MOLECULAR APPROACHES TO CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY

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Support is requested for a scientific meeting organized by the American Association for Cancer Research. The conference, entitled "Molecular Approaches to Cancer Immunotherapy," will be held at the Grove Park inn in Asheville, NC, on November 7-11, 1993. The conference chairperson is the Principal investigator, Dr. Ralph A. Reisfeld. The major goals of the conference are to provide an in-depth evaluation of what is known about cancer immunotherapy, the molecular nature of the immune response to cell surface antigens or to exogenous antigens, and the significance of the rapid advances in DNA technologies and biotechnology, as well as the appropriate consideration of advances in the understanding of what triggers immune cell activity. Twenty-nine distinguished scientists will deliver talks, and registrants will have the opportunity to give poster presentations of their own work. The conference will bring together a group of world class experts in different areas of cancer immunotherapy whose work is indicative of the new and exciting approaches to cancer treatment. These research developments have been made possible by the substantial progress made during the last decade in three major research areas: First, there have been great strides towards a better understanding of the molecular nature of the immune response to cell surface antigens or to exogenous antigens presented in conjunction with major histocompatibility complex molecules. Second, the rapid advances in recombinant DNA technologies and in biotechnology as a whole have made it possible to obtain large amounts of molecularly defined biological molecules such as monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, and growth factors. Third, there have been advances in our understanding of what triggers immune cell activity. These insights have led to novel gene therapy approaches that may overcome the frustrating inability of the immune defense system to cope with human cancer. This will be the twenty-seventh meeting in an outstanding series of special conferences organized by the Association. The organizers believe that it will present a unique opportunity for investigators working in rapidly developing scientific areas to exchange new ideas and develop novel conceptual approaches to their research.