34^th Euro-Global Summit on Cancer Therapy & Radiation Oncology July 25-27, 2019 | Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Conference Centre London Heathrow Bath Road Heathrow Middlesex UB70DU

Biography:

Araceli Cue has her expertise in Whole Body Computed Tomography and has worked in this specific field for the past nine years, implementing new protocols and scanning methods to improve the diagnosis and wellbeing of her patients. She has experience as General Radiologist as well, with good experience in Fluoroscopic studies, urology diagnostic radiology and gyneco-obtetric ultrasound. In her hospital setting, teaching and administration are a daily basis activity. She is actively involved in the Mexican Board of Radiology, currently working with the Evaluation committee. Her background includes Radiology Specialty and Whole Body Computed Tomography subspecialty, Radiation Protection Diploma, Health administration diploma.

Abstract:

Colon cancer is an important cause of death among the general population, although it is highly preventable and treatable when early detection occurs. The main problem is the lack of patient adhesion to screening methods and some limitations in its performance due to particular patients’ features (video colonoscopy). Computed Tomography Colonography (CTC) has shown high sensitivity, low cost, less exploration time and is less invasive to the patient. In Mexico the colorectal cancer has the 1st place in incidence among digestive tube cancer. Video colonoscopy is the most sensitive and specific method for the detection of polyps and colorectal cancers. Many international organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (USAHCPR), and the United States Preventive Service Task Force (USMSTF), have developed guides for colorectal cancer screening which includes CTC. Th e CTC allows the exploration of intra and extra colonic findings, thou the gathering of more information is possible. In this study all the patients having video colonoscopy had CTC in a one year period. 95% of the studied cases had positive intra and extra colorectal findings that included polyps, malignant tumor, peri colonic/perirectal fat stranding, metastatic lymph nodes and extra colorectal metastasis. Some of the malignant lesions were deeper and larger than prior stated in the video colonoscopy. Th e CTC can be used as a screening method in general population not willing to have a video colonoscopy and should be used as an obligatory complement for those patients with video colonoscopy positive  findings instead of just an Abdominal CT for staging. The information obtained from CTC helps the clinician to plan a better treatment and have a better panorama for each case.

Biography:

Qing Zhou: Attending physician of Sichuan Provincials People’s Hospital, Master of Imaging Medicine and Nuclear Medicine. She has been engaged in ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound of abdominal and superficial organs for 9 years. She has published several publications and participated in two monographs on ultrasound.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Orbital cavernous venous malformation (used to be known as "orbital cavernous hemangioma") is one of the common orbital occupancies; it is not a neoplasm but a venous malformation. Vision and appearance may be affected by the mass effect masses, such as blurred vision and exophthalmos may be caused by eyeball pushing. Orbital cavernous venous malformation usually present as a mass solitary, with well-defined margin, sometimes it is difficult to be identified with some tumors, such as schwannoma, solitary fibrous, and pleomorphic adenoma. The application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging technology has become more and more extensive and mature recently, but there were few studies on orbital cavernous venous malformation. This study aims to help improve the diagnostic accuracy by analyzing the enhanced manifestations of orbital cavernous vascular malformation. Th e purpose of this study is to improve the ultrasound diagnostic accuracy of orbital cavernous vascular malformations by analyzing the enhanced features of contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Th e contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings of orbital cavernous venous malformation cases were reviewed and analyzed to find the characteristics.

Findings: All cases showed nodular contrast enhancement after injection of contrast agent, and these nodules grew larger progressively over time. Compared with surrounding tissues, the enhancement of cavernous venous malformations were usually later or synchronous.

Conclusion & Significance: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound of orbital cavernous venous malformation has typical characteristics, and it is helpful for qualitative diagnosis.

Biography:

Zih-Yin Lai is a Postdoctoral Fellow of the Institute of Bioinformatics and Structural Biology at National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan. She is the manager of Dr. Yung-Jen Chuang’s lab with excellent ability to guide other lab members. Her work focuses specifically on precision cancer medicine and drug combination strategy. She has established a special primary neuroendocrine tumor cultured model from the patient’s ex vivo biopsy after years of experience. Moreover, she is also responsible for two projects: boron neutron capture therapy for melanoma and EGFR/MDM2 combined inhibition therapy for ovarian cancer. Her recent publication can be found in Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oncotarget and Journal of Biomedical Science.

Abstract:

Precision cancer medicine is an evolving treatment approach that aims to associate the tumor’s unique genomic characters and histological changes to first determine the cancer subtype, and use the information to select targeted therapy for enhanced efficacy. In this study, we focus on neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma (NECC), which is a rare and aggressive subtype of cervical cancer. A NECC specimen obtained from a consented 44-year-old female patient was first analyzed by RNA sequencing. Interestingly, we found the transcription profile of the tumor case highly correlated with metabolic disease. Meanwhile, we processed and established a novel NECC cell line (annotated as Hsinchu Mackay-4, HM-4) from the patient’s ex vivo biopsy, and used it to explore novel drug combination for enhanced cytotoxic response. Drug screening revealed that, when etoposide (a known genotoxic drug for NECC) was used in combination with agent X (an FDA-approved metabolic disease drug), the proliferation of HM-4 cells was significantly inhibited as compared to etoposide or agent X treatment alone. Immunoblot assay revealed the expression level of pAKT was remarkably reduced, while p21 was upregulated when HM-4 cells were treated with a combination of etoposide and agent X. These results suggested that the drug combination of etoposide and agent X might become a novel synergistic treatment option for NECC.

Biography:

Kuan-Hao Chen is pursuing his Master’s degree. He worked as an Intern at Academia Sinica for two months, where he studied heme oxygenase 2 protein-protein interactions with cytochrome P450 reductase. He was awarded for poster competition at 2018 Taiwan Zebrafish Symposium. He is now investigating the BNCT-induced biological effects in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially the DNA damage responses.

Abstract:

Background: Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a two-step radiation treatment modality, which kills tumor cells and leaves normal cells undamaged. In previous studies, boric acid (BA)-mediated BNCT has demonstrated its therapeutic efficacy in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rat and rabbit models. However, the DNA damage responses and repair mechanisms induced by BA-BNCT in HCC remain unclear.

Aim: This study thus aims to investigate whether the BA-BNCT induced DNA double-strand break (DSB) and to explore which DSB repair pathways, homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), would be the primary pathway.

Methods: Huh7 (human HCC cell line) was pre-treated with BA 30 minutes before exposing to neutron irradiation at Tsing Hua open pool reactor in National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan. Afterwards, cells were harvested for immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting analysis.

Results: The expression of γH2AX, a marker of DSB damages, was observed to peak at 4 h and diminished by 24h after BA-BNCT. The protein expression of BRCA1 and Rad51, both involving the HR pathway, were activated at 4 h. Surprisingly, BRCA1 sustained its activation to 48 h, while NHEJ-related proteins Ku70/Ku80 did not show significant changes after BA-BNCT.

