Biomed/Biotech Special Interest Group  

�Nanomedicines - 

Improving Current Cancer Therapies�

To be presented by

Esther H. Chang, PhD

Professor, Dept. Oncology and Otolaryngology

Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University

Founder and Senior Consultant

SynerGene Therapeutics Inc.  

  

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

6:00 � 6:20 PM � Networking; Pizza/drink 

6:20 � 8:45 PM � Program 

8:45 � 9:00 PM � Door-prizes drawing; Networking

Online Registration site: https://asq509.org/ht/d/DoSurvey/i/35817

Open to Public � 

$5: non-ASQ members to cover pizza/drink cost; 

Free: ASQ members, veterans, senior citizens, past speakers, teachers, students, interns, residents, postdocs, FDA Commissioner�s Fellows, MJ-DC members, NTUAADC members, CAPA members, CKUAADC members, CCACC volunteers/employees, FAPAC members, CBA members, AAGEN members, Commissioned Corp officers, and current job-seekers. 

Location: Kelly�s Deli Conference Center, 7519 Standish Place, Rockville (Derwood, for GPS users), MD 20855

Registration Deadline: Please register by Wednesday noon, September 17, 2014.  

Question: Please contact Dr. C.J. George Chang, Chair of Biomed/Biotech SIG, ASQ509; [email protected] or 240-793-8425 (cell).

Driving directions: By Cars: From I-270 (N or S bound): Take Exit 9A and exit from the FIRST right exit; turn left (east) onto Shady Grove Dr.; turn right (south) onto Rockville Pike (Route 355); turn left (east) onto East Gude Dr.; turn left (north) immediately onto Crabb�s Branch Dr.; turn left (west) immediately onto Standish Place. The first building on your right side is 7519 Standish Place; open parking). The venue is on the first floor with its entrance opposite to the left side of building main entrance. By Metro trains: Off from Red Line Shady Grove Station, and take RideOn Route 59 TOWARD ROCKVILLE and get off from �Calhoun Place� stop. Standish Place is next to the Bus stop. Our venue is within 2 min of walking distance from the stop.

Summary

A tumor-targeting nanodelivery system has been developed comprising a self-assembled, biodegradable, cationic liposomal nanoparticle, which bears targeting molecules that home to receptors (such as the transferrin receptor) on the surface of tumor cells. When systemically administered, this nanocomplex can efficiently and selectively deliver gene medicines, including plasmid DNA, si/miRNA, and oligonucleotides, imaging contract agents, small molecule inhibitors, and cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents, not only to primary tumors but also to metastases. The nanocomplex system can be considered a �platform technology� based on its versatility and modular nature.  The prototype of this platform technology, the nanocomplex carrying the normal p53, a tumor suppressor gene, has been evaluated in various phases of clinical trial in patients with advanced solid tumors.  Two Phase II trials assessing the efficacy of the agent in combination with standard therapies in pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma patients are about to commence. 

 

The experience gained from the translation of this technology from the bench to the bedside, accompanying growth of a biotechnology company, will be discussed.

Speaker�s Bio:

Dr. Esther H. Chang is a Professor of the Departments of Oncology and Otolaryngology at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center of Georgetown University Medical Center. Before joining Georgetown University, Dr. Chang held positions in the National Cancer Institute as a Cancer Expert, as a professor in the Department of Surgery at Stanford University, and as a professor in the Department of Pathology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.  Currently, she is serving as the President of the American Society for Nanomedicine, and she is also an Executive Board Member of the International Society for Nanomedicine in Basel.  Dr. Chang is the founding scientist of, as well as a Senior Consultant for, SynerGene Therapeutics, Inc.

Dr. Esther Chang�s research efforts have focused primarily on the molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and in translating this basic information into new clinical modalities. Dr. Chang has been a pioneer and a major contributor to understanding genetic influences on both the development and suppression of malignant tumors, as well as understanding the molecular basis of tumors� resistance to radiation and chemotherapy. Delineation of the roles of various genetic factors, both oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, in the multistep process of tumor formation is the key to improved diagnosis and effective therapy of cancer.  More recently, her research group has been evaluating, through various phases of the clinical trials, the combination of the nanotechnology-based molecular therapy and more conventional radiotherapy or chemotherapy for treatment of cancers. 

Dr. Chang has over 140 publications, is the inventor of 108 issued patents, and has served as a member of a number of scientific advisory boards for the National Cancer Institute, NASA, the US Military Cancer Institute, and the Department of Energy. Her scientific findings have been published in prominent journals including Nature, Science, Cancer Research, Cell, Human Gene Therapy, Molecular Therapy, Nano-ACS, among others. She also has dedicated much time to the education of undergraduate, graduate, and medical students. 

This Biomed/Biotech SIG event is cosponsored by the Monte Jade Science and Technology Association of Greater Washington (www.MonteJadeDC.org) and NTU Alumni Association at DC (www.ntuaadc.org).