San Antonio Liver Cancer Symposium
Oct. 8-9, 2026
A two-day symposium advancing the future of liver cancer research and care. Early registration ends July 31.
Register today-
About
Advancing the Future of Liver Cancer Research and Care

What to Know
The San Antonio Liver Cancer Symposium (SALCS) brings together leading experts in hepatology, oncology, gastroenterology, surgery and translational science to advance the future of liver, pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancer research and care.
Hosted by the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, the annual two-day scientific meeting highlights breakthrough science, multidisciplinary collaboration and clinical innovation shaping prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Founded in 2021, SALCS is dedicated to accelerating progress from research discovery to clinical impact and improving outcomes for patients worldwide.
What to Expect
- Multidisciplinary scientific sessions
- Nationally recognized speakers
- Translational and clinical research
- Networking and collaboration
- Abstract presentations
- Emerging therapies and innovations
Ready to Join Us in San Antonio? Register Today
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Agenda
Agenda
The 2026 San Antonio Liver Cancer Symposium (SALCS) agenda features two days of scientific sessions, multidisciplinary discussions and emerging research focused on liver, pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers.
Programming includes nationally recognized experts in hepatology, oncology, surgery, translational science and patient care exploring the latest advances shaping the future of cancer research and treatment.
Additional speakers and session details will continue to be added as the program is finalized.
Day One: Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026
7–8 a.m. Registration and Breakfast 7:15–7:55 a.m. Breakfast Product Theater 8:00–8:10 a.m. WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS Lei Zheng, MD, PhD, Executive Director of Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio Sukeshi Arora, MD — Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio Danielle Fritze, MD — Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio PLENARY SESSION 8:15–9:15 a.m. Plenary 1 Moderator Danielle Fritze, MD — Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 8:15–9 a.m. Evolution of Liver 9–9:15 a.m. Q&A TRACK 1 9:20–11 a.m. Preclinical and Translational – Liver Cancer Moderators Sun LuZhe, PhD and Zhao Peng , PhD — UT Health San Antonio 9:25–9:40 a.m. YAP activation induces HCC by inhibiting FXR to disrupt bile acid metabolism — Yingzi Yang, PhD — Harvard University 9:45–10 a.m. Wei Qiu, PhD — Loyola University Chicago 10:05–10:20 a.m. Satdarshan (Paul) Singh Monga, MD — University of Pittsburgh 10:25–10:40 a.m. Q&A Panel Discussion TRACK 2 9:20–11 a.m. Updates in Colon and Rectal Cancer Moderator Alicia Logue, MD — UT Health San Antonio 9:25–9:40 a.m. Screening GI — Douglas K. Rex, MD — Indiana University School of Medicine 9:45–10 a.m. Rectal Cancer — Amy Le, MD, MPH — UT Health San Antonio 10:05–10:20 a.m. Liver Metastases — TBD 10:25–10:40 a.m. Q&A Panel Discussion 10:45–11 a.m. Break, Networking & Exhibits TRACK 1 11:20–12:50 p.m. Hepatology Moderator Jan Petrasek, MD — UT Health San Antonio 11:20–11:35 a.m. Updates 11:40–11:55 a.m. Fatty Liver Therapies Noon–12:15 p.m. Up-and-Coming Fatty Liver Therapies — Eric Lawitz, MD — Texas Liver Institute 12:20–12:35 p.m. PNPLA3 Gene 12:35–12:50 p.m. Q&A Panel Discussion TRACK 2 11:20–12:35 p.m. Cholangiocarcinoma Moderator 11:20–11:35 a.m. Resectable Surgeon 11:40–11:55 a.m. Therapeutics — Nilo Azad, MD — Johns Hopkins Medicine Noon–12:15 p.m. Randa Tao, MD — Mayo Clinic 12:20–12:35 p.m. Q&A Panel Discussion 