9^th Indo Global Summit on Cancer Therapy November 02-04, 2015 Hyderabad, India

Biography:

Dr. Phimpha Paboriboune has completed her MD at the age of 27 years from University of Health and Sciences in Vientiane, Laos. In 2005, she was awarded a Master\'s degree in Tropical Medicine and Epidemiology at the Institute de la Francophonie pour la Medecine Tropicale (IFTM) in Laos. Currently she is working as Scientific Director of CICML, Ministry of Health since Jan 2009. She has published around 10 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

A new rapid-throughput HPV test called careHPVâ„¢ has been shown to have high sensitivity for the detection of high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Aim of the study is to assess the performance of HPV screening with careHPVâ„¢ versus conventional Pap smear (CPS) for the detection of precancerous and cancerous cervical lesions among HIV-infected women by using a transversal multicenter study in four HIV/AIDS treatment centers from February 2014 to May 2015. All HIV-infected women aged from 25 to 65 years were systematically proposed to participate in the study. CareHPVâ„¢, CPS and colposcopy were performed for all enrolled women after obtaining informed consent. Results available for 441 women of 644 enrolled in the study showed the median age is 36 years old. Median time since HIV diagnosis is 4 years. The percentage of patients with positive careHPVâ„¢ is 34% and 4.72% with abnormal CPS (HSIL and ASCUS-H). For the detection of CIN 2+ lesions, the sensitivity and specificity of careHPV are 83.3% and 69.6% with the positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) are 16.9% and 98.3%, of CPS are 37.9% and 97.7% with the PPV and NPV are 55.0% and 95.5%. Conclusion, careHPVâ„¢ has higher sensibility and lower specificity than CPS for the screening of cervical precancerous and cancerous lesions among women living with HIV in Laos. The role of HPV screening in the detection of cervix cancer needs to be further defined in this country. It is recommended to strengthen routine screening of cervical cancer particularly among HIV infected women.

Biography:

Hemant Sarin earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology with Highest Honors (1994) followed by a Medical Doctorate (1999) and went on to gain experience in Neurosurgery (2000-2003) prior to completing the NIH Imaging Sciences Program while developing his Translational Imaging-based Malignant Glioma Research Program concomitantly (2004-2009). He went on to gain additional intensive experience in Neurology for 6 months (2010), International Science Policy for 6 months (2011) and American Board Eligibility in Occupational and Environmental Medicine (2012-2014) while earning his Master of Science degree concomitantly on the conserved basis of toxin and toxicant interactions in the physiologic state.

Abstract:

The potential to characterize differences in hyperpermeability associated with diaphragm fenestrated tumor capillary neoangiogenesis, and that associated with capillariovenular inter-endothelial junction widening in non-tumor inflammation, with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exists. To-date, dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, has relied on the utilization of small molecule contrast agents (ie Gd-DTPA or Gd-DOTA) for the kinetic bicompartmental modeling of small molecule contrast agent wash-in (Ktrans) and wash-out (Kep) vascular parameters, of tumor hyper-permeability, in order to increase the diagnostic sensitivity of MRI to differentiate tumor type and grade. However, sequential imaging with macromolecular contrast agents, with time for washout of small molecule contrast agent, affords the added benefit of non-model-based quantitative characterization of hyper-permeability patterns, with the potential to delineate differences between contrast enhancement patterns of pathologic tumor hyper-permeability and inflammatory hyper-permeability. With the multitude of clinical safety data on FDA-approved Gd-DTPA based macromolecular contrast agents (Gadomer-17; ~4 nm) and pre-clinical animal data on larger macromolecular dendritic nanoparticle-based contrast agents with diameters in the 6 to 14 nanometer-size range, and improved specificity to discriminate physiologic hyper-permeability (i.e. muscle) from pathologic hyperpermeability, will be more sensitive for discrimination between pathologic tumor hyper-permeability and inflammatory hyper-permeability and useful towards the accurate non-invasive diagnosis of disease states of pathologic hyperpermeability. In this didactic discussion, the current state of the knowledge on MR imageable dendritic nanoparticle-based macromolecular probes will be presented, and the future perspective offered.

Biography:

Lakshmipathi Vadlakonda has completed his PhD in 1982 from Kakatiya University, India. He has been the Faculty of Kakatiya University from 1971 to 2006 (till his retirement) and after retirement he served as a Visiting Professor, University of Hyderabad, a Consultant Scientist at Cell works, Bangalore, Guest Professor at NIPER Hyderabad and as Adjunct Professor at CRRAO (AIMS). He has 45 years of teaching experience; mainly in the areas cell biology, enzymology and metabolic regulation. His focus after retirement for the past 8 years is on cell signaling in cancer and diabetes.

Abstract:

Akt (Protein kinase B), a serine/threonine (S/T) protein kinase remained the epicenter of insulin and growth factor signaling (IIS) ever since it was discovered in 1991. Aberrant activation of Akt is the cause of major metabolic diseases especially cancer. Structurally, Akt contains an N-terminal AH/PH domain, a catalytic domain and the C-terminal hydrophobic domain. Phosphoinositides (PIs), PIP2 and PIP3 which are important constituents of cell membrane play critical role in Akt activation. Phosphorylation of Akt at T308 by 3-phosphoinositide dependent protein kinase 1 (PDPK1; originally PDK1) in the activation loop and at S473 by mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) in the hydrophobic motif, is critical to its function. The phosphorylation of S473 seems to be promiscuous; it is phosphorylated by mTORC2 in response to nutrients but by IKKε/TBK1 under inflammation and by DNA-PK under DNA damaged conditions. Traditionally, the two phosphorylations together were viewed as important for its function but recent studies indicate that they have independent targets with diverging functions. A complex relation exists between Akt phosphorylations and the two mTOR complexes; mTORC2 is an upstream activator of AktS473 and mTORC1 is downstream target of T308. Akt S473 promotes glucose uptake, T308 activates mTORC1, triggers anabolic programs and plays critical role in inhibiting autophagy, mitophagy and inactivation of cell cycle progression. The talk will focus on the complex interactions of the two phosphorylations of Akt in modulating cell survival, in addition to discussing dynamic role of Phosphoinositides (PIs) in nutrition, health and disease.

Biography:

Rajesh N Gacche has completed M. Sc. SET, CSIR NET-JRF, B.G.L., LLB., PhD. At present, he is working as a Professor in Tumor Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, S. R. T. M. University, Nanded (Maharashtra).

Abstract:

Since the establishment of tumor angiogenesis as a therapeutic target, an excitement in developing the anti-angiogenic agents was resulted in tailoring a humanized monoclonal antibody (Bevacizumab) against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF): A key factor in recruiting angiogenesis. The past three decades’ research in the area of angiogenesis also invented a series of novel and effective anti-angiogenic agents targeting the VEGF signaling axis. Despite the demonstrable clinical benefits of anti-angiogenic therapy, the preclinical and clinical data of the current therapeutic settings clearly indicate the transient efficacy, restoration of tumor progression and aggressive recurrence of tumor invasion after the withdrawal of anti-angiogenic therapy. Therefore, the impact of this therapeutic regime on improving overall survival of patients has been disappointing in clinic. The recent advances in patho-physiology of tumor angiogenesis and related molecular and cellular under-pinning attributed the conspiracy of compensatory angiogenic pathways in conferring evasive and intrinsic tumor resistance to anti-angiogenic agents. The understandings of how these pathways functionally cross-talk for sustaining tumor angiogenesis during VEGF blockade is essential and perhaps may act as a basic prerequisite for designing novel therapeutic strategies to combat the growing arrogance of tumors toward anti-angiogenic agents. An elaborative discourse on major compensatory angiogenic pathways operating at cellular and molecular levels and their attributes with resistance to anti-angiogenic agents along with strategic opinions on future setting in targeting tumor angiogenesis will be discussed.

Biography:

Nilabja Sikdar has completed his PhD from Indian Statistical Institute, registered in Jadavpur University and Postdoctoral studies from National Human Genome Research Institute, US NIH for 5 years, then moved to National Cancer Institute, US NIH as Full time Employee. He is awarded Prestigious Ramalingaswami Re-entry fellowship as well as Prestigious Ramanujan Fellowship in 2013. He joined as Ramalingaswami Fellow (Scientist D) in Human Genetics Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, a premier human genetic combining with bio-informatics and statistical research Institute. He has published more than 20 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Independent Cancer Researcher in the area of genomics with translational biology. He is a reviewer of Indian Journal of Medical research.

Abstract:

Pancreatic and periampullary cancers remain one of the most lethal malignancies as it is diagnosed in very later stage. We have collected hitopathologically diagnosed fresh tumor and peripheral blood samples for each patient from hospitals of eastern India. We performed customized exon sequencing for 412 cancer related genes in 6 pancreatic ductal adeno-carcinomas (PDAC\'s) and 2 periampullary carcinoma patients. From our study, we observed on an average, 30,000 non-synonymous somatic SNV\'s, 295 LOH SNV\'s and very less number of somatic exonic Indel mutations for each tumor. From the previously reported candidate driver genes for PDAC\'s, we extensively observed large number of mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, MET, ERBB2, FGFR1, PALB2, COL1A1 and EGFR genes with respect to other candidate genes. Whereas KRAS, TP53, SMAD4, CDKN2A showed comparatively lesser number of mutations in every tumor including peri-ampullary adenocarcinomas. For all 8 tumor samples we found similar patterns of mutational frequency distributions for individual genes. So PDAC tumors and periampulary tumors show similar mutational landscape in Indian population structure. However, KRAS, SMAD4, TP53 and CDKN2A showed very high mutation frequencies in PDAC from Caucasian populations but in our population the mutation frequencies of those genes were relatively less from the other candidate genes. Most of the heavily mutated candidate driver genes we observed in our findings are involved in PI3-AKT pathway. This finding may explain any alternative pathway that might be responsible to drive the cancer development. This novel finding may explain the new therapeutic approach for treatment of pancreatic and periampullary adenocarcinomas.

Biography:

Dr. Kakoli Bose has completed her PhD from North Carolina State University, USA in Biochemistry and took post-doctoral from Tufts University, Boston, USA. Currently she is working as a principal investigator in Advanced Centre for Treatment Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), India.

Abstract:

Early protein E2 of human papillomaviruses (HPV), that are associated with cervical and anogenital cancers regulates viral DNA replication and transactivation of essential viral oncogenes. Apart from these functions, E2 protein from high risk virus types such as HPV-16 and -18 triggers apoptosis in host cell. Although the exact mechanism is unclear, recent literature suggests that in HPV-18 E2, the N-terminal transactivation domain directly interacts with procaspase-8, a component of Death Inducing Signaling Complex (DISC) in the extrinsic cell death pathway. This interaction bypasses the requirement of upstream adaptor proteins which are essentially required for DISC formation, thereby representing a novel adaptor-independent caspase activation pathway. In this work, we dissected the binding interface of E2-procaspase 8 and classical FADD-procaspase 8 interaction using an interdisciplinary approach employing techniques such as in silico, mutational, biochemical and biophysical analyses. Our results provide a molecular basis of this novel E2-procaspase-8 interaction and help in providing a model for E2-induced apoptosis in high risk HPV types. This information may be utilized in future studies to design E2 analogs so as to modulate procaspase-8 activation and hence promote apoptosis.

Biography:

Pandurangan Ramaraj is currently working as an Assistant Professor at Department of Biochemistry, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T.Still University of Health Sciences. Dr. Ramaraj's long-term research goal is to understand the role of hormones on stem cell differentiation and tissue regeneration. As a model, he studies the hormone-stimulated differentiation of murine stem cells into muscle or fat cells.

Abstract:

Epidemiological studies showed that mortality was high in males than females in melanoma, a fatal form of skin cancer, indicating a sex difference. Clinical observations showed that menstruating females were better protected in melanoma than post-menopausal women and men of any age, suggesting the involvement of sex hormones in offering protection to menstruating females. But these studies lacked direct correlation with sex (steroid) hormones status in these patients. In-vitro hormonal studies were inconclusive as they did not tie with the protection enjoyed by menstruating females. Our systematic studies using mouse melanoma (B16F10) cell line showed progesterone a female sex hormone significantly inhibited melanoma cell growth in-vitro. The research was extended to include human melanoma (BLM) cell line. Treatment of human melanoma (BLM) cells with progesterone for 48 hrs resulted in a significant inhibition of cell growth. The mechanism of growth inhibition was due to autophagy and this action of progesterone was not mediated through progesterone receptor. As cells were floating during treatment, adhesion assay was performed, which showed complete loss of adhesion. When cells were allowed to recover after treatment by culturing in growth medium without progesterone, there was recovery in cell growth. Preliminary adhesion and recovery cell growth experiments prompted us to suppress autophagic lysosomal degradation with 3-methyladenine (3-MA), which resulted in partial rescue of cell growth, adhesion and migration functions. The above experimental design gave rise to progesterone treated and 3-MA rescued experimental groups. Since, recovery studies also showed improvement in cell growth, progesterone treated and 3-MA rescued groups were allowed to recover on their own for first 48 hrs and then a second 48 hrs. Comparison of in-vitro cell growth, adhesion and migration functions of progesterone treated, 3-MA rescued and recovered human melanoma cells revealed that the recovery of 3-MA rescued cells was better than the recovery of progesterone treated cells in terms of cell growth and adhesion functions. The above comparison study also suggested a durable inhibition by progesterone even after 96 hrs of its removal. These in-vitro experiments not only revealed the anti-cancer actions of progesterone on melanoma, but also its potential as an anti-cancer agent for melanoma treatment in the future.

Biography:

Hemant Sarin earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology with Highest Honors (1994) followed by a Medical Doctorate (1999) and went on to gain experience in Neurosurgery (2000-2003) prior to completing the NIH Imaging Sciences Program while developing his Translational Imaging-based Malignant Glioma Research Program concomitantly (2004-2009). He went on to gain additional intensive experience in Neurology for 6 months (2010), International Science Policy for 6 months (2011) and American Board Eligibility in Occupational and Environmental Medicine (2012-2014) while earning his Master of Science degree concomitantly on the conserved basis of toxin and toxicant interactions in the physiologic state.

Abstract:

For proper determination of the apoptotic potential of chemo-xenobiotics in synergism, it is important to understand the modes, levels and character of chemo-xenobiotics interactions with cells in context of predicted conserved biophysical properties, to know whether interactions at the cellular level are with and across cell membrane protein aqueous channels, with cell membrane phospholipids and trans-displacing, with cell membrane surface receptors and exosomal, with cell membrane surface receptors and pressure modulo-stabilizing or endocytic, or with cell membrane surface receptors and non-endocytic, and whether interactions at the sub-cellular level are with nuclear proteins or chromatin histones, with mitochondrial surface proteins and endocytic, with golgi/smooth endoplasmic reticulum proteins and endocytic, or with the cytoskeleton microtubules. Therefore, in this research chemoxenobiotic structures have been in context of charge, hydroxylation and carbonylation distribution over molecular space, and overall octanol-to-water partition coefficient (Log OWPC; unit less), molecular size viz. the Vander Waals Diameter (vd-WD; nm) and the Log OWPC-to-vd WD (nm-1) parameter and where applicable, the interacting hydrophilicity of the hydrophilic moiety [or core]-to-vd-WD (nm-1) and the incorporating lipophilicity of the hydrophobic core [or moiety]-to-vd-WD (nm-1) parameters. With this novel analysis methodology, the modes, levels and character of cellular and sub-cellular interactions of the spectrum of chemo-xenobiotics have been determined, for which a classification system has been developed based on predicted conserved biophysical properties. The significance of study findings is multi-fold: (1) Improving combinatory chemotherapy efficacy, (2) Improving predictive accuracy of personalized cancer treatment algorithms and (3) Discovery of xenobiotics of chemotherapeutic value.

Biography:

Lekha Dinesh Kumar has completed two Master’s degrees and she has obtained her PhD in Molecular biology & Biotechnology at IARI, India. She has joined CCMB in 2001, where she is currently holding a position of Principal Scientist and Project Leader, Cancer Biology. She has received “Vicky Dickinson Memorial Fellowship” of Cardiff University for Post Doctoral Research in 2005. She is also the recipient of UICC-ICRETT (International Union against Cancer) fellowship award (2008). Her research focuses on discovery of novel biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer and role of wnt deregulators in the initiation and development of colon cancer. She has many international publications and patents to her credit.

Abstract:

OncomiRs are microRNAs which are known to be deregulated in various cancers. Since they are highly conserved between the genomes of related species, computational analysis of miRNAs would augment the experimental analysis to identify those, which are involved in the regulation of pathway genes leading to the development of cancer. Therefore a user friendly database was constructed for breast cancer which enlists the microRNAs and their respective targets, their interactions, chromosome and gene location of both human and mouse genomes. These microRNAs were validated by expression profiling in 52 individual human breast cancer samples of different grades and stages using two different array platforms, Taqman Low Density Arrays (TLDA) and Locked Nucleic acid Arrays (LNA). Our profile revealed a total of 85% down regulated and rest significantly up-regulated microRNAs. The expression profile indicated that, as breast cancer progressed from stage I to stage III, most of these miRNAs were differentially up/down regulated at least within a particular stage or grade. These unique microRNAs were further validated using Taqman individual assays in 250 human breast samples. The potential use of biomarkers in classifying the different stages or grades of cancers could revolutionize the clinical diagnosis and potential therapy.

