June 2010: Preliminary program and speakers set for 2nd International Symposium on MR-guided Focused Ultrasound and more...


	In This Issue Preliminary program and speakers set for 2nd International Symposium on MR-guided Focused Ultrasound Symposium and FUSF news now posted on Facebook and Twitter Chen reports MR-guided focused ultrasound could boost efficacy of prostate cancer drug FUS-TDD initiative aims to speed development of new approach to treating cancer and other debilitating diseases Foundation welcomes new advisory committee members: Ferrara, Martin and Houston

Dear Reader,

In this month’s newsletter, the Foundation is proud to announce the preliminary program and roster of speakers, moderators and discussion panelists for our upcoming 2nd International Symposium on Focused Ultrasound. As you will quickly see, this three-day program is steadily evolving into an exciting, landmark event – one exclusively devoted to leading edge research and development in our innovative and immensely promising field.

Between now and the symposium’s start on October 17, the Foundation will be providing regular updates regarding speakers, topics, sponsors and more via this newsletter, special emails and press releases. We invite you to follow along via Facebook and Twitter.

While the Foundation is abuzz with symposium planning, our work of advocating for collaboration and supporting research continues.

In this newsletter, we announce the launch of our newest strategic initiative: Focused Ultrasound-mediated Targeted Drug Delivery (FUS-TDD). Now in its initial stages, FUS-TDD has begun developing a group of highly-influential core stakeholders. Ultimately, the initiative will foster collaborations to accelerate development of new, minimally-invasive alternatives to chemotherapy and similar treatments.

On the research front, we share the results of preclinical experiments in prostate cancer treatment performed by one of our funded researchers, Lili Chen, Ph.D. We also welcome three leading researchers – Katherine Whittaker Ferrara, Ph.D., Graeme Houston, M.D. and Ernst Martin, M.D. – to our independent advisory committees.

Preliminary program and speakers announced for 2nd International Symposium on MR-guided Focused Ultrasound

MR-guided Focused Ultrasound 2010 Excitement is building for the 2nd International Symposium on MR-guided Focused Ultrasound, scheduled for October 17 through 20 in Washington, D.C.

Registration and abstract submissions are in progress. Symposium planners have just released the preliminary scientific program and names of confirmed speakers, session moderators and discussion panelists, many of whom are pioneers and leading figures in the field of MR-guided focused ultrasound.

Symposium and FUSF news now posted on Facebook and Twitter

Friends of the Foundation can now receive updates via Facebook and Twitter as new details become available about the 2nd International Symposium on MR-guided Focused Ultrasound and other Foundation activities.

Facebook
Follow Foundation and symposium news at: www.facebook.com/focusedultrasound

Twitter
Follow all Foundation news at: www.twitter.com/fusfoundation
Follow symposium planning and announcements at: #FUSSymposium

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Chen reports MR-guided focused ultrasound has potential to boost efficacy of prostate cancer drug

FUSF Brain Program Findings recently reported by Lili Chen, Ph.D., Associate Professor and a medical physicist in the Radiation Oncology Department of Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, indicate that MR-guided focused ultrasound has the potential to increase the efficacy of docetaxel in treating prostate cancer. Supported by a Foundation research award totaling $102,324, Chen set out to answer two key questions:

1) Would high intensity focused ultrasound increase the cellular uptake of the chemotherapy drug, docetaxel, in vivo?

2) Would increased uptake of docetaxel combined with radiotherapy enhance tumor growth inhibition?

Foundation launches FUS-TDD initiative to speed development of new method for treating cancer and other debilitating diseases

The paradigm for treating cancer and other debilitating diseases is shifting toward more targeted, personalized approaches that could improve therapeutic outcomes and minimize the harsh side effects of chemotherapy.

“Today, most cancer patients receive a combination of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy,” observes Joy M. Polefone, Ph.D. “However, the day is fast approaching when a single treatment option will enable clinicians to perform the functions of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy with minimal invasiveness, few side effects and increased efficacy. We believe that focused ultrasound-mediated targeted drug delivery (FUS-TDD) could be that option.” Polefone is director of the Foundation’s newest initiative – the FUS-TDD Program – which is aimed at accelerating clinical applications of this innovative approach by fostering collaboration among the best and the brightest in the field.

Foundation welcomes new advisory committee members: Ferrara, Martin and Houston

The Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation is honored to announce that three leading researchers have joined the advisory committees for its Research Award and Fellowship Programs.