2024

December 4-5, 2024
AECA Eurasian Cancer Control Leadership Congress

AECA will meet with North American, European, and Asian cancer control leaders to address opportunities to continue fruitful scientific and educational endeavors. Similarities and differences of cancer etiology and prevalence between nations will be discussed, as well as new approaches to improve prevention, early detection, treatment, and palliative care techniques. The Leadership Congress will be organized by AECA’s core programmatic areas: 1) Promoting Research Training and Education, 2) Translating Research into Policy and Programs, and 3) Strengthening Global Cancer Research. AECA will align with global stakeholders on 2025 priorities to improve treatment and outcomes for the global cancer community.

2025

January 23-25, 2025
ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium
San Francisco, CA, USA

From innovative science to multidisciplinary approaches, the ASCO GI Cancers Symposium offers new, practice-changing findings in GI cancer treatment, research, and care. The program includes sessions on immunotherapy for gastroesophageal cancer, novel approaches in the treatment spectrum of biliary tract cancers, and anal cancer: beyond denitive chemoradiation, and more. AECA has hosted productive meetings with ASCO global, one topic of discussion is often gastrointestinal cancer. AECA is gathering relevant partners to once again engage in the ASCO platform to continue ongoing productive research endeavors and expand existing educational platforms to improve gastrointestinal cancer care protocols. Eurasian partners can be particularly insightful in these discussions given the high prevalence of gastrointestinal cancers in the region.

February 2-4, 2025
Regional AECA Research Leadership Virtual Summit - Central/Eastern Europe

Recognizing that cancer survival is significantly lower in Eastern European countries than the rest of the European Union, stakeholders will address opportunities to reduce excess mortality from neoplasms through adequate resources, training, and logistics to deliver diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care. AECA collaborators from the largest oncological clinics in Eastern Europe will moderate the meeting, alongside progressive regional stakeholders. Session participants will hear from colleagues on tactics that have been successful and research efforts in progress, which will further disseminate best-practices and encourage innovation in cancer control protocol.

February 4, 2025
World Cancer Day

Alongside the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), AECA will celebrate World Cancer Day to raise awareness and increase education about cancer. AECA has supported World Cancer Day efforts since its inception in 2000. Through strong connections with researchers, clinicians, and policymakers throughout Eurasia, AECA jointly with regional cancer control stakeholders will continue to take action against the disease.

February 20-23, 2025
European Society of Gyneacological Oncology (ESGO) Annual Meeting
Rome, Italy

The ESGO congress offers professionals in Gynaecological Oncology - including clinicians, researchers, residents, and students a unique opportunity to learn and discuss the latest medical and scientific developments in gynaecological cancers research, treatment, and care, as well as to network with key opinion leaders and peers from around the world. AECA will engage with Eurasia-based partners attending the event to review ongoing program development and advocate for increased programmatic support.

March 3-5, 2025
ESMO Targeted Anticancer Therapies Congress
Paris, France

For decades, AECA has been on the frontline of research and innovation in cancer management techniques. The ESMO TAT Congress will provide a forum to discuss promising new anticancer targets and agents, with a particular focus on those in early phase clinical development. Stakeholders from academy and industry will discuss with clinicians, researchers and regulators, the global dissemination of knowledge and clinical research expertise in the field of innovative cancer therapeutics, to the benefit of cancer patients worldwide. AECA has previously facilitated the submission of several abstracts from Eurasian partners at this event, and will continue to do so to ensure novel regional findings are shared with the global ESMO community.

March 16-19, 2025
EUROGIN (EUropean Research Organisation on Genital Infection and Neoplasia)
Porto, Portugal

For several years, AECA has been actively engaged on European research platforms to ensure knowledge exchange between Eurasian and international scientific counterparts, making EUROGIN (EUropean Research Organisation on Genital Infection and Neoplasia) an optimal event to unite global gynecological oncology leaders. Started in 1993 as a conference where scientific progress and clinical practice converge, EUROGIN shares translational research with an international scientific community aiming at accelerating the reduction of the burden of HPV-related cancers. AECA looks forward to ongoing participation of Eurasian clinical experts in the event.

