Cancer Grand Challenges Conference: extrachromosomal DNA

Join us at the first edition of the Cancer Grand Challenges Conference Series, where we'll be convening researchers around the globe to discuss extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) — a field that Cancer Grand Challenges pioneered, setting the ecDNA challenge in 2020, and funding team eDyNAmiC, led by Paul Mischel.

Learn more about the conference at cancergrandchallenges.org/ecDNA-2025

SCIENTIFIC STEERING COMMITTEE

This conference is being organised by a dedicated steering committee, chaired by Dr Paul Mischel (Stanford Medicine). The committee members are: Dr Gemma Balmer-Kemp (Cancer Research UK), Dr Howard Chang (Stanford University), Dr Mariam Jamal-Hanjani (UCL) and Dr Andy Kurtz (National Cancer Institute).

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

This first edition of the Cancer Grand Challenges Conference Series aims to convene researchers from diverse backgrounds, from bench to bedside, across and beyond the ecDNA field, to provide an interdisciplinary forum to stimulate discussion around emerging concepts, open questions, what we need to do to answer them, and the future for this exciting field. The tools, datasets, pioneering technologies, and experimental models have now matured to an extent that the field is ripe for innovation as new investigators enter the field. The purpose of this meeting, in addition to sharing cutting edge science, is to further enhance and build upon an open, collaborative, and inclusive community that will advance the science rapidly for the benefit of patients.

Starting from the basic mechanisms of formation, maintenance and function, touching on transcription, replication and inheritance, and discussing where ecDNAs hijack existing processes and where they’ve put new mechanisms in place. Moving to how ecDNAs are involved in different cancers, and their implications for understanding tumour initiation, progression, evolution and resistance to treatment. The conference will also showcase novel technologies to generate, manipulate and study ecDNAs in human and animal tissues, bioinformatic tools to detect ecDNAs, as well as chemical probes as tools to understand and target ecDNA.

ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS

Abstract submissions are now closed.

Abstract evaluation will start after the deadline and may take up to three weeks to complete depending on the number of submissions we receive. Acceptance notifications will go out promptly after that via email. We appreciate your patience.

CONTACT

If you have any questions about this event, please send us an email at events@cancergrandchallenges.org

We'll endeavour to respond to you within two working days.