Markey GI Symposium
Advances in
Gastrointestinal Cancer

Gastrointestinal Cancer Symposium

MCC-NCI logoThis symposium highlights the latest clinical advances in gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers. Attendees will learn about recent clinical trials, novel systemic therapies, and advanced surgical techniques for metastatic disease. In addition, they will learn about cutting-edge surgical treatments such as hepatic artery infusion and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Additionally, participants will have the chance to network with leading experts in the field.

This meeting is for oncologists, surgeons, gastroenterologists, radiologists, oncology nurses, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, clinical oncology pharmacists, clinical research staff, cancer center administrators, cancer center program leaders, patient advocates, and health care professional trainees of all levels. Attendance is open to everyone. We look forward to seeing you!

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FOURTH ANNUAL GI CANCER
SYMPOSIUM

Presented by the UK Division of Surgical
Oncology and the UK Markey Cancer Center

SAVE THE DATE

Friday, Sept. 18, 2026 & 
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026


REGISTER

Register

WELCOME RECEPTION

Marriott Griffin Gate Golf Resort and Spa
1800 Newtown Pike
Lexington, Kentucky 40511

Friday, Sept. 18, 2026
6 – 10 p.m. 

The Manchester (hotel)
941 Manchester St.
Lexington, KY 40508

The Manchester, hotel in Lexington, KY

SYMPOSIUM

Marriott Griffin Gate Golf Resort and Spa
1800 Newtown Pike
Lexington, Kentucky 40511

Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026
7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 

Manchester Reserve
903 Manchester St.
Lexington, KY 40508

Manchester Reserve event space

KEYNOTE


Philip Philip, MD, PhD, FRCP

 

Philip Philip, MD, PhD, FRCP

Medical Oncologist & Professor of Oncology
Henry Ford Cancer Institute
Detroit, Michigan, United States

 

SCHEDULE

Detailed schedule coming soon.

Time

Session

Speaker
6:00 a.m. Registration Opens  
6:00–7:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast  
7:00–7:05 a.m. GI Cancers in Kentucky Welcome Prakash Pandalai, MD
7:05–7:40 a.m. SESSION 1: Markey Cancer Center B. Mark Evers, MD
7:45-8:10 a.m. SESSION 2: Phase 1 Clinical Trials in Gastrointestinal Cancer Meredith Pelster, MD
8:15–9:05 a.m. SESSION 3: Pancreatic Neoplasms  
  • 8:15–8:35 a.m.   • Updates in Management of Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms: Why, When, and How to Manage this Growing Patient Population    Ajay Maker, MD
  • 8:40–8:55 a.m.   • A Phase 2 Study of mRNA Vaccine Plus Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy for Operable Pancreatic Cancer Joseph Kim, MD
9:10–10:15 a.m. KEYNOTE ADDRESS - SESSION 4: Evolution of Surgical Science; How we have worked together against Gastric Cancer Han-Kwang Yang, MD, PhD
10:20–11:25 a.m. SESSION 5: Contemporary Management of Liver Metastases in GI and HPB Malignancy  
  • 10:20–10:35 a.m.   • The Role for Hepatic Artery Infusion Therapy for Unresectable Cholangiocarcinoma  Michael Cavnar, MD
  • 10:40–11:00 a.m.   • Hepatic Artery Infusion Therapy: What is the Role for Concurrent Chemotherapy in Patients with Hepatic Artery Infusion Therapy  Paul Helft, MD
  • 11:05–11:25 a.m.   • Orthotopic Liver Transplant for Colorectal Cancer: The Mayo Clinic Experience  Koji Tomiyama, MD, PhD
11:30–11:45 a.m. SESSION 6: Ask the Expert Panel: Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastases   • Koji Tomiyama, MD, PhD
• Paul Helft, MD
• Michael Cavnar, MD
11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m. Lunch Break (Provided)  
12:55–1:15 p.m. SESSION 7: Early Onset Gastrointestinal Cancer Mautin Barry-Hundeyin, MD
1:20–1:40 p.m. SESSION 8: Advanced Endoscopy in Upper GI Cancers: What Do We Do and How Do We Do It Donald Campbell, MD
1:45–2:10 p.m. SESSION 9: Updates in Organ Preservation for Rectal Cancer Jeffrey Farma, MD
2:15–2:40 p.m. SESSION 10: Stereotactic Body Radiation for Oligometastatic Gastro-intestinal Cancers, Where, Who, How Much? Brian Czito, MD
2:45–3:10 p.m. SESSION 11: Practice Changing Clinical Trials in Cholangiocarcinoma, HCC, Colorectal Liver Metastases 2020-2025 Minsig Choi, MD
3:15-3:35 p.m. SESSION 12: Y90 Radiation Segmentectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Evolving Evidence and Role of Systemic Therapy Driss Raissi, MD, MBA
3:45–4:00 p.m. SESSION 13: Closing Remarks Joseph Kim, MD