March 20-22, 2025
ESMO Sarcoma and Rare Cancers Congress
Lugano, Switzerland

The ESMO Sarcoma and Rare Cancers Congress will constitute a unique occasion for the international rare cancers community to network and collaborate. The Congress will include educational and scientific sessions covering state-of-the-art multidisciplinary management of patients affected by rare solid tumors; insights into the biology, molecular classification, and diagnostics of sarcomas and rare cancers; precision therapeutics; and policy and advocacy discussions. Given the scarcity of these types of cancers, there is a unique opportunity for international cancer control leaders to collaborate to ensure sufficient sample to study some of the most difficult-to-treat malignancies. AECA is closely reviewing opportunities, particularly in sarcoma research, to leverage its strong international platforms for rare cancer research and educational purposes.

March 26-29, 2025
European Lung Cancer Congress
Paris, France

The European Lung Cancer Congress is a collaborative effort of the most important multidisciplinary societies representing thoracic oncology specialists, working together to advance science, disseminate education and improve the practice of lung cancer specialists worldwide. As in previous years, AECA partnering organizations will discuss current research activities with clinical partners across the Eurasian region and facilitate the submission of scientific abstracts for inclusion in the event and participate more broadly in tobacco control practices and policies.

April 26-29, 2025
American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting
Las Vegas, NV, USA

Optimizing on the largest global meeting in urology, AECA will continue its involvement in AUA since 2005 to strengthen international partnerships and discuss best practices in education amongst experts in urological cancer treatment. In particular, AECA clinical experts will discuss the clinical, research, and education projects derived from the monthly urology tumor boards established in 2020 between North American and Eurasian stakeholders. AECA will engage partner organizations to participate in AUA and will plan to identify opportunities to organize Eurasian-focused meetings on the margins of the event to address the most prevalent urological cancer issues.

May 14-16, 2025
ESMO Breast Cancer 2025
Munich, Germany

ESMO Breast Cancer is a congress designed for breast cancer researchers and clinicians who have a specific interest in innovation (including translational research, new agents, molecular and functional diagnostics, biomarkers and cutting-edge research applications in the clinical setting) and care. AECA will be adding breast cancer research and educational programs to its service lines, and will gather clinical partners across the Eurasian region on the ESMO platform to discuss this initiative.

May 29-31, 2025
European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) World Research Congress
Helsinki, Finland

This international event provides an opportunity to learn about exciting innovations and progress from within the palliative care community. AECA jointly with WHPCA will engage Eurasian partners to present on the latest accomplishments in palliative care as well as develop a joint collaborative roundtable dedicated to the development and region-specific program priorities of the Eurasian Palliative Care Alliance that will engage Central Asian, Caucuses, and Eastern/Central European countries.

May 30-June 3, 2025
2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting
Chicago, IL, USA

AECA engages on a yearly basis around ASCO, the world’s largest clinical cancer research meeting. This year, AECA will once again connect with oncology professionals, patient advocates, and industry representatives to ensure the success of current research and training efforts, as well as foster growth of international partnerships and programs. Based on significant growth of the Eurasian cancer control platform, this year ASCO Global, AECA, and Eurasian partners will continue discussions around opportunities to increase international cancer control collaborations.

June 16-19, 2025
European Association for Cancer Research (EACR) Congress
Lisbon, Portugal

EACR is a multi-day congress dedicated to basic, preclinical and translational cancer research across a wide breadth of topics. It will highlight the latest research and bring together the cancer research community to inspire innovation and build knowledge, connections and collaborations. AECA will engage Eurasian stakeholder to be active participants in the event.

July 14-17, 2025
Regional AECA Research Leadership Virtual Summit - Central Asia

Central Asia is a large and diverse region characterized by relatively low but increasing cancer incidence rates. Cancer profiles are consistent with low- to medium-HDI countries, with a high incidence of infection-related cancers such as stomach (11% of all cancer cases) and cervical cancer (6% of all cancer cases). The region forms part of the so-called esophageal cancer belt, which includes Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the eastern part of Turkey, with some of the highest incidence rates worldwide, particularly in men. AECA stakeholders will discuss cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care, as well as opportunities for synergies across organizations. AECA will discuss recent clinical and research advancements, as well as opportunities to further cancer care across the region.

