April 17, 2007
AACR On Site Contact: Catherine Donnelly
 

 BUFFALO, NY – Advances in the early detection of and targeted therapies for ovarian cancer will be explored during a session led by Kunle Odunsi, MD, PhD, Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) at the 2007 centennial meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), April 14-18, in Los Angeles, CA.

Ovarian cancer is sometimes referred to as a silent killer because many women are not diagnosed until the disease is in its advanced stages. Existing treatment options have had limited impact on patient survival, with only two of 10 women living more than five years after diagnosis.  

Dr. Odunsi will lead the discussion highlighting recent advances in early detection, genetic models of disease and targeted biological therapies. As part of this session, he will present an update on ovarian cancer vaccine research.

“Vaccine Therapy for Ovarian Cancer: Barriers and Opportunities” Embargoed until Tuesday, April 17, 9:15 am PST

            Room 515 B, Los Angeles Convention Center

Dr. Odunsi will discuss the results of his phase I/II clinical trials on NY-ESO-1 – the most promising ovarian cancer antigens identified to date. The trials evaluated the dose, toxicity and immunological effectiveness of this antigen specific immunotherapy in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

He is an active member of the Cancer Vaccine Collaborative Program of the Cancer Research Institute/Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and co-leader of the Tumor Immunology Program at RPCI.

Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research is the world’s oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. Members include more than 24,000 basic, translational and clinical researchers, health care professionals and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and more than 60 other countries.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers. Roswell Park has affiliate sites and collaborative programs in New York, Pennsylvania, and in China. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or e-mail askrpci@roswellpark.org.

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