Improving care and knowledge in translational research to fight breast cancer

IMPAKT Breast Cancer Conference

Berlin, 15 April 2008 -- European breast cancer specialists have taken a significant step forward in the fight against breast cancer by bringing together world leaders in breast cancer research and treatment at an innovative European scientific meeting, IMPAKT (IMProving cAre and Knowledge in Translational research).

The first IMPAKT meeting, to be held 7-9 May 2009 in Brussels, Belgium, is designed to present and discuss advances in translational research and ways to quickly transform laboratory discoveries into tools that clinicians can use to help make decisions about the way they treat patients in their daily practice.

“With breast cancer being the most prevalent cancer in women worldwide, collaboration to fight this devastating disease is necessary. IMPAKT fills an urgent need within the oncology community to coordinate efforts to bring the fruits of advances in science and technology to the patient’s bedside,” says Dr. Martine Piccart, Co-Chair of the meeting.

Building on existing high-level international research collaborations developed by the Breast International Group (BIG) and combining this with the other partners’ reputations for organizing high quality scientific and educational meetings, IMPAKT will offer a platform for discussing the latest developments in translational research, biomedical technologies and novel therapeutics in breast cancer,” adds Dr. José Baselga, conference Co-Chair with Dr. Piccart.

IMPAKT is being launched by BIG and the European Society for Medical Oncology, in collaboration with the St. Gallen Primary Therapy of Early Breast Cancer Conference; the three European Breast Cancer Conference partners, which are The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Breast Cancer Group, The European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists, and Europa Donna – The European Breast Cancer Coalition; and with the support of the European School of Oncology.

“We have succeeded in creating a model of direct collaboration between professional medical societies, research groups and cancer patient organizations. This underlines the IMPAKT organizers’ commitment to stimulate much needed communication across basic, translational and clinical research in breast cancer,” said Dr. Baselga.

The meeting will encourage researchers and clinicians to share best practices and provide participants with information on the skills and techniques needed today to apply cutting-edge research to the clinical setting.