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Press Release

For Immediate Release

For more information, contact:
Angela Kilbert, Associate Director of Education and Meetings
akilbert@isbtc.org (414) 271-2456 www.isbtc.org

ISBTC DINNER SYMPOSIUM ADDRESSES IMMUNE RESPONSES AND STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION

Milwaukee---The International Society for Biological Therapy of Cancer (iSBTc) held a successful Primer on Tumor Immunology and Biological Therapy (Primer) on Thursday, November 1, 2007 in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Primer was an educational program organized by Drs. Martin A Cheever of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Kim A. Margolin of the City of Hope Cancer Center and featured 11 high-caliber presentations on immunology and biological therapy regarding clinical applications for the treatment of cancer. The Primer on Tumor Immunology and Biological Therapy is a yearly program that precedes the iSBTc Annual Meeting.

"We will continue in our efforts to provide basic to cutting-edge knowledge from the topnotch speakers and researchers in all of the important aspects of tumor immunology," says Dr. Margolin. "Topics and speakers have been chosen to cover the field, yet also focus on new and different aspects of tumor immunology and biological therapy. These efforts keep Primer programming relevant each and every year."

Primer speakers included:

  • Judah Folkman, MD - Children's Hospital Boston
  • Patrick Hwu, MD - MD Anderson Cancer Center
  • Rakesh K. Jain, PhD - Harvard Medical School
  • Kim A. Margolin, MD - City of Hope Cancer Center
  • Francesco Marincola, MD - National Institutes of Health
  • Polly Matzinger, PhD - National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
  • Ira H. Pastan, MD - National Institutes of Health
  • Kenneth Rock, MD - University of Massachusetts
  • Carmen Scheibenbogen, MD - Institut for Med Immunologie
  • Paul M. Sondel, MD, PhD - University of Wisconsin
  • Louis M. Weiner, MD - Fox Chase Cancer Center

Over 150 delegates from around the world representing scientists working in industry, post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, practicing physicians and research technicians in the field of cancer research were able to attend this year's program. Many Primer attendees had substantial background in only one specialized area of biological therapy or tumor immunology. The 2007 Primer helped to educate attendees in the fields of research and clinical practice outside of their niche focus. This year's audience learned central concepts and recent advances in cancer vaccines, vaccine adjuvants, host-tumor interactions, the role of "danger" signals in integrating innate and adaptive immunity, T cell therapy, angiogenesis, antibody therapy and cytokines.

MS. DILLMAN QUOTE ABOUT PERSPECIVE AS A DELEGATE
iSBTc's next scheduled educational program is the "Oncology Biologics Development Primer" set for early 2008 in the Washington DC area. This primer will serve as a key forum for continued and evolving dialogue regarding best practices for worldwide oncology biologics development. More information about this exciting new program will be made available in the coming weeks.

Founded in 1984, the International Society for Biological Therapy of Cancer (iSBTc) is an 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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EDITOR'S NOTE: Members of the media are encouraged to attend the 22nd Annual Meeting free of charge by presenting their press credentials at the iSBTc registration desk located in the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston, Massachusetts.