CCC-TRIO 2025 - Translational Research In Oncology
Symposium of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna
12th - 13th June 2025, Vienna
Venue: Hörsaalzentrum, Medical University of Vienna/University Hospital Vienna
Währinger Gürtel 18 - 20
1090 Vienna
Join the Future of Oncology!
International Keynote Speakers
Friday, June 13th 2025
SESSION V: PRECISION LIQUID DIAGNOSTICS
4.00 - 4.35 pm: KEYNOTE: "The Utility of Liquid Biopsy in Immuno-Oncology: A Focus on Circulating Tumour Cells"
Catherine Alix-Panabières, University Medical Centre of Montpellier (CHU)
Thursday, June 12th 2025
SESSION III: COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY & MACHINE LEARNING IN CANCER
4.50 - 5.25 pm: KEYNOTE: "AI Model Accurately Predicts Endometrial Cancer Recurrence"
Thursday, June 12th 2025
SESSION II: TRENDS IN CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY - EARLY ONSET CANCER
11.45 am – 12.15 pm: KEYNOTE: "Evidence for Rising Incidence Rates of Early Onset Cancer – a Global Perspective"
Freddie Bray, The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
Thursday, June 12th 2025
2.15 - 2.50 pm: KEYNOTE: "The Gemelli Clinic Vision on AI/Radiomics in Connection with Surgery"
Thursday 12th June 2025
SESSION I: WHAT´S NEXT IN IMMUNO ONCOLOGY?
9.15 - 9.50 am: KEYNOTE: "Concepts to Enable Immunotherapy in CRC"
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer and one of the most
common cause for cancer-associated deaths in industrial nations. Carcinogenesis in
general is not a cell autonomous process, but a complex interplay of much more major
players than just mutagenized, cancer-initiating cells. Particularly in CRC the
reciprocal interaction of cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) markedly
influences all stages of tumorigenesis, and the plasticity of both tumor cells and
surrounding cells within the TME is driven to a large extent by inflammation. So far,
all CRC tumors that have been studied are associated with an inflammatory
environment (either preceding tumorigenesis, tumor-elicited or therapy-induced)
and over the recent 5 years our knowledge of how tumor cells communicate with
their tumor microenvironment in order to modulate inflammatory immune responses
to their needs, for example in order to suppress and escape anti-tumorigenic immune
responses, has significantly improved. Thus, a detailed understanding of the molecular
and cellular basis defining the immune pathogenesis of CRC will undoubtedly lead to
the development of novel and more efficient multi-modal therapeutic strategies that
go beyond conventional therapies targeting tumor cells only. Recent findings
regarding the modulation of an adaptive immune during CRC pathogenesis and
therapy will be discussed.
Florian R. Greten, Georg Speyer Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy
Friday, June 13th 2025
SESSION VI: NOVEL TARGETS FRESH FROM THE BENCH... TO THE BEDSIDE
11.00 - 11.35 am KEYNOTE: "Illuminating and Reprogramming the Immuno-evasive Tumor Microenvironment to Enable Immunotherapy"
Douglas Hanahan, PhD, is a Distinguished Scholar of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (New York/Zurich), working in its Lausanne Branch, an Emeritus Professor of Molecular Oncology, and former Director of the Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC) within the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL).
Hanahan received a bachelor’s degree in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. in biophysics from Harvard University. He worked for a decade at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York first as a Harvard graduate student and then as a faculty member. Subsequently he spent twenty-one years on the faculty at the University of California San Francisco before moving to EPFL in 2009.
In the early 1980’s Hanahan helped pioneer the genetic engineering of mice heritably endowed to develop organ-specific cancers that mimic human carcinogenesis. His research program has centered ever since on using mouse models of human cancer to investigate mechanisms of stepwise tumor development and progression, and to design and evaluate mechanism-guided therapeutic strategies with promise to improve the treatment of human cancers.
