The 3rd CancerThera Congress, held from March 11 to 13, 2026, at the School of Medical Sciences of the State University of Campinas (FCM/Unicamp), brought together researchers and professionals from multiple fields in Brazil and abroad to discuss “The challenges of translational research in cancer Theranostics.”
The event marks a milestone in consolidating the integrated and multidisciplinary activities of CEPID CancerThera: more than 250 participants, 79 works presented as oral communications and posters and published in our proceedings, 301 authors involved, 36 lectures and 2 pre-congress courses, and 8 countries in dialogue (Brazil, Italy, Colombia, Portugal, Uruguay, Argentina, Angola, and Iran). These figures enabled robust discussions across basic, preclinical, and clinical areas of knowledge production in cancer diagnosis and therapy.
“It was a highly successful event, with strong participation, a wealth of information, excellent discussions, and a great deal of cooperation, which is the most important thing,” emphasized Dr. Carmino Antonio de Souza, onco-hematologist, professor at FCM/Unicamp, and director of CancerThera. He noted that the meeting was productive and scientifically in-depth, celebrating the rapid pace of research over nearly three years since the center’s founding. “This greatly increases our responsibility for the future. We must now maintain the pace of work, scientific production, service provision, and teaching at all levels,” he added.
Structural innovation and borderless dialogue
One of the distinguishing features of this edition was the adoption of an integrative format, with all congress discussions taking place in a single room. Dr. Celso Dario Ramos, nuclear physician, professor at FCM/Unicamp, and vice-director of CancerThera, emphasized that this structural change enabled participants “from basic, preclinical, and clinical areas to be in the same environment discussing and exchanging information, greatly enriching the congress.”
This perception was shared by Dr. Luciana Malavolta Quaglio, radiochemist, professor at the School of Medical Sciences of Santa Casa de São Paulo and principal investigator at CancerThera: “It was a unique opportunity to learn about all ongoing studies, fostering a singular space for interactions and future collaborations, and allowing for broader coverage of topics.”
“Everyone can clearly see what other groups are doing. This inspires new partnerships and collaborative work,” said Dr. José Barreto C. Carvalheira, oncologist, professor at FCM/Unicamp, and principal investigator at CancerThera. He also highlighted that this third edition demonstrated the evolution of work at the center, with greater maturity and strength, including the presence of international researchers and representatives from relevant Brazilian institutions such as the Ministry of Health and FAPESP—the main funding agency of CancerThera. “Thus, the congress gains in scientific rigor and improves projections and cooperation possibilities,” he said.
From laboratory to clinical application
The rapid connection between laboratory development and application in cancer patients was at the core of discussions. Dr. Pedro Paulo Corbi, chemist, professor at the Institute of Chemistry at Unicamp and principal investigator at CancerThera, highlighted that the congress brought together professionals “to develop new technologies that can improve people’s lives in Brazil, across all regions.”
Expanding on the technical aspect, Dr. Victor Marcelo Deflon, radiochemist, professor at the Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos at the University of São Paulo and principal investigator at CancerThera, noted that the event fostered inspiring dialogues for generating ideas and scientific collaborations, with enriching exchanges among different groups “seeking new therapies for existing systems,” always aiming at the success of the theranostic model.
This scientific and technological integration culminates at the clinical level, as observed by Dr. Elba Etchebehere, nuclear physician, professor at FCM/Unicamp, and principal investigator at CancerThera. “The interaction between Nuclear Medicine and Oncology is becoming increasingly strong, with new approaches and perspectives, expanding cancer diagnosis and treatment,” she emphasized.
International guests
One of the visiting speakers was Dr. Javier Giglio, radiochemist, director of Radiopharmacy at the Uruguayan Center for Molecular Imaging (CUDIM) and associate professor at the University of the Republic, Uruguay. He reinforced the transformative potential of theranostics, stating that “the future of personalized medicine lies in its development.”
From Portugal, Dr. António Manuel Rocha Paulo, chemical engineer and principal investigator at the Nuclear Sciences and Technologies Center of Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, noted that the congress reflected the challenges of translational research in cancer theranostics, which he described as a “dynamic and rapidly developing field.” He also celebrated the opportunity to consolidate ongoing collaborations and likely establish new ones.
Dr. Giuseppe Saglio, hematologist and professor at the University of Turin, Italy, highlighted the involvement of multiple disciplines—even those not traditionally linked to healthcare, such as Engineering—to “shape a new landscape in medical and clinical research.” He also praised the engagement of young researchers, emphasizing teamwork as essential to achieving major goals.
Young protagonism and scientific excellence
The success and renewal of science at the event were evident in the strong involvement of the new generation of researchers. According to Dr. Carmen Silvia Passos Lima, oncologist and hematologist, professor at FCM/Unicamp, and principal investigator at CancerThera, the congress exceeded expectations due to the large number of participants and the “high quality of the works presented, both orally and as posters.”
