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"Cancer Care in the 21st Century"

6:00PM Reception

6:30PM Welcome Remarks
Dr. Mark Taubman & Dr. Jonathan Friedberg

6:45PM Round Table Discussion: "Precision Care"
Moderator: Jonathan Friedberg, M.D.
Panel: Helene McMurray, Ph.D., Clive Zent, M.D., Aram Hezel, M.D., John Monson, M.D. & Michael Milano, M.D.

Topic Discussion: A buzzword in cancer research these days, precision medicine takes advantage of technology and an explosion in genomics data to resolve a difficult diagnosis, or predict the course of the disease. However, collecting and knowing how to appropriately use the data to benefit patients requires tools, teamwork, and expertise – something that makes Wilmot Cancer Center unique in the region. Precision medicine promises to harness the great advances in technology, genetics and biomedical research to understand the roots of disease, develop targeted therapies, and provide precise care to patients. 

7:30PM Break

7:40PM Break Out Session (choose 1 topic to attend from below)

Topic #1 – “Diagnosing Cancer in a Molecular Era”
Presenters: David Hicks, M.D. & W. Richard Burack, M.D., Ph.D

Topic Discussion: Advances in the understanding of cancer biology have already transformed the treatment of some cancers by targeting specific molecular characteristics. Effective treatment will require targeting a combination of different genes and proteins that cause the cancer to develop and spread. Doctors Hicks and Burack will discuss how scientific progress in cancer genetics and genomics is enabling advances in the development of new molecular diagnostic tests, and why diagnostics matter in this era of precision medicine and especially in cancer care

Topic #2 – “Cancer Care and Older Adults”
Presenters: Supriya Mohile, M.D. & Karen Mustian, Ph.D

Topic Discussion: Cancer is primarily a disease of the aging and, with a fast-growing older population, oncologists expect 70 percent of patients to be age 70 or older by 2030. This will pose a significant challenge as people in this age group with cancer are more likely to have other medical problems. Doctors Mohile and Mustian will discuss how the Wilmot Cancer Center offers a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to improve survival and quality of life of older patients.

Topic #3 - "Next Generation Personalized Cancer Treatments: A Vision From the Laboratory"
Presenters: Hucky Land, Ph.D. and Mark Noble, Ph.D. 

Topic Discussion: Targeted cancer therapies available today are highly specific but only apply to a limited number of patients. The essence of our research programs is to develop the next generation of treatments that target molecular pathways common to diverse cancers in order to provide highly cancer-selective, personalized treatments to many cancer patients in the future. In this context, discovering new properties of drugs already approved for human use is one of our key approaches to bringing new treatments to the clinic at an accelerated pace.

8:30PM Coffee & Dessert