October 22nd, 2004

The recent and first ever international symposium for mesothelioma was held in Las Vegas and lasted for three days. The event was attended by a number of people, such as experts and medics, sufferers and victims’ families, politicians and support groups – a whole range of people with an interest in bringing an end to the misery of mesothelioma by working towards increased funding and increased resources.

The agenda was a long one, covering topics to be discussed over the three days. Although the full details of the symposium are yet to be released, the agenda provides some insight into the topics of discussion and who was present at the symposium. The last two days’ agenda were as follows:

Friday 15th October

Introduction

History of Mesothelioma TBD

Pathogenesis of Mesothelioma Brooke Mossman

Determination of Asbestos Exposure by Pathology and Clinical History Elliott Kagan

Prediction of Mesothelioma Risk Jill Ohar

Inherited Mesothelioma Michele Carbone

Malignant Mesothelioma in Turkey, and Erionite TBD

Molecular Biology of Mesothelioma Joseph Testa

Proteomics in Mesothelioma Harvey Pass

Genomics in Mesothelioma Raphael Bueno

Staging of Mesothelioma Raja Flores

Radiographic Imaging Edward Patz

Standard Morphology and Cytology of Malignant Mesothelioma TBD

Prognostic Factors in Mesothelioma Nicholas Vogelzang

Ask the Professors Panel Faculty

One-on-One Questions with the Panelists

Reception and Gala Dinner In Memory of Warren Zevon — Jordan Zevon Congressman Bruce Vento Hope Builder Award — Presented to Patty Murray, United States Senator from Washington Honoring Our Heroes — Patients in attendance will be individually acknowledged Keynote Speaker — Harry Reid, United States Senator from Nevada, Democratic Minority Whip (subject to legislative session)

Saturday 16th October

Introduction

Management of Pleural Effusions Robert Cameron

Surgery, Pre/Post-operative Chemotherapy, and Radiation Therapy David Sugarbaker

Surgery and Post-operative Radiotherapy Roy Smythe

Novel Therapies Combined with Surgery Harvey Pass

Chemotherapy for Pleural Mesothelioma Nick Pavlakis

Novel Agents for Mesothelioma Hedy Kindler

Immunotherapeutic Approaches and Vaccination Strategies W. Martin Kast

Gene Therapy Steven Albelda

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Raffit Hassan

The Columbia University Experience with Peritoneal Mesothelioma TBD

Treatment of Peritoneal Mesothelioma Richard Alexander

Practical Aspects and Future Directions: Chemotherapy and Surgical Options Panel Discussion

Ask the Professors Panel Faculty

One-on-One Questions with the Panelists