Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for about 10 million and 3.2 million deaths in the world and China in 2022, respectively. Despite extensive studies in the past several decades, many fundamental questions in cancer biology remain poorly understood, including transition from pre-malignancy to tumor, clonal evolution & plasticity, intra-tumor heterogeneity, tumor-stroma interaction, mechanisms for metastasis, therapeutic resistance and the immune microenvironment. As such, comprehensive analysis and interpretation of cancer properties require not only precise investigations, but also collaborative efforts worldwide.

On January 26, 2024, the 2024 CIMR International Symposium on Cancer Research was held, with participants from the National Institutes of Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Chinese Institutes for Medical Research, Beijing, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tiantan Hospital of Capital Medical University, Tongji University School of Medicine, Beijing Ditan Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing Ludoupei Hospital, Beijing You'an Hospital of Capital Medical University, Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Genome Research of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Zoology of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Institute of Genome Research of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College.

The 2024 International Symposium on Cancer Research is organized by Chinese Institutes for Medical Research (CIMR), Beijing, and co-hosted by the Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University.The goal of this symposium is to bring together a diverse range of world-leading cancer biologists and physician scientists to discuss the latest developments, cutting-edge and hot issues in the fields. The attendees from all levels of expertise are encouraged to contribute by participating in discussion. We hope that the symposium serves as a platform for interactions, thereby promoting collaborations to solve the most challenging problems in cancer research.

Mei Lin, Director of the Innovation Center, delivered a welcome speech, “CIMR is a newly established institution in Beijing, dedicated to medical research, both fundamental and translational. Capital Medical University is one of the best medical universities in China and has best hospitals in the world that have huge clinical resources. CIMR works hands in hands with CMU, to leverage our strength and hopes to accomplish something that otherwise is difficult or impossible. The symposium represents our first step, a productive collaboration between CIMR, CMU and affiliated hospitals. ”

Prof. Merlin also introduced that CIMR plans to reach 30 PIs by 2024 and to 100 PIs by 2027; several institutes will be constructed, including the Institute for cancer research led by Prof. Li Guomin and the Institute for molecular and cellular therapy led by Prof. Li Chuan Yuan.

Seventeen speakers gave fascinating presentations on the molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis, development, and therapy, and shared a lot of cutting-edge work that has not yet been published. Experts, scholars and students participated in active discussions and questions. The speakers and scholars expressed that they had benefited a lot and learned a lot, and it was a successful tumor symposium.

The CIMR International Symposium on Cancer Research will be held once a year.