6th Neuroblastoma UK Research Symposium focuses on the biology of neuroblastoma, aiming for more effective and less toxic treatments for children
It was sold out two months in advance, so it was no surprise to see a packed auditorium at Selwyn College Cambridge for the 6th Neuroblastoma UK Research Symposium on 21st and 22nd March 2024. Over 130 scientists and clinicians attended from across Europe, US, and further afield, including world leading experts in pre-clinical and clinical neuroblastoma research.
The event was organised by Neuroblastoma UK together with the CRUK Cambridge Centre Paediatric Cancer Programme, with particular thanks to Dr Guy Blanchard, Prof Anna Philpott and Prof Suzanne Turner for their input. There was financial support from EUSA/Recordati, Norgine and the Company of Biologists, as well as a generous personal donation from Julie and Neil Record.
As well as bringing together experts in the field, the event was also a launch for Neuroblastoma UK’s new research grant call. Applications close on 3rd June 2024 and more information can be found here: https://bit.ly/grantround2024.
The programme over the 1.5 days was equally illustrious, with a range of talks including short talks from abstract submissions, and longer invited talks, grouped together into six key topic areas for discussions.
The key areas covered were: Targeted Therapies (protein degraders in neuroblastoma), Developmental Plasticity, Preclinical Evaluation of Immunotherapies, Epigenetic Control of Neuroblastoma, Immunotherapy and Tumour microenvironment, and ALK Therapies.
Cambridge provided an excellent ambience for discussions, both during the scientific meetings and informally during breaks and once the day had ended. Day One concluded with a traditional Clare College, Cambridge dinner, thanks to co-host Prof Anna Philpott.
The conference also provided the opportunity for the display of over 50 brilliant posters, showcasing the exciting research projects currently being carried out. These sparked plenty of discussion during the breaks. The judging committee commented on the fantastically high quality of the posters and congratulations must be given to the six prize winners: Soraya Epp and Chloe Paka (Basic), Lasse Vleminckx and Magdalena Rados (Translational), Nina Gelineau (Clinical) and Peter Gawne (Presentation).
With so many of the world’s leading experts in neuroblastoma research present, the Symposium provided a wonderful opportunity for conversation and collaboration. It became clear that there are exciting developments identifying molecular abnormalities in neuroblastoma cells which gives optimism going forward for specific targeted drug treatments. Many agreed that there was an urgent need for facilitating the introduction of new drugs into neuroblastoma clinical trials and patient-centred research. The need for more effective and less toxic treatments for children was a topic that came up in many of the talks and was agreed as a primary focus for the future.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended to make this such a stimulating and exciting few days. Looking forward to seeing the outputs of the research discussed and meeting together again soon.
With thanks to Leona Knox at Solving Kids Cancer, Guy Blanchard, CRUK Cambridge Centre and NBUK for their photos
