WELCOME AND OVERVIEW OF THE 3rd PACRIM BREAST AND PROSTATE CANCER MEETING 2006
We have pleasure in inviting you to the 3rd PacRim Breast and Prostate Cancer Meeting, an international conference organised by the PacRim Breast and Prostate Cancer Group whose aim is to foster collaboration to improve the understanding, management and prevention of breast and prostate cancer. The PacRim Meetings are more a "think tank" engaging all participants, rather than a conventional conference.
This year's meeting is to be held at the fabulous Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island, off the coast of Queensland. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a spectacular venue for the conference situated on what is the largest sand island in the world. Amongst its many attributes, the tropical paradise of Fraser Island is famous for its birds and wildlife, mighty dunes, freshwater lakes and the famous Seventy-Five Mile Beach, voted by the American Discovery Channel as the World's best beach.
The PacRim Breast and Prostate Cancer Meeting series brings together world experts, both scientific and clinical, to address the most recent developments in the field of breast and prostate cancer. The objective is to identify and discuss critical issues necessary to progress the field. The program endeavours to integrate, where possible, aspects of epidemiology, biology and translational and clinical research in breast and prostate cancer. A feature of these meetings has been the interactive discussion, which has been achieved by limiting participants to short talks, with discussants having the option of introducing a point with a single slide.
At this year's meeting on Fraser Island more than 50 international plus 100 Australian participants will address contemporary topics including:
- Epigenetics and chromatin – breast and prostate-specific mechanisms
- New molecular targets and targeted therapies, optimal use and predicting response
- Identification of functionally important genes: new prevention and treatment targets
- Animal models – what's new and what's required
- Biomarkers – predicting risk, prognosis and treatment outcomes
- Maximising molecular and translational research opportunities in clinical trials
- Stem cells – identification and relationship to biology and risk factors
- Receptor negative tumours – etiology, molecular basis and treatment
- Risk, genetic susceptibility and prevention
- Importance of the tumour micro-environment – primary and metastatic sites
- Optimal use (timing) of hormones, chemotherapy and new targeted therapies
These and other topics will be covered in poster presentations. All students and post-doctoral fellows are encouraged to submit a poster. An abstract must be submitted to be eligible for a poster presentation (see Posters).
The 3rd PacRim Breast and Prostate Cancer Meeting will commence on the evening of Tuesday 31 October with a tribute to Ron Ross, followed by a poolside welcome reception. A "Native Foods" dinner will be held on the Wednesday evening with a native food tasting being a feature of the Poster session. On Thursday afternoon there will be an opportunity to participate in a four wheel drive tour, including a spectacular forest walk and swimming in the fabulous Lake McKenzie. An informal session incorporating "The Great Debate" (Molecular profiling and biomakers have revolutionised cancer medicine) will be held on Thursday evening prior to dinner (own arrangements for dinner that evening at Seabelle or Maheno restaurants) with drinks provided. The meeting will close with a themed beach party extravaganza on Friday, 4 November.
Finally, thanks to our sponsors for their generous support of this year's meeting.
On behalf of the conference organisers, I invite you to what promises to be an exciting and memorable conference, both scientifically and socially!
Wayne Tilley
On behalf of the 3rd PacRim International Organising Committee
International Organising Committee
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles: Gerhard Coetzee, Chris Haiman, Malcolm Pike, Jacek Pinski, David Quinn
UBC/The Prostate Center at Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver: Martin Gleave, Colleen Nelson, Paul Rennie
Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney: John Grygiel, Susan Henshall, Chris Ormandy, Rob Sutherland
University of Sydney: Juergen Reichardt
Cancer Council of Australia: Ian Olver
Hanson Institute/University of Adelaide, Adelaide: Steve Birrell, Lisa Butler, Villis Marshall, Howard Morris, Wayne Tilley
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