2024 SCHEDULE

Friday, Sept. 20, 2024

Time Session
6–9 p.m. Attendee Reception


Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024

Time Session
6 a.m. Registration Opens
6–7 a.m. Continental Breakfast
7:05 a.m. Announcements
Dr. Prakash Pandalai, Associate Professor
University of Kentucky, College of Medicine
7:10–7:20 a.m. Welcome
Dr. Mark Evers, Professor and Director
University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center
   
Session 1: Small Bowel  
7:30–8 a.m. Updates in Malignant Bowl Obstruction
Dr. Jeremiah Deneve, Associate Professor
University of North Carolina
   
Session 2: Liver and Bile Duct  
8–8:30 a.m. Hepatocellular Cancer: Past, Present, and The Future
Dr. Ghassan Abou-Alfa, Professor 
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
8:30–8:45 a.m. Sessions 1 and 2 Question and Answer
   
Session 3: Pancreatic Cancer
Keynote Address		  
8:45–9:30 a.m. Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trials 
Dr. Eileen O’Reilly, Professor
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
9:30–9:45 a.m. Keynote Discussion
   
Break  
9:45–10 a.m. Break and Announcements
Dr. Prakash Pandalai
   
Session 4: Neuroendocrine Tumors  
10–10:30 a.m. Surgical Management of Neuroendocrine Tumor Liver Metastases   
Dr. Flavio Rocha, Professor and Chief, Surgical Oncology
Oregon Health Sciences University
10:30–10:50 a.m. Systemic Therapy for Metastatic NET 
Dr. Lowell Anthony, Professor and Chief of Medical Oncology 
University of Kentucky, College of Medicine
10:50–11:10 a.m. Liver Directed Regional Therapies for NET 
Dr. Gaby Gabriel, Associate Professor  
University of Kentucky, College of Medicine
   
Session 5: Peritoneal Surface Malignancy  
11:10–11:30 a.m. Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Colorectal Peritoneal Carcinomatosis: Who, What, and How Long? 
Dr. Prakash Pandalai, Associate Professor
University of Kentucky, College of Medicine
11:30 a.m.–Noon  Pressurized Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (PIPAC)
Dr. Bryne Lee, Clinical Professor of Surgery
Stanford University
   
Lunch (Provided)  
Noon–1 p.m. Lunch and Announcements
Dr. Michael Cavnar
   
Session 6: Colorectal Cancer  
1–1:20 p.m. Updates in Systemic Therapy for Colorectal Cancer
Dr. Snigdha Nutalapati, Associate Professor    
University of Kentucky, College of Medicine
1:20–1:40 p.m.     HAI for Colorectal Liver Metastases: Updates and Future Directions
Dr. Michael Cavnar, Assistant Professor 
University of Kentucky, College of Medicine
1:40–2 p.m.  The Evolving Role of the Pathologist in the Molecular Era
Dr. Justin Rueckert, Assistant Professor
University of Kentucky, College of Medicine
   
Session 7: Cancer Screening and Surveillance  
2–2:20 p.m. Circulating Tumor DNA in the Management of GI Cancers 
Dr. Lee Hicks, Medical Oncology
Baptist Health Medical Group
2:20-2:40 p.m.  From Risk Assessment to Action: Managing High-Risk Patients for Better Cancer Screening and Prevention
Tamara Carey, APRN
University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center
   
Break  
2:40–3 p.m. Refreshment and Announcements
Dr. Michael Cavnar
   
Session 8: Community Engagement  
3 – 3:30 p.m. The Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network: Expanding Cancer Care in the Commonwealth 
Dr. Tim Mullett, Professor  
Medical Director, Markey Cancer Center Network 
University of Kentucky, College of Medicine
3:30 – 3:45 p.m.     Closing Remarks
Dr. Joseph Kim, Professor and Chief, Surgical Oncology
University of Kentucky, College of Medicine
   

Hotel
Reservations

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General Questions
& Exhibitor Information

For general questions or exhibitor opportunities, please contact Rebecca Earls.
Email Rebecca

Local Dining
& things to do

Get information about restaurants and things to see and do while visiting Lexington.
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NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center - A Cancer Center Designated by the National Cancer Institute

Markey Cancer Center is designated by the National Cancer Institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center – a distinction that recognizes our commitment to accelerating precision cancer research and care to patients. We are the first and only NCI-Comprehensive Cancer Center in Kentucky, and one of 58 in the nation.

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