Greeting
I am pleased to announce that the 62nd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Clinical Oncology (JSCO2024) will be held from October 24 (Thursday) to October 26 (Saturday), 2024, at the Fukuoka Convention Center. It is with great honor that we host this historical and traditional academic meeting, and we extend our sincere gratitude to President Takayuki Yoshino, former President Yuichiro Doki, and all directors, delegates, and members of the Japan Society of Clinical Oncology (JSCO).
This marks a significant milestone for Okayama University, as it will be the first time the university has taken on the responsibility of hosting the society’s meeting since Professor Kunzo Orita organized the 32nd meeting in Okayama in 1994. Our dedicated preparations aim to ensure the satisfaction of all participants, making this a memorable experience for everyone involved.
Cancer poses a diverse and formidable challenge. However, our progress in understanding its nature has been steady, thanks to the collaborative efforts of researchers, clinicians, medical staff, and various experts in the field. Various approaches such as genomic medicine, immunotherapy, robot-assisted surgery, and artificial intelligence (AI) have been employed to confront this disease. As a result, the number of treatable cancers is gradually increasing. Moreover, as we face new challenges like preventing cancer at the pre-disease stage and survive with cancer through sustainable treatments, we can engage in discussions about the future of cancer treatment. Patients now find themselves in an era where they can look forward to a positive future.
This brings us to the theme of this academic meeting: "Live for the Future with Facing Cancer". The Japanese Society of Clinical Oncology, being a multidisciplinary and cross-occupational society with over 16,000 members, aims to provide a platform where everyone involved with cancer, from specialists to patients, can deepen their understanding of cancer, confront it with diverse strategies, and discuss the bright future.
For over 30 years, I have been involved in the development of innovative medical technologies, such as gene therapy and viral therapy for cancer. Thus, in the curret meeting we will not only cover conventional topics but also focus on "Drug Discovery" and "Medical Device Development" with an eye on exit strategies. We are planning special sessions to involve bio-ventures, pharmaceutical company’s institutes, and medical device and diagnostic manufacturers who actively engage in fascinating medical seeds development. We are organizing the program to include 15 sessions ranging from basic research to advanced medical development, tailored for the themes "Understanding Cancer," "Confronting Cancer," and "Living for the Future."
Furthermore, we will inform you as soon as preparations are complete regarding our other engaging sessions, including 35 organ-specific sessions, 32 cross-disciplinary sessions, joint symposiums with the ASCO and ESMO, and other captivating sessions (such as the JSCO “Frontier” session), all which will be disseminated globally JSCO. Additionally, considering the exhibition venue is a crucial hub for information dissemination and collection, we aim to create a “Wonderland” that will evoke surprise and inspiration for all those who attend.
In conclusion, we sincerely invite you to the beautiful and culinary city of Fukuoka, where history and culture blend seamlessly. Even while in Fukuoka, we plan to provide arrangements that will allow you to fully enjoy the charm of "Sunny Okayama". We look forward to the opportunity for leading figures in cancer treatment to gather and engage in deep face-to-face interactions. I am excited about the prospect of meeting you all in Fukuoka.