Hanahan discovered, in collaboration with the late Judah Folkman, the ‘angiogenic switch’, which is activated to produce new blood vessels that enable incipient neoplasia to progress toward malignancy. He conceptualized, with Robert Weinberg, an organizing principle that rationalizes the daunting complexity of human cancers; their landmark publication in 2000, entitled ‘The Hallmarks of Cancer’, proposed that a set of complementary functional capabilities are acquired by most human cancers, a concept that is now widely accepted, and beginning to influence cancer therapy. This perspective and an update in 2011 are amongst the most highly cited publications in cancer research.
Douglas Hanahan, EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
Thursday, June 12th 2025
2.15 - 2.40 pm: KEYNOTE: "Is It Time for a National Strategy in Science Education to Improve Cancer Outcomes?"
Peter Hégy, Centre for Translational Medicine & Division für Pancreatic Disorders, CVC, Semmelweis University, Budapest
Péter Hegyi (www.hegyipeter.org) is a clinical scientist, physician, and professor specializing in translational medicine and gastroenterology. As a member of the Academia Europaea, he is committed to bridging the gap between scientific discovery and clinical application, ensuring that groundbreaking research translates into real-world medical advancements.
Professor Hegyi has an extensive publication record, with over 600 scientific articles published in high-impact journals, accumulating a total impact factor exceeding 3000. His research has appeared in some of the most prestigious medical journals, including Nature Medicine, Gastroenterology, Gut, JAMA Network, etc. His scientific contributions have significantly advanced the understanding and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, particularly through a patient-centered approach that enhances diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Beyond his research, he is deeply invested in academic education and training. His academic program has provided laboratory training for over 4,000 high school students, inspiring future generations of scientists. Meanwhile, his translational medicine program spans 24 countries and supports 352 PhD students, the majority of whom are healthcare professionals. Through this initiative, he is cultivating a new wave of clinician-scientists who can effectively integrate research with patient care.
Friday, June 13th 2025
9.00 – 10.20 am: SESSION IV
NOVEL THERAPEUTICS
Chairs: Clemens Aigner, Nicole Concin, Shahrokh Shariat
9.00 - 9.35 am
KEYNOTE: "Mode of Action – How to Choose the Right Target?"
Thomas Powles, Queen Mary University of London, Barts Cancer Centre, UK
Professor Thomas Powles is the Chair of Barts Cancer Centre, London. He leads the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre and Biomedical Research Cancer Grants at Barts/QMUL. He has led 23 randomised cancer trials including studies which resulted in multiple EMA and FDA approvals. He has led clinical and high impact translational science projects. He has an H-index of 100 and has given plenary presentations at the major cancer meeting. Barts. He co-leads the Uromigos podcast and European Guidelines for GU cancer. He is editor in chief of the Annals of Oncology Journal . In 2023 he was selected a Nature’s 10 global scientist and in 2024 TIME magazines 100 healthcare list .
Preliminary Program
Program, Thursday 12th June 2025
09.00 – 09.15 am: WELCOME
Markus Müller, Rector of the Medical University of Vienna
Shahrokh Shariat, Head of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna
9.15 – 11.15 am: SESSION I
WHAT'S NEXT IN IMMUNO ONCOLOGY?
Chairs: Renate Kain, Gerald Prager, Manuela Schmidinger
- KEYNOTE: "Concepts to Enable Immunotherapy in CRC"
Florian R. Greten, Georg Speyer Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, D
- "Translating Immune Cell Therapies into the Clinic"
Antonia Müller, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy, Medical University of Vienna/University Hospital Vienna
- "Role of the Innate Immune Cells in Cancer"
Victoria Stary, Department of Surgery Medical University of Vienna/University Hospital Vienna
- "MISTRG-6: An Avatar Model for Colorectal Cancer and Precision Immunotherapy"
Dietmar Herndler-Brandstetter, Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna
- "Tumor Sialylation Controls Effective Anti-Cancer Immunity in Breast Cancer"
Stefan Mereiter, Penninger Lab, Medical University of Vienna & IMBA – Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Austria
- "Harnessing Innate Immunity to Prevent and Treat Metastases"
Maria Sibilia, Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna
11.15 - 11.40 am: Coffee Break & Poster Walk
11.40 - 11.45 am: The 2025 EU Mission Cancer Call
Ines Haberl, The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)
11.45 am – 1.15 pm: SESSION II
TRENDS IN CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY - EARLY ONSET CANCER
Chairs: Michael Bergmann, Igor Grabovac, Eva Schernhammer
- KEYNOTE: "Evidence for Rising Incidence Rates of Early Onset Cancer – a Global Perspective"
Freddie Bray, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Lyon
- "Omics-based Research for Identification of Colorectal Cancer Biomarkers"
Stefanie Brezina, Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna
- "Chronic Inflammation in Health and Cancer"
Dominik Wolf, Department of Oncology, CCC Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck
1.15 - 2.15 pm: Lunch Break
2.15 - 2.40 pm:
Chairs: Anita Rieder, Shahrokh Shariat
KEYNOTE: "Is It Time for a National Strategy in Science Education to Improve Cancer Outcomes?"
