Primary liver cancer is the fastest-rising cause of cancer death in the UK with more than 6,000 people diagnosed every year. It is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, with a ten-year survival chance of less than 10%.
Building on existing Oxford-led studies such as DeLIVER, AMULET and COMBATcancer, the Oxford Liver Cancer Centre of Excellence (OLivE) was established in 2024 by Oxford Cancer to bring together interdisciplinary researchers, clinicians and patients to improve options for patients and provide the best lasting quality of life.
The inaugural Oxford Liver Cancer Centre of Excellence Symposium focussed on advancing scientific collaboration and ultimately improving outcomes for liver cancer. The programme spanned an overview of current liver cancer research in Oxford (Prof Ellie Barnes, Dr Michael Pavlides, Prof Jan McKeating and Mr Alex Gordon-Weeks), new and more effective treatments and models (Dr Felipe Galvez-Cancino, Prof Nacho Melero, Prof David Withers), a spatial biology session (Dr Areeb Mian, Dr Nadina Wand, Ms Shihong Wu and Dr Josh Bull) and a very thought-provoking patient and public involvement session led by Dr Catriona Gilmour-Hamilton and patient representative Dr Taran Rai.
The day concluded with a keynote presentation from Dr Waleed Fateen on using genomics to re-think liver cancer screening followed by a networking drinks reception.
A huge thank you to all speakers, chairs and attendees for their contributions to a stimulating and productive day! If you have any feedback or would like to learn more about OLivE, please visit our website or email center manager Elizabeth Mann.
