http://www.srinstitute.com/conf_page...id=874&pid=479
This conference will take place in Boston.
Among the distiguished researchers who will make presentations:
Robert S Kerbel, Ph D
Rakesh K. Jain, Ph.D.
Both have made past contributions to antiangiogenesis science.
Speaking of a related subject a patent application has been made for a new very early marker of cancer (possibly at microscopic stage) based on pro & anti angiogenesis factors:
http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-...DN/20060204951
An extract of the document reads:
SUMMARY
[0011] The present inventors have surprisingly discovered that platelets sequester angiogenic regulators and prevent their degradation. Thus, by analyzing levels of angiogenic regulators in platelets, it is now possible to measure angiogenic activity. By monitoring for changes in angiogenic activity, the presence of cancer or other angiogenic diseases or disorders can be predicted.
[0012] Accordingly, the present invention provides a novel method for the detection of cancer in an individual. Preferably, the cancer is detected early. In a preferred embodiment, platelets are isolated from an individual (a patient) at a first time point. The platelets are analyzed for the level of at least one angiogenic regulator. The angiogenic regulator may be a positive or negative angiogenic regulator. At a second, later time point, platelets are isolated from the patient and analyzed for the level of the angiogenic regulator. Next, the level or levels of angiogenic regulators from the platelets of the first sample are compared to the levels of angiogenic regulators from the platelets of the second sample. An increase in the level of at least one positive angiogenic regulator in the platelets from the second sample, compared to the level of that positive angiogenic regulator in the first sample is indicative of cancer or other angiogenic disease or disorder. Alternatively, a decrease in the level of at lease one negative angiogenic regulator is the platelets from the second sample, compared to the level of that negative angiogenic regulator in the first sample is indicative of cancer or other angiogenic disease or disorder. In a preferred embodiment, platelets are isolated from a blood sample. Preferably, more than one angiogenic regulator is measured.
[0013] Positive angiogenic regulators include, but are not limited to, VEGF-A (VPC), VEGF-C, bFGF, HGF, angiopoietin-1, PDGF, EGF, IGF-1, IGF BP-3, BDNF, matrix metaloproteinases (MMPs), vitronectin, fibronectin, fibrinogen, heparanase, and sphingosine-1 PO.sub.4.
[0014] Negative angiogenic regulators include, but are not limited to, PF-4, thrombospondin-1 & 2, NK1, NK2, NK3 fragments of HGF, TGF-beta-1, plasminogen (angiostatin), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, alpha-2 antiplasmin and fragments thereof, alpha-2 macroglobulin, tissue inhibitors of metaloproteinases (TIMPs), beta-thromboglobulin, endostatin, tumstatin, BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) and soluble VEGFR2.