[CCoE Notice] BME Seminar: Imaging and Therapy Directed at Cancer Stroma Cells

[Grayson, Audrey A]

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Seminar
Imaging and Therapy Directed at Cancer Stroma Cells
Friday, October 14, 2016
SEC 204: 12-1PM
Speaker: Dr. Chun Li
Professor
Departments of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas


Abstract:
Tumor stroma is characterized by the presence of a large number of cancer associated fibroblasts, macrophages, endothelial cells, and other immune cells. These cells are often present in aberrantly high numbers in tumor microenvironment that are distinctly different from normal cells. Targeting stroma cells proves a unique opportunity for cancer imaging and therapy. We have exploited the use of nanoparticles and imaging probes directed at cancer associated fibroblasts and macrophages for imaging therapy-induced cell death, assessing host response to tumor progression and suppression, and potentiation of conventional chemoradiotherapy. These work will be presented and discussed in the context of pancreatic cancer and ovarian cancer, and inflammatory diseases in my talk.


Bio:
Chun Li, Ph.D. is a professor in the Department of Cancer Systems Imaging at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Li earned his doctorate in chemistry at Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey. His undergraduate degree was obtained from Peking University, Beijing, China. Research in Dr. Li’s laboratory is primarily focused on two areas: 1) Develop targeted imaging probes for noninvasive characterization of molecular events associated with tumor progression and regression. Multiple imaging modalities, including PET, SPETC, MRI and optical imaging are used to acquire complementary data with increased sensitivity and selectivity for early tumor detection, tumor-marker profiling and the monitoring of early treatment responses. 2) Develop novel drug-delivery systems for selective delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic agents to the disease sites. Nanometric drug carriers are designed for selective delivery of anticancer agents to the tumor to maximize their therapeutic efficacy and minimize their toxic side effects to normal tissue. The long-term goal of Dr. Li’s laboratory is to apply the “seek and treat” strategy in the development of targeted imaging/ therapeutic (theranostic) agents that will eventually be translated to the clinic to improve the management of cancer through early tumor detection and individualized therapy. A polymer-drug conjugate (PG-TXL) originated from his laboratory has advanced into clinical phase III trials studies. Dr. Li has more than 140 papers published in peer-reviewed journals, 28 patents (4 of which have been licensed), 1 edited book, and 14 book chapters.
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