LOS ANGELES--In a new century that celebrates diversity, the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (ASCPT) is marking its own centennial with cutting edge research that reveals the array of human responses to pharmacologic agents.
The ASCPT's 100th annual meeting, March 14-18 at the Century Plaza Hotel & Tower, will offer more than 350 presentations on cutting-edge research, including:
--A new smoking cessation strategy that goes beyond nicotine replacement patches and gum by changing the way smokers metabolize nicotine so their pleasure lasts longer and they smoke less. Additional presentations will offer genetic explanations for smoking patterns in different ethnic groups. For example, why do Chinese-Americans smoke less than whites?
--New findings that may explain how to get potent protease inhibitors into the brain and other "sanctuary" sites of the body where HIV hides. If researchers can overcome this obstacle in antiviral therapy, they may be able to determine if HIV can ever be eradicated from the body.
--Ways that age, sex, and ethnic diversity affect individuals' responses to drugs and different doses of drugs. New findings show that more Caucasians than African-Americans have a genetic trait that affects the amount of a widely used anti-coagulant drug they can safely receive. Additional studies have determined safe, effective amounts of the artificial sweetener aspartame that could be used in treating sickle cell anemia.
A pressroom will be available for media representatives in Bel Aire Room , Century Plaza Hotel & Tower, Los Angeles, California, on March 14 through March 17, 2000.
For copies of abstracts, abstract summary highlights and press releases, to arrange for pre-conference researcher interviews, or to pre-register for onsite press credentials, contact Kirk Monroe at: 202-789-8101, or kmcpr@aol.com .
Founded in 1900, the ASCPT consists of over 2200 professionals whose primary interest is to promote and advance the science of human pharmacology and therapeutics. The Society is the largest scientific and professional organization serving the discipline of Clinical Pharmacology.
To view full abstracts go to: www.ascpt.org/abstracts