Biography:

Reety Arora is a Welcome Trust-India Alliance Early Career Fellow in Prof. Sudhir Krishna’s group at NCBS, India. She completed her PhD in Dr. Yuan Chang and Dr. Patrick Moore’s laboratory at University of Pittsburgh where her work contributed to a new human cancer virus, MCV being classified as a WHO carcinogen for skin cancers. She briefly worked at inStem, Bangalore as a Post-doctoral fellow on quiescence in muscle stem cells before independently securing a grant for studying shared mechanisms in stemness and carcinogenesis using tumor viruses.

Abstract:

Intra-tumor phenotypic heterogeneity, along cancer progression, gives rise to cells that express different lineage markers and have diverse functions. Recent studies in various cancers show that as the tumor progresses, tumor cells become increasingly plastic. Oncogenic transformation often yields cells with unlimited self-renewal potential by cellular reprogramming, comparable to those in the iPSC generation process. We are studying this complex similarity and asking when and how the cells acquire properties of stemness during cancer. Our chosen model for these investigations is virally induced cancers. Besides being a cause of 10-15% of cancers worldwide, virus associated malignancies have identifiable non-cellular targets that make them valuable systems. Merkel cell carcinoma: Merkel cell polyoma virus (MCV) causes a rare, lethal skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). A stemness-related, anti-apoptotic protein, called survivin, shows differential expression when deep-sequence profiles of MCC with and without the virus are compared. Also, both gain and loss of function studies show a substantial correlation between survivin and MCV large T onco-protein. Further I will present how targeting survivin using an inhibitor initiated selective MCV (+) MCC cell death and halted xeno-graft tumor growth in mice. Cervical cancer: Cervical cancers, a malignancy associated with oncogenic papilloma viruses, remain a major disease burden in the absence of effective implementation of preventive strategies. CD66 (+) cells have previously been identified as a tumor-propagating subset in cervical cancers, showing a mixed stemness and differentiation phenotype. I will present our investigations on a CD49f (-) subset of these CD66 (+) cells associated TGFβ treatment and shows an increased migration rate possibly accounting for cancer metastasis.

Biography:

Nasir Ahmad Salati is currently working as Assistant professor in Oral Pathology & Oral Medicine department of DR. Ziauddin Ahmad Dental College, A.M.U., Aligarh. He is involved In Teaching Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine, Histopathology, Oral Microbiology & Clinical Oral Pathology. He teaches Dentistry related topics to MBBS students of JN Medical College (as part of faculty programmes).

Abstract:

PMNs starts as an epithelial dysplasia, characterized by an altered proliferation of squamous dysplastic cells of the epithelial surface stratum (Potentially Malignant) It progresses to degrade the subepithelial basement membrane, generating a local destruction and early invasion (Malignant stage). Local invasion of the underlying connective tissue occurs through islets and cords of epithelial cells & Metastasis (Progression of Malignancy). Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OSCC) is one of the ten most common tumors affecting the human population. Continued population growth and aging have contributed to the increase in this type of pathology, making it an important public health problem. It starts as an epithelial dysplasia and is characterized by an altered proliferation of squamous dysplastic cells of the epithelial surface stratum. It progresses to degrade the subepithelial basement membrane generating a local destruction and distant invasion through the process of metastasis . Local invasion of the underlying connective tissue occurs through islets and cords of epithelial cells. Interaction between tumor cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) components is essential for tumor growth and for the onset of cell spreading and subsequent metastatic activity. The basal lamina, a physicochemical barrier to tumor invasion, plays a fundamental role in the processes described above. It is a highly specialized structure, consisting of a set of molecules with different sensitivity to proteolytic degradation. Its components are synthesized and secreted by epithelial cells and connective tissue. They form a dense network of collagen IV and other macromolecular components such as proteoglycans, glycoproteins, and glycosaminoglycans as well as laminin, fibronectin, and tenascins. Collagen IV is one of the most affected molecule, its degradation during tumor invasion is mediated by metalloproteinases secreted by neoplastic cells. In advanced stages of invasion or in lesions with a greater degree ofmalignancy, the capacity of degradation is further increased associating the discontinuity of the basal lamina with an increased probability of metastasis and a poor. The interactions between the neoplastic cells and components of the ECM in the surrounding connective tissue as well as changes the basement membrane influences tumor behavior during the invasion process . Once fully or partially degraded the basal lamina, neoplastic cells interacts with the ECM of connective tissue, in which collagen I is disorganized, facilitating in that way the tumor invasion. Role of special stains Keratins are the most abundant proteins and are characteristic findings in many epithelial pathologies, making it a diagnostically important marker Unusual keratinisation is found in potentially malignant & malignant lesions Since, immunohistochemistry is an expensive diagnostic tool, special stains to detect the degree of keratinization serve as a faster and economic option. The basement membrane, a physicochemical barrier to tumor invasion, plays a fundamental role in the processes described above. Its components are synthesized and secreted by epithelial cells and connective tissue. They form a dense network of collagen IV and other macromolecular components such as proteoglycans, glycoproteins, and glycosaminoglycans as well as laminin, fibronectin, and tenasin Various special stains reveal the integrity of basal lamina in Oral Potential Malignant Disorders. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common cancers affecting the human population, Tumor pathogenesis implies a multistep process in which cells acquire features that enable them to become tumorigenic and ultimately malignant Special stains reveal nature of collagen & elastic fibres, Basal lamina in epithelium & tumor islands of Oral Malignancies. This article discusses the role of Special Stains like Ayoub-Shklar, Modified PAP stain, Massons Trichrome, Martius Scarlet Blue, Picrosirius Red Stain & Verhoffs stain in diagnosing Oral Premalignant and Malignant disorders.

Biography:

M.Rajajeyakumar, MBBS, MD (Physiology), MSc Yoga, CCEBDM (PHFI), PhD, has completed his MD Physiology,(2006-2009) at (JIPMER- An Institution of National Importance under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India). He worked as research assistant (2009-2012) in Advanced Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education & Research Lab, and JIPMER. He did MSc yoga in Annamalai University and completed ISAK Level 1 & 2 (2010-11). He has published more than 28 papers in reputed national & international journals. He is serving as an expert reviewer (>20) and editorial board member (>18) in many national and international journals.

Abstract:

Breast cancer is very common invasive cancer among women in the global. 18.2% of all cancer mortality worldwide, are from breast cancer. Breast cancer incidence is much higher in developed countries compared to developing nations. The lifestyle modification and diet habits of women in rich and poor nations are also contributory factors. A new dimension to the association between circadian rhythm disruption and breast cancer. Primary hypothesis was that breast cancer risk was more in females who work at night. Epidemiological studies in shift workers and flight attendants have associated chronic circadian rhythm disturbance (CRD) with increased risk of breast cancer. Shift working, jet lag and light at night can disrupt the internal biological clock and melatonin level leads to poor sleep, chronic fatigue, cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, depression and other health problems. Night shift work could increase breast cancer risk by raising levels of circulating estrogen. Regular bright light at night can suppress melatonin production and essential vitamin D levels are reduced due to lack of sunlight. It is not vision, but rather some other photo transduction system in the retina that causes suppression of melatonin in response to light. It was initially thought that blind women might have a greater risk of developing breast cancer, because some studies have reported that they have earlier menarche and delayed childbearing age, both of which have been seen to increase the risk of breast cancer in women, yet these women have been found to have a lower risk of developing the disease. Preventing breast cancer the obvious choice, the women should be to stick to daylight hours and avoid bright lights in the middle of the night. They should be equally careful to avoid staying up too late checking their phones or watching TV, since artificial light of many kinds can suppress the melatonin that protects their bodies and keeps their hormone levels stable. Recent development of science in the near future, good quality of sleep can be recommended to the list of cancer prevention.

Biography:

Shaji V Kudiyat is an innovative and pioneering Homeopathic Physician and Researcher who introduced a new scientific hypothesis called “Dynamic Science. He was involved in cancer research in the Philippines for about 2 decades which helped him to find out the limitations, inadequacies and deficiencies of the present material philosophy based science. He graduated high school from St. George High School, Kothamangalam, Pre-degree from Christ College, Irinjalakuda, B Sc Chemistry from Mar Athanacious College, Kothamangalam, B H M S from Govt. Homeopathic Medical College, Trivandrum, M D in Homeopathy from Vinayaka Missions Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Salem, Tamil Nadu and Post Graduate Diploma in Yoga from Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu. He is instrumental in introducing and popularizing Homeopathic Medicine as a Health Care Modality in the Philippines and is considered as the “Father of Homeopathy” in the Philippines. He authored a book titled “Homeopathic Medicine - An Unavoidable Medical Revolution.”

Abstract:

Cancer is a little understood dreadful disease. After treating cancer patients for many years as a Homeopathic Physician and Researcher, I realized the fact that cancer and many other so called dreadful diseases are not properly explained or understood by the present science because the present science limit its research in the small field of material plane. After a thorough analysis of the situation, it is understood that material plane is only one half of science and the other half lies in the dynamic or energy plane. Actually material plane is the continuation of the dynamic plane. So only by incorporating and interconnecting the relationship between the dynamic and material planes of existence, we are able to understand or perceive many things including the development of cancer. This understanding along with the inductive logical analysis of cancer leads me to the discovery of a new science which I call “Dynamic Science.” “Dynamic Science” is a more complete science and has lot to contribute for the future developments of science. It helps us to understand many unexplained happenings scientifically. It includes the explanations of how cancer develops; how mutation takes place; how the DNA regulation takes place; how homeopathic medicines work; how mind can act curatively; how and why mind is superior; how yoga, meditation, prayer, etc. can heal; etc. The inductive logical analysis of cancer resulting in the development or evolution of “Dynamic Science” is explained in this paper.

Biography:

Dr. Pritha Ray has joined as a principal investigator at Advanced Centre for Research, Treatment and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre in Navi Mumbai, India in 2009. After completing her studies from Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan, she joined as a graduate student under Prof. S.C. Lakhotia in the Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University. During her post doctoral period, in Prof. Sanjiv Sam Gambhir’s lab in molecular imaging program at UCLA & Stanford, Dr. Ray has gained significant experience in Non Invasive Molecular Imaging and her longstanding interests lies in Non Invasive Molecular Imaging of Acquired Chemo resistance in Ovarian Carcinoma.

Abstract:

Worldwide in both developed and developing countries, ovarian cancer patients meet the same challenges: late diagnosis of the disease and acquirement of resistance towards chemotherapy. Thus even with improved management of this disease, mortality rate (>25%) remained same for past two decades. In absence of a standard targeted therapy, platinum-taxol combination treatment has emerged as a primary therapeutic therapy for advanced stage ovarian cancer patients. In spite of promising initial response, majority of these patients acquire drug resistance within 1-2 years and finally succumb with the relapsed disease. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the molecular course of resistance development and identify probable therapeutic targets for ovarian cancer. Using various chemo-resistant cellular models, my lab is engaged in understanding the influence of insulin like growth factor receptor 1 signaling (IGF-1R) and modulation in p53 binding to PIK3CA gene promoter during acquirement of resistance. We show that cells purposely up-regulate the IGF-1R expression at the early stage of resistance to cope up with the stress imparted by the drugs (either cisplatin or paclitaxel or combination of both). Interestingly, up-regulation of IGF-1R expression after chemotherapy treatment was also observed in a small group of patients accrued in a longitudinal follow up study. Combinatorial treatment of IC10 and IC20 doses of drugs (cisplatin/paclitaxol/Cis+Pac ) with IC10 and IC20 doses of Picropodophyllin (PPP), a small molecule inhibitor of IGF-1R, sensitized (~20-30% more) these early resistant cells towards treatment. Our study also shows that IGF-1R expression is dispensable at late stages when the cells become highly resistant. At that point Akt, a downstream effector molecule of IGF-1R signaling takes control and maintains resistance possibly through NF-kb and Bcl2 (at least in cisplatin resistant cells. Interestingly, in these late resistant cells Akt acts as a suppressor of IGF-1R indicating a feedback loop in the IGF-1R/Akt pathway during development chemo-resistance. Combinatorial treatment of IC10 and IC20 doses of cisplatin or paclitaxel or both drugs with IC10 and IC20 doses of PPP do not efficiently reverse resistance in these late resistant cells. However, such combinatorial treatments of drugs with IC10 and IC20 doses of an Akt specific inhibitor induce 30-40% more cell death in late resistant stages. In another study, we find that p53 when activated by cisplatin or paclitaxol treatments acts as an attenuator for PIk3CA promoter activity in chemo sensitive cells. Using two different luciferase reporters and non-invasive molecular imaging, we also show that cisplatin treatment induces p53 activation and PIK3CA attenuation simultaneously in same tumor xenografts. Intriguingly, binding of p53 on PIk3CA promoter is observed to be lost/ reduced in chemo-resistant cells probably due to alteration in post translational modifications in p53. All together our data indicates that an intricate interaction of IGF-1R/PIK3CA/Akt signaling components promote and maintain chemo-resistance in ovarian cancer cells. It is thus possible to sensitize the resistant cells towards chemotherapy along with targeted inhibitor only after a careful assessment of resistant stages and expression status of IGF-1R or Akt.

Biography:

Prabhudas S Patel has completed his M.Sc., Ph.D. (Life Science) with specialization in cancer biology. Currently he is working as a senior scientific officer & Head of the Department of Cancer Biology.

Abstract:

Oral cancer is a significant health burden world-wide. The Indian subcontinent accounts for one-third of the world burden, which is mainly attributed to different forms of tobacco consumption. Currently lack of easy-to-use biomarkers, non-invasive sampling method, markers for early detection and lack of an accurate and portable platform to understand the pathogenesis of the disease are the major limitations. Protein glycosylation is an ancient post-translational modification that enriches protein structure and function. Interest in saliva as a diagnostic fluid has grown exponentially in recent years due to its non invasiveness, possibility of multiple sampling and also it is reducing much of patient discomfort. Oral cancer is one such malignancy where saliva examination has greatest benefit due to its direct contact with the oral cancer lesions. However, salivary glycomics is yet an unexplored area for its clinical usefulness in patients with oral pre-cancerous conditions and oral cancer. It would be interesting to compare sialylation and fucosylation changes from saliva and serum. The patients with OPC were included in the study to assess its usefulness in early detection of oral cancer. The oral cancer patients were also followed after the anticancer treatment and changes in glycosylation parameters were evaluated in follow-ups patients, with a hope of its usefulness in post-treatment monitoring of oral cancer patients. Sialylation and fucosylation being the most abundant posttranslational modification, the present study was undertaken to compare sialylation [total sialic acid (TSA), sialidase activity, α-2,3 and α-2,6 sialyl transferase, α-2,3 and α-2,6 sialoproteins] and fucosylation changes [α-L-fucosidase activity, fucoproteins] from saliva and serum. Methodology employed for the study included spectrophotometric method for TSA and α-L-fucosidase activity; linkage specific bio-tinylation and ELISA for α-2,3 and α-2,6 sialyl transferase; dot blot method for α-2,3 and α-2,6 sialo-proteins; spectrofluorimetric analysis for sialidase activity and lectin affinity chromatography, SDS PAGE followed by silver staining for fuco-proteins analysis. The results indicated increased serum and salivary sialylation (TSA, sialidase activity, α-2,3 and α-2,3 and α-2,6 sialo-proteins) and fucosylation changes (α-L-fucosidase activity, fuco-proteins) in patients with OPC and oral cancer. Moreover, the levels of the markers were decreased in complete responders (CR) as compared to PT (pre-treatment) and were increased in NR as compared to PT levels. The study highlighted the importance of salivary glycosylation changes in monitoring of oral carcinogenesis, which aids in early detection as well as treatment monitoring of oral cancer patients.

Biography:

Dr. Saini completed his education from Banaras Hindu University, India. Currently he is the Director of Stem Cancer Research Institute, HIHT.

Abstract:

Organization and delivery of cancer care in a Medical College or University environment poses many challenges. There are more than 250 oncology units across India situated in medical colleges. Majority of these units have failed to grow beyond a Department of Radiotherapy, and remains devoid of multidisciplinary comprehensive cancer care which is quite desirable and feasible. Cancer Research Institute at Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun has put up in place a computer aided functional system of mandatory tumor board approval and multi-disciplinary cancer care involving all disciplines required for optimal cancer care. Frequent communication within various disciplines and collective decision making and care is paramount to achieve the best out come with available therapies. This model represents a feasible and harmonious way of multidisciplinary working in academic institutions. Many others may adopt the same and benefit.

