stec Tomasz Kubiatowski
12:45pm – 1:00pm	Lecture under the patronage of Advances in systemic treatment of patients with esophageal and stomach cancer Lecturer Rafał Stec
1:00pm – 1:15pm	Principles of perioperative treatment in patients with rectal cancer Lecturer Marek Gełej
1:15pm – 1:30pm	How to choose the right first-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer patients Lecturer Tomasz Kubiatowski
1:30pm – 1:45pm	Lecture sponsored by Systemic treatment after failure of first-line therapy in patients with colorectal cancer Lecturer Leszek Kraj
1:45pm – 2:00pm	Lecture sponsored by Dermatological complications in patients treated with anti-EGFR antibodies Lecturer Magdalena Ciążyńska
2:00pm – 2:05pm	Discussion

RESEARCH SESSIONS
(Lectures in English)

9:00am – 11:40am	Emerging technologies in cancer diagnostics and therapy This session explores how technological innovations are transforming cancer care across the diagnostic-therapeutic continuum. Presentations cover: - myeloid cell targeting in brain tumors - the evolution from basic to clinical pathology applications, - IT solutions for international collaboration, - multi-omics approaches in leukemia research, - molecular characterization of salivary gland tumors, - CAR-T cell therapy development through academic-industry partnerships, - artificial intelligence applications in oncology, and advanced mass spectrometry tools for proteomics. The session demonstrates how technological convergence is driving next-generation cancer diagnostics and therapeutics through interdisciplinary approaches. Moderators Natalia Marek-Trzonkowska Andrzej Marszałek
9:00am – 9:15am	Targeting arginase 1 in myeloid cells in preclinical models of brain tumors Lecturer Bożena Kamińska-Kaczmarek
9:15am – 9:30am	Uveal melanoma and skin melanoma – similarities and differences Lecturer Bożena Romanowska-Dixon
9:30am – 9:45am	From basic to clinical research - PATHOMORPHOLOGY Lecturer Andrzej Marszałek
9:45am – 10:00am	Optimal preclinical models and cancer heterogeneity- challenges for cancer immunotherapy Lecturer Natalia Marek-Trzonkowska
10:00am – 10:15am	Development of IT based communication technologies (technical and regulatory aspects) for medical data and biological material exchange during international collaboration (Project ATTICA) Lecturer Mirosława Mocydlarz-Adamcewicz
10:15am – 10:30am	Multiomics approach in search for alternative mechanisms leading to activation of JAK-STAT pathway in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia Lecturer Monika Drobna
10:30am – 10:45am	Recurrent TERT rearrangements in mucoepidermoid carcinoma Lecturer Kinga Bednarek
10:45am – 11:00am	Advancing CAR-T-based cancer therapies. Synergy of translational research and academia-industry collaboration Lecturers Natalia Rozwadowska Tomasz Kolanowski
11:00am – 11:15am	AI, Machine Learning, and Radiomics for Enhanced Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Lecturer Bartłomiej Tomasik
11:15am – 11:30am	Universal toolset for mass spectrometric analysis of intracellular peptidome and small protein fraction Lecturer Artur Piróg
11:30am – 11:40am	Discussion
11:40am – 11:50am	Coffee Break
11:50am – 1:35am	Advances in Radiotherapy and Precision Oncology This session showcases cutting-edge developments in radiation oncology and personalized cancer treatment. Presentations address: - intraoperative radiotherapy's effects on the post-surgical wound microenvironment, - personalization strategies for conventional and proton therapy in breast cancer, - ultra-high dose-rate radiobiology (FLASH therapy), - quality improvement initiatives through international clinical audits, - dosimetry considerations for organs at risk, - and molecular aspects of breast cancer therapy resistance. The session highlights Poland's significant contributions to advancing precision radiotherapy and treatment optimization. Moderators Wiktoria Suchorska Błażej Rubiś
11:50am – 12:05am	Intraoperative radiation therapy as a factor reducing the tumorigenic potential of breast cancer cells by modifying the microenvironment of the postoperative wound Lecturers Wiktoria Suchorska Katarzyna Kulcenty
12:05pm – 12:20pm	Radiotherapy and protontherapy personalisation in breast cancer based on individuals’ predispositions (project PROBREST) Lecturer Marika Musielak
12:20pm – 12:35pm	Impact of ultrahigh dose-rates on biological response in radiotherapy (Projekt AQURE FLASH) Lecturer Bartosz Pawałowski
12:35pm – 12:50pm	Improving quality of radiation oncology in rectal and prostate cancer using international clinical audits (project IROCA) Lecturer Magdalena Fundowicz
12:50pm – 1:05pm	Low doses in peripheral organs during radiotherapy of prostate cancer” (project LOWDOSE) Lecturer Marta Kruszyna-Mochalska
1:05pm – 1:20pm	Molecular aspects of breast cancer cell resistance to anticancer therapy Lecturer Błażej Rubiś
1:20pm – 1:35pm	Discussion and closing remarks