The Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the world's largest and most comprehensive gathering of cancer researchers. At the 2008 AACR Annual Meeting, innovative research approaches, novel technologies, potentially life-saving therapies in the pipeline, late-breaking clinical trial findings, and new approaches to cancer prevention were presented by top scientists. Reflecting the global state of cancer research with an eye toward future trends, several areas of great science and discovery in the cancer field were shared in this report, which include cancer biomarkers, the role of microRNAs in cancer research, cancer stem cells, tumor microenvironment, targeted therapy, and cancer prevention. This article presents an overview of hot topics discussed at the 2008 AACR Annual Meeting and recapitulates some scientific sessions geared toward new technologies, recent progress, and current challenges reported by cancer researchers. For those who did not attend the meeting, this report may serve as a highlight of this important international cancer research meeting.
ChoW. C.Contribution of oncoproteomics to cancer biomarker discovery. Mol Cancer6, 25 (2007).
2.
ChoW. C.ChengC. H.Oncoproteomics: Current trends and future perspectives. Expert Rev Proteomics4, 401–410 (2007).
3.
ChoW. C.Proteomics technologies and challenges. Genomics Proteomics Bioinformatics5, 77–85 (2007).
4.
ChoW. C.Cancer biomarker discovery: The contribution of “Omics”. BIOforum Eur11, 35–37 (2007).
5.
KolaILandisJ.Can the pharmaceutical industry reduce attrition rates?Nat Rev Drug Discov3, 711–715 (2004).
6.
ClarkE. A.Incorporating tissue-based predictive biomarkers in oncology clinical trials. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract SY20-03, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
7.
WorkmanP.Biomarkers in drug development: Hiking the pharmacologic audit trail. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract SY20-02, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
8.
BroughP. A.AherneW.BarrilX.4,5-diarylisoxazole HSP90 chaperone inhibitors: Potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer. J Med Chem51, 196–218 (2008).
9.
RaynaudF. I.EcclesS.ClarkeP. A.Pharmacologic characterization of a potent inhibitor of class I phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases. Cancer Res67, 5840–5850 (2007).
10.
LeytonJ.SmithG.LeeM.3′-deoxy-3′-[18F]fluorothymidine positron emission tomography is a sensitive early biomarker for tumor growth inhibition by the mitogenic extracellular kinase inhibitor PD0325901. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2579, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
11.
YaguchiS.FukuiY.KoshimizuI.Antitumor activity of ZSTK474, a new phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor. J Natl Cancer Inst98, 545–556 (2006).
12.
AkashiT.YaguchiS.OkamuraM.Phosphoproteomic screening of biomarkers for assessing response to a PI3K inhibitor by using SELDI-TOF MS. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2432, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
13.
UedaK.DaigoY.FukaseY.A novel glycoproteomic approach for the discovery of carbohydrate-targeting serum tumor markers for lung cancer using Lectin-coupled ProteinChip system. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2433, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
14.
WangJ.RamakrishnanR.TangZ.Quantitative detection of clinically relevant massively diluted mutated alleles of EGFR and MET kinase at single-cell level using a novel nanofluidic digital-PCR platform. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 4955, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
15.
YonesakaK.ZejnullahuK.HomesA. J.Presence of amphiregulin autocrine-loop predicts sensitivity of EGFR wild type cancers to gefitinib and cetuximab. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 4958, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
16.
BarretoB.FeherO.CarvalhoA.Molecular classifiers as predictors of responsiveness to concomitant chemoradiotherapy in SCC of the larynx. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 4142, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
17.
LesniakD.SabriS.XuY.β1-integrin: A novel predictive biomarker and a target in HER-2-overexpressing trastuzumab resistant women with breast cancer. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 5826, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
18.
SukumarS.BhujwallaZ.BrodieA.Molecular studies of metastasis facilitated by a rapid autopsy program. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract SY32-01, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
19.