Biography:

Hemant Sarin earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology with Highest Honors (1994) followed by a Medical Doctorate (1999) and went on to gain experience in Neurosurgery (2000-2003) prior to completing the NIH Imaging Sciences Program while developing his Translational Imaging-based Malignant Glioma Research Program concomitantly (2004-2009). He went on to gain additional intensive experience in Neurology for 6 months (2010), International Science Policy for 6 months (2011) and American Board Eligibility in Occupational and Environmental Medicine (2012-2014) while earning his Master of Science degree concomitantly on the conserved basis of toxin and toxicant interactions in the physiologic state.

Abstract:

The potential to characterize differences in hyperpermeability associated with diaphragm fenestrated tumor capillary neoangiogenesis, and that associated with capillariovenular inter-endothelial junction widening in non-tumor inflammation, with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exists. To-date, dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, has relied on the utilization of small molecule contrast agents (ie Gd-DTPA or Gd-DOTA) for the kinetic bicompartmental modeling of small molecule contrast agent wash-in (Ktrans) and wash-out (Kep) vascular parameters, of tumor hyper-permeability, in order to increase the diagnostic sensitivity of MRI to differentiate tumor type and grade. However, sequential imaging with macromolecular contrast agents, with time for washout of small molecule contrast agent, affords the added benefit of non-model-based quantitative characterization of hyper-permeability patterns, with the potential to delineate differences between contrast enhancement patterns of pathologic tumor hyper-permeability and inflammatory hyper-permeability. With the multitude of clinical safety data on FDA-approved Gd-DTPA based macromolecular contrast agents (Gadomer-17; ~4 nm) and pre-clinical animal data on larger macromolecular dendritic nanoparticle-based contrast agents with diameters in the 6 to 14 nanometer-size range, and improved specificity to discriminate physiologic hyper-permeability (i.e. muscle) from pathologic hyperpermeability, will be more sensitive for discrimination between pathologic tumor hyper-permeability and inflammatory hyper-permeability and useful towards the accurate non-invasive diagnosis of disease states of pathologic hyperpermeability. In this didactic discussion, the current state of the knowledge on MR imageable dendritic nanoparticle-based macromolecular probes will be presented, and the future perspective offered.

Biography:

Dr. Dimple Chakravarty completed her Postgraduate from Institute of Medical Education and Research in 2006. She worked as a Post-doctoral researcher UTHSCSA. Currently she is working as an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, USA.

Abstract:

Sequencing of the human genome has revealed a myriad of insights into the complexities of transcriptional program and has shed light on regulatory role of the non-coding transcriptome beyond the speculated “transcriptional noise”. Long non coding RNAs (lncRNAs) comprise a heterogeneous group of non-coding transcripts (>200nt) that have emerged as key mediators of cellular homeostasis. We recently discovered the lncRNA NEAT1 and identified its role in prostate cancer (PCa) progression. NEAT1 expression is low in benign prostate cells but demonstrates a significant increase in expression with PCa progression. We provide experimental evidence to demonstrate that NEAT1 can drive oncogenic cascade via epigenetic modulation of chromatin. By RNA ISH on TMAs we have shown that NEAT1 is upregulated in both localized as well as metastatic prostate cancer compared to benign. Functionally, NEAT1 is a transcriptional regulator and RNAseq analysis identified a compendium of genes (NEAT1 signature) that are directly regulated by NEAT1. Analysis of a large clinical cohort suggested that NEAT1 is a novel prognostic biomarker of clinically aggressive disease and a predictive biomarker of patients with advanced prostate cancer. NEAT1 contributes to DNA damage and repair mechanisms and functions as a unique link between oncogenic signaling and DNA damage and response pathway. Biochemical studies reveal that NEAT1 is a histone chaperone and NEAT1 signaling converges at a yet undiscovered DDR pathway. Our studies also support the rationale that NEAT1 modulates large-scale chromatin reorganization for efficient repair of damaged loci. We have discovered a functional feed-back loop between genomic instability and cancer progression pathways that might also explain molecular basis for drug and radiation resistance observed in aggressive cancers. Specific targeting of NEAT1 using siRNA approach restores sensitivity to radiation in prostate cancer cells. Delineating the role of NEAT1 using a combined molecular-genome wide screen and analysis of NEAT1 in clinical samples will provide rationale for future NEAT1-targeted therapies. Acknowledgments/Funding: This work was supported by NCI R01 CA152057 (AS, MAR) and the Early Detection Research Network NCI U01 CA111275 (MAR), and the Prostate Cancer Foundation Young Investigator award (DC). Keywords: non coding RNA, Cancer progression, Epigenetic regulation, DNA damage and repair

Biography:

Puneet Chandna is a Ph.D. in biophysics from University of Edinburgh, U.K, with over 23 years of experience in the field of instrumentation, technology and life sciences. Currently he is Working Partner and Collaborator at Tata Memorial Centre and Hospital, Mumbai. His dissertation and thesis work has been on exploration and synthesis of Hybrid particles. Multi disciplines of his extended study and practice includes certifications for expert evaluation, prognosis & management of symptom and side effects in the field of oncology, diabetes etc., from several institutes to include leading international centers such as Harvard, OHIO State University, University of Pennsylvania etc.

Abstract:

Molecular diagnostics, personalized therapy, clinical trials, research and bioinformatics have all set precedence to the comprehensive perspectives on the current trends and treatment of cancer. The dreaded cancer disease which is analogous to the crab from the Greek mythology is considered as a class characterized by out-of-control cell growth alongside its systemic abilities to pervade, proliferate and replicate. In the current abound able stretches to treat, a clinician’s or molecular geneticists focus remains affixed to prioritize an issue that is most important from a research perspective and has actionable potential to be able to assist in moderation and superintendence of therapy, using the best available research evidence to guide clinical decision making. Traditional practice is compassionate towards the advances over the past decade in cancer treatment and emphasizes the advantage and applicability of knowledge that is continually changing the landscape of specialized, multidisciplinary personalized cancer medicine. Clinical reasoning related to diagnosis and treatment choices is evermore influenced by important transcendental elements of technology, comparison and outcomes that shape the characteristics and practice style, helping plan interventions to match the diverse needs. Moving forward, a multidisciplinary approach to answer important issues in daily practice demands frequent updates including, incidence, epidemiology, etiology and histology to combine the benefits of molecular oncology alongside current clinical and pathological findings to establish a strong legislation that could deliver and improve overall healthcare setting amidst the disparities of incidence, prevalence, modifiable risk factors to evaluate and employ new approaches to molecular diagnostics and targeted therapy in the era of personalized cancer medicine revolution which is well underway.

Biography:

Palanki Satya Dattatreya has completed his DM in Medical Oncology from Gujarat Cancer Research Institute, Ahmedabad. Now he is the Consultant Medical Oncologist at Omega Hospitals, Hyderabad. He has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Background: Approximately 20% of breast cancers are HER2+ve, aggressive form of tumor. Trastuzumab, a humanized anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (MAB) directed against the extracellular domain of HER2, is the standard of care for HER2-positive primary breast cancer and first-line MBC. However, most cases of advanced disease eventually progress. Thus there is an unmet need for alternative treatments. What is new? Pertuzumab is a fully humanized MAB which binds to domain II of HER2, essential for dimerization and prevents the formation of HER2 dimers. In patients with HER2+ve MBC, the addition of pertuzumab to trastuzumab leads to unprecedented median overall survival of 56.5 months. Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) is a novel HER2-directed Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) that combines the cytotoxic activity of a chemotherapeutic with the biologic activity of an antibody, via a stable linker. On binding of T-DM1 to HER2 receptor the ADC is internalized and DM1 is released. Inpatients with metastatic breast cancer who previously received trastuzumab and a taxane, T-DM1 resulted in significant overall survival compared tocapecitabine and lapatinib with favourable safety profile. Further studies will determine use of these agents in early stages of breast cancer where intent is cure. Global perspective: NCCN and AGO guidelines recommend a pertuzumab and Trastuzumab emtansine for 1st and 2nd line treatment of HER2+ve MBC as preferred treatment options respectively. Conclusion: The pertuzumab and T-DM1 is substantial advance for patients with HER2-positive BCs and a new milestone in personalized medicine.

Biography:

Seema Rai has completed her PhD from Banaras Hindu University. She has been the recipient of Fast Tract Young Scientist and Pool Scientist Award from Department of Science & Technology (DST) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi. She has also received the prestigious Invitation European fellowship as Postdoctoral student from University of Insubria, Department of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, Varese, Italy in collaboration with the Institute of Pathology, Locarno Switzerland. She is Head of the Department of Zoology, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, and a Central University. She has published more than 25 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of many reputed national and international Journals.

Abstract:

The neuro endocrine and immune systems were once considered as separate entities but recently both have been reported to be linked bidirectional. Melatonin, a neuro-hormone produced mainly by the pineal gland till date has revealed itself to be a pleiotropic and multitasking molecule although the neurohormone has been considered as a component for entraining the circadian system. It is a biogenic indoleamine and has attained a significant status as immune regulator. Any neurotransmitter, neuroendocrine factor and hormone can drastically change many physiological processes including immune function. The environmental stimulus and seasonal fluctuations affects the nervous system, endocrine functions and the incidence of opportunistic diseases. Report agrees that drug administration may lead to depression or stimulation of immune and other physiological responses depending on the time and dose of hormone and timing of their administration. Melatonin also stimulates the immune system and increases the cancer killing activity of macrophage, monocytes, NK cells, T helper cells and eosinophils. All of which are involved in cancer cell destruction. Additionally melatonin inhibits angiogenesis from existing blood vessels. Tumors get their nutrition through blood vessels and as they grow, they require an increasingly greater supply of blood vessels to feed themselves. Preventing new blood vessel growth limits their food intake and causes them to shrink or stop growing. Melatonin has properties which enable it to block the effects of estrogen upon cancer cells; this is important because certain forms of estrogen stimulate the growth of hormonally influenced concerns, such as breast cancers. The anti-proliferative activity of melatonin has focused on breast cancer possibly because melatonin has shown to modulate the activity of several aspects of endocrine physiology. According to the “melatonin hypothesis” decrease in melatonin is believed to lead an increase in estrogen level and an increase in the turnover of breast epithelial stem cells ultimately increases the risk for malignant transformation. Further, a very well known fact that melatonin acts through its receptors ML1 (ML1a & ML1b) which are high affinity melatonin receptors. The low affinity receptors are designated as ML2 & ML3. The ML1&ML2 are coupled to the adenyl-cyclase and cyclic AMP inhibition where as mass spectrometry and enzymatic data confirms ML3 as quinone reductase (QR2) which is a detoxifying enzyme. The induction of this enzyme is actually associated with the decrease in susceptibility to cancer initiation and progression. Further melatonin function destroys cancer in multiple ways. Firstly because it is toxic to cancer cells, induces apoptosis and/or cancer cell auto destruction as well as directly kills cancer cells. It slows down the tumor growth via inhibiting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on cancer cells. The EGFRs play an important role in cancer growth and proliferation therefore blocking their receptors in cancer cells prevents them from carry out their role. Finally as an antioxidant, melatonin reduces inflammation, a condition that enables cancer’s survival and it scavenges free radicals so that they do not damage normal cells and make them vulnerable to further genetic mutations. Physiologic and pharmacologic concentrations of the pineal hormone melatonin have shown chemo preventive, oncostatic and tumor inhibitory effects in a variety of in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in oncostatic function have now been partially identified, but surely deserve further investigation for better understanding of the physiological and therapeutic implications of melatonin as a cell protection molecule.

Biography:

Manju Ray is born on 1st January 1947 and got her PhD (Biochemistry) in 1975 from University of Calcutta. Professor Manju Ray, after retirement from the post of Senior Professor, Department of Biological Chemistry, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science on December 2010, has joined at Bose institute, as an Emeritus Scientist. She devoted herself mainly on elucidation of metabolic pathways of methylglyoxal, a potent anticancer agent and development of anticancer drug based on methylglyoxal. She was awarded the most prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in Biological Sciences for the year 1989. She also got Young Scientist Medal, Life Time Achievement Award, Dr I.C. Chopra Memorial Award, Dr. Jnan Chandra Ghosh Memorial Award etc. She delivered many lectures in several Research Institutes and Universities in India and abroad like USA, England, Sweden, Australia, China, Germany, Canada etc. She has published total 76 papers in international reputed journals.

Abstract:

The anticancer effect of methylglyoxal (MG) has been known for a long time. This is a normal metabolite, can strongly inhibit mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis of exclusively malignant cells. This leads to ATP (energy currency of cell) starvation of those cancer cells, rendering them nonviable. In contrary it has no adverse effect on normal cells. Pharmacokinetic and toxicological studies confirmed that MG has apparently no toxic effect. MG can activate macrophages via the production of superoxide and nitrite and by MAPK/NF-κβ signaling pathway. These findings led the way for anticancer drug development using MG as a key component. Phase I Clinical study was done on a limited number of terminal cancer patients to test the efficacy of the drug with the due approval of the Institutional Ethical Committee (IEC) and the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). Highly encouraging results of this study had lead to the Phase II Clinical trial on cancer patients which is on the way in completion. MG, being a normal metabolite, is rapidly degraded by various enzymes present in the body resulting in reduced therapeutic efficiency. To prevent this degradation, MG was conjugated with a natural polymer, chitosan. The synthesized nanoparticulated methylglyoxal (Nano-MG) is more competent as an anticancer agent than bare MG. Nano-MG has strong anticancer property both in vitro and in vivo. It has been demonstrated that Nano-MG has more cytotoxicity and increased rate of apoptosis in various cancer cell lines in comparison with bare MG, without any adverse effect on normal mouse myoblast cell line C2C12. Nano-MG also found to be effective in both Carcinoma and Sarcoma. Efficacy of Nano-MG is about 400 times more in EAC-bearing mice and nearly 80 times more in sarcoma-180 induced solid tumor bearing mice than that of bare MG. Nano-MG showed immunomodulatory property. A few cytokines and surface receptors of macrophages including iNOS, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, M-CSF, TLR-4 and TLR-9, which are well known for playing vital roles in enhancing immunity have also been assayed at their mRNA levels. The cytokines exhibited marked up regulation on treatment with the Nano-MG at much lower dose in Sarcoma-180 tumor bearing mice compared to untreated (sarcoma 180 bearing) counterparts. In conclusion, Nano-MG is an excellent candidate as cancer therapeutics.

Biography:

Padma P. Tadi Uppala, PhD, is an Associate Professor in Environmental Toxicology in the School of Public Health at Loma Linda University and the Program Director for Inland Empire Breast Cancer Research and Outreach Center. Uppala earned her Ph.D. in Biology with a primary focus on environmental carcinogenesis from Loma Linda University in 1991 and obtained postdoctoral training in Environmental Toxicology at the University of California, Riverside. She earned her MSc. in Parasitology from Kakatiya University, Warangal and B.Ed. from Osmania University, Hyderabad, India. She has authored several scientific publications in the area of pesticides and biomarkers for breast cancer.

Abstract:

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women, with an estimated 43,909 breast cancer deaths in the US and 70, 218 in India for the year 2012. While a majority of breast cancer patients in the US are postmenopausal, more than 80% of Indian patients are younger than 60 years of age, presenting with larger tumor size, poor tumor grade, and low rates of hormone-receptor positive status much like the triple negative breast cancer among African American women who participated in the current study. Because of the aggrssive nature of these tumors and current lack of targeted theapies, identification of novel relevant protein markers is of great improtance. The purpose of this study was to validate serum proteins that were identified by serum proteomic profiling in 22 serum samples by 2D-DIGE/MS analysis and a subset of samples by shotgun LC/MS technology. This study included 15 African American breast cancer patients and 12 healthy controls. Patients were grouped into triple negative (TN), HER2 and Luminal A and B subtypes. Proteins of biological significance were validated using western blot analysis. For ceruloplasmin, and Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein acid labile subunit (IGFBP-ALS), one-way ANOVA was used to compare mean density among the three groups. For Vitamin D Binding protein (VDB), a two-sample t-test was used to compare the density between the groups. Due to the small sample size, we have also conducted nonparametric tests. IGFBP-ALS was significantly higher in triple negative breast cancer patients (p=0.016) and in HER2 (p=0.025) subtypes. There was no significant difference in VDB protein in the luminal A and B subtypes (p=0.98). Future efforts will focus on validating the identified panel of biomarkers to gain insight into their role(s) in the etiology of aggressive breast tumors in the Indian population. Funded by Susan G Komen for the Cure and SEED grant SPH.

Biography:

Suprava Patel has completed her MD, Biochemistry from Utkal University, Odisha and currently working as Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, AIIMS, Raipur, Chattisgarh. Besides teaching and clinical laboratory management she has actively participated in research projects on infertility, breast cancer and sickle cell disease. She has published papers in national and international scientific journals. She is working as co-associate in stem cell project in Pt. J. N. Medical College, Raipur and has made lots of efforts in isolation of stem cells. She also worked in diagnostic karyotyping unit. She has also been appointed as thesis co-guide to MSc Medical Biotechnology students. She has been actively involved in organizing many national and international conferences, symposiums and workshops. She is the member of many scientific associations.

