1978 MINUTES OF THE JOINT STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

MINUTES OF THE JOINT STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Tokyo, Japan
June 2 and 3, 1978

Program Coordinators:

Dr. Haruo Sugano
Dr. Guy R. Newell

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Haruo Sugano, Co-Chairman of the Joint Steering Committee. He welcomed the U.S. Delegation: Dr. Guy R. Newell, Co-Chairman, Drs. William Terry, Stephen K. Carter, Robert W. Miller (substituting for Dr. I. Bernard Weinstein), Chester J. Herman (observer), and Robert R. Omata.
He then introduced the Japanese delegation: Mr. Isao Amagi, Director-General, JSPS; Mr. Saburo Kasagi, Executive Director, JSPS; Drs. Yoshio Sakurai, Yuichi Yamamura, Takashi Sugimura, Yoji Ikawa (observer), Mr. Kichimasa Soda, Mr. Nagahide Onozawa, and Mr. Iwao Abe, JSPS.
Dr. Sugano presented a brief summary of the first meeting of the Joint Steering Committee which was held at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, Maryland, in August 1977.
He then stated the purposes of this second meeting: (1) to review the draft of the Second Progress Report (1976-77) of the U.S.-Japan Cooperative Cancer Research Program; and (2) to discuss the proposal to restructure the Program for the second five-year period.
Dr. Newell thanked the Japanese Delegation for their kind remarks and stated that it is always a treat to visit Japan. He stated that he was delighted to be able to discuss and plan the strategy for a stronger and more flexible Program. He then introduced the U.S. Delegation.
Dr. Newell expressed the appreciation of the Joint Steering Committee to the Drafting Subcommittee for their efforts in compiling the Second Progress Report. The Subcommittee members were: Drs. Yoji Ikawa, Takeshi Hirayama, Chester J. Herman, Glenn E. Sheline, Robert R. Omata, and Mrs. Yuko K. Furukawa. He especially recognized the work of Mrs. Furukawa during the time she was with the Program for her unstinting devotion and talent and wished her well in her new duties.
He thanked the JSPS staff for their arrangements in scheduling the meeting in Tokyo for the convenience of the U.S. Delegation. Mr. Amagi extended the welcome of the JSPS and the Japanese Delegation to the U.S. Delegation. He expressed appreciation, on behalf of the JSPS, for the progress and achievements made by the U.S.-Japan Cooperative Cancer Research Pro-gram. He then thanked all of the participants for their efforts and contributions toward attaining the objectives of the Program.
He stated that the first five years of the Program had a great impact in both countries through the media of seminars, workshops, exchange of scientists, exchange of resources and materials, and the muitidisciplinary approach to cancer research engendered by the Program.
He stated that the JSPS was greatly in favor of extending the Program into the second five-year period and looked forward to the outcome of the deliberations of this meeting to propose a program plan in order to provide more new information on cancer to the scientific and lay communities. Recent progress and developments in science have given rise to new problems in public opinion; however, new knowledge must advance for the benefit of mankind. He stated that he hopes that target and priority areas will be set for the next five years and that the restructuring of the Program will provide greater responsibility to the Steering Committee and the Program Coordinators. He stated that he will do his best to obtain substantial funds to support the Program. Inclosing, he wished the Joint Steering Committee great success.
Dr. Sugano asked for a motion to approve the agenda. The motion for acceptance was made and unanimously approved. It was moved and approved that the meeting would start at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday June 3, 1978.
Dr. Sugano asked for any questions regarding the final draft of the Second Progress Report. He asked Dr. Omata to provide a brief background of the formation of the Drafting Subcommittee and the work done by the Subcommittee in March 1978.
Dr. Ikawa stated that the Minutes of the First Joint Steering Committee were included in the Progress Report and that the Memorandum from the Drafting Subcommittee was sent to the Joint Steering Committee. This was done since there was some concern expressed by the members during the drafting of the Second Progress Report that these documents be included.
There was considerable discussion concerning the different technical areas that should be included under each of the new program areas. The general consensus was that there should be flexibility to allow for the inclusion of new research areas for support under this cooperative program, particularly in those areas which are not currently included.
It was suggested by Dr. Herman that each pro-gram area should have a "working group" to advise the Program Area Coordinators. The Program Area Coordinators will have greater responsibility to seek out and/or provide support for new research interests and also to obtain maximum benefits or accomplishments from future exchange scientists.
Dr. Terry stated that he would like to see one meeting per year of the Joint Steering Committee and one large conference to be held biennially. The large conferences would have lower priority than the smaller working seminars, meetings, and workshops, particularly when funds are limited.
Mr. Soda stated that the Joint Annual Review Meetings should be abolished. The Committee generally agreed. The Interdisciplinary Program Area Coordinators will be in the position of convening the large biennial conferences on subjects of current interest.
It was agreed that the Joint Steering Committee Meetings should be small and the subject of the biennial meetings or conferences should be decided by the Joint Steering Committee.
Dr. Sugimura presented a possibility that a topic, such as Prevention of Cancer, would be an appropriate multidisciplinary subject area which would provide a large forum for experts as well as give visibility and publicity to the U.S.-Japan Cooperative Cancer Research Program. Dr. Newell stated that the conference should be semi-open; participants should continue to be invited, and the locale should be accessible to the scientific community in both countries.
It was agreed that the October 31 and November 1, 1978, Annual Joint Meeting will be held in Japan in the same format as in previous years. At that time, the new proposed plan for the Second Five-Year Program will be announced and suggestions from the Joint Scientific Group will be solicited for further program planning.
One of the main reasons behind the restructuring of the Program will be to permit new people to participate and new ideas to be explored by supporting seminars and workshops.
It was agreed that the current Program Coordinators would be encouraged to continue to make contributions to the Program.

