NAmur Research Institute for LIfe Sciences
A successful first Annual Meeting of the Namur Cancer Research Pole
On May 22nd, the Namur Cancer Research Pole held its first Annual Meeting, bringing together 125 cancer researchers from across Belgium. Co-organized by Professors Jean-Pierre Gillet, Marielle Boonen, Marc Hennequart and Benjamin Beck, this event was an important milestone in fostering multidisciplinary collaboration and promoting knowledge exchange within the Belgian oncology research community. The event featured a dynamic programme structured around two key thematic sessions: Cancer metabolism & New advances in cancer therapy.
Four renowned experts, invited for the occasion, delivered inspiring keynote lectures:
Prof. Sarah-Maria FENDT (VIB-KU Leuven) opened the meeting with a presentation highlighting how nutrient metabolism drives cancer progression and metastasis, and how interfering with nutrient metabolism emerges as a promising therapeutic strategy against cancer.
Dr. Arnaud BLOMME (GIGA Institute, ULiège) presented his research on the role of mTORC2-dependent control of mRNA translation in the reprogramming of lung cancer metabolism, revealing vulnerabilities that could be exploited from a therapeutic point of view.
Prof. Rebecca FITZGERALD (University of Cambridge) shared her groundbreaking research towards understanding the evolutionary trajectories of Barrett’s, with the goal of intercepting this path to prevent oesophageal cancer, a highly aggressive cancer.
Dr. Sébastien DUTERTRE (University of Montpellier) delivered a fascinating talk on the therapeutic potential of venom peptides in oncology, discussing their mechanisms of action, preclinical and clinical advancements, and future perspectives for their development as next-generation anti-cancer agents.
In addition to the invited speakers, ten researchers from different institutions gave short oral communications : Marine Hemmer (ULiège), Amélie Derumier (UCLouvain), Ying Thong Low (Francis Crick Institute), Benoît De Witte (ULB), Dr. Jonathan Baldan (VUB), Cyril Bodart (ULB), Zehra-Cagla Kahvecioglu (UMons), Marie-Eugénie De Meester (Jules Bordet Institute, ULB), Prof. Xavier Bisteau (ULB), and Prof. Dmitri Krysko (UGhent).
The Best Short Talk Award went to Marine Hemmer (ULiège) for her presentation entitled “Identification of targetable metabolic adaptations in drug tolerant BRAFV600E mutant non-small cell lung cancer.”
The meeting also featured 30 poster presentations, providing a vibrant platform for scientific discussions.
Two posters received awards for their excellence:
- Engy VIGNERON (UCLouvain) for “Role of tumor-stroma metabolic crosstalk in the resistance to anti-EGFR therapy in head and neck cancers”
- Nadia GILLET (ULB) for “SHIP2–PLK1 crosstalk promotes synergistic weakness to dual inhibition in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma”
The Namur Cancer Research Pole warmly thanks its sponsors whose support made this event possible:
Gold Sponsors: BD, Isogen Life Science, Miltenyi Biotec, Seqalis
Silver Sponsors: Avantor, Clinisciences, Merck, Promega, Sarstedt, Volition
Special thanks also go to the FNRS, the UNamur and NARILIS institute for their precious support.
This successful first edition laid a strong foundation for future meetings, reinforcing the Namur Cancer Research Pole’s commitment to driving innovation and collaboration in the fight against cancer.
