The 10th Cancer Core Europe (CCE) Annual Meeting was held in Stockholm on March 23–24, 2026, at Karolinska Institutet. This year marked a new and exciting format: for the first time, CCE’s Annual Meeting joined forces with the Karolinska Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Days.
This format allowed both KI members and CCE guests to benefit from a joint program designed to foster collaboration, enhance knowledge exchange, and maximize interaction. Participants had the opportunity to attend lectures, present and explore poster sessions, and engage beyond the regular pillar and task force presentations highlighting key achievements and next steps.
Two Days of Knowledge and Exchange
Following a warm welcome from Christophe Pedroletti (Karolinska University Hospital), Carl Johan Sundberg (Karolinska Institutet), Elias Arnér, Patrik Rossi & Eva Jolly (Karolinska CCC), and CCE Chair Josep Tabernero (VHIO) the meeting delivered a comprehensive and forward-looking programme spanning clinical trials, translational research, data-driven innovation, early detection, education, patient involvement, and European collaboration.
The scientific programme opened with a keynote lecture by Irene Braña (VHIO), “The Link Between Translational Cancer Research and Innovative Clinical Trials,” setting the tone for discussions on the use of patient perspective in cancer research, updates and next steps for CCE clinical trials, the CCE_DART project, precision medicine, ATMPs, and theranostics research.
A strong focus was placed on data and digital innovation in cancer care, including OMOP Oncology and distributed learning for real-world cancer insights, an overview of CCE’s Virtual Data Centre, and presentations addressing artificial intelligence, cellular heterogeneity in glioblastoma, and blood-based proteomics in cancer diagnosis.
The programme also highlighted early detection and prevention, CCE’s education and training initiatives, including TRYTRAC and the Summer School, and strategic European collaboration. A panel discussion on European initiatives brought together representatives from the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), JANE2, the European Academy of Cancer Sciences (EACS), Cancer Prevention Europe (CPE), EUnetCCC, and EU Cancer Mission reinforcing the importance of alignment across networks.
The meeting concluded with a keynote lecture by Michael Baumann (DKFZ, Germany; EACS), “Strategies to Meet the Future Challenges of Cancer,” alongside presentations on the ALASCCA study and survivorship, and the announcement of the poster prize winners.
Throughout the meeting, parallel breakout sessions brought together CCE pillars and task forces members, creating dedicated spaces for focused discussion, exchange, and strategic planning. A poster session showcasing 44 contributions and dedicated networking moments further strengthened collaboration across the scientific community.
Special Recognition
The meeting also offered a special moment to recognize Nick Tobin (Karolinska Institutet), former Chair of the CCE Summer School Scientific Committee (2023–2025), for his dedication, energy, and commitment. His leadership and enthusiasm not only strengthened the programme but also left a lasting impression on everyone who had the pleasure of working with him.
Congratulations to Laia Humbert (VHIO), Tim Schutte (NKI), and Robin Reschke (NCT Heidelberg–DKFZ) for receiving the CCE Early Career Award, which gave them the opportunity to present their projects during the Annual Meeting in a dedicated session. Their presentations showcased both the outstanding quality of research within CCE and the promising future of our scientific community. Marta Rotxés Costa (VHIO) was also awarded the First Poster Prize for her work on the lessons learned from the Basket of Baskets (BoB) trial.
Finally, CCE extends its heartfelt thanks to Christina von Gertten, Liselotte Bäckdahl, Stefina Milanova, Pablo Martí Andrés, Ann-Britt Johansson, and Dina Dabaghie for organizing this Annual Meeting and making this edition such a memorable and successful event.
Looking forward to CCE 2027 Annual Meeting in DKFZ/ NCT Heidelberg, Germany!
