The 83rd Annual Meeting of the Japan Cancer Association will be held at the Fukuoka International Conference Center from September 19th (Thursday) to 21st (Saturday), 2024. In recent years, the activities of academic conferences have been significantly impacted by Covid-19. Despite these challenges, the Japan Cancer Association has managed to maintain its vitality. Encouraged by the success of the 82nd Annual Meeting under the leadership of Chairman Mano, I am enthusiastically looking forward to the 83rd Annual Meeting, which promises to return to its original dynamic form.
The Japan Cancer Association takes pride in its long history and tradition. Its mission is to “explore the pathophysiology of cancer from the basics, collaborate between the fields of basic and clinical research, and disseminate new knowledge to the world, aiming to conquer cancer.” The fundamental understanding of cancer has rapidly advanced due to progress in measurement technologies in various omics fields such as genomics, epigenomics, proteomics, metabolomics, as well as innovations in information science and AI. Simultaneously, the development of numerous drugs, utilizing various modalities based on acquired information, to control cancer in clinical settings has also evolved rapidly. We are currently witnessing a significant transitional period from an era of cancer control to an era of complete cancer cure. Therefore, the theme for this meeting is simply “Cancer Research Aimed at Complete Cure.”
In Japan, the analysis of cancer-related gene sequences to optimize treatment methods, known as “cancer genomic medicine,” will commence in solid cancer areas from 2019 and extend to hematologic malignancies in 2024. Furthermore, new therapies not dependent on genetic mutations targeting cancer stem cells are also being developed. In the 83rd Annual Meeting, we aim to create a lively and vibrant academic conference where diverse individuals, including those involved in the development of measurement instruments and novel drugs, as well as healthcare professionals engaged in their clinical applications, gather under the mission of “eradicating cancer.” This conference in Fukuoka marks a return after nearly 20 years. Fukuoka is a charming city with excellent transportation accessibility. I sincerely hope that you actively participate on-site and enjoy the event. We look forward to your enthusiastic participation.