Abstract:

Cancer is still one of the major causes of mortality throughout the world. Over 200 types of cancers have been currently identified because of recent developments in cancer diagnostic technologies. In-spite growing advancement in therapeutic aspects, death incidences are still rising where early detection of cancer being a major limitation. Currently, many cancers are diagnosed only after they have advanced to metastasis. Various cancer biomarkers have been reported to play an important role in clinical oncology in terms of diagnosis, treatment monitoring and prognostic marker. Biosensors have been highlighted by many researchers as a wonder devise as it is quite simple and can identify a specific biological entity by converting it into an electrical signal that can be sensed and analyzed. Besides, it can also be designed to detect new emerging cancer biomarkers and detect the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents at its target site. Biosensor technology has the potential to provide highly sensitive & rapid diagnostic tool, for early detection of cancer, determine the effectiveness of anticancer drugs and monitoring prognosis. It will be briefly summarized about the recent advances of biosensor technology as a diagnostic tool taking into account the limitations as well as its future perspective.

Biography:

Thasanthan Loganathan has completed his B.Sc. in Radiotherapy at the Department of Radiography/ Radiotherapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya and reading M.Sc. in Medical Physics at the Post Graduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya. He is a Lecturer and Radiation Protection Officer at the Department of Radiography/ Radiotherapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya.

Abstract:

The opacification of the eye lens is cataract. Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, especially in the third world where surgical treatment is unavailable. There are three predominant forms of cataract, depending on their anatomical location in the lens; cortical, nuclear and posterior subcapsular. Major risk factors of cataract are ocular trauma, intraocular surgery, diabetes mellitus, corticosteroid usage and radiation exposure. Radiation therapy in head and neck region remains an effective therapeutic option. The lens of the eye is recognized as one of the most radiosensitive structure. The probability of developing radiation induced cataract depends on the energy of radiation and the amount of the lens that has been irradiated. The absorbed dose for the induction of lens opacities is a significant factor in treatment planning because of their superficial location, direct contact with the X-ray beam and higher scattered radiation doses in head and neck radiation therapy. Cataracts have been classified as a deterministic effect of radiation exposure and the latent period between exposure and cataract formation ranges from months to years. Radiation induced cataract is no longer considered as a severe complication because visual acuity can be restored by surgical treatment without significant complications. The clinical presentation of a radiation cataract is different from most age-related or other form of lens opacity. International commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) released a new statement that drastically reduced the putative human threshold values for radiation induced cataract to 0.5 Gy from previous values of 2-8 Gy (ICRP, 2011).

Biography:

Sushmita Jha completed her PhD from the Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (USA) and Post-doctoral studies from the Linberger comprehensive cancer care center, UNC Chapel Hill (USA). She is the Head, Department of Biology and convener, focus group in Biologically Inspired System Science at IIT Jodhpur. She has been awarded the “2013 Young Scientist Grant" from The Department of Science and Technology, Government of India and the “Hulka Innovator’s award” by the Center for women’s health research, UNC-CH, USA. She has published several papers in reputed, high impact journals.

Abstract:

Malignant gliomas, the most common primary brain tumors that arise from glial cells within the central nervous system (CNS), are among the most fatal human cancers. With a median survival of only 14.6 months even after aggressive therapy, most patients succumb to their disease within two years of the initial diagnosis. Gliomas are heavily infiltrated by innate immune cells (~30%). Increasing evidence suggests a significant role of innate immune cells in promoting tumor growth, migration, immune-suppression and angiogenesis. My interest is in the inflammasome forming NLR (Nucleotide-binding domain; leucine-rich repeat containing receptor) proteins in gliomas. NLRs constitute a sophisticated detection mechanism for pathogens, irritants and damage. NLRs play a role in inflammation, immunity and cell death but there is no report of a link between NLRs and gliomas. Using mRNA expression data generated from microarray analysis from the cancer genome atlas analyzed using the c-Bio portal for cancer genomics (Memorial Sloan Kettering center), from 262 tumor samples for patients of low grade gliomas showed that the NLR gene network (NLRP12, NLRX1, NOD2, NLRP3, NLRP6, NLRC3, AIM2, MSR1, NLRC4, CASP1, PYCARD) was altered in 38.9% of all cases. In case of 135 tumor samples of Glioblastoma multi-forme, the same input gene set was altered in 38.5% of all cases. We are utilizing cell culture, biochemical, immunohistochemistry and high resolution microscopy approaches to better understand these molecular pathways so as to aid development of novel anti-tumor therapies.

Biography:

Ismail has completed her PhD from National Institute of Nutrition, Osmania University, Hyderabad and post-doctoral studies from MD Anderson Cancer Centre and University of Miami, USA. She is currently working as Scientist ‘D’ at NIN, Hyderabad. She has more than 25 publications in reputed, peer-reviewed international journals. Her research work is funded by extramural agencies such as DBT, DST and ICMR.

Abstract:

Breast cancer is the leading cause for death among women worldwide. Cancer cells are known to possess high proteasome activity which is essential for their growth and survival. Inhibition of the proteolytic activity of the 26S proteasome leads to apoptosis and targeting the proteasome is thought to be an attractive approach for anticancer therapy. Murraya koenigii is a medicinally important herb of Asian origin and a rich source of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and alkaloids. The objective of this study was to investigate the inhibition of cancer cell growth and proteasome activity by M. koenigii leaf extract (MLE) using both in vitro and in vivo models. Cell culture studies using two human breast cancer cell lines revealed that the MLE could inhibit the activity of the 26S proteasome and led to cell death/apoptosis. Interestingly, MLE had minimal effect on the proteasomal activity in a normal cell line. Further, in vivo studies were carried out and xenografts were implanted in nude mice using the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line. Tumor bearing mice were administered either vehicle or two different doses of MLE. Proteasomal and caspase-3 activities were determined by using specific fluorogenic substrates. Treatment with MLE led to significant reduction in tumor growth. There was a dose-dependent decrease in proteasomal enzyme activities (Ch-L & T-L). Increased caspase-3 activity in the treated tumors compared to untreated tumors indicated enhanced apoptosis. Increased expression of the cell cycle inhibitors (p21 & p27) with MLE suggested growth arrest which was reflected in the reduced tumor size. Decreased expression of both angiogenic and anti-apoptotic gene markers indicates inhibition of angiogenesis and promotion of apoptosis in the MLE treated tumors. In conclusion, the results indicate M. koenigii leaves as a potential anti-cancer agent and highlight its benefit in breast cancer prevention and treatment.

Biography:

Lalhmangaihi Chhakchhuak is currently a Doctoral candidate in Sociology at University of Hyderabad. Her area of research is Sociology of Health and Medicine. She has been awarded Master of Philosophy degree in the same area of Sociology of Health. Her research mainly focuses on the social body and social self, conceptualizing pain and suffering of an individual in the social context, specially studying on Mizo society.

Abstract:

According to the report of Development of Atlas of Cancer in India (DACI), the state capital of Mizoram, Aizawl district has ranked the highest in cancer population in India followed by Serchhip district in the same state. Situated in the Northeast India, with a small population of ten lakhs, Mizoram has been recorded the highest cancer cases in India according to the reports of National Cancer Registry Program of 2009-2011. The consumption culture of the Mizos like tobacco consumption, smoked meat, dried vegetables, the favorite sauce made of fermented pork fats may have contributed the scientific explanation to the causes of cancer. Cancer has always been an expensive illness for the well-to-do family as well as the economically weaker section. With just one Government Cancer Research Institute in Mizoram, person living with cancer in Mizoram faces many problems regarding efficient treatment. This paper will try to explore the problems and burden faced by cancer affected in Mizoram. This paper is an empirical study and will try to narrate from the perspective of cancer affected. The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY) is one of the only sources for the economically weaker section for receiving medical expenses bill and a few government workers could reimburse medical bill from the government. This paper will examine the economic impact of cancer and medical expenses of the cancer affected one. The suffering and pain faced by person living with cancer, contributed by economic problem within the family and the feeling of self-identified as a burden within family and society will be the argument discuss on this paper.

Biography:

Wasia Rizwani completed her PhD in Biochemistry in 2006 from Osmania University, Hyderabad, India. She has done her Post-doctoral fellowship and MD at Anderson-Orlando. She started her career as Research Scientist/Independent Investigator, Osmania University. Currently she is working as Principal Investigator in Osmania University, Hyderabad.

Abstract:

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women worldwide. Cigarette smoking is considered to be a common risk factor for developing cancer of the cervix. A recent meta-analysis showed the risk of squamous cell cervical cancer doubled in women who currently smoke. However, because of the complex composition of cigarette smoke, the detailed path of physiological mechanisms is not fully understood. We decided to analyze the effects of soluble cigarette smoke on the viability of cervical cancer cells and proteomically explore its effect on the expression of various proteins in cervical cancer cells. Exposure of cervical cancer He-La cells to soluble reference-research cigarette smoke extract caused an increase in expression of a number of proteins, as identified by proteomic analysis. Alpha-Enolase, a glycolytic enzyme, known to be involved in tumorigenesis and metastasis, was significantly higher in cells exposed to soluble cigarette smoke extract when compared to untreated control cells. Alpha-enolase is a hypoxia-responsive gene; hence we explored the HIF pathway. We found a concomitant increase in Hif-1 expression in He-La cells exposed to cigarette smoke extract through suppression of prolyl 4 hydroxylase activities. It is possible that cigarette smoke could be inhibiting prolyl 4 hydroxylase activities to stabilize and enrich Hif-1which in turn, is activating -enolase. Pathway enrichment analysis of the interacting proteins of enolase resulted in glycolytic pathways, supporting enolase function in a cell. Induction of ENO1 genes might provide a survival advantage to cells under hypoxia and acidic environments generated by cigarette smoke. Simultaneously, we analyzed E-cigarettes (nicotine) effect on cervical cancer cells. E-cigarettes are being used as alternatives to traditional cigarettes to facilitate smoking cessation. Our ongoing study reveals that e-cigarettes also induce alpha-enolase levels in He-La cells to the same extent or higher than traditional cigarettes. Further studies on the role of enolases in smoking-induced progression of tumorigenesis needs to be evaluated.

Biography:

Sheema Khan has completed her PhD at the age of 28 years from Indian Institute of integrative Medicine and postdoctoral studies from Sanford Research Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota and University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), Memphis, Tennessee, USA. She is the Research Associate at the department of pharmaceutical Sciences, Cancer Research center, UTHSC. She has published more than 19 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

The management of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is extremely poor due to lack of an efficient therapy and development of chemoresistance to the current standard therapy, gemcitabine. Recent studies implicate the intimate reciprocal interactions between epithelia and underlying stroma due to paracrine Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling in producing desmoplasia and chemoresistance in PDAC. Herein, we report for the first time that a nonsteroidal drug, ormeloxifene, has potent anticancer properties and depletes tumor-associated stromal tissue by inhibiting the SHH signaling pathway in PDAC. We found that ormeloxifene inhibited cell proliferation and induced death in PDAC cells, which provoked us to investigate the combinatorial effects of ormeloxifene with gemcitabine at the molecular level. Ormeloxifene caused potent inhibition of the SHH signaling pathway via downregulation of SHH and its related important downstream targets such as Gli-1, SMO, PTCH1/2, NF-{kappa}B, p-AKT, and cyclin D1. Ormeloxifene potentiated the antitumorigenic effect of gemcitabine by 75% in PDAC xenograft mice. Furthermore, ormeloxifene depleted tumor-associated stroma in xenograft tumor tissues by inhibiting the SHH cellular signaling pathway and mouse/human collagen I expression. Xenograft tumors treated with ormeloxifene in combination with gemcitabine restored the tumor-suppressor miR-132 and inhibited stromal cell infiltration into the tumor tissues. In addition, invasiveness of tumor cells cocultivated with TGFβ-stimulated human pancreatic stromal cells was effectively inhibited by ormeloxifene treatment alone or in combination with gemcitabine. We propose that ormeloxifene has high therapeutic index and in a combination therapy with gemcitabine, it possesses great promise as a treatment of choice for PDAC/pancreatic cancer.

Biography:

Ibel C Fredy is doing his VI year Doctor of pharmacy (Pharm D) Intern from PES College of Pharmacy affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health sciences, Bangalore. He is an active research scholar. He has published over 6 research papers in international journals and been a co-author in several research articles. He is working on other research related activities.

Abstract:

Introduction: Cancer chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting is one of the most common and feared adverse effects in cancer patients, which not only hampers therapy, but also affects the quality of life in these patients. This study investigates patterns of antiemetic regimens, their efficacy, and the effect of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) on the quality of life of the patients. The objective is to review the antiemetics prescribed in preventing/reducing CINV, to investigate effect of the combination of clinically used standard antiemetic regimens employed in CINV on the quality of life of patients, and to evaluate which antiemetic regimen is more efficacious in CINV. Methods Around 60 patients were included in the study and were followed up for 6 cycles of chemotherapy. The extent of nausea and vomiting and the effect of the same on the quality of life of the patients were assessed using a modified FLIE questionnaire, which was filled at 0h,6h, 24h and 120h following the initiation of chemotherapy. Results Comparison of the mean of the various parameters showed that the mean age of the patients enrolled was 47.55± 9.893 with 73.3% females and 26.78% males.The most common type of cancer in this study was Ca. breast (35%). Palonosetron was the most common antiemetic used (63.3%), followed by aprepitant, granisetron, and ondansetron. Dexamethasone was prescribed in all patients. Patients who were on antiemetic regimens which didn’t include aprepitant, complained of acute (75%) and delayed nausea (6%) as well as acute (45%) and delayed emesis (5%). Patients who received aprepitant had complete response (no nausea, no emesis )(100%) The quality of life parameters of patients was not affected significantly. Conclusion The combination of aprepitant + palonosetron + dexamethasone or aprepitant + dexamethasone were most commonly preferred and achieved reasonable effectiveness that did not compromise their quality of life.

Biography:

Shilpi Gupta has completed her masters in biotechnology from Banasthali University and dissertation in topic entitled “Expression of Inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase (INPP4A) in mouse model of asthma and cDNA library screening for various novel isoforms of INPP4A” at IGIB, New Delhi from IGIB (Delhi) under the supervision of Dr.Balaram Ghosh. After completing masters she has done various projects-‘Senior research fellow’ at Dept. of Veterinary Microbiology, DGCN, COVAS, Palampur where she works as a part of a Dr.Chahota research group in the field of animal Chlamydiosis. She also has exposure of structural biology as she has worked with Dr. Amit Sharma group at ICGEB, New Delhi. She has published 3 papers in reputed journals. She is currently pursuing PhD from School of Biotechnology JNU, Delhi in helicobacter associated gastric carcinogenesis with Dr Rupesh Chaturvedi.

Abstract:

Gastric adenocarcinoma is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and H. pylori infection is the strongest known risk factor for this malignancy. H. pylori-induced gastritis frequently progresses to atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia and gastric cancer. The balance between over-expression of inflammatory response, immune tolerance and exhaustion can leads to inflammation associated carcinogenesis. Immune activation is a hallmark of H. pylori–associated gastric carcinogenesis and NFkB1 which is a member of NFkB family protein has been shown to regulate a wide range of genes those are involve in immune regulatory response. In this study, we have used 10-12 week old age p50 knockout mice, which show spontaneous gastritis with loss of gland a preneoplastic lesions. Further analysis of gastric tissue by Luminex Bead array indicates increased level of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The next generation transcriptome analysis showed, up-regulation of genes involved in immune activation and immune exhaustion. We also observed that H. pylori infection reduced the levels of p50 and has similar transcriptome expression associated with immune activation as observed after p50 knock out in our in vivo study. Further analysis of transcriptome data, indicated a molecular gene signature including cd44, tim3 etc. for immune exhaustion in p50 knock out mouse stomach. We also observed a similar immune exhaustion gene signature in U937 cell line infected with H. pylori. Our data indicates that p50 maintains immune homeostasis and inhibit immune exhaustion. Loss of immune homeostasis and immune exhaustion could play a role in the process of H .pylori associated gastric carcinogenesis.

Biography:

Jitendra Varshney has completed his B.Pharm and M.Pharm (Clinical Pharmacy) from SGRR-ITS, Dehradun. He is Director of Varshney ENT Clinic, Chandausi (U.P.). He is also Pharmacy in-charge at Sri Sai hospital, Moradabad, a trauma, emergency and multi-speciality centre. He has worked as pharmacist at ANANDANIKETAN (Society for Mental Health Care), Katwa, Burdwan (W.B.). The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India has given a National award in Dec., 2011 to ANANDANIKETAN for the empowerment of persons with disabilities. He has published 7 papers in reputed journals. He has completed two research projects: One is “A Randomized, Double-Blind, Single Dose, Crossover Study to Compare the Sensory Attributes & Immediate Efficacy of Intranasal Ciclesonide & Intranasal Fluticasone Propionate in Indian Patients with Allergic Rhinitis”—this is the first clinical study throughout the World, comparing Ciclesonide and Fluticasone propionate. This study was published in Indian Journal of Pharmacology in 2012. Other project was published in West Bengal State Journal of Otolaryngology and got “Best Paper Award”.

