Congress Program

Friday, January 9, 2026

07:30 – 09:00 Participant registration – Conference reception, Qubus Hotel

09:00 – 09:55 Session I – Opening – Prof. Marek Harat

  • Opening remarks and welcome address – Prof. Marek Harat President of the Polish Society of Neuro-Oncology
  • Prof. Waldemar Priebe – Drug Discovery in Academia: Integrating Basic Science and Translational Research. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA
  • Prof. Maciej Mrugała – Neuro-oncology as a specialty – experiences from the USA. Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale AZ, USA

09:55 – 10:10 Coffee break

10:10 – 11:35 Session II – Brain metastases – from biology to therapy

Session chairs:

  • Prof. Bożena Kamińska-Kaczmarek Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Warsaw
  • Prof. Jacek Fijuth Department of Tele-Radiotherapy, Copernicus Oncology Center, Łódź
  • Prof. Tomasz Dziedzic Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Warsaw
  1. Bożena Kamińska-Kaczmarek – Brain metastases – mechanisms and research models from a researcher’s perspective Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Warsaw
  2. Sergiusz Nawrocki – Current clinical management of patients with brain metastases Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Center for Radiosurgery of Brain, Head and Neck, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn
  3. Barbara Buchalska – Brain tumor metastases to the pituitary gland and sellar region – outcomes of endoscopic treatment Department of Nervous System Tumors, National Institute of Oncology, Warsaw
  4. Maciej Blok – Preoperative radiotherapy of brain metastases – the Renesans trial Department of Neuro-Oncology and Radiosurgery, Oncology Center, Bydgoszcz
  5. Sponsored lecture by Varian – Radiosurgery – how radiotherapy can support the neurosurgeon – Krzysztof Przybylski

11:35 – 11:50 Coffee break

11:50 – 13:15 Session III – Molecular diagnostics and biomarkers in brain tumors I

Session chairs:

  • Prof. Barbara Bojko Department of Pharmacodynamics and Molecular Pharmacology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
  • Prof. Michał Ciborowski Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Białystok
  • Dr. Elżbieta Nowicka Third Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, National Institute of Oncology, Gliwice
  1. Barbara Bojko – Microextraction and microsampling – new possibilities in brain tumor research and diagnostics Department of Pharmacodynamics and Molecular Pharmacology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
  2. Michał Ciborowski – Proteomic studies of gliomas Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Białystok
  3. Joanna Bogusiewicz – Metabolomic and lipidomic profiling of brain tumors Department of Pharmacodynamics and Molecular Pharmacology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
  4. Adrian Godlewski – Integration of metabolomics and machine learning for early detection of brain tumors Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Białystok
  5. Elżbieta Nowicka – Clinical and molecular characteristics of glioblastoma patients with long-term survival following primary treatment (so-called long-term survivors) Third Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, National Institute of Oncology, Gliwice

13:15 – 14:15 Lunch

14:15 – 15:30 Session IV – Molecular diagnostics and biomarkers in brain tumors II

Session Chairs:

  • Prof. Bożena Kamińska-Kaczmarek Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Warsaw
  • Prof. Jacek Majewski William Dawson Scholar, Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal
  • Prof. Katarzyna Rolle Department of Molecular Neurooncology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, PAS, Poznań
  1. Katarzyna Rolle – Non-coding RNAs in glioblastoma – diagnostic and therapeutic significance. Department of Molecular Neurooncology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, PAS, Poznań
  2. Salwador Cyranowski – Chitinase-3-like protein 1 depletion alters tumor microenvironment and normalizes neovasculature in experimental gliomas. Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw
  3. Marta Maleszewska – DNA methylation and gene expression analysis reveal DMRTA2 as a new factor involved in neovascularization in high grade glioblastoma. Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw
  4. Mikołaj Biegański – The impact of GAB glutaminase on the glioblastoma cell phenotype. Department of Neurotoxicology, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, PAS, Warsaw
  5. Maciej Ołdak – REST and KAISO as potential therapeutic targets in glioblastoma development. Sequencing Laboratory, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS, Warsaw

