COMMUNITY BRIEFS
By Daily Press staff
Leading international scientists will be in Santa Monica next month to discuss the latest in clinical research of cancer, viral and prenatal and prognosis.
In collaboration with the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Center at Johns Hopkins and the division of genetics at Tufts-New England Medical Center, the John Wayne Cancer Institute will offer a platform for cancer investigators to present and share information on the biology and functionality of circulating nucleic acids in plasma and serum.
Over the past several years, circulating nucleic acids have impacted research on the diagnosis of prenatal diseases and genetic analysis.
In application to the field of cancer, proteomic oncology is the analysis of protein changes in body fluids and tissues of patients. Cells have unique, identifiable protein signatures. When a normal cell turns cancerous, so does its signatures. Dr. Dave S.B. Hoon, PhD., director of molecular oncology, and other researchers at the institute, have begun researching whether or not those changes can be detected before a tumor is large enough to be seen or felt.
In preliminary studies, Dr. Hoon said proteomic oncology has shown a potential to help researchers create diagnostic tests that may one day more effectively monitor and diagnose patients in the early stages of disease progression. As a result, the tests will improve disease management and ultimately the patients’ chance for survival.
The discussions will be held at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel at 1700 Ocean Ave. from Nov. 9 until Nov. 11.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 22, 2003. Read the original PDF.