The AACR to host second cancer research conference in Jordan

The second American Association for Cancer Research Dead Sea International Conference on Advances in Cancer Research: From the Laboratory to the Clinic provides attendees with an overview of the most advanced cancer research in a variety of fields, including the tumor microenvironment, microRNAs, signal transduction and novel therapeutic development. The conference takes place March 7-10, 2010, at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center, Dead Sea, Jordan.

Held under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, this conference is the only large cancer meeting in the Middle East; it attracts researchers from more than 27 countries.

This conference on advancements in cancer research is one way the AACR is forging international collaborations and creating a venue for an interdisciplinary exchange of information, which is essential for progress in the fight against cancer.

"This AACR conference provides the opportunity for researchers to create a dialogue they may not otherwise have. It also provides access to data on regional differences in cancer instances, diet and genetics. This information can be very revealing in the study of cancer and its global variations," said conference co-chairperson Tom Curran, Ph.D., deputy scientific director of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute.

Curran noted that the global nature of this conference will raise new issues in personalized medicine, which has long been a focus of Western medicine, but could have unique implications for the Middle Eastern region of the world.

"The Advances in Cancer Research conference is a step in the right direction for the globalization of science," said conference chairperson Samir N. Khleif, M.D., head of the cancer vaccine section at the National Cancer Institute. "There is opportunity, talent and potential all over the world that needs to be nurtured and grown."

Khleif said the selection of the venue for this conference was particularly important.

"We need to reach out to scientists in developing countries and emerging economies in effort to provide them with an opportunity to interact with high-level scientists globally," said Khleif. "The opportunities that this conference provides to start these collaborations are vital."

Provided by American Association for Cancer Research