stepupiors – Page 4

New scientific publication within WP2

STEPUPIORS physicians Prof. Suzana Stojanovic-Rundic and Mladen Marinkovic
were lead authors on a new project publication.

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of dose-escalated radiotherapy (RT) using the volumetric modulated arc therapy–simultaneous integrated boost (VMAT–SIB) technique in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer compared to 3D conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT).

The implementation of intensified treatment with a higher dose using the VMAT–SIB technique demonstrated significant benefits in downsizing and downstaging compared to the standard treatment approach. These findings support its potential for integration into clinical practice, after carefully planned prospective, multi-center studies needed to validate the results and assess long-term outcomes.

https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61030483

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STEPUPIORS at UMOS-SDIR Liquid Biopsy Colloquium

The Association of Medical Oncologists of Serbia (UMOS) and the Serbian Association for Cancer Research (SDIR) organized the first UMOS-SDIR Colloquium on Liquid Biopsy in Oncology, on February 26, 2025. The colloquium was a conversation between experts about liquid biopsy issues that are imposed by the constant advancement of cancer research and clinical oncology, and about solutions that are not yet in the corpus of recommendations nor a part of international and national clinical practice.

STEPUPIORS members participated as chairs, moderators, lecturers and participants and elaborated on the introduction of liquid biopsies into clinical oncology practice in Serbia. Meeting participants highlighted the technological progress and outlined future steps in the more precise monitoring of the biology of malignant tumors and the response to treatment, using lung and colorectal cancer as models.

As an outcome of the meeting, the directions of future joint activities were determined, in order to formulate a clear national strategy for the clinical application of liquid biopsy in oncology in Serbia.

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STEPUPIORS at the EACR-AstraZeneca Conference: Circulating Nucleic Acids (cfDNA/ctDNA) virtual conference

Dr Milena Cavic presented a flash talk “Employing widening EU funds to train the next generation of liquid biopsy researchers – example of the STEPUPIORS collaborative rectal cancer project” at the EACR-AstraZeneca Conference: Circulating Nucleic Acids (cfDNA/ctDNA): In use, in view and on the horizon, Virtual Event, held on Jan 28-29, 2025.

This study evaluated how collaborative widening funds might lead to sustainable strategies for liquid biopsy (LB) approaches, with a focus on countries with limited resources such as Serbia, using a pilot rectal cancer project.

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STEPUPIORS Expert Lecture at the Center for Translational Cancer Research educational training

Dr Milena Cavic delivered a lecture: ‘Personalized Medicine and Molecular Diagnostics Approaches in Profiling of Solid Tumors in Serbia at the third session of the Research Training Program for Clinicians and Residents (RT-PCR): Women Pioneers in Oncology Research and Practice of the Centre for Translational Cancer Research (CTCR) A Joint Initiative by IISER-Pune and PCCM on Jan 30, 2025.

This session explored advancements in tumor profiling and personalized therapeutic approaches currently performed in Serbia, outlining challenges and ongoing national strategies. The contribution of scientific projects and multi-institutional/multinational collaborations as STEPUPIORS was highlighted as crucial for future initiatives in this field.

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STEPUPIORS Expert Lecture at TargetedResponse project webinar

STEPUPIORS WP2 leader Dr Radmila Jankovic offered insights into molecular testing of solid tumors in Serbia at the final webinar of the project stakeholder TargetedResponse Project funded by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, held on Jan 24, 2025.

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STEPUPIORS in New Hospital Serbia News

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STEPUPIORS at the 2024. Serbian Science Festival

Like thousands of lights of young hope, children and their teachers and families tirelessly visited the 17th annual Serbian Science Festival on December 12-14, 2024 in Belgrade. STEPUPIORS participants and students Miljana Tanić, Ana Đurić, Mladen Marinković, Marko Radulović, Aleksandra Stanojević, Vanja Stevanović, Kristina Živić, Katarina Živić, Valentina Karadžić, Miodrag Vuković and Milena Čavić enjoyed discussing healthy lifestyles, food, sports and the joy of being a scientist at the scientific booth of the Serbian Association for Cancer Research (SDIR).

It was an honor and a privilege to help build up a generation of healthy, happy and responsible young professionals in our country!

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November 2024 Congress Activities

STEPUPIORS participants engaged in a variety of scientific and educational activities in November and December 2025.

Mladen Marinkovic attended the European School of Oncology Autumn Masterclass in Clinical Oncology and gave a lecture “The role of CEA and CA 19-9 tumor markers in predicting response to neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer” at the 3rd Serbian Radiation Oncology Congress.

Miljana Tanic participated as an invited lecturer at the HDIR-7 Congress of the Croatian Association for Cancer Research (HDIR) “Biobanking From Scratch: A Roadmap to Setup a Rectal Cancer Biobank Within the STEPUPIORS Project”

Radmila Jankovic, Jelena Spasic, Ana Krivokuca, Marija Đorđić Crnogorac, Mladen Marinkovic, Milan Kocic, Fedja Djordjevic participated as lecturers and panelists at the Cancer Week of the Serbian Medical Society Oncology Section. A special session was dedicated to genetic predisposition and management of colorectal cancer in Serbia.

In collaboration with the Serbian Society for Extracellular Vesicles, Miodrag Vukovic gave a lecture “Extracellular Vesicles and Cancer”.