2026 Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Gordon Research Conference - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT This conference grant application requests funds to help support the Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) May 10 - 15, 2026. NPC is a deadly cancer arising in the nasopharynx which has high incidence in particular regions, including Alaska. The peak age at NPC diagnosis is in the mid-forties, which is two decades earlier than for many other common cancers. Thus, NPC has a significant socioeconomic impact globally. The etiology of this unique cancer includes three significant co-factors: host genetics, Epstein- Barr Virus (EBV) infection, and environmental influences. How these factors contribute to NPC development is the research focus of numerous labs worldwide. Because of its proclivity for early lymphatic spread, NPC is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, when the cancer is harder to cure and requires aggressive treatment. An enhanced understanding in regard to how EBV and aberrations in cell signaling drive normal cells to become cancerous, how these cells escape from the immune surveillance, and their molecular signatures for early diagnosis as well as for development of novel targeted and immune therapy is expected to improve NPC treatment and outcomes. The fact that the development of NPC requires the convergence of many different factors, including Epstein-Barr infection, host genetics, impaired anti-tumor host immune function, and epidemiological factors, makes this unique cancer a powerful model to dissect out the host-virus-environment interactions, thereby yielding insights into tumor pathogenesis. Studying NPC provides opportunities to address contemporary issues in cancer research (for example, tumor microenvironment, tumor immune surveillance, stem cells, epigenetics, cancer vaccine and immunotherapy). We hypothesize that the 2026 meeting, by featuring cutting-edge NPC basic, translational and clinical research, will provide a unique forum for idea exchange among scientists, clinicians, and industry representatives to catalyze the translation of recent advances into patient care. We will address this hypothesis via three specific aims: 1) To advance knowledge of key NPC basic pathogenetic mechanisms and translational research. 2) To highlight recent advances in nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosis and treatment. 3) To provide a stimulating forum that strengthens interactions between basic scientists, translational researchers and physicians and also between junior and senior members of the NPC field. We believe that the scientific environment created at the 2026 NPC Gordon Research Conference meeting will help to advance NPC research and to improve NPC patient care.
