SU2C SCIENTIFIC SUMMIT 2026
The SU2C Scientific Summit 2026 was held on January 28-February 1 in Pasadena, CA. The meeting included the plenary session, held on January 30, and five innovation summits. This page is intended as a resource for researchers, clinicians, advocates, and funding organizations, to learn from presentations made at this year’s plenary and gain insights into research opportunities that may emerge from the innovation summits.
Plenary Session
This year’s Plenary Session featured presentations on SU2C-funded research breakthroughs and updates on research that is primed to change the landscape of cancer early detection, diagnosis, and treatment, including those on AI-informed treatment approaches, efforts to make real progress in addressing disparities, and emerging immune-based therapies.
SU2C INNOVATION SUMMITS 2026
SU2C innovation summits are convened to address areas of strategic scientific and clinical opportunity or areas of urgent and unmet need. These summits help to foster dialogue among key stakeholders and identify priorities for collaborative research projects to be funded by SU2C, often in partnership with other organizations.
Advancing the Use of Theranostics in Cancer Care
The core premise of theranostics is simple: use the same targeting molecule but two different radioactive isotopes to see the cancer and then treat the cancer. In practice, it’s far more complicated. This summit asked: Where does this field stand and how can we ensure it lives up to its promise?
Early Detection, Screening, & Treatment of Anal & Oropharyngeal Cancers
HPV causes 5% of all cancers diagnosed each year worldwide, including anal and oropharyngeal cancer. With rates of both these cancers increasing, this summit brought together stakeholders to discuss the urgent need for improved early detection and effective but safer new treatments.
Translating Data at the Limits of Detection in Cancers
Our ability to identify trace levels of cancer in the body has never been greater. In this innovation summit, participants learned about many of the latest advances in this area, while also asking an important question: How do we use that information to help people live longer?
Approaches Toward Detecting and Treating Early-Onset Cancers
The number of adults under age 50 being diagnosed with cancer has been climbing, raising alarm and questions about how and why it’s happening. As researchers confront this phenomenon, this summit asked: What are the critical unknowns and how do we best address them?
Breakthrough Pathways in Malignant Glioma: A Disease of the Neural Ecosystem
Brain cancers called gliomas are among the most lethal cancers. Despite decades of research, survival rates are still very low. But recent studies and promising results from small clinical trials have created a sense of momentum. This summit was held to bring the glioma research community together to formulate a blueprint for transforming that momentum into meaningful improvements in treatment and survival.
Stand Up To Cancer conducts a highly involved review process to identify the top research proposals that have the potential to make a significant impact in the cancer space. The American Association for Cancer Research is SU2C’s scientific partner and supports the review of grants it administers on behalf of SU2C. This review process is conducted in collaboration with SU2C’s Scientific Advisory Committee.
