Program

The retreat features nationally recognized experts in the research and clinical care of hepatobiliary cancers.

Time, events and speakers for the Mayo Clinic Hepatobiliary Cancer Patient Retreat are subject to change. Updates will be published on this page. Times listed below are Mountain time.

All activities take place in Mayo Clinic Hospital, Waugh Auditorium.

Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026

4 p.m. Welcome
What is a SPORE?		 Mark McNiven, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic
4:10-4:35 p.m. Introduction to Hepatobiliary Cancer Foundations
  • Melinda Bachini, Chief Patient Officer, Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation
  • Aura Sanchez, Program Manager, Blue Faery (virtual)
  • Sarah Manes, Program Director for Liver Cancers, Global Liver Institute
4:35-5:15 p.m. Plenary Talk
“Beyond the Tumor: Elevating Patient Experience and Psychological Well-Being to Advance Hepatobiliary Cancer Research”
  • Shawna L. Ehlers, Ph.D., L.P., ABPP, Mayo Clinic
  • Carrie A. Bronars, Ph.D., L.P., Mayo Clinic
5:15-5:30 p.m. Q&A with presenters Shawna Ehlers, Ph.D., L.P., ABPP, Carrie Bronars, Ph.D., L.P., Melinda Bachini, Aura Sanchez, Sarah Manes
5:30-7 p.m. Reception Hors d'oeuvres, social hour, dinner

Monday, Feb. 2, 2026

9:45 a.m. Greeting — program overview Mark A. McNiven, Ph.D., & Lewis Roberts, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D.
9:50-10 a.m. Nutritional Approaches Toward Helping Hepatobiliary Cancer Patients Mayo Clinic dietician
10-10:15 a.m. Clinical Trial: “A Phase 1 Clinical Trial Targeting Fatty Acids that Promote HCC Tumorigenesis and Progression” John (Al) Copland III, Ph.D.
10:15-10:35 a.m. Scientific Presentation & Clinical Trial: “Diagnostics and Therapeutics for Fibrolamellar Carcinoma” Sanford (Sandy) Simon, Ph.D.
10:35-10:45 a.m. Patient story Liver cancer patient
10:45-11 a.m. Q&A with presenters Mayo Clinic dietician, John (AI) Copland III, Ph.D., Sanford (Sandy) Simon, Ph.D., liver cancer patient
11-11:10 a.m. Break Refreshments provided
11:10-11:30 a.m. Scientific Presentation: “Targeting SWI/SNF Mutated Biliary Tract Cancers” Richard Vile, Ph.D.
11:30-11:40 a.m. Patient story Liver cancer patient
11:40-11:55 a.m. Clinical Trial: “Advances in Molecular Profiling for HB Cancers” Mitesh Borad, M.D.
12:15-12:30 p.m. Q&A with presenters Caitlin Conboy, M.D., Ph.D., Mitesh Borad, M.D., Richard Vile, Ph.D., liver cancer patient
12:30-1:10 p.m. Lunch Provided onsite
1:10-1:20 p.m. The financial stress of having cancer Sarah Manes, Program Director for Liver Cancers, Global Liver Institute
1:20-1:40 p.m. Scientific Presentation: “Adaptive Responses to Targeted TEAD Disruption in Cholangiocarcinoma” Rory Smoot, M.D.
1:40-1:50 p.m. Patient story Liver cancer patient
1:50-2:05 p.m. Clinical Trial: “Targeted Therapies: Current Landscape and Future Directions” Tanios (Tony) Bekaii-Saab, M.D.
2:05-2:25 p.m. Scientific Presentation: "Harnessing Antitumor Immunity Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through CD8+ T Cell Activation of P2RX7" Henrique Borges da Silva, Ph.D.
2:25-2:40 p.m. Q&A with presenters Sarah Manes, Rory Smoot, M.D., Tanios (Tony) Bekaii-Saab, M.D., Henrique Borges da Silva, Ph.D., liver cancer patient
2:40-2:50 p.m. Break Refreshments provided
2:50-3:10 p.m. Scientific Presentation: "Longitudinal Study of Tumor Heterogeneity and Clonal Progression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients” Jean-Pierre Kocher, Ph.D. & Lewis Roberts, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D.
3:10 -3:20 p.m. Patient story Liver cancer patient
3:20-3:30 p.m. New outcomes for pre-cancer testing and early detection of liver cancer Lewis Roberts, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D.
3:30-3:45 p.m. Clinical Trial: “Radiation and Dendritic Cell Combination to Improve Immunotherapy Response in Hepatomas” Lionel Kankeu Fonkoua, M.D.
3:45-4 p.m. Q&A with presenters Jean-Pierre Kocher, Ph.D., Lewis Roberts, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D., Lionel Kankeu Fonkoua, M.D., liver cancer patient
4 p.m. Adjourn