• Prof. Massimo Bottini, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
• Prof. Oreste Claudio Buonomo, Breast Unit Policlinico Tor Vergata, Department of Surgical Science, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy and Department of Health Science, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
• Prof. Giovanni Chillemi, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy and National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
• Prof. Gianluca Vanni, Breast Unit Policlinico Tor Vergata, Department of Surgical Science, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
• Prof. Andrea Magrini, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
• Dr. Simone Dinarelli, Institute for the Structure of Matter, National Research Council of Rome, Rome, Italy
• Dr. Marco Materazzo, Breast Unit Policlinico Tor Vergata, Department of Surgical Science, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy

BACKGROUND

The aim of the event “2026 Extracellular Vesicles in Breast Cancer: From Bench to Bedside (EV-BREAST 2026)” is to foster direct dialogue between scientists working in the field of extracellular vesicles and physicians working in the field of breast cancer, thus creating synergies that can lead to new therapeutic and diagnostic approaches for breast cancer.

EV-BREAST 2026 will include a Workshop on December 1, 2026, at a historic location in Rome’s historic center (Ara Pacis), followed by a School on December 2 and 3, 2026, at the laboratories of the Department of Experimental Medicine at the University of Rome Tor Vergata.

The Workshop will feature talks by breast cancer surgeons and scientists with expertise in the use of extracellular vesicles as a therapeutic, diagnostic, and prognostic tool in breast cancer.

The future of science belongs to young people. Therefore, ample space will be given to young scientists (the “rising stars”) in the field of extracellular vesicle use in breast cancer, giving them the opportunity to present their research results through 10-minute flash talks. Finally, the Workshop will also feature presentations by some of the sponsors with short 5-minute talks.

The School will aim to demonstrate new techniques for extracellular vesicle isolation and characterization to participants. The School is designed for scientists who have basic knowledge of extracellular vesicles and use “classic” techniques to isolate and characterize them, but who wish to extend their knowledge to cutting-edge techniques. The School will feature faculty from academia as well as from private industry that have developed new techniques for vesicle isolation and characterization. The School will also feature lectures by surgeons on medical and clinical innovations in the field of breast cancer, in keeping with the overall purpose of EV-BREAST 2026: to create an active dialogue between the operating room and the laboratory to develop new therapeutic and diagnostic approaches for breast cancer. The School will be limited to a maximum of 15 places.

EV-BREAST 2026 will have a dedicated website where people can register and, if necessary, submit an abstract for an oral presentation and/or poster presentation at the Workshop. The website will also have a dedicated page for the School, where people can submit the application to participate.

The entire event will be free.