The meeting was recessed for lunch.

The meeting was reconvened by Dr. Newell, who asked the attendees to discuss the suggested new program areas.
Drs. Sugimura and Miller were called on to outline the research areas to be covered under the Carcinogenesis Program Area. Dr. Sugimura stated that he had previously discussed the research areas with Dr. I. Bernard Weinstein and had agreed to include the following:

A. Cancer Carcinogenesis Program Area:
1. Epidemiology
2. Chemical Carcinogenesis
3. Viral Carcinogenesis
4. Genetics and Molecular Oncology
During the discussions between Drs. Sugimura and Weinstein, it was agreed that Radiation Biology could be included under Genetics and Molecular Oncology.
Dr. Sugano suggested that instead of using the term "sub-areas" for the four categories, they should be called "projects" or "main interests."
Then, Drs. Terry and Yamamura discussed the main interests or research areas to be included under Biology and Diagnosis:

B. Biology and Diagnosis Program Area:
1. Cellular Biology
2. Molecular Biology
3. Immunology
a. Biology
b. Genetics
c. Preclinical Immunotherapy
4. Diagnosis
a. Automated Cytology
b. Development of New Techniques
The discussion among the participants centered on matters of overlap between molecular biology versus genetics and molecular oncology. It was suggested that research on cell membrane, biology of normal and abnormal cells, cell differentiation, alteration of gene expression, and other basic research areas could be included under Molecular Biology.
Dr. Terry expressed his opinion that conceptually Biology and Diagnosis should include areas mostly related to fundamental research and not include molecular biology as related to carcinogenesis.
Drs. Sugimura and Newell agreed that there may be some overlap between the two program areas, but it may not be cumbersome to have intentional overlap with different emphasis on specific topics of research areas. Drs. Carter and Sakurai discussed the Treatment Program Area.
Dr. Carter stated that after much thought and discussion with Dr. Sakurai and others, it has been decided to have treatment modality and disease coordinated. The following format or outline was discussed:

C. Treatment Program Area
Modality Oriented
1. Chemotherapy (including new drugs, clinical trials, and drug development)
2. Radiation (High LET Radiation, Radiation Oncology, Hyperthermia, and New Developments)
3. Immunotherapy
Disease Oriented
1. Stomach Cancer
2. Lung Cancer
3. Breast Cancer
4. Bladder Cancer
During the discussion, the necessity of having a "working group" in each new program area was pointed out. Although the Program Area Coordinators have the primary responsibility for program planning in their own area, they may have a group of principal advisors which may act as an informal working group on an ad hoc basis in identifying projects or main interests and in working out plans for implementation for the Program Area.
Drs. Newell and Sugano then discussed the Interdisciplinary Program Area. It was recommended by Dr. Newell that this program area will use the Joint Steering Committee, including the JSPS and NCI staff, as the "working group." The following items or subject areas will be covered:

D. Interdisciplinary and Program Coordination:
1. Overall coordination of above three pro-gram areas
2. Consideration of new programs or special areas of interest
3. Sponsoring of interdisciplinary sessions
4. Organ sites.
The sponsoring of interdisciplinary sessions was strongly recommended by Dr. Yamamura, since Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment depend on interdisciplinary work in such areas as Ceil Diagnosis, Early Diagnosis, and Staging of Treatment.
After a brief recess, discussion was held on the Annual Joint Meeting of the NCI-JSPS Scientific Group, to be held in Japan on October 31 and November 1, 1978.
It was agreed that the JSPS and the NCI would send invitation letters to the Program Coordinators. At the meeting, the Annual Reports wil1 be presented with a summary of the activities and accomplishments of the First Five-Year Program in each of the program areas. This phase wil1 be considered during the first one and one-half days.
On the afternoon of the second day, the Joint Steering Committee will make a presentation of the program planning and structure for the Second Five-Year Program.
It was agreed that the Reports for 1978 together with the two published biennial Progress Reports will substitute for the five-year report of the Program.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m. Mr. Amagi, Director-General, JSPS, graciously hosted a delightful dinner for the U.S. Delegation.
On June 3, 1978, at 9:30 a.m., Dr. Sugano reconvened the meeting. He summarized the discussions and the general agreements on the pro-gram areas. It was agreed that special appreciation would be expressed to the current Program Coordinators at the Fifth Annual Joint Meeting.
Mr. Soda presented the Proposed Plan for the Second Five-Year Program, which outlines a five-year plan on the basis of the agreements reached so far on the restructuring of the Program. He stressed that, if such a document would be agreed upon, it would be useful not only for the people interested to get a general Idea of the Program, but also for the JSPS to submit the budget request for continuing the Program into the second five-year period. The Joint Steering Committee reviewed the Pro-posed Plan paragraph by paragraph for editing and made necessary modifications. The modified text is attached to the Minutes for reference.
It was stressed by everyone that the Joint Steering Committee will take on the responsibility of establishing program policy and providing general program planning. It was decided to hold the next Joint Steering Committee Meeting in San Francisco, California, in May 1979, possibly at the Northern California Cancer Program Headquarters in Palo Alto.
In order to stimulate scientific discussion at the Steering Committee meetings, it was agreed by Dr. Newell that special scientific sessions should be organized to review one of the program areas and to learn more about the state-of-the-art and research in the program area. It would be appropriate to invite special participants to these scientific seminars.
Mr. Soda thanked all the participants attending this meeting. Drs. Sugano and Newell also expressed their appreciation for the contributions each of the attendees made at the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:35 a.m.
The NCI Delegation hosted a buffet luncheon in appreciation of the hospitality extended by the Japanese Delegation.

Respectfully submitted.

Robert R. Omata, Ph.D.
Executive Secretary
U.S.-Japan Cooperative Cancer Research Program