Programme

Overview: This session will explore the complex role of senescent cells in shaping therapeutic efficacy and long-term consequences. Speakers will provide a comprehensive exploration of radiation-induced senescence across diverse biological contexts. We will examine how radiation-induced senescence in stromal fibroblasts contributes to tumor growth, recurrence, and therapy resistance, driven by the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Moreover, the role of radiation-induced senescent cells in the tumor microenvironment of glioblastomas will be presented. Additionally, speakers will delve into the heterogeneity of senescence signatures in normal tissues, with a focus on lung endothelial cells and their role in radiation-induced fibrosis. Finally, we will discuss senescence-driven fibrosis across multiple organ systems and the potential of senolytic therapies to mitigate these effects.

Overview: Soft tissue sarcomas are one of the most challenging topics in radiation oncology from both a technical and oncological standpoint, due to their histological heterogeneity, complex anatomy, and limited prospective evidence. This session explores the clinical and technological frontiers of sarcoma radiotherapy in different settings: from the current standard of care and emerging trial data for retroperitoneal sarcomas, to definitive high-dose strategies (including IMRT, hypofractionation, spatially fractionated techniques, and particle therapy) for unresectable disease; SBRT in the oligometastatic setting; and the evolving role of daily adaptive radiotherapy in optimising target coverage and sparing organs at risk

Overview: This pitch session explores the next frontiers of medical physics research in 5 key areas of radiotherapy. Speakers will present future research directions on: - new treatment units’ development, - dose calculation and optimization as dynamic, biology-driven tasks expanded to incorporate emerging synergies like theranostics or dose-to-blood calculation. - response modelling to shift from dose-based toward response-guided therapy including spatial, temporal and biological information, - new detector developments and dosimetry audits - optimizing the use and integration of imaging data in effective longitudinal models and decision making. This session will inspire the audience to develop bold new research ideas for multi-modality approaches that can transform the radiotherapy landscape.

Overview: This session will focus on the role of metastases-directed therapy in the form of stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy in the treatment of oligometastatic breast and gynaecological malignancies. Ongoing and future studies will be summarised. Selection criteria will be presented emphasising the importance of considering varying biological subtypes. Decision-making around how to integrate local therapy with systemic therapies will be addressed. Importantly this symposium will include the patient's perspective to better understand what is most important to patients in terms of treatment goals and unmet needs.

Overview: The growing availability of high-quality international guidelines (e.g., European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology) • The persistent gap between evidence-based recommendations and real-world clinical practice • Key barriers to implementation: Resource limitations, Health system constraints, Human and organizational factors • Global disparities in radiotherapy access and infrastructure • The importance of resource-adapted guidelines for different healthcare settings • The emerging role of implementation science, digital tools, and AI in improving adherence • A proposed multi-level implementation model (global → national → institutional) • The need for stronger involvement of international societies in supporting implementation • Key message: Guidelines should be evaluated based on patient benefit, not publication impact