Clinical Trials Workshop Emphasizes Efficiency, Integration
As the most effective way to determine the efficacy of new treatment agents or interventions, a clinical trial is an important tool oncologists can use to develop better means for preventing, detecting, and treating cancer. To support the integration of evidence-based practices into community oncology, ASCO, the Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups, and the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) invite oncology professionals to attend the 2008 Clinical Trials Workshop: Enhancing Clinical Trials in Your Oncology Practice.
Initiated in 2004, the Clinical Trials Workshop is designed to educate oncologists and their research teams about the processes and procedures required for clinical trial participation and how clinical trials can be effectively incorporated into their current practices. The material presented will be most applicable to U.S. and Canadian community oncologists who have some clinical trial experience, but would like to become more efficient and increase their clinical trial accrual. The topics of the workshop’s general sessions will include the role of the oncology team, processes and procedures, selection of trials, communication with patients, and other important and timely issues currently surrounding clinical trials.
To ensure the educational benefits of a small-group environment, attendance at the 2008 Clinical Trials Workshop will be limited to 150 participants and will feature 10 breakout sessions of 10 to 15 attendees.
Although oncology physicians or oncology physicians-in-training (fellows or residents) may attend on their own, attendance is encouraged and will be most beneficial for attendee pairs that comprise a physician and a research team member (research nurse or clinical research associate).
For more information about the 2008 Clinical Trials Workshop and to register for the event, visit
www.asco.org/ctw. Registration for the event will close on
Friday, August 15, 2008, at 11:59 PM (EST).
The 2008 Clinical Trials Workshop
September 19-21, 2008
Atlanta, Georgia
Hyatt Regency Atlanta
Register for the Upcoming Breast Cancer Symposium
ASCO invites all oncologists and other medical professionals whose research and practice focuses on breast cancer to register for the 2008 Breast Cancer Symposium. The two-and-a-half-day event will provide attendees with an opportunity to learn about the latest multidisciplinary research in breast cancer and to engage in clinically relevant, in-depth discussions of the most effective breast cancer treatments. The deadline for early registration for the Symposium is
August 1, 2008.
2008 Breast Cancer Symposium
September 5-7, 2008
Washington, DC
The Hilton Washington
Following a successful inaugural year, the research presented at the event will fit the theme for the 2008 Symposium, “Integrating Emerging Science into Clinical Practice.” The information from the abstracts selected for the Symposium will be organized according to themes in scientific research and may include the following: overviews of new detection and diagnostic techniques; the biologic determinants of breast cancer risk and prevention, including discussion of the interaction among hormones, diet, and nutrition; ethnic and racial aspects of breast cancer epidemiology; and new surgical and radiation treatment approaches.
Several new features at the 2008 Breast Cancer Symposium are designed to enhance each attendee’s educational experience. Attendees can register to participate in tumor boards led by a faculty panel that will incorporate audience reactions to interactive case presentations through the use of audience response technology. Tickets are available at no cost, but attendees must register to reserve a ticket for the session.
Other ticketed sessions, including a breakfast and daily “poster walks,” will offer fellows, residents, and junior faculty the chance to meet mentors, discuss career development issues, and explore the research presented at the Symposium with expert faculty from varying subspecialties. Tickets for these events are also available at no cost, but must be reserved when registering for the event.
Co-sponsored by the American Society of Breast Disease (ASBD), The American Society of Breast Surgeons, ASCO, the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO), the National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC), and the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO), the 2008 Breast Cancer Symposium will foster “cross talk” among practitioners and scientists and allow participants to explore the information they need to provide high-quality care to patients with breast cancer.
For more information about the Breast Cancer Symposium and to register for the event, visit
www.breastcasymposium.org.
Submit an Abstract for Second Annual Meeting on Molecular Markers in Cancer
Following a successful first meeting in Brussels, Belgium, ASCO, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) invite oncology professionals to attend the Annual Meeting on Molecular Markers in Cancer. The meeting will be held in Hollywood, Florida, from October 30 to November 1. Registration for this event is currently open. All abstracts for the meeting must be submitted through the online abstract submission program by
July 9, 2008.
The primary goals of the event are to accelerate progress and improve international scientific collaboration in the rapidly advancing field of cancer markers. The meeting program will be organized around four topics:
- Minimal Residual Disease and Circulating Tumor Cells
- Identifying Patients for EGFR Inhibitor Therapy: Markers of Response and Resistance
- Challenges Importing Biomarkers into Clinical Trials
- Molecular Markers of Response and Resistance to Angiogenesis Inhibitors
In an interview with ASCO Daily News earlier this year, ASCO President Richard L. Schilsky, MD, emphasized the importance of these topics for future advancement in the field of oncology.
“It’s become clear over recent years that we can use biomarkers for a variety of clinical purposes, including early detection of cancer, refining prognosis, monitoring early response to therapy or recurrence after treatment, and so on,” he said. “Oncologists are actually using biomarkers to assist them in their clinical decision-making.”
To register for the ASCO-NCI-EORTC Annual Meeting on Molecular Markers in Cancer, to submit an abstract, or to find more information on the event, visit
www.molecularcameeting.org.
2009 Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Symposia
ASCO will soon accept abstracts on the latest clinical and translational research in gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers for the 2009 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium and the 2009 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium. Both events will allow interested professionals to review key concepts in the latest research from their fields and to interact with their peers and experts from varying subspecialties. The 2009 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium is co-sponsored by The AGA Institute, ASCO, the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO), and the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO).
The 2009 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium also represents ASCO’s commitment to co-sponsoring meetings annually that focus on the broad range of cancer types in this field, including prostate, renal, testes, and bladder cancers. The 2009 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium is co-sponsored by ASCO, ASTRO, and the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO).
Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium
January 15-17, 2009
San Francisco, California
Moscone West Building
Abstract submission: July 11-September 12, 2008
www.gicasymposium.org
Genitourinary Cancers Symposium
February 26-28, 2009
Orlando, Florida
Orlando World Center Marriott
Abstract submission: August 1-October 24, 2008
www.gucasymposium.org