Peter Hégy, Centre for Translational Medicine & Division for Pancreatic Disorders, CVC, Semmelweis University, Budapest
2.40 - 4.10 pm: PANEL DISCUSSION:
CANCER CARE POLICY & STRATEGY IN AUSTRIA
Moderation: Stephan Polterauer
- Michaela Fritz: "The University Approach"
Vice-Rector Research, Medical University of Vienna - Christina Dietscher: "National Strategy Health"
Federal Ministry for Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection - Hemma Bauer: "National Strategy Science"
Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research - Elisabeth Kernbauer-Hölzl, The Austrian National Public Health Institute (Gesundheit Österreich GmbH, GÖG)
- Shahrokh Shariat, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Austrian Comprehensice Cancer Network (ACCN)
4.10 – 4.40 pm: Coffee Break & Poster Walk
4.40 – 6.10 pm: SESSION III:
COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY & MACHINE LEARNING IN CANCER
Chairs: Georg Langs, Roxane Licandro, Joachim Widder
- KEYNOTE: "AI Model Accurately Predicts Endometrial Cancer Recurrence"
Tjalling Bosse, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, Netherlands
- “Interpretable AI Models in Spatial Transcriptomics with Applications to Immunology and Cancer”
David Fischer, Institut für Artificial Intelligence, Medical University of Vienna/AKH Vienna
- "Prediction of Toxicity"
Gerhard Ecker, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna
- KEYNOTE: "The Gemelli Clinic Vision on AI/Radiomics in Connection with Surgery"
Anna Fagotti, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome
6.10 - 8.00 pm: Dinner & Poster Walk
– End of Day I –
Friday 13th June 2025
9.00 – 10.35 am: SESSION IV
NOVEL THERAPEUTICS
Chairs: Clemens Aigner, Nicole Concin
- KEYNOTE: "Mode of Action – How to Choose the Right Target?"
Thomas Powles, Queen Mary University of London, Barts Cancer Centre, UK
- "Integrative Profiling of Molecular Determinants of Bladder Cancer Responsiveness to ADCs"
Bernhard Englinger, Department of Urology, Medical University of Vienna/University Hospital Vienna
-
"The End of Conventional Chemotherapy? The Broad Advent of Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) in Breast Cancer"
Georg Pfeiler, Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna/University Hospital Vienna -
"Uncovering New Targets for Precision Oncology Using Innovative CRISPR Approaches"
Michael Dengler, Clinical Department for Oncology, Medical University of Graz -
"Cancer Vaccines: Oncolytic Virus Therapy for Basal Cell Carcinoma"
Christoph Höller, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna/University Hospital Vienna
10.35 – 11.00 am: Coffee Break + Poster Walk
11.00 am – 12.35 pm: SESSION VI
NOVEL TARGETS FRESH FROM THE BENCH... TO THE BEDSIDE
Chairs: Walter Berger, Lena Horvath, Oliver Strobel
- KEYNOTE: "Illuminating and Reprogramming the Immuno-evasive Tumor Microenvironment to Enable Immunotherapy"
Douglas Hanahan, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne, CH
- "How to Overcome Side Effects of Targeted EGFR Therapies"
Thomas Bauer, Center for Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna
- "Translational Opportunities in Radiation Oncology of Brain Tumors”
Franziska Eckert, Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical University of Vienna/University Hospital Vienna
- "Rethinking our Approach to Cancer Metabolism to Deliver Patient Benefits"
Saverio Tardito, Center for Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna
- "Role of Microplastics in Cancer"
Lukas Kenner, Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna/University Hospital Vienna
12.35 – 2.00 pm: Lunch Break + Poster Walk
2.00 - 3.30 pm: BREAK OUT SESSIONS
3 WORKSHOPS TO CHOOSE from, hosted by YOUNG CCC
Workshop I: "Building the Ideal Cancer Biobank: What to Sample, to Use and to Keep?"
