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ZenCure - STEPUPIORS collaboration

In 2026, members of the ZeNCure and STEPUPIORS projects initiated a collaboration to advance colorectal cancer research using Zebrafish patient-derived xenograft (zPDX) models.

Project title: Enhancing non-communicable disease research excellence through zebrafish capacity building

ZeNCure aims to foster collaborative research and enhance scientific excellence exploring the critical role of in vivo models in non-communicable disease research, ranging from identifying genetic and environmental risk factors to testing innovative therapeutics. It leverages cutting-edge technologies, including next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics. ZeNCure is poised to accelerate the professional development of both early-stage and senior researchers, as well as administrative staff. ZeNCure represents a transformative endeavor that aims to strengthen scientific collaboration, improve research capabilities, and contribute to the global fight against non-communicable diseases including cancer. By bridging the gap between Serbian and leading European research institutions, the project aspires to elevate Serbian research in the Western Balkans, fostering regional integration and convergence with the EU.

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STEPUPIORS at the Master 4.0 Bioinformatics program - University of Belgrade

Using the vast project-acquired experience in omics techniques, STEPUPIORS members Aleksandra Stanojevic, Mladen Marinkovic, Marko Radulovic and Milena Cavic will participate as proposers and lecturers of the first national Master 4.0 Bioinformatics study program with a consortium of institutions: University of Belgrade-Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Dentistry and the Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia. The program is intended for students of various profiles: medical, technical-technological and natural-mathematical and has enrolled the first student generation in the 2026/27 academic year. The program is organized as a single unit without modules for a duration of 1 year (60 ECTS), and will also result in 8 short study programs lasting one semester, each carrying 30 ECTS. Professional practice for students will be carried out in 20 companies that supported the application, including the largest pharmaceutical companies in Serbia (Roche, Hemofarm) and the most famous bioinformatics companies operating in Serbia (BGI Group, Heliant, Velsera, Apis assay Technologies, Adriatec, EPAM, mBrainTrain, Persida Bio, Labena, RT-RK, Tecnalia, AIGO Business Systems, Varius Development, Quiddita, Bending Spoons, Smart Business Technologies, Siemens, Comtrade, among others) . The classes will be taught by 49 teachers from the University of Belgrade and the Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, along with 30 guest lecturers from business and renowned experts from abroad (USA, Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Italy, Croatia, Singapore).  The programme also includes professional internship training and a Master’s thesis, together accounting for 30 ECTS, defined in accordance with the standards of the National Entity for Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education of Serbia.
The programme has been developed in response to the growing labour-market demand for professionals in this field, particularly in areas where a shortage of qualified experts has been identified. It is designed to enable students from diverse academic backgrounds to communicate and work effectively in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary environments.

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STEPUPIORS at ESTRO2026 and ESMO GI 2026 congresses

Dr Mladen Marinkovic represented STEPUPIORS at the 2026 European Society For Medical Oncology (ESMO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Congress in Munich, Germany and the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) 2026 in Stockholm, Sweden. He presented two project abstracts and attended the first on-site event of the ESO Certificate of Advanced Studies in Gastrointestinal Cancer, a 16-month programme organized in collaboration between the European School of Oncology (ESO) and Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) in Lugano.

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New project publication

Aleksandra Stanojevic published a third manuscript with her PhD results on the analysis of public bulk RNA-seq data to identify predictive features of response to nCRT in rectal cancer. These findings provide insight into mechanisms underlying therapy response, as a first meta-analysis using high-throughput sequencing data.
Stanojevic, A., Stroggilos, R., Marinkovic, M., Djuric, A., Stojanovic‐Rundic, S., Jankovic, R., Castellvi‐Bel, S., Fijneman, R. J. A., Vlahou, A., Zoidakis, J., & Cavic, M. (2026). Profiling neoadjuvant therapy response in rectal cancer using meta‐analysis of publicly available transcriptomic RNA‐seq datasets. Molecular Oncology. https://doi.org/10.1002/1878-0261.70324

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New project publication

IORS Dept. for Department of Genetic Counseling for Hereditary Cancer published the first systematic analysis of a clinically selected high-risk Serbian cohort related to Lynch syndrome. The manuscript provides novel data on the spectrum of LS-associated variants in this referral population, demonstrates the predominance of MLH1 variants, and supports broader implementation of genetic testing, tumor screening, and genetic counseling.
Djordjic Crnogorac M, Karadzic V, Cato T, Cavic M, Nikolic N, Spasic J, Djordjevic F, Jokic V, Kocic M, Djurasinovic M, Kukic B, Nikolic S, Ristic M, Milovic M, Krivokuca A. Genetic Landscape of Lynch Syndrome in a High-Risk Serbian Cohort: Predominance of MLH1 Variants and Implications for Risk-Based Testing. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2026; 27(15):6652. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27156652.

