Advances in Treating Metastatic Bone Cancer
Second Cambridge Conference - April 2008
This program was based on a conference of multidisciplinary leaders in bone cancer research and clinical care. The focus of the program was to convene a meeting of 16 internationally recognized multidisciplinary leaders in metastatic bone cancer research to share recent data, identify significant gaps in current knowledge and develop recommendations for advancing the field, focused on the following topics:
- Biology of metastasis, with a focus on stem cell interactions with bone, initiators and mediators of metastasis and the effects of bone targeted therapies on the microenvironment and cancer cells.
- Preserving normal bone health, with a focus on predicting who will develop bone metastases and the role of adjuvant bone targeted therapies to prevent metastasis and bone loss.
- Optimizing bone-targeted treatments for metastatic disease with a focus on new treatments and combination strategies; assessment of risk and response and personalised treatment.
This program was directed by Robert E. Coleman, MD, FRCP, Professor of Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Centre, Weston Park Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom; Theresa A. Guise, MD, Endocrinology & Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia; Allan Lipton, MD, Penn State University, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania; and G. David Roodman, MD, PhD, Director of the Bone Biology Center, Director of the Myeloma Program, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Statement of Need
The skeleton is both the most common organ affected by metastatic cancer and the site that produces the greatest morbidity for patients. Recent advances in our understanding of bone biology and the pathways by which cancer metastasizes and spread to bone have contributed to the development of several important new drugs targeting these processes, and focused research on further understanding the biology and targets involved in metastasis and bone loss. Oncologists, surgeons and other medical professionals need to be able to assess important new data and recommendations related to preventing bone metastasis, predicting who is at risk for skeletal-related events, and recent advances in clinical research in bone-targeted therapies so that they can more effectively counsel and treat their patients.
Educational Grant Support
Supported by educational grants provided by: Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Amgen, Inc. and Merck & Co.
Sponsorship
CME sponsorship was provided by InforMEDical Communications, Inc.
The consensus summary paper “Advancing Treatment for Metastatic Bone Cancer: Consensus Recommendations from the Second Cambridge Conference” was published in Clinical Cancer Research 2008;14(20):6387-6395, October 15, 2008.
