Newswise — Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) will host the 7th annual meeting of the Regional Cancer Center Consortium for the Biological Therapy of Cancer, February 26-28, in the Research Studies Center, RPCI, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY.
The symposium " "Back to the Future!" " is being presented by the Regional Cancer Center Consortium for Biological Therapy of Cancer which includes The James P. Wilmot Cancer Center at the University of Rochester Cancer Center; Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center; Ontario Cancer Institute; Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center; Taussig Cancer Center, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation; University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute; Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, West Virginia University; and RPCI.
Clinical and laboratory scientists, physicians, residents, industry representatives, fellows and graduate students will receive an update of the exciting progress being made in the areas of tumor immunology and biological therapy. Symposia will include clinical, translational and basic science presentations that will highlight current research at the region's cancer centers. Collaborative opportunities for research and new clinical trial development will be emphasized.
"The close proximity of several major cancer centers in Western New York, Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio, each with unique expertise in tumor immunology, lends itself naturally to collaboration," said Elizabeth Repasky, PhD, Department of Immunology at RPCI and a conference organizer. "The symposium is an opportunity for scientists, physicians and healthcare providers to exchange ideas and increase our understanding in these new biological approaches," added Candace Johnson, PhD, Senior Vice President for Translational Research at RPCI.
Keynote Speakers and their topics are:"¢ Friday, February 27, 1 pm, "Apo2L/TRAIL Synergizes with Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Cancer," " Avi Ashkenazi, PhD, Genentech Corp."¢ Saturday, February 28, 8:00 am, "Delivery of Therapeutics to Tumors: Overcoming Potential Barriers to Effective Biological Therapy," " Mark Dewhirst, MD, DVM, Duke University Medical Center"¢ Saturday, February 28, 7 pm, "Molecular Pathways Involving HSP 70 Expression and Function in Antigen Presentation and Consequences in Cancer Treatment," " Stuart Calderwood, PhD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University School of Medicine
Session topics include:"¢ New Clinical Trials in Biological Therapy Open for Recruitment at the Region's Cancer Centers"¢ New Biological Therapies and Translational Approaches"¢ Death and Survival of Cancer Cells"¢ Understanding and Overcoming Barriers to Effective Immunotherapy"¢ Disease Site Focus on Leukemia: New Treatments and their Biological Basis"¢ 1st Buffalo Winter HSPs and Thermal Medicine Symposium
RPCI is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians and has designated this education activity for a maximum of 22.0 Category 1 credits toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award.
"Back to the Future!" is supported by educational grants from Genentech, Inc. and Coley Pharmaceutical Group. For information or reservations, call the Division of Educational Affairs at RPCI, (716) 845-3095.
Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation's first cancer research, treatment and education center, and is the only National Cancer Center Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. For more information, visit RPCI's website at http://www.roswellpark.org.
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