Molecular oncology and personalised cancer care

MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY RESEARCH AND PERSONALISED CANCER CARE

Coordinated by Professor Kevin J Naidoo, Director, Scientific Computing Research Unit, University of Cape Town

Monday 15–Friday 19 January  5.00 pm  COURSE FEES R550; Staff and students R275

There is much variation in cancer and scientists are increasingly convinced that a more effective treatment option for cancer is a personalised treatment. The first lecture provides an overview of the development of personalised molecular oncology and provides insights into different kinds of cancers: how they are caused, characterised and diagnosed, and what progress has been made in identifying targets to treat.

The second lecture delves into the intricate world of cancer, focusing on the underlying biological pathways and cellular processes that contribute to its development and progression, shedding light on how these cellular mechanisms can lead to the early diagnosis of cancer and how they can be targeted for therapeutic interventions. Next, the role of genetics in cancers is highlighted and show that all cancers are the result of a genetic change which may occur de novo affecting a specific gene that has to do with cell growth, resulting in a sporadic cancer,

or it may occur as an inherited event occurring in every cell of the body.

The fourth lecture will analyse the seemingly insurmountable genomic and biochemical data that provide the gateway to early detection and specialised therapeutics and patient care.

In the final session, views on cancer research and laboratory and clinical training needed for South Africa to beat the odds of a growing health care crisis will be discussed. The panel will ask whether South African research laboratories preparing tools to support the transition to the necessary framework in cancer care to deal with the estimated massive growth in the incidence of cancer by 2040 can succeed.

Lecture titles

Molecular oncology and what it means in the clinical workspace Prof Jeannette Parkes
Cancer biological pathways and cellular processes Prof Sharon Prince
The role of genetics in cancers Prof Raj Ramesar
Discovering molecular biomarkers and therapeutics using big data analytics Prof Kevin Naidoo
Personalised cancer care imperfect … Panel Discussion

Participants can earn CPD points for this course.

TO BOOK:

https://www.webtickets.co.za/performance.aspx?itemid=1534474028

KNKevin Naidoo is Professor of Physical Chemistry and a UCT Research Professor in Scientific Computing. In 2007 he was awarded the South African Research Chair in Scientific Computing which he held until 2021. He established the Scientific Computing Research Unit in 2009 at the University of Cape Town and is director of that unit that has as its focus the discovery and development of cancer biomarkers and therapeutics. The algorithms his group develops are used to discover genome-based cancer biomarkers. His research involves developing model drugs to inhibit rogue enzymes advancing metastasis, This work also assists in classifying cancer types for early detection. His work has been featured on the front covers of the leading computational chemistry journals and also published in the Journal of the American Chemical SocSociety.

Jeannette Parkes is Professor and divisional Head of Radiation Oncology and Head of Radiation Medicine at Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Her clinical portfolio includes management of CNS tumours, bone and soft tissue tumours and paediatric radiotherapy. Her research interests include global oncology, paediatric radiotherapy, and use of artificial intelligence for radiotherapy.

Professor Sharon Prince is Deputy Dean of Research and head of the Department of Human Biology at UCT, Professor Prince is a leading cancer researcher whose large research group focus on studying novel therapeutic interventions and drug targets for the treatment of melanoma, sarcoma, breast, cervical and pancreatic cancer. They have provided strong biological evidence TBX2 and TBX3 are novel targets for the development of ant-cancer drugs that can be administered on their own or in combination with current chemotherapeutic drugs. They are also investigating the potential of compounds found n marine organisms and commercially available non-cancer drugs that can be repurposed to treat cancer through their ability to inhibit TBX2/3.

Raj Ramesar is Professor and head of the Division of Human Genetics at the University of Cape Town. He also serves as Director of the MRC Human Genetics Research Unit, and CANSA’s Colorectal Cancer Research Consortium. Prof Ramesar is principal investigator on the Retinal Degenerative Disorders research project. Apart from being involved directly with several established research projects aimed at elucidating the genetic basis of diseases in South Africa, he is currently channeling his energy in setting up research into understanding the genetic basis of the more complex yet common chronic disorders (e.g. hypertension) in our populations. Raj is married to Jenny, and they have two sons and a daughter. His nonacademic pursuits include bonsai and painting in watercolours.