Twelfth Annual Symposium on
Women's Health Research 

Untying the Pink Ribbon: Advances in Breast Cancer

A Symposium Honoring the work of Angela Brodie, PhD,
Discoverer of Aromatase Inhibitors

Friday, March 28, 2008
Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor Hotel, Baltimore, Maryland

Hosted by: The Women's Health Research Group and the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center

Sponsored by: The University of Maryland School of Medicine

Course Description

More than 2.4 million women are currently living in the United States with a previous or current diagnosis of breast cancer.  Research into causation mechanisms and therapeutic approaches has yielded important results in recent years, including the development of selective estrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors.  At the same time, there is widespread recognition that breast cancer represents a very heterogeneous disease and further research is needed to develop therapies specifically tailored to the individual patient.  This symposium will feature twelve experts in the field presenting the latest findings on breast cancer research and treatment.  Topics will include hormones and growth factors, cancer causation and progression, and clinical applications.  The target audience includes scientists, clinicians and health care professionals, students, and other individuals with an interest in breast cancer research and treatment.

Registration

Register online at www.peopleware.net/1482.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the participant should be able to

• discuss the current therapies and obstacles relevant to hormone-responsive breast cancer.
• describe the mechanisms by which hormone therapy-resistant disease occurs.
• identify disparities in breast cancer in different populations.
• explain the mechanisms of breast cancer metastasis and potential therapies.
• summarize the findings regarding hormone replacement therapy in the Women's Health Initiative Study.
• discuss how therapy can be tailored for individual breast cancer patients.
• develop research projects in the field of breast cancer and increase their participation in this area of investigation.

CME Sponsorship

Sponsored by the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Credit Designation

The University of Maryland School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum 6.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) TM.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Acknowledgement of commercial support

Supported by educational grants from Novartis Pharmaceuticals and the Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

ADA Statement

If you require special accomodations to attend or participate in this CME activity, please provide information about your requirements to Lauren Levy at 410-706-2866 or (1-800-735-2258 TTY/voice) at least 5 business days in advance of the activity.

Program Agenda

8:00 am-8:30 am

REGISTRATION and CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

8:30 am-8:45 am

WELCOME and OPENING REMARKS

E. Albert Reece, Dean & Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland School of Medicine

Kevin Cullen, M.D., Director, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center

SESSION I – HORMONES & GROWTH FACTORS

8:45 am-9:15 am

Tamoxifen and Raloxifene: the First Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators

V. Craig Jordan, OBE, Ph.D., D.Sc.

Fox Chase Cancer Center

9:15 am-9:45 am

Development of Resistance to hormonal therapy: how do cells adapt to estrogen deprivation, tamoxifen and fulvestrant?

Richard Santen, M.D.

University of Virginia

9:45 am-10:15 am         

Breast cancer endocrine resistance: Mechanisms and novel therapeutic strategies

Rachel Schiff, Ph.D.

Baylor College of Medicine

10:15 am-10:45 am       

BREAK

10:45 am-11:15 am

The Growth Factor GP88: role in breast tumorigenesis and hormone resistance

Ginette Serrero, Ph.D.

University of Maryland

11:15 am-11:45 am

Evolution of a Theory of Cancer Stem Cells and its Implication for Treatment of Breast Cancer

Anne Hamburger, Ph.D.

University of Maryland

SESSION II – CANCER CAUSATION & PROGRESSION

11:45 am-12:15 pm

Environmental Estrogens

John McLachlan, Ph.D.

Tulane University

12:15 pm-12:45 pm

Targeting Dormant Breast Tumor Cells to Reduce Metastasis

Stuart Martin, Ph.D.

University of Maryland

12:45 pm-2:30 pm

LUNCH and KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Aromatase Inhibitors of Benefit at Last!

Angela Brodie, Ph.D.

University of Maryland

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Identifying Therapeutic Targets to Reduce Breast Cancer Metastasis

Amy Fulton, Ph.D.

University of Maryland

SESSION III – CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm        

Hormone Replacement and Breast Cancer Risk: Results of the Women's Health Initiative and Other Recent Studies

Robert Hoover, M.D., Sc.D.

National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health

3:30 pm – 4:00 pm        

Racial Differences in Breast Cancer: Risk Factors through Survival

Patricia Moorman, Ph.D.

Duke University

4:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Genomics in Early Breast Cancer: Individualizing Treatment

Sandra Swain, M.D.

Washington Hospital Center