
PROFESSIONAL EVENT SPEAKERS

Prof.Patrick Lam
Distinguished professor; Blumberg Institute, USARESEARCH
Dr. Lam is a medicinal chemistry and drug discovery
consultant. He currently collaborates with Blumberg scientists in terms of drug
discovery and jointly supervises Blumberg chemistry postdocs and visiting
scientists.
Dr. Lam has 30 years of extensive experience in innovation
in structure-based drug design, ADME, focused libraries, molecular recognition
and nucleic acid therapeutics to deliver biopharma clinical candidates with
novel profiles. He is responsible for the discovery of a total of eight
clinical candidates. At Bristol Myers Squibb, Dr. Lam was the group
leader/co-inventor responsible for the discovery of Eliquis®/Apixaban,
a novel Factor Xa anticoagulant recently launched on the market. Eliquis® is
projected by analysts to be a transformational medicine with “block-buster”
sales potential. Eliquis® was chosen as the “Best New Medicine of 2012” by Med
Ad News. He and his team were awarded 2015 American Chemical Society Heroes of
Chemistry Award for the discovery of Eliquis®. Dr. Lam is also the inventor of
the novel cyclic urea class of HIV protease inhibitors that resulted in Mozenavir/DMP450.
In Phase II clinical trial, Mozenavir was shown to be as efficacious as Merck’s
Crixivan, but without the lipodystrophy side effect of Crixivan.
In recent years, he has been involved with antivirals (HBV
capsid, surface antigen and cccDNA inhibitors, Dengue Fever inhibitors,
HIV-DCSIGN blockers), antithrombotics (FXIa and FXa inhibitors as
anticoagulants; P2Y1 and PAR4 antagonists as antiplatelet agents), PCSK9
antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapeutics, prodrugs and carbohydrates.
In the organic chemistry area, he is internationally known
as the co-discoverer of the powerful copper-promoted Chan-Lam Coupling
Reaction, a complementary reaction to the Nobel-prize winning
Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling Reaction. Dr. Lam has authored 98 papers/reviews/book
chapters, invented 36 patents/patent applications and presented 110 invited
seminars worldwide

Lam Shao Wei Sean
National University of SingaporeSean Lam has a PhD and Masters in Industrial and Systems
Engineering, Operations and Business Analytics from the National University of
Singapore. He is currently the Senior Data Science Manager of the
Sing Health Services Research Centre (HSRC), overseeing a team of data
scientists and analytics professionals for the enhancement of patient care and
outcomes through health services research. Sean is also an Assistant Professor at the Signature Program in
Health Services and Systems Research, Duke-NUS. He has more than 20
international publications, and won numerous awards from local and
international research symposiums.

Dr. Saminathan Kayarohanam
Geomatika University College, MalaysiaCluster Dean / Associate Professor Head, Department of
Pharmaceutical Education, Geomatika University College, Kuala Lumpur, WP Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia. He received the PhD in Department of Phytochemistry, The Open
International University for Complementary Medicines – Srilanka in 2012. He
established new drug information centre in Malaysia (GUC).
Major
area of interests include Phytochemistry, Pharmaceutical Science and Pharmacy
practice

Targeting oncogenic transcription factors for cancer treatment
Prof.Gautam Sethi, National University of Singapore, SingaporeAbstract
Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STATs) comprise an important class of transcription factors that have been implicated in a wide variety of essential cellular functions related to proliferation, survival, and angiogenesis. Among various STAT members, STAT3 is frequently overexpressed in tumor cells as well as tissue samples, and regulates the expression of numerous oncogenic genes controlling the growth and metastasis of tumor cells. I will briefly discuss the importance of STAT3 as a potential target for prostate cancer therapy and also provide novel insights into various classes of existing pharmacological inhibitors of this transcription factor that can be potentially developed as anti-cancer drugs.

