During a unique Annual Meeting session, National Cancer Institute Director Monica M. Bertagnolli, MD (pictured), sat down with AACR President Lisa M. Coussens, PhD, FAACR, to discuss the NCI’s goals for the Cancer Moonshot initiative and the recently released National Cancer Plan.

Researchers reported promising results from five studies, including the first cancer vaccine trial to demonstrate clinical benefit in melanoma, which was reported by Jeffrey S. Weber, MD, PhD, during the first clinical trials plenary session at the Annual Meeting.

Sarah K. Tasian, MD, Jezabel Rodriguez-Blanco, PhD, and Corinne M. Linardic, MD, PhD, discussed advances in pediatric cancer research and therapeutics during a Sunday afternoon symposium.

An expert panel of cancer researchers, including Tomi Akinyemiju, PhD, showcased cutting-edge research in diverse fields of study that is opening up new frontiers in all areas of cancer research, from basic science and drug discovery to population science and health equity.

Three researchers — Makoto Nakanishi, MD, PhD, Masashi Narita, MD, PhD, and Clemens A. Schmitt, MD, PhD — discussed the relationship between cellular senescence and cancer during a Saturday morning educational session. “Cellular senescence is at the heart of tissue integrity and tissue homeostasis,” Schmitt said.