Moderation: Karin Schelch
- Helmuth Haslacher, Clinical Department of Laboratory Medicine, Biobank Coordinator, Medical University of Vienna/University Hospital Vienna
- Philipp Hofer, Cllinical Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna/University Hospital Vienna
- Thomas Vogl, Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna
- Zsolt Megyesfalvi, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna/University Hospital Vienna
Workshop II: "Organoids as a Model: Innovations and Controversies"
Moderation: Daniela Lötsch-Gojo
- Nicole Amberg, Department of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Medical University of Vienna/University Hospital Vienna
- Helmut Dolznig, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna
- Lisa Mayr, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna/University Hospital Vienna
Workshop III: "Patient:innen als Mittler:innen zwischen Forschung und Industrie" (in German Language)
Moderation: Petra Heffeter
- Claas Röhl, Co-Founder NF Patients United
- Anna Lämmerer, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine,Medical University of Vienna/University Hospital Vienna
- Nadia Hallwirth, Regional Patient Advocacy Relations Lead, Boehringer Ingelheim
- Ines Haberl, The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)
3.30 - 4.00 pm: Coffee Break+ Poster Walk
4.00 - 5.50 pm: SESSION V
PRECISION BIOMARKERS
Chairs: Ellen Heitzer, Markus Zeitlinger, Philipp Jost
- KEYNOTE: "The Utility of Liquid Biopsy in Immuno-Oncology: A Focus on Circulating Tumour Cells"
Catherine Alix-Panabières, Liquid Biopsy Laboratory, University Medical Centre of Montpellier (CHU), France
- "Blood-based Open Chromatin Accessibility in Cancer Subtyping"
Isaac Lazzeri, Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular BioMedicine, Medical University Graz - "Comparing liquid and tissue comprehensive genomic profiling for clinical decision-making"
- Samantha Hasenleithner, Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- "Diagnosis and Disease Monitoring of Pediatric Brain Tumors via Cerebrospinal Fluid?"
Johannes Gojo, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna/University Hospital Vienna
- "New Frontiers in Oncological Imaging: PARPi and Other Novel PET Tracers in Our Clinic"
Sazan Rasul, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna/University Hospital Vienna
-
"Multi-marker Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells"
Eva Obermayr, Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna/University Hospital Vienna
5.50 - 6.00 pm: Presentation of the CCC-TRIO Poster Awards & Farewell
Joachim Widder, Shahrokh Shariat, Maria Sibilia
8.00 - 11.00 pm: CCC-TRIO NETWORKING EVENT at Volksgarten Vienna
This event will be approved with 18 DFP Points by the Austrian Medical Chamber's training program (DFP).
Poster Award - Submission Deadline 11th May 2025
The CCC-TRIO aims to enhance scientific exchange and networking in the field of translational cancer research. To this end, CCC-TRIO will feature a poster session as one of its highlights. The CCC will award attractive prizes to the best three scientific posters.
Please submit your Poster Abstract until 11th May 2025 at connect@ccc.ac.at
Poster Session with poster walk will take place on 12 June. Take the opportunity to present your research work to the experts, network and start new collaborations!
Scientific Committee
Walter Berger, Medical University of Vienna/Center for Cancer Research
Nicole Concin, Medical University of Vienna/ University Clinic for Gynecology
Stephan Polterauer, Medical University of Vienna/University Clinic for Gynecology
Shahrokh F. Shariat, Medical University of Vienna/University Clinic for Urology & CCC Vienna
Maria Sibilia, Medical University of Vienna/Center for Cancer Research
and the Board of the Young CCC Vienna.
Video: CCC-TRIO 2023
After activation, data will be sent to YouTube. Further information here: Data protection