AggarwalS.HeT.FitzhughW.Membrane proteomic analyses of ovarian cancer identifies the immune modulators CD70 and B7-H2 as candidate markers of cisplatin response. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2430, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
20.
ChoW. C.OncomiRs: The discovery and progress of microRNAs in cancers. Mol Cancer6, 60 (2007).
21.
SharpP. A.The biology of short RNAs in the context of cancer. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract PL01-03, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
22.
SlackF.microRNAs in cell differentiation and cancer. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract SY31-01, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
23.
DiakosC.XiaoY.ZhengS.TEL-AML1 regulates survivin and apoptosis via miRNA-494 and miRNA-320. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2507, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
24.
FindlayV. J.TurnerD. P.MoussaO.MicroRNA-mediated loss of PDEF protein expression results in progression to more invasive breast cancer. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 1569, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
25.
EdmondsM. D.VaidyaK. S.ChenD.Breast cancer metastasis suppressor 1 (BRMS1) potentially suppresses metastasis by regulating microRNA expression as identified via using microRNA array and qRT-PCR. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2486, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
26.
VlashiE.KimK.Della DonnaL.Prospective identification, tracking, and targeting of cancer-initiating cells in breast cancer and glioma via low proteasome activity. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 4997, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
27.
FiegerC. B.ChenF.CoberlyS.The anti-B7-H3-4Ig antibody TES7 recognizes cancer stem cell lines, modulates angiogenic factor secretion, and exhibits potent anti-tumor activity in vivo. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2555, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
28.
YasudaH.SoejimaK.NaokiK.Several genes are evaded aberrant DNA hypermethylation in cancer stem-like cells of solid tumor. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2536, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
29.
KimD. J.KataokaK.CotsarelisG.Targeted disruption of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) in bulge region keratinocyte stem cells inhibits chemically-induced skin carcinogenesis. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2501, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
30.
LinT. L.WangQ.BrownP.Self-renewal of acute lymphocytic leukemia cells is limited by the Hedgehog pathway inhibitors cyclopamine and IPI-926. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 4999, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
31.
BaoS.WuQ.McLendonR. E.Glioma stem cells promote radioresistance by preferential activation of the DNA damage response. Nature444, 756–760 (2006).
32.
LiuG.YuanX.ZengZ.Analysis of gene expression and chemoresistance of CD133+ cancer stem cells in glioblastoma. Mol Cancer5, 67 (2006).
33.
FanX.KhakiL.CoonfieldM.Notch pathway blockade inhibits glioblastoma growth by depleting CD133 positive stem-like cancer cells. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 5001, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
34.
GinestierC.Charafe-JauffretE.LiuS.The IL8/CXCR1 axis regulates breast carcinoma stem cells. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 5004, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
35.
RasheedZ. A.YangJ.WangQ.The functional stem cell marker aldehyde dehydrogenase enhances pancreatic cancer stem cell isolation and correlates with clinical prognosis. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 5000, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
36.
SchwitallaS.SeidelJ.KeilS.Breast stem cells spontaneously fuse with breast cancer cells: Impacts on cancer stem cell formation. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 5007, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
37.
Kudo-SaitoC.ShirakoH.KawakamiY.Immunosuppressive mechanisms induced by tumor cells during epithelial-mesenchymal transition leading to tumor metastasis. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2465, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
38.
WuJ. D.AtteridgeC. L.WangX.Inhibiting shedding of the NKG2D ligand mic prevents tumor formation by transformed cells. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2466, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
39.
BadoualC.BouchaudG.AgueznayN.Release of the soluble alpha chain of IL-15 receptor: A new tumor evasion mechanism associated with poor clinical outcome in head and neck cancer patients. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2467, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
40.
UedaR.KohanbashG.SasakiK.Dicer-regulated micro RNAs 222 and 339 promote immune-escape of cancer cells through downregulation of ICAM-1. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2468, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
41.
CurtinJ. F.EdwardsM. R.MichelsenK. S.Immune-mediated brain tumor regression requires HMGB1 release and subsequent TLR2 activation on tumor infiltrating dendritic cells. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2469, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
42.
