Human Tumour Heterogeneity II: Cytometric Measurement of Growth Regulation and Genetic Alterations. An International Working Symposium


Kananaskas, Alberta, May 24-27, 1996

Progress in understanding the molecular basis of cancer continues at a rapid pace. Compared to bulk assays used in molecular pathology, flow and image cytometry allow simultaneous measurement of multiple parameters, and provide a direct measurement of cellular heterogeneity. Because the key processes determining tumour progression are likely to be functional pathways involving critical regulatory molecules, cytometry has the unique potential to provide insight into both the underlying biology and the prediction of likely outcome.

The Human Tumour Heterogeneity Working Symposium held at Kananaskas, Alberta, in May 1995 began to address some of the problems associated with the use of cytometry to study the molecular biology of human cancer. An important area that emerged from this first meeting is the interrelation between genetic change and altered growth regulation that is fundamental to cancer. Mapping the key steps involved in human cancers will greatly enhance the utility of cytometry in diagnostic pathology, and in oncology, and in the long term is likely to result in the development of novel treatment strategies.

A second Kananaskas working symposium will be held May 24-27, 1996 to address some of the practical issues involved in using cytometry to study genetic change and growth regulation in human cancer. It will be structured around working groups with expertise in cancer genetics and cell cycle regulation. Because the technical problems of quantifying intracellular antigens and in situ hybridization remain an impediment to progress, a major effort will be made to develop a set of guidelines for use in clinical cytometry laboratories. It is expected that this symposium will serve as a prelude to the ISAC main off-year meeting "Molecular Pathology", to be held a the University of Toronto in June 1997.

As at the first Kananaskis symposium, the format will be structured to stimulate intense interactions among experts, and there will be no formal style presentations. Kananaskas is an isolated location in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, with an environment that lends itself to intensive workshop meetings. Attendance is limited to 70-80 participants. There is no registration fee, but attendees are required to pay their own expenses (approximately $600 US at the current rate of exchange for five nights shared room accommodation including meals). In addition to established experts in the field, the organizers would like to encourage participation by young investigators, and hope to raise funds to sponsor students and research fellows.

For further information contact:

David Hedley Vincent Shankey Leon Wheeless
Princess Margaret Hospital Department of Urology Department of Pathology
610 University Ave. Loyola Univ. Medical Ctr. Rochester Univ. Med. Ctr.
Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9 2610 S. First Avenue 601 Elmwood Ave.
Canada Maywood, IL 60153 Rochester, NY 14642
FAX: 416-413-2026 FAX: 708-216-5102 FAX: 716-275-1027



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last revised Thu Jan 11 14:07:08 PST 1996