Tumor Biology, Metabolism, and More at WCIO 2015
Yesterday began the 2015 World Congress on Interventional Oncology (WCIO) at the Hilton New York, WCIO’s 11th meeting. Day 1 saw renowned leaders in interventional oncology present on topics ranging from HCC to MSK to palliative care. The day ended with the “IO Around the World Reception,” which welcomed international attendees.
Sessions on Day 2 focused on tumor biology and research while the allied health program took place concurrently. In the morning molecular oncology session, Dr. Riccardo Lencioni discussed results of the HEAT trial, which compared RFA with Thermodox to RFA alone in HCC and was the largest multicenter global trial to date in interventional oncology with 700 patients. The study found that with longer ablation times (at least 45 minutes), Thermodox with RFA resulted in greater survival.
Cancer biology and metabolism was the focus of Dr. J.F. Geschwind’s talk, in which he stated that, “Metabolism is an interesting target for tumor disruption.” He described the relationship between hypoxia and glycolysis in tumors, asserting that by targeting tumor glycolysis, tumor destruction can be enhanced. Drugs are in development now for this purpose, he said. (Read an interview about cancer biology for interventional oncology with Dr. Geschwind from the 2015 Society for Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting.)
Diagnosis, clinical data, and interventional oncology treatment for lung cancer were discussed by presenters in the afternoon after sponsored symposia.
“Many lung cancer patients are inoperable, frail, and toxic,” said Damian Dupuy, MD, during a session on ablative therapies for primary lung cancer. Ablative therapy has been able to help these patients, he said.
Posters were presented in two separate sessions, and the exhibit hall buzzed with discussion during session breaks. The meeting continues tomorrow with scientific sessions, exhibit hall time, industry symposia, a continuation of the allied health program, poster presentations, and an interactive roundtable.
