IMPAKT Breast Cancer Conference, Brussels, Belgium, May 7-9, 2009

Main Category: Conferences
Also Included In: Breast Cancer
Article Date: 02 Apr 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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A coalition of leading European breast cancer organizations has come together to launch an important new type of scientific conference, which aims to ensure breast cancer patients benefit as quickly as possible from cutting-edge research.

At the first IMPAKT Breast Cancer Conference, to be a held in Brussels from May 7-9, scientists working in basic and translational research and the doctors who will implement their results will discuss how to bring emerging methods into clinical practice.

"Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy in women worldwide and there is an urgent need to translate scientific advances from the laboratory into tools and treatments that will help patients," said meeting co-chair Prof Martine Piccart, Head of the Department of Medicine at the Jules Bordet Institute in Brussels.

"At IMPAKT we will have exceptional basic research scientists presenting new molecular pathways, which will then be discussed by clinicians with a focus on the new drugs being developed based on those pathways; and finally we will have imaging experts presenting their point of view on how to identify patients that can best respond to such treatments".

At the meeting new data will be presented including:

* Specific gene mutations in breast cancer development
* Factors that influence breast cancer recurrence
* Tools to predict the efficacy of breast cancer drugs
* New methods for personalizing treatment

"New research is revealing potential new targets for the treatment of breast cancer," said meeting co-chair Prof Jose Baselga, Director of the Division of Medical Oncology, Hematology, and Radiation Oncology at the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona, Spain. "New molecular tools and novel diagnostic, prognostic and predictive methods are being developed. We now need to evaluate those new targets, and implement the new techniques. The meeting will help doctors bring the research directly into their clinical work. "

IMPAKT is more than just a breast cancer meeting. It represents a strong commitment by a growing and united alliance of European breast cancer groups, working together to keep pace with advances in translational research and their relevance for treating patients.

The meeting is being launched by the Breast International Group (BIG) and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), in collaboration with St. Gallen Primary Therapy of Early Breast Cancer Conference and the three European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC) partners: The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), the European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists, and Europa Donna - The European Breast Cancer Coalition. IMPAKT is also supported by the European School of Oncology (ESO).

"The meeting is a tangible proof that we are all committed to accelerating the transfer of scientific knowledge from the laboratory to the patient and back again," said Prof Piccart.

Other meeting highlights:

* New therapeutic strategies
* New markers of response to treatment
* Using gene expression to tailor treatment
* New imaging techniques to help guide therapy

Notes:

Meeting venue

The IMPAKT-Breast Cancer Conference will take place at the Crowne Plaza Brussels City Center.

The conference full program.

Accommodation

For hotel reservation, please visit: http://www.esmo.org/events/breast-2009/book-hotel.html

About the Breast International Group (BIG)

The Breast International Group (BIG) is an international non-profit organisation for academic breast cancer research groups from around the world, based in Brussels, Belgium. Created by leading European opinion leaders in 1996, BIG now constitutes a network of 44 groups based in Europe, Canada, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region. These research entities are tied to approximately 3,000 specialised hospitals and research centres worldwide. BIG also collaborates with the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) and North American collaborative groups, with BIG and the North Americans together representing an impressive integrating force in the breast cancer research arena. To make significant scientific advances in breast cancer research, reduce the wasteful duplication of effort, and optimally serve those affected by the disease, large-scale cooperation is crucial. Therefore BIG facilitates breast cancer research at international level, by stimulating cooperation between its members and other academic networks, and collaborating with, but working independently from, the pharmaceutical industry.

About the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) is a non-profit organization which promotes medical oncology and a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment.

ESMO is a community of oncology professionals that unites key stakeholders who share the common objective of preventing cancer, fostering a favorable environment for scientific research, and advocating for equal access to high quality cancer treatment. As the leading European professional medical oncology society, ESMO offers state-of-the-art educational and training programs which provide the oncology community with a platform to disseminate the most up-to-date scientific research and information available. ESMO's scientific journal, Annals of Oncology, ranks among the top clinical oncology journals worldwide. ESMO is an authoritative voice in the fight against cancer and offers consultative expertise to oncology organizations and European authorities on important issues related to cancer research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.

Source:
ESMO Press Office
European Society for Medical Oncology

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