2024
May 3-6, 2024
American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting
San Antonio, TX, USA
Optimizing on the largest global meeting in urology, AECA will continue its involvement in AUA since 2005 to strengthen international partnerships and discuss best practices in education amongst experts in urological cancer treatment. In particular, AECA clinical experts will discuss the clinical, research, and education projects derived from the monthly urology tumor boards established in 2020 between North American and Eurasian stakeholders. AECA will engage partner organizations to participate in AUA and will plan to identify opportunities to organize Eurasian-focused meetings on the margins of the event to address the most prevalent urological cancer issues.
May 15-17, 2024
ESMO Breast Cancer 2024
Berlin, Germany
ESMO Breast Cancer is a congress designed for breast cancer researchers and clinicians who have a specific interest in innovation (including translational research, new agents, molecular and functional diagnostics, biomarkers and cutting-edge research applications in the clinical setting) and care. AECA will be adding breast cancer research and educational programs to its service lines, and will gather clinical partners across the Eurasian region on the ESMO platform to discuss this initiative.
May 16-18, 2024
European Association for Palliative Care World Research Congress
Barcelona, Spain
This international event provides an opportunity to learn about exciting innovations and progress from within the palliative care community. AECA jointly with WHPCA will engage Eurasian partners to present on the latest accomplishments in palliative care as well as develop a joint collaborative roundtable dedicated to the development and region-specific program priorities of the Eurasian Palliative Care Alliance that will engage Central Asian, Caucuses, and Eastern/Central European countries.
May 17-18, 2024
International Cancer Congress
Bukhara, Uzbekistan
AECA Executive Director Dr. Sophia Michaelson will join the organizing committee of the International Cancer Congress to plan the event, call for actions, resolutions, and research initiatives. AECA leads a conference team of multidisciplinary stakeholders across multiple cancer specialties, with a focus on female-focused cancer sites, including breast and cervical, as well as palliative care integration. AECA will launch pre-invasive cancer at the session to educate healthcare providers on opportunities to identify cervical cancer early and reduce morbidity and mortality. Additionally, AECA, jointly with WHPCA, will hold meetings, hospice visits, and policy roundtable discussions jointly with Uzbekistan stakeholders to promote increased access to palliative care training, education, and patient care.
May 27–June 1, 2024
World Health Assembly
Geneva, Switzerland
The World Health Assembly is the main decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO) and is comprised of 194 Member States. Every year at the Health Assembly, country delegates make decisions on health goals and strategies that will guide their own public health work and the work of the WHO Secretariat to move the world towards better health and well-being for all. This year, AECA clinical expert Dr. Stephen Connor has been invited to serve on a palliative care committee at the Health Assembly. This gathering will serve as a forum for reporting back on the implementation of palliative care actionable indicators, in order to determine what has been achieved and decide on strategies for addressing the gaps. AECA will synchronize with international palliative care leaders to ensure Eurasian programmatic successes are disseminated and that policy-makers, palliative care program managers, and health-care workers are informed of WHO palliative care priorities.
May 31-June 4, 2024
2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting
Chicago, IL, USA
AECA engages on a yearly basis around ASCO, the world’s largest clinical cancer research meeting. In 2024, AECA will once again connect with oncology professionals, patient advocates, and industry representatives to ensure the success of current research and training efforts, as well as foster growth of international partnerships and programs. Based on significant growth of the Eurasian cancer control platform, this year ASCO Global, AECA, and Eurasian partners will continue discussions around opportunities to increase international cancer control collaborations.
June 20-22, 2024
ESMO Gynaecological Cancers Congress 2024
Florence, Italy
ESMO Gynaecological Cancers has become an essential annual appointment for oncology professionals treating patients with such malignancies – the place to learn the latest promising news, acquire high quality education, and exchange ideas. Longstanding AECA partner in global gynecological research and education - Dr. Robert Coleman of IGCS - serves on the event’s scientific committee. Given AECA’s breadth and depth in gynecological research development, AECA will organize robust participation from the Eurasian community to ensure best practices globally in gynecological care are implemented within the region.