September 6-9, 2025
World Conference on Lung Cancer
Barcelona, Spain

For over a decade, AECA has been active in tobacco control policy and programs in an effort to reduce the global burden on tobacco-related illnesses, with a large focus on lung cancer. This event serves as the world's largest international gathering of clinicians, researchers and scientists in the field of lung cancer and thoracic oncology. Previous years’ plenary discussions have covered screening, incidental nodules, and adjuvant therapy for early-stage lung cancer; the impact of COVID-19 on patients with lung cancer; novel approaches to cessation in cancer care; and more. AECA will ensure Eurasian stakeholders are active participants in the event, as well as continuing to promote tobacco cessation and lung cancer care in national cancer control plans. 

October 17-21, 2025
ESMO Congress
Berlin, Germany

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress is the most influential oncology platform for clinicians, researchers, patient advocates, journalists and healthcare industry representatives from all over the world. ESMO will disseminate the latest cutting-edge data, provide high quality education and unparalleled networking opportunities for oncologists and other stakeholders from all around the world. AECA will support Eurasian clinical partnerships participating in events related to several AECA workstreams, including gynecology and urology.

November 5-7, 2025
International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) Annual Global Meeting
Cape Town, South Africa

The IGCS Annual Global Meeting provides members and gynecologic oncology professionals with opportunities to share research, collaborate with colleagues, and receive education from an international faculty of world-class experts in gynecologic cancers. As a strong IGCS partner and as in prior years, AECA will conduct regional leadership session during the event for international leaders and anticipates to have leaders of societies and associations alike to be engaged.

November 9-10, 2025
Regional AECA Research Leadership Virtual Summit - The Caucasus

The Caucasus is an area between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea and mainly occupied by Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. While AECA has engaged with regional stakeholders in a variety of capacities through Eurasian projects and programs, progress has been made toward a more direct line of communication that may foster valuable, formalized international partnerships. Many areas within the region have benefitted from recent investments in cancer control, including the establishment of a population-based cancer registry in order to improve the epidemiological surveillance of cancer. The study of gastric cancer epidemiology in the North Caucasus may be of particular interest to international stakeholders, as fluctuations in the incidence are most closely linked to nutrition and alcohol consumption. AECA will continue to identify opportunities to incorporate Caucus cancer experts into international programs, as well as identify new avenues for novel scientific research activities.

Recurring Events

Quarterly U.S.-Ukrainian Palliative Care Case Review

Based on requests from Ukrainian stakeholders following the success of a similar exchange with other regional partners, AECA, in collaboration with the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance and All-Ukrainian Association of Palliative and Hospice Care, will host a series of quarterly case conferences focused on improving the provision of palliative care in Ukraine and nearby countries. Ukraine offers a unique learning experience for regional stakeholders given the country’s strict pharmaceutical regulations and the ongoing military conflict, which has limited available resources and forced many to seek care in neighboring nations. Multidisciplinary care teams will meet to discuss topics ranging from the physical, psychological, social, spiritual, cultural, and ethical aspects of palliative care.

Monthly Eurasian Gynecological Tumor Board

As a result of decades of facilitating scientific collaboration between international stakeholders and leading experts from Central Asia, the Caucuses, and Central and Eastern Europe, AECA is leveraging established regional platforms to build a virtual network of gynecological leaders around the world to review the most challenging clinical cancer cases. AECA is joined in this effort by the International Gynecological Cancer Society (IGCS), a longstanding partner in the global oncology field, as AECA-IGCS have greatly expanded its network of gynecological programs throughout the region. The focus of the recurring sessions is educational exchange and scientific collaboration, which is achieved through robust participation from experts in surgical techniques, clinical care, radiation oncology, and pathology. Dr. Wendel Naumann, AECA Co-Chief Medical Officer and gynecologic oncologist at the Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute provides oversight and mentorship, alongside leading experts from several U.S. and European institutions, including: Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center (USA), Ohio State University (USA), Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre (UK), University of Barcelona (Spain), and Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli (Italy). Numerous gynecological oncologists across Eurasian nations - including Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Tajikistan - take part in the monthly tumor board sessions, significantly impacting how gynecological oncology care is delivered not only within the region, but internationally, as well. 

U.S.—Ukraine Virtual Gynecological Tumor Board

AECA’s increasing engagement with Eastern European stakeholders created an avenue to deepen scientific cooperation among Ukraine and international counterparts. In 2024, the Ukrainian Society of Gynecologic Oncology joined the IGCS Strategic Alliance. Together, IGCS and AECA developed a virtual exchange platform to ensure more than 30 Ukrainian gynecologic cancer specialists can benefit from the vast resources and expertise of the international gynecologic cancer community. AECA identified an engaged leader — world-renowned gynecological oncology expert Dr. Robert Coleman — to provide mentorship to participating parties. The sessions will be joined by top pathologists and radiation oncologists across North America and the Eurasian region.