FreyB.PauschF.RodelF.Annexin A5 is an important inflammatory modulator of immune responses against apoptotic and necrotic cells and should be accounted as molecular therapeutic for combined cancer therapies. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2470, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
43.
NovitskiyS.RyzhovS.ZaynagetdinovR.Adenosine and A2B adenosine receptor in regulation of dendritic cell differentiation and properties. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2472, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
44.
LinY.MichaelG. P.KentN. C.A population of immunosuppressive CD14+ monocytes found in glioblastoma patients inhibit DC differentiation and T-cell function. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2471, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
45.
XuS.RosesR.XuM.Induction of IL-12 and IL-23 through toll-like receptors in dendritic cells differentially regulates the balance between chronic inflammation and anti-tumor immunity: Implications for cancer vaccines and carcinogenesis. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2473, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
46.
KortylewskiM.XinH.KujawskiM.Stat3 underlies IL-23-mediated suppression of anti-tumor immunity. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 4199, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
47.
TeramotoK.KitamuraS.FujitaT.Inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) in tumor tissue can suppress expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and augment anti-tumor immune responses in tumor-bearing mouse. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2475, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
48.
ZuoT.LinH.KuoC.Tumor microenvironment: An integral player in triggering epigenetic silencing in breast epithelial cells. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2533, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
49.
YangL.HuangJ.RenX.Abrogation of TGFß signaling in mammary carcinomas recruits Gr-1+CD11b+ myeloid cells that promote metastasis. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 4194, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
50.
PerentesJ. Y.McKeeT.LeyC. D.In vivo imaging of tumor associated fibroblast interaction with collagen fibers reveals a novel mechanism of extracellular matrix remodeling in tumors. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 4204, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
51.
Weiser-EvansM.ChoudharyR.Kaplan-AlbuquerqueN.Deletion of cytosolic PLA2 in the tumor microenvironment inhibits progression and metastasis of lung cancer. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 5793, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
52.
OzpolatB.AkarU.Chaves-ReyesA.Targeted silencing of bcl-2 alone or combination with chemotherapy induces massive autophagic cell death in bcl-2 overexpressing breast cancer cells. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 4928, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
53.
SantiskulvongC.FeketeM.EngC.Dual inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin as a novel therapeutic approach in human ovarian carcinoma. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 4970, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
54.
SharmaS. V.LeeD. Y.WayI. P.Cell culture modeling of combination therapy to prevent acquired resistance to EGFR kinase inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract SY12-04, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
55.
KuwaiT.NakamuraT.SasakiT.Targeting the EGFR, VEGFR, and PDGFR on colon cancer cells and stromal cells is required for therapy. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2576, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
56.
RosanoL.MasiS.CianfroccaR.Endothelin A receptor promotes ovarian cancer metastasis: Implications for an effective targeted-therapy. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 2574, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
57.
ChoW. C.Proteomic approaches to cancer target identification. Drug Discov Today: Ther Strategies doi:10.1016/j.ddstr.2008.02. 007 (2008).
58.
WangA. Z.GuF.ZhangL.Development of novel multifunctional nanoparticles for targeted delivery of concurrent chemoradiotherapy. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract 4159, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
59.
BaronJ. A.Calcium and vitamin D: Promising or proven. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract SY33-01, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
60.
TalalayP.The chemopreventive power of crucifers: Isothiocyanates and glucosinolates. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract SY33-03, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
61.
YangC. S.Dietary polyphenolic compounds in cancer prevention. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract SY33-04, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
62.
KimY. J.Folate and cancer prevention. In: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting: Proceedings, 2008 Apr 12–16, San Diego, CA. Abstract SY33-02, AACR2008, Philadelphia, PA.
63.
ChoW. C.A future of cancer prevention and cures: Highlights of the Centennial Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research. Ann Oncol19, 205–211 (2008).
