The program featured presentations on the molecular, genetic, and clinical characteristics of gastric, lung, and prostate cancers in young adults, along with discussions on clinical and molecular predictors of hereditary cancer syndromes. Pediatric oncology received special attention. During the meeting, consortium members presented key research findings on early-onset oral cancer. Participants proposed using the consortium’s accumulated experience and methodological approaches as a foundation for expanding research to other cancer sites.

The key outcomes of the meeting have been summarized in a consensus statement.

Distinct risk-factors are emerging for various cancer types: esophageal (adenocarcinoma: obesity, GERD, smoking; poor oral hygiene, hot beverages, second-hand smoke), gastric (H. pylori, high-sodium diet, alcohol, smoking, CDH1 variants), colorectal (obesity, sedentary behavior, metabolic syndrome, red meat, alcohol, low vitamin D, microbiome links), biliary tract (biliary cysts/stones, HBV/HCV, pancreaticobiliary maljunction, PARP1 variants), liver (chronic HBV, metabolic conditions, smoking, SPRTN variants), pancreatic (smoking, obesity, diabetes, tall height, non-O blood group, DNA repair variants), kidney (obesity, family history, FH/VHL/MET variants), prostate (high-fat diet, BRCA1/2, HOXB13, DNA repair genes), endometrial (obesity, hyper-oestrogenic states, nulliparity, CTNNB1 mutations), and breast (early menarche, nulliparity, alcohol, physical inactivity, BRCA1/2).

It is reported, that early-onset head and neck cancer predominantly affects the tongue and oral cavity, carries a generally favorable prognosis except for hypopharyngeal tumors. Key risk factors include smoking, alcohol, HPV infection (especially for oropharyngeal tumors), low fruit/vegetable intake, and family history of early-onset cancers. Molecularly early-onset head and neck cancer is characterized by low EZH2 expression, activated MAPK/JAK-STAT pathways, oxidative stress signatures, and a distinct immune microenvironment enriched in tumor-associated macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and plasma cells. These insights underscore the urgency for age-tailored prevention, screening, and molecular stratification.

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This work represents the first comprehensive evaluation of long-term cancer trends specifically focused on young adults (20–44 years) in the Russian Federation for the period from 2013 to 2023.

Using nationwide population-based cancer registry data, the study analyzed 468,870 cancer cases and 131,498 deaths among adults aged 20–44 years to evaluate incidence and mortality dynamics. The analysis revealed a 2.2-fold higher cancer incidence in young women compared to men. Rising trends were observed for thyroid and colorectal cancer in both sexes, with site-specific increases in liver, kidney, and melanoma among men, and breast, oral cavity, and pancreatic cancers among women. Overall mortality declined for most cancer sites; however, rates remained stable for head and neck, gastrointestinal, breast, and skin cancers.

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By integrating both clinical and molecular perspectives on early-onset cancers, the session underscored the critical importance of continuing such comprehensive, multidisciplinary research to advance patient care.

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Prof. Lyudmil B. Alexandrov (University of California, San Diego, USA) presented groundbreaking research on geographic and age-related differences in mutational processes in colorectal cancer. Prof. Shuji Ogino (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School, USA) discussed long-term risk factor exposures and tumor biomarkers, offering new insights into the etiology of early-onset cancers. Dr. Noha Fouad Rashad (Suez University, Egypt) highlighted early gastrointestinal cancer as a growing global health concern. Prof. Narayana Subramaniam (Aster International Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India) shared clinical insights on diagnosing and managing oral cancer in young patients.

Dr. Evgeny Denisov (Tomsk NRMC, Russia) gave a report about the Consortium’s mission and activities, including the Molecular Atlas of Cancer in Young Adults (MACYA) project. Dr. Elena Kolegova (Tomsk NRMC, Russia) presented the key findings of the EPOY consortium about early-onset oral cancer. Dr. Maryana Mandrina and Dr. Georgy Makiev (Blokhin NMRC, Russia) presented the pilot results of the MACYA project regarding molecular features of early-onset gastric and colorectal cancers. Dr. Amina Suleymanova (Blokhin NMRC, Russia)  told about сolorectal cancer in children and adolescents.

The Session emphasized that early-onset cancer is a rising global challenge requiring international collaboration, integration of multi-omics data, and coordinated research efforts to develop effective strategies for prevention, early diagnosis, and targeted treatment.

Based on the Session, a consensus statement pointing further research directions has been prepared.

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