Abstract:

Cancer is an exception to the coordinated interaction among cells and organs. The goal of cancer treatment is first to eradicate the cancer. If this primary goal cannot be accomplished, the goal of cancer treatment shifts to palliation, the amelioration of symptoms, and preservation of quality of life while striving to extend life. Cancer treatments are divided into four main types: surgery, radiation therapy (including photodynamic therapy), chemotherapy (including hormonal therapy and molecularly targeted therapy), and biologic therapy (including immunotherapy and gene therapy). Antineoplastic agents are the drugs used to treat cancer. They are also called as cancer drugs, cytotoxic agents or anticancer drugs. Paul Ehrlich first coined the term chemotherapy. Antineoplastic drugs are most effective against rapidly dividing tumor cells. Every year FDA approved few drugs in the armamentarium of a Medical Oncologist to treat cancer. In the year 2015, nine drugs have been approved till date for cancer treatment.

Biography:

Kainat Panjwani is currently a student of the Doctor of Pharmacy programme studying her IV year from Malla Reddy Pharmacy College affiliated with Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad. She has never been a part of a congress and never participated in oral or poster presentations as she thinks she has limited knowledge but is keen on exploring and learning new things. She wants to be a part of this Indo-Global Summit as she expects to gain a vast amount of knowledge from all the members and share a little bit of hers.

Abstract:

DPP4 Inhibitors belong to a class of hypoglycemic drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes. DPP-4 inhibitors work by blocking the action of DPP-4, an enzyme which destroys the hormone incretin. Incretins help the body produce more insulin only when it is needed and reduce the amount of glucose being produced by the liver when it is not needed. These hormones are released throughout the day and levels are increased at meal times. These drugs have been into the limelight recently due to their role in patients with Type 2 DM of controlling blood glucose levels, reducing appetite, and helping shed off those extra kilos! But what we aren’t sure about is this medications’ ability to cause cancer. Several researches have shown that gliptins have caused pancreatic cancer, thyroid, colon, melanoma, and prostate cancer too. These studies clearly indicate the need to explore the causes and importance of disturbances in serum DPP4 activity and the complex molecular mechanisms which underlie the development and progression of cancers. DPP4 inhibitors may suppress the body’s natural cancer suppressing mechanism! Further research needs to be done in order to fully elucidate the cause and the importance of observed changes in DPP-4 activity.

Biography:

Dr. Madhulika Singh have completed her PhD., Zoology from University of Lucknow. She started her career as a senior research associate and currently working in cancer stem cell research, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, India.

Abstract:

Background: Mucin-1 (Muc1) is a secreted, oncogenic mucin that is aberrantly over expressed in breast cancer cells but its potential role in breast cancers stem cells (BCSCs) have not been explored. Micro-RNAs (mi-RNA), small non-coding RNAs that play critical roles in normal stem cell functions during development, have emerged as important regulators of BCSCs as well. Methods: Muc positive (+)/ (-) cells were isolated from patient-derived cancer (n=25), and normal BC tissues (n=15) and propagated in non-adhesive suspension cell culture to assess their phenotypic characteristics. Further mi-RNAs expression profiling was done by using micro-RNA Taq Man® Low Density Array Cards v2.0 based on qReal-Time PCR array. Results: Significantly altered expression of mi-RNAs were found (17 up-regulated and 29 down regulated) in Muc (+) BCSCs as compared to Muc (-) (p<0.05). All these mi-RNAs were having significant role in BCSCs self renewal, proliferation potential and were also involved in cancer metastasis. Further, selected miRNAs expression levels were individually tested and validated in mammospheres generated from tissue samples. Muc (+) BCSCs were showing higher level of miRNAs -9, -16, -34a, -195-5p and -454 as compared to Muc(-) BCSCs. Significantly down regulated expression of miR-106a, -125b and -218 was also noted in Muc (+) BCSCs as compared to adhered and Muc(-) cell population. Conclusions: These mi-RNAs can potentially be used to develop a panel for classification and prognosis in order to better predict the progression of the disease and facilitate the choice of treatment strategy.

Biography:

Prof. Abhijit Chandra is the Head of the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, KGMU. He did his MBBS and MS from KGMC, Lucknow and MCh in Surgical Gastroenterology form GB Pant Hospital, New Delhi in 1999. He was a visiting fellow for hepatobiliary surgery in Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA and Research fellow in University of Texas Medical Branch, USA. He has received specialized training in PancreaticoBiliary and therapeutic endoscopy, scientific writing and clinical tools in clinical research, University Of Texas, USA and advanced laparoscopic training at GEM Hospital, Coimbatore. He has been involved in the department since its inception in 2006 and has interest in coloproctology, Hepato-Pancreato-biliary surgery, cancer biology, surgical immune response and multi organ failure. His research and surgical techniques in total anorectal reconstruction has been well acknowledged at various international surgical forums.

Abstract:

Background: Perineal transposition of antropyloric valve (APV), based on left gastroepiploic pedicle has been used for total anorectal reconstruction in patients suffering from end-stage fecal incontinence. We studied patients who underwent successful perineal APV transposition for end stage fecal incontinence, either after irreparable anal sphincter trauma, anorectal malformation (ARM) or following abdomino-perineal resection (APR). Patients: Twenty patients underwent the procedure. Nine patients had replacement (following APR) (group 1) and 11 patients had augmentation (for severe anal sphincter injury or ARM) (group 2) of the anal sphincter. Two patients in group 1 with early graft-related complications were excluded from further analysis, because they had the grafts excised. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measures were anatomical integrity and functional status of the graft in the perineum, fecal incontinence scores, and quality-of-life scores (SF-36) over a median follow-up of 24 months. Results: The transposed grafts had a definite tone on digital examination, were well visualized on perineal MRI, showed high-velocity vascular inflow on Doppler ultrasound study and good vascularity on CT angiography. Anal manometry showed a significant (p=0.03) rise in the post-operative resting neo-sphincter pressures with good retention of barium proximal to pyloric valve on distal loopogram. The postoperative St Mark incontinence score improved in both groups and was significantly better in group 2 than in group 1. There was significant improvement in postoperative physical and mental component scores in both groups. Conclusions: APV can be used successfully for a selected group of patients with end-stage fecal incontinence. Patients undergoing anal sphincter augmentation (for severe anal sphincter injury or ARM) have better outcomes in comparison with those having an excised sensate anorectum (after APR).

Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Dr. Prithpal Singh Matreja is currently working as a doctor in Gain Sagar Medical College, India.

Abstract:

Background: Breast cancer is one of leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide in females. It has been associated with both physical and psychological burden. It also has a profound effect on family and friends leading to psychological strain, social isolation, relationship strain and financial strain apart from added responsibility of taking care of patient. Many studies done have found profound effect on patients as well as caregivers of breast cancer but data from Indian setup is lacking hence this study was designed to study the impact of breast cancer on quality of life of patients as well as caregivers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients and caregivers visiting the oncology department. The study was approved by the IEC of the institute and informed consent was obtained from all the participants. The patients were subjected to Quality of Life Scale/Breast Cancer Patient and World Health Organization-Quality of life-Brief (WHO-QOL Bref) questionnaire. The caregivers were subjected to WHO-QOL Bref questionnaire and Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Results: A total of 50 patients and caregivers were enrolled in the study, the QOL of both the patient and caregivers was compromised and was significantly (p<0.05) higher in patients and caregiver who were diagnosed in the last few months. The QOL scores of both the patient and caregivers improved with passage of time and was significantly higher in patients who were symptom free and leading almost a normal life. Conclusion: To conclude breast cancer not only compromises the patients well being it also takes a toll on the caregivers. With due course of time and treatment, there was significant improvement in quality of life.

Biography:

Dr. Benu Brata Das is a biologist with over 13 years of experience in topoisomerase enzymology, DNA damage and repair pathways, Apoptosis and the aspects of drug discovery. In his research career, he has published 29 articles in peer-reviewed journals and made presentations at national and international scientific meetings. For his outstanding research at the National Cancer Institute / NIH, received the Fellows Award for Research Excellence for consecutively two years (FARE award 2009-2010 and 2010- 2011), which is a highly competitive and prestigious award. He has been selected among top five outstanding fellows at National Cancer Institute, NIH/ USA- 2012.

Abstract:

Topoisomerase I (Top1) regulates DNA supercoiling and is essential for all DNA transactions including replication, transcription and recombination. Top1 is the target of anticancer drug [camptotecin (CPT)] and its clinical derivatives (irinotecan and topotecan), as it forms Top1 cleavage complexes (Top1cc) that are trapped by the drugs leading to stable enzyme-DNA covalent complexes. The normally transient Top1-induced DNA single-strand breaks evolve into double-strand breaks, which are detrimental to the cell and ultimately lead to cell death. Hence, the repair of Top1cc is an important part of DNA metabolism and cancer resistance. Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (TDP1), a key repair enzyme for trapped Top1cc, hydrolyzes the phosphodiester bond between the DNA 3\'-end and the Top1-tyrosyl moiety. Here, we will discuss how targeting DNA repair pathways could potentially synergize Top1 inhibitors in cancer chemotherapy.

Biography:

Areeb Ahmed Abbasi started his career as a regulatory affairs trainee, Sterling pharmaceuticals in July 2009. Currently working as an oncology pharmacist he is interested in pursuing a challenging career as a Clinical or Hospital Pharmacist in a reputed ministry hospital.

Abstract:

Cytotoxic medications are used to treat neoplasm in patients. When we say that these medications can treat cancer, we also have to remember that unintentional exposure to these medications may cause cancer in normal individuals. They possess mutagenic, teratogenic and genotoxic properties. Safe handling of these chemo medications can prevent their dangers and hazards. Food and drug administration (FDA) have approved what is called Closed System Transfer Device (CSTD) to handle these medications during preparation and administration of chemotherapy. In the presentation, the following points are highlighted: 1) The reported reactions faced by individuals handling chemotherapy medications 2) What does the major oncology international standards state for handling of hazardous drugs 3) CSTDs and their advantages 4) How CSTDs can help in prevention of cancer and 5) What steps can be taken to prevent exposure to these hazards. The only aim of the presentation is to safely handle chemotherapy and reduce the dangers and hazards to the practitioners.

Biography:

Hemant Sarin earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology with Highest Honors (1994) followed by a Medical Doctorate (1999) and went on to gain experience in Neurosurgery (2000-2003) prior to completing the NIH Imaging Sciences Program while developing his Translational Imaging-based Malignant Glioma Research Program concomitantly (2004-2009). He went on to gain additional intensive experience in Neurology for 6 months (2010), International Science Policy for 6 months (2011) and American Board Eligibility in Occupational and Environmental Medicine (2012-2014) while earning his Master of Science degree concomitantly on the conserved basis of toxin and toxicant interactions in the physiologic state.

Abstract:

Novel innovative methodologies are needed to overcome the challenge for the effective treatment of primary and metastatic solid malignancies, which has to do with the trans-vascular delivery of nano-molar (nM)-to-micro-molar (uM) concentration of a small molecule chemo-xenobiotic selectively into solid tumor tissue foci and then the persistence of the chemo-xenobiotic in the tumor milieu for several hours. It is possible to accomplish this with optimally-sized magnetic resonance image-able DTPA/DOTA chelated Gadolinium (Gd)-dendrimer nano-particles bearing covalently attached small molecule chemo-xenobiotics with labile linkages and physiologic exterior functionality, as these 8-to-9 nanometer-sized nano-particles are free from intravascular protein interactions and have prolonged plasma half-lives by being resistant to proteolytic degradation in circulation, which results in functionalized dendrimer accumulation selectively in tumor tissue to milli-molar (mM) concentrations, without systemic side effects. For this purpose, the methodology of non-model-based quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (qDC-E MRI) has been developed, which permits the non-invasive determination of Gd concentration accumulation in tumor tissue as a surrogate measure of Gd-DTPA dendrimer-small molecule chemo-xenobiotic accumulation and specifically, the amount of chemo-xenobiotic, with a priori knowledge of the amount of percent Gd and ratio of Gd chelate-to-chemo-xenobiotic per functionalized dendrimer batch. Utilizing this qDC-E MRI methodology, real-time accumulation of Gd-DTPA-Generation 5-Doxorubcin in orthotopic RG-2 malignant gliomas has been quantitatively imaged and the significant regression of brain tumor has been demonstrated, after a single I.V. dose of the functionalized dendrimer. In this didactic session, this novel methodology will be discussed, as will the translational perspective towards its clinical application.

Biography:

Pankaj N Surange is an FIPP Qualified (Budapest, Hungary) and World Institute of Pain certified Interventional Spine and Pain Specialist. He is accredited by many Pain societies, both national and international and is a member or a fellow of them. He is Vice-Chairman of World Institute of Pain, (India Chapter) and Visiting Faculty, Moderator and Editor of Daradia Pain Institute, Kolkata. He has special interest in minimally invasive interventions for PIVD/Slipped Disc, degenerated disc disease, spine and related pains, chronic and cancer pain, neuralgias and neuropathic pains and rheumatic pains.

Abstract:

A considerable number of patients with cancer suffer considerable pain during their disease. Preliminary findings of a recent study of pain prevalence at four major cancer hospitals in India underscored the importance of the amendments, the organizations said. The study was conducted by Pallium, India, Hyderabad Pain Relief and Palliative Care Society and Human Rights Watch, in collaboration with the Regional Cancer Centers in Hyderabad, Kolkata, Cuttack, and Ahmedabad. It found that almost 90 percent of cancer patients suffered from pain when they arrived at these institutions, almost 60 percent from moderate to severe pain. More than 90 percent of patients with moderate to severe pain were not receiving adequate pain medicines. Although the WHO Analgesic Ladder is effective for many cancer pains, addition of appropriate adjuvant drugs along with early intervention is needed for improved quality of life. The patho-physiology of cancer pain is complex: it involves inflammatory, neuropathic, ischaemic and compression mechanisms at multiple sites. Knowledge of these mechanisms and the ability to decide whether a pain is nociceptive, neuropathic; visceral or a combination of all three will lead to best practice in pain management. Effective cancer pain treatment requires a holistic approach with timely assessment, measurement of pain, pathophysiology involved in causing particular type of pain and understanding of drugs to relieve pain with timely inclusion of intervention. Interventional pain therapies are a diverse set of procedural techniques for controlling pain that may be useful when systemic analgesics failed to provide adequate control of cancer pain or when the adverse effects cannot be managed reasonably. Also at times, patient presents late with disease and with limited life expectancy. These patients usually are in severe pain with physiological disturbances and involvement of multiple organs, at times. Commonly used interventional therapies for cancer pain include neuro-axial, neurolytic including sympathetic block and para-vertebral block and epidural blocks; advanced pain procedures like spinal cord stimulator and intra-thecal pumps; and in addition, neurosurgical procedures are used as last rescue once other techniques failed in order to achieve the highest possible success while minimizing potential complications and side effects. Where applied appropriately and carefully at the right time, these procedures can contribute enhanced pain relief, reduction of medication use and markedly improved quality of life. We propose a six step ladder for managing cancer pain with an access to each step directly depending on the severity of symptoms, general condition of patient and life expectancy.

Biography:

Rachana has completed her Post graduate from IIT Roorkee in 1998 and Doctorate from IIT Bombay in 2006. She is currently working as an Associate Professor at Department of Biotechnology, JIIT, India. She has more than 30 international and national research and review articles including two patents and 3 books to her credit. She has been actively writing in various national and international magazines such has Ingredient South Asia and Chronicle Pharmabiz. She is also a Member of various national committees like: IBS, MAPA, ACCP, IPA and many more.

Abstract:

Cancer is one of the major causes of disease related death despite the significant advancement of technology in medicine and therapeutics. Cancer therapy involves surgical removal of the cancerous tissue, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Nature has been the major source of therapeutic molecules for all types of diseases including cancer. Many of the successful drugs used in the most trusted treatment regimen i.e., chemotherapy are obtained from nature. Anticancer compounds obtained from plants include various types of natural chemicals like: Taxanoids, alkaloids, lactones, flavonoids and terpene etc., and plant based drug discovery has resulted in the development of many important anticancer agents such as: Vincristine, vinblastine, etoposide and paclitaxel, etc. Our regular diet also contains many such anti cancer components like: Curcumin (turmeric), capsaicin (red chilli), diosgenin (fenugreek) catechins (green tea), from spices and resveratrol (red grapes, peanuts and berries), genistein (soybean), diallyl sulfide (allium), lycopene (tomato) and ellagic acid (pomegranate) from fruits and vegetables etc. There are various molecular targets present on/inside the cancer cells which have been found to be targeted by well known and well proven natural molecules cells for example, topoisomerases (targeted by Podophyllotoxins and Camptothecin), amino peptidase (targeted by Bestatin) and β tubulin (targeted by Vinca Alkaloids) etc. This present compilation is reviewing few important anticancer herbs/molecules obtained from nature, analysing their importance in therapeutics of various types of cancer.

