Conferences don’t just happen – people make them. In this episode, Johanna Joyce, Joana Paredes and Mariangela Russo take you behind the scenes of the Annual Congress of the European Association for Cancer Research, from shaping sessions and selecting speakers to fostering early career opportunities and spotting emerging science. Hear their reflections on EACR 2025 in Lisbon and get an insider glimpse of the themes and initiatives planned for EACR 2026 in Budapest.
🔗 Access transcripts for all our episodes at magazine.eacr.org/podcast
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24:59
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24:59
Unlocking Cancer's Neural Code: A Deep (Molecular) Dive into Cancer Neuroscience with Trace-n-Seq
In this episode, we take a quick dive into the rapidly evolving field of cancer neuroscience. Joining us are Dr. Andreas Trumpp and Dr. Vera Thiel from DKFZ and HI-STEM, who introduce Trace-n-Seq, a groundbreaking technology that enables the molecular characterization of neurons within tumours at single-cell resolution. We discuss the application of this cutting-edge innovation in pancreatic cancer, from the insights it offers into neuron–cancer–microenvironment interactions, to the powerful clinical implications.
This episode focuses on the following publication in Nature (10.1038/s41586-025-08735-3), highlighted in a recent edition of the EACR’s Highlights in Cancer Research.
🔗 Read more about the publication: https://magazine.eacr.org/highlights-in-cancer-research-july-2025/9/
🔗 Access transcripts for all our episodes at magazine.eacr.org/podcast
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Bugging Cancer: Engineering Salmonella for Cancer Therapy
Two of the biggest challenges for the treatment of most solid cancers are drug toxicity, particularly systemic toxicity, and drug permeation in the tumoral tissue. These obstacles may be mitigated through the development of intracellular delivery systems designed to selectively deliver drugs to the tumour.
In this episode, we discuss with Dr. Vishnu Raman, CSO and co-founder at Ernst Pharmaceuticals, the benefits and challenges of using genetically engineered Salmonella strains as a vector for the transport of therapeutic proteins into malignant cells. The focus will be on his recent publication in Molecular Therapy (10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.12.038), highlighted in a recent edition of the EACR’s Highlights in Cancer Research.
🔗 Read more about the publication: https://magazine.eacr.org/highlights-in-cancer-research-march-2025/3/
🔗 Access transcripts for all our episodes at magazine.eacr.org/podcast
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Research focus: novel approach to advance treatment of KRAS-driven non-small cell lung cancer based on ERK5 and FAK inhibition
We speak with Dr. Georgia Konstantinidou and Dr. Chiara Pozzato from University of Bern about their recent pre-clinical research investigating a new potential treatment approach for KRAS driven cancers. The conversation explores the role of FAK signalling in KRAS driven NSCLC and potential approaches to bypass drug resistance against FAK inhibitors from the molecular mechanisms involved to the impact of their study for the wider cancer research community.
This study has been published in EMBO Molecular Medicine and was included in the EACR's Highlights in Cancer Research, a summary of the most interesting and impactful recent papers in cancer research.
🔗 Read more about the publication: https://magazine.eacr.org/highlights-in-cancer-research-december-2024/7/
🔗 Access transcripts for all our episodes at magazine.eacr.org/podcast
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Curiosity, optimism and collaboration: research insights from three award winning scientists
In this insightful and honest conversation, award winners Karin de Visser, Ido Amit and Marta Kovatcheva talk about their research, career journeys, and excitement for the future of cancer research. From curiosity and scientific breakthroughs to diversity and balancing life in the lab, they reflect on what it really means to be a researcher today.
This episode explores the evolution of the cancer field and why optimism is more important than ever in science. The episode ends with a look ahead to the EACR 2025 Congress in Lisbon, where they’ll join fellow scientists from across the globe to share research and shape the future of cancer science.
Karin de Visser is winner of the Pezcoller-Marina Larcher Fogazzaro-EACR Women in Cancer Research Award
Ido Amit is winner of the Pezcoller Foundation-EACR Translational Cancer Research Award
Marta Kovatcheva is winner of the EACR-Mark Foundation-Pezcoller Foundation Rising Star Award
🔗 Find out more about the EACR Congress at eacr.org/congress
🔗 Access transcripts for all our episodes at magazine.eacr.org/podcast
By cancer researchers, for cancer researchers. Join us as we sit down with renowned researchers from around the world to discuss their personal experiences and insights on navigating a career in cancer research.
Whether you’re dealing with imposter syndrome or trying to figure out your next career step, this podcast offers valuable advice and powerful examples from the experts themselves to help you succeed in the world of cancer research. Join us monthly for an enlightening and empowering journey towards a fulfilling career in science.
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