2022 Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Gordon Research Conference

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Abstract Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) are 2 common head and neck epithelial cancers that are associated with viral infection. Although both cancers arise from the pharynx, their anatomic and geographic distribution as well as viral linkage are distinct. NPC, which is linked to the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), is localized to the nasopharynx and has the highest incidence in Southeast Asia, North Africa, Greenland, and Alaska. In the United States (US), it is rare among Caucasians but is common among ethnic Asians, Hispanics and African Americans. In contrast OPC, which is commonly linked to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), is localized to the oropharynx and has the highest incidence in white males in the Western hemisphere. The etiologies of these two unique cancers include three significant co-factors: host genetics, viral infection and environmental influences. How these factors contribute to the development of these cancers is the research focus of numerous laboratories worldwide. Because of their locations and proclivity for early lymphatic spread, both NPC and OPC are diagnosed at advanced stage, requiring aggressive therapy. Understanding how viral infection drives normal cells to become cancerous, how these cells escape from immune surveillance, and the critical pathways mediating tumor progression and treatment resistance are expected to lead to better tools for early diagnosis and effective therapies that would ultimately improve outcome of these cancers. The convergence of a virus infection, host genetics, host immune function, and epidemiological factors, makes these two cancers powerful models to delineate the host-virus-environment interactions, thereby yielding new insights into tumor pathogenesis. Importantly, the inclusion of two different virally driven cancers at the same small, intimate meeting will catalyze collaborations and advance the pace of research in both cancers. We hypothesize that the 2022 meeting, which features cutting edge basic, translational, and clinical research in NPC and OPC and provides a unique forum for idea exchange among basic scientists, clinicians, and industry, will help to expand the translation of new knowledge to patient care. We will address this hypothesis via three specific aims: (1) To advance the overall knowledge in research and clinical care of NPC and OPC through the development of an exciting scientific program and provision of a stimulating forum for critical interactions between the basic and clinical scientists; (2) To foster the career development and enhance the visibility of new investigators and trainees through the mini talks and highly engaged poster sessions and provision of partial meeting support; and (3) To enhance the diversity of NPC GRC participants with a focus on woman and URM attendees and those from developing countries (where NPC is endemic) through our effort to provide partial meeting support and promote oral presentations from these groups. We believe that the scientific environment created at the 2022 NPC/OPC GRC meeting will help to advance the field of research in virally-driven head and neck cancers in order to improve the overall care and cure of these patients.