For Immediate Release
April 20, 2009

BUFFALO, NY – Alex A. Adjei, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President of Clinical Research and The Katherine Anne Gioia Chair in Cancer Medicine at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI), will offer his expertise during the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 100th Annual Meeting 2009, April 18-22 at the Colorado Convention Center. Dr. Adjei is an invited speaker for the forum – “Molecular Biology in Early Phase Clinical Trials,” Monday, April 20 – 1 pm, MDT, Korbel 4, Colorado Convention Center

Dr. Adjei is one of two speakers at this reserved session which offers insights into the efforts to rapidly bring new laboratory based discoveries to the clinic. Classically, the goal of phase one studies is pharmacology and drug safety. However, as new agents are developed against specific molecular targets, many feel it is important to explore tissue and serum markers in the earliest Phase 1 trials, to determine if and how these compounds are modulating the pathways for which they were designed. Additionally, if patients can be selected in this way, it potentially could enhance the activity of the therapy by focusing the treatment on patients of a select subtype. However, others argue that narrowing the focus of a drug too soon might limit understanding for future use. Dr. Adjei will share his experience and offer recent examples of early clinical trials at Roswell Park to demonstrate how incorporating molecular biology assays into early clinical trials can enhance the process of new drug development.

Dr. Adjei also will serve as a scientific mentor for the AACR Scientist-Survivor program, a unique program designed to build bridges and unity among the leaders of the scientific and cancer survivor and patient advocacy communities worldwide.

Dr. Adjei is a distinguished national leader in translational research. At RPCI, Dr. Adjei is the Director of the Clinical Research Center which is dedicated to the development of new cancer therapies while providing more treatment options for patients through clinical trials. The Center is one of only a few clinical research centers in the U.S. to focus exclusively on cancer.As a leading member of AACR, Dr. Adjei has served as Chair of the Minorities in Cancer Research Council and Co-Chair of the 2005 and 2007 AACR annual meetings. He also has served on many committees for the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Adjei has authored or co-authored more than 200 journal articles.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center. The Institute was one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at http://www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or email askrpci@roswellpark.org.

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