Registration is now open for PORT for Health: Oncology 2026, an international scientific conference dedicated to the latest advances in cancer research, diagnostics and therapy. The event will take place on 28–29 May 2026 at Łukasiewicz – PORT in Wrocław and will bring together leading researchers, clinicians, industry representatives and innovators working at the intersection of oncology, neuroscience and precision medicine.
Participants will have the opportunity to attend two days of scientific lectures and discussions, featuring more than 20 presentations by internationally recognized experts exploring key challenges and emerging directions in oncology research.
The conference will be available both onsite and online, allowing participants from around the world to join the discussions and engage with the scientific community.
A platform for discussing the future of oncology
Cancer research is undergoing rapid transformation. Advances in molecular biology, imaging technologies and computational analysis are enabling scientists to better understand how tumors develop, interact with the surrounding tissue and respond to therapy.
PORT for Health: Oncology 2026 focuses on several major themes shaping contemporary oncology research. The conference program is structured around several thematic blocks reflecting major research areas in contemporary oncology.
Conference programme
Cancer Biology
The opening session will focus on fundamental mechanisms underlying tumor development and immune interactions. Among the speakers are:
- Aurélie Poli, presenting research on AllergoOncology and the connection between allergy and glioblastoma,
- Joanna Poźniak, discussing the role of cytotoxic NK cells in melanoma immunotherapy response,
- Camille Chatelain, addressing the induction of tertiary lymphoid structures through dendritic cell reprogramming,
- Tim Halim, exploring the role of ILC2 cells in tissue homeostasis and neoplasia.
Cancer Neuroscience
The second session will examine the growing field of cancer neuroscience, which studies the interactions between tumors and the nervous system. Speakers include:
- Andrew Shepherd, discussing latent neuropathy in colorectal cancer survivors,
- Christina Møller Andreasen, presenting insights into bone microenvironment remodeling during cancer infiltration,
- Christoph Klose, focusing on the role of the enteric nervous system in regulating stem cell differentiation and immune responses.
Cancer Therapy
Sessions dedicated to emerging therapies will explore advances in targeted treatments and immunotherapy. Presentations will include:
- Tobias Bald, discussing AI-designed mini-binders targeting previously unexplored cancer mechanisms,
- Helena Florindo, presenting research on nanomedicine for neuroimmune modulation,
- Gabri van der Pluijm, exploring oncolytic viruses as enhancers of immunotherapy in urological cancers.
The second day of the conference will continue with discussions on advanced therapeutic strategies, including:
- CAR-T cell therapy for lymphoma – presented by Wojciech Szlasa, covering the latest developments and future directions in CAR-T therapy.
- Spatial regulation of γδ T cells toward receptor-guided immunotherapy – presented by Jürgen Kuball, exploring how spatial dynamics of immune cells can guide next-generation immunotherapies.
- Expansion of CAR targets beyond protein antigens – presented online by Sébastien Wälchli, highlighting innovative approaches to broaden CAR-T therapy applications.
- New perspectives in glioblastoma treatment – presented by Stefaan Van Gool, discussing strategies beyond the current standard of care.
Keynote lecture by Brain Prize laureate Frank Winkler
One of the highlights of the conference will be the keynote lecture delivered by Frank Winkler, recipient of the Brain Prize 2025.
Professor Winkler is internationally recognized for his research on the interactions between cancer cells and the nervous system, particularly in the context of brain tumors. His work has demonstrated that tumor cells can form functional connections with neurons, fundamentally changing the understanding of tumor growth and progression in the brain.
This research has opened new avenues for therapeutic strategies that target not only cancer cells themselves but also the neural networks that support tumor development.
The keynote lecture will provide an overview of these discoveries and their implications for the future of neuro-oncology and precision medicine.
From laboratory discoveries to clinical and industrial applications
Beyond the scientific sessions, the conference program also includes the PORT for Business segment, designed to highlight the growing role of industry in translating scientific discoveries into practical medical solutions.
During this part of the conference biotechnology companies and start-ups will present their technologies and research-based innovations. This format reflects the increasingly collaborative nature of biomedical innovation, where academic research, clinical practice and industry development intersect to accelerate progress in cancer treatment.
About the PORT for Health conference series
PORT for Health is an international conference series organized by Łukasiewicz – PORT. The initiative aims to create a forum where scientists, clinicians and innovators can discuss key challenges in biomedical research and healthcare.
The Oncology 2026 edition continues this mission by addressing some of the most pressing questions in cancer research today.
Participation and registration
Participation in the conference is possible in two formats:
- in person at the Łukasiewicz – PORT campus in Wrocław
- online, via live streaming of the conference sessions
This hybrid format ensures broad accessibility while maintaining opportunities for direct interaction among participants attending onsite.
Registration fees
Participants can attend the conference onsite in Wrocław or online. Onsite tickets are available in Early Bird and Regular categories.
Onsite participation (EUR)
| Category | Early Bird | Regular |
| Students | 50 | 75 |
| Researchers / Clinicians | 100 | 120 |
| Industry | 200 | 240 |
Onsite participation (PLN)
| Category | Early Bird | Regular |
| Students | 220 | 320 |
| Researchers / Clinicians | 420 | 520 |
| Industry | 850 | 1000 |
Online participation
35 EUR or 150 PLN
The registration fee provides access to the full conference program and related materials. Onsite participation also includes lunches, coffee breaks.
Participants attending the conference onsite may additionally register for the conference dinner, which will take place on 28 May 2026. The dinner provides an opportunity for informal networking and discussion with speakers and other participants in a less formal setting.
Participation in the dinner is optional and requires an additional fee:
50 EUR or 200 PLN
How to register
More information and registration:
