Neuroendocrine Cell Fate in Development and Cancer
Forum Chairs
Forum Description
Neuroendocrine cancer is an umbrella term for a group of tumors in which cancer cells have the particularity of displaying traits similar to those of both nerve cells and hormone-producing cells. Neuroendocrine tumors can occur in many tissues and organs in the human body, including the lung, the pancreas, the prostate, or the skin. Some neuroendocrine tumors are very rare, others are more frequent; some are indolent, while others are extremely aggressive and fatal. Historically, neuroendocrine tumors have been studied and treated in the context of the specific site in which they were found. More recently, however, accumulating evidence has indicated that neuroendocrine tumors from various sites shared a number of important features, especially in terms of oncogenic drivers. A major goal of the meeting will thus be to discuss the biology and clinical aspects of neuroendocrine tumors to understand the differences and similarities between these tumors in different organs and tissues. We hope to arrive at a consensus about how to distinguish and define this group of tumors, and hopefully identify a framework to develop future therapeutic strategies that may help all patients with neuroendocrine cancer.
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Forum Summary
The Forbeck Forum on Neuroendocrine Cell Fate in Development and Cancer included scientists and physicians working broadly in the field of neuroendocrine biology and neuroendocrine cancer. Neuroendocrine cells share similarities with both neurons (“neuro”) and cells producing hormones (“endocrine”).
While neuroendocrine tumors have been historically viewed as different entities, accumulating evidence indicates that these tumors share a number of cellular and molecular features with each other and with normal neuroendocrine cells in various parts of the body.
During the Forum, we discussed the biology of neuroendocrine cells during embryonic development and in adult tissues (how are they generated? how do they respond to environmental signals?). We also discussed clinical and histopathological features of neuroendocrine tumors in the lung, the prostate, the bladder, and the skin, including as these tumors emerge within non-neuroendocrine tumors. Finally, we discussed some mechanisms by which these neuroendocrine tumors could be targeted, using specific signaling networks contributing to their growth.
Overall, the picture that emerges is that, indeed, there are more similarities than differences between different types of neuroendocrine tumors, which may allow for the development of therapeutic approaches targeting these tumors independent of where they originate. On the other hand, the more we investigate these tumors, the more we understand different levels of differences and heterogeneity (which can be found even within one type of neuroendocrine cancer in a specific organ). These differences, which include how cancer cells in these tumors may interact differently with immune cells, may help us predict how neuroendocrine tumors may become resistant to therapy by gaining new features.
Venue & Travel Information
800 Asilomar Avenue
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
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Travel Forms
Please familiarize yourself with our travel policy below before booking your travel. If you have any questions about our policy, please do not hesitate to contact us for clarification.
Travel forms are due 30 days prior to the start of the forum to allow enough time to plan transportation.
To help reduce transportation costs, the Foundation tries to group travelers on shuttle vans rather than providing transportation for single travelers. The times below are not exclusive but represent times that we hope to have shuttles leave the airport.
The Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is the preferred airport as it is only 20 minutes from the venue.
- Arrival day of the forum at approximately 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM
- Departures from the venue at approximately 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 12:00 PM
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is 2 hours from the venue without traffic. The Foundation tries to prioritize International Flights and situations where flying into SFO is significantly cheaper than connecting to MRY. The times below are for guidance only, and depending on the volume of travelers, we may add an additional shuttle to and from the airport.
- Arrival day of the forum at approximately 3:00 PM
- Departures from the venue at approximately 10:00 AM
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GROUND TRANSPORTATION
To maximize funding for our Forums, the Foundation does not reimburse ground transportation costs outside the designated shuttle pick-up times. If you arrive after the final shuttle, or do not wish to wait for or take a scheduled shuttle, you will be responsible for arranging and covering your own transportation to the Forum venue.
Travel Policy & General Information
Travel Policy
Please familiarize yourself with our policies and procedures for travel. We truly appreciate you taking the time to participate in this meeting. As you make your plans please remember that we are a nonprofit organization dependent on donations and volunteers. So please note what we do and do not cover.
What the Foundation Pays For
- ACCOMMODATIONS for the nights of the Forum only. People traveling from oversees or far away may arrive 1 night early to adjust for jet lag or to navigate longer travel times.
- MEALS are provided by the foundation during the forum.
- A TRAVEL ALLOWANCE FOR AIRFARE will be set based on an economy ticket from your home airport. If you have travel before or after that is fine. We do not increase the allowance for other travel plans.
