Rapid Pace of Discovery for Targets of Cancer Therapeutics Highlighted At International Cancer Meeting

Washtington, DC (PROTEXT) - AACR-NCI-EORTC Sponsor FirstAnnual Joint Conference to Exchange Latest Developments. WHAT: More than a thousand leading cancer researchers to sharecutting-edge findings at an International Conference sponsored bythe American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), NationalCancer Institute (NCI), and European Organization for Researchand Treatment of Cancer (EORTC): "Molecular Targets and CancerTherapeutics: Discovery, Development, and Clinical Validation." According to the conference co-chairperson and AACR PresidentDaniel D. Von Hoff, M.D.: "The excitement that surrounds thismeeting is an indication of the fast pace at which we aretranslating basic science into new therapeutic strategies forcancer. We anticipate that the data presented here will move thefield forward." Research highlights include: -- An extract from licorice root may help decrease oreliminate a specific cell protein, called bcl-2, which isresponsible for blocking cell death (known as apoptosis) andtherefore allowing the proliferation of cancer cells -- A new way of delivering the tumor suppressor gene p53 holdspromise for more effective treatment of prostate cancer -- First results confirming that the gene heparanase isresponsible for tumor progression and how its cloning may lead toearly detection and treatment of cancer and auto-immune disorders -- Early results of a Phase I study demonstrate rapid andsignificant tumor regression in 25 percent of patients withadvanced cancer using a synthetic immuno-suppressive agent -- Discovery of structural similarity between two naturallyoccurring compounds -- taxanes (the source for Taxol andTaxotere) and epothilones -- may lead to new methods ofinterfering with unregulated cell division WHEN: November 16-19, 1999

International Cancer Meeting WHERE:

Washington Hilton Hotel and Towers

Washington, DC

Press Room: State Room, Terrace Level

Monday, November 15 (press registration);

3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, November 16-18;

7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Friday, November 19; 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

Telephone: (USA) 202-797-4830

Fax:

(USA) 202-797-4512

E-mail:

pvigliarolo@cwg.com AACR-NCI-EORTC Background Established in 1907, the American Association for CancerResearch (AACR) is the oldest and largest scientific organizationin the world focused on the multi-disciplinary aspects of basic,clinical, and translational cancer research. With a membership ofmore than 15,000 scientists from 80 nations, AACR publishes fourpeer-reviewed journals, the oldest of which, Cancer Research, isthe most frequently cited cancer journal in the world. The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the NationalInstitutes of Health, was established by the United StatesCongress in 1937 and encompasses a network of regional andcommunity cancer centers, physicians who are cancer specialists,cooperative groups of clinical researchers, and volunteers andcommunity outreach groups. NCI's infrastructure supportsactivities that encompass all aspects of cancer prevention,detection, diagnosis, treatment, control, and survivorship. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer(EORTC) is an international, non-profit research organizationcreated in 1962 to conduct, develop, coordinate, and stimulatemulti-disciplinary research on the experimental and clinicalbasis of cancer treatment. More than 2,500 scientists andclinical investigators who work in more than 300 hospitals andresearch institutions located in 32 countries are involved inEORTC's research activities. Overall, more than 25,000 patientsare treated and followed according to EORTC protocols each year.ots Original Text Service: AACR-NCI-EORTC Internet:http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: Peter Vigliarolo, (USA) 212-886-2213 Cynthia S. Byers, (USA) 215-440-9300 AmericanAssociation for Cancer Research In DC: Washington Hilton/StateRoom, (USA) 202-797-4830

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