PANcreatic CAncer Initial Detection via liquid biopsy

📺 The first PANCAID masterclass is now live! Deepen your understanding of the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) by exploring its genetic road in the lecture “molecular pathophysiology of PDAC” by Francisco X. “Paco” Real.

What are the key mutations and signalling pathways implicated in tumor initiation and progression? The lecture answers these questions and discusses to PDAC subtypes and implications for early diagnosis. The masterclass rounds off by highlighting the importance and capabilities of using genetic mouse models.

Francisco X. Real, MD, PhD, Senior Group Leader at CNIO – Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, and Professor of Cell Biology at Universtiat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, provided this lecture to PANCAID early career researchers during our 2^nd General Assembly earlier this year.

The second cluster meeting was organised an hosted by cluster member ONCOSCREEN in Rhodes, Greece and remote, where our coordinators Klaus Pantel and Matthias Löhr gave a presentation on PANCAID’s progress.

PANCAID’s second General Assembly Meeting took place at our partner CNIO from 17 to 19 January 2024. During the first half day, the consortium first witnessed a masterclass given by esteemed Francisco X. Real, MD, PhD, Senior Group Leader at CNIO and current chair of the CNIO Scientific Committee on “the topic of “Molecular pathophysiology of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)”. After this stellar lecture, PANCAID’s Early Career Scientists (ECS) each presented themselves as well as their work.

On the second day, after a warm welcome by the project coordinator Klaus Pantel, co-coordinator Matthias Löhr as well as CNIO members Núria Malats and Héctor Peinado, the meeting commenced with updates on the diverse work packages, plenum discussions and presentation of our Scientific and Ethical Advisory Board (SEAB) members.

The last day kicked off with a keynote lecture by Ellen Heitzer from our partner MUG on “Liquid biopsy in PDAC – Current status & implications for PANCAID”, followed by updates on the remaining work packages. The meeting was rounded off with valuable feedback from the SEABs and a final discussion led by the coordinators.