Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Carina Mari Aparici
Stanford University School of Medicine, USA
Keynote: Real-time probe-guided intraprocedural biopsies in the world of Theranostics
Time : 09:30-10:10
Biography:
Dr Mari Aparici is a Clinical Professor at Stanford University. She is a Nuclear Molecular Physician with residencies in both Europe (Barcelona) and US (Stanford), and with Molecular imaging fellowships from Stanford University. She is a physician-scientist in the development of Molecular Imaging. She has more than 20 years of clinical and research experience in the field, more than 10 years of a leadership position as Chief Nuclear Medicine at the San Francisco VAMC as part of her prior appointment as a UCSF faculty member, and now as Head of the Theranostics and Nuclear Therapies program at Stanford University. She has published more than 100 papers in reputed journals, has been serving as an editorial board member of reputed journals, has been PI of NIH and non-NIH grants and serves as a member of several to committees at her University and several Societies. as her expertise in evaluation and passion in improving the health and wellbeing. Her open and contextual evaluation model based on responsive constructivists creates new pathways for improving healthcare. She has built this model after years of experience in research, evaluation, teaching and administration both in hospital and education institutions. The foundation is based on fourth generation evaluation (Guba& Lincoln, 1989) which is a methodology that utilizes the previous generations of evaluation: measurement, description and judgment. It allows for value-pluralism. This approach is responsive to all stakeholders and has a different way of focusing.
Abstract:
The clinical management of lesions suspicious for malignancy relies not only on diagnosis of benign versus malignant potential but also tumor grading, immunohistochemical and genetic information. Pathological analysis remains the gold standard for definite diagnosis. Hence, a carefully performed biopsy with low risk of complication is crucial. Compared to open biopsy, image-guided biopsies are minimally invasive and confer several advantages including low morbidity, low complication rate and cost savings. FDG-PET/CT has shown higher diagnostic accuracy than conventional imaging CT in characterizing tumor in initial staging, treatment response evaluation and follow-up. PET/CT guided biopsies may allow early histologic diagnosis and staging before morphologic changes are evident. PET/CT biopsy can therefore rule out/in malignancy in early stage of disease and re-stage different types of cancer. Non-real-time PET/CT biopsies have used the image co-registration of a prior PET with an intraprocedural CT. However, this method is inaccurate in time and space, takes long time and requires special software. The aim of this study is to report the initial experience of utilizing the real-time intraprocedural PET/CT guided biopsies, including feasibility and technical requirements.
Keynote Forum
Olivier E Pardo
Imperial College London, UK
Keynote: Resistance to tyrosine kinase-targeted therapy in lung cancer: Autophagy and metabolic changes
Time : 10:10-10:50
Biography:
Olivier E Pardo has completed his Graduation from the Faculty of Pharmacy Paris-V, France where he was awarded a Doctorate in Industrial Pharmacy in 1997; PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Imperial College-London in 2002 and Post-doctoral experience in the laboratory of Prof. Julian Downward at the CRUK-London Research Institute where he worked on the regulation of apoptotic cell death and cell migration. He created the Cellular Regulatory Networks lab at Imperial College, Department of Surgery and Cancer in 2006. His team focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying chemo-resistance and metastasis in lung and other cancers.