12:40–1:55 p.m. Lunch Product Theater -TBD TRACK 1 2–3:30 p.m. Epidemiology Moderator Amelie Ramirez, DrPH, MPH — UT Health San Antonio 2:05–2:20 p.m. GLP-1 & GI Cancers — Colton Jones, MD — UT Health San Antonio 2:25–2:40 p.m. HCC/Cirrhosis/Disparities — TBD 2:45–2:55 p.m. Abstract 1 3:15–3:30 p.m. Q&A Panel Discussion TRACK 2 2–3:30 p.m. Pediatric and AYA Moderator Danielle Fritze, MD — Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 2:05–2:20 p.m. Updates on Hepatoblastoma 2:25–2:40 p.m. Pediatric Management of Hereditary Cancer Syndromes 2:45–2:55 p.m. Abstract 1 3:15–3:30 p.m. Q&A Panel Discussion 3:30–3:45 p.m. Break, Networking & Exhibits TRACK 1 3:50–5:30 p.m. HCC Updates in Systemic Therapeutics Moderator Maen Abdelrahim, MD, PhD, PharmD — Houston Methodist 3:55–4:10 p.m. First-Line Therapy — Sukeshi Arora, MD — Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 4:15–4:30 p.m. Second-Line Therapy — Julie Rowe, MD — UT MD Anderson Cancer Center 4:35–4:50 p.m. New Therapies — Maen Abdelrahim, MD, PhD, PharmD — Houston Methodist 4:50–5 p.m. Abstract 1 5:20–5:30 p.m. Q&A Panel Discussion TRACK 2 3:50–5:30 p.m. Genetics vs Genomics in GI Cancers – Case-Based study; Dr. Jessica Jones 3:55–4:10 p.m. CaRE Cancer Risk Reduction and Education Program — Jessica Trevino Jones, MD at Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 4:15–4:30 p.m. Disparities — Marcela Mazo Canola, MD — Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 4:35–4:50 p.m. Genomics 4:50–5 p.m. Abstract 1 5:20–5:30 p.m. Q&A Panel Discussion 5:30 p.m. Day 1 Adjournment DAY TWO —
FRIDAY, OCT. 9, 20267–8 a.m. Registration and Breakfast 7:20–8 a.m. Breakfast Product Theater PLENARY SESSION 8:05–9:10 a.m. Plenary 2 Moderator Sukeshi Arora, MD — Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 8:10–8:55 a.m. Fibrotic Liver / Preclinical 8:55–9:10 a.m. Q&A 9:15–9:30 a.m. Break, Networking & Exhibits TRACK 1 9:35–10:55 a.m. The Caregiving-Survivorship Dyad in Liver Cancer Moderator Kirsten Eom, PhD, MPH — UT Health San Antonio 9:40–9:55 a.m. Policy & Access to Care — Robin Yabroff, PhD, MBA — American Cancer Society 10–10:15 a.m. The Caregiver Infrastructure — Lau-Min, Kelsey S., MD — Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer 10:20–10:35 a.m. Clinical Integration & Data — Camilla Nonterah, PhD — University of Richmond 10:40–10:55 a.m. Q&A TRACK 1
11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Local Liver and Transplantation Tumor BoardModerators: Neil Newman, MD — University of Miami, Katherine Crow, MS, PA-C — UT Health San Antonio Panelists: Medical Oncologist: Maen Abdelrahim, MD, PhD, PharmD — Houston Methodist Hepatology Transplant Surgery Radiation Oncology: Neil Newman, MD — University of Miami Interventional Radiology Patient Advocate: Katherine Crow, MS, PA-C — UT Health San Antonio Noon–12:15 p.m. Q &A TRACK 2 9:40–12:15 p.m. Pancreas Track Moderators Prabhleen Chahal, MD, MASGE, FACG — Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio and Lei Zheng, MD, PhD, Executive Director of Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 9:40–9:55 a.m. Endoscopic/GI — UT GI: Rajat Garg, MD — UT Health San Antonio and Matheus C Franco, MD, MBA, MSc, PhD — UT Health San Antonio 10–10:15 a.m. Pancreatic Cysts — Sepideh Moghadam, MD, FACG — 10:20–10:35 a.m. Resectable/Robotic 10:40–10:55 a.m. Locally Advanced 11–11:15 a.m. Metastatic RAS 11:20–11:35 a.m. Metastatic Non RAS 11:40–11:55 a.m. Radiation Oncology Noon–12:15 p.m. Q&A 12:15–1:30 p.m. Lunch Product Theater LIVING BEYOND CANCER 1:35–3:30 p.m. Living Beyond Cancer Moderators Katherine Crow, MS, PA-C — UT Health San Antonio and Jake Sekula, FNP — University Health 1:40–1:55 p.m. Advocacy Engagement 2–2:15 p.m. Prehab/rehab demo: Ricky Joseph, PhD, OTR — UT Health San Antonio 2:20–2:35 p.m. Survivorship: Katherine Cermin, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FNP-C — Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 2:40–2:55 p.m. Multidisciplinary Palliative Interventions: Jennifer LaCoss, MD — UT Health San Antonio 3–3:15 p.m. Patient Caregiver Story — Ken Smith 3:15–3:30 p.m. Q&A 3:30–3:45 p.m. Break, Networking & Exhibits TOP THREE ORAL ABSTRACT PRESENTATION 3:50–4:30 p.m. Top Three Oral Abstract Presentation Moderators Sukeshi Arora, MD and Danielle Fritze, MD — Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 3:50–4 p.m. Abstract 1 4–4:10 p.m. Abstract 2 4:10–4:20 p.m. Abstract 3 4:20–4:30 p.m. Award Presentation POSTER RECEPTION 4:30–5:30 p.m. Poster Reception 5:30 p.m. Close of Program -
Date and Time
Date and Time
- Thu, Oct 8, 2026, 7:00AM
- to Fri, Oct 9, 2026, 5:00PM
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Location
Location
The Westin San Antonio North
9821 Colonnade Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78230
Book now
San Antonio, TX 78230 -
Call for Abstracts
Call for Abstracts
Share Your Research at SALCS 2026
Researchers, physicians and trainees are invited to submit original research advancing the future of liver, pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancer care.
Abstract submissions are now open for the 2026 San Antonio Liver Cancer Symposium (SALCS).
Selected abstracts will be featured during the symposium alongside nationally recognized experts in hepatology, oncology, surgery and translational science.
SALCS provides a multidisciplinary forum to share emerging discoveries, innovative science and clinical advances shaping the future of cancer research and patient care.
Abstract Topics Include
- Liver cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Cholangiocarcinoma
- Translational science
- Hepatology
- Immunotherapy
- Cancer prevention and disparities
- Clinical trials and therapeutics
Abstract Submission Deadline: August 14, 2026
Submit an Abstract
Poster presentations and abstract sessions provide opportunities for researchers and clinicians to share emerging discoveries and connect with experts from across the country. -
Contact
Contact
Questions about SALCS 2026? We’re here to help.
For symposium, registration and abstract submission questions, please contact the SALCS team at UTHealthMTG@uthscsa.edu.
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Exhibitor Details
Exhibitor Details
Connect with physicians, researchers, clinicians and industry leaders at the 2026 San Antonio Liver Cancer Symposium (SALCS).
For exhibit pricing, sponsorship opportunities, rules and regulations, and additional meeting details, please review the exhibitor prospectus. For questions or more information, please contact UTHealthMTG@uthscsa.edu.
Why Exhibit at SALCS?
- Connect with multidisciplinary cancer specialists
- Engage with researchers and clinical leaders
- Showcase innovations and emerging technologies
- Build relationships with attendees from across the field
Exhibitor Resources
Secure your spot today

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Registration
Join colleagues from across the country at SALCS 2026.
Register for the 2026 San Antonio Liver Cancer Symposium (SALCS) to explore the latest advances in liver, pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancer research and care.
The two-day scientific meeting brings together physicians, researchers, clinicians and trainees for multidisciplinary discussions, emerging science and opportunities for collaboration.
Registration Includes
- Access to multidisciplinary scientific sessions
- Abstract and poster presentations
- Networking opportunities
- Industry and exhibitor engagement
- CME credit opportunities
Early Registration Ends July 31, 2026
Register Now