Improving Cancer Diagnostics using an empirical assay for assessing Genomic Sensitivity
Prof.Diana Anderson, University of Bradford,UKAbstract:
Despite detection tests being developed for many cancers, there is no single test to identify cancer in general. We have developed such an assay. In this modified patented Comet assay, we investigated peripheral lymphocytes of 208 individuals: 20 melanoma, 34 colon cancer, 4 lung cancer patients 18 suspect melanoma, 28 polyposis, 10 COPD patients and 94 healthy volunteers. The natural logarithm of the Olive tail moment was plotted for exposure to UVA through different agar depths for each of the above groups and analysed using a repeated measures regression model. Response patterns for cancer patients formed a plateau after treating with UVA where intensity varied with different agar depths. In comparison, response patterns for healthy individuals returned towards control values and for pre/suspected cancers, were intermediate with less of a plateau. All cancers tested exhibited comparable responses. Analyses of Receiver Operating Characteristic curves, of mean log Olive tail moments, for all cancers plus pre/suspected-cancer versus controls gave a value for the area under the curve of 0.87; for cancer versus pre/suspected-cancer plus controls the value was 0.89; and for cancer alone versus controls alone (excluding pre/suspected-cancer), the value was 0.93. By varying the threshold for test positivity, its sensitivity or specificity can approach 100% whilst maintaining acceptable complementary measures. Evidence presented indicates that this modified assay shows promise as both a stand-alone test and as a possible adjunct to other investigative procedures, as part of detection programmes for a range of cancers. This test has been repeated with 900 individuals and responses remain equally predictive.

The awesome role of Herbal Nutraceuticals against hazards of radiation therapy
Prof.Sohair Aly Hassan, Cairo University, EgyptPlants are rich sources of antioxidants which mainly
attributed to its components. Rosmarinus officinalis L and Tamarixaphylla are
among herbal plants, with a long history of medicinal and culinary use. The
modifying influence of leaves extract of both herbs were studied in
experimental albino rats. Selected doses were chosen as radio protectors
against Gamma [γ] radiation hazards. The experimental Westar rats were
exposed to 5 Gry for 15 min before and after treatment with rosemary and
tamarix extracts in a dose of 100 mg/kg/ b/ wt of each respectively. The
treated animals were autopsied for collection of blood serum at days 1, and 15
post-irradiation. Results: A decrease in the hematological parameters and
Glutathione level was registered in the positive irradiated control group. A
recovery pattern were recorded in the pre and after treated groups. The whole
hematological parameters were ameliorated back to the normal by day 15; as a
significant elevation was achieved with groups treated with rosemary and
tamarix extracts compared to irradiated one. An increment in the level of lipid
peroxidation above normal was noted in serum of irradiated rats. This increment
was significantly reversed upon treatment by rosemary and tamarix extracts.
Moreover interlukin 6 levels were highly modified in the treated groups. The
whole results were confirmed Histologically by the improvement seen in the
(PCNA) proliferating cell nuclear antigen )level antigen.Conclusion:Considering
these biochemical and histological results, the present study suggests the
significant importance for both herbs with the superior role of rose marry as a
magnificent radio modifier herb.

INTESTINAL METAPLASIA AND ANASTOMOTIC RECURRENCE OF GASTRIC CARCINOMA
Dr E.P. Weledji, University of Buea, CameroonBackground: Intestinal metaplasia (Incomplete type 111) of the stomach has been
shown to increase the relative risk of gastric cancer by a factor of 4.58.
Survival following curative surgery (R0) for early gastric cancer has increased
and, therefore showed the need for endoscopic surveillance for local
recurrence.
Objective: Since at present there are no other
recognized good markers for gastric dysplasia or cancer, we reviewed the
literature on intestinal metaplasia (IM)
of the stomach to ascertain whether residual premalignant (type 111) IM may
predispose to anastomotic recurrence of gastric cancer.
Method: Electronic
searches of the Medline (PubMed) database, Cochrane library and science
citation index were performed to identify original published studies on IM,
gastric cancer and anastomotic recurrence. Endoscopic features of early gastric
cancer (EGC) or IM that exist on a specific location on the gastric remnant
such as at the anastomosis and non-anastomosis sites were characterized.
Results: Most recurrent cancers (a cancer developing on the anastomosis site
< 10 years after surgery for gastric malignancy) are advanced, undifferentiated
and of the diffuse type. Most residual cancers ( a cancer developing < 10
years after surgery for gastric malignancy except at the anastomosis site) are of the intestinal type and well
differentiated. Incomplete IM (type 111) with type 11b sialomucins and
sulphomucin staining demonstrated in the resected specimen is the appropriate
IM that requires subsequent endoscopic follow-up.
Conclusions: Endoscopic surveillance following curative surgery for early gastric cancer should not only be focused on the anastomotic site as in benign disease, but also on the rest of the gastric remnant as residual cancer may be missed. In addition, the role of H. pylori eradication therapy in preventing anastomotic recurrence or a new primary by attenuating the chronic gastritis-metaplasia- dysplasia -carcinoma sequence should not be underestimated.

