MULTIR 3rd Annual Meeting in Aarhus: Connecting Research, Expertise and Innovation
On 1–2 October 2026, the MULTIR consortium came together for its 3rd Annual Meeting in Aarhus, Denmark. The event was kindly hosted by project partner Aarhus University and held in a hybrid format, bringing together partners both in person and online from across Europe.
Bringing the MULTIR consortium together
The meeting opened with a welcome from Prof. Lars Dyrskjøt Andersen (Aarhus University), followed by an introduction from Prof. Lise Boussemart (INSERM–NUH), MULTIR Project Coordinator, who outlined the agenda and the project's progress.
The two-day meeting provided an opportunity for partners to reconnect, share updates on their work and reflect on the progress made over the past year. With contributions from clinicians, researchers, data scientists, AI experts and stakeholder representatives, the meeting highlighted the multidisciplinary collaboration at the heart of MULTIR.
From data to insights: Advancing MULTIR's research
The first day focused on the project's scientific and technical activities, with presentations covering data management and integration, clinical and molecular research, tumour–host interaction modelling and experimental validation.
Partners shared progress across the different research areas, including the collection and analysis of clinical and molecular data from patients with skin, lung and bladder cancer. Updates also covered the development of computational and AI-based approaches to better understand tumour–host interactions and investigate factors influencing responses to cancer treatment.
An important focus was the integration of findings from different scientific disciplines and the collaboration between research teams. As MULTIR moves into its next phase, bringing together clinical, biological and computational expertise will be essential for advancing the project's objectives.
Beyond the science: Engaging patients and sharing knowledge
The second day brought together partners for broader discussions on cross-work-package collaboration, stakeholder engagement, dissemination and future priorities.
Patient involvement remained an important topic, with updates on activities aimed at understanding patients' and caregivers' perspectives on the use of artificial intelligence in cancer care.
Partners also discussed ongoing efforts to develop accessible information and educational resources, ensuring that patient perspectives continue to inform the project's activities and that its research is communicated clearly and responsibly.
The consortium also reviewed communication, dissemination and exploitation activities, including scientific publications, conference participation and collaboration with other European initiatives through the Understanding Tumour–Host Interactions (U-THI) Cluster.
Building on progress and looking to the future
The meeting concluded with a shared focus on the next steps and priorities for the coming months. As MULTIR progresses through its third year, collaboration across the consortium remains central to its mission of improving our understanding of tumour–host interactions and supporting the development of more personalised approaches to cancer treatment.
A special thank you to Prof. Lars Dyrskjøt Andersen and Charlotte Frost Hansen from Aarhus University for their excellent organisation, warm hospitality and support throughout the meeting, and to all partners for their active participation and valuable contributions.
