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For more information, contact:

MelissaKaye Shekoski
International Society for Biological Therapy of Cancer
555 E Wells St, Suite 1100, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: 414-271-2456 • Fax: 414-276-3349
Email: mshekoski@isbtc.org
Website: www.isbtc.org

For Immediate Release

iSBTc HOSTS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ADDRESSING CANCER AND INFLAMMATION; TUMOR IMMUNOLOGY

San Diego, CA---The International Society for Biological Therapy of Cancer's (iSBTc) "Workshop on Cancer and Inflammation: Promise for Biological Therapy" (Workshop) and "Primer on Tumor Immunology and Biological Therapy of Cancer" (Primer) were held October 30, 2008, in San Diego, CA, and featured several key international leaders within the field of oncology biologics and immunotherapy.

Developed by iSBTc, the Workshop and Primer precede the iSBTc Annual Meeting and are intended to provide an interactive environment for researchers in the fields of immunology and biological therapy so that as learners they are fully engaged and primed for the latest cutting edge science that is to be presented in the proceeding days.

iSBTc Workshop on Cancer and Inflammation: Promise for Biological Therapy
Organized by Lisa M. Coussens, PhD, University of California, San Francisco; Steven Dubinett, MD, University of California, Los Angeles; Michael Karin, PhD, University of California, San Diego; Michael T. Lotze, MD, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute; and George J. Weiner, MD, University of Iowa, the format of the Workshop promoted a scientific discussion about the use of biologic approaches in modifying inflammation and the significant scientific, regulatory and legal issues faced by the various stakeholders in their development and optimized clinical use. Workshop attendees heard state-of-the-science lectures and participated in breakout sessions on such key issues as:

Defining Inflammation
Genetic Polymorphisms and Factors which Modulate Inflammation and Cancer
Animal Models of Cancer and Inflammation
Causes and Molecular Targets in Cancer and Inflammation
Current Clinical Evidence for Targeting Inflammation to Prevent Cancer
Novel Therapeutics and Clinical Trial Development to Treat Cancer

Convening onsite, Workshop Organizers used the consensus decisions reached within the breakout sessions to begin crafting a publishable guidance document that will address the use of biological therapies in modifying inflammation.

iSBTc Primer on Tumor Immunology and Biological Therapy of Cancer
Organized by Patrick Hwu, MD of MD Anderson Cancer Center and Kim A. Margolin, MD of the University of Washington, iSBTc's Primer annually provides a series of lectures that address the fields of tumor immunology and immunotherapy, moving from the most basic principles to the most advanced and cutting-edge research ideas. This year, audience members learned central concepts and recent advances on topics that included:

Cytokine Biology; focusing on clinical applications
Angiogenesis
Mechanisms of Antitumor Cytotoxicity
Antigen Discovery
Checkpoint Blockade
Adoptive T-cell Therapy
Immune Adjuvants
Methodologies for Immune Monitoring of Cancer Immunotherapy

Reflecting on the broad based international audience and faculty, Dr. Kim Margolin noted, "This year, the presentation on regulatory T cells by Dr. Shimon Sakaguchi from Kyoto University showcased our growing global presence."

"The favorable audience feedback following this all-day event attests to the important contributions of our Society to the field," noted Dr. Margolin.

Founded in 1984, the International Society for Biological Therapy of Cancer is a not-for-profit organization of clinicians, researchers, students, post-doctoral fellows, and allied health professionals dedicated to improving cancer patient outcomes by advancing the development and application of biological therapy through interaction, innovation and leadership.

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