From November 7 to 9, the Cell Symposium: Hallmarks of Cancer was held in Guangzhou, China. The conference was co-organized by Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Cell Press, and the Guangdong Anti-Cancer Association. Professor Rui-hua Xu, President of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; Dr. Steve Mao, Editor-in-Chief of Cancer Cell; and Dr. Jiaying Tan, Senior Scientific Editor of Cell, served as co-chairs of the conference.

At the opening ceremony, Professor Rui-hua Xu and Dr. Jiaying Tan gave welcome speeches. Prof. Xu remarked, “Over the past decade, the frontiers of cancer biology and clinical oncology have rapidly converged, leading to groundbreaking advancements that are revolutionizing cancer treatment. The enduring innovation and commitment of Cell have not only inspired generations of scientists to continually push the boundaries of exploration but also provided a vital platform for international collaboration and exchange, driving the life sciences forward. We are privileged to co-host this prestigious conference with Cell this year in Guangzhou.”

He continued, “We anticipate that this gathering of leading experts in immunology, molecular biology, and clinical oncology will foster interdisciplinary collaborations paving the way for innovative breakthroughs. We truly believe that the insights gained here will propel cancer care to new heights, ultimately improving patient outcomes globally.”

Professor Douglas Hanahan from the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in Switzerland delivered the keynote speech. In 2000, Professor Hanahan and Professor Robert Weinberg co-authored the groundbreaking article, The Hallmarks of Cancer, published in Cell, which continues to shape the field of cancer biology.

The conference featured five dedicated sessions covering immuno-oncology, gastrointestinal cancer, cancer genomics, clinical trials, and the tumor microenvironment. This landmark symposium brought together over thirty globally renowned physician-scientists and translational researchers, including Prof. Douglas Hanahan, Prof. John Haanen, Prof. Caroline Robert, Prof. Laurence Zitvogel, Prof. Guido Kroemer, Prof. Lillian Siu, Prof. Tak-Wah Mak, Prof. Scott Lowe, Prof. Alberto Bardelli, Prof. Joseph Costello, Prof. Xuetao Cao, Prof. Yuk Ming Dennis Lo, Prof. Zemin Zhang, Prof. Feng Shao, Prof. Erwei Song, Prof. Jun Ma, Prof. Rui-hua Xu, Prof. Jun Yu, Prof. Yi-long Wu, Prof. Chen Wu, and Prof. Qiang Gao, who each delivered oral presentations during the symposium.

Session 1:  Immuno-oncology

Session 2: Gastrointestinal cancer

Session 3:  Cancer genomics

Session 4: Clinical Trials

Session 5: Tumor microenvironment

The conference offered an in-depth exploration of the integrated development of cancer biology and clinical oncology through various formats, including keynote presentations, invited talks, short presentations, and poster sessions. Attendees discussed the future of reshaping cancer treatment and improving patient outcomes.

This event also held special significance, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen University, the 60th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, and the 50th anniversary of Cell Press. We were honored to gather with speakers and scholars from around the world in the beautiful city of Guangzhou to exchange insights on recent academic progress and future challenges.

                                                Written by: Liao Shuang, Zhai Huiwen, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center