Biography:

Ruckmani A is currently the Head of the department of pharmacology at Chettinad Hospital & Research Institute, Chennai and previously worked in various Government medical colleges in Tamil Nadu from 1998. She serves as Member Secretary for the Institutional and Chair person for the outside ethics committees and member in various academic committees. She is the coordinator for the course; M Sc Clinical Research & Experimental Medicine. She has conducted clinical trials and published more than 40 research papers in indexed journals. She serves as a Guide for PhD & MD, M Sc Postgraduates.

Abstract:

It is well known that, cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. According to WHO approximately 14 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer related deaths were reported in 2012. In India, as per the data in 2014, 8 lakhs new cases and 5.5 lakhs deaths occur every year. Such high morbidity and mortality of cancers do not only affect the individual but the family and the society at large in terms of lack of health, expenditure on treatment & economic productivity. The treatment of cancer is expensive and not affordable to all. There is an urgent need to make anticancer drugs available & affordable to the common people. Considering the cost & toxicity of most of the anticancer drugs, new drug trials become a necessity. In this context this paper will give a detailed analysis of registered cancer trials both conducted & ongoing in India. In India clinical trials are conducted after registering with Clinical trial registry, India (CTRI). As per this registry, approximately more than 5900 clinical trials were registered from 2007. Out of this more than 700 are cancer trials. These trials have been analyzed in terms of cancer type, the phase of trial or BA/BE, the candidate drug whether new, existing or new formulation/route, adjuvant therapy and discuss their outcome and future directions.

Biography:

Nazir Ahmad Khan has completed his MBBS in 1990 from Tashkent State Medical Institute, India and MD from SKIMS University, Srinagar. He has membership in several associations such as Life Member Association of Radiation Oncologists of India, Life Member North Zone AROI and also Life Member Cancer Society of Kashmir. Survey of risk factors in Carcinoma Esophagus is his main area of interest. His ongoing research project is on Patterns of failure in Carcinoma Esophagus and also working on the \'Studying the spectrum of cancer in Kashmir and the possible risk factors responsible for its risk\'.

Abstract:

Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. About 80% of the lung cancers are of the non small cell type. More than 70% of NSCLC patients present with locally advanced or metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. As most cases of NSCLC present at an advanced stage, decision about the most effective treatment combination remains an important issue. Till mid nineties (1990), the standard of care for locally advanced NSCLC was radiotherapy alone. The results were poor, 1, 2, and 5 year survival rates were 40%, 15% and 5% respectively. Several studies have confirmed that addition of chemotherapy to radiation in advanced stage of NSCLC improves survival when compared with radiation alone. Initially sequential chemo radiation came into practice. The CALGB trial compared standard radiotherapy of up to 60 Gy alone, to sequential cisplatin and etoposide chemotherapy for two cycles followed by 60 Gy. Median and 5 year survival were superior for chemoradiation arm, 19% vs. 7%. Another phase 3rd trial (RTOG88-08 and ECOG4588) randomized stage 3 NSCLC patients (485) to thoracic radiotherapy 60 Gy/6 weeks alone, cisplatin and vinblastin followed by thoracic radiotherapy or hyper fractionated radiotherapy (69.6 Gy/1.2 Gy twice daily). One year survival for radiotherapy alone was 46% and for chemotherapy plus radiotherapy 60%, for hyper fractionated radiotherapy 51%. Concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy was investigated in an effort to enhance the effects of radiation besides taking care of systemic disease. The Japanese study by Furuse et al conducted a phase 3rd study where in patients were subjected to concurrent verses sequential chemo radiotherapy. Chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin, vinblastin and mitomycin. Radiotherapy was started on day second of chemotherapy. While as in sequential arm radiotherapy was delivered after completion of chemotherapy. Overall response rate was higher in concurrent arm 84% vs. 66.4% in sequential arm. Subsequently, several studies showed an improved survival with concurrent chemoradiation. However this has come at the cost of increased toxicity. Major toxicities include grade 3-4 esophagitis in 20-30% and myelosuppression in the concurrent arm. The concurrent chemo radiotherapy is regarded as the standard of care for patients with a performance status of 0 or 1 in locally advanced NSCLC.

Biography:

S. Nafees Bano is currently working as a Professor at Hakim Syed Ziaul Hasan Govt. Unani Medical College, AYUSH Campus, Bhopal, India. She has done her MD from Amraze Niswan wa Qabalat. Her area of interest is AYUSH Systems of Medicine- Cancer Basics & Therapeutics.

Abstract:

Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by out-of-control cell growth. There are over 100 different types of cancer, and each is classified by the type of cell that is initially affected. Cancer harms the body when altered cells divide uncontrollably to form lumps or masses of tissue called tumors. Tumors can grow and interfere with the digestive, nervous, and circulatory systems, and they can release hormones that alter body function. Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells, which can invade and spread to distant sites of the body. Cancer can have severe health consequences, and is a leading cause of death. Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach, and liver cancer are the most common types of cancer in men, while breast, colorectal, lung, uterine cervix, and stomach cancer are the most common among women. In the Unani system of medicine, a number of scholars, viz., Galen (131-210 AD), Al-Razi (865-925 AD), Al- Zahrawi (939-1013 AD), Ibn Sina (980- 1037 AD) and al-Karaki (1233- 1286 AD) paid their attention towards the treatment and prevention of cancer. The Unani philosophy is that cancer is the end stage of the degeneration of the metabolic efficiency of the body--the extinguishing of the innate heat--brought on primarily by incorrect diet and other imbalances in various aspects of the patient's life, usually occurring over a long period of time.In the Unani view, cancer is not actually one disease, but several hundred different symptoms affecting virtually any organ. As noted above, cancer is a disease of the black bile humor. It can occur with only the black bile humor out of balance, or one or more humors out of balance along with it. In severe cases, all four humors may be disordered. Cancer will be eliminated only when people return to a more balanced, natural lifestyle, and keep the body, mind, and spirit free from impurities.

Biography:

Rahul Krishnatry was awarded MD in Radiotherapy from Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh in 2010. He received Dr JM Pinto Gold medal in 2009 for his research in Image based brachytherapy for cervical cancer. He worked for 3 years in Tata Memorial Hospital and received several awards for research papers at national and international forums. He was awarded International Development and education award from ASCO in 2012. He was the first Indian to receive International research development fellowship grant from Society of NeuroOncology. He completed two years of clinical research fellowship in Neuro Oncology at Sickkids Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Center, Toronto with translational research focus on pediatric low grade glioma (Tabori Lab) in July 2015. He is currently working at Mazumdar Shaw Cancer center, Bangalore. He has published more than 20 papers in reputed peer reviewed journals and has presented more than 25 abstracts in various international conferences.

Abstract:

Determinants of long-term survival in adult survivors of pediatric low grade glioma (PLGG) is largely unknown. We sought to uncover clinical and treatment-related risk factors impacting long-term survival in PLGG. This was a retrospective population based study where collected long-term follow-up information for all PLGG patients diagnosed in Ontario, Canada from 1985-2012 (n=1202) and determined factors affecting long-term survival. The impact of upfront radiation treatment on overall survival was validated against an independent cohort from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database (n=2402). At a median follow-up of 12.73 (0.02-33) years; only 93 deaths (7.7%) were recorded with 20 year overall survival (OS) of 90.1+1.1%. Children with NF1 had excellent survival. Adverse risk factors included pleomorphic-xanthoastrocytoma (p<0.001) and thalamic location (p<0.001). Upfront radiotherapy was associated with three-fold increased risk of overall late deaths (p=0.001) and four-fold increased risk of tumor-related deaths (p=0.013). In multivariate analysis radiation therapy was the most significant factor associated with late all-cause deaths and tumor-related deaths; p=0.013. This explains that PLGG have a chronic clinical course and is associated with excellent long-term survival which is hampered by increased delayed mortality in patients receiving upfront radiotherapy. These observations should be considered while deciding treatment options for these patients.

Biography:

Zaki Anwar Ansari is currently working as a Principal at Hakim Syed Ziaul Hasan Govt. Unani Medical College, AYUSH Campus, Bhopal, India. His area of interest is AYUSH Systems of Medicine- Cancer Basics & Therapeutics.

Abstract:

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. It strikes more than one third of the worlds population and it’s the cause of more than 20% of all deaths . The knowledge of cancer in the Unani systems of medicine can be traced back to ancient times (131-200 A.D.).According to Unani system of medicine, cancer is essentially a disease of black bile i.e. excessive production and collection of black bile. Cancer mostly occurs in soft tissues like breast, uterus, stomach, intestine, pancreas, prostate, oral cavity & lungs etc. The Unani philosophy is that cancer is the end stage of the degeneration of the metabolic efficiency of the body--the extinguishing of the innate heat--brought on primarily by incorrect diet and other imbalances in various aspects of the patient's life, usually occurring over a long period of time. Unani physicians recognized the natural healing process as critical in achieving best possible health. Diseases were themselves natural and it was the physician’s job to help nature to heal. They recommended following Principle of treatment in given successive steps: 1. Venesection 2.Evacuation of morbid humor from the body with the help of herbs like Cuscuta reflexa , Curcuma longa, Withania somnifera, Vicea rosea, Arthrospigra maxima, Nigella sativa, Trigonella foenum, Terminallia bellerica, Terminalia chebula), Embellica officinalis, Aloe vera etc., 3. Diet should be easily digestable & reduce the excess production & accumulation of black bile and also help to cool and refresh the body4. Pain associated with cancer to be controlled with medicines and also 5. Local medication for cancer. Nature is a rich source of active principles against cancer cells. Natural products produced by plants and their synthetic derivatives are expected to play an important role in the development of innovative agents to inhibit the onset of cancer. There is a need to explore other hidden beneficial potential of plants mentioned in Unani System of Medicine.

Biography:

Suma Sanikommu is currently working as an Associate Professor in Department of Biochemistry in Chaitanya Degree and Postgraduate College.

Abstract:

Phytic acid, myo-inositol [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 hexakis phosphate] (IP6) is a common chemical component present in cereals and seeds. Phytic acid or its salt (phytate) is the principal storage form of phosphorus (P) and inositol. Phytic acid (IP6) is naturally available in plant based foods such as legumes, wheat bran and soya foods. The physiological role of IP6 in animals and its role as anti-cancer agent have been widely studied. Unlike most other anticancer agents, IP6 blocks the cell cycle of the malignant cells, forcing them to revert to a non-cancerous state. Further, IP6 controls the cell division and reduces the rate of cellular proliferation both in vivo and in vitro. Phytase enzyme in microbes converts the phytic acid into phosphates (P) and simple inositol. The major problem with phytase enzyme is lack of information regarding the activate site, biophysical properties which can be altered without sacrificing the enzyme stability and activity. We have presented biochemical and biophysical parameters of different phytases as this information was limited in previous reviews.

Biography:

Sumithra B is pursuing PhD under the guidance of Dr. Asim Bikas Das in Department of Biotechnology at NIT Warangal, India. Her interest involves molecular signaling pathway of cancer and new effective therapeutics. Currently, her research study is on identifying links between molecular signaling pathways and alternative splicing mechanism in different cancers. She also worked as an ad-hoc faculty in the same Department. Previously she pursued M-Tech in Biotechnology from IIT Guwahati and also has industrial experience from Wockhardt Research Center, Aurangabad, India.

Abstract:

Alternative pre-mRNA splicing is recognized as a hallmark of cancer. Changes in protein isoforms produced by alternative splicing modulate the proteome set and their functional properties which contribute to cancer development. Sam68 (Src associated in mitosis, of 68 kDa), an RNA-binding protein belongs to signal transduction and activation of RNA (STAR) family of proteins. Due to the functional motifs within the domain structure, Sam68 is associated with both signal transduction and alternative splicing events in cell. To evaluate how Sam68 is involved in changing the alternative splicing decision of cancer sustaining genes (CD44, RON, m-TOR) in response to deregulated signaling pathways in cancer cells, in-silico regulatory and functional analysis of Sam68 was carried out. Initially, expression of Sam68 and co-expressed genes in different cancer types were analyzed using microarray data from different public and commercial repositories like NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus, Gene array express and Oncomine. Based on the results gene co-expression network (GCN) was constructed. The results indicate significantly higher expression of Sam68 in leukemia, soft tissue sarcoma, medulloblastoma, melanoma and esophageal adeno-carcinoma. Computational tools such as Pathway Commons were utilized to construct the protein-protein network underlying the interaction between sam68 and other intracellular signaling molecules. It is observed that Sam68 is associated with MAPK, TGF-β and Wnt signaling pathways. Taken together, Sam68 plays a crucial role which associates signal transduction to alternative splicing events in tumorigenesis.

Biography:

Dheeraj Paul pursuing his PharmD at Malla Reddy college of Pharmacy. His main area of interests is to collaborate with clinicians to make drug prescribing more tailored to the needs of the individuals and simultaneously. On the other hand he is currently under internship program at Malla Reddy hospital.

Abstract:

Nanotechnology is rapidly developing subdivision of technology that affects on many fields. Medicine is also affected from nanotechnology; since, in cancer treatment nanotechnologically modified methods can be used.One of the developing usage fields of nanotechnology is cancer treatment. Nanotechnology can assist to have better diagnosis with less harmful substances as optical nanoparticles and ICG molecules, to provide efficient drug delivery to tumor cells with liposomes and functionalized micelles. Nanotechnology can be also used in molecular imaging with tomography and photoacoustic imaging of tumors and therapy of cancer as photothermal and radiotherapy. Finally, nanotechnology is still developing science can be defined as next generation techniques for cancer disease; at the same time it comes with many advantages to treat cancer patients.

Biography:

V S P K Sankara Aditya J is pursuing his PhD in Department of Biotechnology at National Institute of Technology, India. Presently he is working under the guidance of Dr Urmila Saxena on the topic; In-silico studies on identification of breast cancer biomarkers for early diagnosis of cancer for the development of Biosensor. He has published 3 papers in reputed journals from his earlier work.

Abstract:

In the past few years, there is a tremendous growth in cancer biology which has led to development of new anticancer therapies for combating with cancer related molecules and its pathways. But these therapies are successful only when cancer is diagnosed at early stage. Indeed, detection of cancer at early stage is completely curable in recent years. Therefore biomarkers which specifically express in early stage with significant expression difference in normal and metastatic stage would play cardinal role in diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In present work in silico approaches have been applied to find out suitable bio-makers for early detection of breast cancer. Several breast cancer associated genes have been collected from existing literature. Their tissue specific expression level was checked by using cancer EST database. Cancer EST contains DNA sequences (200–500 nucleotides) generated by sequencing the 5′ and/or 3′ ends of c-DNAs that are subsequently clustered and counted. Tissue specific expression of different genes [X-box binding protein 1(XBP1), protein regulator of cytokinesis 1(PRC1), GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3), pituitary tumor-transforming 1 (PTTG1) etc.] have been analyzed using cancer EST in mammary and other tissues. Expressions of genes are presented in tpm (transcripts per million, gene ESTs/tissue ESTs) for each tissue type. From the data, a few genes were selected which are showing statistically significant differential expression when compared in healthy and cancerous mammary tissues. Microarray data from different public repositories has been used to further analyze the expression of selected genes in early stage of cancer formation using R program. Our result shows that a few of these genes can serve as potential biomarkers and contribute in detection of breast cancer at early stage.

Biography:

Sauraj is a Research Scholar under the supervision of Prof. Yuvraj Singh Negi, Department of Polymer and Process Engineering, IIT Roorkee. He is working on Synthesis and bio-evalution of colon-specific pro-drugs. His research area includes synthesis of anti-cancer drugs, drug derivatives, co-drugs & pro-drugs and their in-vitro/in-vivo studies.

Abstract:

In order to develop a sustained release drug delivery system for colon specific drug delivery, a novel Xylan-based 5-fluorouracil pro-drug was synthesized in two step method. Firstly, Xylan is extracted from corn-cob as an agro waste. Secondly, 5-fluorouracil-1-acetic acid (FUAC) was prepared and then covalently conjugated to Xylan through ester linkage. Prepared conjugates were characterized by analytical techniques such as FTIR and NMR. The successful synthesis was further confirmed by DSC/TGA and powder X-ray diffraction techniques. The degree of substitution was estimated by complete hydrolysis of conjugates in alkaline solution. In-vitro hydrolysis study of conjugates was performed in acidic (pH 1.2) and basic (pH 7.4) buffers, showed their stability in upper GIT environment, which is the primary requirement of colon specific drug delivery. The synthesized Xylan based ester prodrug of 5-fluorouracil is found to be the potential candidate for colon targeted drug delivery with minimal undesirable side effects.

Biography:

Hemant Sarin earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology with Highest Honors (1994) followed by a Medical Doctorate (1999) and went on to gain experience in Neurosurgery (2000-2003) prior to completing the NIH Imaging Sciences Program while developing his Translational Imaging-based Malignant Glioma Research Program concomitantly (2004-2009). He went on to gain additional intensive experience in Neurology for 6 months (2010), International Science Policy for 6 months (2011) and American Board Eligibility in Occupational and Environmental Medicine (2012-2014) while earning his Master of Science degree concomitantly on the conserved basis of toxin and toxicant interactions in the physiologic state.

