Vilnius International Oncology Summer School: United Young Oncology Talents from Across the World

On 6–10 July, the Vilnius International Oncology Summer School (VIOSS 2026) took place in Vilnius. Organised for the second year in a row, the event, aimed at young oncology talents, attracted participants from nine countries. Over five intensive days, the summer school brought together students and young researchers for a shared week of science, clinical practice, innovation, and international cooperation. 

Like last year, VIOSS 2026 was organised by Vilnius University (VU) Faculty of Medicine (FM) together with the National Cancer Center (NCC), in cooperation with the VU Life Sciences Center (LSC), the Children’s Hospital of Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, the National Cancer Institute, and a large group of Lithuanian and foreign experts. 

This year, the event’s content was oriented to the full spectrum of modern oncology knowledge, from fundamental research in laboratories to the most sophisticated clinical solutions, personalised medicine, palliative care, and principles of multidisciplinary work. 

One of the VIOSS days was devoted to fundamental cancer research. At the VU Life Sciences Center, the participants expanded their knowledge of cancer development molecular mechanisms, the application of single-cell technologies, and the significance of the microbiome in oncology. Dr Sonata Jarmalaitė presented the molecular mechanisms of cancer pathogenesis. Prof. Linas Mažutis from the Institute of Biotechnology introduced the potential of single-cell technologies in contemporary cancer research, while Prof. Eglė Lastauskienė from the Institute of Biosciences discussed the role of the microbiome in cancer development and treatment. 

A visit to the Children’s Hospital of Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos was another part of the programme, with the focus on paediatric oncology and haematology. Medical paediatric oncohaematologists, Assoc. Prof. Goda Elizabeta Vaitkevičienė and Prof. Sonata Šaulytė-Trakymienė, orthopaedist-traumatologist Dr Rimantas Zagorskis, and oncopsychology expert Aušrinė Kėvalaitė presented the special characteristics of paediatric oncology, multidisciplinary teamwork, and the clinical challenges inherent to this field. The participants had the opportunity to become familiar with one of the most advanced centres of paediatric oncology in the region at close range. 

Assoc. Prof. Vaitkevičienė emphasised that the integration of paediatric oncology into the summer school programme was one of the key features of this year. “The upcoming oncology specialists need to realise, as early as possible, that paediatric oncology is not just a smaller version of adult oncology; it is an independent area with its own distinctive biological mechanisms, treatment principles, and requirements for the patient and their family. Nowadays, the majority of children who get oncological diseases recover; however, their journey does not end there.“

„Having such diseases in childhood, a significant risk of late treatment complications remains, increasing the probability of chronic disease development and much higher morbidity in adulthood. It is therefore vital for future specialists to understand the specifics of cancer treatment in children as well as the long-term monitoring of such patients during their entire life path after their treatment. I am happy that a whole day was devoted to paediatric oncology in the VIOSS programme, allowing the participants to familiarise themselves with our everyday work, our multidisciplinary team activities, and the importance of long-term care”, she added.

Read more about the Vilnius International Oncology Summer School here.