AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Tumor-body Interactions: The Roles of Micro- and Macroenvironment in Cancer
In association with the AACR Tumor Microenvironment (TME) Working Group
November 17-20, 2024
Westin Copley Place
Boston, Massachusetts
Conference Cochairs:
Mikala Egeblad, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
Neta Erez, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Sergei Grivennikov, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
Ilaria Malanchi, The Francis Crick Institute, London, England
The tumor microenvironment (TME) intricately influences cancer progression through dynamic interactions with cancer cells. Initially, it delicately balances suppression and promotion via immune cells, fibroblasts, blood vessels, and the extracellular matrix. However, as the tumor evolves, it orchestrates a complex interplay within its milieu, fostering conditions conducive to its sustenance and expansion. These conditions encompass mechanisms such as immune evasion, recruitment of pro-tumorigenic cells, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Therapeutic interventions further refine the TME, often engendering treatment-resistant phenotypes. Recognizing the TME’s dynamic nature is paramount for crafting effective cancer therapies. Recent advancements herald promising strategies to disrupt the intricate co-evolution of tumors and their microenvironment, potentially culminating in enhanced patient outcomes. This complexity transcends cellular, organ, and systemic realms, entailing intricate interactions among diverse components like mesenchymal cells, immune cells, metabolic signaling, mechanical cues, and environmental factors such as aging, obesity, and the microbiota. This conference aims to provide a comprehensive update on recent TME research, emphasizing emerging areas and fostering collaboration among researchers from diverse disciplines.
Continuing Medical Education Activity AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM available