COI at AACR Annual Meeting 2025: Strengthening Global Collaborations in Cancer Research

The Centre for Oncology and Immunology (COI) proudly participated in the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2025, held from April 25 to 30 in Chicago. This premier global gathering brought together over 22,000 participants from 85 countries to share groundbreaking advances in cancer science and medicine.

Representing COI at this prestigious event were our Directors and Chief Operating Officer, who engaged in high-level discussions and strategic networking to further our mission of advancing translational cancer research. Their presence underscored COI’s commitment to global collaboration and innovation.

COI’s co-director, Prof. Tak Wah Mak, was invited to give a talk titled “Beyond immune checkpoint blockade: Emerging strategies.” He emphasized the need to expand cancer immunotherapy beyond traditional checkpoint inhibitors by targeting additional mechanisms influencing tumor-immune interactions. Moreover, the poster sessions showcased a variety of research topics, including emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and spatial molecular technologies.

Other COI researchers also attended the event and emphasized that attending AACR provided a unique opportunity to stay at the forefront of cancer research by engaging with groundbreaking scientific advances and emerging therapeutic strategies. Moreover, the opportunity to network with peers may help to refine the research direction of their studies.

We were especially honored to witness Dr. Lillian Siu, President-Elect of AACR and a distinguished leader from the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre at the University Health Network (UHN), play a central role in shaping the scientific program. COI’s ongoing collaboration with UHN continues to be a cornerstone of our research strategy, and Dr. Siu’s leadership further strengthens this vital partnership.

Our participation at AACR 2025 not only reaffirmed COI’s position in the global cancer research community but also opened new avenues for impactful collaborations that will accelerate our shared goal of conquering cancer.