Conclusion: These results suggested that DSB damages induced by BA-BNCT were primarily repaired through the HR pathway in HCC. Our findings could enable the identification of radio-sensitizer or adjuvant treatment by targeting the HR pathway, which could help to address treatment resistance and potentiate the efficacy of BA-BNCT for HCC.

Biography:

Kai-Yun Tsai is pursuing her Master’s degree. She has experience with two research labs in applying professional knowledge to study unresolved medical challenges. Her recent work sheds light on the importance of p53 R248Q mutation in HGSOC with different drug responses. She was selected to be a valedictorian of National Tsing Hua University.

Abstract:

The dysfunction of tumor suppressor p53 and its regulators is a common feature of human cancer, including ovarian cancer. Specifically, the genetic alteration of p53 mutation is detected in up to 96% of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC). Moreover, mutant p53 may cause oncogenic gain-of-function phenotypes under sustained activation of EGFR signaling. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether p53 mutation could affect combined inhibition of EGFR and the p53-specific ubiquitin ligase MDM2 in ovarian cancer. We selected p53 R248Q mutant, which has the highest mutation frequency in cancer, for this study. We found that, when p53 R248Q was transiently overexpressed, the p-AKT protein expression would increase significantly. Immunocytochemistry analysis further showed that, upon EGF stimulation or p53 R248Q mutant overexpression, several EGFR pathway and cross-talking mediators would translocate in unique patterns within the cell. Previously, we have demonstrated that combined inhibition of EGFR and MDM2 pathways by Gefitinib and JNJ exerts strong synergistic inhibition on p53-mutated HGSOC cells. Our immunofluorescence analysis revealed that, under such combined inhibition, the cytonuclear trafficking of these mediators would be disrupted. Moreover, when we compared the drug responses in different p53 status, we observed the sensitivity to single- or combined-inhibition treatments would be altered in p53 R248Q overexpressed cells. In summary, our findings suggest that p53 R248Q mutation might cause differential responses in signal transduction, molecular trafficking, and drug efficacy, which helps to advance our understanding in p53 signaling and cancer biology and to improve future therapeutic strategies on HGSOC.

Biography:

Itzíar González is Dr. in Physics. She belongs to the scientif staff of the Research Council of Spain CSIC. She has her expertise in the development of new technologies based on strategic application of ultrasounds. She and her group RESULT of ultrasonic resonators for manipulation in the National have developed low-cot polymeric chips to perform particle and cell sorting based on their whole structure resonance, with application in early detection of circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood samples. She leads various competitive research projects involving cancer solutions.

Abstract:

Study of cancer involving cell behaviors in different conditions is a current tending topic in scientific investigations. Blood samples can be used as liquid biopsy for early diagnosis and monitoring of chemotherapy in cancer patients. Separation of rare cells from blood samples by acoustic waves “acoustophoresis” repesentss a new label-free and biocompatible technique. Acoustic sorting works on the basis of the different physical cell properties and works at power intensities and frequencies similar to the ultrasonic imaging, with a little impact on the cell viability (high biocompatibility). It presents clinical advantages such as the fact the media in which cells are cultured and separated does not need to be modified, thus no labeling is required. Our recent microfluidic device: “THINUS-Chip”, actuated by ultrasounds flow-through separation approach, provides an efficient separation of tumor cells (TCs) from white blood cells (WBCs) in. With this microfluidic device we have introduced for the first time the concept of plate acoustic waves (PAW) applied to acoustophoresis as a new strategy in low-cost devices for clinical applications. We have also explored the effects of low intensity continuous ultrasound (LICU) on the inflammatory response of mouse pancreatic tumor explants. We found a significant upregulation of IFN-γ, IL-1β, and TNF-α on the tumor explants exposed to LICU. Meanwhile, no detectable effects were observed on tumor vasculature or collagen I deposition. This paper showed for the first time the ability of our technology based on the application of low intensity ultrasounds as a noninvasive actuator in cancer processes associated to tumor growth, enhancing some anti-tumor markers and inhibiting others related to a tumor progression. Herein, we describe our studies to remark the relevance of the LICUS as future medical solutions involving blood or tissue cell manipulation.

Biography:

Ewa L Gregoraszczuk is specialized in reproductive endocrinology as well as hormone dependent cancer. She has graduated from Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. She is a Professor of endocrinology, Head of Department of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction from 1998. She has authored 173 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals such as Biology of Reproduction, Reproduction, Reproductive Toxicology, Toxicology, Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology. She is a Member of Polish Endocrinology Society, International Society of Endocrinology (ISE), The New York Academy of Sciences, and The European Tissue Culture Society. Her research topics focusing on the effects of metabolic hormones produced by adipose tissue in light of the increasing incidence of obesity and related problems in reproduction and hormone dependent cancer; reprotox and canceriogenic action of endocrine disruptors, testing antiepileptic drugs as a potent anticancer drug in combination with chemotherapy; testing leptin receptor blockers as a novel treatment for ovarian cancer.

Abstract:

Introduction: Despite rapid progress in understanding the ethology of epithelial ovarian cancer it is still the most lethal form of cancers. In Poland, ovarian cancer is the sixth most common women’s cancer. Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) has been widely used in the treatment and prevention of cancer; nevertheless, the clinical results are still inconclusive. Still there are many controversies regarding the role of vitamin C in the prevention and treatment of cancer.

Study Design: In the present data we estimated dose dependent effect of VitC on SVCT1, involved in whole body vitamin C homeostasis, SVCT2, protects metabolically active cells from oxidative stress and GLUT hexose transporters protein expression. Additionally action of Vitamin C on cell membrane permeability, measured by LDH release, lysosomal activity measured by acid phosphate assay (AP), mitochondrial activity measured by Alamar Blue assay and caspase3 activity as an indicator of apoptosis in non-cancer epithelial cells HOSEpiC and cancer chemoresistant OVCAR-3 cells

Results: Vitamin C at doses of 10 and 100 µM increased SVCT1, had no effect on SVCT2 and in dose of 100 µM increased GLUT expression in cancer cells. In dose 0.1-10 μM had no effect on cell membrane permeability mitochondrial activity, lysosomal activity and caspase-3 activity in non-cancer epithelial cells HOSEpiC, however in this doses increased LDH realize, decreased mitochondrial activity, had no effect on lysosomal activity while increased casapase-3 activity in epithelial cancer cells OVCAR-3.

Conclusion: The results of the presented data will provide new and unique information on the merits of Vitamin C as preventive and supportive for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Our study is the first concerning potential action of Vit C not only on cancer but also non-cancer ovarian cells. We suggesting that its nontoxic effects on non-cancer cells may be an indicator of its prophylactic use. This is an extremely important knowledge for biologists, doctors and most importantly for high-risk women. 

