Ostrava welcomed around fifteen speakers from prestigious universities and research institutions, while more distinguished experts joined online.
The 21st Myeloma & 9th Cell Therapy Workshop (MCTW) took place on 8–9 October 2026 at the Quality Hotel Ostrava. Once again, it brought together leading scientists, clinical experts and bioinformaticians united by their efforts to advance the diagnosis and treatment of haematological malignancies. The two-day international meeting was organised by the Blood Cancer Research Group (BCRG) in collaboration with the Czech Myeloma Group (CMG).
In Ostrava, we welcomed approximately fifteen international speakers from prestigious universities and research institutions, including the University Medical Center Freiburg, University College London Hospitals and the Poznan University of Medical Sciences. Other distinguished experts, including representatives of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, joined the programme online.
The scientific programme connected basic research with clinical practice and presented the latest findings in cell and gene therapy, CAR-T cell engineering and the therapeutic use of NK cells. The lectures addressed the development of safe and affordable CAR-T cell therapies, precise genome editing and non-viral approaches to manufacturing cell products. Attention was also given to the mechanisms by which tumours influence the immune response, as well as to new technological approaches, including synthetic immune cells and fully automated manufacturing of cell products. An important part of the programme was dedicated to translational research in multiple myeloma, particularly minimal residual disease monitoring, the genomics of treatment resistance and dynamic patient risk assessment.
As part of the accompanying programme, participants also had the opportunity to visit the newly opened LERCO research centre and learn about its facilities.
An integral part of the workshop was the poster session, which gave young scientists the opportunity to present their projects and discuss their results with other participants. Thanks to the support of the Czech Myeloma Group (CMG), to whom we extend our sincere thanks, the three best posters were awarded. First place went to Maxima Warmuzová (BCRG, Ostrava), second place to Ondřej Venglář (BCRG, Ostrava), and third place to Eliška Jandová (Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Plzeň).
MCTW 2026 provided a space for sharing experience, professional discussion and building collaborations across research and clinical institutions. The organisers thank all participants, speakers, partners and colleagues who contributed to the preparation and delivery of the meeting, and look forward to further joint meetings at future editions.
08. 10. 2026