The 2024 International Liver Cancer Association (ILCA) Conference recently held its highly anticipated awards ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This event attracted attention from liver cancer researchers worldwide, recognizing those who made significant contributions to the field over the past year. The ceremony aimed to further promote global collaboration and innovation in liver cancer research.

The ceremony was opened by ILCA President, Professor Tim Meyer, who reflected on the notable achievements in liver cancer research over the past year. He emphasized the pivotal role that ILCA plays in advancing global collaboration and innovation. Professor Meyer lauded the exceptional achievements of both seasoned researchers and emerging scholars, presenting awards that spanned multiple critical fields of clinical and translational research, showcasing their profound impact and influence.

Nelson Fausto Award: Honoring a Legend

The prestigious Nelson Fausto Award for Excellence was presented to Professor Morris Sherman from the University of Toronto, in recognition of his extensive impact on the field of liver cancer research. Professor Sherman’s work has been cited over 42,000 times, underscoring his prominent status in the field. In his acceptance speech, Professor Sherman expressed deep gratitude for the award and highlighted the importance of teamwork and the exchange of diverse ideas throughout his career.

Professor Jordi Bruix, a longtime friend and collaborator of Professor Sherman, as well as the founder of ILCA and Director of the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, delivered a heartfelt tribute. He reminisced about their many years of collaboration and their joint efforts on liver cancer management guidelines. Professor Bruix humorously noted Professor Sherman’s unique perspectives on alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) as a screening tool for liver cancer, capturing Sherman’s humble leadership style and substantial contributions to the field.

Rising Stars: Young Investigator Awards

A major highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Young Investigator Awards, which recognized exceptional achievements in clinical and basic/translational research by emerging scholars. These awards not only reflect ILCA’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of liver cancer researchers but also indicate the promising future of the field.

• Best Oral Presentation Award (Clinical Research): Dr. Antonio D’Alessio from Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, received the award for his clinical study titled “Pathological Response Following Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy Predicts Recurrence-Free Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.” This innovative approach to predicting treatment outcomes in liver cancer earned high praise.

• Best Oral Presentation Award (Basic/Translational Research): Dr. Jawairia Atif from the University of Toronto won for her groundbreaking study, “Heterogeneity and Reduced Inflammatory Potential of Macrophages in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Revealed by Single-Cell and Spatial Transcriptomics.” Her research offered new insights into the immune landscape of HCC by exploring the heterogeneity of macrophages and their diminished inflammatory role.

• Best Poster Presentation Award (Clinical Research): Dr. Zach Whitham from the University of Texas was recognized for his study, “Relationship Between Safety-Networked Medical Systems and Delays in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment.” His work provided constructive recommendations on building effective medical systems and strategies for managing liver cancer patients.

• Best Poster Presentation Award (Basic/Translational Research): Dr. Stefany Infante from the University of Navarra in Spain was honored for her research titled, “The Role of Unfolded Protein Response in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Under the Genetic Background of TP53 and CTNNB1.”

A Promising Future for Liver Cancer Research

The 2024 ILCA Awards Ceremony not only recognized the remarkable contributions of established leaders and emerging scholars but also reaffirmed ILCA’s core mission to propel liver cancer research towards excellence. With ILCA’s steadfast commitment to fostering global collaboration and innovation in the field, the future of liver cancer research looks brighter than ever, with continued breakthroughs and significant advancements on the horizon.