New drug targets in inflammation and immunomodulation.

The organizers once again achieved the feat of providing a program transcending the biology and medicinal chemistry of inflammatory diseases. The speakers presented a vast array of topical--often previously unpublished--data and most presentations were followed by enlightening, well-informed discussions. The two topics chosen highlight the number of new molecular targets being successfully pursued in attempts to develop effective new antiinflammatory agents. It is interesting to reflect that none of the talks, with the exception of the discussion of receptor operated calcium channels, described programs employing targets identified from the application of genomics. When the next meeting in this series is held it would seem probable that several talks will redress the balance.