Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute and USF Health Morsani College of Medicine to Host International Cancer Research Leaders for the “Microbes, Genes & Cancer” Symposium

Set for March 2-3, 2026, conference will bring to Tampa internationally recognized experts from several scientific cancer-related disciplines.

Tampa, Fla. (Jan. 27, 2026) – 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 March 2-3, 2026, in Tampa, Florida, 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.

As part of the commemoration of the Fifth Anniversary of the TGH Cancer Institute, the symposium will convene world-renowned basic scientists and translational/clinical investigators whose work has defined the fields of cancer viruses, cancer immunology, cancer biology and translational oncology. These experts will share leading-edge information on current and transformative trends in the biology, diagnosis and treatment of malignancies associated with viruses and bacteria and will discuss the latest breakthroughs in cancer biology, microbiome and immunotherapy. This conference is intentionally designed to accelerate understanding and spark new collaborations that can further advance the field of cancer diagnosis and treatment.

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. Sessions will investigate topics that include viral and bacterial carcinogenesis, tumor-microbiome interactions, immune modulation, translational targets and emerging therapeutic strategies. It also will address the growing recognition of cancer risk among long-term HIV survivors.

A special session 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. This session, “50 Years of Interleukin-2 Discovery,” is the most fitting and historically meaningful outlet for commemorating Dr. Gallo’s scientific legacy and will feature a cadre of speakers, all members of the National Academy of Sciences and/or Medicine:

• Robert C. Gallo, MD (USF Health Institute for Translational Virology & Innovation; TGH Cancer Institute; Global Virus Network)
• Steve Rosenberg, MD (National Cancer Institute)
• Carl June, MD (University of Pennsylvania)
• Drew M. Pardoll, MD, PhD (Johns Hopkins University)
• Rafi Ahmed, PhD (Emory University)
• Warren Leonard, MD (National Cancer Institute)

The Microbes, Genes & Cancer Conference precedes the annual Global Virus Network Scientific Meeting, March 4-6, a high-level international convening of virology leaders. Both meetings combine for International Science Innovation Week, a collaboration among the TGH Cancer Institute, the Global Virus Network and the USF Health Institute for Translational Virology and Innovation.

Designed for both established investigators and trainees, the Microbes, Genes & Cancer Symposium emphasizes cross-disciplinary dialogue and practical insights that can inform future research directions, clinical strategies and collaborative efforts.

The conference will be held in Tampa, Florida, at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in downtown, in the heart of the Tampa Research and Medical District. This provides an easily accessed destination for national and international attendees. Registration is open.

Who should attend:

• Cancer researchers and clinician-scientists
• Immunologists and microbiologists
• Infectious disease specialists
• Translational and computational researchers
• Oncology fellows, residents and trainees
• Industry and academic leaders focused on cancer biology and immunotherapy

 Conference details and registration: TGH Cancer Institute Meeting - Global Virus Network.

About the TGH Cancer Institute

The TGH Cancer Institute — among Florida’s few cancer centers backed by academic medicine through its partnership with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine — ranks among the nation’s top 10% of hospitals by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals 2025–2026. It holds accreditations from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer; the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Quality Oncology Practice Initiative; the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers from the American College of Surgeons; the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy for excellence in stem cell and cellular therapy; and American Society of Radiation Oncology Program for Excellence. The institute is a member of the Association of American Cancer Institutes, recognized for leadership in research, treatment, education and outreach and was named among Newsweek’s America’s Best Cancer Hospitals. For more information about the TGH Cancer Institute, visit www.tgh.org/institutes-and-services/cancer-institute.