12th International Symposium on Anti-Angiogenic Agents

Angio 2010
Recent Advances and Future Directions in Basic and Clinical Cancer Research

February 4-6, 2010

Hyatt Regency La Jolla
San Diego, California

General Information

• Conference Brochure (pdf)
• Poster Submission Form (pdf)
  Abstracts for poster presentation can still be submitted and will be considered for presentation, but cannot be considered for oral presentation.
  Please e-mail the form and abstract to ctierney@mdanderson.org.  
• Conference Agenda
• Chair and Faculty Information
• Registration Information
• Hotel & Transportation Information
• San Diego Visitor Information

Program Overview

Angiogenesis is an essential process in the growth of cancer and progression to metastasis. The angiogenic pathway is orchestrated by a variety of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors that ultimately lead to the development of a neovascular blood supply to the growing tumor mass. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a pivotal role in this process. For these reasons, the inhibition of VEGF and its receptor signaling system are attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. Indeed, the approval in 2004 of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody directed against VEGF - the first anti-angiogenic drug to treat cancer patients - validated the hypothesis introduced decades earlier that inhibition of tumor angiogenesis may be a valid approach to control tumor growth. This success has driven the search for new anti-angiogenic agents. For example, small-molecule multi-kinase inhibitors that target VEGF receptors and related kinases have recently demonstrated efficacy in multiple tumor types. A number of other anti-angiogenic agents targeting an increasing variety of molecular tumor feature are in clinical development. More recently, studies utilizing powerful new genetic and cell biological approaches have provided unprecedented insights into how various angiogenic mediators contribute to tumor growth and metastasis. As a consequence, a number of new angiogenic molecules and pathways have emerged as promising targets.

Since its inception over four decades ago, investigators in the field of tumor angiogenesis research have made significant progress. Advancements in therapeutics have altered cancer treatment paradigms, and the next decade promises to be an exciting and productive time. This annual state-of-the-art symposium is designed to continue the dialogue and interaction between research and clinical investigators by reviewing the current scientific understanding of vascular biology and angiogenesis. In addition, this symposium provides a forum for presenting the most current preclinical and clinical data on emerging anti-angiogenic agents and regimens. Strategies that inhibit angiogenesis in colorectal, breast, lung, esophageal, gastric, genitourinary, neuroendocrine, central nervous system, hepatocellular, and gynecologic malignancies will be discussed. In addition, biomarkers and resistance pathways will be addressed and controversies in the field will be highlighted.

Educational Objectives

After attending the symposium, participants should be able to

• Define angiogenesis and its relevance to the treatment of cancer;
• Outline the rationale for the development of anti-angiogeneic agents, and explain why angiogenic signaling pathways are targets for inhibition
• Summarize data from clinical trials that support the use of currently available anti-angiogenic agents as monotherapy or in combination with other therapeutic modalities
• Discuss safety and efficacy results from recent clinical trials of investigational anti-angiogenic agents

Target Audience

This symposium is designed for medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists, pharmacists, other providers of cancer care (PAs, RNs, etc.), and research scientists who have an interest in the biology, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer, as well as those who diagnose and treat patients with nonmalignant vascular diseases, such as arthritis and retinal neovascularization. As new and emerging data on anti-angiogenic therapy is presented at this symposium every year, it is necessary for this audience to be made aware of these findings so they can be utilized in their clinical practice.

Educational Methods

• Lectures
• Panel Discussions
• Question and Answer
• Poster Session

Evaluation

A course evaluation form will provide participants with the opportunity to comment on the value of the program content to their practice decisions, performance improvement activities, or possible impact on patient health status. Participants will also have the opportunity to comment on any perceived commercial bias in the presentations as well as to identify future educational topics.

Accreditation/Credit Designation

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center designates this educational activity for a maximum of 15.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ . Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CME Certificates and Attendance Verification Certificates

Certificates awarding AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ or certificates documenting attendance will be distributed to participants when an individual departs the conference. To obtain a CME certificate, physicians must submit a completed evaluation questionnaire and a CME Verification Form.

Upon request, a record of attendance (certificate) will be provided on-site to other health care professionals for requesting credits in accordance with state nursing boards, specialty societies, or other professional associations.

Planning Committee