Biography:

Dr Shafatujjahan, passed my MBBS on January, 2007 from Chittagong medical college and started my post graduate training on 2010 and passed my fellowship in radiation oncology on July, 2015, since then I am working as Assistant professor and head of department of medical oncology and radiotherapy of Chattogram maa o shishu hospital medical college .This is a 800 bed tertiary hospital located in the center of port city Chittagong of Bangladesh. I am teaching the undergraduate and post graduate students. I am attached with some research project in this hospital .I am attached with the project for establishing our own cancer institute with all modern chemotherapy and radiotherapy facilities.

Abstract:

Introduction: Breast cancer is increasing in Bangladesh among both young and adult woman group. Long term oral contraceptive consumption is believed to be associated with breast cancer.

Aim: This study was aimed to provide a descriptive statistics of breast cancer situation and explore the association of OCP with breast cancer in a single center located in one of the major cities in Bangladesh.

Methods & Materials: This study was carried out in Chattogram Ma O Shishu Hospital in Chittagong from July 2017 to April 2019. Patients were enrolled after histopathologically confirmed breast cancer and aged 20 and above. Patients were screened for ER, PR and HER status. Descriptive and regression analysis was done by using SPSS (v. 20).

Result: Total 40 histopathologically confirmed breast cancer patient aged from 27 to 67 years were enrolled in this study. Median age was found 46.50 with a mean BSA of 1.673. Out of 40 breast cancer patient highest number of patient were found to have stage II A followed by stage IV, IIIA, IIIB and IB. It was also found that, 60% patient were ER positive whereas 47.5% were PR positive. In HER 2+ status 52.5% were found to be negative where 17.5% were HER2 2+ positive and 20% were HER2 3+Positive. 57.5% patients were on Oral contraceptive pill (OCP) during their lifetime and 42.5% patients were not on OCP. No significant relationship was observed among OCP consumption and Hormone receptor status (P>0.05).

Conclusion: It is evident from this study is the prevalence of HER 2 positive breast cancer is increasing in daily practice without any significant association with OCP. Further studies with large sample size are required to explore the relationship in local context.

Biography:

Hayaa Alhuthali is a haematology scientist at university of Nottingham (CSB, City Hospital). She is in last year of her PhD, which focuses on studying response of AML to novel therapeutic drug and explores mechanisms of drug action. She has Skills in cell culture, molecular biology, immunoblotting, flow cytometry, cell cycle analysis and cell signaling

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a complex malignancy associated with genetic, epigenetic, and phenotypic heterogeneity. Chemoresistance and relapse are the major challenges in AML treatment. Activation of JNK pathway was demonstrated to be a vital step for the chemotherapy agent, anthracycline, to induce apoptosis in AML cells and defects in JNK-activation contributes to AML chemoresistance. Jerantinine B is a novel aspidosperma alkaloid isolated from the leaf extract of Tabernaemontana corymbosa. Preliminary screens established that JB possess in vitro anticancer activities against various human derived solid cancer cell lines but, the effect on AML was unknown.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate whether this novel agent provide potential effective targeting of AML cells.

Methodology: Following determination of JB cytotoxicity in AML cell lines and patient samples, flow cytometry and immunoblotting was used for further experiments to explore the mechanism of action of JB.

Findings: JB exhibited significant inhibition of growth and colony formation of AML cell lines accompanied by an induction of apoptosis in a time and dose-dependent manner. JB IC50 dose at early time point (4 hrs) resulted in strong expression of both total and phosphorylated c-Jun (S63) protein and significant increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) level (P≤0.01.) Co-treatment with a ROS scavenger, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), in JB-treated HL60 cells significantly reduced JB-induced ROS (P=0.031) and reversed JB-mediated c-Jun/JNK activation and subsequent cell apoptosis. This suggests that JB-mediated intracellular oxidative stress acts as signal for c-Jun/JNK-induced death in HL60 cells. Furthermore, JB caused cell cycle perturbation, Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibition (evidenced by phosphorylation of phospho-histone H3 (pHH3)) and up-regulation of apoptotic markers including active caspase 3 and cleaved PARP (p≤0.02). These findings indicate that JB appears to be a potential chemotherapeutic agent in AML and its continued development is recommended. 

Biography:

Jiguang Ma has completed her PhD from Xi’an Jiaotong University. She has published more than 30 papers in reputed journals. Currently, she works in the Department of Anesthesia, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, and China.

Abstract:

Many pancreatic cancer (PC) patients suffer from abdominal pain and back pain. However, the cause of pain associated with PC is largely unclear. In this study, we tested the potential influence of the sonic hedgehog (sHH) signaling pathway on PC pain. Substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) expression was measured in cultured PC cells and dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) by real-time PCR, western blotting analysis and ELISA. Small interfering RNA transfection and plasmid constructs were used to regulate the expression of sHH in the AsPc-1 and Panc-1 cell lines. Pain-related behavior was observed in an orthotopic tumor model in nude mice. In this study, the results showed that sHH increased the expression of SP and CGRP in DRGs in a concentration and time-dependent manner. Additionally, sHH secretion from PC cells could activate sHH signaling pathway and in turn, increase the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF), P75 and TrkA in DRGs. Furthermore, sHH signaling pathway and NGF/NGF receptor contributed to pain factors and pain behavior. Our results demonstrate that PC pain originates from sHH signaling pathway, and NGF mediates the pain mechanism via regulating SP and CGRP.

Biography:

Jehad Zweiri is a Lecturer in Cancer studies at the University of Liverpool Medical School. He has received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Jordan in 1990; Master’s degree from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine/University of London, and PhD degree from Kings College Medical School/University of London, in the field of Immune Gene Therapy of Cancer under the supervision of Professor Farzin Farzaneh in 2000. He then started his work as a Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Immunology and Medicine at the University of Liverpool in 2002. He was appointed as a Lecturer in the University of Liverpool Medical School in 2010 and he is currently a Fellow of the British Higher Education Academy since 2012.

Abstract:

It is well established that GCV causes bone-marrow toxicity in CMV-infected patients, particularly on the neutrophil lineage. Therefore it may also induce T cell immunosuppression, although this does not appear to have been directly investigated. If GCV does have such a side-effect it may reduce the efficiency of the immunological component of the bystander effect induced by HSV-TK/GCV. The rationale for the studies described here was to devise a strategy whereby the TK+ve tumour cells would be exposed to GCV in vitro, in order to pre-load the tumour cells with GCV, wash the excess GCV away and then inject the cells for study of their in vivo bystander effect. It is also possible that the intravenous administration of GCV does not allow the achievement of a therapeutically high enough dose at the site of injection of TK+ve cells (e.g. in the peritoneum). By contrast, the pre-loading of the TK+ve tumour cells with GCV may ensure that the cells have received the required dose of GCV. This may reduce the possible immuno toxic effects of GCV. This in turn may enhance the systemic immune mediated anti-tumour efficacy of treatment with HSV-TK expressing tumour cells.

