{"id":101553,"date":"2026-05-07T11:44:53","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T09:44:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/port.lukasiewicz.gov.pl\/a-tumor-that-thinks-like-the-brain-new-oncology-is-changing-the-questions-not-just-the-answers\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T16:02:49","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T14:02:49","slug":"a-tumor-that-thinks-like-the-brain-new-oncology-is-changing-the-questions-not-just-the-answers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/port.lukasiewicz.gov.pl\/en\/a-tumor-that-thinks-like-the-brain-new-oncology-is-changing-the-questions-not-just-the-answers\/","title":{"rendered":"A tumor that thinks like the brain. New oncology is changing the questions, not just the answers"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

For decades, we assumed that a tumor is an autonomous aggressor \u2013 a collection of mutated cells growing at the expense of healthy tissue. This model \u2013 cognitively convenient and clinically functional \u2013 now appears insufficient. New findings suggest it is a major oversimplification. A tumor does not act in isolation. It negotiates. It sends signals. It forms synapses. And it may be operating under rules we do not yet understand. Modern oncology is therefore not so much delivering new answers as it is posing entirely different questions. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Glioblastoma integrates into neural networks<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The most striking evidence comes from studies on glioblastoma. Professor Frank Winkler from Universit\u00e4tsklinikum Heidelberg \u2013 this year\u2019s recipient of The Brain Prize 2025 and a keynote speaker at PORT for Health: Oncology 2026 \u2013 has shown, in a series of studies published in “Cell” and “Nature”, that glioblastoma cells do not grow in isolation. This is not a metaphor: the tumor integrates into the brain\u2019s electrical circuits, using neuronal activity as fuel for growth and invasion. The higher the neuronal activity in a given region, the faster the tumor grows. <\/p>

The clinical implications are substantial: therapies used in epilepsy \u2013 such as perampanel, which blocks AMPA receptors \u2013 are now entering clinical trials as potential treatments for glioblastoma. This represents a paradigm shift, suggesting that neurologists and oncologists should be working side by side. <\/p>

Winkler\u2019s findings are only one thread in a broader transformation underway in oncology. It is becoming clear that the nervous system engages in dialogue with tumors not only in the brain. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Conference PORT for Health 2025<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

The nervous system as a driver of progression \u2013 beyond the brain<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Dr. Andrew Shepherd from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston studies neuropathy in colorectal cancer patients. His research shows that neuronal dysfunction appears even before chemotherapy begins \u2013 triggered by the tumor itself. This observation has significant implications for therapy design: if cancer damages nerves before any treatment is administered, the baseline for intervention must be redefined. <\/p>

Dr. Christoph Klose from Charit\u00e9 Berlin goes further, investigating how the enteric nervous system regulates stem cell differentiation and shapes type 2 immune responses. His work on VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) signaling suggests that the neuro-immune axis in the gut may act as a key regulator. In practical terms, the nervous system may help determine whether the microenvironment promotes or suppresses tumor development. <\/p>

A consistent picture is emerging: the nervous system is not a passive observer of cancer progression. It is an active participant \u2013 and a potential therapeutic target. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

The immune system \u2013 an ally with unexpected partnerships<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The paradigm shift also extends to immuno-oncology. Dr. Aur\u00e9lie Poli from the Luxembourg Institute of Health is studying a counterintuitive question: can chronic allergy protect against glioblastoma? Her research suggests that chronic allergic inflammation may activate anti-tumor mechanisms and limit tumor-induced immunosuppression. This illustrates that signals typically considered pathological may, in certain contexts, play a protective role. <\/p>

Dr. Joanna Po\u017aniak from VIB-KU Leuven has shown that natural killer (NK) cells \u2013 traditionally seen as cytotoxic allies in cancer defense \u2013 can, under specific conditions, undermine immunotherapy. In some melanoma subtypes, they block T-cell infiltration, reducing treatment efficacy. The implication is clear: therapeutic success depends not only on the mechanism of action, but also on the tumor\u2019s biological context. <\/p>

This conclusion is reinforced by Professor Sheeba Irshad from King\u2019s College London. Her research on extracellular vesicles (EVs) in breast cancer demonstrates how the tumor microenvironment actively reprograms immune responses \u2013 not through a single pathway, but via a network of signals that modulate T cells depending on the cancer subtype. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Scientists from the Innate Immunity Research Group analyze the effects of potential anticancer drugs.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Not only AI, but also viruses as tools <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Prof. Gabri van der Pluijm from LUMC in Leiden studies oncolytic viruses not as direct tumor-killing agents, but as vectors that induce durable anti-tumor immunity. This shift \u2013 from a destructive tool to an immune activator \u2013 opens new possibilities for combination therapies with checkpoint inhibitors. <\/p>

Dr. Tobias Bald from the University Hospital Bonn applies artificial intelligence to the design of miniature proteins capable of binding molecular targets previously considered \u201cundruggable.\u201d As he notes, computational design is now outpacing experimental validation. This is both a challenge and a signal that the pace of discovery is fundamentally accelerating. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Algorithms based on artificial intelligence are used to analyze histopathological images.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

A new paradigm \u2013 cancer as an ecosystem<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Although these studies span different domains, they converge on a single conclusion: cancer is not an isolated entity. It is part of a dynamic ecosystem in which the nervous system, immune system, and cellular microenvironment are in constant dialogue. Understanding this dialogue is the central task of contemporary oncology. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

PORT for Health: Oncology 2026 <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

These research directions come together in the program of PORT for Health: Oncology 2026, which returns to Wroc\u0142aw this May. Organized by \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 PORT and the P4Health Center of Excellence, the event will bring together over 20 international speakers, integrating translational and business perspectives.
The conference focuses on translating advances in cancer biology into concrete therapeutic strategies and directions for medical technology development. Particular emphasis is placed on areas where integration \u2013 across neurobiology, immunology, and AI \u2013 can directly improve treatment outcomes.

<\/p>

The event is intended for researchers, clinicians, and representatives of the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors. <\/p>

PORT for Health: Oncology 2026 <\/strong><\/p>

May 28-29, 2026, Wroc\u0142aw <\/strong><\/p>

online and on-site <\/strong><\/p>

Program and registration: health.port.org.pl<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For decades, we viewed tumors as autonomous aggressors \u2013 isolated masses of mutated cells. Today, we know that picture is incomplete. Tumors send signals, form connections, and actively shape their surroundings. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":250,"featured_media":101552,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[204],"tags":[1019,639],"class_list":["post-101553","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-event","tag-wydarzenia"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-14 23:02:31","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/port.lukasiewicz.gov.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101553","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/port.lukasiewicz.gov.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/port.lukasiewicz.gov.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/port.lukasiewicz.gov.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/250"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/port.lukasiewicz.gov.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=101553"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/port.lukasiewicz.gov.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101553\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":101576,"href":"https:\/\/port.lukasiewicz.gov.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101553\/revisions\/101576"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/port.lukasiewicz.gov.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/101552"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/port.lukasiewicz.gov.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=101553"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/port.lukasiewicz.gov.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=101553"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/port.lukasiewicz.gov.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=101553"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}