For the third time, the Summer School focused on the tumor microenvironment and immunity took place in the inspiring surroundings of the Nové Hrady Castle in South Bohemia. The event, held under the auspices of the National Institute for Cancer Research (NICR) and the Czech Immunological Society, welcomed around twenty scientists, doctors, and, above all, postgraduate students from the Czech Republic and abroad.
The summer school was organized by Luca Vannucci, head of the Laboratory of Immunotherapy at the Institute of Microbiology of the CAS, which is part of the NÚVR, and president of the Czech Immunological Society. The aim was to offer participants not only an insight into current scientific knowledge, but also a space for professional discussion, establishing cooperation, and sharing experiences in a friendly and open atmosphere.
The school's professional program covered a wide range of topics related to the relationship between the tumor microenvironment and the immune system and offered lectures by several Czech and foreign experts, some of which were available in video format due to restrictions caused by the current international situation. Among other things, historical milestones in immunotherapy, current possibilities for targeted treatment, and new findings in the field of tumor immunometabolism, the microbiome, and myeloid suppressor cells were discussed. Technological innovations were also on display: participants learned about the use of advanced microscopy, spatial analysis of the tumor microenvironment, and QuPath software for digital pathology. The program also included a poster section in which selected young scientists presented their research activities.
The summer school once again confirmed that the combination of cutting-edge science, open academic discussion, and meetings across disciplines and countries is key to the development of Czech and European oncology and immunology. This was also highlighted by the recording of a special episode of the podcast “In Amongst the Cells”, which took place in Nové Hrady with Luca Vannucci, Viktor Umansky, member of NICR ISAB, and Aleksi Šedo, director of NÚVR.
We would like to thank all participants and look forward to the next Summer School on Tumor Microenvironment and Immunity!
