Brain Metastasis Research:
From Basic Science to Clinic 

A free symposium, hosted by:
Mass General Cancer Center

Register Now! 

SYMPOSIUM SUMMARY

Brain metastases are a common and devastating clinical complication of cancer. Approximately 25% of patients with cancer will develop brain metastases. Median survival is limited after the diagnosis of a metastasis in the central nervous system despite having received standard therapies. Historically, our limited understanding of the molecular drivers and the microenvironment of brain metastases has hampered the application and development of novel therapeutics for this common complication of cancer. Recently, significant progress has been made in our understanding of the mechanisms of invasion and metastasis, tumor genetics, the immune microenvironment and the blood brain barrier. Novel targeted and immunotherapies are showing promise in brain metastases patients. We aim to bring together a panel of internationally recognized basic, translational, and clinical researchers in the field to discuss the latest advancements in the biology of brain metastases and the therapeutic implications of these advancements. The ultimate goal is to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and importantly, to foster new collaborations to advance the field.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

• Evaluate and discuss the latest scientific advancements in brain metastases, including genomics, animal models, and the role of the immune microenvironment and blood brain barrier.
• Develop strategies to incorporate emerging scientific advances to clinical trials and treatment paradigms.
• Discuss the latest advanced imaging techniques for brain metastases and how they can be applied to clinical trials.
• Evaluate the role of novel targeted therapies and immunotherapies in the management of brain metastases.

AGENDA

Friday, June 29

8:30  am        Registration & Breakfast                              

Welcoming Remarks
9:00 am          Priscilla Brastianos, MD
          Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

                    Matthias Preusser, MD
              Medical University of Vienna

Advances in Animal Models for Brain Metastases and Leptomeningeal Disease
9:10 am          Adrienne Boire, MD, PhD
                       Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

 9:35 am         Patricia Steeg, PhD
                       National Cancer Institute
                       Center for Cancer Research

10:00 am       Frits Thorsen, PhD
                     University of Bergen

Tumor Microenvironment
10:25 am        Manuel Valiente, DVM, PhD
                       CNIO - Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas 

10:50 am        Break 

11:05 am        Frank Winkler, MD
                       University of Heidelberg

11:30 am      Anna Berghoff, MD, PhD
            Medical University of Vienna

11:55 am       Josh Neman, PhD
                      University of Southern California

12:20 pm        Lunch

Tumor Genomics
1:15 pm          Scott Carter, PhD
                       Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

1:40 pm         Priscilla Brastianos, MD
                       Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

2:05 pm          Christina Curtis, PhD, MSc
                      Stanford University School of Medicine

Oral Abstracts
2:30–5:30 pm  Moderator: Dan Cahill, MD, PhD
                       Massachusetts General Hospital

Poster Session & Reception @ Russell Museum
6:00–8:00 pm

Saturday, June 30
8:30 am          Registration & Breakfast

Novel Multi-Modality Translational and Clinical Trials
9:00 am         Erik Sulman, MD
                     MD Anderson Cancer Center

9:25 am         Caroline Chung, MD, MSc
                      MD Anderson Cancer Center

Advanced Imaging for Brain Metastases
9:50 am         Elizabeth Gerstner, MD
                      Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

Novel Clinical Trials in Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy
10:15 am       Matthias Preusser, MD
                      Medical University of Vienna

10:50 am       Ryan Sullivan, MD
                      Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

11:15 am       Break

11:25 am       Carey Anders, MD
                     UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

11:50 am       Priya Kumthekar, MD
                    Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University

12:15 pm       Sara Tolaney, MD, MPH
                    Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

12:40 pm       Nancy Lin, MD
                    Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

1:05 pm         Justin Gainor, MD
                     Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center 

1:30 pm       Wrap up

1:45 pm         Program Adjourns

Register Now!