AACR Annual Meeting 2021 Overview

Bringing together the greatest minds in cancer science to drive progress against the collection of devastating diseases called cancer.

The American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting has been the premier event featuring the latest advances in cancer science since the first meeting in 1908.

More than 13,000 people from around the world have registered for this year’s virtual AACR Annual Meeting 2021 for the comprehensive scientific program covering the most up-to-date advances and the hottest topics in cancer research.

“The meeting highlights an enormous amount of science across the continuum of cancer research, from population science and prevention; to cancer biology, translational, and clinical studies; to survivorship and advocacy,” said AACR President Antoni Ribas, MD, PhD, FAACR. “Some of the areas I am most excited about are the sessions that bring together advances in basic science knowledge that have implications for patients.”

This year’s virtual AACR Annual Meeting features an impressive array of compelling and comprehensive learning opportunities, including:

  • Five plenary sessions;
  • Three clinical trials plenary sessions;
  • Four clinical trials minisymposia;
  • 20 minisymposia;
  • 45 major symposia;
  • 27 advances sessions;
  • More than 10 special sessions;
  • 12 forums;
  • 13 award and special lectures

Among the nearly 3,400 abstracts being presented at the conference are the results of 173 clinical trials.

The clinical trials include many “practice-changing trials that represent areas of unmet need,” said Dr. Ribas.

And he noted that the meeting will feature sessions on a large number of “hot topics” of interest to the cancer research community and, in many cases, the broader public—specifically, cancer health disparities and liquid biopsies.

Dr. Ribas said: “The meeting brings together researchers, clinicians, policymakers, patients, and patient advocates to advance cancer science and care.”

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