Announcements for this section should be submitted in the correct format at least 3 months before the required date of publication. This list is provided as a service to readers; inclusion does not imply endorsement by the Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases International.

Section editor

Shui-Ying Lei

Email: hbpdint@126.com

March, 2020 EACR-AACR basic and translational research conference: Tumor microenvironment March 2-4, 2020 Lisbon Congress Centre, Lisbon, Portugal

This new joint basic and translational research conference on tumor microenvironment is jointly organized by the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR), American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and Associa??o Portuguesa de Investiga??o em Cancro (ASPIC). This EACR-AACR-ASPIC conference on tumor microenvironment (TME) will bring together thought leaders span- ning the breadth of TME, immune-oncology, computational biology and biomedical technology disciplines to discuss novel approaches to identify critical mechanisms regulating the crosstalk in these tumor ecosystems. Therapeutic approaches to target the TME for durable tumor control are to be discussed, including strategies being deployed in patients, and initial clinical findings. The goal will be to not only discuss the current state of the TME field, but also discuss approaches towards applying that knowledge to the development of effective and broadly applicable anti-cancer therapies for long- term management of disease. For more information, please visit: https://www.eaa2020.org/.

The evolving landscape of cancer modeling March 2-5, 2020; Hard Rock Hotel, San Diego, California, USA

A veritable explosion of cancer models in recent years has been fueled by technological advances that have enabled the rapid generation of models of increasing complexity and relevance for human cancer. Genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models and cancer cell lines are mainstays for basic and translational cancer research; organoids and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models are allowing for a better recapitulation of cancer characteristics; and cell-based computational modeling simulates single-cell behavior in virtual tissues of cancer systems. These next-generation models have, in turn, provided key insights into all aspects of cancer biology, including elucidating the actions of stem cells and developmental pathways and the impact of lineage plasticity, understanding metastatic progression, uncovering the roles of the tumor microenvironment and immune system, exploring tumor evolution, and discovering new therapeutic approaches and mechanisms of drug sensitivity and adaptive response. This meeting will highlight recent advances in modeling cancer using mouse models, cell lines, organoids, PDX models, and computational models, focusing on their impact for advancing our understanding of cancer biology, prevention and treatment, and drug response and resistance. For more information, please visit: https://www.aacr.org/Meetings/Pages/MeetingDetail.aspx? EventItemID＜198.

Evolutionary dynamics in carcinogenesis and response to therapy March 12-15, 2020; Westin Denver Downtown, Denver, Colorado, USA

This AACR special conference aims to move away from the simplistic view of cancer evolution as a merely genetic phenomenon and to discuss instead how microenvironmental, immune cell, genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity interact and evolve and how this influences cancer progression and therapy success or failure. By promoting the exchange of novel ideas and information between basic scientists, physicians, and other health professionals, this inaugural conference will enhance the understanding of cancer evolution and make progress toward treatment paradigms that limit therapy resistance. For more information, please visit: https://www.aacr.org/Meetings/Pages/MeetingDetail.aspx? EventItemID＜181.

Baveno VII consensus workshop: Personalized care in portal hypertension March 20-21, 2020; Baveno, Italy

The aim of the Baveno VII workshop is twofold: first, to review and put into perspective the changes in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that have occurred in the past 5 years in the field of portal hypertension; Second, to continue the effort of producing updated definitions and guidelines aimed at improving the management of patients as well as the quality of our future studies. The workshop will begin with a brief introduction, followed by three lectures, the first one on the new concept of risk stratification, the second one on competing risks and stages in cirrhosis, and the third on life style and genetic modifiers of progression of compensated advanced chronic liver disease. The fourth session will be devoted to vascular liver diseases in cirrhosis, and will consist of two parts: the first one on diagnosis and staging, and the second one to treatment. For more information, please contact Organizing secretariat, Via S. Felice, 6, 40122 Bologna, Italy. Tel: +39-051-0959160; Fax: +39-051-0959164; info@adbcongressi.it; www.adbcongressi.it; info@baveno7.com; www.baveno7.com.

AASLD - INASL connect program 2020 March 20-22, 2020; New Delhi, India

This program is organized by The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and Indian National Association for Study of the Liver (INASL). For more information, please visit: https://www.aasld.org/event/inasl-aasld-hepatology-connect.

