Defining a New Era in Cancer Research to be Focus of 91st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research
03/27/00
SAN FRANCISCO, March 27 /PRNewswire/ -- At this year's 91st annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), more than 10,000 scientists from around the world will gather to exchange information on the most up-to-date scientific deve
The meeting will be held from April 1 - 5 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA. There will be presentations of a record-breaking number of proffered papers (approximately 5,800), 29 symposia, and 48 ``Meet-the-Experts'' sunrise sessions. Two special late-breaking research sessions will highlight the most recent significant scientific data at this international meeting.
``Over the past year, we have observed a number of exciting developments in cancer research from new diagnostics that could tailor treatment for certain types of breast cancer patients to potential therapies that may prevent hair loss during chemotherapy,'' said Daniel D. Von Hoff, M.D., AACR President and Director of the Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ.
``Until new scientific advances unveil more knowledge about the causation of cancer and how to identify it early, interrupt and reverse the process, or prevent cancer entirely, it is vitally important for researchers to share new developments with each other to accelerate the pace for early treatment of cancer patients around the world.''
``The AACR 2000 Program Committee examined the entire field of cancer research to identify the most encouraging and rapidly growing research areas,'' said Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., Director, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, and Chairperson of the Program Committee. ``The significant amount of preparation by members of the AACR program and scientific committees promises that this year's meeting will reflect the scientific excellence that AACR embodies while stressing the urgent need to translate basic research from the laboratory into effective clinical treatments.''
Meeting highlights include:
* Plenary Session: The opening presidential address will focus on new targets and treatments for pancreatic cancer and will be delivered by Dr. Daniel D. Von Hoff. In addition, presentations from five leading researchers will cover the most important developments in the role of genetics and cancer research. Sunday, April 2, 9:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.,
Moscone Convention Center, Exhibit Hall A
* Scientific Sessions: Promising data will be presented throughout the meeting on topics including:
* Diagnosis of early stage prostate cancer with a simple urine test
* A new marker that shows potential for identifying patients at high risk for metastases
* Evidence that addresses the controversial use of shark cartilage to treat human cancer and other diseases
* The link between tobacco use and colorectal cancer
* Special Forum: Early disclosure of clinical trial data and patient safety will be debated by a panel of clinical investigators, biostatisticians, representatives of the National Cancer Institute and
patient advocates. Monday, April 3, 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Moscone Convention Center, Rooms 102-103
* "Scientist-Survivor Program": Designed to create a new understanding between survivor advocates and scientists and provide unique educational opportunities for these groups, this special program partners 30 survivors with scientists to attend lectures and sessions and share their perspectives. The scientists help survivors understand complex
research findings, while survivors present the human element of cancer and highlight key concerns within the advocacy community.
* Public Forum: Members of the community are invited to a free event on Saturday, April 1, in the Moscone Center Gateway Ballroom featuring a promising variety of opportunities to learn about progress in cancer research, including:
* A panel presentation that will provide an overview of cancer and the sophisticated science of cancer research in everyday terms.
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
* Two "Ask the Experts" sessions where more than 50 leading researchers will be available for one-on-one conversations about cancer with the public. 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
* Exhibits by survivor and advocacy groups will offer free educational materials. 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is a professional organization of more than 15,000 laboratory and clinical scientists engaged in cancer research in the United States, Canada, and more than 60 other countries. Working to prevent and cure cancer, AACR's principal activities include scientific communications; education and training of young scientists; public education; scientific meetings for the presentation and discussion of discoveries in the cancer field; international programs; and the publication of four major peer-reviewed scientific journals (Cancer Research, Clinical Cancer Research, Cell Growth & Differentiation, and Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention).
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