New advances and treatments for cancer are focus of UB Mini Med School

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The UB Mini Med School, a public service, community education program of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, will present a series in December on “Cancerous Diseases: Introduction, Advances, Research, and Treatment.”

A total of five presentations by researchers from Roswell Park Cancer Institute will be held from 6–8 p.m. on Dec. 5 and Dec. 12 in Butler Auditorium in Farber Hall on UB’s South Campus. Open to the public, tickets are $5 for each night with free admission for high school, college and medical students with valid ID. More information and registration is available here.  

“People are always interested in learning more about cancer because everyone’s been affected in some way, but also because it’s so complex and new therapies are being developed all the time,” said Marc S. Ernstoff, MD, the Katherine Anne Gioia Chair of Medicine at Roswell Park and chief of the division of oncology at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB.

“This five-talk series will allow us to cover a lot of interesting territory, from how cancer begins and grows to some of the most advanced treatments and prevention strategies we’re exploring today,” he said.

The series provides a comprehensive introduction to cancer, ranging from how cancer starts to the innovative ways that the body’s immune system is being harnessed to fight it.

Roseanne Berger, MD, Mini Medical School director and senior associate dean for graduate medical education in the Jacobs School, said: “The UB Mini Med School is pleased that our colleagues at Roswell Park – one of the nation’s top cancer hospitals — will be sharing their expertise with members of the public.”

Topics and speakers are:

Dec. 5:

• “The Origins of Cancer,” Marc S.Ernstoff, MD, the Katherine Anne Gioia Chair of Medicine at Roswell Park and chief of the division of hematology/oncology at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
• “Cancer Immunology: ABCs,” Scott Abrams, PhD, professor of oncology, Roswell Park.
• “Modulation of stress to enhance cancer immunity,” Elizabeth (Betsy) Repasky, PhD, professor of oncology and Dr. William Huebsch Professorship in Immunology, Roswell Park.

 Dec. 12:

• “Targeted therapy to beat cancer,” Igor Puzanov, MD, director, Early Phase Clinical Trials Program, chief of melanoma, professor of oncology Roswell Park and professor of medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences .
• “Immunotherapy for today and tomorrow,” Sharon Evans, PhD, professor of oncology and immunology, Roswell Park.