AACR to host fourth International Conference on Molecular Diagnostics

The American Association for Cancer Research will host its Fourth AACR International Conference on Molecular Diagnostics in Cancer Therapeutic Development from Sept. 27-30, 2010, at the Sheraton Denver Downtown in Denver, Colo.

Recent advances in genomics, proteomics, molecular imaging and other new technologies are leading to a molecularly based reclassification of cancer. These approaches allow for a more precise understanding of a patient's tumor and a more personalized, targeted approach to therapy.

"This emerging understanding, together with the enhanced ability to characterize tumors from individual patients, creates many opportunities for improved treatment of malignancy and accelerated development of new therapeutics," said Program Chairperson Gordon B. Mills, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the department of systems biology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Mills will host a press conference on some of the new diagnostic methods under development on Sept. 28, at 1:00 p.m. MT.

The following are press releases, which are based on research that will be highlighted during the press conference:

• Triple-negative Breast Cancers May Have Unique Therapeutic Target
• Circulating Tumor Cells Can Provide "Real-time" Information on Patient's Current Disease State
• Biomarker Panel Identifies Prostate Cancer with 90 Percent Accuracy
• New Biomarkers Discovered for Pancreatic Cancer and Mesothelioma

Reporters who cannot attend the press conference in person can call in using the following information:

• U.S. and Canada: (888) 282-7404
• International: (706) 679-5207
• Access Code: 97080252

The AACR Communication Department is also highlighting the following research, which will be presented at the meeting:

• African-Americans Equally Likely to Benefit from Erlotinib and Other Targeted Lung Cancer Therapy
• Novel Test Following Prostate Surgery Could Detect Cancer Recurrence Earlier
• MicroRNA Panel Provides a More Precise Lung Cancer Diagnosis
• Screening Tool Can Detect Colorectal Cancer from a Small Blood Sample
• Novel Biomarker May Predict Response to New VEGF Receptor Inhibitor
• Nanotechnology Brings Personalized Therapy One Step Closer to Reality
• Dual-capture CTC Chip Efficiently Captures Breast Cancer Cells
• Method to Detect Bladder Cancer Earlier is Under Development
• c-Met May Be a Biomarker for Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Follow the AACR on Twitter: @AACR #AACR
Follow the AACR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aacr.org