Greetings from the governor
The Mayor of Schladming
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Dear congress participants.
Welcome to the Schladming-Dachstein region, a true natural paradise. Be inspired by majestic mountains glistening in the sunlight and enjoy the finest cuisine and pure hospitality. The region is known for its diverse outdoor activities, such as skiing in winter, hiking and climbing in summer and mountain biking on dozens of kilometres of trails - and is one of the most popular holiday regions in Styria. See its beauty for yourself!
Mario Kunasek
Governor of Styria
It is about linking research, science and bus- iness - especially in the regions. In addition, we would like to continue the cooperation between Styrian universities and colleges and expand it as needed - as well as with industry and business.
I wish all participantes a lively and informative exchange at Congress Schladming and a pleasant stay in the green heart of Austria.
A Styrian ´Glück auf´
Your Governor
Mario Kunasek
Our province not only shines as a holiday and excursion destination, but also offers an internationally recognised science location. I am therefore all the more delighted that the top leaders in oncology and haematology from the USA, European countries and Austria are coming to Schladming. As the State government, it is our goal to forther strengthen Styria in the field of science.

DI Hermann Trinker
Mayor of Schladming
Dear guests,
On behalf ot the municipality of Schladming, I would like to welcome you to our beautiful region.
It is a great pleasure and honour for us to host such an important internatioal congress, which brings togehter leading experts in the fields of oncology and haematology from Austria, Europe and the USA. Your symposium not only stands for excellent medical expertise and international networking, but also for inspiring dialogue amidst an impressive backdrop.
majestic Dachstein massif, a landscape of unrivalled beauty unfolds her - a backdrop that provides tranqullity, opens a new perspectives and allows health to be experienced in a special way.
Take the opportunity to enjoy the harmony between nature and progess -be it on hikes, during quiet moments in nature while socialising in a relaxed atmosphere. I wish all participants a successful conference, stimulating discussions and unforgettabele moments in Schladming
With best reagards
Mayor of Schladdming
DI Hermann Trinker
The conneciton between science and nature is particularly tangible in Schladming: nestled between the Schladminger Tauern mountain and the
Greetings from the congress presidents

Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. univ.
Clemens A. Schmitt

Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. univ.
Soyoung Lee
Dear congress participants.
Progress in preclinical cancer research and advances in medical oncology have been tremendous over the recent decades. Molecular insights into tumor pathogeneses, deeper understanding of tumor-immune interactions, and an arsenal of novel agents including targeted therapeutics and immune-oncology compounds have literally revolutionized current practice in clinical cancer care.
Despite the fireworks of disruptive innovations: key obstacles remain, and some of them seem too big to conquer. Driven by high-pace data generation and increasing specialization, future oncology is at risk to get fragmented into isolated ‘expert bubbles’ that may miss to capitalize on opportunities emerging in other cancer types or even non-cancer fields. Breakthrough findings often arise from unplanned observations or cross-fertilizing ideas in other research areas — but require awareness, curiosity and exchange across boundaries in the right format.
In this special ‘think-tank-like’ cancer conference organized by members of the young medical faculty of the Johannes Kepler University in Linz/Austria, we aim at bringing together leading experts across basic, translational and clinical disciplines to address some of those seemingly ‘Unsolvables’ in dedicated focus sessions by sharing and complementing their specialist insights with ample time for active discussions.
The meeting will take place in the village of Schladming, known for its snowy four-mountain area in the heart of the Austrian alps, just a short commute from Salzburg airport. This location sets the perfect frame for the retreat-like character of our conference —to widen our horizon and open new perspectives from the top of the mountains...
We look forward to welcoming you next January in Schladming for an excite out-of-the-box scientific get-together,
Sincerely yours,
Clemens A. Schmitt, Haematology/Oncology, and
Soyoung Lee, Tumor Biology
Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria


Scientific programm
Schladming, Styria, Austria
JAN 29 - 31 2026
coming soon
Welcome to Schladming, Styria
The conference presidents and team look forward to welcoming you to Schladming, an old mining town in the heart of Austria in Styria, from 29 January to 31 January 2026 for the conference ‘Kepler Cross Cancer Challenge - Approaching the Unsolvables’. More infos about the city of Schladming, the congress location, the hotel and a Roadmap can be found below.
The City of Schladming
is delighted to welcome you to the ´Kepler Cross Cancer Challenges 2026´.
Congress Schladming
Official meeting place for the ´Kepler Cross Cancer Challenges 2026´.
Hotel Falkensteiner
For you stay at the ´Kepler Cross Cancer
Challenges 2026´.
Contact
Service
For detailed questions about the scientific programme, schedule and sessions, please contact the congress presidents of the Kepler Cross Cancer Challenges 2026 conference.
The conference team will be glad to answer any questions regarding arrival and departure, hotel accommodation, and much more. We are looking forward to hear from you.
Presidents:
Prof. Clemens A. Schmitt, Haematolgy/Oncology
Prof. Soyoung Lee, Tumor Biology
Adress:
University Clinic for Haematology and Internal Oncology
Johann Kepler University, Linz, Upper Austria
Krankenhausstraße 9
4021 Linz Upper Austria
phone:
mail:
web:
Leader:
Peter G. Lercher
Association:
Adress:
Forum Medizin, eV.
Grenzgasse 111 / 9 / 1 / 16a
2344 Maria Enzersdorf, Low Austria,
phone:
mail:
web: