Tumor Metastasis

Tumor metastasis is the principle cause of mortality among cancer patients. Much of the progress in the metastasis field has been made in understanding the process of tumor dissemination – the steps between growth of the primary tumor and establishment of the secondary tumors. Increasingly, however, it is recognized that we need to have a better understanding of how tumors grow in the secondary site and how they interact with the metastatic microenvironment to modulate cell growth, apoptosis, and immune responses as well as resistance to therapeutics. This AACR Special Conference will focus on the metastatic lesion as a unique entity operating in concert with a complex local and systemic environment that influences disease aggressiveness and, ultimately, patient survival.

Multiple aspects of tumor metastasis and metastatic disease will be addressed through presentations from scientific experts performing innovative research in basic, translational, and clinical science. Short proffered talks from early-career scientists will be integrated into sessions and a special forum will be featured with a panel discussion on “Bioengineering and Systems-level Approaches to Study Metastasis.” Overall, the conference program will cover the latest findings on tumor evolution, the metastatic microenvironment, imaging, metastatic signatures, dormancy, and potential agents for therapy and prevention with a goal for detection and control of both micrometastases as well as late-stage metastatic and chemoresistant cancers.