Day 3 :
Keynote Forum
George Vasmatzise
Mayo Clinic, USA
Keynote: Tumor genomic sequencing to guide treatment
Biography:
George Vasmatzis, PhD, is the Co-Director of the Biomarker Discovery Program within the Center for Individualized Medicine. In addition to earning a Doctorate in Biomedical Engineering, he has acquired experience in diverse disciplines, including bioinformatics, molecular biology and computational biology. His research team consists of bioinformatics specialists, molecular biologists, epidemiologists and pathologists.
Abstract:
Identification of key genetic mutations in tumors can be exploited to prescribe treatments specifically targeted to those mutations. Tumors harbor many mutations/rearrangements, and it is not clear which mutation or combination of mutations is most critical. We have developed an integrated approach that combines genomic analytics and experimental validation to provide precise treatment options to patients that fail standard of care. Tumors are interrogated by a combination of MPseq, RNAseq and WES. MPseq is a process that provides a detailed description of all DNA rearrangements at a resolution that can show how individual genes are disturbed thus providing necessary novel insight for correct clinical interpretation. The potential detection of targetable rearrangements and mutations cross-validated by RNAseq provides relatively robust evidence that the associated pathways are targetable. Related drugs can then be validated experimentally in 3D-culture model systems, termed microtumors. The combination of the above processes could provide reasonable indication to oncologists to act.
Keynote Forum
Sergey Suchkov
I M Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Russia
Keynote: Ab-proteases as unique biomarkers and biopredictors to monitor chronic inflammation of autoimmune origin at subclinical and clinical stages
Biography:
S Suchkov MD, PhD, graduated from Astrakhan State Medical University and was awarded with MD, in 1980. In 1985, he did his PhD at I M Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy and Institute of Medical Enzymology. In 2001, he did his Doctor degree at the National Institute of Immunology, Russia. From 1989 to 1995, he served as Head of the Lab of Clinical Immunology, Helmholtz Eye Research Institute in Moscow. From 1995 to 2004, he was a Chair of the Dept. for Clinical Immunology, Moscow Clinical Research Institute (MONIKI). In 1993-1996, he was a Secretary-in-Chief of the Editorial Board of the Biomedical Science- an international journal published jointly by the USSR Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society of Chemistry, UK. At present, he is a Professor, Chair for the Dept. for Personalized and Translational Medicine, I M Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University and Dept. of Clinical Immunology, A I Evdokimov Moscow State Medical and Dental University; the Secretary General of United Cultural Convention (UCC), Cambridge, UK. He is an Author of more than 500 publications including 10 patents and more than 10 monographs, handbooks and textbooks published in Russia and USA. He is an Editorial Board Member of Open Journal of Immunology, EPMA J, American J of Cardiovascular Research and Personalized Medicine Universe.
Abstract:
Abs against myelin basic protein (MBP), cardiac myosine (CM) and thyroid Ags (TPO, T3 and T4) endowing with proteolytic activity (Ab-proteases) are of great value to monitor chronic autoimmune inflammation and to thus illustrate the evolution of either of the above-mentioned autoimmune disorders. Ab-proteases from MS, AIM and AIT patients exhibited specific proteolytic cleavage of MBP, CM and thyroid Ags (T3, T3, TPO), respectively The activity of the Ab-proteases markedly differs between: (i) the patients and healthy controls, and (ii) different clinical courses, to predict transformation prior to changes of the clinical course. The activity of Ab-proteases was first registered at the subclinical stages 1-5 years (regardless to type of the disorder) prior to the clinical illness. Some (12-24%) of the direct disease-related relatives are seropositive for low-active Ab-proteases from which seropositive relatives established were being monitored for 2-3 years whilst demonstrating a stable growth of the Ab-associated proteolytic activity. We saw also low-active Ab-proteases in persons at MS-, AIM- and AIT-related risks (at the subclinical stages), and primary clinical, ultrasonic and MRT manifestations observed were coincided with the activity to have its mid-level reached. The activity of Ab-proteases would confirm a high subclinical and predictive value of the translational tools as applicable for personalized monitoring protocols. Ab-proteases can be programmed and re-programmed to suit the needs of the body metabolism. Of tremendous value are Ab-proteases directly affecting the physiologic remodeling of tissues with multilevel architecture. Further studies on targeted Ab-mediated proteolysis may provide a supplementary tool for predicting exacerbations and thus the disability of the MS, AIM and AIT patients.
Keynote Forum
Qing Kay Li
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, USA
Keynote: Immunobiomarkers for immunotherapy in non-small cell lung carcinoma
Biography:
Qing Kay Li is working as an Associate Professor of Pathology at the Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine. She has the American Board of Pathology certification in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, and subspecialty certification in Cytopathology. Her areas of clinical expertise include surgical pathology and cytopathology. She is also a Faculty Member and Co-PI at the Johns Hopkins Biomarker Discovery Center. Her research interests focuses on the application of advanced cellular and molecular techniques in the field of cytopathology and cancer biology, particularly in the field of early detection of lung and prostate cancer.
Abstract:
Specific immunotherapies have been developed, and they are approved by the FDA for clinical anti-cancer therapy. These agents are mainly monoclonal antibodies. Prior to applying these immunotherapy agents, one must determine the level of expression of target biomarkers on tumor cells by using specific IHC stains. Lack of knowledge of immunotherapy could have a negative impact on patient care. We will discuss: (1) update on how immunotherapy has rapidly integrated into standard care in oncology, (2) issues in the immunotherapy paradigm, including evolving standards of care in the multidisciplinary management of cancer patients, (3) selection criteria of tumor sample for IHC testing, particularly the adequacy criteria for PD-L1/PD-1 IHC testing.