Biography:

Ramida Watanapokasin has her expertise in Cancer Biology and Molecular Biology. Her research focuses on identification of drug-lead for cancer by bioactive compounds from medicinal plants and microorganisms.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Chondrosarcoma is the second most common malignant tumor of bone. The cancer originates from chondrocytes with abnormal proliferation and usually grows within a bone or on its surface. As 90% of human cancer death is due to metastasis process, in this study the anti-metastasis activity of Senna alata extract was studied in the highly metastasis SW1353 cell line. Senna alata is a medicinal plant which has been used in traditional folk medicine especially antimicrobial activity.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: S. alata extract was dissolved and diluted in DMSO at the desired concentrations. MTT assay was used to investigate the effects of S. alata extract on cell proliferation and cell growth. To study the effects of S. alata extract on cell migration and invasion, wound healing assay and transwell migration assay were performed, respectively. Signaling proteins were observed using Western blot analysis.

Findings: Our study found that at sub-toxic dose of S. alata extract inhibited cell migration and cell invasion in SW1353 treated cells. Moreover, Western blot analysis indicated that S. alata extract down-regulated p-ERK1/2 and p-Akt (S473) that involved in cell growth and proliferation.

Conclusion & Significance: S. alata extract showed the effect on metastasis inhibition in SW1353 treated-cells. In addition, S. alata extract could inhibit cell growth and proliferation via mediator proteins, ERK1/2 and Akt. These finding could be useful in the development of S. alata extract to be a metastasis inhibition agent.

Biography:

Yan Zhu has her expertise in pre-clinically reproductive pharmacology research and devoted to improve application of contraceptives for ameliorating gynecological diseases. She has received her PhD degree at Fudan University, China and studied as a Visiting Scholar at University of British Columbia, Canada. She is the PI of Lab of Reproductive Pharmacology and National Health Commission Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, and she is the current Council Member of Chinese Pharmacological Society and the Director of the professional committee of Reproductive Pharmacology. She has published more than 90 scientific papers in Chinese journals and international journals indexed by SCI. She has received several grants from Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, and two of research projects were awarded 3rd prize by the Nation National Health Commission of China.

Abstract:

Endometrial cancer (EC) has been one of most common gynecological malignancies in western countries, and in China as well. Hysterectomy is a primary treatment but not suitable for patients who desire to preserve fertility and with advanced or recurrent disease. Several clinically used progestins showed different response rates for patients with different pathological types and stages and varied greatly (11-56%), especially in recurrent or advanced patients. Here, we investigated the inhibitory effect of several progestins, including nomegestrol acetate (NOMAC), medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), levonorgestrel, cyproterone and drospirenone on various types of EC cells. NOMAC, a highly selective 19-nor progestogen derivative, equally suppressed the growth of RL95-2, Hec1A and AN3CA cells and showed stronger activity than the other progestins in Hec 1A cells. In vivo, NOMAC decreased the growth of ectopic endometria in a rat model and produced a stronger inhibition on the growth of xenograft tumor of nude mice borne RL95-2 cell lines than MPA did, and the inhibition rates for 50,100, and 200 mg/kg NOMAC were 24.74%, 47.04% and 58.06%, respectively, and for 100 and 200 mg/kg MPA were 41.06% and 27.01%, respectively. When equal dose of NOMAC and metformin were combined (100mg/kg, respectively), the tumor volume inhibitory rate were increased by approximately 8% and 10% compared with metformin used alone in Hec1A and RL95-2 cells, respectively. Additionally, NOMAC induced apoptosis of RL95-2 and Hec 1A EC cells and arrested cell cycle at phase of Go/G1 and impeded the protein expression and the activity of mTOR and its downstream genes, such as 4EBP1 and eIF4G, but not influence the activity of Akt. Furthermore, when combining NOMAC and metformin, the activities of mTOR, 4EBP1 and eIF4G were more strongly suppressed, comparing with metformin used alone in Hec1A and RL95-2 cells. It suggests that NOMAC may have a potential ability against the growth of EC, which effect may associate with suppressing mTOR signaling, and metformin could enhance the effect in some degree.

Biography:

Magda Mohamed Sultan has completed her MD in Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Oncology in the National Cancer Institute at Cairo University in 1992. She was the Head of the Hematology Department of Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt for eight years from 2007-2015. She is an Emeritus Professor in the institute, teaching for doctors and master degrees students and she is the Head of Hematology Department at Alborg Lab in Alexandria since 1996. She has published more than 25 papers and she is Arbitrator for many thesis and many published papers.

Abstract:

The development of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) secondary to treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a common finding. In the literature we found some cases diagnosed with MDS and NHL simultaneously, other cases were first diagnosed as MDS with low risk IPSS and were managed only with an observational program and then they developed NHL later on with interval ranging from 5 month to 4 years. T-cell lymphoma has a higher incidence of coexistence with MDS compared to B-NHL. We are presenting a case of co-existing de novo myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) prior to therapy diagnosed by bone marrow aspiration, bone marrow trephine biopsy, immunophenotyping and immunohistochemistry.

Biography:

Manuela Andrea Hoffmann is a Supervisory Center for Medical Radiation Protection, Bundeswehr Medical Service Headquarters, and Koblenz, Germany

Abstract:

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. Several retrospective studies indicate that ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA-PET/CT shows a superior detection capability compared with standard-of-care imaging, for detection of recurrent PCa and metastases. We evaluated the efficiency of this method to detect primary PCa with clinically relevant aggressive potential for guiding biopsy as well as surgery or radiotherapy.

Methods: Twenty-five patients with suspected PCa, based on an increased PSA level, were included in our study. Full-body scans were conducted 60 minutes after ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA-11 injection. The radioligands’ uptake was quantified as maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max). A prostate biopsy was performed in all patients. The results of PET/CT scans were compared with the histopathological results of the biopsy (defined as Gleason Score, GS).

Results: In 21 of 25 patients (84%), ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT detected prostatic lesions suspected of being malignant (using a cut off-level of SUV_max>2.5). PCa with a GS≥6 (low-grade and high-grade carcinoma) was confirmed by biopsy in all 21 cases. All high-grade PCa lesions (defined by GS≥7b as high-grade and ≤7a as low-grade cancer) showed a SUV_max>12.0, which continued to increase with rising GS. The optimal cut off-level to distinguish GS≤7a versus GS≥7b was determined by ROC analysis. A SUV_max of 5.4 was the optimal cut off-value (AUC=0.9692; 95% CI 0.9086; 1.000000; SD(AUC)=0.0309). Choosing this value, ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT was able to distinguish between low- and high-grade PCa with a sensitivity of 84%, a specificity of 100%, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 67%, and an efficiency of 88% (p<0.001).

Conclusion: ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT is a valuable imaging modality for the detection of primary PCa with a high efficiency for identifying clinically relevant aggressive cancer lesions and could help guiding biopsy and influence treatment decisions e.g. surgery or radiotherapy.