AASLD/EASL NAFLD and NASH clinical endpoints conference March 21-22, 2020; Washington, District of Columbia, United States

This course invites leading experts in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease research and therapy explore bench to bedside therapeutic discovery and patient management approaches at this exciting conference. In this conference, faculty are to present recent evidence on NAFLD’s potential triggers, disease stages, biomarkers for diagnosis and disease severity, and treatments; how to effectively translate knowledge to clinical practice; and strategies to create effective multidisciplinary teams to optimize disease outcomes. For more information, please visit: https://www.aasld.org/event/aasld-easl- nafld-and-nash-clinical-endpoints-conference.

NIH-AACR cancer, autoimmunity, and immunology conference March 23-24, 2020; National Institutes of Health Masur Auditorium, Bethesda, Maryland

The cancer, autoimmunity, and immunology conference is created to delve into 1) understanding the biology of immune-related adverse events that have occurred in cancer patients treated with immunotherapies and how that might inform the study of autoimmune disease, and 2) defining the potential for the study of autoimmune disease to lead to greater understanding of the treatment and management of immune-related adverse events during and following cancer therapies. For more information, please visit: https://www.aacr.org/Meetings/Pages/MeetingDetail.aspx? EventItemID＜224.

Acute liver failure: Science and practice conference March 29-31, 2020; Dallas, Texas, United States

This “Acute liver failure: Science and practice conference” was organized by AASLD along with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and the Acute Liver Failure Study Group. For more information, please visit: https://www.aasld.org/event/acute-liver- failure-science-and-practice-conference.

April Seventh AACR annual meeting 2020 April 24-29, 2020; San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California, USA

Program committee chair is Antoni Ribas, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. The AACR annual meeting program covers the latest discoveries across the spectrum of cancer research—from population science and prevention; to cancer biology, translational, and clinical studies; to survivorship and advocacy—and highlights the work of the best minds in research and medicine from institutions all over the world. For more information, please visit: https://www.aacr.org/Meetings/Pages/MeetingDetail.aspx? EventItemID＜213.

May Digestive disease week May 2-5, 2010; Chicago, Illinois, USA

Digestive disease week?(DDW) is co-sponsored by AASLD, AGA, ASGE and SSAT. At DDW new developments in the field, high- quality educational programs and network with colleagues will be presented. The AASLD meeting at DDW provides a forum for the exchange of groundbreaking research and clinical information in diseases of the liver and biliary tract and in liver transplantation, which is to be done in a variety of formats, including plenary and parallel sessions, courses, workshops and state-of-the-art lectures. To learn more, please visit: https://www.aasld.org/event/digestive- disease-week.

Chinese chapter of IHPBA meeting May 8-10, 2020; Wuhan, China

For more information, please contact Secretariat: Xiao-Ping Chen, President, The Institute of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China. Tel: +86-27- 836 63400; Fax: +86-27-836 63500; E-mail:chenxpchenxp@163.com. Website: www.ccihpba.org.

2020 American transplant congress May 30- June 3, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

The American transplant congress is the joint annual meeting of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) and the American Society of Transplantation (AST). ATC provides a forum for exchange of new scientific and clinical information relevant to solid organ and tissue transplantation and brings together transplant physicians, scientists, nurses, organ procurement personnel, pharma- cists, allied health professionals and other transplant professionals. The educational offerings provide attendees the opportunity to learn cutting-edge advances in research and exchange of ideas and practice in the field of solid organ and tissue transplantation. The goals & objectives of ATC are: 1) To provide a forum for exchange of new scientific and clinical information relevant to solid organ and tissue transplantation; 2) To create an arena for the interchange of ideas regarding care and management of organ and tissue transplant recipients; 3) To facilitate discussions of the socioeconomic, ethical and regulatory issues related to solid organ and tissue transplantation. The American transplant congress is designed for physicians, surgeons, scientists, nurses, organ procurement personnel, pharmacists and other transplant professionals who are interested in the clinical and research aspects of solid organ and tissue transplantation. For more information, please visit: https://atcmeeting.org/.

