New Perspectives on the Virus-Host Interplay in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Their Impact on Diagnosis and Therapeutic Interventions

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has distinct geographical distribution. It is very rare in most parts of the world but common in certain parts of Asia including southern China, Malaysia and Indonesia. High incidence of NPC is also observed in Northern Africa as well as the Inuit population of Alaska and Canada.

The etiology of NPC is complex involving Epstein-Barr virus infection, genetic susceptibility and chemical carcinogenesis. Many advances have been made recently in various fields ranging from EBV infection in NPC pathogenesis, elucidation of the genetic landscape and signaling pathways in NPC, advances in its detection and diagnosis; plus novel therapeutic approaches such as immunotherapy.

The Gordon Research Conference for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in 2018 aims to provide an open forum for international investigators to interact and update the most advanced findings in EBV and NPC research. There will be Keynote sessions highlighting major advances in cancers, their potential application to NPC, and future directions of NPC research. Specific sessions will be dedicated to cover the biology of EBV infection and its role in NPC pathogenesis; NPC tumour environment; risk factors and novel diagnostic markers in NPC; molecular profiling and driver mutations in NPC; innovative approaches and treatment strategies as well as challenges in NPC therapy. This conference will bring together internationally renowned basic and clinician scientists in exchanging cutting-edge information, and brainstorm on novel concepts in EBV and NPC research, identify challenges in NPC therapy, and formulate innovative strategies against NPC.

Partial funding is available for those who present a poster.