July 14-17, 2024
Regional AECA Research Leadership Virtual Summit - Central Asia
Central Asia is a large and diverse region characterized by relatively low but increasing cancer incidence rates. Cancer profiles are consistent with low- to medium-HDI countries, with a high incidence of infection-related cancers such as stomach (11% of all cancer cases) and cervical cancer (6% of all cancer cases). The region forms part of the so-called esophageal cancer belt, which includes Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the eastern part of Turkey, with some of the highest incidence rates worldwide, particularly in men. AECA stakeholders will discuss cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care, as well as opportunities for synergies across organizations. AECA will discuss recent clinical and research advancements, as well as opportunities to further cancer care across the region.
August 29-30, 2024
Best of ASCO - Eurasia
Aktau, Kazakhstan
This officially-licensed “Best of ASCO” comes on the heels of the inaugural, AECA-coordinated Eurasian session hosted in 2023 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Best of ASCO showcases the most clinically-relevant research from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. This event will ensure leaders throughout the region are kept abreast of the most advanced surgical, technological, and pharmaceutical treatment options. It will also promote increased opportunities for productive collaboration between leading global and regional cancer control experts. Topical focus areas among the session will include lung cancer, stomach and pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, gynecological cancer, and urological cancer.
September 7-10, 2024
2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer
San Diego, CA, USA
For over a decade, AECA has been active in tobacco control policy and programs in an effort to reduce the global burden on tobacco-related illnesses, with a large focus on lung cancer. This event serves as the world's largest international gathering of clinicians, researchers and scientists in the field of lung cancer and thoracic oncology. Previous years’ plenary discussions have covered screening, incidental nodules, and adjuvant therapy for early-stage lung cancer; the impact of COVID-19 on patients with lung cancer; novel approaches to cessation in cancer care; and more. AECA will ensure Eurasian stakeholders are active participants in the event, as well as continuing to promote tobacco cessation and lung cancer care in national cancer control plans.
September 13-17, 2024
ESMO Congress
Barcelona, Spain
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress is the most influential oncology platform for clinicians, researchers, patient advocates, journalists and healthcare industry representatives from all over the world. ESMO 2024 will disseminate the latest cutting-edge data, provide high quality education and unparalleled networking opportunities for oncologists and other stakeholders from all around the world. AECA will support Eurasian clinical partnerships participating in events related to several AECA workstreams, including gynecology and urology.
September 17-19, 2024
World Cancer Congress
Geneva, Switzerland
Since 2006, AECA has taken an active role in the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) World Cancer Congress, in close collaboration with the U.S. National Cancer Institute. AECA’s extensive UICC experience has laid the groundwork for prosperous Eurasian-focused conversations and collaborations. Once again this year, AECA will support various Eurasian-focused sessions with partners across the region, with specific topics of interest including palliative care, radiation oncology, and gynecological care.
September 29-October 2, 2024
ASTRO 66th Annual Meeting
Washington, DC, USA
While AECA has been supporting the international radiation oncology field for decades through various work streams, a more targeted focus on the topic has evolved to further propel the expansion of radiation therapy infrastructure in the Eurasian region. Most recently, AECA Executive Director attended ASTRO 2022 to facilitate productive partnership between Eurasian and radiation industry leaders, increasing the opportunity for world-class technology to be adopted within the Eurasian region. This year, AECA will once again convene on the ASTRO platform to further enhance Eurasian radiation oncology efforts, including through some of the most novel radiotherapy techniques - such as brachytherapy, intraoperative radiation therapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery.
October 16-18, 2024
International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) Annual Global Meeting
Dublin, Ireland
The IGCS Annual Global Meeting provides members and gynecologic oncology professionals with opportunities to share research, collaborate with colleagues, and receive education from an international faculty of world-class experts in gynecologic cancers. As a strong IGCS partner and as in prior years, AECA will conduct regional leadership session during the event for international leaders and anticipates to have leaders of societies and associations alike to be engaged. AECA will conduct “meet the mentor” sessions with regional stakeholders to develop tailored, county-specific directions and synergies within the global oncology community.
November 9-10, 2024
Regional AECA Research Leadership Virtual Summit - The Caucasus
The Caucasus is an area between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea and mainly occupied by Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. While AECA has engaged with regional stakeholders in a variety of capacities through Eurasian projects and programs, progress has been made toward a more direct line of communication that may foster valuable, formalized international partnerships. Many areas within the region have benefitted from recent investments in cancer control, including the establishment of a population-based cancer registry in order to improve the epidemiological surveillance of cancer. The study of gastric cancer epidemiology in the North Caucasus may be of particular interest to international stakeholders, as fluctuations in the incidence are most closely linked to nutrition and alcohol consumption. AECA will continue to identify opportunities to incorporate Caucus cancer experts into international programs, as well as identify new avenues for novel scientific research activities.
2025
January 23-25, 2025
ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium
San Francisco, CA, USA
From innovative science to multidisciplinary approaches, the ASCO GI Cancers Symposium offers new, practice-changing findings in GI cancer treatment, research, and care. The program includes sessions on immunotherapy for gastroesophageal cancer, novel approaches in the treatment spectrum of biliary tract cancers, and anal cancer: beyond denitive chemoradiation, and more. AECA has hosted productive meetings with ASCO global, one topic of discussion is often gastrointestinal cancer. AECA is gathering relevant partners to once again engage in the ASCO platform to continue ongoing productive research endeavors and expand existing educational platforms to improve gastrointestinal cancer care protocols. Eurasian partners can be particularly insightful in these discussions given the high prevalence of gastrointestinal cancers in the region.
February 2-4, 2025
Regional AECA Research Leadership Virtual Summit - Central/Eastern Europe
Recognizing that cancer survival is significantly lower in Eastern European countries than the rest of the European Union, stakeholders will address opportunities to reduce excess mortality from neoplasms through adequate resources, training, and logistics to deliver diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care. AECA collaborators from the largest oncological clinics in Eastern Europe will moderate the meeting, alongside progressive regional stakeholders. Session participants will hear from colleagues on tactics that have been successful and research efforts in progress, which will further disseminate best-practices and encourage innovation in cancer control protocol.
February 4, 2025
World Cancer Day
Alongside the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), AECA will celebrate World Cancer Day to raise awareness and increase education about cancer. AECA has supported World Cancer Day efforts since its inception in 2000. Through strong connections with researchers, clinicians, and policymakers throughout Eurasia, AECA jointly with regional cancer control stakeholders will continue to take action against the disease.
February 20-23, 2025
European Society of Gyneacological Oncology (ESGO) Annual Meeting
Location To Be Confirmed
The ESGO congress offers professionals in Gynaecological Oncology - including clinicians, researchers, residents, and students a unique opportunity to learn and discuss the latest medical and scientific developments in gynaecological cancers research, treatment, and care, as well as to network with key opinion leaders and peers from around the world. AECA will engage with Eurasia-based partners attending the event to review ongoing program development and advocate for increased programmatic support.
March 3-5, 2025
ESMO Targeted Anticancer Therapies Congress
Paris, France
For decades, AECA has been on the frontline of research and innovation in cancer management techniques. The ESMO TAT Congress will provide a forum to discuss promising new anticancer targets and agents, with a particular focus on those in early phase clinical development. Stakeholders from academy and industry will discuss with clinicians, researchers and regulators, the global dissemination of knowledge and clinical research expertise in the field of innovative cancer therapeutics, to the benefit of cancer patients worldwide. AECA has previously facilitated the submission of several abstracts from Eurasian partners at this event, and will continue to do so to ensure novel regional findings are shared with the global ESMO community.
March 16-19, 2025
EUROGIN (EUropean Research Organisation on Genital Infection and Neoplasia)
Porto, Portugal
For several years, AECA has been actively engaged on European research platforms to ensure knowledge exchange between Eurasian and international scientific counterparts, making EUROGIN (EUropean Research Organisation on Genital Infection and Neoplasia) an optimal event to unite global gynecological oncology leaders. Started in 1993 as a conference where scientific progress and clinical practice converge, EUROGIN shares translational research with an international scientific community aiming at accelerating the reduction of the burden of HPV-related cancers. AECA looks forward to ongoing participation of Eurasian clinical experts in the event.
March 20-22, 2025
ESMO Sarcoma and Rare Cancers Congress
Lugano, Switzerland
The ESMO Sarcoma and Rare Cancers Congress will constitute a unique occasion for the international rare cancers community to network and collaborate. The Congress will include educational and scientific sessions covering state-of-the-art multidisciplinary management of patients affected by rare solid tumors; insights into the biology, molecular classification, and diagnostics of sarcomas and rare cancers; precision therapeutics; and policy and advocacy discussions. Given the scarcity of these types of cancers, there is a unique opportunity for international cancer control leaders to collaborate to ensure sufficient sample to study some of the most difficult-to-treat malignancies. AECA is closely reviewing opportunities, particularly in sarcoma research, to leverage its strong international platforms for rare cancer research and educational purposes.
March 26-29, 2025
European Lung Cancer Congress
Paris, France
The European Lung Cancer Congress is a collaborative effort of the most important multidisciplinary societies representing thoracic oncology specialists, working together to advance science, disseminate education and improve the practice of lung cancer specialists worldwide. As in previous years, AECA partnering organizations will discuss current research activities with clinical partners across the Eurasian region and facilitate the submission of scientific abstracts for inclusion in the event and participate more broadly in tobacco control practices and policies.
September 6-9, 2025
World Conference on Lung Cancer
Barcelona, Spain
For over a decade, AECA has been active in tobacco control policy and programs in an effort to reduce the global burden on tobacco-related illnesses, with a large focus on lung cancer. This event serves as the world's largest international gathering of clinicians, researchers and scientists in the field of lung cancer and thoracic oncology. Previous years’ plenary discussions have covered screening, incidental nodules, and adjuvant therapy for early-stage lung cancer; the impact of COVID-19 on patients with lung cancer; novel approaches to cessation in cancer care; and more. AECA will ensure Eurasian stakeholders are active participants in the event, as well as continuing to promote tobacco cessation and lung cancer care in national cancer control plans.
October 17-21, 2025
ESMO Congress
Berlin, Germany
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress is the most influential oncology platform for clinicians, researchers, patient advocates, journalists and healthcare industry representatives from all over the world. ESMO will disseminate the latest cutting-edge data, provide high quality education and unparalleled networking opportunities for oncologists and other stakeholders from all around the world. AECA will support Eurasian clinical partnerships participating in events related to several AECA workstreams, including gynecology and urology.
Recurring Events
Monthly Eurasian Gynecological Tumor Board
As a result of decades of facilitating scientific collaboration between international stakeholders and leading experts from Central Asia, the Caucuses, and Central and Eastern Europe, AECA is leveraging established regional platforms to build a virtual network of gynecological leaders around the world to review the most challenging clinical cancer cases. AECA is joined in this effort by the International Gynecological Cancer Society (IGCS), a longstanding partner in the global oncology field, as AECA-IGCS have greatly expanded its network of gynecological programs throughout the region. The focus of the recurring sessions is educational exchange and scientific collaboration, which is achieved through robust participation from experts in surgical techniques, clinical care, radiation oncology, and pathology. Dr. Wendel Naumann, AECA Co-Chief Medical Officer and gynecologic oncologist at the Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute provides oversight and mentorship, alongside leading experts from several U.S. and European institutions, including: Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center (USA), Ohio State University (USA), Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre (UK), University of Barcelona (Spain), and Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli (Italy). Numerous gynecological oncologists across Eurasian nations - including Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Tajikistan - take part in the monthly tumor board sessions, significantly impacting how gynecological oncology care is delivered not only within the region, but internationally, as well.
U.S.—Ukraine Virtual Gynecological Tumor Board
AECA’s increasing engagement with Eastern European stakeholders created an avenue to deepen scientific cooperation among Ukraine and international counterparts. In 2024, the Ukrainian Society of Gynecologic Oncology joined the IGCS Strategic Alliance. Together, IGCS and AECA developed a virtual exchange platform to ensure more than 30 Ukrainian gynecologic cancer specialists can benefit from the vast resources and expertise of the international gynecologic cancer community. AECA identified an engaged leader — world-renowned gynecological oncology expert Dr. Robert Coleman — to provide mentorship to participating parties. The sessions will be joined by top pathologists and radiation oncologists across North America and the Eurasian region.
U.S.—Uzbekistan Virtual Gynecological Tumor Board
Since 2014, AECA has supported gynecological oncology programs with partners in Uzbekistan. Subsequently, the nation has made tremendous strides in the field, including a recent cervical cancer control program that resulted in substantial HPV vaccination among the target population. Following multiple AECA developments to encourage Eurasian stakeholders to join the International Gynecologic Cancer Society, the Uzbekistan Society of Oncologists became a strategic partner of IGCS. Together, IGCS and AECA have provided access to virtual gynecological communities to discuss trends in research and potential global partnership opportunities. In 2023, AECA identified an engaged leader - AECA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jubilee Brown of Atrium Health - to lead the international exchange and provide mentorship to participating parties. The sessions will be joined by top pathologists and radiation oncologists across North America and the Eurasian region.
