2023 Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Research Conference

Event Notes:

Building on the success of our previous pediatric meetings, this biennial conference encourages the sharing of ideas and results, new collaborations and offers attendees a state-of-the-art update in the field of pediatric brain tumor research. The scientific program will offer outstanding keynotes, panel discussions and abstract presentations on a range of timely themes shaping the future of pediatric neuro-oncology. Topics the conference will include developmental origins of pediatric brain tumors, novel approaches in cancer neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, focused ultrasound/drug delivery, diversity & inclusion, novel immunotherapeutic findings, clinical trial reports, and single cell approaches to decipher molecular landscapes. Conference participants will also have opportunities to present their work — and to learn about advances made by others — through short oral presentations and scientific posters selected by the abstract review committee.

Who Should Attend

Pediatric neuro-oncologists, medical oncologists, neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, radiologists, physician/scientists, clinical and laboratory trainees, and allied health professionals.

Learning Objectives

• Cite the developmental origins of pediatric brain tumors.
• Summarize the interactions between normal cells of the nervous system and cancer cells.
• Explain how artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches can leverage big genomic data sets in cancer biology towards improved treatment options for pediatric patients with CNS tumors.
• Identify new therapeutic delivery options that effectively treat pediatric patients with brain tumors protected by the blood brain barrier.
• Summarize recent advances in the experimental and clinical approach to the treatment of pediatric patients with brain tumors
• Identify recent developments and advances in translational and correlative biology and implications for discovery of novel treatments for pediatric patients with brain tumors.

Sunrise Sessions

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Co-Chairs: Cassie Kline and Jessica Tsai
• Focused Ultrasound – Co-Chairs: Javad Nazarian and Ying Meng
• Immunology/CAR T Cells – Co-Chairs: Catherine Flores and Siddhartha Mitra
• New Approaches to Drug Delivery – Co-Chairs: Joelle Straehla and Praveen Raju
• Cancer Neuroscience – Co-Chairs: David Gutmann and Michelle Monje
• Models of Pediatric Brain Tumors – Chair: Marcel Kool

What To Expect

• Lectures, Q&A sessions, posters and poster discussions
• Live activities to earn AMA PRA Category  1 Credit™ and CME Certificate
• Opportunities to engage with industry and nonprofit partners
• Accepted abstracts to be published in SNO’s flagship journal Neuro-Oncology
• Additional Day of Educational Content
• Expanded Education for Early Career Professionals
• New Welcome Reception
• More Networking
• Special Nonprofit Showcase

Conference Scientific Co-chairs

Mariella Filbin – Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital
Eugene Hwang – Children’s National Hospital
Lindsay Kilburn – Children’s National Hospital