From November 18 to 20, more than 300 prominent figures from Czech and international science and biomedical research convened in Olomouc for the Czech Annual Cancer Research Meeting (CACR Meeting 2024). This traditional conference was organized by the MedChemBio cluster in collaboration with the National Institute for Cancer Research (NÚVR) and the European Infrastructure for Translational Medicine.
“I am delighted by the growing interest of colleagues from around the world in participating in the CACR Meeting. Our conference is not only a showcase of outstanding scientific achievements and their international collaboration but also one of NÚVR’s key activities to support the career development of young researchers, emphasizing its unique position within Czech academic oncology,” said Aleksi Šedo, Director of NÚVR.
At CACR 2024, around 60 presentations were delivered, featuring Czech research groups often working alongside esteemed international partners, as well as numerous foreign scientists. Their work, presented at the conference, holds the potential to change the future for cancer patients.
“We are honored to witness the best in cancer research from both the Czech Republic and abroad, welcoming scientists, clinicians, and healthcare professionals dedicated to understanding and fighting cancer. Their discoveries and dedication are crucial in the effort to defeat this disease,” said Marián Hajdúch, President of CACR 2024, Medical Director of NÚVR, during the conference's opening. He added, “This year’s meeting promises to be a dynamic platform for sharing innovative ideas, groundbreaking discoveries, and strategies to translate research findings into clinical practice.”
A significant portion of the program focused on new molecular targets found not only within tumor cells but also in the tumor microenvironment, which often hinders effective treatment. Efforts to prevent tumor metastasis and spread throughout the body were also a major topic, with NÚVR scientists making globally significant advancements in this area. Other key issues tackled by Czech research teams included monitoring the toxicity of cancer treatments, mitigating their side effects, and personalizing cancer therapies based on the unique characteristics of each patient.
The second major theme of CACR 2024 was early cancer detection. Discussions centered on new biomarkers, such as those found in blood, that could detect cancer during routine preventive check-ups before symptoms manifest.
The third focus area was cancer prevention. A highlight was a lecture by a renowned international guest on reducing the health harms of tobacco use among adult smokers, including independent academic studies on the role of e-cigarettes in smoking cessation. The conference also included the presentation of additional data from an ecological study on lung cancer prevalence in the Czech Republic and trends in mortality from this disease.
Photo: Denisa Pavelková
