For Immediate Release
(Wynnewood, PA, April 17, 2015) – All eyes are on Philadelphia as it prepares to welcome the world’s foremost cancer researchers for the American Association of Cancer Research’s annual meeting, but, just west of city limits, Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR) is concluding a two-day conference on the rapidly expanding field of cancer immunochemotherapy.
LIMR, part of Main Line Health and located at Lankenau Medical Center, was selected as the host for the 4th International Conference on Immunochemotherapy, an event that welcomes cancer scientists and researchers from across the world. Guest speakers at this year’s conference included representatives from Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, University of Paris Rene Descartes, and National Health Research Institute in Taiwan.
LIMR President George Prendergast, PhD, says Lankenau was an ideal location for the annual meeting because of its early work in immunochemotherapy. More than a decade ago, LIMR researchers uncovered IDO1 inhibitors, drugs that disrupt the process by which tumors evade a patient’s immune system.
“Immunochemotherapy is a very exciting area of research, and one that we have been heavily involved in for more than a decade,” says Dr. Prendergast. “The future of cancer treatment will increasingly focus on how to harness a patient’s immune system to combat cancer.”
That future, says Prendergast, begins now. The first forays of the new immunochemotherapy regimens in clinical trials are currently being offered to cancer patients, and this week’s conference has highlighted exciting new areas of research.
“We’re learning and we’re building on each discovery. These conferences are crucial for collaboration and advancing the field of immunochemotherapy, and LIMR and Main Line Health are proud to have a continuing role in such an exciting field.”
About the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research
The mission of the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, which is part of Main Line Health, is to advance human health and well-being through research to improve the detection and treatment of disease; the rapid transfer of new technology to the clinic; and the training of the next generation of scientists and physicians.
Founded in 1927, our rich history, staff of over 120, and hard working board of trustees allows us to continue our commitment to advancing an understanding of the causes of cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Located on the campus of Lankenau Medical Center, our scientists perform basic research studies to understand the fundamental problems associated with disease; preclinical and translational research where results are developed into new diagnostics or medications; and clinical research where advances in medicine can be brought to the patient bedside.
Photo Caption: (from left to right) Speakers at the 4th International Conference on Immunochemotherapy, hosted at Lankenau Medical Center, Laurence Zitvogel, MD, PhD, of Gustave Roussy; George Prendergast, PhD, President of LIMR; Guido Kroemer, MD, PhD, of University of Paris Rene Descartes.