Role of TIPE Family of Proteins In the Development of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Dr.Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, IndiaAbstract:
Cancers of oral cavity is a major health concern worldwide with highest incidence in India. Unfortunately, in India, almost 2/3 of the oral cancer cases are diagnosed only in the advanced stage of the disease making it difficult to treat and decreasing the chances of survival. Therefore, it is essential to develop novel biomarkers for the better management of this deadly disease. In the current study, a novel tumor necrosis factor alpha induced protein 8 (TNFAIP8 or TIPE) protein family was examined for its therapeutic and prognostic potential against oral cancer. The protein family comprises of four proteins namely, TNFAIP8 (TIPE), TNFAIP8L1 (TIPE1), TNFAIP8L2 (TIPE2) and TNFAIP8L3 (TIPE3). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that expression of TIPE, TIPE2 and TIPE3 were upregulated and levels of TIPE1 were downregulated in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) tissues compared to the normal tissues. In addition, treatment of oral cancer cells with tobacco and related carcinogens resulted in a significant upregulation of TIPE, TIPE2 and TIPE3 and downregulation of TIPE1 protein. Moreover, knockout of TIPE proteins was found to modulate the cancer hallmarks associated with oral cancer such as cancer cell survival, proliferation, colony formation and migration. Further, while TIPE, TIPE1 and TIPE2 proteins exhibited their activity through regulation of Akt/mTOR signaling cascade, TIPE3 acted through an Akt-independent mTOR/STAT3 pathway. Taken together, our results suggest that the TIPE proteins can be used as drug targets for the treatment of oral cancer.

Activation of Wnt antagonism mediates the antitumor activity and chemosensitizes breast cancer stem-like cells to ursolic acid, a pentacyclic triterpenoid
Prof. Sudha Warrier, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), IndiaAbstract:
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and second leading cause of
cancer death in women. Cancer metastasis, resistance and recurrence hinders
successful treatment for breast cancer. Identification of breast cancer stem
cells as the chemoresistant and tumor initiating population represents an
important milestone in approaching anticancer therapies. Targeting this minor
subpopulation of chemo- and radioresistant stem-like cells, termed as the
cancer stem cells (CSCs) and their ultimate eradication could significantly
enhance clinical outcomes. CSCs are resistant to conventional cytotoxic agent
and radiology therapy. They also display aggressive invasion phenotype. Cancer stem cells share core signaling pathways with normal somatic
stem cells, but also exhibit distinctions that provide important clues
into useful therapeutic targets. Aberrant regulation of Wnt signalling by
autocrine mechanism is reported which promote the CSC proliferation and
survival from the chemotherapy. In this study we
observed that ursolic acid, a natural compound derived pentacyclic
triterpenoid, had a potent inhibitory effect on breast cancer cells by not only
inducing apoptosis but also by reducing the stemness properties and decreasing
the CSC population. As self-renewal and chemoresistant properties of CSCs are
linked to the Wnt ß-catenin pathway, we hypothesized that the observed effects
of these compounds on CSC could be through modulating this pathway. Our
results clearly suggests that plant derived compounds like UA are capable of
targeting cancer stem cells and exert their effect by antagonizing the Wnt-
ß-catenin pathway.

Celastrol as a pentacyclic triterpenoid with chemopreventive properties
Ms. Priya Yadav, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, IndiaCelastrol is a highly investigated anticancer moiety. It is a pentacyclic triterpenoid, isolated several decades ago with promising role in chemoprevention. Celastrol has been found to target multiple proinflammatory,angiogenic and metastatic proteins. Inhibition of these targets results in significant reduction of cancer growth, survival and metastasis.