15:30 – 15:35 Coffee break

15:35 – 17:15 Session V – Novel therapies in glioblastoma I

Session Chairs:

  • Prof. Maciej Harat Department of Neurooncology and Radiosurgery, Oncology Center, Bydgoszcz
  • Prof. Waldemar Priebe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA
  • Prof. Maciej Mrugała Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale AZ, USA
  1. Maciej Harat – Tumor treating fields in radiotherapy of newly diagnosed glioblastoma (EF-41/Keynote D-58) and in recurrences (Tarrget 2.0). Head of Neurooncology and Radiosurgery Department, Oncology Center, Bydgoszcz
  2. Gabriela Kramer-Marek – Locoregional radionuclide therapy of GBM using 161Tb-labeled EGFR-targeted affibody molecule. Department of Radiopharmacy and PET Laboratory Imaging, National Cancer Institute, Gliwice
  3. Ewelina Grzywna – Hydrogel flakes for local delivery of temozolomide. Department of Neurosurgery and Neurotraumatology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków
  4. Mateusz Jeżewski – Adjuvant treatment of glioblastoma based on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Department of Nervous System Tumors, National Cancer Institute, Warsaw
  5. Anna-Maria Barciszewska – Drug repurposing for epigenetic treatment of glioblastoma. Department of Neurosurgery and Neurotraumatology, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences
  6. Sponsored lecture by Medtronic

17:15 – 17:30 Coffee break

17:30 – 19:00 Session VI – Novel therapies in glioblastoma II

Session Chairs:

  • Prof. Przemysław Kunert Department of Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neurosurgery, UCK WUM, Warsaw
  • Prof. Katarzyna Rolle Department of Molecular Neurooncology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, PAS, Poznań
  • Dr Adrianna Makarewicz Oncology Center F. Łukaszczyk, Bydgoszcz
  1. Paulina Pilanc-Kudlek – Arginase in tumor-associated myeloid cells as a therapeutic target in malignant gliomas. Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw
  2. Dariusz Wawrzyniak – Fluorinated α-aminophosphonates as potential urokinase inhibitors with anticancer activity against glioblastoma. Department of Molecular Neurooncology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, PAS, Poznań
  3. Anna Rybarczyk – Liposomal nanoformulations of cannabidiol and celecoxib as a novel therapeutic option in glioma treatment – in vitro results. Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Poznań University of Medical Sciences
  4. Aleksandra Ellert-Miklaszewska – 7aaRGD – a novel SPP1/integrin signaling-blocking peptide reverses immunosuppression and improves anti-PD-1 immunotherapy outcomes in experimental gliomas. Center for Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw
  5. Anna Malik – SorLA supports pro-tumorigenic properties of glioma-associated microglia and shapes brain tumor microenvironment. Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw
  6. Sponsored lecture by Servier

19:05 – 20:05 Session VII – Workshops

Workshop Leaders:

  • Prof. Waldemar Priebe
  • Prof. Maciej Mrugała
  • Prof. Jacek Majewski
  • Prof. Wojciech Kaspera
  1. Katarzyna Poleszak – I49 peptide interfering with SPP1 blocks glioma–microglia interactions and exerts antitumor effects. Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS
  2. Jakub Godlewski – Immunotherapy responses in glioblastoma: an integrated evaluation of EVOV vaccine-like particles in preclinical models. Department of Neurooncology, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, PAS, Warsaw

20:05 – Dinner

Saturday, January 10, 2026

08:15 – 09:30 Session VIII A – Brain Tumor Imaging I

Session Chairs:

