Inside the SelectScience Cancer Research Summit 2025
Catch up on expert-led sessions, covering spatial biology, biomarker discovery, immunotherapy innovation, and more, now available on demand
18 Jun 2025
As cancer research accelerates at an unprecedented pace, so does our ability to understand and target the disease with greater precision. The SelectScience® Cancer Research Summit 2025 brought together leading global experts in oncology, spatial biology, immunotherapy, and precision diagnostics to showcase how today’s most innovative science is shaping tomorrow’s clinical outcomes.
From decoding the complexities of tumor biology to pioneering new frontiers in immuno-oncology, this year’s summit showcased a wealth of cutting-edge research and technologies that are transforming early detection, therapeutic development, and patient monitoring. Here, we highlight key takeaways from this year’s event and explore how these innovations are redefining cancer research and care.
Deciphering the complexities in the tumor microenvironment, one cell at a time
Dr. Arutha Kulasinghe (NHMRC Research Fellow and Clinical-oMx Group Leader, Frazer Institute, University of Queensland) provided an in-depth look at how spatial phenotyping is enhancing our understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME). His presentation highlighted a comprehensive, end-to-end spatial biology workflow applied to biopsy and surgical tissue samples from lung, head and neck, and skin cancers. By mapping cellular interactions and identifying novel biomarkers within the TME, Dr. Kulasinghe’s work is helping to predict therapeutic outcomes and personalize immunotherapy strategies. His research emphasizes the importance of spatial context in shaping immune responses and treatment efficacy.
Biomarkers in prostate cancer: Insights from discovery to clinical application
Dr. Nallasivam Palanisamy (Associate Scientist, Department of Urology, Henry Ford Health and Associate Professor of Research, Michigan State University) discussed the impact of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in advancing prostate cancer care. He highlighted the discovery of RAF kinase and pseudogene-associated gene fusions, explaining how NGS now enables high-resolution detection of genetic aberrations that were previously elusive. Dr. Palanisamy emphasized that these insights are informing clinical decisions, from risk stratification to personalized therapy, by taking into account the tumor heterogeneity and the complex interplay of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors.
Metabolomics in cancer research
Dr. Julia Debik (Associate Professor, Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)) discussed the growing role of metabolomics in cancer research and care. She explained how tumor metabolomics reveal the programmed metabolic shifts that drive malignancy, offering important insights into cancer’s biochemical landscape. By analyzing biofluids such as blood and urine, researchers can also capture the host’s systemic response to cancer and treatment. This highlights metabolomics as a promising tool for diagnosis, disease monitoring, and assessing treatment-related side effects. Dr. Debik further stressed that integrating metabolomics with other omics approaches leads to a more comprehensive understanding of cancer biology and enhances the reliability of clinical insights.
Development and clinical utility of blood-based ddPCR assays for rare variant testing
Dr. Gary Pestano (Chief Development Officer, Biodesix) shared insights into the development and clinical application of blood-based droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assays for detecting rare genetic variants in lung cancer. He highlighted Biodesix’s commitment to early lung disease detection through noninvasive, personalized diagnostics. Dr. Pestano also introduced the GeneStrat® test, a ddPCR-based assay that delivers rapid, highly sensitive identification of actionable mutations in ctDNA, supporting early and late-stage cancer treatment decisions.
High-throughput automation in next-generation sequencing for the detection of minimum residual disease in liquid biopsies
In this presentation, which focused on liquid biopsy technology, Lubaina Kothari (Ontario Institute for Cancer Research) discussed the clinical validation of a high-throughput plasma whole genome assay for detecting minimal residual disease (MRD). This assay uses cell-free DNA (cfDNA) to monitor tumor presence and progression in real-time, making it particularly valuable for tracking metastatic cancers. Kothari emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation in assay development, pointing towards a future of non-invasive and rapid diagnostics.
Screening of immune engager compounds using CRC patient-derived organoids and immune T cells subsets
Dr. Claudia Maria A. Pinna (Research Fellow and Lecturer, Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham) introduced a cutting-edge immunotherapy screening platform that utilizes colorectal cancer (CRC) patient-derived organoids co-cultured with T-cell subsets. This innovative model allows for rapid, functional assessment of bispecific T cell engagers, serving as a powerful tool for identifying and prioritizing promising immunotherapy candidates. By using “mini-organs” that closely mimic patient tumors, her platform offers a powerful and predictive preclinical testing method that could streamline immunotherapy development. Dr. Pinna's work marks a significant advancement towards more predictive, personalized, and clinically relevant preclinical testing in CRC.
AI-driven high-throughput drug screening on patient-derived tumor organoids
Dr. Christophe Deben (Group Leader, Tumoroid Screening Lab, University of Antwerp and co-founder of Orbits Oncology) introduced the DrugVision.AI platform, which combines robotic high-throughput drug screening of patient-derived tumor organoids with advanced live-cell imaging and AI-powered analysis. By integrating Orbits Oncology's platform, thousands of images are quickly transformed into meaningful drug response metrics. These insights are driving the discovery of small molecules with novel mechanisms of action. Dr. Deben shared a compelling case study that highlighted a new compound which enhances the efficacy of existing therapies, providing a glimpse into the future of precision oncology drug development powered by AI.
Highplex imaging with the Orion platform for clinical trial testing
Dr. Richard Van Krieken (Senior Scientist, Navigate BioPharma Services) introduced a novel high-plex clinical trial assay developed using the Orion platform to enhance immune profiling in cancer. This assay enables the simultaneous detection of 16 distinct antibodies along with a nuclear counterstain in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. By addressing the limitations of traditional immunohistochemistry, such as restricted marker panels and tissue degradation from repeated staining, this technology provides a more comprehensive approach.
The platform can be applied across various cancer types, including breast, lung, prostate, melanoma, and colorectal cancers. It allows for deeper insights into tumor-immune interactions, mechanisms of immune evasion, and resistance. Dr. Van Krieken emphasized the potential of this technology to improve patient stratification and aid therapeutic decision-making, all while minimizing the amount of patient tissue required for analysis.
New horizons in cancer research
The insights shared at the Cancer Research Summit 2025 underscore an important message: the future of cancer care lies at the intersection of technological innovation and scientific discovery. Whether it is mapping the tumor genome, refining the immune landscape, or developing AI-guided treatment strategies, the field is evolving rapidly towards more integrated, automated, and personalized care.