Introduction

The EACR conference on "The invisible phase of metastasis: Impact of dormancy, cancer cell plasticity and evolution of the niche during metastatic progression" will gather together world-leading researchers in the field to uncover the invisible phase of systemic cancer. The meeting will conclude with a discussion forum on how to translate emerging findings for the prevention of lethal metastatic disease.

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Background

The programme aims to deliver an in-depth overview of recently identified mechanisms - cell-intrinsic and microenvironmental - that are decisive for metastatic colonization and early organ-specific or systemic defence. After manifestation, metastatic disease in patients and animal models is well studied, increasingly understood and disease courses found to be surprisingly homogeneous and constant in many cancer types. In stark contrast, disease courses before metastatic manifestation are highly variable and we are just getting a first glimpse into the - until recently - invisible phase of metastatic progression. However, this phase bears the greatest potential for improved cancer cures. 

Target audience

This conference will be relevant for lab-based and clinical researchers, as well as those working in industry. We encourage investigators at all levels to attend. The target audience ranges from Master’s students to established PIs who have a keen interest in gaining knowledge about mechanisms of minimal residual cancer and mechanisms driving or preventing metastatic manifestation.

Topics to be covered

• Metastatic colonization
• Molecular mechanisms of cancer dormancy
• Organ-specific or systemic response to early disseminated cancer
• Evolution of disseminated cancer cells during metastatic colonization
• Metabolic adaptations required for metastasis initiation

Scientific Programme Committee

• Christoph Klein, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany (Chair)
• Sarah-Maria Fendt, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium
• Julio Aguirre-Ghiso, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA
• Cyrus Ghajar, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA 

Follow us on Twitter for updates @EACRnews and engage with the conference with #eacrMetastasisDormancy.

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Contact

If you have any queries that are not answered on this webpage, please contact us using the details below.

Chris Iliffe
Conference Organiser
Christopher.Iliffe@eacr.org