Champalimaud Cancer Research Symposium

On May 20th 2009, many of the world’s leading cancer research specialists were in Lisbon to participate in the inaugural Champalimaud Cancer Research Symposium.

Paul Marks, President Emeritus of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, USA, and member of the Champalimaud Foundation’s Scientific Committee.

Chaired by the Nobel laureate, and co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, James D. Watson, the Champalimaud Cancer Research Symposium welcomed eleven of the world’s most prominent cancer specialists for a day of reflection on the current state of this field of research. Instead of focusing on one specific area, such as lung cancer, the symposium sought an overview of the field from some of its most important contemporary figures. Presentations covered cancer therapy, progression, treatment, genetics and other pressing research issues. By giving young researchers and experienced science and medicine practitioners the opportunity to join the speakers in scientific discussion the Foundation looked to stimulate the current field of cancer research and inspire the next generation of scientists in Portugal.

The symposium began with an introductory speech from Dr. Paul Marks, President Emeritus of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the world’s oldest and largest private cancer center. In opening the meeting, Dr Marks welcomed the invited speakers and praised the Champalimaud Foundation’s commitment to cancer research. Following these opening remarks the scientific programme officially began:

Bruce Ponder, Cancer Research U.K.: “The role of genes in shaping our risk of disease: lessons from cancer”
Raghu Kalluri, Harvard Medical School & Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center: “The rate of cancer progression and metastasis is controlled by tumor microenvironment”
Peter Jones, University of Southern California: “Epigenetic Therapy”
José Baselga, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology: “Emerging Molecular Targets in Breast Cancer: HER2 and beyond”
Alan Ashworth, Institute of Cancer Research: “Synthetic lethal approaches to the development of new therapies targeting DNA repair deficiencies in cancer”
Hedvig Hricak, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC): “New horizons in oncologic imaging”
Charles Sawyers, MSKCC: “Novel approaches to anti-androgen therapy”
Paul Marks, MSKCC: “Histone deacetylase inhibitors – from bench to bedside”
Yoel Kloog, Tel Aviv University: “Design of new Ras inhibitor salirasib: from concept to mechanism of action and phase 1 trials”
Maria Blasco, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre: “Role of telomeres in cancer and aging”
Giovanni Morrone, University of Catanzaro: “Turning stem cells bad: dissection of leukaemogenesis through gene transfer in human haematopoietic stem cells”

The Symposium marks the continuation of the Champalimaud Foundation’s commitment to cancer research, which has already included hosting a thinktank at Cold Spring Harbor’s prestigious Banbury Center in October 2007. More recently, in 2008, the Foundation joined in collaboration with the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation to support oncological specialists in a programme of advanced medical training. In addition, plans are already well underway for the Champalimaud Cancer Research Programme which will support translational research of excellence. The Programme will be later housed in the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, due to open in October 2010.

Maria Blasco presenting at the Champalimaud Cancer Research Symposium

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