CONFERENCE TRACKS
‘Paediatric cancer care:Changing paradigms in the 21st century’
Paediatric oncology has seen significant improvements in survival rates, rising to well over 70% since the 1980s. This progress has been driven by the advent of multimodality therapy, multicentre
cooperative group trials, improved risk stratification, and enhanced supportive care for delivering intensive therapies. As a result, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of childhood
cancer survivors, bringing late effects of therapy and survivorship issues to the forefront as a significant burden on global healthcare systems.
Over the past two decades, the focus in childhood cancer management has shifted towards
reducing toxicity (both short and long-term) without compromising efficacy in cancers with good prognosis, while developing new strategies to improve outcomes in cancers with poor prognosis.Key advances include newer therapeutics (targeted therapies & immunotherapies), advances
in diagnostics such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) leading to biomarker identification, advent of newer radiotherapy techniques, rapidly emerging data on cancer predisposition in children and
improved prediction using markers such as pharmacogenomics and management of late effects.These innovations have led to the emergence of new areas in paediatric oncology, such as
‘precision medicine’ and ‘molecular tumour boards’, now widely adopted across many tertiary centres globally.
Given the recent shifts in childhood cancer management, it is time to critically review the evidence for these newer approaches and strategies at the Tata Memorial Centre Evidence-Based Medicine (TMC EBM) meeting in 2025. This review will evaluate the true impact of these new tools
and techniques, particularly in resource-limited settings. The development of appropriate,resource-stratified guidelines and advisories will have a significant impact on the paediatric oncology community, not only regionally but also globally, especially in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The meeting will encompass the following topics
- Cancer predisposition: Evidence for screening and impact on outcomes
- Precision medicine: The evolving role of newer therapeutics (targeted therapy/immunotherapy) in childhood cancer management
- Survivorship and late effects of therapy: Strategies for prevention and early detection
- Radiation therapy in pediatric cancer: Impact of newer techniques on long-term outcomes
- Implementation science: strategies for LMICS
'Microbial Mayhem:Battling Bugs in Cancer Care'
Join us for a pivotal conference focused on the intersection of infections and oncology,designed for healthcare professionals including clinical microbiologists, oncologists, and
intensivists. This two-day event will feature esteemed speakers, sharing their insights on the
latest advancements in infection management in immunocompromised patients.
The program includes plenary sessions addressing critical topics such as infections in hematological malignancies, novel diagnostic approaches, tailored drug dosing strategies, and
the impact of immunotherapy on infection risk. Attendees will benefit from interactive discussions, networking opportunities and the chance to present research findings through oral and poster presentations.
This conference aims to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among professionals
dedicated to improving patient care in oncology. We encourage participants to share their experiences and best practices, contributing to a collective effort to enhance the
understanding of infection risks and management in cancer treatment. Don’t miss this
opportunity to engage with leading experts and peers in the field, and to stay at the forefront of innovations in infection prevention and treatment..