Friday, 2 November 2007 - Three large European groups, European Association of Urology (EAU), European Society for Medical oncology (ESMO) and European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO) will discuss the most recent advances in prostate and renal cell cancer - from bench to clinical applications.

 

Selected quotes from key opinion leaders attending the meeting:

"In selected patients with locally advanced prostate cancer, improved treatment outcomes are expected from a combination of radical prostatectomy followed by radiotherapy. Treatment schedules and dosages are a point of critical discussion between all the specialities involved since side effects could increase." (Prof. Dr. Th. Wiegel, radio-oncologist, researcher & ESTRO representative, on his lecture "Locally advanced prostate cancer – Is there an optimal combination" )

Stem cell therapy - "Cancer Stem cells - Key to cure for cancer?" (Prof. Dr. Jack A. Schalken, basic researcher)

"Encouraging experience with various new systemic approaches for patients with advanced prostate cancer suggests that this disease may be a very chemosensitive disease. Logical treatment approaches involving agents that aim at targets at metastatic sites such as bone for example and molecular targets, such as critical signalling pathways involved in the growth of cancer, are changing the landscape of prostate cancer treatments and will in all likelihood provide new options to treat this common cancer. The next challenge is to test these approaches in patients at high risk for developing metastatic disease after local treatment. The concept of adjuvant systemic treatment for prostate cancer needs to be vigorously endorsed by the urological community to ensure successful conduct of clinical trials." (Prof. Dr. M. Eisenberger, oncologist and researcher on his lecture "Locally advanced prostate cancer – systemic adjuvant treatment")

"It is fair to assume that in the near future, early and reliable stratification of patient populations based on high-tech prognostic methodology will result in fewer, and delayed, invasive procedures for localised prostate cancer."(Prof. Dr. M. Wirth, EAU representative, urologist and researcher on his lecture "Locally advanced prostate cancer - Is radical prostatectomy standard?")

"A new treatment paradigm based on our current understanding of renal cancer biology and genetics is now established. The challenge for the future is to refine our treatment approaches based on this data, and to foster both basic and translational research in this neoplasm."(Prof.Dr. Ronald M. Bukowski, MD, oncologist and researcher on his lecture "Renal cell carcinoma: what does the future hold?")

"Wile the European Union clinical trial directive aims to provide greater protection to subjects participating in clinical trials - ensure quality of conduct & harmonise regulation and conduct of clinical trials throughout Europe - the towering bureaucracy and added financial and legal burden frustrate a dynamic research environment!"

The reservations voiced by the European Organisation for Research and the Treatment of Cancer before this new EU law took effect, are now a reality to deal with for all those involved in clinical and scientific research." (Prof.Dr. T.M. de Reijke, urologists and researcher, EORTC representative)

For the full programme: http://www.emucbarcelona2007.org/

A multidisciplinary approach in uro-oncological patient care will eventually become an essential part of routine health care. Collaboration between academia, health care providers in general, but especially among urologists, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists becomes all the more crucial."