Biography:

Hala K Sultan is a Professor of Hematology. She has completed Graduation from Alexandria University in 1984, Master’s degree in Clinical Hematology from Faculty of Medicine at the same University in 1990 and MD degree in Benign and Malignant Hematology from Hematology department, Medical Research Institute in 1998. She has been working as a Hematologist in the same department, currently the Head of the department since 2018. She has been involved in teaching and clinical research, supervised more than 25 master and MD theses and she has about 20 publications in various international and national journals.

Abstract:

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is an environment-dependent hematologic malignancy where interactions with accessory cells through cytokines and their receptors seem to confer a survival advantage, thus contributing to disease progression. Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is a T-cell-derived cytokine that promotes cell proliferation and survival through interaction with its receptor IL-22RA1. NKT cells mount strong antitumor responses and are a major focus in developing effective cancer immunotherapy. The functional consequences of CD1d expression on tumor cells are not well understood. However, increasing evidence suggests that they may affect invariant NKT cells. The aim of this work was to study the expression of CD1d and interleukin 22 level in patients with CLL in relation to disease characteristics. This study was conducted on 40 CLL patients diagnosed in the MRI Hematology Department as well as ten age and sex matched controls. The mean expression of CD1d was significantly lower among CLL patients in comparison to the control group (12.14 vs. 26.60%). IL-22 showed significantly higher mean value among CLL patients compared to the control group (47.01 vs.10.64 pg/ml). Significantly higher mean values were observed among positive ZAP-70 expressing patients regarding the CD1d % (18.15 vs. 0.96 %) and IL-22 (51.94vs. 37.83 pg/ml).The ROC curve showed that CD1d % and IL-22 level could be used as a sensitive indicator for positive ZAP-70 state, where the area under the curve was statistically highly significant (AUC=0.780, p=0.004), (AUC=0.809 p=0.001). Expression of CD1d % showed statistically significant positive correlation to ZAP-70 and IL-22 level. Serum IL-22 level showed statistically significant positive correlation to ZAP-70. Our findings strongly recommend the incorporation of CD1d expression and IL22 level into routine B- CLPDs panels.

Biography:

Lecio Leonardo Luvezuti is a Medical Physicist who has been working on the field of radiotherapy for almost four years in Curitiba, Brazil. The work presented here is a term paper he developed for his Residency program at National Institute of Cancer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Through this study, we intend to establish strategies to be adopted in modulated techniques for esophageal cancer, besides obtaining preliminary results to delineate future clinical studies

Abstract:

The objective of this study was to compare three techniques of radiotherapy treatments, with correction of heterogeneities, in seven patients diagnosed with distal esophageal cancer: IMRT with seven co-planar fields evenly distributed at equal intervals, VMAT composed of two arcs of 359.8º and 3DCRT with four co-planar fields (two antero-posterior and two oblique). This study is retrospective and evaluated the treatments regarding PTV coverage, Paddick conformity index, monitor units, heterogeneity index and dose-volume parameters in organs at risk. The IMRT and VMAT plans reduced the irradiated lung volume with the 20 Gy dose (V₂₀^lung) and, consequently, the mean dose in the lung (D_lung). The mean reductions with the IMRT and VMAT techniques in relation to 3DCRT for V₂₀^lung were, respectively, 5.69% and 5.72%. Regarding the parameter (D_lung), the reduction was of 1.59 Gy and 1.26 Gy, respectively. The IMRT and VMAT techniques also showed better dose conformity values in the target volume. There was a significant dose reduction in critical organs (spinal cord and heart) in relation to 3DCRT plans. Thus, the lung volume exposed to radiation can be reduced with IMRT and VMAT and the dose prescribed and the dose prescribed for this type of treatment can be escalated, but future clinical studies that confirm this hypothesis are still necessary.

Biography:

Abstract:

Objective: To evaluate whether the combination of Breast Imaging Report And Data System (BI-RADS) and CEUS prediction models can optimize BI-RADS 4 and 5 lesions by reducing unnecessary needle biopsy.

Method: 1197 breast lesions provided by 8 centers were examined by conventional ultrasound (CUS) and CEUS before core needle biopsy or surgery. The enrolled BI-RADS 4 and 5 lesions were evaluated and categorized by two independent physicians groups which included the examination group and the reading group in each center using 6 prediction models. The malignant lesions and precancerous lesions were defined as biopsy lesions while benign lesions were defined as follow-up lesions according to histopathological results. The diagnostic efficacy of the categories given by each group was compared. The BI-RADS 4A lesions were combined with the prediction model alone to observe its diagnostic value for biopsy lesions.

Results: The category given by examination group achieved the highest diagnostic performance and its area under the curve (AUC) was 0.84 in predicting biopsy lesions. Within all 4A lesions, some were redefined as follow-up category when they were consistent with benign models while others were redefined as biopsy category when they were consistent with malignant models. Then 80.17% of specificity and 94.50% of NPV in predicting biopsy lesions were achieved and the unnecessary biopsy rate was reduced (from 81.09% to 51.52%) on a base of lower risk of malignancy(from 18.91% to 5.5%).

Conclusions: Multicenter studies have confirmed CEUS prediction model can assist BI-RADS to improve its diagnostic value and reduce the unnecessary biopsy rate.

Key words: BI-RADS, Contrast-enhanced ultrasound, Prediction model, Biopsy rate, Breast cancer

Biography:

Ashraf Osman Abdellatif Mohamed has his expertise in the field of Microbiology and Immunology and he has published eight papers in reputed journals. Currently, he works on developing new strategies in fighting infectious diseases and cancer by using natural compounds.

Abstract:

Background: Tea tree oil (TTO) is an essential oil obtained by steam distillation from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia. This oil has traditionally been used for the treatment of various skin infections.

Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effects of TTO against two representative types of human skin cancer, namely malignant melanoma (A-375) and squamous cell carcinoma (HEp-2).

Materials & Methods: To outline the basic molecular mechanisms involved in apoptosis induction in A-375 and HEp-2 cell lines, Annexin V/PI staining for apoptosis detection, cell cycle analysis were monitored using flow cytometry and mRNA expression levels of the apoptosis-regulatory genes P53, BAX, and BCL-2 were determined by real-time PCR and western blot after treatment with TTO.

Results: Results showed that TTO exhibited a strong cytotoxicity towards A-375 and HEp-2 cell lines, with IC₅₀ values of 0.038% (v/v) and 0.024% (v/v) respectively. This cytotoxicity resulted from TTO induced apoptosis in both A-375 and HEp-2 cell lines as evidenced by morphological features of apoptosis and Annexin V/PI staining results in addition to the activation of caspase- 3/7 and -9, upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes (P53 and BAX) and downregulation of the anti-apoptotic gene BCL-2. Additionally, cell cycle analysis showed that TTO caused cell cycle arrest mainly at G2/M phase.

Conclusions: Taken together, the results of this study reveal that TTO is an effective apoptosis inducer in A-375 and HEp-2 cancer cell lines, indicating that it could be a promising chemopreventive candidate to be used in topical formulations against melanoma and squamous cell cancers; however, further in vivo studies may be warranted.

Biography:

Neelum Aziz Yousaf-zai has completed her PhD in Oncology from Zhejiang University, China. Her expertise in cancer diagnosis and therapy development approaches to improving human health. Her open and contextual evaluation model based on responsive constructivists creates new pathways for improving healthcare. She has great experience in research, clinical, teaching and administration, both in hospital and education institutions. She has published several research articles in well-known journals and delivered talks on national and international forum. Her areas of interest are oncology, molecular biology, immunology, biotechnology, pathology and genetics.

Abstract:

Chemoresistance is one of the most important challenges in the clinical management of lung cancer. SIRT1 is a NAD dependent protein deacetylase and implicated in diverse cellular processes such as DNA damage repair and cancer progression. SIRT1 is upregulated in chemoresistant lung cancer cells, genetic knockdown or chemical inhibition of SIRT1 reversed chemoresistance by enhancing DNA damage and apoptosis activation, accompanied with XRCC1 degradation. E3 ligase β-TrCP catalyzed the poly-ubiquitination of XRCC1 to promote its proteasome-dependent degradation. SIRT1 bound and deacetylated XRCC1 at lysine K260, K298 and K431, preventing it from β-TrCP-dependent ubiquitination. Mutations of these three lysine sites in XRCC1 abrogated the interaction with β-TrCP and prolonged the half-life of XRCC1 protein. Here we describes SIRT1 confers chemoresistance to lung cancer cells by deacetylating and stabilizing XRCC1. Therefore, targeting SIRT1 might be a new strategy to manage the chemoresistance of lung cancer, and probably other cancers.

Biography:

Fatma Abouelkasem has expertise in lung cancer especially malignant pleural mesothelioma. She has many published papers in lung cancer. She is a member of Thoracic Committee at National Cancer Institute , Cairo University, Egypt. She is a member of Egyptian Socity of Respiratory Neoplasms. And she is a reviewer in Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer prevention (APJCP)

Abstract:

Introduction: MPM is extremely aggressive and has a long-latency period. Hence, detected at advanced stages resulting in an unfavorable prognosis(1-2years). However, MPM prognosis has been improving over the past few years with availability of better diagnostic and treatment regimens.

Purpose:

We aim to compare clinic-pathologic characteristics of old-MPM cases referred to National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Cairo university between( 2000-2003)and new MPM cases(2012-2015). Pearson's Chi(X²)and Fisher's Exact t-tests were used for statistical analysis.

Results:

1) Old cohort (n=100):100 patients were encountered. Median age was 46 years. Males were 59% of cases. 30% has ECOG-PS1. Asbestos exposure in 74cases. 44cases were smokers, 25cases were industrial-workers. Family history was positive in 12cases. Dyspnea in 92cases, chest pain in 83% and effusion in all cases, pleural thickening in 80%, tracheal shift to the opposite-side in 23%, Epithelioid subtype represented 46.6%. Pathological T2 represented 34%. 2) New cohort (n=194):194 patients were encountered. Median age was 53 years (range; 15-76). Males and females were nearly equally distributed. Pathological subtypes were epithelioid, biphasic and sarcomatoid in 63.4, 24.7 and 11.8% respectively. Right-sided lesions were evident in nearly two-thirds of the cases. Pleural thickening was nodular in 131(69.7%) cases. Inter-lobar fissure was thickened in 29.4%. Mediastinal Pleura was affected in 37.1%. Nearly, half of our cases had effusion. Ossification & calcification were detected in 8(4.1%) cases.

CONCLUSIONS:

By comparing both groups, we found that more lymph node involvement(N+), less metastasis(M+),older median age, more females, more epithelial subtype, less pleural effusion presentation, more pleural thickening and OS (p< 0.001) were detected in group 2(new cases)  reflecting better staging ( mediastinoscopy & PET-CT),early detection, more incidence in females and better treatment modalities.

Biography:

Dr. Tarang Krishna is a distinguished and acclaimed physician who has made immense contribution in the field of cancer treatment. A well known and a fabled personality in healthcare, Dr. Tarang Krishna has successfully treated thousands of patients over a span of 18 years. Dr. Krishna completed his MD and thereafter went on to do his PhD from University of London. His aim is to promote and spread the awareness of the benefits of immunotherapy to maximum number of people. He has been appreciated and awarded several times by the Government of India as well as by International Organizations.

Abstract:

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. World Health Organization estimated the number of diagnosed breast cancer cases at approximately 2.1 million in 2018. This equals to about 11.6% of the total cancer incidence burden. Globally, the incidence rates of breast cancer are much higher as compared to other cancers. Such high prevalence of breast cancer calls for an effective treatment that is able to resolve the condition permanently. Although the best form of resolution is early diagnosis but an assured treatment should be sought as most of the cases get detected in advanced stages. Most of the patients undergo surgery which is coupled with either adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy and in some cases radiotherapy. The potential side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy make them a non viable option. The treatments of hormone therapy and targeted therapy are also not devoid of side effects. The treatment should be such, which relieves the ailment of the patient rather than augmenting it. Another form of treatment that has emerged to treat various forms of cancer including breast cancer is immunotherapy and it is still in the stage of clinical trials.  Many studies have been conducted in relation to the treatment of metastatic breast cancer with conventional immunotherapy but the possibility of emergence of alternate effects has also not been entirely ruled out. This case report aims to establish the efficacy of oral immunotherapy treatment in a patient of metastatic breast cancer in terms of the following: 1) Relieving the patient of her presenting complaints. 2) Removing the evidence of the disease completely from the body without any side effects. 3) Ruling out relapse of the disease. 4) Ensuring a normal life to the patient.

Biography:

Junting Huang is a Postgraduate at Xi’an Jiaotong University, majoring in Cancer and Rehabilitation Nursing. She as the second author has published eleven articles, and they have been included in China National Knowledge Interest (CNKI), such as “the Study of Health Behavior and Self-efficacy in Patients with Breast Cancer” and “Influence of Humanistic Nursing Intervention on Quality of Life of Patients with Breast Cancer Radiotherapy” etc. In addition, she has taken part in many academic conferences about cancer research with her tutor. She is very interested in cancer treatment and research, especially breast cancer patients.

Abstract:

State of the Problem: Among cancer patients, 52.7% endure clinically significant cancer-related fatigue (CRF), the most distressing symptom correlated with the disease process and anti-cancer treatments. CRF significantly deteriorates the quality of life (QOL) of both cancer patients and their families, including their confidence in conquering cancer. Therefore, management of CRF is an urgent need. However, exact and effective pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies for the management of CRF are lacking. The purpose of this meta-analysis was performed to critically evaluate the effectiveness of bright light therapy (BLT) in CRF management and thereby reach a more convincing conclusion with respect to light therapy for CRF.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Eight databases (Cochrane Library, Ovid, Web of Science, Medline, Embase, CBM, CNKI, and Wanfang) were systematically searched to identify randomized controlled trails (RCTs) that investigated the effects of BLT on CRF from inception to December 2018. Two reviewers independently assessed the risk of bias using Cochrane Collaboration criteria and extracted correlated data using the designed form. All analyses were performed with Review Manager 5.2.3.