  • Prof. Barbara Bobek-Billewicz Department of Radiology and Imaging Diagnostics, National Oncology Institute, Gliwice.
  • Prof. Gabriela Kramer-Marek Department of Radiopharmacy and Laboratory PET Imaging, National Oncology Institute, Gliwice
  • Prof. Bogdan Małkowski Department of Nuclear Medicine, Oncology Center in Bydgoszcz
  1. Barbara Bobek-Billewicz – Brain tumor imaging – intra-cerebral tumors – monitoring after surgery, RT-CHT. Is it recurrence – progression? Department of Radiology and Imaging Diagnostics, National Oncology Institute, Gliwice
  2. Gabriela Kramer-Marek – Immuno-PET in brain tumors – target mapping and therapy guidance – from lab to clinical practice. Department of Radiopharmacy and Laboratory PET Imaging, National Oncology Institute, Gliwice
  3. Izabela Zarębska – FET-PET in radiosurgery of glioma recurrence. Department of Neurooncology and Radiosurgery, Oncology Center Bydgoszcz
  4. Sponsored lecture by BBraun – The use of a modern exoscope in tumor imaging – Dominik Gumny

09:30 – 09:40 Coffee break

09:40 – 11:05 Session VIII B – Brain Tumor Imaging II

Session Chairs:

  • Prof. Barbara Bobek-Billewicz Department of Radiology and Imaging Diagnostics, National Oncology Institute, Gliwice.
  • Prof. Łukasz Kuncman Department of Teleradiotherapy – WWCOiT M. Kopernik, Łódź.
  • Dr. Kamil Krystkiewicz Department of Neurosurgery and Nervous System Tumors, WWCOiT M. Kopernik, Łódź.
  1. Natalia Lehman – MRI imaging based on saturation transfer as a tool for early detection of CNS neoplastic changes. Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Lublin.
  2. Paweł Wawrzyniak – Changes in speech center lateralization (reorganization) in fMRI after neurosurgery. Department of Radiology and Imaging Diagnostics, National Oncology Institute, Gliwice.
  3. Anna Hebda – Detection efficacy of oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG) in adult-type diffuse gliomas using 1H-MRS spectroscopy. Department of Radiology and Imaging Diagnostics, National Oncology Institute, Gliwice
  4. Anastasija Krzemińska – Advancing Brain Tumor Diagnosis: Vibrational Spectroscopy for Differentiation and Classification of Gliomas. Neurosurgery Department, 4th Military Clinical Hospital, Wrocław
  5. Magdalena Adamczak-Sobczak – Application of novel MRI imaging methods in CNS radiotherapy planning. Department of Neurooncology and Radiosurgery, Oncology Center Bydgoszcz
  6. Izabela Baranowska – Beyond Conventional MRI: Markers of Brain Metastasis Radiosurgery Response using 7T T1 MT and CEST. St. John’s Oncology Center, Lublin; Department of Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Medical University of Lublin.

11:05 – 11:20 Coffee break

11:20 – 13:20 – PTNO General Elective Assembly – Download the meeting agenda

13:20 – 14:20 Lunch

14:20 – 15:45 Session IX – Pediatric Brain Tumors

Session Chairs:

  • Prof. Wiesława Grajkowska Department of Oncopathology and Medical Biostructure, Children’s Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw
  • Prof. Krzysztof Czyżewski Department of Pediatrics, Hematology, Oncology, Immunology and Transplantology – University Hospital No. 1, Bydgoszcz
  • Prof. Aleksandra Napieralska Department of Radiotherapy, National Oncology Institute, Gliwice
  1. Wiesława Grajkowska & Joanna Trubicka – Histopathological and genetic diagnostics of gliomas in children. Children’s Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw
  2. Jacek Majewski – Investigating Molecular Mechanisms and Targeting miRNAs in the Embryonal Brain Tumor ETMR. William Dawson Scholar, Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
  3. Jacek Majewski – “Fusion of TTYH1 with the C19MC microRNA cluster drives expression of a brain-specific DNMT3B isoform in the embryonal brain tumor ETMR” William Dawson Scholar, Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
  4. Katarzyna Leszczyńska – HIT-GLIO – Targeting tumour-host interactions in pediatric malignant gliomas to reinvigorate immunity and improve radio- and immunotherapy efficacy. Tumor Hypoxia and Epigenomics Laboratory, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw
  5. Szymon Lipiec – Non-canonical response to hypoxia in diffuse midline gliomas with the H3K27M mutation in children. Tumor Hypoxia and Epigenomics Laboratory, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw

15:45 – 16:00 Coffee break

16:00 – 17:45 Session X – Preserving the Quality of Life in Neuro-oncology Patients

Session Chairs:

  • Prof. Radosław Rola Department and Clinic of Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Medical University of Lublin
  • Prof. Krzysztof Składowski Department of Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch
  • Prof. Aleksandra Bala Department of Neuropsychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw
  1. Aleksandra Bala – Quality of life studies in oncology patients. Department of Neuropsychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw
  2. Maciej Pelak – Proton and ion therapy in CNS tumors: Is complication reduction the only justification? Department of Radiotherapy and Radio-Oncology, PMU University Hospital, LKH Salzburg, MedAustron Ion Therapy Center, Wiener Neustadt, Austria
  3. Maciej Harat – Adaptive radiotherapy as a new method to limit irradiation of healthy brain tissue in glioma patients. Department of Neuro-oncology and Radiosurgery, Bydgoszcz
  4. Sandra Pilawska – Factors associated with recurrence of malignant gliomas within one year after surgical treatment. Department of Neurosurgery and Neurotraumatology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków
  5. Gabriela Brożek – Causes of unplanned readmission of patients with malignant brain gliomas within one year from initial surgery. Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków
  6. Roger Krzyżewski – End-of-life issues in patients with malignant brain gliomas. Department of Neurosurgery and Neurotraumatology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków

17:45 – 18:00 Technical break

18:00 – 19:30 Session XI – Free Topics

Session Chairs:

  • Prof. Jacek Furtak Department of Neurosurgery, 10th Military Clinical Hospital, Bydgoszcz
  • Prof. Łukasz Szylberg Department of Tumor Pathology, Oncology Center, Bydgoszcz
  1. Kamil Krystkiewicz – Transpedicular carbon fiber screws in the treatment of spinal metastases and stereotactic radiotherapy – preliminary results of the CarboMetaspine study. Department of Neurosurgery and Nervous System Tumors, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Łódź
  2. Kamil Krystkiewicz – Multimodal assessment of local recurrence in spinal metastases: development and validation of a radiological definition based on MRI, PET-CT and robotic biopsy – prospective SMART study. Department of Neurosurgery and Nervous System Tumors, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Łódź
  3. Anastasija Krzemińska – Clinical Characteristics and Surgical Outcomes of Spinal Tumor Resections: A Retrospective Case Series from a Single Polish Neurosurgical Center. Department of Neurosurgery, 4th Military Clinical Hospital, Wrocław
  4. Anastasija Krzemińska – Craniopharyngioma in the Modern Era: Retrospective Study of 18 Cases and Literature Review of Contemporary Management Strategies. Department of Neurosurgery, 4th Military Clinical Hospital, Wrocław
  5. Monika Dźwigońska – Hypoxia dysregulates the epigenetic landscape and impairs the functions of glioma-associated myeloid cells. Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw
  6. Marta Koźba-Gosztyła – Climbing the learning curve: lessons from 123 endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgeries in a single center. Department of Neurosurgery, 4th Military Clinical Hospital, Wrocław

Technical break

19:35 – 20:35 “Brainstorming” – discussion among researchers about research opportunities and collaborative projects

Moderators: Prof. Waldemar Priebe, Prof. Marek Harat, Prof. Bożena Kamińska-Kaczmarek

20:35 – Dinner