As an example of this significant participation, the researcher herself highlighted the dedication of some of her young students, still at the beginning of their scientific careers, in the development and careful conduct of their research. She mentioned technical training fellow Hirya Costa Schibelsky, who delivered an oral presentation, as well as technical training fellow Quezia Nascimento Martins and intern Filipe Marques de Andrade, who presented electronic posters.
The high level of scientific production culminated in the awarding of the best presentations. The 16 best abstracts were selected for oral presentations, and among the 63 posters, five were recognized as outstanding.
“I feel honored that this work has been recognized by the scientific reviewers and the congress committee. I was particularly honored to meet and discuss with Professor Giuseppe Saglio, whose pioneering contributions to Hematology and translational Oncology have significantly shaped the field,” reported to the Oncodaily portal by Dr. Vahid Vahedian, a clinical biochemist and postdoctoral researcher at the School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo, who was one of the highlights as a poster presenter in the Case Report or Systematic Review category.
BEST PAPERS
Below is the list of the best works presented at the event, which will receive honorable mention certificates. Sixteen oral presentations and five posters were selected among the 79 submitted abstracts. All abstracts were published in a special supplement of the journal Hematology, Transfusion and Cell Therapy (Volume 48, Supplement 1, March 2026).
Oral communications
Basic research
Cannabidiol nanoformulations inhibit cell proliferation and cancer-stem cell marker CD133 in in vitro models of Burkitt lymphoma | Presenter: Helena Alves Freire dos Santos (graduanda) (Authors: Helena Alves Freire dos Santos, Paula Vinha, Valéria Barbosa de Souza, Jacqueline Nicolosi, Bruno Roberto Perozzo, Natália Guimarães de Moraes Schenka, André Almeida Schenka)
Development of a bifunctional chelator for gallium aiming for theranostic application in nuclear medicine | Presenter: Dr. Joaldo Garcia Arruda (Authors: Joaldo Garcia Arruda, Fabio Luiz Navarro Marques, Célia M. C. Fernandez, António R. Paulo, Victor Marcelo Deflon)
EGFR-targeting GE11-derived peptide differentially modulates triple-negative breast cancer and glioblastoma cell proliferation in vitro | Presenter: Julia Naomi Ono (graduanda) (Authors: Julia Naomi Ono, Danielle Vieira Sobral, Fernanda Ferreira Mendonça, Luciana Malavolta, Leonardo Lima Fuscaldi)
Gold(I) complex AuDMAP promotes apoptotic responses and inhibits proliferation and mMigration in SK-MEL-28 human melanoma cells | Presenter: Isabela Carvalho Diniz (graduanda) (Authors: Isabela Carvalho Diniz, Fernanda Van Petten Vasconcelos Azevedo, Ericka Francislaine Dias Costa, Jennyfer Castro Da Silva, Camilla Abbehausen, Carmen Silvia Passos Lima)
Group 10 thiosemicarbazone metal complexes as an antiproliferative platform for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma | Presenter: Hirya Costa Schibelsky (graduanda) (Authors: Victor Maia Miranda, Fernanda Van Petten Vasconcelos Azevedo, Joaldo Garcia Arruda, Hirya Costa Schibelsky, Daniele Daiane Affonso, Carmen Silvia Passos Lima, Victor Marcelo Deflon)
KIF13B c.3163G> A variant in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: associations with risk and clinical outcomes | Presenter: Dra. Ericka Francislaine Dias Costa (Authors: Ericka Francislaine Dias Costa, Gustavo Jacob Lourenço, Carmen Silvia Passos Lima)
Nanoencapsulation of the gold(I) complex AuMTZ in lipid carriers improves selectivity and antitumor activity in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma models | Presenter: Dra. Fernanda Van Petten Vasconcelos Azevedo (Authors: Fernanda Van Petten Vasconcelos Azevedo, Gabriela Geronimo, Camilla Abbenhausen, Eneida de Paula, Carolina Coli Zuliani, Carmen Silvia Passos Lima)
Optimized radiolabeling of PSMA-617 with ¹⁶¹Tb for preclinical applications | Presenter: Dr. Javier Giglio (Authors: Javier Giglio, Kevin Zirbesegger, Juan Vazquez, Eduardo Savio)
Radiolabeling of the DOTA-C6-Anti-EGFr peptide with gallium-68: a preliminary study of synthesis, complexation, and radiochemical stability | Presenter: Ms. Aline Morais de Souza (Authors Aline Morais de Souza, Leonardo Yumoto Carvalheira, Caiubi Rodrigues de Paula Santos, Marycel Rosa Felisa Figols de Barboza, Leonardo de Lima Fuscaldi, Luciana Malavolta)
Preclinical research
Biological assessment of [¹⁶¹Tb]Tb-PSMA in human prostate cancer cell lines | Presenter: Ms. Manuela Bentura (Authors: Rosina Dapueto, Manuela Bentura, Florencia Arredondo, Juan Vazquez, Kevin Zirbesegger, Javier Giglio, Eduardo Savio)
Clinical research
Compassionate treatment of radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients with 177Lu-PSMA, and direct comparison between 18F-PSMA and 18F-FDG PET-CT | Presenter: Ms. Murilo Oliveira Cerci (Authors: Murilo Oliveira Cerci, Denise Engelbrecht Zantut-Wittmann, Celso Dario Ramos, Simone Kuba, Ana Lígia Guiotti Marroni Germano)
Ex vivo drug screening as a criterion for patient selection in clinical trials | Presenter: Ms. Samara de Sousa Mariano (Authors: Samara de Sousa Mariano, Leandro de Paula Henrique Assis, Juliana Ronchi Correa, Maria Luiza Silva Pires, Aryannny Paula Sousa Ferreira, Manuella Munuera Hoff Rosati, Nathalia Moreno Cury, Adrielli Caroline Soare, João Meidanis, Amilcar C. de Azevedo, Jose Andres Yunes)
Systemic inflammation and nutritional status as prognostic factors in hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with sorafenib | Presenter: Ms. Yolanda José Ricardo Soares Manuel (Authors: Yolanda José Ricardo Soares Manuel, Ananda Giovana Cabral Silva, Renata Erbert Contriciani, Leo Victor Kim, Sandra Regina Branbilla, Ligia M Antunes Correa, Maria Carolina Santos Mendes, José Barreto Campello Carvalheira)
The washout phenomenon as a theranostic challenge: a kinetic analysis of 18F-PSMA uptake in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma | Presenter: Dranda. Giulia Picciola Bordoni (Authors: Giulia Picciola Bordoni, Maria Emilia Seren Takahashi, Fabíola Furtuoso Zarpelão, Najua Abou Arabi Silveira, Heringer V.C.C.R., Simone Kuba, Natália Tobar Toledo Prudente da Silva, Sérgio Querino Brunetto, José Barreto Campello Carvalheira, Carmino Antonio de Souza, Celso Dario Ramos)
Case report or systematic review
Infectious and hematologic toxicities of CPX-351 in acute myeloid leukemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis | Presenter: Estefani Alves Cardoso Santos (graduanda) (Authors: Estefani Alves Cardoso Santos, Isabela Carvalho Diniz)
Theranostics of differentiated thyroid cancer with Iodine-131: diagnostic integrations, therapeutic response, and challenges of translational research | Presenter: Victória Perez Huada (graduanda) (Authors: Victória Perez Huada, Carlos Takahiro Chone)
Electronic posters
Basic research
Predicting combined radiotherapy-immunotherapy outcomes in murine TNBC via Bayesian calibration of biology-based ODE models and [89Zr]-CD8 PET image | Presenter Guilherme Rodrigues (Authors: Guilherme Rodrigues, Paulo Fernando de Arruda Mancera, Anna G. Sorace, Patrick N. Song, Thomas E. Yankeelov, Ernesto A. B. F. Lima)
Preclinical research (tie)
Liposomal nanoformulation of a copper-based complex associated with PARPi modulates angiogenic processes in endothelial cells | Presenter Gislaine Gonçalves Rocha (Authors: Gislaine Gonçalves Rocha, Fernanda Cardoso da Silva, Paula Marynella Alves Pereira Lima, Samuel Cota Teixeira, Helen Soares Valença Ferreira, Raoni Pais Siqueira, Lígia Nunes de Morais Ribeiro, Wendell Guerra, Cristina Ribas Furstenau, Thaise Araújo)
An affordable and easy to implement strategy for preclinical molecular imaging in Theranostics development | Presenter: Jorge Mejia Cabeza (Authors: Jorge Mejia Cabeza, Michel David Raed, Maria Clara Westmann Anderlini Mattos, Arthur Viana De Laffitte, Orfa Yineth Galvis Alonso, Profa. Dra. Solange Amorim Nogueira, Lilian Yuri Yamaga, Marycel Rosa Felisa Figols de Barboza, Luciana Malavolta)
Clinical research
An exploratory genomic analysis of gastric cancer with 18F-PSMA uptake | Presenter: Renata Erbert Contriciani (Authors: Renata Erbert Contriciani, Barbara Cipriano, Larissa Ariel Oliveira Carrilho, Leo Victor Kim, Fabíola Furtuoso Zarpelão, Sandra Regina Branbilla, Ligia M Antunes Correa, Caroline Torricelli Corrêa, Natália Tobar Toledo Prudente da Silva, Luiz Roberto Lopes, Nelson Adami Andreollo, Maria Carolina Santos Mendes, Elba C. S. C. Etchebehere, José Barreto Campello Carvalheira)
Case report or systematic review
Checkpoint molecules on tumor cells: A paradigm shift in cancer therapy | Presenter: Vahid Vahedian (Authors: Vahid Vahedian, João Agostinho Machado Neto, Keli Lima, Parviz Azimnasab-sorkhabi)
Text: Romulo Santana Osthues | Photos: Romulo Santana Osthues