Quarterly Regional AECA Research Leadership Virtual Summit
Building on decades of cooperative partnerships established by AECA, a quarterly Eurasian leadership summit is convened for leaders in cancer control and public health to address educational, research, and training topics related to all cancer sites of interest to regional stakeholders. Similarities and differences of cancer etiology and prevalence between nations will be discussed, as well as new approaches to improve prevention, early detection, treatment, and palliative care techniques. Presentations will also center around the evaluation of existing projects and identification of new avenues for fruitful partnership. Participating Eurasian regions include Eastern and Central Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. AECA will also invite subject matter experts from leading U.S. cancer centers to join relevant discussions in order to bolster international relationships, as well as facilitate research and peer-review publication opportunities that will advance scientific discovery for the global cancer control community.
Quarterly International Palliative Care Case Reviews
Following a multi-year engagement with Eurasian palliative care specialists, AECA is now supporting quarterly, international virtual case reviews between U.S. and Eurasian stakeholders. AECA has been responsible for expanding participation into various Central Asian countries to increase the institutional knowledge available to draw from. Several AECA clinical experts, including Dr. Marcin Chwistek (Fox Chase), Dr. Jim Cleary (Indiana), Dr. Stephen Connor (WHPCA), Dr. Eric Krakauer (Harvard), and Dr. Tom Smith (Johns Hopkins) provide mentorship to the next generation of palliative care specialists in the Eurasian region. Sessions address complex patient cases on topics such as pain management, family dynamics, service partnerships, disease-specific care, spiritual care, and more.
Quarterly U.S.-Ukrainian Palliative Care Case Review
Based on requests from Ukrainian stakeholders following the success of a similar exchange with other regional partners, AECA, in collaboration with the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance and All-Ukrainian Association of Palliative and Hospice Care, will host a series of quarterly case conferences focused on improving the provision of palliative care in Ukraine and nearby countries. Ukraine offers a unique learning experience for regional stakeholders given the country’s strict pharmaceutical regulations and the ongoing military conflict, which has limited available resources and forced many to seek care in neighboring nations. Multidisciplinary care teams will meet to discuss topics ranging from the physical, psychological, social, spiritual, cultural, and ethical aspects of palliative care.
Monthly Eurasian Oncology Telemedicine Sessions
For decades, AECA has been proactively involved in multidisciplinary scientific research operations related to a range of high-priority cancer sites. Relationships formed during these engagements led the leading Central Asian research centers to formalize the monthly telemedicine sessions in order to capitalize on the regional cooperation. Each session begins with a presentation from select cancer control experts reporting out on the latest findings on a certain topic, followed by a patient case review to encourage clinicians to apply theory to practice. Frequent engagements will revolve around the most prevalent cancer sites in the region, including breast, colorectal, lung, prostate, and stomach, among others. These exchanges prioritize research efforts and scientific education within the oncology field, critical components to maintain despite the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought on global healthcare systems. By migrating to a virtual platform, AECA alongside cancer control leaders are able engage a large territory of experts without additional expense. The move to virtual also bolsters ongoing efforts to digitize resources in order allow for more accessible data sharing across global research facilities. Due to inroads developed by AECA within fields such as gynecology, urology, and pathology, participation of foreign experts will further amplify scientific and educational benefits from the sessions. Future engagements aim to expand the reach of the telemedicine sessions to other Eurasian nations that may benefit from the valuable endeavor.
Quarterly Eurasian Research and Publications Advisory Committee Meeting
Through ongoing efforts to improve gynecological cancer care in Eurasia, AECA was able to establish the Eurasian infrastructure necessary to sustain an early career research and publications network within the region. The network provides early career professionals with a supportive group of international peers and mentors to discuss research, publishing, and writing as critical components to career development. This effort ensures that research that is of value to the global cancer community will be accepted into world-renowned scientific journals and made available to intentional stakeholders who may benefit from the insights. AECA will continue to identify up-and-coming Eurasian scientists to participate in the group, as well as North American and Eurasian experts to serve as mentors for the next generation of researchers and clinicians.
