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The urgent mission to improve treatments for a deadly,
asbestos-related cancer will make another step forward, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) announced today, with the Second International Symposium on
Malignant Mesothelioma.
Meso is a malignant tumor that aggressively invades the linings of the lungs, abdomen, heart or testicles. The need for research to develop effective treatments was neglected for decades. But in the past few years, exciting progress has begun. MARF, the national nonprofit whose mission is to eradicate meso as a life-ending disease, has organized the Symposium to review this progress, elucidate the latest advances, and strengthen and encourage the entire meso community.
The Symposium will be held in Las Vegas at the Caesars Palace convention center, October 6 through 8. Following the highly successful 2004 format, the program combines highly relevant material for the patient/family and advocacy communities with scientific presentations by leading experts on the latest in meso science and treatment.
The Symposium will open powerfully with presentations on the scope of the mesothelioma tragedy and the continuing threat, by Dr. Stephen Levin from the renowned Mount Sinai Irving Selikoff Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, author and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Andrew Schneider, and international experts Michael Harbut and Michele Carbone.
Sessions focused specifically for patients and caregivers will cover the clinical aspects of the disease and its treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, experimental treatments, and pain management. Extended break-out sessions are planned for patients, caregivers and the bereaved, to offer holistic strategies for the emotional, physical and psychological aspects of the disease.
Major scientific topics will include evolving diagnostic, prognostic and staging technologies, including the latest in early detection. Multi-modal management -- surgery, radio and chemotherapy -- will be covered in detail for both pleural and peritoneal meso. Systemic chemotherapy protocols will be reviewed, including an assessment of the Alimta/Cisplatin regimen. Second line and novel treatment approaches will be discussed, along with a thorough overview of meso research projects currently underway. Participating physicians will receive CME credits for these sessions. Patients, family members and other non-medical professionals are also welcome to attend.
The Symposium will also feature events to encourage and strengthen the meso community. A special tribute ceremony will honor loved ones lost to the disease. At the gala dinner, patients in attendance will be specially acknowledged; Jordan Zevon, who lost his father -- renowned American songwriter Warren Zevon -- to mesothelioma in 2003, will perform; MARF will award "Pioneer" awards to the select handful of companies that are investing in meso research; and the winner of MARF's annual "Congressman Bruce Vento Hope Builder Award" will be announced. Last year, MARF Board of Directors member Susan Vento, who lost her husband Congressman Bruce Vento to meso, presented the award to Senator Patty Murray for her work to ban asbestos and provide for federal funding of meso research.
Dr. Nicholas Vogelzang, Director of the Nevada Cancer Institute, and Dr. Harvey Pass, Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Oncology at NYU, are contributing their vast meso expertise as the Symposium co-chairs. The Symposium is also made possible by the generous financial support of Eli Lilly and Company; SimmonsCooper LLC; Waters & Kraus, LLP; Stanley, Mandel & Iola, LLP; Bergman & Frockt; The David Law Firm; Merck & Co.; Alfacell; and Fujirebio Diagnostics.
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
22 Sep 2005
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