Overview of the 2003 Meeting

At this international forum, clinical and basic investigators survey the breakthroughs in science and technology that are impacting on emerging dimensions of cancer control. Their scientific debate for evidence-based intervention strategies is empowered by the new understanding of molecular events affecting the complex biology and genetics of oncogenesis. The scientific program aims to translate the cornerstones of this knowledge into paradigms for improving the outcomes in predictive and preventive oncology.

The meeting is intended to foster cooperation between universities, research institutes and other enterprises engaged in biomedical and translational research.

This uniquely integrated curriculum delivers state-of-the-art perspectives on cancer:

• malignant transformations of occult, precursor, and early neoplastic lesions
• detection and management of intraepithelial and overt lesions
• challenges and expectations for prevention trials and public health measures to reduce cancer burden

CME Credits

Physicians

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essentials and Standards of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS). The UMMS is accredited by ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The UMMS designates this continuing medical education activity for up to 36 credit hours in Category 1 toward the Physicians Recognition Award of the American Medical Association.

Each physician should claim only those hours of credit that he or she actually spent in the educational activity.

Nurses

This offering meets the requirements for 42 contact hours for nurses as specified by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in nursing. (244-CMR 5.04)

Conflict of interest disclosure

In accordance with the Standards of the ACCME and the guidelines of the AAMC, it is the policy of the UMMS to disclose whatever interest or affiliation a speaker might have with any commercial organization whose products or services are related to the subject matter being presented. Such disclosure will be made available on the day of the program.

Disclaimer: The opinions and recommendations expressed by faculty and other experts whose input is included in this CME activity are their own. This CME activity is produced for educational purposes only.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of the program, the participant should have a thorough awareness of the molecular and epidemiologic basis for the following:

• the current cancer risk assessments of biologically significant exposure to environmental agents which may relate to genetic susceptibility and individual cancer risk prediction
• the immune responses to chronic inflammation that underlie multistep tumor progression and the biomarkers specific to each of the steps
• accurately detecting small numbers of premalignant and malignant cells in a wide range of clinical specimens and the capabilities and implications of the new genomic and proteomic technologies
• the multifactorial variability of interindividual and interethnic expression of DNA methylation patterns and chromatin structure
• prevention strategies that translate the understanding of carcinogenic and epigenetic mechanisms into targeted clinical interventions
• chemopreventive strategies to inhibit, reverse, and monitor malignant and preneoplastic events
• nutritional modification and cancer risk avoidance health practices
• screening practice guidelines for the most common cancers and the challenges for screening compliance including public behavior, beliefs, and perceptions about cancer control
• the public health goals and expectations of the new prevention trials and translational research.

Audience

The information presented is valuable to those engaged in biomedical technologies, basic science, experimental, clinical and nursing oncology, biochemistry, molecular biology and medicine, pathology, immunology, genetics and public health. The Call for Abstracts extends to basic investigators, clinical oncologists and nonmedical scientists who are working in research and development areas that have implications for cancer detection and control.

Publication

The abstracts, program, and papers of the presentations will appear in Cancer Detection and Prevention, the official ISPO journal published by Elsevier Science. The program and abstracts will also be available on this website.

Format

Oral presentations

• 48 overview lectures (25-minute period) in 8 plenary sessions
• 48 focus lectures (20-minute period) in the 48 Symposia
• proffered papers (10-minute period and 5-minute discussion) in the 48 Symposia

A question-and-answer period follows each presentation. Supplemental discussion is foreseen during the poster sessions. Authors of oral papers are also invited to display posters of their work.

Poster presentations

Authors expressing preference for poster presentations will discuss their work within two 60-minute periods organized by the Poster Chairpersons. The poster displays are mounted for a full day in sessions grouped according to Symposia topics

Poster Awards

Posters will be judged daily and the best communications honored. The ISPO is awarding grants of $100 for prize-winning presentations recognized for their excellence.

Travel Grants

(Travel grant deadline is June 16^th.)

A limited number of travel grants, each in the amount of $500 are available. The award is intended to offset some of the registration, travel and subsistence expenses incurred in connection with participation in the scientific program.

Graduate and medical students, fellows, and physicians-in-training may apply.

Applicant should complete the procedures for registration and submission of abstracts. Send curriculum vitae and letter of recommendation directly to the mailing address. The letter of recommendation should be prepared on official letterhead, be signed by the dean or department head, and contain verification of the applicant's academic status (for example, “graduate student”).

Abstracts that have been accepted for the program schedule will be scored. Candidates with the highest scores will be notified by June 27^th and will be expected to submit the manuscript related to their presentation to the peer-review journal CDP by August 19^th. The certificate and grant will be formally awarded in Montréal. Award recipients are expected to make their own travel arrangements. Funding for the travel grants is provided by the ISPO.

Printable Materials

The following PDF documents may be of interest.

2003 Meeting Announcement [PDF]

Help us spread the word about this meeting by printing a copy of this and posting it at your workplace or lab.

Cofactors in Human Cancer Diagram [PDF]

illustrates the most common causes of cancer for various target organs and some of the multifactorial and synergistic effects of carcinogen exposure in the development of malignant neoplastic diseases