Abstract:

Novel innovative methodologies are needed to overcome the challenge for the effective treatment of primary and metastatic solid malignancies, which has to do with the trans-vascular delivery of nano-molar (nM)-to-micro-molar (uM) concentration of a small molecule chemo-xenobiotic selectively into solid tumor tissue foci and then the persistence of the chemo-xenobiotic in the tumor milieu for several hours. It is possible to accomplish this with optimally-sized magnetic resonance image-able DTPA/DOTA chelated Gadolinium (Gd)-dendrimer nano-particles bearing covalently attached small molecule chemo-xenobiotics with labile linkages and physiologic exterior functionality, as these 8-to-9 nanometer-sized nano-particles are free from intravascular protein interactions and have prolonged plasma half-lives by being resistant to proteolytic degradation in circulation, which results in functionalized dendrimer accumulation selectively in tumor tissue to milli-molar (mM) concentrations, without systemic side effects. For this purpose, the methodology of non-model-based quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (qDC-E MRI) has been developed, which permits the non-invasive determination of Gd concentration accumulation in tumor tissue as a surrogate measure of Gd-DTPA dendrimer-small molecule chemo-xenobiotic accumulation and specifically, the amount of chemo-xenobiotic, with a priori knowledge of the amount of percent Gd and ratio of Gd chelate-to-chemo-xenobiotic per functionalized dendrimer batch. Utilizing this qDC-E MRI methodology, real-time accumulation of Gd-DTPA-Generation 5-Doxorubcin in orthotopic RG-2 malignant gliomas has been quantitatively imaged and the significant regression of brain tumor has been demonstrated, after a single I.V. dose of the functionalized dendrimer. In this didactic session, this novel methodology will be discussed, as will the translational perspective towards its clinical application.

Biography:

Anuj Kumar Singh has completed his B E from Vinayaka Mission University and M-Tech from Bharath University. He is currently pursuing PhD from Department of Bioscience & Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati. He has published 2 papers related to breast cancer and ROS scavenging hormones.

Abstract:

Oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world and the third most common cancer in developing countries including India in both men and women. Mortality from oral cancer was shown 97,919 for male and 47,409 for female worldwide in year 2012. This necessitates the need of new drug targets for oral cancer. Store operated calcium entry (SOCE) is one of the key Ca2+ signaling mechanisms in most cells which play many pivotal roles in different patho-physiological processes including cell division, secretion, fertilization, cell migration etc. With the literature showing the involvement of SOCE in cancer pathology, we hypothesized that SOCE may be important in patho-physiology of oral cancer as well. We have selected oral cancer cell lines as model and first checked the mRNA expression of store operated calcium channel (SOCC) genes using RT-PCR. We measured SOCE using Fura-2AM, a membrane permeable ratio-metric calcium indicator. Upon adding increasing concentrations of LaCl3 we have observed a decrease in SOCE. We have used SOCE chemical inhibitors to check the proliferation of oral cancer cells by MTT assay. We have observed a minimal inhibition at high concentration of inhibitors. Moreover, we plan to check with other reported inhibitors and anti-sense oligo-nucleotides to elucidate the role of SOCE in proliferation, invasion, migration and secretion functions of oral cancer cells.

Biography:

Venkateshwarlu Bandi has completed his M Sc in Biotechnology from Kakatiya University-Warangal 2010 and joined as a PhD research scholar in the Department of Biotechnology, Pondicherry University in the year 2012. He has cleared several nation-wide entrance examinations (GATE-BT-2012, CSIR-UGC-NET-2013 and ARS-NET-2014) for PhD scholarships. His PhD thesis work deals with the cross talk between micro-RNAs and tumor suppressor genes in different cancer cells.

Abstract:

Micro-RNAs (mi-RNAs) are a class of small, single-stranded, non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level or translational repression by halting ribosomes during protein synthesis. They play an important role(s) in the regulation of several cellular, physiological, developmental processes and proliferation. Aberrant mi-RNAs expression is associated with many human diseases including leukemia and other cancers. Based on literature evidences on miRNA and cancer, we hypothesize that tumor suppressor gene(s) could be regulated through specific mi-RNAs in cancer cells. In this study, we randomly selected several mi-RNAs based on their specific functional roles in cancer cells and predicted their target genes using standard bioinformatics tools. The mi-RNAs and 3’ UTR DNA sequences were PCR amplified from HEK-293 genomic DNA and cloned in basic vector and GFP vector respectively. To validate these mi-RNAs on their target gene silencing, we performed co-transfection using both mi-RNA and specific 3’UTR-GFP plasmids and analyzed the green fluorescence signals by fluorescence microscopy. Our preliminary observations showed some positive silencing for several predicted targets genes with specific miRNA(s). Currently, we are in the process of characterizing these mi-RNAs at molecular levels for their specific function using qRT-PCR and other molecular approaches. In addition, we evaluate the potential biological effects of these miRNAs on cell viability, cell cycle progression, apoptotic effects, etc. on cancer cells. Overall, this study will help in identifying new biomarkers for early detection and therapeutic strategy for better cancer treatment.

Biography:

Susmitha Chandragiri is currently a Post-graduate student in Nephrology at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India.

Abstract:

Cancer associated thrombotic micro-angiopathy (TMA) is a devastating event in cancer patients. Cancer associated TMA occurs either in advanced stages of cancer associated with chemotherapeutic drug use or in transplant setting. Non-chemotherapy associated TMA is mainly seen in the late stage metastasized carcinomas, predominantly adenocarcinomas, often with bone marrow infiltration. The occurrence of TMA in association with metastatic cancer portends worse prognosis. The TMA however responds to antitumor therapy. Plasma exchange, the treatment of choice for TMAs of other etiologies is of questionable benefit. No reported cases of occurrence of TMA in association with astrocytoma till date. Only chemotherapy associated TMAs in glioma following use of Bavacizumab and Aflibercept are reported. We report a case of chemotherapy naive astrocytoma presenting with TMA. There was complete resolution of TMA with normalization of serum creatinine upon surgical resection of the tumor. This emphasizes the importance of antitumor therapies in cancer associated TMAs rather than plasma exchange and immune-adsorption.

Biography:

Gayatri Devi. V has completed her post-graduation in Biochemistry from GITAM University. She is currently working as a Junior Research Fellow in Department of Science & Technology (DST) funded project in the Dept. of Biochemistry, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam under the guidance of Dr. Rama Rao Malla.

Abstract:

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in India, way ahead of cervical cancer. WHO has predicted that in India by 2015, for every two women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, one is dying of it. Traditional treatments have a very poor prediction because of adverse side effects and intermittence of the disease. Therefore, the development of new protective therapeutic approach is necessary. CD151 play key role in the regulation of migration and adhesive function of metastatic tumor cells by organizing partner proteins like integrins, membrane receptors, signalling molecules and other tetraspanins into tetraspanin enriched micro domains that serve as molecular facilitators. The aim of the present study is to construct shRNA plasmid to target CD151 in breast cancer cell lines. pSilencer- mediated shRNA against CD151 was transiently transfected into MDA-MB 231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells using Lipofectamine. The expression of CD151 and metastasis was significantly reduced with CD151 shRNA plasmid in breast cancer cells.The results analysed by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed the expression of CD151 was two-fold reduced at mRNA and protein level, respectively, in MDA-MB231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells compared to normal breast epithelial cells with CD151 gene knockdown. CD151 gene silencing using shRNA decreased breast cancer cell proliferation by more than 60% in 48hrs. Transwell migration assay which is used to study the migratory response showed reduction in migration and invasion activity of MDA MB-231 & MCF-7 cells by CD151 gene knock down using CD151 shRNA. These results provide an evidence for CD151 to be a potential marker and help in development of therapeutic agent to counteract invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells.

Biography:

Imran Ahmed persuing his doctor of pharmacy in Malla Reddy College of Pharmacy, India and simultaneously continuing his internship in Malla Reddy Hospital.

Abstract:

Combination therapy or polytherapy is therapy that uses more than one medication. One major benefit of combination therapies is that they reduce development of drug resistance, since a pathogen or tumor is less likely to have resistance to multiple drugs simultaneously. Combination therapy may seem costlier than monotherapy in short term, but when used appropriately, it causes significant savings: lower treatment failure rate,lower case fatality ratios, fewer side effects than monotherapy, slower development of resistance and consequently. My aim is to show what are the different anti cancer drugs available as combination therapy, what is the mechanism of action, what are the drug interactions, contraindications. Which drugs are safe as per USFDA. If pregnant women is suffering with cancer which drugs should be prescribed, and which should be avoided. What are the different precaution that should be followed. And i also want to show what are the different types of cancer treatment that are used as adjuvant therapy such as Targeted therapy, Immunotherapy, Radiation therapy, Hormone therapy, Chemotherapy. Adjuvant therapy is often used after primary treatment . Adjuvant therapy given before the main treatment is called neoadjuvant therapy. My goal is to reduce Morbidity and Mortality, and provide effective treatment.

Biography:

Archana Patil has completed her M.Pharma in 2010 (Age-28) from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Banglore and registered for postdoctoral studies in 2012 as a full time research scholar in K.L.E.University, Karnataka. Presently, she is a full time research scholar under the faculty of pharmacy, K.L.E.University, Karnataka.

Abstract:

The principle objective of this research was to develop and characterize a biodegradable, thermo and pH dual responsive oxaliplatin-loaded chitosan-graft-poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (CS-g-PNIPAAm) copolymeric nanoparticles as a tumor-targeting drug delivery system. CS-g-PNIPAAm copolymers were synthesized via soapless dispersion co-polymerization and characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR (chemical structure) and DSC (LCST -Lower critical solution temperature). These copolymers could be efficiently loaded with oxaliplatin and Nanoparticles were evaluated for their morphology (SEM), particle size (TEM), zeta potential, loading efficiency and drug content. In vitro drug release study was carried out at different pH values (5.5, 6.5 and 6.8) & 40o C temperature as well as at physiological pH & temperature conditions. In vitro cytotoxicity study was performed on Human colon carcinoma cells HT-29. Nanoparticles exhibited porous inner structures with a particle size of 120-150 nm and zeta potential of about -61 ±12 mV. Loading efficiency and drug content were found to be 82.8% and 53.7% respectively. The drug release was slow at physiological pH and temperature i.e., only about 25% while the release rate was drastically increased to above 70% at acidic pH and temperature above LCST (40oC). Based on MTT assay the anti-tumor activity of drug loaded nanoparticles shows very less cytotoxicity as compaired to pure drug at pH 7.4 and 37o C and shows higher cytotoxicity than that of pure drug at 40oC and 6.5 pH on HT-29 cell lines. In conclusion, the obtained nanoparticles appeared to be of great promise in tumor targeted drug delivery of oxaliplatin.

Biography:

Bhatt Mital H. is a Registerd Ph.D student under the guidance of Dr.M.N.Reddy in Dept. of Bioscience,VNSGU, She completed her M.Sc in Bioinformatics and worked as Asst. Professor from 2009-2014 in department of computer science,VNSGU.

Abstract:

The metastasizing ability of malignant tumors is accountable for the poor prognosis and high mortality rate in cancer patients. Hence, metastasis is still a major clinical challenge for medical practitioners worldwide in cancer. Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway is found to play an important role in lung cancer metastasis, and targeting MEK/ERK cascade by its specific inhibitor may have a potential use in the effective treatment of metastatic sarcoma. In the search for the new alternative treatments, natural products are carving a path as prospective anticancer agents. Various therapeutic actions of the genus Phyllanthus have been reported, including being antihepatotoxic, antilithic, antihypertensive, anticarcinogenic, and most recently anti-HIV as well. The presence of polyphenol compounds in the Phyllanthus plant is critically important in the inhibition of the invasion, migration, and adhesion of cancer cells, along with the involvement of apoptosis induction. Hence, Phyllanthus could be a valuable candidate in the treatment of metastatic cancers. Insilico binding analysis of Phyllanthus secondary metabolites on the selected proteins, c-Raf, Bcl-2, Ras,Hif, c-Myc, c-Jun,VEGF found to be involved in lung cancer, hypoxia and angiogenesis is carried out in present work. A total no.of 33 phytochemical of Phyllanthus belonging to Flavanoids, Terpenes ,Coumarins, Lignans, Tannins and Saponins were screened using different computational molecular docking program such as AutoDockVina and molegrow .Respective binding energies are predicted for each molecule with the targeted molecules. Amongst all the classes Terpenes have shown significant binding activity against the putative targets and thus are possible therapeutic molecules against metastasis.

Biography:

Prita Pandya is currently working as a Junior Research Project Fellow in Project funded by GSBTM, Gujarat. Her research area of interest is Ayurvedic Treatment for Cancer.

Abstract:

Saponins are common in a variety of higher plants and usually found in roots, tubers, leaves, blooms or seeds. Saponins are a group of naturally occurring plant glycosides, characterized by their strong foam-forming properties in aqueous solution. There are more than 11 distinguished classes of saponins and due to the great variability of their structures; saponins always display anti-tumorigenic effects through varieties of antitumor pathways. It has been observed that several tumor cell types over express Aquaporin’s (AQP) in humans and assumed to be involved in cell proliferation, migration and metastasis .Recent studies have also reported the over expression of AQP5 and AQP3 in tumors such as gastric, pulmonary, ovarian, pancreatic and colorectal cancer as well as in SCC cell lines but only slightly in non-tumor tissue and fibroblasts, indicating the important role of AQP5 and AQP3 in SCCs. It was demonstrated that upon silencing AQP-5 gene the cell growth was inhibited in SCC cell lines. In the present work, we have done insilico analysis for the selected class of saponins from different taxa with AQPs. We found that Jujoboside A, Dehydro-pregnenolone,Diosgenin, Protodioscin, Aescin showed acceptable binding energy, while other saponins which were reported to have anti-metastatic activity did not show positive interaction with AQP-5 in docking studies. The In vitro confirmation of these positive interactions is being established.

Biography:

Dhabadge Vivek Nanasaheb has completed his post graduation in Botany from S.R.T.M.University Nanded, Maharashtra, India in 2011. After completion of post graduation he completed M.Phil (Botany) from SRTM University (MH), India. Currently he is working as UGC-Project fellow in school of life sciences SRTM University Nanded. Maharashtra he is also registered for Ph.D at the same university. His main area of research is Herbal products, Tyrosinaes, Angiogenesis, Cancer, and Antioxidants.

Abstract:

Ailanthus excelsa Roxb is deciduous tree from the family Simaroubaceae and widely distributed in Asia and china A.excelsa is used to cure wounds and skin eruption and is used in the indigenous system of medicine febrifuge, bronchitis, asthama, and in condition of diarrhea and dysentery. A excelsa extract and some isolated compound have demonstrated medicinal properties such as significant antileukemic, antibacterial, antifungal and antifertility activites. The present work was desigined to evoulate in vitro anticancer activity of bark of A. excelsa against human breast cancer cells. Methanolic extract of bark of A. excelsa was evaluated for inhibition of cell proliferation and migration of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. MTT- based cytotoxicity assay was used to assess the effect of methanolic extract of bark of A. Excelsa against proliferation of human breast cancer cell line. Wound healing migration assay was used to assess the effects on the migration ability of human breast cancer cells. Methanolic extract of A. excelsa showed significant anticancer activity against MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line.

Biography:

Elahe Elhami is currently a Pharma D student at Visveswarapura Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Her area of interest is Basic and Applied Research on Cancer.

Abstract:

Background: Chemotherapy is a treatment for many cancers however, chemotherapy treatment could cause many unwanted side effects among which nausea and vomiting are the most feared by patients. Objective: Study the pattern and cost impact of anti emetic drug in patients with cancer. Method: Retrospective observational study was conducted from March 2010 to August 2015 in 86 cancer patient admitted to all the departments at KIMS hospital, Bangalore. Information from the case sheets was retrieved into a well designed data collection form from cancer patients The mean prescription cost was calculated for about 5 days for each case. Results: Out of 86 cancer patients, 45 (52.32%) were male and 41(47.67%) were females with mean age of 55±11.94 years. We found that 20 (23.25%) patients were on monotherapy, 35 (40.69%) patients on two drug therapy, 22 (25.58%) patients were on three drug therapy, 9(10.46%) patients were on four drug therapy. Out of 205 drugs prescribed for 86 patients, most common drugs were ondansetron with 63(33.17%) prescription, follow by dexamethasone 65(31.7%), aprepitant 40 (19.51%), pantoprazole 20 (9.75%), lorazepam 12 (5.85). About 128(62.43%) of the prescribed drugs where from essential drug list (EDL) 2015. 90 (43.9%) patients were prescribed with generic names. Average number of antiemetic drugs per prescription was found to be 2.23±0.92.The mean prescription cost of antiemetic drugs for 5 days was found to be 620.98 INR. Conclusion: The prescription analysed were in accordance to guideline of national comprehensive cancer network (NCCN) and it showed that management of vomiting after and before chemotherapy need combination of therapies.