- The Foundation provides SHUTTLES TO/FROM THE AIRPORT to the meeting venue at designated shuttle times.
- You can select not to utilize Foundation arranged transportation at your own expense when completing the travel form.
What the Foundation does not cover
- We do not cover upgrades of any kind.
- Travel Allowance will not be increased due to late booking or changes.
- We do not cover incidental costs during your travel. So please do not send your food receipts.
- We do not cover additional nights at the venue outside of the meeting dates.
- We do not cover transportation outside of the designated shuttle times.
- We do not reimburse for home side airport transfer (to/from your home/office to your airport).
Important Things to Note
- Everyone must fill out the travel form!
- We must have your itinerary and travel receipt to receive reimbursement.
- Flights must be booked at least 30 days prior to the meeting or you may not have accommodations and airport transfer.
- We often use volunteers for airport transfers.
- The travel confirmation will be sent out the WEEK before your Forum.
- The speaking agenda will be spent out the NIGHT before your Forum.
- We expect participants to attend ALL sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Travel Confirmation will be sent out with in 1 week of the meeting. This will include a hotel confirmation number, if there is one, airport transfer details. We have to wait until we receive almost everyone’s travel to book airport transfer. Also due to frequent airline changes we wait until the week of the meeting to send this out.
- Speaker agenda is not sent out prior to the meeting. It will be provided upon arrival in the meeting packet. We do not tell people when they are speaking because we expect everyone to attend all sessions. Sessions are all day Friday and Saturday.
- Frequently airport transfer is provided by volunteers. Please be patient on receiving this information. Airport transfer will be sent out prior to arrival.
Abstracts
Abstracts are due 30 days prior to the start of the meeting to allow enough time to prepare the meeting book.
The abstracts should be only one or two paragraphs outlining the theme of your presentation and should reflect the objective and spirit of the meeting (see above). Abstracts will be circulated about one week before the meeting. The meeting organizer will start requesting them a month before the meeting.
Forum Structure
The structure of the forum has been developed over years of experience.
- Participants have approximately 45 minutes, depending on the number of participants, for their presentation and discussion. The presentation is meant as a conversation start and should last about twenty minutes briefly covering background information and areas that are new or need further input. This should be structured in such a way as to lead to a lively discussion. Participants are encouraged to interrupt to ask questions or start discussions.
- Each presentation is limited to 2 slide equivalents. Slides should include no more than one graph or gel per slide and a maximum of 5 bullet points. Avoid animations or motion effects. Slides should support discussion, not serve as a script. Thank you for adhering to the spirit of this format.
- A Whiteboard and markers will be available to supplement your digital slides.
- Everyone is expected to actively participate in every session and discussions.
- The time spent at the forum is relatively short, so please be familiar with papers received prior to arrival.
- It is very important that you commit to all sessions of the 2 days of the forum.
Forbeck Scholars Participation
Scholars are selected for each Forbeck Forum. These are outstanding junior clinical or post-doctoral fellows selected based on the quality and relevance of science.
- Scholars present for 30-45 minutes, depending on the number of participants
- The same presentation rules apply for scholars
- After the Forum you are selected to attend, you will attend three years of Scholar Retreats held in Lake Geneva, WI. If you attend a Fall Forum, you will attend the Spring Retreat. If you attend a Spring Forum you will attend a Fall Retreat.
- Scholars are selected by the Foundation Scientific Advisory Board and peer reviewers selected from past Forbeck Scholars.
General Program
The outline below illustrates a typical program schedule. You will receive a complete schedule, including speaking times, the Thursday the forum starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of our most Frequently Asked Questions. If you have something new to ask, please feel free to contact us.
- Travel Confirmation will be sent out within 1 week of the forum. This will include a hotel confirmation number, if there is one, and airport transfer details. We have to wait until we receive almost everyone’s travel to book airport transfer. Due to frequent airline changes, we wait until the week of the meeting to send this out.
- Airport transfer is provided by Foundation staff, volunteers or arranged shuttle at specific times. If you opt to utilize Foundation airport transportation on your travel form, please be patient in receiving this information. We will send it to the week of the forum.
- Speaker agenda is not sent out prior to the meeting. It will be provided upon arrival in the meeting packet. We do not tell people when they are speaking because we expect everyone to attend all sessions. Sessions are all day.
- Frequently airport transfer is provided by volunteers. Please be patient on receiving this information. Airport transfer will be sent out prior to arrival.
- REMINDER: We do not reimburse for home side airport transfer or incidentals while traveling. We will not honor miscellaneous receipts sent for these expenses.