IMAXT and Rosetta: the teams that took on the 3D tumour mapping challenge
Learn about how IMAXT and Rosetta have been at the forefront of the spatial biology revolution.
—
Cancer and the Host
Registration will open on Monday 1 December. If you’re interested in attending, please email events@cancergrandchallenges.org to join the mailing list.Currently viewing section: About
About
Date: Wednesday 17 – Friday 19 June 2026
Location: The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG
This conference will explore cancer as a systemic disease, emphasising that tumours cannot be understood or treated in isolation. By integrating expertise across disciplines, the conference aims to deepen your understanding of cancer as a host-dependent process and open new frontiers in prevention, treatment, and patient care.
Cancer progressively co-opts and reconfigures immune, metabolic, and neural networks, hijacking normal evolved responses and establishing host-tumour bidirectional interactions that extend far beyond the tumour and its surrounding microenvironment. This systemic interplay shapes disease progression, therapeutic response and patients' outcomes, underscoring the need for approaches that consider the whole individual rather than focusing solely on the tumour.
Speakers
Scientific themes
The second edition of the Cancer Grand Challenges Conference Series aims to integrate diverse fields and define the therapeutic value of targeting the host to treat the cancer by bringing together thought leaders from across the cancer research spectrum with experts from immunology through to metabolism and neuroscience.
Cancer does not develop in isolation; it is influenced by the unique biology of its human host. The immune system, metabolic state, microbiome and factors such as aging and stress all shape tumour initiation, growth, metastasis, and therapeutic response. Research on these host-tumour interactions often remain siloed, limiting opportunities to integrate across disciplines. By uniting researchers from across the fields of cancer research and beyond, this conference will serve as a platform to drive innovative experimental approaches, thought-provoking discussions, and translational advances that reflect cancer not only as a disease of cells, but as a systemic host-influenced process.
Considering cancer as a systemic disease is integral to the approach of Cancer Grand Challenges team CANCAN in tackling the cachexia challenge, and an emerging theme across the Cancer Grand Challenges portfolio.
Who should attend?
With only 150 places, this conference is focused on enabling meaningful discussion. It will foster big-picture, interdisciplinary discussions between academic researchers, clinicians and medical professionals, members of the pharmaceutical industry and biotech, as well as funding bodies and policymakers. It has been designed for the wider scientific community, not just Cancer Grand Challenges funded researchers or those focused on cancer.
Topics will include:
- How host physiology influences tumor development and progression
- Interactions between cancer and the host immune, metabolic, and neural networks
- Strategies to harness host biology for cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
- The role of the host environment in shaping therapeutic response
Programme
10am – 11.30am – Registration
11.30am – 1pm – Conference session
1pm – 2pm – Lunch
2pm – 4pm – Conference session
4pm – 4.30pm – Break
4.30pm – 6pm – Conference session
6pm – 8pm – Poster session one and welcome reception
8.30am – Registration
9am – 10.30am – Conference session
10.30 – 11am – Break
11am – 12.30pm – Conference session
12.30pm – 1.30pm – Lunch
1.30pm – 3pm – Conference session
3pm – 3.30pm – Break
3.30pm – 5pm – Poster session two
8.30am – 9am - Registration
9am – 11am – Conference session
11am – 11.30am – Break
11.30am – 1pm – Conference session
1pm – 2.30pm – Lunch
Registration, fees and abstracts
Registration
Registration will open on Monday 1 December 2025 and will close on 1 May 2026. If you’re interested in attending, please email events@cancergrandchallenges.org to join the mailing list.
Fees
Registration includes VAT, a light breakfast, networking lunch and coffee breaks on all days, and a welcome reception on Wednesday 17 June. See fees below:
- Student/PhD/Postdoc - £150
- Academic/Clinical - £300
- Industry - £500
Register via Eventbrite below. Please note that the above prices to not include Eventbrite fees (6.95%, 59p, plus VAT).
[ADD EVENTBRITE LINK]
Abstract submissions
Abstract submissions will open on Monday 1 December along with registration and close on Friday 20 March 2026. There will be many opportunities for selected talks and poster presentations.
Abstract evaluation will start after the deadline and may take up to four weeks to complete depending on the number of submissions we receive. Acceptance notifications will go out via email before the end of April 2026. We appreciate your patience.
Please note that it is not required to submit an abstract to attend the conference.
Scientific Steering Committee
This conference is being organised by a dedicated steering committee.
Meet the committee members below.
Event information
Attendees wishing to cancel their place can receive a full refund up to 30 working days before the event start date. All cancellations must be made in writing to events@cancergrandchallenges.org by 21st July 2026. Any cancellations received after this date will not be refunded. Attendees can send a replacement free of charge.
Cancer Grand Challenges is co-founded and operationally delivered by Cancer Research UK (CRUK). The refund policy, code of conduct and guiding principles will be implemented at all CRUK events delivered by Cancer Grand Challenges. Cancer Research UK is not liable for any travel or accommodation costs relating to attendee bookings.
The conference will be held at The Royal Society, located at 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG. Please see venue and transport link information below:
Detailed directions from the venue website:
Stations Charing Cross (underground and national rail) and Piccadilly Circus (underground) are both a 7 – 10 minute walk
For travel to London by rail or DLR, consult National Rail Enquiries
For travel within London, including from airports, consult Transport for London Journey Planner
We advise travelling by public transport, but should you wish to drive, use directions to The Royal Society. The venue is located within the congestion charge zone. On-street parking on Carlton House Terrace and Waterloo Place is available for up to four hours, for £3.30 - £4.40 per hour. Westminster City Council's Trafalgar Square car park is also near by.
The Royal Society is in a central London location with many hotels near by. See below a few suggestions; we strongly recommend booking early to secure a good rate:
Please take a moment to familiarise yourself with the important information below regarding how we run our events:
- Guiding principles for our events
- Code of Conduct
- Prioritising environmental sustainability
- Regarding health and safety, we work closely with venues to ensure the health and safety of all our attendees.
Get in touch
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.
Send us an email 
