CICR at the Annual Meeting

"New Drugs on the Horizon"

Advances in the understanding of the molecular basis of cancer have led to the identification of key pathways involved in tumor initiation and progression, and translating this innovative science into the next generation of therapeutic agents remains one of the major hurdles to meaningful improvements in cancer treatment. While clinical successes remain extremely challenging to achieve, increasing numbers of targeted agents are emerging through clinical trials and making differences in the lives of patients. This symposium provided the first disclosure of several new clinical agents that continue the drive for successful targeted therapies.

Session 1

Sunday, April 3, 2011, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., Orange County Convention Center, Room W311 A-D

Co-chairpersons:  Dr. Matthew A. Marx, director, Oncology Chemistry at Takeda Pharmaceutical, and Dr. Lori S. Friedman, director, Cancer Signaling & Translational Oncology at Genentech Inc.

Session 2

Sunday, April 3, 2011, 3:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m., Orange County Convention Center, Room W311 A-D

Co-chairpersons: Dr. Simon Bailey, senior director, Dept. of Med. Chemistry at Pfizer Inc., and Dr. Nancy K. Pryer, director, Oncology/Pharmacology, Novartis.

CICR Town Meeting and Networking Reception

Sunday, April 3, 2011

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Peabody Hotel, Barrel Spring

The Chemistry in Cancer Research Working Group (CICR) brought together cancer-focused scientists in chemistry and chemistry-related fields to discuss the present status and future promise of chemistry in the advancement of the prevention and cure of cancer. All CICR members were encouraged to attend and all interested Annual Meeting registrants were also invited.  This event provided an opportunity to raise questions and contribute ideas to help shape future CICR initiatives. Attendees also learned about membership in CICR, met the members of the Steering Committee, and connected with colleagues. A networking reception followed.

Career Paths in Cancer Drug Development, organized by the Young Chemists Committee

Monday, April 4, 2011 

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Chairpersons: Erin Prestwich, Ph.D., MIT, and Danzhou Yang, Ph.D., University of Arizona College of Pharmacy

All Professional Advancement Sessions were presented at no additional charge for AACR members; non-members paid a nominal registration fee of $50 for each session. Pre-registration was required for all sessions. More information was available as the meeting approached. Learn more about the AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011.

During this session, attendees explored different careers paths for scientists wanting to contribute to cancer research through cancer drug development and the opportunities in those paths including issues of intellectual property, funding and gaining and retaining employment in various settings. A keynote address was followed by a panel discussion led by some of the most prominent chemically oriented cancer researchers. Afterward, there were roundtable discussions broaching the following topics: funding, career planning, training and intellectual property. At the end of the session, attendees were more aware of the avenues of employment open to them as scientists in cancer drug development. They could feel more confident about career prospects and how to succeed in their chosen path. It was open to all Annual Meeting attendees.

AACR Award for Outstanding Achievement in Chemistry in Cancer Research Lecture

Chemical Biology Approaches to Problems in Cancer

Tuesday, April 5, 2011, Convention Center, Room W415A

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.