One of the missions of the American Federation for Medical Research (AFMR) is to facilitate translational research. With that objective, AFMR is proud to continue to sponsor the “Bench to Bedside Symposia” at the annual Experimental Biology (EB) meeting. More details on how to apply for holding a symposium for future EB meetings are provided at www.afmr.org.
The symposium “Diagnosis and Treatment Utilizing Natriuretic Peptides,” sponsored by the AFMR, was held at the 2005 EB meeting in San Diego, California, on April 4, 2005. This symposium was cosponsored by Quest Diagnostics, Inc. The session's content is summarized in the four articles that follow, each authored by one of the speakers at the symposium. Dr. Adolfo J. deBold (Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, ON), who discovered the first of the natriuretic peptides (ie, atrial natriuretic factor, also termed atrial natriuretic peptide), reviewed what regulates natriuretic peptide production by the heart. Dr. John Burnett Jr (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN) reviewed natriuretic peptides as treatment modalities of congestive heart failure. Dr. Walter H. Hörl (University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria) reviewed natriuretic peptides as treatment modalities of acute and chronic kidney disease and the effects of hemodialysis on the circulating levels of natriuretic peptides. Lastly, Dr. David Vesely (University of South Florida Cardiac Hormone Center, Tampa, FL) presented data on the basic science and potential clinical application of the newest property of some of the natriuretic peptides, that is, their potential as anticancer agents.
The following articles discuss the molecular biology, animal experiments, and human investigations that have led to one of the natriuretic peptides to be used clinically to treat congestive heart failure. Further, their potential to move from the bench and animal experiments to the bedside to treat renal failure and cancer is outlined for the reader.
David L. Vesely, MD, PhD, Symposium Chair
Abdulla K. Salahudeen, MD, AFMR Vice-President for Meetings and Symposia