Welcome Message

Cancer is caused by the multistep accumulation of genomic and epigenomic alterations induced in cells by various factors. It has also been shown that cancer is composed of an extremely diverse population of cells while undergoing clonal evolution. Based on the understanding of the diversity of cancer genome mutations, "gene panel testing," which provides personalized treatment based on individual genome information, is currently being promoted in Japan within the framework of universal health insurance. However, there are still many issues to be addressed in order to realize optimal precision medicine (Precision Cancer Medicine) for each individual, such as the existence of treatment-resistant cancers and the emergence of drug-tolerant cancer cells (DTP).
Cancer cells acquire diversity and plasticity not only by acquiring new properties through genetic mutations, but also through more complex and diverse molecular mechanisms such as epigenomic abnormalities due to structural changes in chromatin, splicing abnormalities, RNA base modifications, and abnormal liquid-liquid phase separation. Furthermore, in addition to the complexity of cancer cells themselves, interactions with cancer microenvironment cells also play an important role in the acquisition of cancer-specific characteristics. Phenomena such as cellular senescence and clonal hematopoiesis are also important topics to be considered in terms of highly accurate medical intervention based on appropriate understanding of the process of cancer development and progression.
We hope that this Sapporo International Symposium 2024 will provide an opportunity to further understand the molecular basis of the process of cancer development and progression, and to discuss in depth scientific and medical implementation issues in cancer research and cancer control in the future.