Findings: Two RCTs, including patients 120 (white bright light group, 65; dim red light group, 55), meeting the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis were identified. And they were assessed as being of low risk for bias. BLT had a marked effect on fatigue in cancer patients, particularly among breast cancer patients. We also evaluated the effect of BLT on cancer patients by the reduction of fatigue symptom (SMD=-1.5; 95% CI= [-2.02, -0.16]). Adverse events didn’t been reported in two trials.

Conclusion & Significance: BLT is effective for CRF management and should be recommended as a beneficial alternative therapy for CRF patients, particularly for breast cancer patients. Studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the curative effect of BLT in the future.

Biography:

Jehad Zweiri is a Lecturer in Cancer studies at the University of Liverpool Medical School, and received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Jordan in 1990. He has obtained his Master’s degree from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine/University of London, and then obtained his PhD degree from Kings College Medical School/University of London in the field of Immune Gene Therapy of Cancer under the supervision of Professor Farzin Farzaneh in 2000. He then started his work as Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Immunology and Medicine at the University of Liverpool in 2002. He was appointed as a Lecturer in the University of Liverpool Medical School in 2010. Currently, he is a Fellow of the British Higher Education Academy since 2012.

Abstract:

Cellular based therapeutic approaches for cancer rely on careful consideration of finding the optimal cell to execute the cellular goal of cancer treatment. Cell lines and primary cell cultures have been used in some studies to compare the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of autologous vs allogeneic tumour cell vaccines. This study examines the effect of g-irradiation on a range of tumor cell lines in conjunction with suicide gene therapy of cancer. To determine the efficacy of this modality, a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted using genetically modified and unmodified tumor cell lines. Following co-culture of HSV-TK modified tumor cells and unmodified tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo we observed that the PA-STK ovarian tumor cells were sensitive to g-irradiation, completely abolishing their ability to induce bystander killing of unmodified tumor cells. In contrast, TK-modified human and mouse mesothelioma cells were found to retain their in vitro and in vivo bystander killing effect after g-irradiation. Characterisation of tumor cell death showed that PA-STK cells underwent pyknosis (necrosis) after g-irradiation. These results suggest that PA-STK cells are not suitable for clinical application of suicide gene therapy of cancer, as lethal g-irradiation (100Gy) interferes with their bystander killing activity. However, the human mesothelioma cell line CRL-5830-TK retained its bystander killing potential after exposure to similarly lethal g-irradiation (100Gy). CRL-5830 may therefore be a suitable vehicle for HSV-TK suicide gene therapy. This study highlights the diversity among tumor cell lines and the careful considerations needed to find the optimal tumor cell line for this type of whole cell tumour vaccination.

Biography:

Abstract:

Topicality: Treatment of oncological patients and getting clinical remission is an unfortunate topic even for the 21st century; despite the correctly selected therapy, which gives minimal risks of complications because of the chemo sensitive tests, there are important problems connected with the quality of life of patients and naturally we ask questions to ourselves: How could we manage to increase the quality of life in oncological patients on the 3rd and 4th levels and decrease the number of the side effects that accompany  Ch/therapy and R/therapy procedures.

Aim: The aim of the study was the patient with a 32-year diagnosis: Hodgkin's lymphoma, nodular sclerosis; Thigh bone MTS, 3rd stage; 3rd class group; R/therapy and CH/therapy; ECOG-2; pancytopenia with pain syndrome R-CHOP and 4 courses conducted by BEACOPP schemes; Clinical remission was not achieved; Symptoms of progression of the hip fracture were strengthened, and the institution was addressed with the aforementioned history.

Methods & Materials: For the patient was selected CH/course; the GEMOX scheme and recommended to strengthen the course effectiveness, weaken toxicity and to improve the quality of life recommended for the treatment CH/therapy with hyperthermia and hypoglycemia; For this procedure, a hyper thermic camera was installed, where the procedure is carried out at 43-48 degrees Celsius, and we have a sugar content of 25-30000 per one 40-45 mm / l in the bloodstream with the following doses: -1500 mg, Oxaliplatin -150 mg

Results: Only 2 courses were conducted with the patient with a CH/therapy hyperthermia. During the treatment the patient did not have any clinical remission was only reached in 2 courses, the patient was active and ECOG-4.

Conclusion: So, we managed to get maximal results through high-tech hyper thermic chemotherapy, patient's clinical remission and this was without any side effects. Increased the quality of life; From ECOG-2 to ECOG-4; We recommend giving a hyper thermic chemotherapy in oncological patients at 3rd and 4th stage, which is a firm guarantee of increasing their quality of life

Biography:

Professor (Emeritus) Shraga Shany is a faculty member at the department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology at the Faculty of Health Sciences in Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. He was graduated at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His main research interest is in the field of vitamin D. His studies and publications include the topics of vitamin D status and metabolism in uremia, in rickets, in fracture healing and in the elderly. Shany's research includes uncovering the effects of vitamin D on the immune system, emphasizing the auto-paracrine mode of action of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in Inflammatory cells. Recently, professor Shany's studies are concentrated on the anti-carcinogenic activities of the active metabolite vitamin D, and of its analogs, alone, and in combination with other drugs and Radiotherapy. Professor shany has more than 140 peer reviewed publications with more than 3000 citations. Professor Shany is teaching clinical and basic biochemistry in the school of medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, at Ben Gurion University.

Abstract:

Ionizing Radiotherapy (IR) is known to be a general effective treatment of cancer including prostate cancer. However, this treatment causes many severe side effects. On the other hand, recent studies demonstrate the anti-carcinogenic activity of the active metabolite of vitamin D, namely 1, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1, 25(OH) 2D3). The aim of this study was to try to develop cancer–sensitizing pretreatments, based on 1, 25(OH)2D3,  that may potentiate the therapeutic effect of IR. Such achievement will allow the use of lower radiation doses and limit its side effects. Toward this aim, we have incubated in vitro prostate cancer cells treated with 1, 25(OH)2D3 alone, or with combination with the anti-carcinogenic drug sodium valporate (VPA) before IR. The results show that while IR alone (4Gy) of DU145 line of prostate cancer cells decreased cell proliferation by 30.6%, IR after pretreatment with 100nM 1, 25(OH)2D3 and 1 mM VPA, efficiently suppressed cell proliferation by 87.9% (p<0.0001). On same time the combined pretreatment increased the DNA double-strand breaks by 58.1%, as compared to 11.8% in radiated cells without the pretreatment (p<0.002). The combined pretreatment enhanced IR induced cell cycle s-phase arrest and cell apoptotic death. These results confirm our hypothesis that pretreatment of prostate cancer cells with 1, 25(OH) 2D3, and specifically in combination with VPA, is highly efficient in potentiating the anti-carcinogenic activity of IR. Using such pretreatments would increase the therapeutic effect of IR and may allow the use of lower doses of IR with less severe side effects.

