Sixth Annual Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium Press Program Announced

Main Category: GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 27 Dec 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The sixth annual Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers Symposium Press Program will highlight research on the prevention, screening and treatment of GI cancers. Study authors will discuss four notable studies in an embargoed presscast (press briefing via live webcast) on Tuesday, January 13 from 12:00-1:30 PM (EST).

Featured research includes:

- Findings from an economic model assessing the potential cost savings associated with KRAS gene testing in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, and using gene status to guide use of the targeted therapy cetuximab (Erbitux)

- A randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluating whether octreotide LAR, a drug used to inhibit hormone secretion, can delay tumor growth in patients with rare metastatic neuroendocrine midgut tumors

- A study exploring the use of epidermal growth factor gene variations to predict risk of esophageal cancer in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

- A study examining the use of DNA mismatch repair genes to determine clinical outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients, which have the potential to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from more aggressive care

This year's Symposium will take place from January 15 through January 17, 2009, at the Moscone West Building in San Francisco, CA, and will feature more than 500 abstracts on a variety of gastrointestinal cancers including cancers of the esophagus, stomach, hepatobiliary, pancreas, small bowel, colon, and rectum. These cancers are diagnosed in approximately 263,000 people in the U.S. every year.

In addition to the presscast, a working newsroom will be available onsite at the meeting for reporters. Experts will be available for comment and perspective upon request.

Four leading medical specialty societies co-sponsor the three-day, multidisciplinary symposium including the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) and the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO).