ISEO 2026: First International Conference on Exercise in Oncology to Be Held in Heidelberg in July
On July 22 and 23, 2026, the first conference of the newly founded International Society of Exercise Oncology (ISEO) will take place at the Heidelberg Congress Center, organized by the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) on behalf of the NCT Heidelberg.
The conference, which is expected to attract around 500 participants, serves as an international platform for researchers, clinicians, and practitioners. The goal is to present the latest scientific findings in the field of sports and exercise, exchange best practices, further strengthen global networking in the field of exercise oncology, and advance the implementation of evidence-based exercise therapy in oncology.
Key topics include:
- Clinical Research and Epidemiology: Effects of exercise on disease progression and prognosis
- Therapy Phases: Prehabilitation, exercise during oncological treatment, survivorship, and palliative care
- Specialized Areas: Pediatric oncology, behavioral sciences, and implementation research
- Innovation: Digital and remote-based exercise programs as well as app-supported approaches
The conference program includes plenary sessions, interactive presentations, poster sessions, and practical continuing education events. It is complemented by keynote lectures from renowned experts:
- Prof. Dr. Kerry Courneya (University of Alberta, Canada): Hidden secrets of the CHALLENGE (trial) to improve cancer prognosis through exercise
- Prof. Dr. Laurien Buffart (Radboud University Medical Center, Netherlands): Impact of exercise on biopsychosocial health and symptom management in cancer patients
- Prof. Dr. Robert Newton (Edith Cowan University, Australia): Exercise is medicine in prostate cancer
- Dr. Marlies Meisel (University of Pittsburgh, USA): Exercise, microbiome, and the immune system: New perspectives in exercise oncology
- Prof. Dr. Karen Steindorf (German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg): Observational research in exercise oncology: Current knowledge and future perspectives
- Prof. Dr. Jennifer Ligibel (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & Harvard Medical School, USA): Exercise as routine care in oncology: Turning vision into practice
Information, program, and registration: https://indico.dkfz.de/e/iseo