New PER Event Focuses on GI Cancers

^®) will help to fill the education gap inherent in some of the most difficult-to-treat forms of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, with the first annual School of Gastrointestinal Oncology^®(SOGO^®), which will be held at the Grand Hyatt in New York City.

This 1-day interactive program will provide a comprehensive review of data on management of GI tumors, with a focus on multidisciplinary collaboration. The program will focus on the latest information on prognostic and predictive markers that affect clinical decision-making, as well as on current and emerging treatment strategies. Expert faculty will present case-based lectures focusing on practical application of knowledge to contemporary practice settings.

Three multisession morning tracks are being offered: the first for medical oncology professionals, the second for surgical and radiation professionals, and the third is a multidisciplinary track. Plenary sessions include: Molecular Profiling and Personalizing Care in GI Cancers; Recent Advances in Treating Pancreatic Cancer: Now and Next; Beyond Progression in Relapsed Colorectal Cancer: Integrating New Weapons; and Audience-Submitted Cases for the Multidisciplinary Tumor Board.

The program chair, John L. Marshall, MD, chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Georgetown University Hospital, Associate Director, Clinical Research, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, DC, spoke withTargeted Oncologyabout what oncology professionals can expect from this program.

TARGETED ONCOLOGY:

Can you tell us a little bit about the new meeting?

MARSHALL:It is an honor to be a founding member of this exciting annual meeting. The School of Gastrointestinal Oncology will reflect the best teaching practices utilized in medical schools and will be directed primarily to practicing oncologists, surgeons, gastroenterologists, interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists and other professionals who treat GI cancers. SOGO will serve those whose practices require a critical understanding of the fundamental principles and emerging developments in the pathogenesis and management of these types of cancers.

TARGETED ONCOLOGY:

Why is multidisciplinary management of GI tumors particularly important?

MARSHALL:GI cancers are clearly a team sport. Surgery, radiation, interventional radiology, gastroenterology, are all critical elements that must work together in concert for optimizing outcomes.

TARGETED ONCOLOGY:

How have prognostic and predictive markers changed clinical decision-making in recent years for GI cancers, and how do you see that evolving?

MARSHALL:No longer are we just using microscopes for diagnosis. Increasingly, GI cancers require molecular profiling for us to optimize patient therapy and [achieve] best outcomes.

TARGETED ONCOLOGY:

How will this program help community oncologists understand the shift in the management of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs)? What type of useful information on NETs can they expect from this 1-day program?

MARSHALL:As we see an increase in neuroendocrine cancers, we have seen a parallel increase in progress in research and therapy. All members of the GI cancer community will interact and care for patients with this disease. Given the recent changes, staying up-to-date is critical.

TARGETED ONCOLOGY:

What are some of the challenges regarding sequencing treatments for metastatic colorectal cancer?

MARSHALL:We continue to study and debate the optimum use of the new medicines in metastatic colorectal cancer. In all lines of therapy there are choices, and there is no single best way to manage the patient. Management of metastatic colon cancer is a lot like the game of chess: no two games are alike. But one needs to have a comfortable understanding of the rules of the chessboard and how each of the pieces moves.

TARGETED ONCOLOGY:

How is immunotherapy changing different types of GI cancers? How do you see this evolving in the near future?

MARSHALL:We now have a clear subgroup of patients with dramatic benefit from immunotherapy, and more science to come. This is immediately practice changing and must be on every GI cancer doctor’s radar.

TARGETED ONCOLOGY:

How can this 1-day program help GI oncology professionals in their daily practice?

MARSHALL:Our program will be very efficient in getting all members of the GI oncology community the latest information and an increased awareness of what is happening in the other affiliated subspecialties.

For registration and information about the School of Gastrointestinal Oncology, please visithttp://www.gotoper.com.