Biography:

Professor (Emeritus) Shraga Shany is a faculty member at the department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology at the Faculty of Health Sciences in Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. He was graduated at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His main research interest is in the field of vitamin D. His studies and publications include the topics of vitamin D status and metabolism in uremia, in rickets, in fracture healing and in the elderly. Shany's research includes uncovering the effects of vitamin D on the immune system, emphasizing the auto-paracrine mode of action of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in Inflammatory cells. Recently, professor Shany's studies are concentrated on the anti-carcinogenic activities of the active metabolite vitamin D, and of its analogs, alone, and in combination with other drugs and Radiotherapy. Professor shany has more than 140 peer reviewed publications with more than 3000 citations. Professor Shany is teaching clinical and basic biochemistry in the school of medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, at Ben Gurion University.

Abstract:

Ionizing Radiotherapy (IR) is known to be a general effective treatment of cancer including prostate cancer. However, this treatment causes many severe side effects. On the other hand, recent studies demonstrate the anti-carcinogenic activity of the active metabolite of vitamin D, namely 1, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1, 25(OH) 2D3). The aim of this study was to try to develop cancer–sensitizing pretreatments, based on 1, 25(OH)2D3,  that may potentiate the therapeutic effect of IR. Such achievement will allow the use of lower radiation doses and limit its side effects. Toward this aim, we have incubated in vitro prostate cancer cells treated with 1, 25(OH)2D3 alone, or with combination with the anti-carcinogenic drug sodium valporate (VPA) before IR. The results show that while IR alone (4Gy) of DU145 line of prostate cancer cells decreased cell proliferation by 30.6%, IR after pretreatment with 100nM 1, 25(OH)2D3 and 1 mM VPA, efficiently suppressed cell proliferation by 87.9% (p<0.0001). On same time the combined pretreatment increased the DNA double-strand breaks by 58.1%, as compared to 11.8% in radiated cells without the pretreatment (p<0.002). The combined pretreatment enhanced IR induced cell cycle s-phase arrest and cell apoptotic death. These results confirm our hypothesis that pretreatment of prostate cancer cells with 1, 25(OH) 2D3, and specifically in combination with VPA, is highly efficient in potentiating the anti-carcinogenic activity of IR. Using such pretreatments would increase the therapeutic effect of IR and may allow the use of lower doses of IR with less severe side effects.  

Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Lindsay Jaftha is the Assistant Director in Radiation Therapy at Groote Schuur Hospital, Radiation Oncology, Cape Town, South Africa. Her expertise in radiotherapy dates from being qualified since 1998 and working within the public sector, private sector and abroad in the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Currently, she is the Head of the radiation therapists at Groote Schuur Hospital and is passionate about teaching and skills development in Radiotherapy. She has affiliations with Cape Peninsula University through being an alumnus, her involvement in the Department of Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Services Radiography Advisory Board, being a staff and student clinical mentor and research supervisor for Radiotherapy post graduate students.

Abstract:

Purpose: While some parts of the world are progressing to advanced radiotherapy techniques, the basics of access to radiotherapy treatment units, treatment planning systems and dosimetry equipment remains a continuing challenge throughout Africa. The impact of this on lower middle income countries (LMIC) has left a limitation in access and innovation to radiotherapy treatment and planning.

Method & Results: Through enabling a virtual radiotherapy training programme with the Access to Care platform, simple 2D to 3D radiotherapy techniques were taught and visualized by participants. It has provided some of the LMIC radiotherapy centers with improved radiotherapy 3D techniques that allows for better treatment and reduced side effects for patients as normal tissue sparing is realized.

Results: The integrated three weeks course based at Groote Schuur Hospital, in Cape Town, South Africa and with a multidisciplinary approach of Radiation Oncologists (RO), Medical Physicists (MP) and Radiation Therapists (RTT), it has shown results of 25% improvement in the participants understanding of immobilization devices and techniques in a post survey that was done. An improvement of 41% in areas such as localizations and imaging was gained by participants and 3D planning knowledge improved by 30%. The Access to care training programme which is a collaboration between the University of Cape Town, Cape Peninsula University and Varian as well as RTT training at Groote Schuur Hospital, had benefited teams representing neighboring African countries such as Zimbabwe, Ghana, Cameroon, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Libya as well as International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) fellows in Congo, Dominican Republic and Kenya. Surveys done before, during and after the course were instrumental in determining the overall effects and value of the course.

Conclusion: Apart from this current teaching platform at Groote Schuur Hospital, the future initiative is to offer advanced techniques courses which are to be aimed at local South African radiotherapy centre teams.

Biography:

Xiaoying Ma is pursuing her Doctoral degree in Pharmacy in the School of Pharmacy at East China University of Science and Technology. Her current research interests include the study of the mechanism of microRNAs regulating drug target proteins and explore their application in the development of new anticancer drugs based on the methods of cancer stem cell (CSC) sorting. A research model was established to elucidate the mechanism of microRNAs regulation of CSC-driven multidrug resistance and metastasis; preclinical studies of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of colon cancer.

Abstract:

Colon cancer is considered to be the third largest cancer in the world and is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Surgery combined with chemotherapy is the main treatment for colon cancer. Although the survival rate has been improved with the advancement of surgical techniques, tumor metastasis and recurrence still bring poor prognosis to patients. Colon cancer stem cells (CCSCs) refer to cancer cells with stem cell properties, that is, the ability of self-replication and multi-lineage differentiation. Approximately 90% of colon cancers are associated with aberrant activation of the Wnt signaling, and abnormal Wnt signaling plays an important role in maintaining the stemness of cancer stem cells (CSCs). We have previously reported miR-139-5p, an important tumor suppressor, decreases in the clinical colon cancer samples as the tumor malignancy increases. The purpose of this study is to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of recurrent or metastatic colon cancer with miR-139-5p. We sorted CD133+/CD44+ HCT116 and HT-29 by flow cytometer. They are called colon cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs). Experiments showed that both double positive cells presented a strongly activated Wnt signaling. We found that miR-139-5p targets the Wnt/β-catenin downstream effector E2-2 in CSLCs. Meanwhile, E2-2 is a pivot molecule in the negative feedback loop of miR-139-5p/β-catenin/TCF7L2. Its small interfering RNA reverses the stemness maintenance and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of CSLCs. In vitro and in vivo methods combined with clinical samples suggest that E2-2 can be an indicator of the stemness characteristics of colon cancer stem-like cells.

Biography:

Abstract: