Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Qin Huang
MD,PhD, Harvard Medical School/VA Boston, USA
Keynote: Current Understanding of Gastric Cardiac Carcinoma
Biography:
Qin Huang is a senior practicing pathologist with a strong interest in Gastrointestinal Cancer. Over the past 15 years, he has devoted most of his time and energy, investigating cancer in the gastroesophageal junction region, including gastric cardiac carcinoma (GCC), Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), and hereditary gastric cancer. He was the first to publish a study on inadequacy of AJCC7 on staging of GCC, to indicate differences in clinicopathology of cancers in the GEJ region between Chinese and Americans, to show the rarity of EAC in Chinese, to report a novel subtype of pancreatic-acinar-like adenocarcinoma in the gastric cardia, and to describe unique clinicopathologic features of early GCC.
Abstract:
Gastric cardiac carcinoma (GCC) arises in the cardiac mucosa located primarily in the proximal stomach within 3 cm below the gastroesophageal junction. The 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC7) staging scheme classified this carcinoma as esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), which has been shown to be inadequate by recent research results. The data from high-quality research papers show a rising incidence of GCC in East Asian countries, but a decreasing trend in the West, and a plateaued low level in the United States. The studies from China and Japan suggest a slow progression natural history in GCC, especially at the early stage. While risk factors and tumorigenesis mechanisms for GCC remain elusive, histopathologic investigations demonstrate a wide histopathologic spectrum with a predominance of the Lauren intestinal type carcinoma and rare cancer types such as carcinosarcoma, adenosquamous and neuroendocrine carcinomas, and carcinoma with lymphoid stroma, in contrast to a low frequency for poorly cohesive carcinoma including signet-ring cell carcinoma. Because of heterogeneous post-resection patient survival characteristics, patient survival cannot be adequately stratified and staged by the AJCC7 staging rules on the EAC. The recent results on genomic investigations of gastric and esophageal cancers reveal a unique genetic profile in GCC with a predominance of a gastric chromosomal instability type, which is the same as EAC, indicating the same molecular type for both EAC and GCC. The most recent multicenter study in 15 countries with 25411 radical gastrectomies exhibited a clear stratification of GCC patient prognosis with the staging rule for gastric cancer. Thus, the updated AJCC 8th manual has reversed the staging role in AJCC7 and re-classified GCC as gastric cancer. These outstanding progresses have significantly advanced our understanding of GCC and direct future investigations to a new direction with the goal to cure this potentially fatal cancer
- Gastrointestinal Cancer
Session Introduction
Wassil Nowicky
Phd, Ukrainian Anti-Cancer Institute
Title: Effect of the anti-cancer preparation NSCâ€631570 (Ukrain) in pancreatic carcinoma
Biography:
Dr. Wassil Nowicky — Dipl. Ing., Dr. techn., DDDr. h. c., Director of “Nowicky Pharma” and President of the Ukrainian Anti-Cancer Institute (Vienna, Austria). Has finished his study at the Radiotechnical Faculty of the Technical University of Lviv (Ukraine) with the end of 1955 with graduation to “Diplomingeniueur” in 1960 which title was nostrificated in Austria in 1975. Dr. Wassil Nowicky became the very first scientist in the development of the anticancer protonic therapy and is the inventor of the preparation against cancer with a selective effect on basis of celandine alkaloids “NSC-631570”. He used the factor that cancer cells are more negative charged than normal cells and invented the Celandine alkaloid with a positive charge thanks to which it accumulates in cancer cells very fast. Author of over 300 scientific articles dedicated to cancer research. Dr. Wassil Nowicky is a real member of the New York Academy of Sciences, member of the European Union for applied immunology and of the American Association for scientific progress, honorary doctor of the Janka Kupala University in Hrodno, doctor “honoris causa” of the Open international university on complex medicine in Colombo, honorary member of the Austrian Society of a name od Albert Schweizer. He has received the award for merits of National guild of pharmasists of America.
Abstract:
In a controlled randomised study by Prof. Beger et al. in the Ulm University Hospital, Germany, the therapy with NSCâ€631570 and gemcitabine doubled the survival rate in the patients with inoperable advanced pancreatic cancer [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11914932 ]. The longest survival was 19 months in the group treated with gemcitabine alone, 26 months in the combined group, and in the NSCâ€631570 alone group two patients were alive after 28 months. NSCâ€631570 was well tolerated. The study authors consider further evaluation of NSCâ€631570 as justified whereas the quality of life of the patients improved [[1]].
Patients were further observed after the conclusion of the study and it was noted that UKRAIN was well tolerated and could be administered without problem to all patients. UKRAIN brought about a significant increase in survival time in comparison to therapy with gemcitabine alone. Combination therapy with gemcitabine and UKRAIN showed no advantage over monotherapy with UKRAIN. The longest survival in the gemcitabine group was 19 months, 21 months in the gemcitabine+Ukrain group, and in the Ukrain group a patient was still alive after 28 months. The authors concluded: “As a result of this study we highly recommend the treatment of patients suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer with Ukrain” [[2]].
2007 the results of another clinical study by the same research team were published. This time the efficacy of the adjuvant therapy with NSCâ€631570 has been demonstrated in the patients with advanced pancreatic cancer after surgery. The patients were treated with a combination of NSCâ€631570 and gemcitabine.
[1] Gansauge F, Ramadani M, Beger HG (2002): Ukrain beim fortgeschrittenen Pankreaskarzinom. Ars Medici, 22:1056â€1062.
[2] Gansauge F (2002): Ukrain in Pancreatic cancer: Study Final Report. In. University Ulm.
- Colorectal Cancer
Session Introduction
Henu Kumar Verma
PhD Student, Institute Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), CNR Naples, Italy
Title: Identification, Characterization of Biomarker and therapeutic Target against the Chemo resistant CSCs in Human Gastric Cancer
Biography:
I am currently working as an Early Stage Researcher CNR- IEOS (International Marie Sklodowska Curie Research Fellow) in “Tackling pancreatic/Gastric cancer growth promoting cancer stem cell differentiation” Project under the Guidance of Dr. Geppino Falco. I mastered in techniques such as Isolation of RNA, DNA and protein, SDS page, Southern Blotting, Nanodrop and PCR, RFLP, Sequencing I developed a research project that focused on Sickle cell Disease and Nephropathy to examine the interaction between GFR Value in sickle cell. This Lab experience was enriching, allowed me to view directly all the theory learned in my classes in a practical manner. I have published 13 papers in during my Past four year. I recently published a paper on Journal of pain, Blood Cells Molecules Disease, Turkish journal of hematology, Hemoglobin and Iranian journal of immunology etc. which I believe compliments work in molecular Biology
Abstract:
Gastric cancer are heterogeneous it is undying and Remains one of the leading causes of cancer-associated deaths in the worldwide specifically in emerging countries. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a key driving factor for growth and Metastasis. Previous studies have indicated that gastric cancer originates from cancer stem cells, and some investigators have found that a subsection of CSCs retains higher metastatic capacity. In Detailed to the conventional clonal evolution theory, CSCs can initiate tumor formation, self-renew, and differentiate into tumor-propagating cells; the success of cancer management may depend on the complete elimination of cancer stem cells. Modern treatments for gastric cancer are not satisfactory. It is needed to examine present targets of signaling pathways for CSCs in gastric cancer However, statistics reading the current characterization of CSCs in different types of tumor are inconsistent, possibly due to the jumble of CSCs with cancer progenitor cells (CPCs).Therefore, The present study aimed to isolation and characterization of tumorigenic and chemo resistant CSCs from intestinal- or diffuse-type of cardia and non-cardia gastric cancer patients by separating cell surface markers (CD44, CD90, CD24, CD133, EpCAM and ALDH) with flow-cytometer, patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDX) models in Immunodeficient mice will be developed and the tumorigenic properties of cells will be evaluated by in vitro tumor sphere assays and in vivo xenografts by limiting dilution assays further, We will be use dynamical prediction modeling approach to representing a cell fate assumption network in the gastric cancer cell line from databases to preclinical discovery of efficient anticancer drug combinations, to modify treatment to distinct cancer patients. This Study will be led to the hypothesis of how CSCs are developing resistant power from conventional chemotherapy in gastric carcinoma, and the result may help to Characteristics of progenitor/transit amplifying Cells in Metastasis And targeted treatment strategy for gastric carcinomas.
- Pancreatic Cancer
Session Introduction
Gordon Moffat
Assistant Clinical Instructor,State University of New York, USA
Title: FIT vs Colonoscopy: Using Social Determinants to Optimize Colorectal Cancer Screening in a Urban Underserved Population
Biography:
Gordon Moffat has his experience in Life Sciences with an Honors in Biology with training in Radiology. His passion for science and interest in microbiology lead him to pursue and obtain a Doctor of Medicine. Currently he is working at the State University of New York Brooklyn Health Sciences Center in Internal Medicine and the forthcoming Medicine Chief Resident. His professional interests include: Medical Oncology, Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and Geriatric Medicine. He is currently working on research projects at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, New York that are expected to be published. He is also a candidate for the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society Postgraduate Fellowship Award.
Abstract:
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM OR QUESTION:
Will improved shared decision making around FIT or colonoscopy screening based on social determinants improve colorectal cancer (CRC) screening completion rates in underserved populations?
OBJECTIVES OF PROGRAM/INTERVENTION:
To compare screening completion rates of FIT vs colonoscopy in an urban underserved population
To improve CRC screening completion rates
DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM/INTERVENTION:
A retrospective analysis reviewed baseline colon cancer screening rates in resident clinic patients seen between January and February 2017. The intervention was to encourage residents to discuss the pros and cons of FIT and colonoscopy for CRC screening allowing patients to choose their preferred modality. A prospective cohort study reviewed charts from September 1 to Dec 31st 2017 to assess completion of screening. Primary endpoint: overall CRC screening rate.
MEASURES OF SUCCESS:
Overall CRC screening rates pre and post intervention were assessed. A subgroup analysis of FIT and colonoscopy completion rates was performed pre and post intervention.
FINDINGS TO DATE:
The study population consisted largely of Afro-Caribbean patients, 50 years and older with average risk factors at a resident clinic in an urban safety net institution. Of the 52 patients reviewed in the baseline analysis, 9 (17%) FIT and 43 (71%) colonoscopies were ordered, with completion rates of 78% and 26% respectively, and an overall rate of 34%.
Post-intervention, 42 patients agreed to screening between October and December 2017. Of these 42 patients, 30 chose FIT (71%) and 12 favored colonoscopies (29%). Due to the short follow up period, no colonoscopies were completed, however, 73% of FIT testing was still able to be performed. The overall post-intervention completion rate was 52%.
- Liver Cancer
Session Introduction
Mike Powell
PhD C.Chem,DiaCarta, Inc. USA
Title: Early Colorectal Cancer Detection Employing XNA Technology
Biography:
Mike Powell is a highly recognized scientific and business leader with more than 25 year’s experience in R&D, technology, and business and corporate development. Mike has extensive knowledge and experience to in the fields of molecular diagnostic assay research and development, qPCR and other nucleic acid amplification technologies, and automated instrumentation platforms.
Mike has published many research papers in leading scientific journals and holds more than 40 patents and patent-pending applications. He received his Ph.D. in medicinal organic chemistry from Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK and also pursued postdoctoral research and a teaching fellowship from University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK. Mike was also a postdoctoral industrial research fellow at the University of Oxford, UK and was instrumental in developing the amperometric glucose sensing technology that was the basis of Medisense, Inc. which was acquired by Abbott Labs for $950M.
Abstract:
Scientists at DiaCarta have developed an innovative xenonucleic acid molecular clamp technology, or XNA technology, to address the sensitivity needs for tumor gene mutation and other important gene mutations in liquid biopsy and FFPE samples. XNA technology uses proprietary designed XNA oligomers with modified backbones that hybridize target DNA sequences of interest by Watson-Crick base pairing. When the sequence is a complete match, XNAs hybridize tightly to the DNA target sequences, blocking strand elongation by DNA polymerase in the PCR reaction. However, when a mutation is present in the target sequence, the mismatch leads to instability of the XNA oligomer:DNA duplex, allowing strand elongation by DNA polymerase. As a result, only target sequence containing mutations is selected for amplification and wild-type sequence, despite being present in much larger DNA amounts/ copies, will not be amplified. Since XNA oligomers are not recognized by DNA polymerases, they cannot serve as primers in the subsequent real-time PCR reactions.XNA molecular clamps assays are highly sensitive using nucleic acids obtained from liquid biopsy or tumor tissue biopsy (FFPE) samples. The limit of detection (LOD) can reach as low as 0.1% (7 or 8 copies of mutant DNA) in 5 ng of ctDNA, roughly equivalent to 2 ml of blood from a patient. Since the presence of high levels of circulating cell free mutant tumor DNA (ctDNA) and exosome derived nucleic acids has been found to be associated with poor survival in colorectal and other cancers and dynamic monitoring of the level can be used as a predictive factor for cancer treatment