Leaders Preview the AACR Annual Meeting 2017

March 2, 2017 by

Late yesterday, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) posted the full versions of the regular proffered abstracts being presented in poster sessions and minisymposia at the organization’s Annual Meeting, which is being held in Washington, D.C., April 1–5.

As can be gleaned from a review of these abstracts, the meeting, which is expected to be the most widely attended AACR Annual Meeting ever, will showcase the best cancer science and medicine from institutions around the world. This is one of the reasons that it is an exciting place for young scientists to cut their teeth in scientific meetings, says AACR President Nancy E. Davidson, MD, in the following preview video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4RNMo43eQA

 

There will be a number of new features at the meeting this year. One discussed by AACR Annual Meeting 2017 Program Committee Chairperson Kornelia Polyak, MD, PhD, in a video about the meeting is a new type of session called “Unsolved Mysteries.” During the “Unsolved Mysteries” sessions, which are designed to stimulate dialogue about how basic science can help overcome pressing clinical problems, a clinical researcher will start by highlighting a particular problem, then a basic researcher will discuss recent basic science advances in the area, before the floor is turned over to a panel discussion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYL_brDhCT4

 

Another new feature is the introduction of a Presidential Select Symposium. Davidson will chair this symposium and she has chosen “Cancer Health Disparities” to be the focus for 2017. After presentations by four experts in the field there will be a panel discussion to enhance audience participation, which is something that Davidson and Polyak are keen to enhance throughout this year’s Annual Meeting.

Overall, the AACR Annual Meeting 2017 in Washington, D.C., is going to be a very exciting meeting for the organization, says Davidson in her video interview. While this post provides just a brief overview of what to expect, there will be several posts in the coming month that will highlight some of the other special sessions and events that are planned, including a post about the Science Policy and Regulatory Science and Policy sessions, as well as one providing insight into the meeting experience from the view of an associate member. Stay tuned!