AACR Conference Features Latest Research on the Microbiome and Cancer

ORLANDO, Florida – The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) will host a conference titled The Microbiome, Viruses, and Cancer in Orlando, Florida, Feb. 21-24, 2020. This conference will bring together researchers from around the world to explore the impact of the microbiome on cancer development, prevention, and therapy.

Scientific understanding of the bacteria and other microbes that live within us, as well as the influence of that microbiome on health and disease, is growing rapidly. In cancer research, studies of the microbiome have demonstrated its effect on immune-cell function and tumorigenesis. Insight into tumor microenvironments, and the associated tumor microbiota, has played a role in advancing immunotherapy and the development of novel therapeutics.

This conference will feature the latest research on the role of the microbiome in tumor metabolism and immunity; understanding, preventing, and mitigating oncogenic viruses; and modifying the microbiome for cancer prevention and treatment.

The conference organizers have identified two highly rated abstracts to be presented at the meeting that may be of interest to the media. These abstracts are embargoed until 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 21:

• Vidhi Chandra, PhD candidate, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, will present an abstract titled “Elucidating role of bacteria during pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).” This study identified notable differences between the microbiomes of long-term and short-term survivors of pancreatic cancer and examined the role played by bacteria from long-term survivors in promoting tumor immunity.

• Katherine Cook, PhD, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, will present an abstract titled “Entero-mammary microbiota signaling axis regulates dietary influences on breast cancer risk.” Researchers demonstrated how dietary patterns modify breast microbiota populations and impact both mammary tumorigenesis and immune interactions in the tumor microenvironment, suggesting the microbiome is a key mediator of breast cancer risk.

Highlighted abstracts and the full scientific program are available.

In addition, the conference co-chairs are available to discuss the meeting and provide expert commentary on the studies above and the topics of the microbiome, oncogenic viruses, and their impact on cancer in general:

• Cynthia L. Sears, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

• Giorgio Trinchieri, MD, National Cancer Institute

• Jennifer A. Wargo, MD, MMSc, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

• Laurence Zitvogel, MD, PhD, Gustave Roussy Cancer Center, Villejuif, France

Contact Julia Gunther at [email protected] or 215-446-6896 to schedule interviews with presenters or conference co-chairs.