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STEPUPIORS at the "ctDNA International Symposium 2026" in Aarhus, Denmark

STEPUPIORS Project members Dr Ana Djuric, Dr Milena Cavic, Dr Meike de Wit, Dr Paul van der Leest, Denise van Steijn and Dr Remond Fijneman participated at the “ctDNA International Symposium 2026 Circulating Tumor DNA in Cancer: From Biology to Clinical Practice and Beyond” held on May 21 – 22, 2026 in Aarhus, Denmark, organized by Lars Dyrskjøt and Claus Lindbjerg Andersen from the  Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University. During these 2 days, latest advances in the field of circulating tumor DNA — from technological innovations and biological insights to clinical applications and future perspectives were discussed, with the aim to transform healthcare standards and deliver tangible benefits to patients. Project results were presented and discussed during lectures and active poster sessions and networking activities, comparing national liquid biopsy practices across Europe.

Dr Ana Djuric and Dr Milena Cavic also performed a visit to the Department of Molecular Medicine of the Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, kindly hosted by Dr Claus Lindbjerg Andersen, in preparation for new joint project applications.

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Third IORS Open Day on Colorectal Cancer

The third Open Day dedicated to colorectal cancer was held on April 29, 2026 at the Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, organized in collaboration with the Genetic Counseling Department for Hereditary Cancer of IORS.

The event brought together patients, patient associations, family members, healthcare workers and scientists to emphasize the importance of prevention and early diagnosis. Project members – physicians Jelena Spasic and Milan Kocic and scientists Marija Đorđić Crnogorac Valentina Karadžić and Milena Cavic presented the capacities and projects of the Institute. Patients and patient representatives conveyed their questions and experience. As a conclusion, it was proposed to organize more similar events in several cities of Serbia in order for the useful information to reach all our citizens.

Information on genetic testing of hereditary cancer syndromes associated with colorectal cancer at IORS can be obtained by direct e-mail contact at: geneticko.savetovanje.iors@ncrc.ac.rs or phone numbers +381112067283 and +381112067284.

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STEPUPIORS at the Serbian Society of Surgical Oncology meeting

STEPUPIORS project members Srdjan Nikolic, Fedja Djordjevic, Milan Kocic, Vladimir Jokic, Niels Kok and Milena Cavic participated as lecturers at the scientific national meeting on colorectal cancer organized by the Serbian Society of Surgical Oncology and the Serbian Medical Society Oncology and Surgery Sections on March 27, 2026 in Arandjelovac.

Up to date topics on the concept of TNT in the treatment of rectal cancer, cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC, surgery of liver metastases, oncovascular surgery and the role of liquid biopsy in the treatment of colorectal cancer were discussed with surgical oncologists from various Serbian centers, comparing good practices and moving the field forward towards more precise personalization of oncological treatment. The role of surgeons in the process was found to be crucial for the introduction of modern techniques and proper workflow within Serbian hospital multidisciplinary tumor boards.

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STEPUPIORS at the widerAdvance Facility Prague Study Visit and Mutual Learning Event

Dr Ana Djuric and Dr Milena Cavic participated in a two-day Study Visit in Prague on February 9-10, 2026, organized by the WiderAdvance Facility EU Project for researchers and research management professionals from Widening countries across Europe. The event brought together representatives from Widening countries to familiarize them with the Czech innovation ecosystem and to connect them with the widerAdvance Facility project and its services to improve the exploitation of STEPUPIORS project results.  The visit started with a study tour of the National Library of Technology, followed by a visit to the Charles University.

On 11 February, 2026, Dr Djuric and Dr Cavic continued the visit by participating in a Mutual Learning Event. The goal was to explore how organisations from Widening countries can strengthen their valorisation capacity by unlocking complementary funding opportunities.

https://www.wideradvance.eu/

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3rd annual Open Day on colorectal cancer at IORS

The Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia will host the third Open Day dedicated to colorectal cancer on April 29, 2026, at 1 pm.

The aim of the event is to raise awareness about colorectal cancer and the possible hereditary basis of this disease, as well as prevention, early diagnosis and available therapies. The meeting is dedicated primarily to individuals with colorectal cancer and their family members, but also to the wider community that wants to be informed about genetic testing of hereditary cancer syndromes associated with colorectal cancer.

Interest participants can register (complimentary) for the event by filling out the form at the link:
or by direct contact via e-mail geneticko.savetovanje.iors@ncrc.ac.rs.

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© 2023 STEPUPIORS. All rights reserved

Project ID:  101079217 (HORIZON-WIDERA-2021-ACCESS-03)

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the European Research Executive Agency can be held responsible for them

Project ID:  101079217 (HORIZON-WIDERA-2021-ACCESS-03)

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the European Research Executive Agency can be held responsible for them

© 2023 STEPUPIORS. All rights reserved

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