Biocomplexity and Molecular Medicine in Liver Cancer

NOTE: Cancelled for 2026 | Future dates TBD

This inaugural conference will bring together an interdisciplinary group of researchers and clinicians to explore the biological and clinical challenges of primary liver cancer, with a special focus on the rising burden of the disease. Liver cancer remains one of the most lethal and complex forms of cancer worldwide, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) comprising the majority of cases. Despite strides in understanding viral-related liver disease, its prevalence underscores the urgent need for new insights and therapeutic strategies. 

The program will highlight recent advances in liver cancer pathogenesis, molecular classification, tumor heterogeneity, and metastasis, as well as emerging strategies in immunotherapy and precision medicine. The program will also feature research into fibro-inflammatory mechanisms, the tumor immune microenvironment, and the interplay between cholestasis, microbiome dysbiosis, and therapeutic resistance. With dedicated time for discussion, poster sessions, and networking, this conference will foster collaboration across basic, translational, and clinical disciplines, encouraging senior investigators and early-career scientists to tackle the pressing questions in liver cancer biology and treatment.

Attendees will learn about:

· New mechanistic insights into the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of liver cancers and metastatic disease.

· Molecular innovations in diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for early detection and risk stratification of liver cancers.

· Up-to-date knowledge of genetic and epigenetic landscapes and morpho-molecular subtyping of liver cancers.

· The biocomplexity of the tumor microenvironment in liver cancer development, progression, and therapeutic resistance.

· Translational and clinical therapeutic advances for primary liver cancers.

Program Topics

· Liver cancer global landscape and disparity

· Liver cancer risks, diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers

· Tumor heterogeneity and investigational liver cancer therapeutics

· Cell lineage pathways, morpho-molecular subtypes, and genetic and epigenetic landscapes

· Biocomplexity of cancer-associated fibroblasts and extracellular matrix in hepatobiliary cancers

· Immune microenvironment, liver cancer progression, and preclinical therapeutic modeling

· Fibro-inflammation, cholestasis, and microbiome dysbiosis in liver cancer progression and therapeutic resistance

· Liver cancer stemness and metastasis: cellular and molecular concepts, genomic drivers, and predictive biomarkers

· Advances in molecular and immunotherapeutic targeting of primary liver cancers

· Future directions in liver cancer research: promising developments and overcoming obstacles

Workshops

The Meet the Experts session will feature invited speakers in an interactive panel highlighting cutting-edge tools and models in liver cancer research, including organoids, patient-derived xenografts, organ-on-a-chip systems, spatial tissue profiling, and emerging applications of AI in basic and clinical settings.

A Career Development Workshop will focus on strategies for building a successful research career, with discussion topics including securing funding, mentoring relationships, publishing, and supporting underrepresented investigators. Panelists from various career stages will offer diverse perspectives and practical advice.