Formation of a Mexican Group for Retinoblastoma

INCTR staff members and Dr Judith Kingston, one of INCTR’s visiting experts in retinoblastoma from St Bartholomew’s Hospital in the UK, participated in a meeting to discuss the formation of a Mexican Group for Retinoblastoma (Grupo Mexicano de Retinoblastoma, GMR). The meeting took place in San Miguel Regla (Mexico), January 23-25, 2003. Supported by INCTR and the Mexican pharmaceutical industry, the meeting was recognized by the National Academy of Medicine of Mexico. Among the 36 participants were pediatric oncologists, ophthalmologists, pathologists and radiotherapists from the major centers involved in the treatment of children with retinoblastoma in Mexico. A number of topics relevant to the function of the group were discussed, including optimal methods of communication, the creation of a national registry for retinoblastoma, available resources, standards of diagnosis and care, and early diagnosis. The next meeting is set for July 2003 in Guadalajara.

After participating in the GMR meeting, Kingston, a pediatric oncologist, visited the INP in Mexico City to participate in ward rounds, clinics and discussions pertaining to INP’s retinoblastoma program. She was accompanied by INCTR’s Renate Smith.

Breast Cancer Strategy Group Meeting

The second meeting of INCTR’s Breast Cancer Strategy Group, this time a subcommittee of four persons (from Egypt, India, Pakistan and Peru), took place at the INCTR offices in Brussels in late January. INCTR staff and outside expert Dr Leclerq from the Institut Jules Bordet in Brussels met with the group. After each participant had presented information regarding breast cancer at his or her own center, Dr Leclerq discussed his institute’s ongoing projects relating to the molecular analysis of breast cancer (BRCA1/2 mutations, studies in estrogen receptors and estrogen receptor-related proteins). The group then had wide-ranging discussions on breast cancer and resources available for diagnosis and treatment in developing countries. Because of the paucity of information regarding breast cancer in many countries, the group decided that it would be worthwhile to undertake a survey of breast cancer in those countries. Participants discussed the design of a data collection form that will be used by participating centers in the survey. The form will be prepared by INCTR’s Clinical Trials Office for presentation at the next full meeting of the Breast Cancer Strategy Group, which will take up that matter as well as other topics for future studies, including molecular profiling and therapy, at the Annual Meeting in May.

General Assembly and Governing Council Meeting

At INCTR’s fourth General Assembly in February, expenditure for FY 2002 was reported and approved by the General Assembly and the composition of INCTR’s Governing Council was discussed. Progress made in 2002 was outlined and planned programs and projects for 2003 presented. The budget for 2003 was approved.

Training Workshop for Cervical Cancer Screening in Nepal

A training workshop was held at the Bhaktapur Cancer Center in Nepal for nurses, gynecologists and data managers who will be taking part in the joint IARC/INCTR cervical cancer screening project. This project will be undertaken at three sites: Bhaktapur Cancer Center, Scheer Hospital and Khoirola Cancer Center in Nepal. The training, which was supervised by Dr Sankaranyaranan of IARC, consisted of formal lectures and clinical training in the direct visualization methods that will be used for the screening process, as well as in colposcopy, biopsy, cryotherapy and loop electrosurgical excision. INCTR staff members attended the training workshop, and will be involved in the data management of this project.

Meeting of Leukemia Study Group of India

Representatives (investigators and data managers) from participating institutions in the next clinical trial to be conducted by the Indian section of INCTR’s Leukemia Strategy group met in India on March 15-16 with INCTR staff for the Investigators Initiation Meeting relating to the new treatment protocol. In the course of this meeting all aspects of the protocol itself, data management, data monitoring and regulatory issues were discussed. Each center was provided with a Data Management Manual to facilitate the data entry process. Patient accrual on the study will begin this summer, after necessary notifications and ethical reviews in India are completed. The clinical trial will be supported in part by the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (Mumbai), and molecular analyses will be conducted in conjunction with the research center of the King Fahad Children’s Medical Center in Riyadh.

NCI of Cairo Focuses on Lung Cancer

The Annual Meeting of the NCI, Cairo, one of INCTR’s Associate Members, was held in Sharm El Sheikh in South Sinai in late February. The meeting focused on lung cancer and smoking, and was jointly held with the lung cancer group of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer. Governor of Sharm El Sheikh opened the meeting, which was held while the Arab Summit was taking place in the same city.

Web Site Revamped

INCTR’s website has been updated with pictures from the last annual meeting (www.inctr.org/meetings/2002photos.shtml and news relating to strategy group activities (www.inctr.org/organization/strategygroups.shtml). Comments on the website are welcome.

Expert in Palliative Care Visits Nepal

Following his first visit to Nepal, reported in the last edition of NETWORK, Dr Brown made a second visit (February 7-14) to continue his work with NNCTR/INCTR to develop a palliative care group serving the Kathmandu region. A palliative care nurse specialist will visit soon.