U.S.—Uzbekistan Virtual Gynecological Tumor Board

Since 2014, AECA has supported gynecological oncology programs with partners in Uzbekistan. Subsequently, the nation has made tremendous strides in the field, including a recent cervical cancer control program that resulted in substantial HPV vaccination among the target population. Following multiple AECA developments to encourage Eurasian stakeholders to join the International Gynecologic Cancer Society, the Uzbekistan Society of Oncologists became a strategic partner of IGCS. Together, IGCS and AECA have provided access to virtual gynecological communities to discuss trends in research and potential global partnership opportunities. In 2023, AECA identified an engaged leader - AECA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jubilee Brown of Atrium Health - to lead the international exchange and provide mentorship to participating parties. The sessions will be joined by top pathologists and radiation oncologists across North America and the Eurasian region.

Quarterly Regional AECA Research Leadership Virtual Summit

Building on decades of cooperative partnerships established by AECA, a quarterly Eurasian leadership summit is convened for leaders in cancer control and public health to address educational, research, and training topics related to all cancer sites of interest to regional stakeholders. Similarities and differences of cancer etiology and prevalence between nations will be discussed, as well as new approaches to improve prevention, early detection, treatment, and palliative care techniques. Presentations will also center around the evaluation of existing projects and identification of new avenues for fruitful partnership. Participating Eurasian regions include Eastern and Central Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. AECA will also invite subject matter experts from leading U.S. cancer centers to join relevant discussions in order to bolster international relationships, as well as facilitate research and peer-review publication opportunities that will advance scientific discovery for the global cancer control community.

Quarterly International Palliative Care Case Reviews

Following a multi-year engagement with Eurasian palliative care specialists, AECA is now supporting quarterly, international virtual case reviews between U.S. and Eurasian stakeholders. AECA has been responsible for expanding participation into various Central Asian countries to increase the institutional knowledge available to draw from. Several AECA clinical experts, including Dr. Marcin Chwistek (Fox Chase), Dr. Jim Cleary (Indiana), Dr. Stephen Connor (WHPCA), Dr. Eric Krakauer (Harvard), and Dr. Tom Smith (Johns Hopkins) provide mentorship to the next generation of palliative care specialists in the Eurasian region. Sessions address complex patient cases on topics such as pain management, family dynamics, service partnerships, disease-specific care, spiritual care, and more.

Monthly Eurasian Oncology Telemedicine Sessions

For decades, AECA has been proactively involved in multidisciplinary scientific research operations related to a range of high-priority cancer sites. Relationships formed during these engagements led the leading Central Asian research centers to formalize the monthly telemedicine sessions in order to capitalize on the regional cooperation. Each session begins with a presentation from select cancer control experts reporting out on the latest findings on a certain topic, followed by a patient case review to encourage clinicians to apply theory to practice. Frequent engagements will revolve around the most prevalent cancer sites in the region, including breast, colorectal, lung, prostate, and stomach, among others. These exchanges prioritize research efforts and scientific education within the oncology field, critical components to maintain despite the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought on global healthcare systems. By migrating to a virtual platform, AECA alongside cancer control leaders are able engage a large territory of experts without additional expense. The move to virtual also bolsters ongoing efforts to digitize resources in order allow for more accessible data sharing across global research facilities. Due to inroads developed by AECA within fields such as gynecology, urology, and pathology, participation of foreign experts will further amplify scientific and educational benefits from the sessions. Future engagements aim to expand the reach of the telemedicine sessions to other Eurasian nations that may benefit from the valuable endeavor.

Quarterly Eurasian Research and Publications Advisory Committee Meeting

Through ongoing efforts to improve gynecological cancer care in Eurasia, AECA was able to establish the Eurasian infrastructure necessary to sustain an early career research and publications network within the region. The network provides early career professionals with a supportive group of international peers and mentors to discuss research, publishing, and writing as critical components to career development. This effort ensures that research that is of value to the global cancer community will be accepted into world-renowned scientific journals and made available to intentional stakeholders who may benefit from the insights. AECA will continue to identify up-and-coming Eurasian scientists to participate in the group, as well as North American and Eurasian experts to serve as mentors for the next generation of researchers and clinicians.