Abstract:
Lung cancer is the commonest cancer killer worldwide. Tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKI) are novel agents in the treatment of this cancer. However, their efficacy is impaired by the rapid development of drug-resistance. Here, we discuss resistance to the first-generation EGFR inhibitors (eg. Erlotinib and SRC inhibitors eg. Dasatinib). The principal mechanism of resistance to first-generation EGFR inhibitors is the appearance of the T790M receptor mutation. Our metabolomics analysis revealed that resistance is associated with decreased cellular levels of glutathione (GSH), a direct consequence of the T790M mutation. This occurred because of decreased SQSTM1/NRF2-mediated transcription of GSH synthesizing enzymes in cell lines and clinical samples with T790M-EGFR. Increasing GSH levels in resistant cells re-sensitizes these to first-generation EGFR inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. As clinically-relevant compounds exist to achieve this, our finding may have profound therapeutic and economic consequences. Src family kinases (SFK) are commonly over-expressed/hyperactivated in lung cancer. However, despite their on-target efficacy, SRC inhibitors have failed to prevent tumour growth and improve patients’ survival in multiple clinical trials. Here we show that this failure is associated with the induction of autophagy in treated cells that prevents these compounds from triggering apoptosis. Targeting autophagy, either genetically or using our novel small-molecule inhibitor, C1A, sensitizes lung cancer cell lines to Dasatinib both in vitro and in vivo by unlocking the apoptotic response. These findings propose new combinational therapeutic strategies that could resurrect the use of SRC inhibitors in the treatment of lung cancer.
Keynote Forum
Olivier E Pardo
Imperial College London, UK
Keynote: Resistance to tyrosine kinase-targeted therapy in lung cancer: Autophagy and metabolic changes
Time : 10:10-10:50
Biography:
Olivier E Pardo has completed his Graduation from the Faculty of Pharmacy Paris-V, France where he was awarded a Doctorate in Industrial Pharmacy in 1997; PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Imperial College-London in 2002 and Post-doctoral experience in the laboratory of Prof. Julian Downward at the CRUK-London Research Institute where he worked on the regulation of apoptotic cell death and cell migration. He created the Cellular Regulatory Networks lab at Imperial College, Department of Surgery and Cancer in 2006. His team focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying chemo-resistance and metastasis in lung and other cancers.
Abstract:
Lung cancer is the commonest cancer killer worldwide. Tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKI) are novel agents in the treatment of this cancer. However, their efficacy is impaired by the rapid development of drug-resistance. Here, we discuss resistance to the first-generation EGFR inhibitors (eg. Erlotinib and SRC inhibitors eg. Dasatinib). The principal mechanism of resistance to first-generation EGFR inhibitors is the appearance of the T790M receptor mutation. Our metabolomics analysis revealed that resistance is associated with decreased cellular levels of glutathione (GSH), a direct consequence of the T790M mutation. This occurred because of decreased SQSTM1/NRF2-mediated transcription of GSH synthesizing enzymes in cell lines and clinical samples with T790M-EGFR. Increasing GSH levels in resistant cells re-sensitizes these to first-generation EGFR inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. As clinically-relevant compounds exist to achieve this, our finding may have profound therapeutic and economic consequences. Src family kinases (SFK) are commonly over-expressed/hyperactivated in lung cancer. However, despite their on-target efficacy, SRC inhibitors have failed to prevent tumour growth and improve patients’ survival in multiple clinical trials. Here we show that this failure is associated with the induction of autophagy in treated cells that prevents these compounds from triggering apoptosis. Targeting autophagy, either genetically or using our novel small-molecule inhibitor, C1A, sensitizes lung cancer cell lines to Dasatinib both in vitro and in vivo by unlocking the apoptotic response. These findings propose new combinational therapeutic strategies that could resurrect the use of SRC inhibitors in the treatment of lung cancer.
Keynote Forum
Mallinath Gidaganti
Manipal hospitals, India
Keynote: Percutaneous repair technique of acute closed traumatic tendo-achilles rupture using suture anchors and fibre wire
Time : 11:10-11:50
Biography:
Dr. Mallinath G has done his MBBS from Mysore Medical College, Mysore University, and Karnataka, India and pursued his MS in Orthopaedic All India Institute of Medical Sciences [AIIMS]. He had done his fellowship in Joint Replacement from AIIMS. Currently he is a Senior Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon in Manipal Hospitals Bangalore. His areas of Interest are Knee Surgery, Hip Surgery, knee and shoulder Arthroscopy. Experienced in Spine surgery and Arthroscopy and also has an experience of 4 years in teaching for both the Undergraduates and Postgraduates at AIIMS.