Biography:

Dr. Manikonda Prakash Rao has completed his Master’s Degree, International Law and Legal Studies, and was a Gold Medalist in International law and constitutional law. He presented papers at varoius International Medical conferences. So far he participated in about 15 conferences including All India Institute of Medical sciences New Delhi for Geriatric conferences, WAO of US for the conferences on asthma immunology and allergy etc. Recently he presented a paper at Indo Global health summit and expo at Hyderabad on Lung cancer -Prevention and Management through exercise interventions.

Abstract:

Background: The objective of the paper is to create awareness among people about alternative and complimentary methods to protect themselves from respiratory diseases like asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive lung disease, cancer etc. The following changes take place in airways as a result of lung diseases 1) Inflammation: Is a physiological process and plays the role of immunological defense against infection, injury or allergy 2) Hyper secretion of mucus: Is a major pathological feature of diseases. It is the result of goblet cell hyperplasia in respiratory mucosa and is a prominent feature of inflammation. Chronic mucus hyper secretion is a potential risk factor for an accelerated loss of lung function. It is a common feature in elderly. The thick viscous mucus in the lungs will be conducive to pathogens. Continued inflammation and mucus hyper secretion may significantly contribute to transformation of normal cells into cancer cells. 3) Broncospasm: It is an additional factor in asthma patients. The three factors together cause breathlessness. Further, chronic inflammation and its prominent feature, hyper-secretion of mucus are the fuses that ignite cancer. Without these factors, there cannot be inflammatory cell recruitment to the site of infection, injury or allergy. Continued presence of inflammatory cells or carcinogens may lead to cycles of tissue injury and repair resulting in carcinogenesis of airways. Therefore, treating these two factors is very important for airway integrity and to protect from airway diseases including cancer. For resolution of the said factors, a rapid programmed clearance of excess mucus is necessary. As a result, the origin of it inflammation gets resolved. A little medicinal assistance may become necessary. Methods: Exercise is a potent medication in history. They are mucokineses and a recipe for healthy ageing. Exercises strengthen the remodeled airways and reset the biological ageing process. They are a) Upper airway passages cleansing Exercises: They help in cleansing mouth, nose and pharynx, the primary sites of colonization of pathogens and the sinuses, the way stations to the brain. These exercises should be practiced with hypertonic solution i.e., a solution having greater osmotic pressure than that of cells or body fluids and draws water out of cells thus inducing plasmolysis. b) Bronchial airways cleaning exercises: They are based on forced expiratory techniques. They help in draining out excess mucus from bronchial airways. c) Physical, aerobic and yogic exercises: help in strengthening the inspiratory and expiratory muscles. Conclusions: Any mucus related respiratory health problem commences from upper airway passages and spreads to trachea-bronchial tree as they constitute only one path way. The mucociliary clearance mechanism becomes defunct when excess and sticky mucus forms. Once the upper airway passages are cleaned of it, the defunct cilia become active and ciliate mucus towards nasal passages and it can be blown out easily. The bronchial airways cleaning exercises help in draining out total mucus from airways. The respiratory and other diseases originating from its pathway come under control. Healthy ageing process commences. Biography

Biography:

B Vijay Raj has completed his M Phil in Biochemistry, submitted thesis for the award of the PhD in Dept. of Biotechnology at Acharya Nagarjuna University. He is the Associate Director of DAWN, a premier service organization. He has published more than 5 papers in reputed journals and serving as a Member of (ABAP) Association of Biotechnology and Pharmacy, a reputed journal.

Abstract:

P53 is an important tumor suppressor gene with a known role in the later stages of cancer. Since its discovery in 1979, p53 has become the focus of intensive cancer based research in laboratories around the world. Tumor suppressor gene p53 is an attractive cancer therapeutic target because it can be functionally activated to eradicate tumors. Mdm2 has been identified as a p53 interacting protein towards represses p53 transcriptional activity. Mdm2 achieves this repression by binding to and blocking the N- terminal trans-activation domain of p53. Mdm2 is a p53 responsive gene that is; its transcription can be activated by p53. When p53 is stabilized, the transcription of Mdm2 is also induced, resulting in higher Mdm2 protein levels causing recognition and repair, transcription regulation problems leading to cancer. Thus inhibiting the Mdm2- p53 interactions has been proven to be most promising approach for cancer therapy. In this present paper an investigation was carried out on the mode of interaction between p53 and Mdm2 at molecular level. Then a structure based virtual screening approach was used to identify the target specific Mdm2 inhibitors by docking studies. The best compound will be subjected to molecular dynamic simulations for further validating the docking studies and to reveal interactions during the conformational changes. The identified compounds are compared to that of the FDA drug Nutlin compound that which has already proven. Finally the paper was concluded by proposing a potent lead compound suitable for the inhibition of p53- Mdm2 complex and recommended for the further studies based on the above mentioned results.

Biography:

Sayantani Karmakar has completed her MSc from Department of Microbiology, University of Kalyani, West Bengal, India and is currently pursuing her PhD degree from the same University from Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics under supervision of Prof. Rita Ghosh. She is receiving fellowship from UGC-BSR grant and has two publications in two reputed journals. She has also presented a part of her work in a national seminar and in an international seminar.

Abstract:

Acridines are important for their diverse biological activities. We present here the poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase1 (PARP1) inhibitory activity of an aryl-acridine (ACPH). The nuclear enzyme PARP1 is involved in DNA repair and inhibition of its activity potentiates cell killing by different agents. Some PARP1 inhibitors are therefore used in conjunction with chemotherapeutic agents in cancer therapy to potentiate their action. Using bioinformatics docking tools the binding of ACPH to human PARP1 was investigated. ACPH could bind to PARP1 by interacting with the catalytic important amino acids at its NAD+ binding pocket. In silico mutants created for some of the catalytically important amino acid residues revealed that ACPH could only bind to and inhibit those enzymes with PARP1 activity. The findings indicated that ACPH can be a potent PARP1 inhibitor. Post treatment with ACPH could sensitize both exponential growing and quiescent A375cells to killing after exposure to DNA damaging agent, possibly by inhibiting DNA repair. The intracellular NAD+ content of A375 cells were also assayed biochemically. NAD+ is the precursor for PAR formation in cells after DNA damage; hence depletion of NAD+ is indicative of PARP activity in damaged cells. No depletion in NAD+ level was observed in DNA-damaged cells on post treatment with ACPH. These findings confirmed the PARP1 inhibitory activity of ACPH. The findings are important as it revealed for the first time PARP1 inhibitory activity in an acridine derivative. Considering the importance of PARP1 inhibitors in cancer therapeutics, the findings could be important for new drug development.

Biography:

Jeya Keerthi.S is presently doing MBBS at Chennai Medical College and Research Centre, Trichy-621105, affiliated by Dr.MGR Medical University, Tamilnadu, India. One of her research papers had been selected in E-Poster FITNESS 2015, Philadelphia, USA, entitled as ‘Attitude and Behavioral Plan to Maintain Positive Body Image among young adults’ which is accepted for publication in the journal of ‘Obesity and Weight Loss Therapy’ published by OMICS.

Abstract:

Background: More than 90% of cases of breast cancer can be detected by women themselves, stressing the importance of breast self-examination (BSE) as the key breast cancer detection mechanism. The problem is that poor awareness of breast cancer symptoms has usually been associated with patient delay in seeking help resulting in reduced survival. In this point of view, we planned to study the Barriers to Perform Early Screening and Practice of Breast Self-Examination among High Risk Young Adults. Materials and Methods: The analytical cross-sectional study was carried out 70 female’s students, aged between 18–23 yrs., in a tertiary care teaching hospital during 2014-15. They were selected by simple randomized sampling method based on family history, pre tested structured questionnaire. After getting approval from institutional ethical committee, data collection were done by using self-administered questionnaires. It consists of demographic data, practice of breast self-examination, reasons and barrier to perform BSE. The descriptive data were presented as frequencies and percentages. Statistical analysis was carried out by using IBM SPSS version 21. Results: The mean age, BMI were 18 yrs. And 21.01 respectively. Of the total sample, approximately 32(45%) of the student had performed BSE 38(55%) have not performed. Although most were aware that the BSE due to breast cancer and other diseases. Nearly half the students 43(61%) sated that the never felt the need to do BSE because of they don’t know how to do it and absence of symptoms. In conclusion, most of the students preferred individualized method for removal barrier to perform BSE than other method. Conclusion: The study revealed that educating the youth on breast cancer is a potential strategy for dissemination of information and their knowledge to other female family members and friends in the society. Overall, our objectives could urge the healthcare providers and educationists to rethink their strategy of imparting knowledge to young adult on early diagnosis of breast cancer.

Biography:

Dr.Richa Arora completed her MBBS in 2002 and MD Radiology in 2007 from M.D University Rohtak. She further did three year senior residency in All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. She has also cleared FRCR (UK) and Master of Medicine (Diagnostic Radiology), Singapore. She is currently working as Assistant professor in the Department of Radiology in Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India. She has 25 publications to her credit. Her research interests include Musculoskeletal Radiology, Body Imaging (especially liver imaging) and MRI. She has been serving as editorial board member of reputed journals.

Abstract:

The diagnosis of osseous neoplasms relies predominantly on their systematic analysis on plain radiographs with attention to features like location, margins and zone of transition, matrix, periosteal reaction, cortical destruction, soft tissue component, number of lesions. MRI further helps narrowing the differential or making a specific diagnosis in problematic cases due to its excellent contrast resolution and ability to demonstrate the components like cartilage, fat, vascular tissue, hemorrhage and necrosis. It is also more sensitive to detect radiographically subtle marrow lesions. Moreover, it provides additional crucial information required for local staging and surgical planning like degree of intramedullary extension, involvement of muscle compartments, neurovascular bundles, presence of skip lesions, invasion of adjacent physeal plates and intraarticular extension. Additionally, contrast enhanced MRI helps in differentiating solid from cystic lesions and demonstrating tumoral enhancement characteristics along with depicting most vascularized components. Biopsies done under MRI guidance help in avoiding sampling necrotic tissues. It also helps in follow-up of these cases and assessing treatment response to neoadjuvant therapy. I will share my experience with MR evaluation of bone tumors.

Biography:

Vishnu Varthan Vaithiyalingam Jagannathan is a Research Scholar in SRM University, India, and his main area of research interest is lung tumor progression.

Abstract:

Background: Naringenin, aglycone flavonoid possess certain activities like anti-oxidant, anti-estrogenic, anti-diabetic, cardioprotective, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and also have anti-cancer characteristics like carcinogenic inactivation, cell cycle arrest, anti-proliferation, apoptosis, anti-angiogenesis and enhances anti-oxidant activity. Methodology: The inhibitory effect of Naringenin in lung tumor progression estimated with adenocarcinoma (A549) cell lines (in vitro) and C57BL/6 mice injected with 5×106 A549 cell lines (in vivo) in a tri-dose manner (Naringenin 100 mg/kg,150 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) compared with standard chemotherapy drug cisplatin (7 mg/kg). Results: The results of the present study revealed a dose-dependent activity in Naringenin and combination with cisplatin at a higher dose which showed decreased tumor progression in mice. In vitro studies carried out for estimation of cell survival and Nitric Oxide (NO) level, shows dose dependent action of Naringenin with IC50=42 µg/ml. In vivo studies were carried out in C57BL/6 mice. Naringenin satisfied the condition of an anti-cancer molecule with its characteristics in fragmentation assay, Zymography assay and anti-oxidant and myeloperoxidase studies than cisplatin which failed in anti-oxidant and myeloperoxidase effect. Both in vitro and in vivo establishes dose dependent decrease in NO levels. But whereas, Naringenin showed adverse results in Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymatic levels with increase in dose levels. Conclusion: From the present study, Naringenin could suppress the lung tumor progression when given individually and also in combinatorial with standard chemotherapy drug.

Biography:

Dr N Rama Swamy is an eminent professor. He has done his Masters in biotechnology. He has 24 years of teaching experience and 30 years industrial experience. He guided 12 PhD students and 8 PhD students are now under his guidance. He has published in 66 national journals and 26 international journals.

Abstract:

Senna alata is an important ethnomedicinal plant belonging to Fabaceae family. The plant is widely used in folk medicine for its laxative and antifungal properties. The extracts of the plant are also known to possess a wide range of medicinal properties like antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti tumor, antipyretic and analgesic properties. In the present investigation an attempt has been made to study the anticancer activity attributed to the aqueous leaf extract of the species using MTT assay. In vitro anticancer activity of aqueous leaf extracts of Senna alata was carried out on human Breast Cancer (MCF-7) cell line using MTT assay. After treating the MCF-7 cells with the standard and test drugs and subsequent incubations, OD of Tamoxifen (STD) was compared to that of the test extract at 492 nm and percentage of inhibition of cell proliferation was calculated. The results of the present study showed that an increase in the inhibition of cell proliferation was concentration dependent and even at lower concentrations the test extracts effectively regulated cell proliferation. As the concentration of the test extract increased from 6.25-200 µg/ml, an increase in the percentage of cell inhibition was observed and at highest concentration (200 µg per ml) of the leaf extract the maximum percentage of cell inhibition (99.92%) was observed. The leaf extract of S. alata can be used to cure the breast cancer.

Biography:

Sakshi Chauhan is professionally a Mechanical Engineer with having a keen interest in biological materials. She is currently pursuing her PhD from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. She is recently awarded with technological edge appreciation under Gandhian Young Technological Innovation 2015 at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Abstract:

Extracorporeal irradiation therapy (ECRT) and re-implantation is now an established technique for limb salvage surgery of malignant bone tumor. ECRT is a biological reconstruction method with several advantages including no risk of immunological reaction or diseases transmission, cost-effective, absence of heavy implants, no need for subsequent surgeries in growing-age patients, and others. Bone is a natural composite in which mineral (hydroxyl-apatite) crystals are embedded between end to end gaps of 40nm collagen fibrils. The ratios in which both the component co-exist have direct co-relation with mechanical properties of bone. Several studies have focused on clinical outcome of the procedure, whereas no compositional and mechanical aspects have been looked into to examine the changes occurring in human bone under heavy dose of radiation (50 Gy). In this study a correlation is established between compositional and biomechanical property in resected bone for patients with malignant bone tumors (osteo-sarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma) pre and post ECRT. So far four males and one female patient, with mean age of 18 years has been examined with Malignant bone tumor (MBT) undergoing ECRT at All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS, Delhi), and subsequent compositional study has been performed at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-Delhi). The humerus, forearm and tibia are the concern locations. From each subject two bone samples are resected, one from the non irradiated section called pre irradiated sample and other from 50 Gy irradiated section called post irradiated sample. Both the samples are delivered in physiologically saline solution to IIT Delhi where, initially they are cleared of bone marrow (defatting) and excess of soft tissue using jet of de-ionized water followed by ultrasonic bath and then kept in desiccators for an hour. The sample is embedding epoxy and subsequently polished for concerned testing. For investigating the change in ratio of amount of phosphate (143−) to the amount of collagen amide present in both the sample, the technique of inVia confocal Raman spectroscopy is performed. Excitation laser of 785 nm with 50% laser power is used to scan 110 X 110 µm2 areas at two positions in each sample with two accumulations at every position. The compositional changes are correlated with biomechanical property of the same sample via Nano-Indentation study. Set of data revealed that bone undergoes significant compositional changes as a result of high-dose (50 Gy) radiation. Amount of mineralization, ratio of 959 cm-1 to amide I at 1660 cm-1 is reduced as an effect of irradiation, making the bone softer in nature. There is slight decrease in amount of calcium and carbonate substitution while crystallinity in all the samples remained almost same which is calculated as the inverse of band width at half maxima of phosphate band at 959 cm-1. Average indentation curve obtained by series of indentation at the location of secondary osteon revealed loss of modulus for all the five specimens. Such data can help clinicians in selection of suitable external support mechanism (such as locking plates, intra-medullary nails, simple K wires, or pins) during re-implantation and in deciding post-operative care.

Biography:

Dr. Sai Yendamuri, a general thoracic surgeon, attended the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. He completed general surgical training at the University of Pennsylvania and the New York Hospital, Queens. Following this, he completed a Thoracic Surgery Fellowship at the prestigious MD Anderson Cancer Center, which also included training in lung transplantation at the Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Yendamuri has trained with several leaders of thoracic surgery in the United States. During his six-year tenure, he established several successful novel clinical programs including endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), transcervical extended mediastinal lymphadenectomy (TEMLA), intrapleural photodynamic therapy and intrapleural heated chemotherapy programs for pleural malignancy.

Abstract:

Lung cancer is growing at epidemic proportions in India. The epidemiology of lung cancer in India is significantly different from that in the west. Patients with lung cancer in India are younger by a decade, non-smokers and financially unsound. Most care is delivered in a non-comprehensive and fragmented manner. The speaker is a thoracic surgical oncologist who has relocated from the United States after training and practicing in some of the world’s best institutions. He has now spent 2 years and performed almost 500 thoracic surgical operations in the country. The presentation is based on the speaker’s experience of practicing thoracic oncologic surgery in India comparing it to that in the West. The presentation will highlight the challenges of surgical management of these patients in India as well as identify opportunities for improvement with suggestions for practical solutions that may work better in the Indian setting.