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For immediate use

Oct. 15, 2002 -- No. 556

Latest blood cancer research to be presented at symposium

By AMY PHILBECK
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

CHAPEL HILL -- Doctors and scientists from five leading cancer research universities and hospitals will gather at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Oct. 25 to talk to patients and their families about new treatments for the second most prevalent type of blood cancer.

Multiple myeloma, a blood cancer linked to abnormal white blood cells, is one of the top 10 leading causes of cancer death. Special focus at the symposium will be on new technologies and emerging treatments for the disease.

Though primarily focused on patients and their families, the free symposium – to be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – is open to the public. The location is UNC’s William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education.

Local speakers will include Drs. Don Gabriel and Robert Orlowski from UNC’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Dr. Carlos de Castro from Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center.

"During the past two to three years significant advances have been made in understanding and treating this disease," said Gabriel, professor of medicine and the symposium’s chairman. "Symposium speakers will describe these advances so that patients can understand and access the new therapies."

Dr. Brian Van Ness from the University of Minnesota and Dr. Donna Weber from MD Anderson Cancer Center will also participate in dialogue on issues including the role of high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplants.

The symposium is part of an "Institutional Insights" series sponsored by the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation to highlight ongoing research at various universities and hospitals. UNC’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and School of Medicine will host the event.

For more information or to register for the symposium and lunch, contact Sarah Davis, program manager at the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, at (203) 972-1250 or daviss@themmrf.org.

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Lineberger Center contact: Dianne Shaw, (919) 966-5905