Abstract:
Introduction: Achilles tendon is the strongest and thickest tendon in the human body, which takes its name Achilles, from Homer’s Iliad. Incidence rate of these ruptures range from 6 to 18 per 100000 populations. Several operative and nonoperative treatment options are available. Operative repair of Achilles tendon ruptures leads to improved early outcomes, in terms of length, strength, functional activities and reduced tendon elongation compared to non-operative treatment.
Operative methods include percutaneous, mini-open and open Achilles repair. Open repairs carry an increased risk of wound healing problems, whereas minimally invasive techniques are reported to have an increased risk of iatrogenic nerve injury.
Materials & Methods: Twenty patients with acute closed traumatic Tendo-Achilles rupture were operated using above mentioned technique between January 2010 to June 2017 in Bangalore out of which 15 were males and 5 were females. Patient was put on anterior below knee slab in plantar fl exion of the foot for 2 weeks followed by walking below knee cast for 4 weeks. Patients were followed up at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year following surgery and complications if any were observed. Postoperative AOFAS ankle-hind foot score was taken at last follow up.
Results: Percutaneous Tendo-Achilles repair has a good outcome in 90% of the cases. Th ere were two cases with complications. One case was with surgical site infection at one of the puncture sites and the other was sural nerve hypoesthesia. Th e average AOFAS score was 89% (76-92) in which 65% (13) were considered excellent, 25% (5) were considered good and 10% (02) were considered fair outcome. Th ere were no re-ruptures.
Discussions: Th ere have been many advances in percutaneous and mini open repairs of Tendo-Achilles tear to reduce the risk of complications. In the technique described here, distal bony fi xation is achieved with the use of suture anchors reducing the number of suture-tendon interfaces which in turn reduces the chance of failure. Th e study also discusses about the risks and methods to avoid iatrogenic nerve injury and measure the outcome using AOFAS ankle-hind foot score at one year follow up.
Conclusion: We present our technique of percutaneous Tendo-Achilles repair which has minimal wound and nerve injury complications and early return to activities with a good functional outcome.
- Cancer Therapy | Cancer Biomarkers | Radiation Oncology | Medical Imaging | Cancer Genetics
Location: Bleriot 1
Chair
Olivier E Pardo
Imperial College London, UK
Session Introduction
Junting Huang
Xi’an Jiaotong University, China
Title: Ameliorate effects of bright light therapy on cancer-related fatigue: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Time : 11:50-12:10
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.
Jehad Zweiri
University of Liverpool-Medical School, UK
Title: The impact of γ-irradiation on the induction of bystander killing by genetically engineered ovarian tumor cells: Implications for clinical use of cancer vaccines
Time : 12:10-12:30
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.
Sophie Badzgaradze
Medical Center-Sarov, Georgia
Title: Increasing the quality of life with hyperthermia in oncological patients
Time : 12:30-12:50
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
Shraga Shany
Ben Gurion University, Israel
Title: Pretreatment of prostate cancer cells with the active metabolite of vitamin D and sodium valporate enhances the effect of ionizing radiation
Time : 14:00-14:20
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.
Shraga Shany
Ben Gurion University, Israel
Title: Pretreatment of prostate cancer cells with the active metabolite of vitamin D and sodium valporate enhances the effect of ionizing radiation
Time : 14:00-14:20
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.
Shraga Shany
Ben Gurion University, Israel
Title: Pretreatment of prostate cancer cells with the active metabolite of vitamin D and sodium valporate enhances the effect of ionizing radiation
Biography:
Abstract:
Lindsay Jaftha
Groote Schuur Hospital, South Africa
Title: Empowering Africa from 2D to 3D radiotherapy techniques through the access to care virtual teaching platform
Time : 14:20-14:40
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.
Xiaoying Ma
East China University of Science and Technology School of Pharmacy, China
Title: MiR-139-5p reverses stemness maintenance and metastasis of colon cancer stemlike cells by targeting E2-2
Time : 14:40-15:00
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.
Lindsay Jaftha
Groote Schuur Hospital, South Africa