Tampa Cancer Research Leaders to Host "Microbes, Genes & Cancer" Symposium

Conference will bring together international experts to examine links between microbes, genetics, and cancer.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 5:47pm

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The Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Cancer Institute and the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine will host leading cancer researchers, clinicians, and translational scientists from across the U.S. and around the world on March 2-3, 2026, for the "Microbes, Genes & Cancer" Symposium. This multidisciplinary, scientific conference will examine how microbes, genetics/epigenetics, and immune pathways intersect to drive cancer development, progression, and treatment response.

Why it matters

The meeting arrives at a pivotal moment in cancer research, as growing evidence has linked viral, bacterial, immune responses and microbiome-related mechanisms to cancer risk, therapeutic response, and outcomes across multiple tumor types. The conference aims to accelerate understanding and spark new collaborations that can further advance the field of cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The details

Sessions will investigate topics that include viral and bacterial carcinogenesis, tumor-microbiome interactions, immune modulation, translational targets, and emerging therapeutic strategies. It will also address the growing recognition of cancer risk among long-term HIV survivors. A special session on March 3 will mark the 50th anniversary of Dr. Robert C. Gallo and his colleagues' landmark discovery of interleukin-2 (IL-2), the first cytokine ever used in cancer treatment and now the cornerstone of immunotherapy.

  • The Microbes, Genes & Cancer Symposium will be held on March 2-3, 2026.
  • The Global Virus Network Scientific Meeting will follow on March 4-6, 2026.

The players

Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Cancer Institute

A cancer center backed by academic medicine through its partnership with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, ranked among the nation's top 10% of hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.

USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

The academic health system partner of the TGH Cancer Institute.

Robert C. Gallo, MD

A member of the National Academy of Sciences and/or Medicine, and the discoverer of interleukin-2, the first cytokine ever used in cancer treatment.

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What they’re saying

“50 years is such an accomplishment in cancer research, and we're excited to commemorate Dr. Gallo's landmark discovery of interleukin-2.”

— Robert C. Gallo, MD, USF Health Institute for Translational Virology & Innovation; TGH Cancer Institute; Global Virus Network (Tampa General Hospital)

What’s next

The Microbes, Genes & Cancer Symposium precedes the annual Global Virus Network Scientific Meeting, which will be held from March 4-6, 2026, creating a collaborative International Science Innovation Week.

The takeaway

This conference represents a pivotal moment in cancer research, as experts from diverse fields come together to explore the critical links between microbes, genetics, and cancer. The insights gained have the potential to drive significant advancements in cancer diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes.