You are invited to the LKI Vesalius Conference on Cancer Research 2026, taking place from 18–20 January 2026 in Leuven, Belgium. This celebratory event, hosted by the Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI) as part of KU Leuven’s 600th anniversary, offers a unique opportunity to engage with leading academic researchers across disciplines — and to reflect together on the present and future of cancer research.
Capacity is limited to 225 participants – early registration is strongly recommended
About the Conference
Inspired by the pioneering spirit of Andreas Vesalius, this conference invites participants to rethink how we observe, interpret, and confront cancer — scientifically, clinically, and conceptually. The programme is structured around four consecutive and interlinked sessions:
- Seeing Cancer – Approaching cancer through multiscale visualisation and multiomic analysis — how has our ability to “see” cancer shaped our understanding and diagnosis?
- Thinking Cancer – With detailed data at the molecular, cellular, and systemic levels, are we truly making sense of cancer — or does something essential still elude us?
- Treating Cancer – How do we turn discoveries into effective therapy and support for those living with cancer, and is it time to rethink how we develop and test new treatments?
- Foreseeing Cancer – Can we detect tumors earlier and predict their behaviour—and more broadly, what does the future hold for how we understand, detect, and confront cancer?
The event offers a panoramic and integrative view of cancer, suitable for both focused specialists and broader academic audiences.
Why Attend?
• Academic Depth + Cross-Disciplinary Breadth
The conference is designed to bridge molecular, cellular, clinical, and conceptual levels — with talks relevant to researchers across cancer biology, systems medicine, translational science, oncological practice and beyond.
• Accessible, Reflective, and Forward-Looking
Speakers have been invited not just for their scientific excellence, but also their ability to explain, contextualise, and look ahead — making the event intellectually rewarding even outside one’s own immediate domain.
• A Unique Format for Exploration
Each session is more than a topic cluster — it’s a carefully curated arc that invites conceptual synthesis and opens space for reflection, discussion, and potential rethinking of current assumptions in oncology.
World-Class Speakers
Hear from an exceptional set of award winning leaders in cancer science and medicine — including Nobel Laureate Prof. William Kaelin, Prof. Elaine Fuchs, Prof. Doug Hanahan, Prof. David Lyden, and many others shaping the future of our field:
Event Details
- Dates: 18–20 January 2026
- Location: Historic University Hall, Naamsestraat 22, Leuven
- Capacity: 225 participants
- Registration & info: https://lkivesalius2026.be
