Leading experts to discuss latest pharmacogenomic research at European Lung Cancer Conference

Rapid advances in drug development, genetics and multidisciplinary treatment have brought the field of oncology to a critical moment, says Dr. Rafael Rosell from the Catalan Institute of Oncology in Badalona, Spain, co-chair of the second European Lung Cancer Conference (ELCC), which will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from 28 April to 1 May 2010.

More than 1,500 delegates are expected at the conference, which is a joint initiative of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC).

"Recognized as the leading force of medical oncology in Europe, ESMO is partnering with key associations to provide the oncology community with the best knowledge in selected areas, including lung cancer," said Dr. Rolf Stahel, Chair of the ESMO Educational Committee.

"The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer is the world's largest professional organization solely dedicated to reducing the burden of lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies. Educational programs are one way in which we accomplish this goal. We are proud to work jointly with ESMO in Europe to sponsor the largest European meeting on lung cancer," said Dr. Paul Bunn, IASLC Executive Director.

The event program will build on the success of the first European Lung Cancer Conference, which was held in 2008. Cutting-edge data on experimental new drugs, improvements in diagnosis and advances in treatment will be complemented by sessions on important topics presented by the world's leading authorities and debates on controversial topics. Dr. Ala Din Alwan, WHO Assistant Director-General for Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, will address the opening session of the conference.

Media representatives are welcome to register and attend the second ELCC. A fully equipped press room will be available on-site. For those who cannot attend in person, the organizers are happy to provide full assistance with arranging phone interviews with speakers or other experts. Media information on the most interesting studies presented at the conference will be released in the following weeks.

Lung cancer, a disease that kills 1.5 million people each year, is among the most challenging cancers to treat. But new advances are improving the chances of a better outcome.

"This is a critical moment in the field of lung cancer," said conference co-chair Dr. Fran-oise Mornex from Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud in France. "At the conference, leading experts from around the world will report on new strategies for multidisciplinary approaches and the latest pharmacogenomic research and clinical trials on topics such as genetic assessment of patients."