June Seventh JCA-AACR special joint conference on the latest advances in pancreatic cancer research: From basic science to therapeutics June 9-11, 2020; Kyoto Tokyu Hotel, Kyoto, Japan

The seventh JCA-AACR special joint conference will bring together basic scientists and clinical researchers from the United States, Japan, and around the world to share the latest and most exciting developments in pancreatic cancer research. The conference will offer ample opportunities for the scientific discussions and interactions that are necessary to make further basic research and clinical progress in the field. Topics include: 1) Genetics, Kras, p53, and oncogenic signaling; 2) Tumor heterogeneity, plasticity, and therapy resistance; 3) Stromal evolution, and tumor microenvironment cross-talk and modeling; 4) Inflammation; 5) Immunotherapy; 6) Metabolism, anti- oxidants, and cachexia; 7) Screening and early detection, liquid biopsy, biomarkers, and premalignant lesions; and 8) Clinical oncology and targeted therapies. For more information, please visit: https://www.aacr.org/Meetings/Pages/MeetingDetail.aspx? EventItemID＜221.

EORTC-ESMO-AACR methods in clinical cancer research June 26-July 2, 2020; De Ruwenberg, Sint-Michielsgestel, Netherlands

The workshop is organized by the European Organisation of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), and American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). The annual methods in clinical cancer research workshop is a week-long course designed to educate and train early-career investigators in the best practices of clinical trial design and provide access to experienced clinical investigators from different institutions and countries with expertise across all areas of clinical research. The workshop is offered to early-career investigators in all disciplines working the field of oncology who are nearing completion of their training or have recently begun their initial faculty positions and is designed to address the needs today, while maintaining flexibility to implement changes to train early-career investigators on how to conduct effective clinical trials in the future. In addition, it enables the development of peer-to-peer and mentoring relationships to enhance future career development. For more information, please visit: https://event.eortc.org/mccr2020/.

July Molecular biology in clinical oncology workshop July 19-26, 2020; Viceroy Snowmass, Snowmass Village, Colorado

Workshop director is Ross L. Levine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York; and workshop codirectors are Mark W. Geraci, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana; Christine M. Lovly, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee; and Jean Y. Tang, Stanford University School of Medicine, Redwood City, California. This is an intensive workshop providing a substantive overview of molecular biology, translational cancer research, current lab techniques, career development, and the best practices of grant writing for the aspiring physician-scientist. For more information, please visit: https://www.aacr.org/Meetings/Pages/MeetingDetail.aspx? EventItemID＜229.

AACR/ASCO methods in clinical cancer research workshop July 25 - July 31, 2020; Vail Marriott Mountain Resort, Vail, Colorado

Workshop codirectors are Manuel Hidalgo, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York; Julie M. Vose, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska; and Thomas Braun, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan. This is an intensive workshop in the essentials of effective clinical trial designs of therapeutic interventions in the treatment of cancer for clinical fellow and junior faculty clinical researchers in all oncology subspecialties, including radiation and surgical oncology and radiology. For fur- ther information, please contact Kathryn Leonard, PhD, Work- shop Adminitrator, at 215-309-4356 or kathryn.leonard@aacr.org; Website: https://www.aacr.org/Meetings/Pages/MeetingDetail.aspx? EventItemID＜230.

Integrative molecular epidemiology workshop: Bridging cancer biology and precision medicine July 27-31, 2020; Westin Copley Place, Boston, Massachusetts

This workshop is designed to accelerate the training of the next generation of cancer researchers who must be well-skilled in the integration of biology and epidemiology in studies of etiology and outcome. In addition to molecular epidemiologists, geneticists, statisticians, bioinformaticians and molecular biologists are to be invited. A requirement for the course is that participants must have successfully completed basic course work in epidemiology. Workshop focus will be on study designs, data interpretation, and the appropriate use of tools and techniques, with minimal focus on biostatistical methods and the analysis of data. Workshop lectures incorporate extensive time for discussion and interaction with top faculty members. Laboratories build on the information provided in the lectures with problem-solving sessions and hands- on applications. Both lectures and laboratories are designed for practical application and take into consideration issues such as feasibility, scalability, quality control, and practical limitations. The workshop incorporates a cross-disciplinary, team science approach that integrates discussions on working successfully within teams and consortia with experience working in collaborative groups throughout the workshop. For questions about the application process, contact Shakira Nelson, PhD, Senior Scientific Program Ad- ministrator, at 215-446-7191, or via E-mail: shakira.nelson@aacr.org; Website: https://www.aacr.org/Meetings/Pages/MeetingDetail.aspx? EventItemID＜226.