Chromatin and Cancer: The Eleventh International Symposium of the Hiroshima Cancer Seminar, November 2001

Abstract

The Eleventh International Symposium of the Hiroshima Cancer Seminar (HCS) Foundation was held on 3 November 2001 at the International Conference Center, Hiroshima. The symposium consisted of seven special lectures; about 240 people were present and there were presentations and discussions on gene diagnosis. Prior to this symposium, an Open Lecture to the public was held on 27 October 2001. Kazuo Tajima (Aichi Cancer Center, Nagoya) and Masanori Fukushima (Kyoto University, Kyoto) spoke about cancer prevention and treatment to more than 180 people. Wataru Yasui (Hiroshima University, Hiroshima), Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Eleventh International Symposium, and Executive Director of the HCS Foundation, gave an opening address. Yasui briefly described the background and purpose of this series of symposia. Since the establishment of the HCS Foundation in 1992, annual international symposia have been organized to create an opportunity for basic scientists and clinical researchers to exchange ideas on cancer research, cancer prevention and cancer therapy. This year, the organizing committee planned to explore the very important issue of “Chromatin and Cancer.” Cancer researchers believe that epigenetic switches for cancer-related genes participate deeply in cancer development and progression. Among various epigenetic alterations, deregulation of gene expression through modifying chromatin structure by DNA methylation and histone acetylation has been highlighted, and other novel mechanisms must be involved. Knowledge of this topic will enhance our ability to control gene expression and its abnormalities in human cancers.